For tea-drinking mamas
Zarafina Tea Maker Suite from Jardin offers oodles of options for those who drink specialty teas, with type and strength settings that acknowledge the different requirements for various brews. The electric teamaker can steep up to 16 ounces and accommodates tea bags as well as loose tea. The suite includes the teapot and two ceramic cups. The steeping chamber can be removed for cleaning. It’s $150 at Sur La Table stores and by mail: 800-243-0852 or surlatable.com.
Liquid biscotti
Sipping Faretti Biscotti Famosi, a biscotti-flavored liqueur made in Volano, Italy, is like having dessert and an after-dinner drink at the same time. Tasters enjoyed its sweet, slightly anise flavor and aroma of lemon-scented cookies. Good on its own, in coffee, or whipped with milk to top a cappuccino. It’s $27 for a 750-millilter bottle at Sam’s Wines & Spirits in Chicago and Highland Park
Popped pleasures
Kettlecorn often tastes cloyingly sweet, but the Popcorn, Indiana brand’s four flavors wowed us with perfectly balanced sweet-salty flavors: plain, smoked Cheddar, Summer Picnic BBQ and spicy honey mustard. A 4-ounce bag is $2-$3.70 at World Market, Whole Foods Market and some Walgreens. Flavors vary by store but all are sold online at popcornindiana.com.
