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Your South Florida-flavored Holiday Gift Guide

How to shop small in South Florida
December 13, 2020
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Laura Sutton of Blue Horizon Farm
Laura Sutton of Blue Horizon Farm sells ferments, salves and other products made from what grows on her farm

If there were ever a time to skip the usual shopping experience and shop locally, 2020 is the year to do it. Supporting your local food and drink artisans, institutions, farmers, restaurants and businesses has never been more important.

Here are some of our favorite local people and businesses whose products and services make ideal gifts at a range of prices. Some are advertisers; others are folks we’ve written about or know firsthand. Many are available online. Restaurant gift cards remain a valuable way to support one of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.

If you’re able, buy from your local shop rather than at big-box stores and the mega-online-ordering site. Even if you pay a few bucks more, your gift will reward both the recipient and the business and keeps your dollars right where they belong: in our South Florida community.  Speaking of which, may we offer a shameless plug for a great gift?

A Year's Subscription to edible South Florida

WHY: Out-of-town friends or relatives who want to keep up on what's happening with the South Florida community? Folks who are new here? Fans of cooking, backyard gardening? Give the gift of local love with a subscription to our quarterly magazine.
GOOD GIFT: A full year (four issues, $28) is delivered via USPS with a handwritten card to your recipient.
MORE INFO: Edible South Florida subscription

SOBEWFF Home for the Holidays Dinner, Delivered

WHY: Buy dinner packages curated by SOBEWFF in collaboration with Constellation Culinary Group: Pernil asado or slow roasted tenderloin for two or four, complete with sides, breads, Bacardi coquito and Cinzano prosecco. Also available: stone crab claws, Tania’s Table matzo ball soup, Tropical Chinese box of dim sum, crema de vie from Gio Gutierrez x Bang Bang Bakehouse and more.
GOOD GIFT: You'll not only be wining and dining like it's 2019, you'll be supporting local: Badia Spices will match 100% of net proceeds to benefit the recovery of the local hospitality industry.
MORE INFO: Order here by Dec. 20 noon for pickup on Dec. 23 and 24.

Food Artisans

CHOCOLATE

Cao Chocolates

WHY? This family bean-to-bar business offers a full range of chocolatey goodness: bonbons, brownies, single-origin bars and gift baskets.
GOOD GIFT: Their assorted bar collection ($35) lets recipients sample different chocolates.
MORE INFO: Cao Chocolates

Exquisito Chocolates

WHY? Carolina Quijano’s chocolate factory in Little Havana shows visitors how chocolate goes from bean to bar.
GOOD GIFT: Local collabs, like 63% Cafe con Leche, Milk Chocolate and Per’La Coffee Bar ($8) or 63% EspressOat Shot, Panther Coffee and Oat Milk Chocolate
MORE INFO: Exquisito Chocolates

Garcia Nevett Chocolatier de Miami

WHY: Sisters Susana and Isabel Garcia Nevett produce award-winning chocolates and sweet creations in their South Miami shop.
GOOD GIFT: Flavors of Florida bonbons ($18), including flavors like Florida Keys honey and orange caramel, Tupelo honey and cardamom and vanilla rum, made with Papa’s Pilar rum from Key West. Box of six Hot Chocolate Snowmen: six tiny snowmen filled with milk chocolate ganache and marshmallows ($12); it with ingredients to make a Christmas tree chocolate cake, including cake mix and icing, as well as chocolate ornaments and sprinkles that kids will paint and decorate with cacao butter paints ($25); Hot Chocolate and Mug Set: a tin of Signature Hot Chocolate Mix and a mug with cacao motif ($24); Edible ornament: hand-painted chocolate ornament with three chocolate-covered crunchy caramels inside ($18)
MORE INFO: Garcia Nevett

Ricardo Trillos of Cao Chocolates
Exquisito chocolate bar with PerLa coffee
Gift box from Garcia Nevett
Photo 1: Ricardo Trillos of Cao Chocolates
Photo 2: Exquisito chocolate bar with PerLa coffee
Photo 3: Gift box from Garcia Nevett

TEA, COFFEE & SEASONAL DRINKS

Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co.

