Milk Street Közmatik
This Turkish tool is the secret to perfect char-roasted vegetables, especially if you don’t have a grill or fire pit. The disk fits perfectly over the grate of a gas grill or the burner of a gas stove, so no more painstakingly monitoring vegetables under the broiler or accidentally setting them on fire. The design lets heat circulate evenly around the vegetables, so you are truly roasting, rather than searing (as you would on a skillet). The holes in the közmatik are spaced close enough to hold even small veggies, so there’s no struggle to keep a bulbous eggplant steady or keep slender spring onions from falling into the fire or rolling off. It’s also less messy than trying to char directly on the burner: The közmatik catches nearly all of the bits of charred vegetable skin and juices that would otherwise leak onto the surface of the stove; and, once cooled, it can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. Virtually impossible to track down in the U.S., this tool is essential for achieving luscious roasted eggplant and smoky-sweet roasted peppers.
Kleiner Bär "Salz Lemon" Lemon Salt Spray
Briny and bright, this sprayable seasoning adds a burst of citrus and salt to any dish. Kleiner Bär, one of Austria’s best restaurants, developed these clever sprays for diners to add an extra, even hit of flavor to dishes off their menu. The atomizer releases an even mist of lemon-infused liquid salt, which is perfect for adding a touch of brightness to any dish—and applies more evenly than sprinkling salt from your hand. While you can use the spray in place of fresh lemons, the salty, citrusy flavor reminded us of preserved lemon. Try it for marinating meat or fish, spray on salads or roasted vegetables and finish sautéed bitter greens with it. We love using this one to spray inside a cocktail glass or to add to the rim before salt or sugar for an extra hit of flavor and aroma.
Brightland x Oishii LUSH Strawberry Vinegar
Prized in Japanese food culture, the Omakase Strawberry is the pinnacle of berries. So it’s no surprise that when combined with Brightland’s superior vinegar base, which is produced without any additives or sweeteners, the result is an exceptional strawberry vinegar. All strawberries come from Oishii, an energy efficient indoor vertical farm. Their dedication to the fruit shows, yielding a bright, sparkling vinegar that boasts clear strawberry flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. With a 5% acidity level—some can be as harsh as 8%—this vinegar is not too sharp but cuts just enough, helping to balance out berry flavor so it’s never cloying. Use it to macerate strawberries, add to cocktails and sauces, drizzle over cakes, stir into vinaigrettes or toss directly into salads. Very limited inventory available.
Cheese Grotto Classico
Inspired by the caves used for centuries by cheesemakers to store their wheels and wares, this cheese grotto is aptly designed to preserve the food’s freshness, aroma and taste using natural materials and careful climate control. It’s handmade from breathable bamboo wood to prevent premature molding and contains a clay brick humidifier on the bottom that, when soaked in water regularly, regulates moisture (no more crumbly cheese!). A vaulted ceiling makes for ideal airflow and condensation control, while an adjustable back panel promotes extra breathability. Plus, you won’t waste any more plastic wrap on cheese that’ll only make it slimy. The Grotto Classico is the most similar to a cheese cave out of the grotto collection; it can hold up to 8 pounds of cheese and will fit well in a medium-large-sized refrigerator. Its two removable shelves help to accommodate wheels and wedges of all sizes, while the plexiglass windows and pull-down door let you easily access and keep an eye on your cheese. And for budding cheese makers, this grotto can also be used to age homemade cheeses thanks to its air channels. Includes a 2oz bottle of mineral oil to help care for the wood.
Aux Co. Ltd. Oroshi Spoon
Made in Japan, this unique tool is designed to grate and zest easily without clogging up, thanks to its sharp blades set at a 60-degree angle. It cuts through ginger and other tougher foods well, while preventing waste thanks to its spoon shape. Simply grate directly onto the spoon and use it to stir your ingredient directly into whatever you’re making—the solid bottom also ensures all of the gratings are kept on the spoon. And the angle of the blades make it easy to clean.
Verve Culture Moroccan Champagne Glasses - Set of 6
Handcrafted from recycled wine bottles, this set of unique Moroccan handblown glasses are a beautiful addition to any table. Each timeless glass is organic in form with bubbles suspended in the glass itself due to their handblown nature. Use for a special champagne toast and celebrate in style.
