12.02.2020
Top Picks for Holiday Gifts
Top spice gift boxes for home cooks, grillers, and bakers. Find picks, storage tips, refills, and how to use berbere in recipes.
- Curated spice sets suit every cook: baking, grilling, global flavors, and essentials.
- High-quality, aromatic spices make practical gifts and many sets offer refill options.
- Store spices in cool, dark, airtight containers and use ground spices within a year.
With home cooking more popular than ever, our curated spice gift boxes make thoughtful presents for all the loved ones on your list. Our gift boxes have been getting a lot of media attention this year, too. Here are the gifts and spices that everyone is talking about.
Chef Marcus Samuelsson & Bon Appetit
“When I smell berbere, I smell Ethiopia. It’s our salt and pepper; it’s good sprinkled on top of everything. This particular one seems spicier than it is—kind of close to a smoked paprika but much more layered. My favorite way to use berbere is in the legendary Ethiopian chicken stew called doro wat. Cooking down berbere slowly with onions and butter really builds the foundation of the dish. I also love to toss it with carrots before I roast them, or sprinkle a simple melon salad to add a touch of spice.”
The New York Times
“More holiday cooking will be done at home this year, so why not send a gift for the chef in the form of sweet or savory spices from The Spice House in Chicago, which offers a four-jar specialty salt collection ($38) or a three-jar cinnamon variety set ($24).”
Chicago Tribune
“A spice selection can include anything from beloved baker’s classics to exotic new taste sensations. This one leans toward grilling and roasting, with favorites such as Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher’s Rub from Chicago’s venerable Spice House.”
Food Network
“Serious cooks know that having a solid spice rack is everything in the kitchen. Refresh their shelves with quality jars that they'll use over and over again.”
BUY ESSENTIAL SPICES COLLECTION
Jesse Tyler Ferguson & New York Magazine
"My new favorite place to buy spices is the Spice House. Yes, the spices are incredibly aromatic with unbelievable flavor, but what really hooked me were the stunning, chic jars that they are packaged in. They look so beautiful on my spice rack, constantly beckoning me to take them for a whirl. Gift one of the “best seller” or “starter” sets and then build from there! Once you own the jars, you can order refill packs for a fraction of the price. Its website also has a great blog that offers innovative recipes and spotlights on some of its more unique spices."
The Kitchn
“I've been missing parties because I miss my friends, but I also miss eating all the dips at said events. If you're shopping for someone who shares my sentiments, consider sliding this mix into their stocking. They can mix a little bit up with yogurt for their own personal-sized bowl. You can even throw in a bag of baby carrots!”
EatingWell
“This company has most of the basics, but they also have a ton of really delicious blends and even sell some in sets that make really nice gifts,” says EatingWell magazine senior food editor Devon O’Brien. “Plus, the packaging is gorgeous. And if you are low on storage space they sell all of their spices and seasonings in Flatpacks.”
Bustle
“If your partner's dad is not much of a stovetop chef, he’ll love this meat rub gift set. It comes with a variety of spices, so he can just rub and toss on the grill. It’s that easy.”
Social Media Spotlight
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of spice gift boxes are available?
There are sets for different tastes and uses: salt collections, cinnamon sets, best seller assortments, grilling and butcher rub boxes, dip mixes, vanilla sugar, everything bagel blends, and deluxe best seller packs.
Who will enjoy a spice gift box?
Almost anyone who cooks at home will enjoy them. Choose baking kits for bakers, rub sets for grillers, global blends for adventurous cooks, or an essentials collection for someone building a spice rack.
How do I pick the right box for someone?
Think about what they cook most. Pick a grilling rub set for someone who grills, a cinnamon or vanilla set for bakers, or a best-sellers or essentials box for someone who likes to try many flavors.
Are these spices fresh and high quality?
Yes. The sets are chosen for strong aroma and flavor. Many chefs and food writers praised the blends for their depth and consistent quality.
Can I buy refills for the spice jars?
Yes. Several sets offer refill packs or economical flatpacks so you can restock favorite spices without buying new jars.
How should I store spices and how long do they last?
Keep spices in a cool, dark place in airtight jars. Ground spices keep best for about 6 to 12 months. Whole spices last longer, often 1 to 3 years, but check aroma and flavor before using.
How can I use berbere and other specialty blends?
Berbere works great in Ethiopian dishes like doro wat, added to stews, or cooked slowly with onions and butter. It also seasons roasted carrots or adds a warm kick to fruit salads. Specialty blends can be used as rubs, mixed into yogurt for dips, or sprinkled on roasted vegetables.
What types of spice gift boxes are available?
There are sets for different tastes and uses: salt collections, cinnamon sets, best seller assortments, grilling and butcher rub boxes, dip mixes, vanilla sugar, everything bagel blends, and deluxe best seller packs.
Who will enjoy a spice gift box?
Almost anyone who cooks at home will enjoy them. Choose baking kits for bakers, rub sets for grillers, global blends for adventurous cooks, or an essentials collection for someone building a spice rack.
How do I pick the right box for someone?
Think about what they cook most. Pick a grilling rub set for someone who grills, a cinnamon or vanilla set for bakers, or a best-sellers or essentials box for someone who likes to try many flavors.
Are these spices fresh and high quality?
Yes. The sets are chosen for strong aroma and flavor. Many chefs and food writers praised the blends for their depth and consistent quality.
Can I buy refills for the spice jars?
Yes. Several sets offer refill packs or economical flatpacks so you can restock favorite spices without buying new jars.
How should I store spices and how long do they last?
Keep spices in a cool, dark place in airtight jars. Ground spices keep best for about 6 to 12 months. Whole spices last longer, often 1 to 3 years, but check aroma and flavor before using.
How can I use berbere and other specialty blends?
Berbere works great in Ethiopian dishes like doro wat, added to stews, or cooked slowly with onions and butter. It also seasons roasted carrots or adds a warm kick to fruit salads. Specialty blends can be used as rubs, mixed into yogurt for dips, or sprinkled on roasted vegetables.
Thanks for all the great ideas. Can’t leave the house? Travel with your tongue!