Our 13 Favorite Kitchen Products We Tried in October

As food writers and editors, it’s our job to try the best new kitchen products — and, of course, share our favorites with readers. Each month, we test hundreds of appliances, cleaning tools, cookware pieces, and more home cooking essentials, and each month, a few items stand out from the rest. Wondering which products Food & Wine staffers actually keep once testing is through? Read on to shop our picks, including delicious Advent calendars, chic water bottles, cutting boards, and more, starting at just $5. 

Best Writer- and Editor-Loved Products for October

• Cometeer Coffee Advent Calendar, $99 at cometeer.com 
• Ferrero Rocher Assorted Hazelnut Chocolate Squares, $5 at amazon.com
• Fellow Aiden Coffee Maker, $400 at amazon.com
• Okapa Water Bottle, $295 at okapa.com
• Zwilling Plant Fiber Cutting Board Set, $80 at amazon.com

Flamingo Estate Green Goddess Candle

“I can’t get enough of this candle, I literally burn it daily. The scent is green and fresh, which feels like springtime, but as the days get shorter, I welcome the zingy scent of this candle. I’m a fan of tomato-scented candles, but this feels like one step further and smells like the whole garden. It’s herbaceous and vegetal without being overwhelming, so it’s perfect for clearing out after-cooking smells.” — Nick DeSimone, updates writer

Zwilling Plant Fiber Cutting Board Set

“Like so many other home cooks, I’m doing my best to limit my exposure to microplastics in the kitchen. In addition to my recent upgrade to Pyrex glass food storage containers, I ditched my plastic cutting boards for this non-toxic alternative from Zwilling. Though I like wooden cutting boards, I find them a pain to clean, and I certainly don’t like preparing raw proteins like salmon on them. Zwilling’s plant fiber boards are more lightweight than wood, have juice grooves and non-slip handles, and — best of all — are dishwasher-safe. The set comes with three board sizes and a handy organizer that stores them vertically, saving space on my counter.” — Phoebe Sklansky, senior editor

Ferrero Rocher Assorted Hazelnut Chocolate Squares

“My favorite candy in the whole world is a Ferrero Rocher. They are synonymous with the holidays for me, and even as an adult, I still ask for them in my stocking. So when I learned about these crispy-crunchy chocolate squares, I was thrilled. I tried all of the flavors, and I’d recommend just picking up the variety bag (or two) because it’s impossible to choose a favorite. They have all the elements of a classic Ferrero Rocher, but in a snappy chocolate square. My favorite part is the little crispies inside; the texture is so satisfying. They’re a perfect stocking stuffer or little treat to keep on hand for holiday entertaining.” — Nick DeSimone

Cometeer Coffee Advent Calendar

“I had the opportunity to try this coffee Advent calendar before the holidays, and I’m highly pleased. The recyclable aluminum capsules contain flash-frozen coffee sourced from 24 different coffee roasters. You can pour hot water over the frozen coffee blocks or allow the coffee to melt for use in iced coffee drinks and desserts like affogato. The coffee tastes fresh, and it’s given me a break from my more involved coffee ritual during this busy season.” — Dillon Evans, update writer

Simplehuman 58-Liter Rectangular Sensor Can

“Did I need a $300 voice-activated, motion-sensor kitchen trash can in my life? Maybe not, but I love it. The motion sensing and voice activation features are super handy when my hands are dirty from cooking. I’m also a fan of the “stay open” feature, which makes it easy to discard mushroom stems and other scraps as I meal prep, so cleanup is less overwhelming at the end. Plus, this trash can has an odor-fighting pod in it, helping prevent my kitchen from getting smelly.” — Phoebe Sklansky

Compartes Chocolate Advent Calendar

“This advent calendar blew me away! Every piece of chocolate is exquisitely decorated, beautifully made, and perfectly intact. While I wish the chocolates were labeled (so I knew what I was eating), my husband and I had a fun time trying to guess the fillings and flavors. If you love chocolate and Christmas, you’ll be very happy you bought this calendar.” — Liv Dansky, writer

Sam’s Club Member’s Mark by FujiSan Nara Sushi Party Tray

“At first, I was a little skeptical of sushi from a warehouse club. But the Member’s Mark Nara Sushi Party Tray from Sam’s Club surprised and delighted me before I even took a bite. The vibrant tray is neatly arranged and balances greatest hits with new-wave riffs — think a satisfying California Crunch Roll and a Spicy Mango Tuna Roll topped with fresh mango. It packs 40 pieces — plenty for any crowd — and sells for about $26. Consider me converted because my next sushi run starts at Sam’s Club.” — Andee Gosnell, associate food editor

Okapa Water Bottle

“Would I call this $300 water bottle an essential? Absolutely not. But it’s thoughtfully designed, made from high-quality materials, and gorgeous enough to turn heads. In other words, it’s the Ferrari of water bottles. The borosilicate glass interior, spout, and chic aluminum shell come apart for easy cleaning. With the holidays on the horizon, this would make a great luxury gift.” — Katie Brown, editor

“Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways”

“I’m very excited to dive further into this cocktail recipe book. Written by award-winning bartender Kaitlyn Stewart, each classic cocktail recipe — think: Cosmopolitan, Enzoni, or Tom Collins — is paired with the author’s riff and a non-alcoholic version. Plus, Stewart informs you of all her bar essentials and instructions on how to make garnishes and mix-ins.” — Dillon Evans

Fellow Aiden Coffee Maker

“I used to drink espresso or use single-serve coffee pods, but the Fellow Aiden Coffee Maker has officially turned me into a drip coffee fan. It makes café-quality coffee quickly, and I love that I can schedule it ahead of time, so my coffee is piping hot and ready to go as soon as I roll out of bed.” — Katie Brown

Terra Kaffe Demi Automatic Espresso Machine

“This is the new, smaller, and cheaper version of the beloved TK-02 automatic espresso machine. I’ve been testing it all month and have fully converted from the manual French press I’d been using forever. It is completely automated with one touch, from grinding to brewing multiple sizes and styles of coffee to dumping the grounds into a bin and rinsing the brewer. It just officially launched for sale in mid-October.” — Jason Horn, senior writer

Anyday Glass Microwave Cookware, 8-Piece Set

“I love that you can store and reheat leftovers in the all-glass Anyday dishes. As I’m always trying to use less plastic, these hit all the marks.” — Breana Killeen, associate editorial director, food