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Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for food lovers from my country lover's holiday gift guide running in Berks Country today. One stems from what appears to be a kit craze right now enabling just about anyone to be a food artisan for a day. Last year it was all about beer making kits and this year, I have never seen such a huge variety of cheese making kits. Kimberton Whole Foods has a great selection for goat cheese and mozzarella lovers and for those who prefer ricotta and feta, they would love a kit from Williams-Sonoma. There you will also find kits for making sausage, smoked bacon, beer mustard, nut milk and butter. 

Cheese and butter making kits / Credit: Rustik

Cheese & Butter Making Kits, $17.99 (butter kit) $19.99 (cheese kits)

If you need a gift for a foodie friend, look no further. These handy kits enable anyone to be a food artisan for a day. From chevre to mozzarella and butter, the easy steps and premeasured ingredients in these kits make the process fun and accessible to pull off right in their own kitchen.

Kimberton Whole Foods

1139 Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville

(610) 385-1588
www.kimbertonwholefoods.com

Shiitake mushroom log / Credit: Terrain at Styers

Mushroom logs / Credit: Williams-Sonoma

Shiitake Mushroom Log, $32

At first glance when you give this gift, the receiver might be a little dumbfounded, thinking they are receiving a log for their fireplace. But when they read closely, they will be surprised to see it is a way for them to grow Shiitake mushrooms indoors during the winter months as the chill has them longing to get things growing outdoors. The first-time grower can even handle this project. All it requires is soaking the hardwood log that has been inoculated with spores and in little time, it will sprout organic shiitake mushrooms that will continue to grow for up to three years.

Terrain at Styers

914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, Delaware County

www.shopterrain.com

Canning for a New Generation book / Credit: Hello Bluebird

Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry by Liana Krisskoff, $24.95

An updated book on canning for the modern pantry any homesteader will appreciate. They can study up fireside this winter and get ready to put their new tips, techniques and recipes to work come harvest season with this reintroduction to the art of canning.

Hello Bluebird

609 Penn Avenue, West Reading
(610) 750-6642

www.hellobluebird.net

*Limited number of signed copies by the author available