Best Specialty Food Gifts for Christmas

Break the mold and dig into these savory food gifts and gift baskets for Christmas, leaving the sweet treats to other Santas. Whether as a hosting gift, thank-you present or stocking stuffer, these gourmet foods and beverages—from cheesemaking kits to exotic cuts of imported pasta to Matcha tea—make delicious and easy gifts from the inexpensive to the indulgent.—Denise Shoukas

Wine-A-Rita Mix-It-Up! Gift Pack

The gift box makes an eye-catching gift as well as a great way to try all of Wine-A-Rita’s drink mixes. It contains five one-blender portions of Wine-Glacé, Peach Bellini, CosmoRita, Señorita and Berry Pom-A-Rita. All you need to do is add ice and wine, and then blend, or swap out the wine for fruit juice for an equally tasty drink.

MSRP: $24.99
BUY ONLINE: amazon.com

Doral International's La Favorita Pastas

La Favorita Pastas come in exotic flavors such as White Truffle, Porcini, Chocolate and Chili Pepper, Chestnut, Salmon and Basil. These unique and elegant flavors make them perfect for gifts.

MSRP: $11.50 boxes, MSRP: $10 bags
BUY ONLINE: doralgourmet.com

Salem Baking Company's Blue Stilton Petite Cheese Straw Octagon Tin

Artisanal cheese makes a coveted gift, especially when it’s turned into addictive, bite-size cheese straws. Salem Baking Company’s new Blue Stilton Cheese Straws, packaged in an octagonal tin, are made with more than 40 percent Blue Stilton imported exclusively from Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire, U.K.

MSRP: $12.99
BUY ONLINE: salembaking.com

Roaring Brook Dairy Mozzarella Cheesemaking Kit

Great for families and friends to make together, or a wonderful present for the foodies on your list, this innovative kit from Roaring Brook Dairy gives cheese lovers everything needed to make more than four pounds of mozzarella cheese in the comfort of home. Just pick up a gallon of milk to get started.

MSRP: $18.50
BUY ONLINE: amazon.com

Al Dente Pasta Wholee
Grain-Ohlee Gift Pack

Good for the health-conscious or time-pressed friend, this gift pack includes one pack each of Multigrain Fettuccine, Roasted Garlic Whole Wheat Fettuccine and Fabulous Whole Wheat Fettuccine with Flax, each of which cook in just three to four minutes. You can even add a personalized gift card and have it sent straight to your recipient.

MSRP: $15
BUY ONLINE: aldentepasta.com

Flor del Delta Sea Salt Gift Pack

This selection of sea salts from DeMedici Imports was created by Chef Joan Roca of three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. Hand-harvested from the Trinidad Salt Pans, the salts come in four varieties: natural sea salt, sea salt with pepper (specialty Jamaican, Sichuan, pink, white and black peppercorns); with spices (Sichuan pepper, cardamom, ginger, coriander, cinnamon and star anise); and with fine herbs (dill, tarragon and star anise). This gift pack includes all four in 2.14-ounce containers.

MSRP: $30
BUY ONLINE: amazon.com

479° Popcorn Black Truffle P.I.Y. Kit

By adding a truly sophisticated flavor—truffle—to an all-time favorite snack, San Francisco’s 479° Popcorn has created a memorable gift with its Black Truffle P.I.Y. Kit. The kit includes an organic heirloom popcorn medley, black truffle oil and truffle-infused sea salt, as well as fun glossy paper cones for serving and pairing suggestions. An easy, fun activity perfect for friends and family.

MSRP: $45
BUY ONLINE: 479popcorn.com

B.R. Cohn's Citrus Olive Oil Gift Set

Three citrus-flavored olive oils arrive in a sturdy, handsome wooden crate. This gift box includes one 200-millileter bottle each of Meyer Lemon, Mandarin Orange and Lime olive oils. The fruit is pressed with the olives, resulting in balanced, versatile oils that make a distinctive gift. These award-winning oils will enhance a variety of dishes. Try Lime with Mexican or Thai dishes, or Mandarin Orange with desserts.

MSRP: $33
BUY ONLINE: brcohn.com

Ito En Teas’ Tea Matcha Gift Set

Giving a gift of tea is a way to share health and wellness with friends and family. This gift set includes a traditional Japanese tea bowl, bamboo tea whisk, tea scoop and Matcha packaged in a beautiful latticed bamboo box, with all the accoutrements to make a traditional cup of ceremonial green tea.

MSRP: $35
BUY ONLINE: itoen.com

Cypress Grove Chevre Flashback Six-Pack

Dive into this assortment of five 4-ounce fresh chevre discs, inspired by a 1960s theme, including PsycheDillic, which is seasoned with fragrant dill pollen and dried dill leaves, and Sgt. Pepper, spiced up with four different peppers. You’ll also get two discs of Purple Haze, as well as Herbs de Humboldt and Ms. Natural to round out the collection.

MSRP: $75, $5.75 – $25 for individual cheeses
BUY ONLINE: cypressgrovechevre.com

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