WHY: Brothers Bryon and Kyle White and partner Mark Steele have created teas made from Yaupon holly leaves, naturally caffeinated, organic and sustainably grown leaves that are rich in antioxidants.
GOOD GIFT: Order individual flavors like American Green or Revive Mint yaupon holly teas in eco-tubes ($8.50), or choose gift items like a loose leaf tea gift box (from $45).
MORE INFO: Yaupon Brothers American Tea

High 7 Teas

WHY: This family business puts together spiced teas using flavorful ingredients like ginger and turmeric, hibiscus, elderberry and cinnamon. 
GOOD GIFT: Sassy Redhead is a tasty combination of brown sugar, lemon juice, hibiscus flower, anise seed, cinnamon, ginger root, cloves and agave nectar.  
MORE INFO: High 7 Teas

Panther Coffee

WHY: The folks who got South Florida’s craft coffee culture started sell single-origin coffees, cold brews and gift cards.
GOOD GIFT: They’ve collaborated with Palm Press to offer a personal coffee press that’s completely reusable (no pods or paper filters) plus a 12-oz bag of Finca San Antonio Chicharras.
MORE INFO: Panther Coffee 

Per’La Specialty Roasters

WHY: UM grads Paul Massard and Chris Nolte’s business includes a range of coffee: certified organic, single origin, blends and reserve.
GOOD GIFT: For the adventurous coffee lover, their subscription offers a new coffee every two weeks ($18).
MORE INFO: Per’La Specialty Roasters

Wells Coffee Co.

WHY: Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s popular roasters got their start when Brandon Wells and his wife, Nicole, started sharing fresh roasted beans as gifts.
GOOD GIFT: Pick up your favorite beans and pick up a “Drink Deeply” t-shirt with art from designer Joshua Noom.
MORE INFO: Wells Coffee Co.

Creme de Víe at Los Bobos Cafeteria and Deli

WHY: Sweet and silky, this version of Cuban eggnog is a must this time of year. Get in the mood by listening to Tony’s playlists on his website.
MORE INFO: Los Bobos Cafeteria and Deli in Doral

Kremas at Chef Creole

WHY: Pick up a bottle of this traditional Haitian rum punch ($20) to celebrate
MORE INFO: Chef Creole

Vegan Coquito from T’antay Miami Cakes

WHY: From Peruvian baker Ingrid Herrera and her husband, coquito master Ryan Vando, their plant-based version of the traditional holiday drink uses coconut cream and coconut milk with spices and Don Q Spiced Rum.
MORE INFO: Tantay Miami

Bryon White of Yaupon Brothers American Tea
Chris Nolte and Paul Massard of PerLa Specialty Roasters
Tony and Lidya of Los Bobos
High 7 Teas
Photo 1: Bryon White of Yaupon Brothers American Tea
Photo 2: Chris Nolte and Paul Massard of PerLa Specialty Roasters
Photo 3: Tony and Lidya of Los Bobos
Photo 4: High 7 Teas

Local Foods & Markets

BAKERIES

Cindy Lou’s Cookies

WHY: Just one of her giant chocolate chip cookies or guava coconut macaroons beats a caseful of store-bought cookies.
GOOD GIFT: Ship a dozen jumbo cookies to someone you really love.
MORE INFO: Cindy Lou’s Cookies

Cookies by Shar

WHY: Shar’s decorated cookies are sold in Whole Foods Market and Williams-Sonoma, but you can also order directly from her Broward bakery.
GOOD GIFT: Oatmeal raising cookie sandwiches on a stick ($34.99 for a six-pack)
MORE INFO: Cookies by Shar

Crackerman Stollen and Fruechtebrot

WHY: Stefan Uch makes organic breads and crackers to sell at farmers markets and online.
GOOD GIFT: His seasonal specialties, like traditional holiday stollen and fruit breads.
MORE INFO: Crackerman

Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop

WHY: Carrot cake, guava cheesecake, salted caramel pie, key lime pie – all tested and approved by actual firefighters.
GOOD GIFT: You can ship Fireman Derek’s baked goods to friends in the US.
MORE INFO: Fireman Derek’s

Flour & Weirdoughs

WHY: This quirky bakery on Key Biscayne mills its own flour for sourdough loaves, but also comes up with playful variations on their baked goods along the way.
GOOD GIFT: A half dozen pumpkin brioche cinnamon rolls with pecans and maple glaze. ($3.95 each)
MORE INFO:  Flour & Weirdoughs

Madruga Bakery

WHY: Rustic loaves, classics like challah and babka, and pastries and cookies, made using flour milled on site at this cheerful Coral Gables bakery and cafe.
GOOD GIFT: Their lemon polenta cake is a beloved gift – and it’s gluten free.
MORE INFO: Madruga Bakery  