Grand Noodle Five Colored Noodles
Handcrafted by a master noodle maker, these multicolored guksu, or Korean noodles, are infused with clean vegetable flavor. Guksu Master Kim Hyun Kyu started his noodle operation in 1987, wanting to add flavor to basic, bland wheat noodles that only supplemented other recipe components. After years of experimenting with ratios, recipes and aging, Kyu developed vibrant, vegetable-forward twists on the classic noodle. These guksu get their distinctive color-true hues and flavor from garlic chives, sweet pumpkin, beets, and white and black rice. And the ingredients are more than natural food coloring; when cooked, the aromatic noodles impart a subtle but noticeable flavor to dishes and retain a pleasant chew. Try them in pasta dishes, Korean preparations—like bibim-guksu, a spicy noodle stir-fry, or kong-guksu, a cold soy milk soup—or boiled and tossed with oil and sea salt.
The Qi Trio Petite Flower Set
These flower teas—technically known as tisanes, or caffeine-free infusions—are sourced by The Qi from small farms across Asia when the finest flowers are picked at peak bloom. The Trio Petite Flower Teas took over a year to create and source three different petite flower varieties, all with a range of flavors and holistic benefits. Pick from Butterfly Pea, sweet, floral and citrusy that steeps blue and changes to purple with a bit of lemon juice; Jasmine, lightly floral and fragrant with a hint of sweet honeysuckle; or Rosebud, nutty, rosy and sweet with a touch of honey. All three flowers are full of antioxidants and help to promote relaxation. To enjoy, simply steep one flower in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes, making sure it is fully submerged. From there, sip hot or cool down for an iced tea. Or, use these flowers to infuse simple syrup and floral waters, make ice cream or popsicles, or crush up petals and add to cookies or chocolate bark. You can even make tinctures, salves or potpourri for topical use.
Verve Culture Terra Cotta Hot Chocolate Jug
Our supplier partners with a single Mexican artisan to source these handcrafted terra cotta jugs, which are meant primarily for serving hot chocolate but can be used for a number of functions. The hourglass shape prevents liquid from splashing when you're whisking hot chocolate, and the clay can be heated directly on the stove over low flame to warm tea, coffee or even soup. Plus, the dramatic curves of the pitcher and handle make it an elegant and inviting decorative piece. To cure the jug before first use, fill with cool water below its rim and bring the water to a boil on the stove. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then allow the jug and the water to cool on their own. As with all clay cookware, this product should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Rinsing a hot jug under cold water, for instance, may cause it to crack.
Haci Bekir Turkish Delight - Assorted Fruit Flavors
From the company that made Turkish delight famous, Haci Bekir, this Turkish delight (lokum) comes in an assortment of fruity flavors. We found these in Istanbul, and they’re the most authentic version of traditional Turkish lokum we’ve been able to get in the States. The jellies are tangy with mellow fruit flavors—the sour cherry, strawberry, apricot and orange reminded us of high-end gummy bears or jelly beans. But their pleasant sweetness isn’t overpowering, unlike American fruit candies or sugary-sweet mass-produced versions of this Turkish classic. You’ll love sinking your teeth into their chewy, supple texture.
Casablanca Market Unglazed Natural Tagine
In Morocco, you can't go two steps without seeing—and smelling—tagine, which refers to both a broad variety of flavorful, slow-simmered stews and the conical cooking vessel in which they are prepared. While you don't need the pot to make the stew, the cookware's pyramid-shaped lid does most of the work for you and produces consistently moist results, condensing and redirecting steam back into food. We love these beautiful unglazed tagines from Casablanca Market: Each one-of-a-kind piece is made of terra cotta, which is porous so it absorbs flavors from every batch and infuses it into food, much like seasoned cast iron. Some tagines will have color variations or small indents in the sides. These aren't defects but rather a result of their traditional production method: Multiple pots in the kiln side by side that are then separated by hand, so each tagine is unique in character. To season before first use, submerge both the pot and lid in water for six hours and let them air-dry completely. Rub the interior of the base and lid with a few tablespoons of cooking oil, then place the tagine in a cold oven. Set the oven to 350°F, bake for 2 hours, and leave the tagine to cool completely in the turned-off oven. As with all clay cookware, your tagine should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Rinsing a hot pot under cold water, for instance, may cause it to crack.
