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28 irresistible food gifts in 2021, including maple syrup, pickle subscriptions, and cheese plates

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Baked by Melissa Gift Box for food gifts

  • Few things make people's eyes light up like food - that's why food is always a great gift option for anyone in your life.
  • We found 28 delicious food gifts that range from small sweets and snacks to filling gourmet meals.
  • Still looking for a gift? Check out our list of the All-Time Best products we've ever tested.

Food is one of those universal gifts that work for everyone in your life and at any time of the year. Whether it's to celebrate a momentous occasion like a graduation or show someone - a mother, father, healthcare worker - that you appreciate them, you can't go wrong with a food gift.

There are so many different types of food gifts you can give: sweets, snacks, gourmet ingredients, full meals, and more. If you're having trouble finding a good gift, but know your recipient would love anything they can consume, we have you covered with these 26 thoughtful, high-quality food gifts.

Here are 28 food gifts anyone will appreciate:

Premium caviar
Wulf's Fish Wulf's American Bowfin Caviar

Wulf's American Bowfin Caviar, available at Wulf's Fish, $29

Caviar is a symbol of luxury, but Wulf's Fish makes it surprisingly attainable. From one of our favorite online seafood purveyors, you can get two ounces of earthy roe for $30.

Fundamental spices for flavorsome cooking
Burlap and Barrel Box Set of Spices
Fundamentals Collection, available at Burlap and Barrel, from $49.99

The right spices accentuate flavors and uplift flat dishes, so it's worth it to splurge on the good ones. Burlap & Barrel sustainably sources its spices and works directly with the farmers. We used Burlap & Barrel black peppercorns to test the best pepper mills and were amazed by the freshness and complexity of the spice's flavor. 

A pack of non-alcoholic sparkling drinks
Best non alcoholic mixers and drinks

TÖST 25.4 fl oz. Sparkling Beverage, 3-pack, available at Amazon, $35.99

Made with white tea, cranberry, and ginger, TÖST is the perfect drink for sober party-goers. It has the look of a bottle of bubbly, but without the alcohol content. We found it refreshing and very sweet, a great non-alcoholic option for a celebration. 

Gourmet milk and dark chocolate caramels
Fran's Chocolates Gray Sea Salt Caramel Box

Gray & Smoked Salt Caramels 20-Piece Box, available at Fran's Chocolates, $40

Fran's Chocolates is one of the best online chocolate brands, and this beautiful box contains 10 dark chocolate caramels with a sprinkle of gray sea salt and 10 milk chocolate caramels with smoked sea salt. You can choose from three box and ribbon color combinations and anywhere from 10 to 160 pieces of delicious caramel. 

Treats from small-batch, diverse producers
Gratefull Box The Original Box

The Original Box, available at Gratefull Box, $97

For the foodie who likes to give back, the Gratefull Box is a delicious and meaningful gift box. The reusable wooden box contains six items all from independent producers: masala chai concentrate, bourbon barrel honey, vegan kimchi paste, rhubarb lavender jam, cinnamon maca almond butter, and truffle balsamic vinegar. Plus, each box sold results in a five-pound bag of dog food donated to a shelter in need. 

A savory and sweet gift basket
Harry & David Classic Favorites Gift Basket

Classic Favorites Gift Basket, available at Harry & David, $59.99

Harry & David gift baskets are crowd pleasers, thanks to their variety of gourmet treats. This basket is a true Harry & David classic, with pears, Moose Munch, cheddar, crackers, relish, chocolate-covered cherries, and chocolate truffles. You can even add a bottle of Harry & David wine to this gift. 

Premium maple syrup
Runamok Maple Syrup Vermont Pantry Favorites

Runamok Maple Organic Vermont Maple Syrup Pantry Favorites Collection, available at Amazon, $22.95

Vermont maple syrup calls to mind warmth and sweetness. Your giftee can dress up their pancakes, drinks, or baking with one of these four classic and unique flavors: ginger root infused, bourbon barrel-aged, vanilla cinnamon, and traditional syrups. 

