Gourmet Baskets

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There is only one thing that differentiates gourmet baskets from any other kind of food baskets and that is their contents because their baskets, their wrappings and their presentations can be and are quite often the same. As the name “gourmet baskets” indicates, the food stuff within these gourmet baskets is of gourmet quality. And what is considered gourmet food? Gourmet food is the very top premium grade, it is exotic, it is most often imported, it is found only in specialized stores, it is skillfully prepared by top chefs and, as you might have guessed already, it is rather expensive.

Gourmet baskets often contain one of the following rare cheeses or a combination of several of such uncommon cheeses as Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola; Camembert, Extra Sharp Cheddar or Brie; Provolone, Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano; Emmental, Jarlsberg or Gruyere; Asiago, Mozzarella or Havarti; Blue, Goat or Sheep; Aged Gouda, Edam or Manchego; Maytag Blue, Pecorino Romano or Smoked Wensleydale; Ricotta, Mascarpone or Feta; Raclette, Fontina or Limburger.

Gourmet baskets quite naturally also more often than not contain any one or more of exceptionally scarce meats such as Wild Boar Bacon, Vermont Maple Cured and Cob Smoked Bacon; Merguez Sausage, Chorizo Sausage, Bistro Sausage with herbes de Provence (Chipolata), Andouillette; Coppa Ham; Cured Duck Salami; Free-Range Organic Heritage Turkey; La Quercia Speck Americano; Reserve Honey & Whiskey Smoked Salmon; Mousse de Foie de Canard au Porto pate.

To complete a well prepared gourmet basket one would need to add a bottle or two of highly regarded fine wine, an assortment of liqueurs as well as top quality and world famous French champagne. And to add the proverbial cherry on the icing of the pie, top of the line European chocolates; smoked and cured fish from northern Alaska; black caviar from Russia; marmalades from Spain; coffee beans from Columbia; authentic British tealeaves; American vintage wine biscuits; packaged gourmet breads and crackers; imported sauces, dips and dressings; Mediterranean olive oils and vinegars; stuffed olives and pickled vegetables from the Middle East and an assortment of nuts from the tropics are no strangers to gourmet baskets of all kinds.

Gourmet baskets can also be theme oriented such as the Italian gourmet baskets found at http://www.atasteofitaly.com/ or the French gourmet baskets as found at http://www.frenchgourmetstore.com/hampers_gift_baskets/le_gourmet_hamper.htm; the wedding gourmet baskets found at http://www.bloomsandbaskets.com/Wedding+Gourmet+Delight+GT5882 or the romantic Saint Valentine’s Day gourmet baskets found at http://www.giftbaskets.com/holiday-gift-baskets/9022+9028.cfm?source=overture&kwid=valentine%20day%20gift%20basket; the gourmet baskets especially for men can be viewed at http://www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com/Gift-Baskets-For-Man-Him-Men.asp?refer=google(%22gourmet+baskets+for+men%22) while the gourmet baskets with a feminine touch for women can be found at http://www.eatgourmet.com/gifbasforwom.html; and so much more. One can also create ones own gourmet basket for any occasion at http://www.designityourselfgiftbaskets.com/item–Gift-Basket-Express–DIYEXPRESS and bestow it upon any lucky recipient. And if one chooses to utilize one’s own creativity and invest some time in finding the right container and all the contents, one can produce an original wonderful gourmet basket and save some money along the way.

What’s more, it is important to mention here that, although they can be, gourmet baskets are not necessarily the traditional woven wicker, straw, rush, twig or bamboo containers that we are all familiar with. One can find beautifully carved wooden containers resembling crates or treasure chests, stylized leather pouches, ornate tin boxes, ceramic buckets as well as very colorful and shapely boxes all filled with a good mix of the brand-name gourmet foods that I have listed above and they are all considered gourmet baskets.

Gourmet baskets — the perfectly delectable gifts for any occasion.

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