Five Green Food Gifts for the Holidays

‘Tis the season for last-minute gift buying for teachers, coaches, tutors, family, friends, and party hosts. Gifts of food are always appreciated, especially artisan, local, and sustainable foods that promise exceptional flavor and quality. Fortunately, Fairfield County has become a fantastic place to find true artisan and sustainably produced foods that are holiday gift worthy. Many of these products are served in the finest restaurants in the area. Here are my top five picks for green food gifts that are sure to be savored and remembered.

1. Westford Hill Distillers’ award-winning New World Aged Apple Brandy is an outstanding gift choice for locavores, fine spirits lovers, and any New Englander fond of sipping brandy in front of a fireplace. Prized by chefs and mixologists, Westford Hill Distillers New World Aged Apple Brandy is made in Connecticut from CT Grown apples and is served at The Whelk and Kawa Ni in Westport, Atlas in Norwalk, Elm in New Canaan, Boulevard in New Canaan, Versailles in Greenwich, Banc house  in Norwalk, Mamas Boy Southern Table in Norwalk and other fine restaurants. Westford Hill’s 12-year-old apple brandy won a Gold Medal for best in category in 2012 from the American Distilling Institute’s 6th Annual Judging of American Spirits. Westford Hill Distillers products are widely available at wine sellers. For a listing of retailers selling their products click here.
2. Red Bee’s honey-of-the-month club is the perfect way to keep your gift recipient’s pantry stocked with premium, limited harvest honey. Honey doesn’t go bad, so no harm will come to bottles that are opened and consumed over a long period of time. These honeys are so special that Red Bee founder, beekeeper and author Marina Marchese is including her signature honey tasting wheel, color chart and tasting scorecard in each shipment so the gift can become a monthly tasting party! Place your order online here.
3. Olivette is a distinctive extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting room with locations in Darien and Westport and is THE place to shop for the freshest and highest quality extra virgin olive oil. Gift sets start at $20 and Olivette will wrap and ship gifts for customers. Olivette’s ultra-premium olive oils are served in fine restaurants in Connecticut including leFarm, The Whelk, The Spread and Community Table. Olivette has stores in Darien and Westport, but if you can’t make it to the stores, place your order online and Olivette will ship it to you or the recipient. Should you require expedited shipping to ensure timely arrival, please call 203.621.0643 before placing an online order. Olivettect.com.
4. Wave Hill Breads’ fresh panettone, a traditional Italian Christmas bread, is a thoughtful hostess gift. Choose from chocolate or raisins with candied orange peel, both of which weigh 1.8 pounds and sell for $16 each. Each panettone comes wrapped in cellophane with festive ribbons and a to/from gift card. Please place orders with the bakery manager three days before you’d like to pick up your order at wavehillbreads@gmail.com or (203) 762-9595. Pick up your order at the bakery at 30 High Street in Norwalk between December 16-24 and at the Westport Farmers’ Market on Saturday, December 20.
5. Certain people are challenging to buy gifts for because they have everything they could ever want already or have very discerning taste. I like to select something they would never buy for themselves, possibly because they don’t know it exists. A rare food or wine with a great back story, for example. The Champagnes of Henri’s Reserve fit the bill. Their outstanding quality, fine flavors, limited availability, biodynamic production, and French cachet would delight even the most impossible foodies. Order online via henrisreserve.com.

Happy Holidays!