Eat, drink and be merry over these food related gifts

It's that time of the year again when businesses consider year-end gifts for partners and customers, and staff may exchange gifts with each other. What to get that would be a little unusual and meaningful, though?

Source: Cafédirect.

For the coffee addicts, UK hot beverage company Cafédirect stocked shelves of top supermarkets in Singapore this year with a carefully-blended, premium Medium Roast Freeze-Dried instant coffee. The blend balances sweet and chocolate-y Arabica beans from South America with all-rounder beans from the highlands of Central America and bold-bodied East African Natural Robusta (60%) coffee beans for what is described as a taste reminiscent of caramel. 

“Freeze-dried specialty coffee can be convenient and still taste great. Using freeze-dried technology, we are able to capture the essence of flavours in the coffee. With this enticing blend of instant freeze-dried coffee, today’s discerning consumers can incorporate coffee in their recipes or simply indulge in a café-quality beverage without the fuss, going out the door and the hefty price tag,” says Cafédirect Senior National Account Manager, Julian Burnham.

A jar of Cafédirect Freeze-dried Medium Roast instant coffee is priced at S$10.90 for a 100g jar. It is available at Cold Storage, FairPrice Finest, Giant Hyper, Jasons and Market Place.

Source: The House of Albert Ménès.

Those who like artisanal foods may like the pairing of Violet Fig Jam and Matzo Bread, both from The House of Albert Ménès. Made from original, classic French recipes, the slightly tart and sweet Violet Fig Jam goes well with the light, crispy Matzo Bread.

The Violet Fig Jam is made from carefully selected ripe whole figs grown in Soilles-Pont in Var, south of France. The figs are peeled and cooked in an open copper cauldron to preserve the natural taste of the whole fruit. The Controlled Designation of Origin (appellation d'origine contrôlée, or AOC) stamp found on the jam jars is official recognition of their unique geographical origin. 

The Violet Fig Jam (S$18) and the Matzo Bread (S$9), made of wheat flour, are sold at Market Place at Paragon, Raffles City and Tanglin Mall, Jasons the Gourmet Grocer @ ION Orchard and Sentosa Quayside as well as Robinsons Orchard.

Budding cooks or those planning corporate bonding exercises may be interested to know that Albert Ménès products are also used at some of the classes at Shermay’s Cooking School. Shermay’s Cooking School is in Holland Village; email info@shermay.com for more information. 

Source: Thermos. The JNO-500.

Need to stay hydrated in style? The trend towards ever-lighter items has come to Thermos vacuum insulated tumblers. At 210g, the Thermos JNO-500 Vacuum Insulated Tumbler is the lightest of the family, and keeps beverages hot or cold for at least six hours. The tumbler comes in burgundy, black and pearl white, and has a leak-proof 360-degree drink lid and a 160-degree twist open cap for ease of use. Available at all major department stores, the JNO-500 costs S$49. 

Thermos also offers insulated food jars for a hot meal. Double-walled vacuum insulation ensures food remains hot or cold longer. The S$65 Thermos SK-3020 Food Jar is made of durable stainless steel, and has a wide mouth for easy maintenance.