Introduction
Forget the tired old chocolate squares. The Advent calendar game has leveled up, and the upcoming year is set to deliver a veritable feast of foodie delights. Imagine waking up each morning in December and instead of a mediocre milk chocolate piece, you’re greeted with a gourmet cheese, a unique spice blend, or a single-origin coffee bean. That’s the magic of food advent calendars, and now is the perfect time to start thinking about them. The best ones, the ones that truly bring joy, sell out fast.
These aren’t your grandma’s Advent calendars. We’re talking about meticulously curated collections of culinary treasures, designed to elevate your holiday season from mundane to magnificent. From artisanal cheeses and handcrafted chocolates to exotic teas and flavorful spice blends, the variety available is staggering. So, ditch the generic and embrace the delicious.
This guide rounds up the best food advent calendars of the upcoming year, from sweet treats to savory sensations, to make your December truly delicious. Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering journey through the world of gourmet advent calendars.
What Makes a Great Food Advent Calendar?
Choosing the best food advent calendars is no easy feat. It’s not just about filling twenty-four slots with something edible. We’ve considered several key factors to bring you only the crème de la crème of culinary countdowns.
First and foremost, the quality of ingredients is paramount. We’re looking for calendars that prioritize flavor, use natural ingredients, and ideally, source those ingredients responsibly. Where do the chocolate beans come from? Is the cheese made with milk from grass-fed cows? The details matter.
Variety is another critical element. A truly great food advent calendar offers a diverse range of products to keep things interesting. Is it all one type of item, like chocolate, or does it branch out into other flavors and textures? No one wants twenty-four days of the same thing.
The packaging and presentation also play a significant role. The Advent calendar should be visually appealing and festive, adding to the overall holiday spirit. Bonus points if the packaging is reusable or recyclable, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.
Price and value are always important considerations. Is the cost of the calendar justified by the quality and quantity of the contents? We’ve sought out calendars that offer a good balance between price and the overall experience.
Finally, we’ve taken into account customer reviews and reputation. We want to recommend products and companies that have a proven track record of delivering high-quality food and excellent customer service. A calendar with rave reviews is a good sign you are making the right choice.
The Best Food Advent Calendars to Savor
Here are some of the top food advent calendars poised to tantalize your taste buds throughout the upcoming holiday season:
Exceptional Chocolate Advent Calendars
Let’s start with the classic, but far from ordinary: chocolate. These calendars go way beyond your typical supermarket fare.
Neuhaus Luxury Ballotin Advent Calendar
Neuhaus, a name synonymous with Belgian chocolate excellence, presents a sophisticated Advent calendar filled with a curated selection of their iconic pralines and truffles. Each day unveils a decadent chocolate masterpiece, crafted with the finest ingredients and attention to detail. The dark, milk, and white chocolate assortment is sure to delight. It will give you a taste of the best Belgium has to offer.
Highlight: Features a luxurious assortment of Neuhaus’s signature chocolates.
Price: Approximately $75
Where to Buy: Neuhaus website, select retailers.
Compartés Gourmet Chocolate Advent Calendar
If you are looking for something a little more eccentric, look no further. This calendar is as vibrant as it is delicious! Known for their artistic and whimsical chocolate creations, Compartés offers an Advent calendar bursting with unique flavor combinations. From salted caramel to peanut butter pretzel, each day is a surprise.
Highlight: Each day is a unique and visually stunning chocolate creation.
Price: Approximately $99
Where to Buy: Compartés website, select gourmet food stores.
Hotel Chocolat Grand Advent Calendar
For the ultimate chocolate lover, Hotel Chocolat’s Grand Advent Calendar is a true indulgence. Filled with an array of their signature chocolates, including truffles, pralines, and caramels, this calendar is a decadent journey through the world of premium chocolate. The perfect gift for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
Highlight: A generous selection of Hotel Chocolat’s best-selling chocolates.
Price: Approximately $90
Where to Buy: Hotel Chocolat website, Hotel Chocolat stores.
Artisanal Cheese Advent Calendars
For those who prefer savory over sweet, a cheese Advent calendar is the perfect choice. These calendars feature a selection of delectable cheeses from around the world.
So Wrong It’s Nom Advent Calendar
This is the original cheese advent calendar. Each door leads to a different cheese, all of which need to be refrigerated.
Highlight: Made with British cheese from around the UK.
Price: Approximately $140
Where to Buy: Sainsburys, other UK retailers
That’s Amore Cheese Advent Calendar
This Australian-made cheese Advent calendar offers a sampling of the best cheeses from the region.
