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A gift doesn’t have to be big or expensive to feel thoughtful. Instead of the usual bottle of wine, give something that will make your recipient feel truly seen: a small edible treasure that nods to their hometown, heritage, or a favorite trip from years ago.
This is a very personal way of saying “I know you.”
Regional spices are like souvenirs, celebrating local flavours. A jar of barbecue sauce, a bottle of hot sauce or a regional mayo can tell a story and capture the essence of a place. Here are a handful of favorite sauces, spreads, jams and more that make delicious and personalized little gifts.
Spices typically hover around $10 to $15, making them an affordable option.
Hot Sauce and Barbecue Staples
Adoboloco Hot Sauce, from Airportisland of mauiTake on a tropical punch with bold island chilies, perfect for grilled fish or roasted vegetables. The ingredient lists are short and the peppers are grown only in Hawaii.
In the South, the barbecue sauces from Big Bob Gibson of Decatur, Alabama, are known for their smoky, spicy flavor, with the Original White Sauce being a mainstay (especially on smoked chicken).
Pitmasters and Franklin Barbecue, IN AustinTexas, offering sauces and rubs that are rich, bold, and distinctly Texan.
Yellowbird hot sauces also hail from Austin – the organic Habanero and Serrano hot sauces and the classic Blue Agave Sriracha are particularly beloved.
to taste South AmericaPeru’s tari hot sauces showcase native peppers, such as ají amarillo and rocoto, both grown in the Andes. The ingredients are ground on a traditional batan (a stone mortar), creating a sauce with a bright and fruity (not scorching) heat that enhances dishes ranging from grilled meats to vegetables.
special spices
Duke’s mayo is a century old South The Classic, now based in Mauldin, South Carolina. It uses only egg yolks (no whites) for added richness, and two types of vinegar for added shine. Mayonnaise adds spiciness and creaminess to sandwiches, potato salads and other things. (Some fans have even gotten a Duke’s-promoted mayo tattoo—such is brand loyalty.) Duke’s is generally available nationwide, but is not as household a name as Hellman’s & Kraft outside the South.
The rich texture and subtle umami punch of Japanese Kewpie Mayo has inspired a global following. It uses only egg yolks, and also includes rice vinegar and a little MSG. Put it on sushi or okonomiyaki, or use it as a base for dressing.
Handmade small-batch spices like Auntie Rana’s, made in New York’s Hudson Valley and Maine, and inspired by South and Southeast Asian flavors, can bring a family-based touch to food. Think Naga Garlic Mayo, Mango Pickle and Smoked Chili Oil.
jams and preserves
For fruit lovers, American Spoon in Petoskey, Michigan, offers artisan preserves and sauces perfect for toast, charcuterie boards or baking gifts. Michigan cherry fans may be tempted by a jar of their famous sour cherry preserves, and their Red Haven peach preserves feature hand-peeled peaches grown exclusively for American Spoon.
Marmalade Grove makes the favorite citrus marmalade in Ojai, California. Hand-picked Pixie tangerines, hibiscus-infused Cara Cara oranges, Meyer lemons and honey – each flavor reflects the region’s sunny citrus.
From San Francisco, We Love Jam offers seasonal, small-batch jams such as their popular Blenheim Apricot Jam, made from one of the last remaining orchards of these endangered apricots.
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Katie Workman writes regularly about food for the Associated Press. She has written two cookbooks focused on family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbooks.” She blogs at https://themom100.com/. She can be reached at Katie@themom100.com.
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For more AP gift guide and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.