Tis the season to be jolly, give presents, share and enjoy food with family and friends. But, before you get anywhere near Christmas day it’s gift shopping that causes the most angst. For me it just brings out my inner Bah Humbug as the shops gear up to fleece us with awful food. That mountainous, overpriced and over wrapped selection of food gifts that occupies shelf space, usually from September onwards. And, just don’t get me started on novelty food or all those gift packs bearing the smiling faces of celeb chefs.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I should add that there are some very good quality, artisan food gifts available and that’s where I’ll be spending my money. Buying food gifts from some of my favourite small producers makes Christmas shopping so much easier and of course very satisfying. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting some of the gifts that have made it onto my shopping list this year and believe me not one will involve treking around shopping centres or supermarkets.
First up is this artisan range of gourmet Aromachefery infused sea salts and oils from Kirsty Morrison at Zing Organics. Although herbs feature regularly in my cooking, I love the extra kick these oils and salts add to a finished dish.
The infused sea salts are available in a range of natural flavours and will make a great gift for any food lover or cook. The fresh and sharp citrus flavour of lemon, or spicy black pepper, both perfect on fish and salads; or bring a distinctive depth of flavour to meat dishes with the herbal flavours of bay laurel, thyme, or rosemary.
Don’t be misled by the size of the the gourmet infused aromacherfery oil concentrates. The small 8ml dropper bottles are intensively concentrated and one or two drops will add a delicious punch to food and take any dish up a notch.
These are available in lemon, lime, bay laurel, thyme and rosemary and will transform the simplest of fresh food.
For gin lovers, a stunning range of aromatic gin infused with organic essential oils will not disappoint. Each 20ml bottle has 200 servings and flavours include, green mandarin, lemon, lime, bourbon geranium, frankincense and patchouli. Perk up dishes like smoked salmon or smoked halibut, seafood and risotto or add a spray to sweet dishes such as sorbets and ice creams.
As you would expect from this high quality artisan range, Zing Organics aromachefery salts and oils contain only natural ingredients infused with food grade organic essential oils. They are superb products simply bursting with natural flavour along with the most delicious heavenly aromas.
Zing Organics also offer a range of candles, candle making workshops and parfums, all handmade and fragranced with the same top quality pure essential oils. Further information on all products can be found on the website
Disclaimer I was provided with a range of salts and oils to review by Zing Organics.
.