We spend much of the year trying to shop and eat responsibly, sourcing things from locally owned and eco-friendly businesses. Let’s not blow it during the holidays. Consider this list of artisan food items as stocking stuffers, host/hostess gifts or basket fillers. They’ll help your friends continue their responsible culinary mission.
Old Brooklyn Mustard in a handmade pot
A ceramic mustard pot from Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. is an investment in the giftee’s culinary future. Gift a pot once and they get 99-cent refills from the taps in Old Brooklyn and Shaker Heights stores. Mustard pots are created by Karen Sacco of Three Bears Pottery in Independence. Chef Michael Januska created eight different mustards -- IPA, pepped up, berry bourbon mostarda, smoked Cleveland caviar and more -- to complement to the artisan cheeses he sells at the Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. Snap. Perfect for a cheese board! The mustard pot retails for $29.75, while individual glass jars are $5.99 to $9.50. Makes the 99-cent refill a real deal. Products are also available online at oldbrooklyncheesecompany.com.
Artisan Cotton Candy, 108 flavors
C • L • E Cotton Candy tickles the child in everyone. Flavor choices are broad and varied. Try birthday cake for the kids and peach bellini for the girlfriends. Think rum or bourbon for dad and lavender or elderflower for the gardener next door. With 108 flavors you can match one to each person on your list. Nearly of the recipes use all-natural, unrefined and non-GMO pure cane sugar from eco-friendly mills and farms. The candy is vegetarian/vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Find your flavor at clecottoncandy.com
Chutni Punch Spice Blends
Punch up dinner time with spice blends from Chutni Punch. The Indian-influenced blends start with five main ingredients - tamarind, two varieties of chilies, jaggery (a variety of brown sugar) and curry leaves, offering a balance of savory, spicy, sweet and tangy. Sprinkle on or mix in rice, vegetables, hummus, eggs, pizza, pasta and more. Created by a woman from Shaker Heights, the product is vegan and gluten-free with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, added oils and fillers. Available at local farmers markets and chutnipunch.com.
Related: Shaker Heights woman’s Chutni Punch offers zesty addition to many foods - cleveland.com
Grand River Valley ice wines
Wine is the common host/hostess gift, so go one step better with an ice wine from a local, Grand River Valley winery. The sweet elixir can only be made a few places in the world; Northeast Ohio is one of those places. You’ll find award-winning ice wines at several local wineries and wine retailers.
Storehouse Tea sampler packs
The tea sachet sampler pack -- 13 individually packaged sachets -- from Storehouse Tea, makes a great stocking stuffer. Storehouse offers organic, fair-trade tea blends including black, green, white, herbal and wellness in both caffeine and caffeine-free options. Blended on Cleveland’s near west side by refugees and recent immigrants, teas are available loose leaf and in sachets. Best-selling varieties include blueberry hibiscus white, raspberry rooibos, pomegranate green, apricot oolong and more. They’re for sale in area retailers and online at storehousetea.com
The Chef’s Garden marmalades, jams & jellies
The Chef’s Garden in Milan, Ohio, recently worked with Emily Hutton of Prospect Jam Co., Columbus, to develop signature products that reduce food waste. Hutton and TCG’s Chef Jamie Simpson brainstormed recipes -- using vegetables and fruits that are regeneratively farmed at The Chef’s Garden – to make artisan marmalades, jams and jellies. Flavors include carrot, tomato, beet, pepper, strawberry and viola/champagne. Products are available at the farm market and online at chefs-garden.com
Sweet Designs Chocolate cocoa bomb
Sweet Designs Chocolatier, Lakewood, makes some of the best filled chocolates in the city. Surprise your favorite couple (and yourself?) with a Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bomb. Each large chocolate orb is filled with house-made cocoa mix and house-whipped marshmallow. Simply pour hot milk over the bomb and it melts into enough rich, comforting hot cocoa for two. Purchase them at the Lakewood store or online at sweetdesigns.com
Sweet Bean artisan bonbons
Every stocking needs chocolate for the holidays. For the gourmet giftee, try the hand-painted, signature bonbons from Sweet Bean on East 185th Street in Cleveland. They come in 12 signature and about 10 seasonal flavors. Signature flavors include salted caramel, rosemary and black raspberry. This season’s introductions include toasted fennel, Mexican hot cocoa, eggnog and gingerbread. Find these at Sweet Bean, local boutiques and online at sweetbeancandies.com.
Trices Spices culinary blends
Chef Ryan Trice made spice blends as Christmas Gifts in 2019. The idea went so well that he launched Trice’s Spices in early 2022. Now, his Girard, Ohio, company distributes spices to chefs and retailers around Northeast Ohio. Pick a familiar or unusual blend for gift-giving to friends and family this year. The collection of includes cinnamon apple salt, porcini rosemary, Lake Erie BBQ, shallot garlic and so many more. Visit www.tricesgourmet.com to see retail locations or order online.
I Love Lillo lemon and coffee liqueurs
Introduce your friends to I love Lillo premium lemon and coffee liqueurs. Newcomers to the Northern Ohio market they’re made in Ashtabula County by three friends from Rocky River. They’re higher proof and more versatile than typical limoncello and coffee spirits. Find them at state-run liquor agencies in northern Ohio.
Reporter Paris Wolfe is a life and culture reporter for Cleveland.com. She has a special interest in food and dining. You can reach her with restaurant and food news at pwolfe@cleveland.com. Here’s a directory of her latest posts.
Ad Choices