Festive foodies: Top 8 tempting treats this Christmas

HO ho ho, Santa stacked the food shelves early this year, with tempting treats in place for nearly a month now. Some are already reaching their sell-by dates, so read labels if buying and hiding away for Christmas Day.

This year I looked for new products to appeal to many ages and levels of spend. It’s not fair to compare disparate products, so we have no scores, but those in our final Top 8 deserve a score of at least eight. We found plenty of delicious oils and vinegars made countrywide and available in speciality food shops. I have mentioned many of these on this page during this year which are a credit to adventurous producers and retailers. Watch out for them.

I’m happy to give or receive a small gift of something tasty such as Ballyhoura Umami powder — a little tub of dried shiitake mushrooms and seaweed €7.60) for sprinkling flavour. I would be delighted to receive a bag of coffee roasted by The Golden Bean, Badger and Dodo, West Cork Roasters and M&S (Guatemalan no 4), or vouchers for those who serve it.