Ryan | 25 November 2009

This week we were thrilled to open the gourmetKAZOO community marketplace to customers in the UK!

With December right around the corner, we compiled this list of some of the world's most exclusive and authentic gourmet items now available to foodies in the UK.

Support Europe's traditional food producers; purchase from them directly on the gourmetKAZOO community marketplace. Each producer listed below is ready to deliver their products directly to your door!

UPS delivery costs are included in the prices below (to all major cities in the UK).

Exclusive gourmet gifts

Balsamico Tradizionale Gold Label (aged 25+ years)

from Acetaia San Giacomo in Reggio Emilia, Italy

This is the REAL DEAL of balsamic vinegar, aged at least 25 years and passing the approval of a 5 judge panel in order to obtain the exclusive title Balsamico Tradizionale (nothing else is the real thing); I've met the producer, Andrea, an amazing guy!

100mL bottle - €152 (incl. UK delivery)

Fresh White Italian Truffle

from Tartufi Molise in Molise, Italy

Hunted by Vincenzo & his trusty truffle hunting dogs; the fresh white truffles will be available until the end of December. I hope to join him for a truffle hunt next year!

25gr fresh white truffle - €89 (incl. UK EXPRESS delivery)

Giant flowering tea bulbs

from Choi Time in London, UK

Melissa offers "the Dom Perignon of the tea world". Created from the finest white needle green tea leaves, naturally scented with thousands of jasmine flowers & hand-woven with an exotic flower, the Chinese believe that drinking this tea will bring you luck, happiness & prosperity, symbolised by the red flower.

12 tea bulbs (~ 24L of tea) - €46 (incl. UK delivery)

Cheese & Charcuterie

These exclusive cheese & charcuterie options are sure to standout at any holiday cocktail party.

French AOP cheese basket

from Fromagère Grange de la Haute Vallee in Auvergne, France

Includes 3 famous French cheeses from this region; Salers, Cantal & bleu. Handcrafted by Nathalie on their small family farm where they raise 40 cows. The wild flowers of the region impart their delicate flavours on the cheeses.

gift basket w/ 3 French AOP cheeses - €100 (incl. UK EXPRESS delivery)

Jamon Iberico de Bellota (Pata Negra)

from Jamones Rosco in Extremadura, Spain

Jamón Iberico de bellota is simply the best cured meat in the world; you cannot find a better Pata Negra than this, with its designations of "de bellota" & DOP Extremadura.

6.5kg Jamon de bellota aged 36mo. - €325 (incl. UK delivery)

Paleta Iberica (Pata Negra) aged 24mo.

from Jamones Rosco in Extremadura, Spain

Paleta is the front leg or shoulder of the Pata Negra pig, it tastes slightly different than the hind leg (Jamon) and stands out for its excellent aftertaste.

4.0kg Paleta aged 24mo. - €134 (incl. UK delivery)

Irish smoked ORGANIC salmon (unsliced)

from Ummera in the Cork, Ireland

Locally sourced & cured with the finest organic ingredients, this award winning oak smoked salmon is produced by Anthony, one of our earliest adopters joining back when gK was only a vision!

Smoked side of salmon (approx. 1.1kg) - €76 (incl. UK EXPRESS delivery)

Scottish smoked salmon (hand sliced)

from Uig Lodge in the Isle of Lewis, UK

Smoked to a traditional recipe on the Isle of Lewis, one of the most remote and beautiful locations in Scotland.

Smoked side of salmon (approx. 1.3kg) - €93 (incl. UK EXPRESS delivery)

Sweets

French Pralines

from Histoire du Praslin in Corbelin, France

A wide range of French pralines made by hand in a copper cauldron. Featuring caramelized nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts) & even caramelized cocoa beans for the real DARK chocolate lovers.

5 x 200gr bags of assorted pralines - from €58 (incl. UK delivery)

Extra-virgin olive oils

The 2009 olive harvest is in full swing. Consider purchasing a case to share with all your family and friends.

Spanish "limited edition" olive oil

from Aceites La Maja in Mendavia, Spain

Flavor tones include tomato plant, grass, artichoke and apple with medium bitterness and a slight late "bite"; these sophisticated bottles make great gourmet gifts.

6 x 500mL cased bottles - €156 (incl. UK delivery)

Italian Canino varietal olive oil

from Az. Agr Caponetti Lorenzo in Tuscania, Italy

Harvested early for a mild, very fruity and robust flavour; cold-pressed by stone from the Canino olive grown on this organic farm that also boasts Etruscan ruins and archaeological remains.

10 x 500mL tin cans - €123 (incl. UK delivery)

Italian DOP olive oil

from Olio Pellegrino in Andria, Italy

Maria Teresa produces olive oil like her family has done for hundreds of years; she's been one of gK's best teachers! This oil is one of her best, fruity and intense, available in many formats including this case of small bottles perfect for gifts!

24 x 250mL square bottles - €121 (incl. UK delivery)

Tuscan ORGANIC olive oil

from Fattoria di Gratena in Arezzo, Italy

This olive oil is certified organic, a blend of Frantoio, Moraiolo and Leccino olive varieties. Fabio says this year's fresh olive oil is of exceptional quality!

6 x 500mL bottles - €115 (incl. UK delivery)

Spanish olive oil gift box

from Oleura in Juncosa, Spain

This beautiful wooden gift box features a range of olive based products. Of course a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, along with olives and even a bar of natural soap, all produced with olives of the arbequina variety.

Wooden olive oil gift box - €99 EUR (incl. UK delivery)

French AOC olive oil

from Mas Seneguier in Provence, France

The Badré family (father, mother & 3 daughters) own and run this 30-acre Oliveraie (Olive grove) in the south of France. They planted each of the 4000 trees. This award winning oil tastes of fresh grass, foliage, fennel, artichoke and green tomato.

6 x 500mL cased bottles - €97 (incl. UK delivery)

This is only a small sample of the many great products available directly from producers on the gourmetKAZOO community marketplace. (browse them all)

What makes this gourmet gift guide unique?

Unlike most holiday gift guides, the items contained in the gK gourmet gift guide are sold DIRECTLY from the traditional food producers. The gourmetKAZOO concept supports producers across Europe who are unwilling to compromise quality and tradition. By connecting customers directly with these producers, we help consumers find and order the freshest, most authentic gourmet products available anywhere in the world. For orders placed on the gourmetKAZOO community marketplace, we help producers with all all payment processing, shipping arrangements, order tracking, shipping & customer service so that they can focus on what they do best, making great products. All products are sent to customers directly from the producers using our contract with UPS.