HONOLULU Magazine 2021 Gift Guide for Food Lovers: Sweet Treats to Give Your Sweetheart

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Ho‘ōla Spicy Nīoi Honey

Big Island-grown golden ghost peppers make this honey the hottest I’ve ever tried. Drizzle over a slice of pizza or some sharp cheese and just wait for the fireworks. –MB

$13.50, savehealthrive.com, @ho.olahoney

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Choco Le‘a Truffles and Chocolate-Dipped Dried Fruit

The Mānoa chocolatier’s indulgent bites are a no-brainer for holiday treats. But don’t overlook the dark-chocolate adorned dried jabong, an intensely citrusy bite that offsets all those sweets. –CY

Prices vary, 2909 Lowrey Ave., (808) 371-2234, chocolea.com, @chocoleahawaii

SEE ALSO: Honolulu For The Holidays

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

C4 Table by Colin Hazama Gummy Bears

Chef Colin Hazama spins together fresh fruit and other local ingredients. You can taste the strawberry and condensed milk in the Guri Guri Strawberry, and the dried lychee and crystallized ginger in the Jasmine Lychee. –RD

$7, 4–6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Kaiser High PTSA Farmers Market; Wednesdays, preorder for pickup at M by Chef Mavro; c4table.com, @c4_table

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Mochi Foods Original Maffle Mix

Mochi waffles must be slightly crispy and perfectly chewy. This is the only mix version that satisfies me and takes just minutes to make. –CY

$5.99, mochifoods.com

SEE ALSO: Gift Guide for Food Lovers: The Hot List for Your Spicy-Loving Friends

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Lā‘ie Vanilla Farm Grade A Vanilla Beans

The local beans are bigger than ones you’ll find in stores. And there is nothing better than getting fresh ones in the mail, unless it’s topping everything with vanilla whipped cream you made yourself. –MB

$50 for 10 beans, (808) 209-3354, laievanilla.com, @laievanillacompany

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Pidginmoji Fortune Cookies

The future always looks mo’ bettah when delivered in true chee hoo style. Pidginmoji app co-creator Ka‘ohele Carlos provides the sayings tucked inside Hawai‘i Candy cookies. –CY

$8, 1928 Republican St., (808) 845-9868, hawaiianchipcompany.com, @hawaiianchipcompany

SEE ALSO: Holiday 2021 Dine-in and Takeout Menus for O’ahu: Part 1

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Banán Macadamia Nut Honey Butter

This spread—rich with just a touch of sweetness—is more of a coarse paste than creamy butter. Slather it on toast or smear it on the inside of a fresh fruit tart for a tropical version of frangipane. –MC

$20, banan.co and farmlinkhawaii.com, @banan

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Pono Potions

Pono Potions’ syrups made with local ingredients, from soothing lavender to ‘ōlena and caramelized pineapple, have helped many cafés step up their coffee creations. Sweeten your own morning brew, stir them into cocktails or drizzle over ice cream. –MC

$15, 1119 Smith St., @ponopotions

SEE ALSO: The Best Gifts for the Home from Local Boutiques

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Diamond Head Taffy

Sticky and satisfying, the liliko‘i, chocolate haupia, lychee and li hing mui flavors of the Hawai‘i-made soft saltwater taffy hit the local sweet spot. –CY

$9.99 a bag, diamondheadcandy.com, @diamondheadcandy

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Honoka‘a Goat Milk 55% Cacao Bar

Creamy, dreamy with a rich cacao backbone, this bar is addictive. It was one of my favorite food finds of 2021 even before I found out it won silver in the International Chocolate Awards World Finals. –MB

$12, 45-3584 Old Māmalahoa Highway, Honoka‘a, (808) 494-2129, honokaachocolateco.com, @honokaachocolate