30 Days of Groceries

The 15 Best Foods at Cost Plus World Market

Forget about the scented candles and head straight to the surprisingly impressive international foods section of this eclectic chain.
The 15 Best Foods at Cost Plus World Market
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    A Treasure Trove of Interesting International Foods

    The national furniture emporium is known for its eclectic and affordable selection of home goods, but it also offers a range of hard-to-find foods from around the world, likeYorkshire Gold teafrom England andKewpie mayonnaisefrom Japan. Here are some of our favorites.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
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    约克郡黄金红茶

    I start every morning with a cup ofthis strong British tea, which I like milky and sweet. If, like me, you're not a coffee drinker, and depend on tea for a good shot of wake-me-the-heck-up caffeine, this tea will do the trick—plus it's so smooth and delicious, I won't go anywhere without it. (Seriously, my friends tease me for carrying a Ziploc of these tea bags around in my purse.) Usually, I can only find Yorkshire Gold online, but it's right there on the shelf at my local Cost Plus.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
    3/16

    Talatta Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil

    Unlikemy colleague Adina, I'm not an insane, no-holds-barred anchovy fan. You won't catch me putting it on top of my pizza, but I do like to melt an anchovy or two in olive oil or butter to toss withpastaor use as a pan sauce. It just adds a bit of nutty saltiness that intensifies all the other flavors in the dish. I love how these olive oil–packed fillets arepackaged in a jarrather than a tin—it makes it so much easier when you can just take out however many fillets you want, twist the top of the jar back on, and stick the remaining anchovies in the fridge so they'll be there when you need them.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
    4/16

    Café Du Monde Coffee and Chicory

    This is the same mild, nuttyblend of coffee and chicoryserved at Café du Monde, the famous outdoor cafe in New Orleans. A remnant of the state's French colonial days, chicory coffee is especially good with lots of milk or even sweetened condensed milk (and it's the preferred blend for makingVietnamese iced coffee). To replicate the restaurant's beloved café au lait, use a ratio of half milk and half hot brewed chicory coffee. In summer, brew it double-strength and serve over ice with a floater of half-and-half. (And if you're ever in New Orleans on a particularly hot day, stop by the cafe for a life-givingfrozencafé au lait made with this blend.)

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
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    Japanese-Style Curry Sauce

    If you haven't triedJapanese-style currybefore, it's a revelation. And this sauce helps it come together in a near-instant.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
    12/16

    Kewpie Mayonnaise Squeeze Bottle

    Kewpie mayois a household ingredient in Japan. Not only is the condiment thinner, tangier, and slightly more savory than regular mayonnaise (due to the fact that it's made with an extract related toumami-rich MSG), but the bottle is also way more fun—my coworker Adina likened squeezing it to "squishing a little baby," an inarguably irresistible pastime. Use it to topokonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake, or try it in your regular potato salad recipe for a welcome change of pace.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
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    Mustapha's Harissa

    I love to spoon some of thisTunisian spice paste在to beaten eggs before cooking them into a scramble, but harissa is also fantastic as arub for roast chicken, as a flavoring for acrispy sheet-pan fish dinner, or as a sweet-and-spicy glaze forroasted vegetables．

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
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    Cocovie Chocolate Coconut Spread

    Made with just four ingredients (coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut nectar, and cacao powder), thischocolatey spreadis like a healthier version of Nutella. I like to eat it on a piece of toast in the morning (it would be amazing on an English muffin) or, um, just stand in my kitchen and dip pretzels into it.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
    15/16

    The traditional accompaniment toNorth Carolina barbecue,cheerwineis a beloved, extra-carbonated cherry-flavored sodathat dates back to World War I．It can be hard to find outside of the Southeast, so stock up when you see it.

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    Photo courtesy of Cost Plus World Market
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    Alstertor Dusseldorf Mustard

    I first bought thisspicy German mustardat anold-school smokehouse in New Yorkthat makes the world's best landjäger, a type of dry sausage similar to beef jerky, but a million times better. The mustard is smooth and sharp—perfect for sandwiches or for slathering on hot dogs. (Plus it comes in an adorable teeny tiny glass beer stein.)