Zak the Baker

WHY: South Florida’s OG artisan baker is delivering his sourdough loaves throughout South Florida (and you can buy them at Whole Foods Markets). There’s lots more he’s baking: challah (baked only on Thursday and Friday), croissants, bagels, to name a few.
GOOD GIFT: Double chocolate babka is a splendid choice.
MORE INFO: Zak the Baker

Sweet treats from Fireman Derek
Madruga Bakery
Zak the Baker babka
Photo 1: Sweet treats from Fireman Derek
Photo 2: Madruga Bakery
Photo 3: Zak the Baker babka

MEATS, CHEESES, PLANT-BASED FOODS

Babe’s Meat and Counter

WHY: Jason and Melanie’s Palmetto Bay butcher shop is your headquarters for their sausages, house burger blend, espresso bacon, plus prime meats, Bell & Evans chicken, cheese, wine and beer, and a carefully curated selection of condiments and pantry items.
GOOD GIFT: Put together a luxury gift basket. Perhaps some prime bone-in ribeye steaks with Urbani black truffle butter?
MORE INFO: Babe’s Meat and Counter

Gaucho Ranch

WHY: Grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, heritage pork, and now game meats: venison, elk, wild boar ribs and sausages, rabbit.
GOOD GIFT: Book a gaucho grill experience for a safe outdoor event.
MORE INFO: Gaucho Ranch 

Mima Market

WHY: The small Miami Shores market may be small, but there’s a huge concentration of local vendors, including food and drink artisans, artists, farmers and other makers.
GOOD GIFT: Lots of sustainable, eco-friendly items, herbal tincture from Buenezas, Minimalina bamboo toothbrushes and reusable cutlery, Semillas Coop growbags, to name a few.
MORE INFO: Mima Market

The Plantisserie Plant-based Organic Deli and Market

WHY: Delicious plant-based foods by the pound, delivered throughout greater Miami, perfect for holiday entertaining.
GOOD GIFT: Assemble a treat box for your favorite vegan, from soup to nuts.
MORE INFO: The Plantisserie

Proper Sausages

WHY: Bring home the bacon, or chorizo, or lamb and harissa sausages, or Wagyu NY strip steaks, or Berkshire St. Louis ribs, or any of their other quality meats.
GOOD GIFT: Proper’s own products – spice rubs for meats, pikliz, housemade pickles, garlic confit and mustards – are great stocking stuffers for the discerning diner.
MORE INFO: Proper Sausages

HONEY

Farmer's Market Honey

WHY: Whether you buy your honey at a farmers market or at a farmstand, local honey the way to go. Farmers Market Honey aka Lip Smakin' Good Raw and Unfiltered Honey has one of the best selections of Florida honey flavors and products, from jars to sticks to hemp and infused honey and other products.
GOOD GIFT: Their subscription boxes (from $21.95/box) deliver honey right to the doorstep.
MORE INFO: Farmers Market Honey

POPCORN

Greenthumb Popcorn

WHY: This spicy, savory, crunchy popcorn is nutritious and healthy, made with spirulina and nutritional yeast, garlic, cayenne and a veggie mix.
GOOD GIFT: Combine this with a DVD for a movie-watching gift. And, according to memes, popcorn seems to be the ideal snack to accompany news programs.
MORE INFO: Buy online or find at Whole Foods Markets or farmers markets (Legion Park, South Miami City Hall, Vizcaya Village, Arsht Center)

Vegan meals from The Plantisserie
Pablo Liberato of Gaucho Ranch
Jason Schoendorfer of Babe's Meat and Counter
Ms. Shirley with Greenthumb Popcorn
Photo 1: Vegan meal from The Plantisserie
Photo 2: Pablo Liberato of Gaucho Ranch
Photo 3: Jason Schoendorfer of Babe's Meat and Counter
Photo 4: Ms. Shirley with Greenthumb Popcorn

WINE, BEER, SPIRITS

Wolfe’s Wines in Coral Gables

WHY: Jeffrey Wolfe knows his wines and his food. (That's why he's our longtime wine columnist!) Tell him what you're looking for and your price range, and he'll instantly find the right wine.
GOOD GIFT: A creative customized wine gift basket to fit your budget.
MORE INFO: Wolfe's Wine Shoppe

