Best New Food Products December 2016
20 Food-Editor-Approved Picks to Make Your December the Coziest Yet
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December is a time for cozy sweaters and even cozier foods. This year, our editors are lighting spiced candles, pouring mugs of gourmet hot chocolate, and indulging in our favorite red wines and olive oils. Look no further than the following 20 items if you need a little inspiration to make your December the best one yet.
1 Cassiopeia of This, Drink of That Travel Mug
"My Fall drink of choice has been coffee, a scoop of hot cocoa mix, half and half, and a few marshmallows. I usually am running out the door each morning, so I’d love an adorable travel mug, like this Cassiopeia of This, Drink of That Travel Mug ($18)." — Anna Monette Roberts, editor, Food
2 Double Dark Hot Chocolate and Vanilla Marshmallow Set
"I'd much prefer to make my own hot chocolate than order it out, and this Double Dark Hot Chocolate and Vanilla Marshmallow Set ($40) from Williams-Sonoma has my name written all over it. The hot chocolate mix has shavings of semisweet and bittersweet Guittard, one of my favorite chocolate companies, and the giant marshmallows are flavored with Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, which is one of Ina Garten's kitchen staples. Wearing PJ's and cozying up to a mug of fancy hot chocolate is my kind of Friday night." — Erin Cullum, assistant editor, Food
3 Stonewall Kitchen Gingerbread Butter
"Cold-weather breakfasts don't get much better than steel-cut oatmeal swirled with a dollop of Stonewall Kitchen Gingerbread Butter ($7), a warmly spiced, sweet-potato-based spread. I'll be giving it as a hostess gift as well as hoarding a couple jars for myself." — Nicole Perry, contributor
4 How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life
"Ever since I learned about hygge, the Scandinavian lifestyle that's all about cozy throws, wood-burning fireplaces, and hot chocolate, I'm determined to abide by this philosophy through the Winter. That's why I need a guide: How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life ($20, out Jan. 3) will teach me how to develop a 'slow-moving, stress-free mindset' through 'candlelight, bakeries, and dinner with friends.' Sounds relaxing, doesn't it?" — AMR
5 Health-Ade Kombucha Holiday Cheers
"Infused with the flavors of ginger, cacao, and allspice, Health-Ade Kombucha Holiday Cheers ($5) is one limited-edition flavor that I wish was available year-round." — NP
6 Agate Bottle Opener
"Geode cakes and geode cookies have taken over Instagram and Pinterest this year. Now, the trend has expanded to home goods. I'm particularly in love with this Anthropologie Agate Botle Opener ($16)." — AMR
7 Host by W&P Design
"From creating the stunning pineapple shot glass to my favorite cocktail tote, the people over at W&P Design certainly have a great feeling for aesthetics. They've put together a lovely little book called Host ($35) with all of their tips and tricks to being the perfect host for any occasion. I can't wait to get this for my cousin who just bought her first house and is already planning tons of dinner parties for every night of the week." — Nicole Iizuka, senior producer
8 Appetites by Anthony Bourdain
"After recently seeing Anthony Bourdain speak in San Francisco during his The Hunger tour, I'm more excited for his newest cookbook than ever. Appetites is the Parts Unknown host's first cookbook in more than 10 years, and it embraces his 'back to basics' philosophy. Bourdain is not one for truffle mac and cheese or overly fancy renditions of classic comfort foods — 'Get that damn lobster out of my mac and cheese!' he wrote on page 128 of his macaroni and cheese recipe. Not only is his cookbook a go-to source for learning tried-and-true, classic recipes, but it's also filled with personal stories and Bourdainisms that I love." — EC
9 Staub 4-Quart Braising Pan
"Staub's four-quart braising pan ($371) is no misnomer. Shallower and wider than an apartment-size five-and-a-half-quart dutch oven, its increased surface area makes browning meat a breeze. And its depth — somewhere in between a skillet and a dutch oven — is versatile: deep enough to simmer up a stew and shallow enough to make it an ideal vessel for roasting a chicken (short sides = air circulation = brown, crisp skin). Over the past few chilly months, I've put mine through its paces and then some, and when it's not in use, it sits pretty on top of the stove." — NP
10 Organic Edamame Spaghetti
