More flavours of the season
GIVOPOLY BRUNCH IN A BAG
What: Givopoly.com, a new Ottawa business, sources foods and other gifts from 100 local shops. You choose your gifts (ranging from Purple Urchin soaps to gluten-free cupcakes) and Givopoly delivers. Brunch in a bag is picked up from Life of Pie.
Why: Give the gift of a relaxed, delicious morning by having four fresh-made muffins, four fantastic scones, a savoury quiche, a jar of michaelsdolce jam and a small bag of Happy Goat coffee delivered. “It’s our No. 1 all-occasion gift,” says Givopoly co-founder Susan Richards. Where: givopoly.com
How much: $33 (for a paper bag) or $45 in a cloth bag (as shown), plus $9.95 for next-day delivery.
CUSTOM TEA BLENDS, WITH HANDCRAFTED BOWLS
What: Red Apron, that emporium of great local foods on Gladstone Avenue, is introducing a custom line of fair trade and organic teas blended specially for the store by World of Tea in Westboro. The new teas are: Fireside Blend (black teas from India,) Après Ski (herbal with a chocolatey mint taste) and Winter Green (with Japanese sencha and organic elderberry.) Go the store on Saturday (Dec. 7) between 10 a.m. and noon for the unveiling of these new products and to meet Ji Li from World of Tea and learn more about the blends.
Why: Any of the new teas would make a good gift; match them with a one-ofkind ceramic tea bowl, commissioned from Michelle Lemire of Solart Galerie in Ripon, for a unique and outstanding present. Where: 564 Gladstone Ave.
How much: $9.25 for a 75-gram tin of tea. $39 for one of the bowls
BLACK GARLIC RASPBERRY WHISKY JAM
What: An unusual and addictive raspberry jam, spiked with whisky and fermented black garlic, made by Andrew Craig, who started Major Craig’s Chutney, now sold in about 200 stores across Ontario.
Why: Craig’s fermented black garlic is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated new local product. “I think this is something that is going to be the most sought-after ingredient in North America and possibly the world,” says Craig, who already has a list of chefs waiting to get their hands on the earthy ingredient, which is thought to have all sorts of health benefits and a flavour not unlike black truffles. It isn’t likely to be ready for sale at the Christmas markets, but he has enough to add to this unique raspberry jam. (If you want to be sure to secure some of the black garlic, sign on to Craig’s Kickstarter campaign at kickstarter.com/projects/majorcraigs/canadian-black-garlic.)
Where: Flavours of Ottawa sales in Westboro and New Edinburgh.
How much: $5 for a 60-mL jar or $8 for a 250-mL jar of jam.
TREEWELL SPARKLING MAPLE SAP DRINK
What: Canada’s first carbonated beverage made from maple sap.
Why: Barely sweet and surprisingly refreshing, this non-alcoholic Champagne-like drink promises to take off as a taste of Canada. “Every time someone tries it, they start to reminisce about tasting maple sap at a sugar bush,” says maker Tyler Steeves, 27.
Where: The first batch of 1,000 bottles will be released at the Flavours of Ottawa Holiday Food Market at Westboro Masonic Hall.
How much: $15
CHAMOMILE DESJARDIN GARLIC GIFT BOX
What: An attractive pack of more than a dozen locally grown garlic bulbs and three handmade hot sauces.
Why: John Lubrun has developed a devoted following for his hot sauces over the last 20 years. Choose among 14, from the mild Ms. Nunavut to the fiery St. Lucia on My Mind. His standard kit includes one mild, one medium and one hot sauce, but you can customize.
Where: Lubrun will be at the Carp and Ottawa farmers’ Christmas markets, as well as at both Flavours of Ottawa shows (details right.)
How much: $50
TOP SHELF PRESERVES SPICY PICKLED GARLIC SCAPES
What: Scapes from locally grown garlic that have been pickled with Sriracha sauce.
Why: “These are from the shoots from garlic that farmers cut off in spring,” says Sarah Pishva, a cook at the Manx pub who started Top Shelf Preserves in May. “It’s cool to use something that’s not usually used.” The spicy scapes make great garnishes for Caesar cocktails and are also wonderful with grilled cheese and chopped up in potato salad. Where: Locavore Artisan Food Fair and Urban Craft
How much: $22 for a big jar.
TINY BOTTLES OF LOCAL SUNFLOWER OIL
What: Cute little 100-mL bottles of Kricklewood Farm cold-pressed sunflower oil, grown and pressed in Frankville, about 100 kilometres from downtown Ottawa.
Why: Uncork the summer sun. It’s Eastern Ontario’s only homegrown oil and, made from about 400,000 organically grown sunflowers, it really does taste like sunshine in a bottle. It’s usually sold in 500-mL bottles, but these little ones would make perfect stocking stuffers or gift basket additions for foodies.
Where: The Piggy Market, Herb & Spice on Wellington West and Thyme & Again.
How much: $6