Herma’s News – Gift Ideas, Making Merry with Drink Mixes, Stonewall Kitchen and Fig Ball 101
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. – J. R. R. Tolkien
Dear Customers,
We want this holiday season to be magical with lots of merriment and cheer. It comes and goes so quickly that making plans during this special time is crucial.
A visit to Herma’s will be of help as you will find an abundance of chocolates, ornaments, scented candles, fabulous foods for entertaining, Panettone, stocking stuffers and fun kitchenware to help with all the baking.
Also to help you with your gift-giving needs, we have created an entire blog, all on its own, to help give you ideas.
Herma’s Christmas Gift Suggestions
Baggallini Purses – Dickensian Jellycat Stuffed Animals – The True Story of Santa’s Sleigh (book by local author) – Heart Pillows, Socks and Shawls – Panettone – Mistral Fragrance for Men – Stonewall Kitchen’s Boxed Gift Sets – Lampe Berger Fragrance Lamps – Special Edition Olive Oils – Beekman 1802 Body Care – Vidda Jewelry – Wrapped Gift Certificates
Herma’s Gift Suggestion Guide
For a pictorial review of Herma’s Christmas Gift Suggestions go to the blog section of hermas.ca or click on the following link.
Herma’s Christmas Gift Suggestions 2021 – Herma’s Fine Foods & Gifts (hermas.ca)
Making Merry at Herma’s
Fuse & Sip’s Seasonal Drink Mixes
photo by Fuse & Sip
Nothing heralds the holidays like a few seasonal drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, meant to warm the body and spirit. What’s more? They are handcrafted, contain 100% pure ingredients and are free of any additives. This mix of dehydrated fruit, herbs, flowers, and organic cane sugar will be the perfect recipe for festive cheer.
Just heat in a pot together with your choice of drink and voila!
A couple of our favorites…
Mulling it Over Mulled Wine Kit
Spice – Cranberry – Orange – Cinnamon – Star Anise – Clove – Organic Cane Sugar + Add Red or White Wine.
Toque Time Hot Toddy Infusion Kit
Lemon – Apple – Sarsaparilla Root – Echinacea – Allspice – Organic Cane Sugar + Add your choice of drink (whiskey, rum, cider or water).
Aunt Sarah’s Specialties
Caramel Filled Shortbread and French Mint Leaves
photo by Aunt Sara’s Specialties
I have it on good authority from Herma that Sarah’s treats are really amazing and a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer while entertaining.
Enjoy Aunt Sara’s Butter Shortbreads filled with creamy caramel and milk chocolate along with her leaf-shaped chocolates that make the perfect after dinner mint. Herma also offers Aunt Sara’s Classic Truffles.
Stonewall Kitchen – Tis the Season!
photo by Stonewall Kitchen
Stonewall Kitchen Turkey Recipes and Product Information
For recipes and information about how to use Stonewall Kitchen’s seasonal products go to the blog section of hermas.ca or click on the link below.
Gourmet du Village – Classic Hot Chocolate Bombs
photo by Gourmet du Village
Classic Chocolate Bomb DYI Kit
This DIY Kit contains everything needed to make 4 milk chocolate bombs featuring Double Truffle Hot Chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.
Herma’s Cheese Shop
Little additions to your cheese plate or cheese and charcuterie platter will be just enough to make it extra-special for the holiday season.
Try slicing open a baked fig ball onto your cheese plate or platter or add unique flavour to cheese or ham with artisanal preserves. We also encourage you to try Gourmet du Village’s seasoning mixes with instructions for creating cheese balls and baked brie toppings.
Go ahead and get creative! We want your cheese experience to be extra-special this holiday season.
Baked Fig Ball 101
photo by Seggiano
You may have noticed fig balls in our Cheese Shop this past month and wondered what they are. We consider these fig balls to be a very special delicacy as they are typically only available this time of year. So lovely added to a cheese plate or cheese and charcuterie board!
What is it?
The fig ball is a rich aromatic ball of compacted dried fruit which is imported from Calabria in the southern part of Italy. This ball is created from plump figs that have been air dried for eighteen hours at a very low temperature. The result are juicy, sticky, caramelized figs. They are then shaped into balls and wrapped in fig leaves which have been cleaned, dried and steamed. At this point they are baked in an oven at a low temperature for another two hours.
How to serve…
To serve, just slice the ball with a knife and let the figs fall where they may. The shape reminds us of a head of garlic cut crosswise. The figs are sticky, sweet and taste like an intense figgy jam. It smells fruity, sweet, smoky and earthy almost as if the leaves were tobacco.
Pairs beautifully with salty cheeses like Pecorino or Parmigiana.
NEW Artisanal Preserves from The Preservatory 
Try their amazing preserves with cheese, dessert or as a glaze.
Blood Orange with Campari & Vanilla
Serve over cheese cake for a simple dessert or use as a base for a martini!
Caramelized Onion & Black Cherry
Serve with ice cream or cheeses, add to pastries, cakes and other baked goods, or use as glaze over grilled salmon and game meats for something completely different.
Moroccan Spiced Sour Cherry
Pairs perfectly with Pecorino. Also delicious with breakfast food, served with ice cream or as glaze for roast meats.
Herma’s Signature Products – Serving Suggestion
Try Lemo-licious with salmon and dill on top of a cracker.
Herma’s Signature Products have been tried and true for over 15 years. They are made fresh in Herma’s very own kitchen on a weekly basis and are so versatile. Beautiful and delicious served from your finest crystal or used as an ingredient for a yummy hors d’ouevres. Find a large array of scrumptious dips, pates and spreads in Herma’s Cheese Shop.
Custom Gift Baskets
For custom gift baskets call 905-885-9250 or stop by our front desk. Our gift basket may be filled with gourmet goodies, body care products or a large assortment of whatever your heart desires. Herma’s gift baskets always make a grand statement. Baskets usually start at $100.
We look forward to seeing you in coming days as you make plans for the holiday season.
Be well and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Meredith Ender
Communications Coordinator
Herma’s Fine Foods & Gifts
