14 Best Buys For Refined Foodie In Your Life

Gifts in such good taste, they're almost as good as your mate's tastebuds.

1. This Hotel Starlino aperitivo, which will add a little bit of sophistication to cocktail hour this summer.

Hotel Starlino

Bright and zesty, this gorgeous orange aperitivo from Hotel Starlino pairs the citrus-y goodness of pink grapefruit, orange and lemon peels with fragrant botanicals, including wormwood, elderflower, cloves, coriander, thyme and angelica — absolutely dreamy.  To create a spritz with this tastebud-teasing nectar, they can simply top it with prosecco and a fresh orange slice. 

Buy it from Vintage Cellars for $36. 

2. This smart ceramic mug that will ensure your friend's bean juice never goes cold again.

Amazon Australia

I do not know what it's like to have a hot cup of tea. Like, I can not even fathom the sensation. Who has the time to sit with a mug in hand, waiting for it to reach the optimum temperature before it gets cold? Enter this ceramic mug, which will keep your drink at the exact temperature you prefer, is controlled via app, and sits on a charging coaster — ready for whenever you need a caffeine kick. Plus, there are six colours to choose from, so your friend can always tell theirs from their housemate's (when they inevitably buy one too, after seeing your friend's mug).

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $220.

3. This express espresso coffee machine maker, which according to users 'makes the best coffee of any domestic coffee system'.

Amazon Australia

Just shy of 15,000 five-star ratings, you can bet this espresso maker will give the utmost depth of flavour for your morning cup of coffee (and is more affordable than most at-home coffee machines). Made in Italy with a patented safety valve, its handle is both ergonomic and heat-resistant.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $92.98.

4. This bottle of TRUFF Hot Sauce that is the iconic lovechild of truffle oil and hot sauce and will definitely spice up your life.

Julia Willing/BuzzFeed, Amazon Australia

Promising review: "As a huge hot sauce fan and a lover of all things truffle (honestly, who isn't?), it's safe to say my interest was piqued when I heard about TRUFF. And let me tell you, this sauce did not disappoint. It is, hands down, the king of condiments. Within three days of opening the WHITE TRUFF, I'm down half a bottle. I have it on everything: Eggs, toasties, pasta, pizza, wraps, burgers, smashed avo. I could write an entire essay on why I think it's so incredible, but you really just need to grab a bottle for yourself, so you can understand."

—Julia Willing

Read more about this hype-worthy sauce from another BuzzFeeder here.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $32.95.

5. These dark chocolate-coated macadamia nuts, which are the little bit of Aussie-grown decadence every Christmas stocking needs.

Byron Bay Coffee Company, @byronbaycoffeecompany / Via Instagram

These macadamia nuts have been sourced from a local award-winning plantation, and coated with the creamiest of milk chocolate. A no-brainer, really.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $11.70.

6. These silicone ice cube molds, which will produce much better ice than the fast-melting ice chips from the servo.

Amazon Australia

Yes, you could just pick up a bag of ice from the servo, but they won't make half as attractive a drink as this ice tray will. The elegant diamond, sphere, hexagonal and cube-shaped ice that comes from these BPA-free, silicone trays won't melt as fast as your small, store-bought ice — and let's face it, they look infinitely better.  

Buy four trays from Amazon Australia for $26.99.

7. These rocking whiskey glasses, which will aerate spirits without the least bit of effort.

Amazon Australia

In addition to looking schmancier than your average glassware, these rocking whiskey glasses encourage spirits to breathe with movement — but are designed to never rock so much that they spill.

Buy a pair of two from Amazon Australia for $35.95.

8. This cold brew liqueur, which is the perfect alternative to spending this week's worth of rent on espresso martinis at their local bar.

Amazon Australia

This highly-rated coffee liqueur is brewed in Australia, with all the fullness of Ethiopian, Brazilian and Papua New Guinea coffee beans. Best poured over ice, one self-confessed 'die hard espresso martini fan' reviewer said it best with a simple: 'Mr Black really blew my mind'. How's that for a vote of confidence?

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $64.99.

9. Dining In by Alison Roman — simple and unfussy yet unique recipes for the restaurant lover at home.

@alisoneroman / Via Instagram

New York Times columnist, Alison Roman, has put together a cookbook that makes tasty and saliva-inducing meals possible for even the most novice of cooks. Loved for her authentic and wry voice (honestly, if you're not already, follow her on Instagram), this is for anyone who enjoys the company of mates in the kitchen.

Recipes include: Whole Roasted Snapper With Harissa And Cherry Tomatoes, Fried Eggplant With Harissa And Dill.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $36.97.

10. And Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food For Having People Over by Alison Roman — for the dinner host who likes to make it seem like they put in more effort than they're actually willing to.

@alisoneroman / Via Instagram

I love dinner parties. Dress up and not have to leave my home? Heaven. Unfortunately, I have trouble pulling off the kind of restaurant quality meals that make going out so appealing — fortunately, Roman nails the whole "casual yet fashionable" style we all aspire to and shares her time-saving tips and over 150 recipes here.

Recipes include: Pot Of Pasta Angel Cake With Broccoli Rabe and Chorizo Breadcrumbs, Marscapone and Coffee.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $33.99.

11. This T2 Coming Up Roses Pack, which gathers their bestselling tea flavours in the one box (and comes with the dainty fine china cup with which to drink them too).

T2

If a company has gone through the painstaking effort of becoming B-Corp certified, you can bet we'll want to support it. T2 not only happens to adhere to the highest of ethical and environmental standards for companies — but their teas are divine too. From their beloved Melbourne Breakfast and New York Breakfast teabags, to the soothing Sleep Tight and Tummy Tea teabags, you'll find all the favourites here.

Buy the pack (10 teabags and one fine bone china mug) from Amazon Australia for $54.

12. This world-famous pasta machine, because who doesn't want handmade lasagne, fettucine and tagliolini whenever they want?

Amazon Australia

Just shy of 18,000 five-star ratings, this pasta machine is just the thing for aspiring home chefs. Made in Italy from chrome-plated steel, this 'Ferarri of the pasta machine world' allows for up to 15 pasta shapes(!).

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $134.95.

13. This tasty red meat rub, which proves convenience doesn't mean sacrificing on flavour.

Amazon Australia

With over 2,700 five-star ratings, you know that this red meat rub is delicious. Expect classic spices like garlic and black pepper that brings out the best in your Sunday BBQ.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $26.

14. And lastly, this cast iron dutch oven, which will produce the tastiest meals ever (and look beautiful serving from too).

Amazon Australia

Cast iron is the preferred material of many professional chefs, due to the even distribution of heat across the entire surface and unparalleled heat retention. Great for cooking, marinating, refrigeration and freezing, meet your new favourite all-in-one cookware.

Buy it from Amazon Australia for $129.58.

You, as your friend lavishes gratitude on you for your perfect gift:

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