"If I had to choose just one of Explore Cuisine's pastas, the Organic Edamame Spaghetti ($25 for 6 boxes) would certainly be my favorite. But really all of the exciting pastas made from a variety of beans, pulses, and rice are absolutely incredible. They're packed with protein, feature fun and flavorful ingredients, come in totally Instagram-worthy colors, and are delicious to boot! I had no idea that some of these ingredients could even be made into pasta, like adzuki red bean or lentil. Totally worth checking out." — NI
11 To Be Honest Wine by Matt Bellassai
"Two things I love: red wine and watching Matt Bellassai complain about stuff on his show, Whine About It. The internet-famous writer recently launched his very first brand of wine with Winc called To Be Honest ($13). The red blend of Cabernet, Sangiovese, Grenache, and Merlot is full-bodied enough for my liking, and the 'But First, Let's Drink' label on the cork is one of my life mottos." — EC
12 PF Candle Co. Travel Jar Candle in Red Nutmeg and Peppercorn
"During the Christmas season, I want my house to constantly smell of spices. The Red Nutmeg and Peppercorn PF Candle Co. Travel Jar Candle ($12) should do the trick!" — AMR
13 Marley Spoon
"When I found out that Martha Stewart teamed up with the meal delivery kit Marley Spoon (from $48 per week), I knew I had to try it out. Thankfully, Martha didn't disappoint; the recipes are as creative as the instructions are clear, the quality of the ingredients is some of the best I've seen in meal kits, and the service provides a good amount of flexibility (choose between two or four servings and two, three, or four meals a week)." — NP
14 Pressed Juicery Spiced Almond Milk
"I have a confession: I'm not a fan of most holiday drinks. I have very sensitive to hot drinks and I always end up burning my tongue. But this Spiced Almond Milk from Pressed Juicery ($8) is perfect for when I want something that makes me feel the holiday cheer. The addition of cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg in this seasonal flavor gives it the perfect kick of spice." — Victor Verdugo, editorial assistant, Social
15 Cookie Corn by Cookie Good
"This treat will take your snack game to a whole new level. If you're a fan of the Oreo cookie pop from our Must Have box or you just love the combination of salty and sweet, then this Cookie Corn from Cookie Good ($6) is the perfect stocking stuffer this season. Personally I can't get enough of the Pancakes and Bacon flavor popcorn, with Churro coming in at a close second." — NI
16 The Whole30 Cookbook
"Last holiday, I did the Whole30 and after pumpkin spice season, I'm practically leaping back toward that diet plan. My one complaint was the lack of recipes in the original book, so I'm thrilled for The Whole30 Cookbook ($23, originally $30), out Dec. 6. It will become my recipe bible through this month." — AMR
17 2015 Jordan Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil
"I made a trip to Jordan Winery in Healdsburg, CA, over the Thanksgiving holiday (highly recommend), and I couldn't leave without a bottle of the 2015 Jordan Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($29). This rivals the olive oils that I brought home after my trip to Italy — it's that good. Made fresh from the European olive trees planted at the winery in the '90s, the golden oil has a robust, pure flavor that hits you with a peppery kick at the end of each bite. I don't plan on cooking with this olive oil for fear of obscuring the flavor; I'll use it for drizzling on top of pasta, dipping with bread, and making bruschetta." — EC
18 Lotus Pops in Salt Pepper & Turmeric
"Cooked in ghee and coated in a piquant blend of spices, Lotus Pops Salt Pepper & Turmeric ($4) are my latest obsession. With a texture sort of like puffed Cheetos, these popped lotus seeds taste far more indulgent than they are, making them a solid snacking choice during this season of revelry." — NP
19 Gingerbread Rondelé From Président Cheese
"I must confess, while I do love amazing handcrafted cheeses, there's something incredibly comforting about a well-flavored, spreadable cheese on a crisp cracker that I'll never say no to. This year, Président added a new, limited-edition Gingerbread Spreadable Cheese to its Rondelé lineup and it's absolutely delicious. It's only available through December, but here's hoping that if enough of us like it, they'll make it a permanent holiday flavor." — NI
20 The Ultimate Soup Cleanse Cookbook
"Nicole Pisani and Kate Adams's The Ultimate Soup Cleanse: 60 Recipes to Reduce, Restore, Renew & Resolve ($20) is a great resource regardless of whether you'd like to embark on a soup cleanse or not. Within its pages are dozens of produce-packed soup recipes including harissa broth with eggplant and quinoa, Sichuan peppercorn chicken, green pho, and kimchi miso tofu." — NP