Azul Spirits and Wines in Miami Beach

WHY: This Sunset Harbour shop supplies Miami Beach bartenders with supplies they need to make killer cocktails.
GOOD GIFT: Their impressive selection of bitters, liqueurs and bar supplies make a great present for your favorite home bartender.  
MORE INFO: Azul Spirits and Wines

Jeffrey Wolfe of Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe
Cinnamon buns from Knaus Berry Farm
Papier-mache art from Abraham at Redland Community Farm and Market
Local honey from Robert Is Here
Photo 1: Jeffrey Wolfe of Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe
Photo 2: Cinnamon buns from Knaus Berry Farm
Photo 3: Papier-mache art from Abraham at Redland Community Farm and Market
Photo 4: Local honey from Robert Is Here

Plants and Gardening

Little River Cooperative in the Redland

WHY: Little River Cooperative and French Farms sell winter plant starts, garden supplies, local honey and other edible garden must-haves. Order online for delivery or pickup at their Redland nursery.  
GOOD GIFT: Order a raised-bed garden filled with annual vegetables or a food forest. They can do containers for balconies, too.
MORE INFO: Little River Cooperative

Ready-to-Grow Gardens in Kendall

WHY: Longtime edible gardener Dylan Terry and his team help others grow organic vegetables, herbs and fruit in South Florida.  
GOOD GIFT: A selection of food plants, like tropical spinaches, edible flowers, and tropical fruit trees, including a wide range of mango, avocado and banana varieties, all grown to thrive here.
MORE INFO: Ready-to-Grow Gardens

Urban Oasis Project in Miami

WHY: In addition to managing some of Miami’s best local markets, Urban Oasis also installs raised-bed gardens.
GOOD GIFT: Sponsor a home garden for someone in need through their GIVE Gardens.
MORE INFO: Urban Oasis Project

Tree Amigos Growers in Davie

WHY: This hideaway in Broward sells seedlings, soil, compost and everything you need to grow your edible garden. They offer ordering online with drive-up convenience.
GOOD GIFT: For the backyard gardener, give the gift of good soil!
MORE INFO: Tree Amigos Growers

Miami Beach Botanical Garden Gift Shop

WHY: This delightful shop is a bouquet of gifts, from darling seed packets to books and garden supplies to botanically themed decor, aprons, housewares, butterfly-related gifts and other surprises.
GOOD GIFT: There really is something for everyone here, including a thoughtful selection of books for kids.
MORE INFO: Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Grow-Your-Own Sprouts from Fullei Fresh

WHY: Sprouts are nutritious, quick-growing veggies that you can easily add to salads, sandwiches and other dishes. They're also easy to grow at home. Good project for kids, too.
GOOD GIFT: Fullei Fresh, a longtime local family business that grows and sells sprouts you'll find in supermarkets, has come up with various sprout-growing jars and tools along with organic beans – alfalfa, broccoli, mung beans, wheatgrass – to get you growing. Starter kits begin at $23.50.
MORE INFO: Fullei Fresh

Seedlings at Little River Cooperative
Seedlings at Tree Amigos Growers
Chantelle Sookram of Urban Oasis Project
Gaylord of Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Photo 1: Seedlings at Little River Cooperative
Photo 2: Seedlings at Tree Amigos Growers
Photo 3: Chantelle Sookram of Urban Oasis Project
Photo 4: Gaylord of Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Local Businesses

SEB Organic Mattresses

WHY: This family-owned business sells quality organic mattresses (including vegan options) and offers highly personalized service from their serene shops in Coconut Grove and Florida City, and their new location on Biscayne Blvd. in the Upper East Side.
GOOD GIFT: Pillows! They offer 100% organic cotton, sculpted latex, kapok, non-GMO plant-based batting and bioceramic options. Vendors include Soaring Heart, Naturepedic and Magniflex.
MORE INFO: SEB Mattress

Gifted by Nature Sugar Scrubs

WHY: Created by Miami-Dade teacher Alena Sheriff, this line of sugar scrubs was inspired by the plants and nature in her school garden when she discovered students disliked washing their hands with the “sticky” school soap.
GOOD GIFT: Among their gift boxes is the signature Hand and Body Scrub paired with Sweet Spice Foaming Cleanser ($25)
MORE INFO: Gifted by Nature

