Food

10 BEAUTIFUL GIFTS FOR FOODIES NOW

We’ve curated the most beautiful collection of 10 food and drink gifts that are glorious, not only for the holidays but for all year long. They all fit that temptation category of -- so-fabulous-you’ll-want-to-keep-them-for-yourself. So, you’ll have to buy at least two of everything!

1.CREEKSIDE FARMS CITRUS WREATH

Wreaths can be pretty cliché as far as decorative elements go. But this beautiful artisanal Citrus Wreath from Creekside Farms is an exception on many levels. It’s made of willow eucalyptus sprigs, punctuated with real dried whole oranges that have been decoratively slit as well as dried orange and lemon slices.

It smells like a combination citrus eucalyptus grove, so it’s perfect for either a kitchen doorway or main house entrance.

Available from Food52’s fabulous online emporium Provisions.

2. t1 TEQUILA

If you have a very good friend, who you really love, who really loves tequila -- and who has a thing for great legs -- you’ll want to consider giving them a bottle (or two) of t1 (aka Tequila Uno).

This is an extra-special Highlands-gown, 100% blue agave number, designed and produced by master-distiller German Gonzales. There are three beauties to keep your tequila lover in love:

t1 Tequila Blanco Ultra-Fino is an unaged white varietal. Its fruity pear and apple notes are topped with subtle lemon and cinnamon hints.
t1 Tequila Reposado Excepcional is unusual in that it is aged in Scotch casks. It’s a little sweet and bright, with round citrus and pineapple notes.
t1 Tequila Anejo Estelar is a deep dark smouldering sip, with coffee and dark chocolate silkiness. Aged for up to 2 years in Scotch barrels.

t1 is what Patron would be if Patron were still made by hand, in small batches, by a talented craftsman, instead of in a giant industrial factory. Just sayin’...

3. ARMANI DOLCI PANETTONE

Imagine a rich golden holiday panettone, all dressed up in a fabulous Armani suit! Wrapped in black tulle, printed with turquoise polka dots, this hand-crafted Italian specialty bread looks almost too good to eat. It’s perfect for your fashionista foodie friend.

4. EYES CHOCOLATE BOX

Another fashionista foodie gift idea is the Eyes Chocolate Box. It’s the sweet result of a collaboration between chocolatier Maison Pierre Marcolini and designer Olympia Le-Tan. Seventeen amazing Marcolini chocolate confections come encased in a whimsical pink box, tied up with a chocolate brown satin ribbon. Divine!

Available at Selfridges.

5. DITZIE CAKES TRUFFLE POP BASKET

Truffle pops! How brilliant! These are sweet and gorgeous, made with the finest ingredients, style, and love. They come in a beautiful array of designs and melt-in-your-mouth flavors. We’ve never seen a prettier pop. And a whole basketful makes the most decadent delicious gift.

Available from Ditzie Cakes.

6. DUDE SWEET CHOCOLATES

Chocolate takes on a whole different direction at Texas-based Dude Sweet. Here, you will find artisanal chocolate with savory-sweet flavors that will send you into another universe. Created by Chef Katherine Clapner, these chocolates offer taste sensations you won’t find anywhere else.

Check out the Fungus Amongus, stuffed with thick cubes of porcini mushroom and pepita soft brown-butter toffee.

The Albatross makes your mouth go crazy with its dense, creamy, Rogue Creamery blue cheese enrobed in sea salt fudge, sweetened condensed milk, and Valrohna African Abinaio 85% dark chocolate.

The Chocolate Almond Salami is made of medjool dates, dried figs, cocoa nibs, and California almond marzipan and rolled in Valhrona 72% South American chocolate, rolled in powdered sugar, and packed like salami.

Available at Dude Sweet Chocolate.

7. LA VIE RUSTIC

Give the gift of Provence with La Vie Rustic, a beautiful line of culinary products by award-winning author Georgeanne Brennan. Brennan, who lives in rural Provence put together a very special collection of sustainable herbs, seeds, spices blends, and DIY charcuterie sets. Check out her fruit-infused sel de Guèrande, made with Blenheim apricots and Sultan de Marabout figs from her own trees.

Available from La Vie Rustic.

8. SPICE TREKKERS TEA & SPICE KITS

Spice Trekkers t ea kits and spice kits are a joy. Made with exceptional ingredients, they make a gorgeous gift for a foodie pantry. While they may look a bit no-frills and basic, sophisticated palates beg to differ. From Aleppo to Andaliman peppers, from Assam Silver Tips to Saffron White teas, these can set you off on a taste adventure.

Available at Spice Trekkers.

9. TREASURE COLLECTION BASILUR GOURMET AMBER TEA TIN

This little elaborately decorated treasure chest is a treasure in and of itself. Filled with a wonderful selection of 100% Pure Ceylon black leaf tea, flavored with natural rosehips, orange peel, natural orange flower, and cream.

Available at Russian Foods.

10. FORTNUM & MASON PICNIC BASKETS

For over 300 years, Fortnum & Mason has been delighting foodies, including those in the British Royal Family, with the most exquisite examples of culinary artistry. From their over-the-top delectables to their magnificent accoutrements, we are like kids in a super-fancy candy shop whenever we visit their magical store on Piccadilly in London.

So of course, it’s a go-to place for wonderful holiday gifts, like this perfectly outfitted elegant picnic basket for two. Check out their filled picnic hampers as well for a complete picnic feast.

Available at Fortnum & Mason.

Read more about Beautiful Gifts, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink,Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 Beautiful Books for Giving Now and 10 Magnificent Gifts for Nature & Science Lovers Now.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Gifts in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 12.28.2014. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!

PHOTO CREDITS:

Photo: Courtesy of Food52. Citrus Wreath.
Photo: Courtesy of Food52. Citrus Wreath.
Photo: Courtesy of t1 Tequila. t1 Tequila Anejo Estelar.
Photo: Courtesy of Armani Dolci. Armani Dolci Panettone.
Photo: Courtesy of Selfridges. Eyes Chocolate Box.
Photo: Courtesy of Ditzie Cakes. Truffle Pop Basket.
Photo: Courtesy of Dude, Sweet Chocolate. Selection of Chocolates.
Photo: Courtesy of Dude, Sweet Chocolate. Dude, Sweet Chocolate Line.
Photo: Courtesy of La Vie Rustic. La Vie Rustic Cooking Mixes.
Photo: Courtesy of Spice Trekkers. Spice Trekkers Tea & Spice Kit.
Photo: Courtesy of Russian Foods. Basilur Gourmet Amber Tea Tin.
Photo: Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason. Fortnum & Mason Picnic Basket.
Photo: Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason. Fortnum & Mason Picnic Basket.