A mix of rich cake truffles and creatively flavored cookies
Milk Bar The Little Somethings Gift Box for food gifts

The Little Somethings Box, available at Milk Bar, $70

The truffles and cookies are a couple of the best things you can get from New York City institution Milk Bar. There's no shortage of variety in this gift: your lucky recipient will get six different cookies (like the famous Compost Cookie), 12 birthday cake truffles, and 12 chocolate birthday cake truffles. 

Read our review of Milk Bar here.

Everything they need to make buttery lobster rolls
McLoons Lobster Maine Shack Lobster Roll Kit for food gifts

McLoons Lobster Shack Maine Lobster Roll Kit - 4 Pack, available at Goldbelly, $129

Not included — chips, pickles, or a gorgeous coastal view. Still, if your recipient loves lobster and lighthouse drives, they'll be grateful for this gift. 

Read our review of Goldbelly here.

A subscription that delivers responsibly sourced meat, poultry, and seafood
crowd cow review 1

Farmers Market Subscription, available at Crowd Cow, $123.49

Crowd Cow sources its meat, poultry, and seafood directly from independent farms with ethical and environmentally friendly practices or from the wild. In addition, the service provides you with information about where your meat came from and how the animal was treated before you cook it.

Send someone an e-gift card to go towards a subscription which they can pause, change the frequency of, or cancel at any time (delivered on an automatic basis) or build a custom box for a one-time delivery.  

Read our review of Crowd Cow here.

An alcohol subscription that supports indie wine makers
nakedwines.com review

Autumn Assortment 11-Pack, available at Nakedwines.com, $120.99

Nakedwines.com supports wine-enthusiasts' desire to bring you new blends and brands. Once a wine is approved, they can sell their wine through the website at shockingly affordable prices considering the quality. Your favorite wine snob can enjoy trendy wine from small winemakers around the country, even from the most prestigious soils of the Napa Valley.

Read our review of NakedWines.com here.

A breakfast spread they'll be excited to wake up for
Russ & Daughters New York Gift Spread for food gifts

Russ & Daughters New York Nostalgia, available at Goldbelly, $205

They can customize their breakfast with a variety of smoked and pickled fish, cream cheese, and assorted bagels. Cap it all off with a sweet treat of marble halvah or rugelach. 

An international cheese tour
Murray's Cheeses of the World Sampler for food gifts
Cheeses of the World Sampler, available at Murray's Cheese, $79

They'll never get bored of this 6-pound set that features French, Swiss, and Spanish cheeses from local farms and Murray's own cheese caves. It should serve five to seven people, but we're sure it varies depending on how much your recipient loves cheese. 

A charcuterie platter that includes duck, pork, and chicken
D'Artagnan Charcuterie Gift Box for food gifts

Charcuterie Gift Box for 4, available at D'Artagnan, $52.99

Save this delicious sampler for wine nights and summery picnics. You can trust this 35-year-old farm-to-table purveyor of sustainable, free-range meats to deliver on flavor and quality. 

Hot sauces ranging in heat level from "mellow" to "evil"
Fuego Box Hot Sauce Box Gift for food gifts

Fuego Box Tame to Insane Hot Sauce Box, available at Food52, $135

Gift this 11-bottle box of fiery sauces to the friend who goes to the Hot Sauce Expo every year and always has a new bottle of hot sauce in their grocery cart. They'll probably want to keep a glass (or jug) of milk nearby. 

Colorful, bite-sized cupcakes
Baked by Melissa Gift Box for food gifts

Classic 25-Pack Cupcake Gift Box, available at Baked by Melissa, $39

There's no rule saying they can only eat one. And with 12 different flavors including PB&J, brownie batter, and chocolate chip banana, they won't want to. 

A pickle subscription
Mouth Pickles Every Month Gift for food gifts

Pickle of the Month Club Subscription, available at Mouth, $60

A crunchy pickle makes nearly anything taste better, and this subscription will ensure your recipient always has one to accompany a sandwich or a salad. 

