Food Gifts for People You Really (Really) Like

Food gifts are the best gifts because almost everyone likes to eat. Also, who needs more stuff? Not me! Give me something I can use over something that will add clutter to my life any day of the week.

In that spirit, as I start buying holiday gifts for friends and family, I scour my pantry for my favorite new-to-me food finds, things I've bought over and over in the last year because I've decided that I can't (or would rather not) cook without them.

That's what I asked all of my colleagues at Simply Recipes to do for this gift guide. We spend a lot of time thinking about the best new finds from behemoths like Trader Joe's and ALDI, and while those stores are great for everyday cooking and eating, we get really excited about hidden gems from small, up-and-coming brands. You might not find these products on grocery store shelves, but they're so good that they're worth seeking out, and they're certainly good enough to gift.

These 15 finds are the things we can't stop buying, eating, and thinking about this year, from a truly crispy chili crisp to a super spicy instant chai. We gladly spend our hard-earned money on them, but we wouldn't mind finding them in our stockings either.

1. Soul Chai Original Masala Chai Powder

"This is my favorite find of the year. The Portland, OR-based company makes chai powders that are flavorful and don't require straining. Just add a small spoonful to your cup, add hot water, and stir. That's it! My favorite part is they aren't sweetened and there's no milk powder, so I can sweeten it to my liking and use whatever kind of milk I want." —Laurel Randolph, Senior Recipe Editor

2. Malai Ice Cream

"Malai ice cream is my favorite scoop shop, and I'm so glad that I can share this local treat with my friends and family nationwide through Goldbelly. It's super creamy, and the flavor combinations are unexpected and delightful. I honestly love every single flavor, but Orange Fennel is my favorite." —Sarah Crowder, Art Director

3. Dong He Cold Pressed White Sesame Oil

"As soon as I unscrewed the cap on this sesame oil, I knew I'd found my latest greatest pantry staple. It has an intensely nutty aroma and flavor that also manages to taste fresh. I use it all the time, especially in cucumber salads and as a finishing oil for soups and stir fries." —Megan Scott, Senior Editor of News and Trends

4. Milton Creamery Prairie Breeze

"Prairie Breeze, from Milton Creamery, is a cheddar-style cheese with a sweet, nutty flavor and a hint of sharpness. It has a cult following in Des Moines. It's great on a cheese board, perfectly melted into mac & cheese or on a grilled cheese with a sliced apple." —Haley Scarpino, Newsletter Editor

5 Kola Goodies Sri Lankan Milk Tea Latte

"I’m a sucker for hot, soul-soothing beverages. I start every morning with coffee and sip at least five cups of tea throughout the day—chamomile, ginger, and, lately, Kola Goodies Sri Lankan Milk Tea Latte. It’s a delicious chai latte I tasted at a food trade show. Try it if you find the chai latte at Starbucks, boxed concentrates, or tea bags unsatisfying. I didn’t think I was a chai latte person until I discovered Kola Goodies." —Myo Quinn, Associate Editorial Director

6. Woon Mama's Way Hot Sauce

"Woon is one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles, and they make a small but mighty line-up of pantry goods. You can't go wrong, but the standout is their hot sauce. It's ideal for stir-fries, dumplings, fried rice, eggs—pretty much anything." —Laurel

7. Trade Coffee Subscription

"We look forward to our Trade coffee subscription because it keeps us supplied with the freshly roasted beans we crave, it's customizable, and the roasters are excellent. It's also worth noting that the customer service is fantastic!" —Sarah

8. Sayso Cocktail Sachets

"These tea bags are filled with cocktail ingredients (minus the alcohol) that you steep in a combination of water and the liquor of your choice. I threw a party recently and my friends loved steeping their Skinny Cardamom Paloma bags in mezcal. Not only did they not take long to steep (a couple minutes at most), but they had a strong flavor that tasted like I made a craft cocktail...even though I didn't. You can also make mocktails with these by using just water and sparkling water instead of alcohol, which I haven't tried but definitely will. Plus, the packaging is super cute, so I think this is a great housewarming or hostess gift, or a great addition to a gift basket for your friend who loves trying new cocktails." —Brooke Schuldt, Associate Social Director

9. KariKari Chili Crisp

"There are so many chili crisps available now, but until I tried KariKari's version I hadn't found one that rivaled the original, Lao Gan Ma. KariKari's super garlicky chili crisp now has a forever home in my pantry right next to the Lao Gan Ma, and I love it for its unabashedly CRONCHY fried garlic and perfect flavor and salt level. The ratio of crunchy bits to oil is also weighted heavily on the side of the crunchy bits, so if that's the style of chili crisp you prefer, this is the condiment for you." —Megan

10. Diaspora Pumpkin Spice

"Diaspora Co.'s pumpkin spice blend stands out because of its deep, spicy, unique flavor profile. It is more complex and aromatic than other pumpkin spice blends I've tried. I love that it is ethically sourced, and the packaging is gorgeous." —Haley

11. KimlyPark Korean Latte

"I ducked into Pop Up Grocer, a store that sells food products from emerging brands in New York City, to escape a bone-chilling drizzle one evening, and my life is now forever changed. I bought a box of KimlyParc’s Korean latte—an impulse purchase that is now a daily habit. I fell in love with the sweet, creamy (vegan!) coffee and have been drinking one every morning for nearly a year. I told my husband I’d invest in this coffee company if I were a bajillionaire. It’s that good!" —Myo

12. Honey Mama's Sesame Citrus Truffle Bar

"All of the Honey Mama's truffle bars are delicious, but this newer flavor quickly became my favorite. The citrus really lifts the flavor, and the sesame is subtle but gives it a warm, comforting taste. The texture of these bars is not like a regular chocolate bar—it's soft and crumbly and very much lives up to its name as a truffle bar. I'm getting these for everyone this year." —Megan

13. Anytime Spritz

"There are so many canned cocktails out there that it can be hard to weed out the good from the bad. I'm here to tell you that Anytime Spritz is good. I am fully obsessed with their Spicy Salty Grapefruit flavor, which is as salty and spicy as I want it to be (plus not too sweet!), but they have a stellar line-up of options. It's women-owned, too." —Laurel

14. Desert Dust Original Seasoning

"I picked up a jar of Desert Dust on a whim while in Joshua Tree this past year, and it has become my favorite all-purpose seasoning for everything from salmon to popcorn. It's the perfect blend of savory, smoky, spicy, and just a touch sweet (thanks to ground California dates!). Highly recommended for all the spice lovers in your life!" —Emma Christensen, General Manager

15. Fava Tea Holiday Sampler Box

"I start looking forward to my morning pot of tea as soon as my alarm goes off, and I can't get enough of Fava Tea's fun, inventive flavors, like their Cinnamon Plum and their Pistachio Torte (my personal favorite!). If this sounds like you or someone in your life, might I suggest Fava's Holiday Sampler Box?! This is a selection of their best-selling seasonal teas, and I for one would be delighted to find gift this under the tree." —Emma