Isabel Fine Home Accessories

WHY: For years, Isabel has scouted out fun home accessories and whimsical, clever items that bring a smile to your face. Her collection also includes items by local artists in her South Miami shop.
GOOD GIFT:
MORE INFO: Isabel Fine Home Accessories

Organic mattresses and bedding at SEB
Sugar scrubs and skin products from Gifted by Nature
Stylish gifts for home entertaining from Isabel
Photo 1: Organic mattresses and bedding at SEB
Photo 2: Sugar scrubs and skin products from Gifted by Nature
Photo 3: Stylish gifts for home entertaining from Isabel

Blue Horizon Farm

WHY: Farmer Laura Sutton makes all kinds of good things from what she and her husband grow: ferments like sauerkraut, beet kvass, pickled turmeric, starfruit chutney, salves and oils and more.
GOOD GIFT: Dried butterfly pea flowers make a refreshing a caffeine-free herbal tea that's deep blue. Add a little lemon juice and it turns magenta.
MORE INFO: Blue Horizon Farm

Burger Beast Shoppe

WHY: Frita cubana pins! T-shirts! Guava sriracha ketchup and honey mustard curry sauce! Signed books! The Shoppe has it all.
GOOD GIFT: But wait – there's more. The 305 BEAST Gift Box ($75) includes an Order Up! tee, an In Beast We Trust dinner plate, a bag of Burger Beast Guava Sriracha Ketchup Cheddar Popcorn, a bottle of Guava Sriracha Ketchup Sauce, a bottle of Honey Mustard Curry Sauce, a Limited Edition 305 Frita Cubana Enamel Pin and an In Beast We Trust License Plate Frame. It's only available in Miami-Dade County and will be hand-delivered, free, the week of Dec. 21.
MORE INFO: Burger Beast Shoppe

Pin Pan Pun + Co.

WHY: ¡Te la comiste! Clever Cuban dichos and illustrations adorn books, a coloring book, masks, posters and stickers, perfect for Miamians or expats who long for hearing "la chancleta!"
GOOD GIFT: Their face masks that say "Tremendo arroz con mango" – a big mess – as descriptive as they are useful. And 100% of proceeds from each mask will be donated to It's All Love Miami, helping Miami’s homeless community by delivering weekly care package drop-offs and hot meals.
MORE INFO: Pin Pan Pun + Co.

Pero Let Me Tell You Shop

WHY: We're fans of DJ and Ish's podcast because it's filled with local sabor. Ya tu sabes.
GOOD GIFT: Their Lechon Life t-shirt is a hit, but we really loved the Miami census one when we first saw at at Carnaval Miami earlier this year.
MORE INFO: Pero Let Me Tell You Shop

Farmer Laura Sutton and her Blue Horizon Farm products
305 Beast Gift Box
Face masks from Pin Pan Pun + Co.
Pero Let Me Tell You who we are in Miami
Photo 1: Farmer Laura Sutton and her Blue Horizon Farm products
Photo 2: 305 Beast Gift Box
Photo 3: Face masks from Pin Pan Pun + Co.
Photo 4: Pero Let Me Tell You who we are in Miami

PET TREATS

Pup & Pantry Hand-crafted Dog Treats

WHY: Local soft and chewy dog treats made with house-milled flour and all-natural ingredients and without wheat, corn, soy, or artificial preservatives, available for Miami pickup, deliver, and shipping.
GOOD GIFT: We never met a dog that didn't love peanut butter. That's why PB & PB (brown rice flour, oat flour, egg, honey, natural preservatives and lots of peanut butter) is a favorite.
MORE INFO: Pup & Pantry

Rebel does love peanut butter
Rebel does love peanut butter

MEMBERSHIPS 

This year, many of our beloved institutions lost needed revenues when they had to shut down because of the pandemic. Supporting these vital components of our community has never been more important!

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Dade Heritage Trust

Deering Estate
Fruit and Spice Park
Gables Art Cinema
History Miami Museum
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Rare Fruit Council International
Rare Fruit and Vegetable Council of Broward
Slow Food Miami
Tropical Audubon Society
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

EVENTS

Key West Food and Wine Festival
South Beach Wine and Food Festival

WORTHY CAUSES

Food and relief programs, always busy, have been at it nonstop all year, helping those in need in South Florida. Here are some of South Florida's organizations who are feeding and caring for many in our community.

Buddy System MIA Community Fridges
Farm Share
Feeding South Florida
Food Rescue US–Miami
World Central Kitchen
 

 

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