A fine cut of meat delivered right to their door
Omaha Steaks Filet MIgnon Dinner Lifestyle

Filet Mignon Dinner, available at Omaha Steaks, $109.99

Omaha Steaks delivers vacuum-sealed premium meats with precise, easy-to-follow cooking instructions and seasoning. Meat lovers and novices alike can appreciate the ease and quality of a fresh filet delivered to their front steps.

Read our review of Omaha Steaks here.

A crate full of sweet and savory snacks
Mouth Snack University gift box for food gifts

Snack University Box, available at Mouth, $128

While marketed as a care package for students and long-distance loved ones, the bundle of snacks — which includes fancy coffee, popcorn, cookies, and jerky — is great for anyone who's always looking for something to eat between meals. 

Classic cocktails in gummy form
Smith & Sinclair Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies for food gifts

The Night in Box of Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies, available at Smith & Sinclair, $25

We love making our own cocktails, but we also don't mind creative twists like Smith & Sinclair's cocktail gummies. They're a fun, mess-free way to enjoy happy hour. 

Buckets of sour candy
Dylan's Candy Bar Sour Lovers Bucket for food gifts

Sour Lovers Gift Bucket, available at Dylan's Candy Bar, $45

Stepping into Dylan's Candy Bar always reawakens our inner child. I know mine would love these buckets of sour belts and other mouth-puckering treats. 

A meal kit subscription
Home Chef Gift Card for food gifts

Gift Card, available at Home Chef, from $65

For budding home cooks, Home Chef offers a weekly menu full of easy-to-make recipes, along with pre-portioned ingredients and straightforward instructions. Every meal we've made from the service has been delicious and filling. A gift card for $65 is good for three two-serving meals. 

Authentic Japanese snacks
Bokksu Classic Box Gift for food gifts

Classic Box, available at Bokksu, $134.85

Every month feels like an adventure when they have a subscription to Bokksu, which delivers Japanese snacks, candies, and a tea pairing they can't find in most stores. The cool snacks also come with a culture guide that explains each snack's origins and flavors. 

Read our review of Bokksu here.

Toppings to up their breakfast game
Harry & David Premium Preserves and Butters Gift Box for food gifts

Premium Preserves and Butters Box, available at Harry & David, $39.99

It'll be hard to choose which topping — strawberry seedless preserves, blood orange marmalade, tart cherry butter, or lemon curd — to spread on their toast every morning. They also go well with ice cream, yogurt, and other desserts. 

Sauces for someone who can never get enough bacon
Stonewall Kitchen Bacon Gift Set for food gifts

Bacon Gift Set, available at Stonewall Kitchen, $29.95

It's a fact of life — bacon does make everything better. Stonewall Kitchen turns the beloved meat into three different accompaniments that go well with fries, sandwiches, other meats, and more. 

A monthly delivery of cool international snacks
Universal Yums Yum Yum Gift Box for food gifts

Yum Yum Gift Box, available at Universal Yums, $25

It's not always possible to travel, but Universal Yums' boxes let your recipient do so through food. Past boxes have highlighted the sweet and savory snacks of Scandinavia, Brazil, France, and Indonesia. 

Read our review of Universal Yums here

Some of the best ice cream in the country
Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream for food gifts
Humphry Slocombe Chose Your Own - 6 Pints, available at Goldbelly, $89

Bay Area favorite Humphry Slocombe serves up interesting flavors like Matchadoodle, Toasted Sesame and Chocolate, and perennial favorite Secret Breakfast (bourbon ice cream with cornflake cookies). Your recipient will be thankful you sent over six whole pints instead of just one.

A trio of truffle oil
Truffle Hunter Truffle Oil Gift Set for food gifts

TruffleHunter Truffle Oil Selection Gift Set, available at Amazon, $39.95

We all have that friend who always beelines towards the truffle risotto or truffle fries on the menu. This gift set of black, white, and English truffle oils is for them. The oils come in tiny bottles too, perfect for carrying on the go to enhance any dish. 

Read the original article on Business Insider


source https://www.businessinsider.com/food-gifts

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