Highlight: Fresh cheese with an Italian flair.
Price: Approximately $99
Where to Buy: Through That’s Amore website.
Wonderful Coffee and Tea Advent Calendars
Start your December mornings with a delicious dose of caffeine with a coffee or tea Advent calendar.
David’s Tea Twenty Four Days of Tea
David’s Tea offers a delightful Advent calendar filled with a variety of their signature teas, from classic blends to festive holiday flavors. Each day is a new opportunity to discover a new favorite tea.
Highlight: A wide selection of tea flavors to suit every taste.
Price: Approximately $50
Where to Buy: David’s Tea website, David’s Tea stores.
Volcanica Coffee Advent Calendar
For the coffee connoisseur, Volcanica Coffee’s Advent calendar is a dream come true. Featuring a selection of single-origin coffees from around the world, this calendar is a journey through the diverse and complex world of coffee.
Highlight: Features specialty, exotic coffee beans.
Price: Approximately $249
Where to Buy: Volcanica Coffee website
Snack and Savory Advent Calendars
These calendars offer a range of savory snacks and treats, perfect for those who prefer something other than chocolate.
Manly Man Company Beef Jerky Advent Calendar
A great choice for the meat lover. Every door of this Advent calendar is filled with delicious, high-quality beef jerky in a variety of flavors.
Highlight: Includes unique, hard to find jerky flavors.
Price: Approximately $89
Where to Buy: Manly Man Company Website
World Market Gourmet Food Advent Calendar
This Advent calendar can contain a variety of items. It will range from sweets, like gourmet cookies, to snacks such as popcorn and pretzels.
Highlight: Includes items that are not easily sourced in stores.
Price: Approximately $40
Where to Buy: World Market stores, World Market website.
Spice and Gourmet Food Advent Calendars
Elevate your cooking with a spice or gourmet food Advent calendar. These calendars offer a selection of unique spices, oils, vinegars, and other culinary delights.
The Spice House Advent Calendar
Spice up your holiday season with The Spice House’s Advent calendar, featuring a selection of their premium spices, herbs, and blends. Each day is a new opportunity to discover a new flavor and experiment with new recipes.
Highlight: A diverse range of high-quality spices and blends.
Price: Approximately $279
Where to Buy: The Spice House website
Williams Sonoma Chuck’s Favorite Things Advent Calendar
Packed with a curated selection of Chuck Williams’ favorite gourmet foods, this calendar is a true celebration of culinary excellence. From artisanal jams and preserves to unique sauces and seasonings, each day is a delicious surprise.
Highlight: Curated by a culinary legend.
Price: Approximately $300
Where to Buy: Williams Sonoma website, Williams Sonoma stores
Choosing Your Ideal Food Advent Calendar
With so many options available, choosing the right food advent calendar can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you make the best decision:
Consider Tastes: Are you or the recipient more of a sweet or savory person? Do they have any allergies or dietary restrictions? Selecting a calendar that aligns with their preferences is key.
Read Reviews: Before making a purchase, take the time to read reviews from other customers. This can give you valuable insights into the quality of the product and the overall customer experience.
Check the Contents List: If the contents list is available, take a look to ensure that the calendar includes items that you or the recipient will actually enjoy. There’s no point in buying a calendar filled with things you won’t eat.
Storage Needs: Some food advent calendars may require refrigeration or other special storage. Be sure to check the storage requirements before purchasing to ensure that you can properly store the contents.
Order Early: Popular advent calendars often sell out quickly, especially as it gets closer to December. To avoid disappointment, be sure to order your calendar early.
Beyond the Calendar: Enhancing the Experience
Once you’ve chosen your food advent calendar, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
Pairing Fun: Get creative with pairing suggestions. Enjoy that cheese with crackers and a glass of wine, or brew that exotic tea with a touch of honey.
Share the Joy: Encourage others to share their daily discoveries on social media using a unique hashtag, such as #FoodAdventCalendarJoy.
Repurpose with Style: Think of creative ways to reuse the calendar packaging. It can be transformed into storage for small items or used as a decorative piece.
A December to Remember
Food advent calendars are a delightful way to add a touch of culinary excitement to the holiday season. Forget the mundane and embrace the delicious as you count down the days to the holidays with a carefully curated selection of gourmet treats.
Don’t wait, explore the options and find the perfect food advent calendar to make this December (or someone else’s) extraordinary.
Wishing you a happy, delicious, and unforgettable holiday season. Now go and find the best food advent calendars to savor!
