The 7 Best Holiday Gifts for Foodies from Costco

Take a trip around the world without leaving Costco.

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Key points

• If your foodie friend likes things finely aged, reach for balsamic vinegar or gourmet ham.
• Those looking for the exotic might like black ginseng from Korea or saffron from Greece.
• Not sure what to buy? A gift basket of gourmet chocolates and snacks is a safe choice for almost everyone.

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You can definitely make great meals on almost any budget. But foodies know that many of the best ingredients are the worst for you. your finances. That’s why one of the best holiday gifts for foodies is something gourmet or exotic that they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves.

And believe it or not, you can find plenty of great foodie gifts at your local Costco. From aged vinegars to the world’s most expensive spice, you can get it all with your Costco Membership. Take a look at some of our favorite finds.

1. Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Like a fine wine or liqueur, balsamic vinegar’s qualities vary depending on how and how long it is aged. Costco offers several types of balsamic vinegar, but the two that pique our interest are from Mazzetti. Imported from Italy, these balsamics have been aged in barrels for 12 or 25 years, with prices of $60 and $90, respectively.

2. Korean Black Ginseng

Reputed to be a delicacy in Korea, this black ginseng is made from four to five year old ginseng roots that have been steamed and dried nine times before being preserved in honey. You will receive 20 sticks in a $110 package.

3. Sturgeon caviar

Caviar is practically synonymous with stuck-up food, but you don’t have to be rich in monocles and top hats to lavish it on your friends and loved ones. No, you just need a Costco membership. They have a wide variety of caviar options, from four figure cans to cheaper gift sets in the $100 to $130 range.

4. Spanish ham

When regular meat gets old, you throw it away. When fancy meat gets old, you charge double. And as backwards as it sounds, it’s well worth the price. Take away the aged Serrano hams that you can pick up at Costco. Handcrafted in Spain, these hams have been aged for at least a year, taking on a depth of flavor your grocery store pork can’t beat. Be prepared to part with some serious bacon though, as prices range from $120 to $250.

5. Manuka honey

The only honey with its own unique grading system, Manuka honey is derived from Manuka flowers found in the wild in New Zealand that bloom only a few weeks a year. Costco offers several size and brand options, in a variety of grades; the higher the UMF number, the better the purity and the higher the price, with the most expensive option exceeding $100 when not on sale.

6. Greek saffron

Nicknamed the most expensive spice in the world, a pound of saffron can fetch a price into four figures. You don’t need to drain your Bank account To buy some for a friend, though, as you can get a 14-gram jar of hand-picked saffron from Greece for just $80 at Costco.

7. A gourmet gift basket

Take a festive basket and fill it with chocolates, cheese or wine? Who wouldn’t love that? Nobody, the answer is nobody. Because almost everyone on the planet is happy to receive a gift basket filled with gourmet goodies. Costco has more than 100 different gift baskets, holiday towers, and charcuterie boards to choose from, so you can find the perfect match for your favorite foodie—and your vacation budget.