But some environmentally conscious espresso lovers have told us that they limit themselves to drinking one cup a day, because they can’t recycle the aluminum capsules.

Now they can go “from brew to renew.”

In response to consumer wishes, Nespresso has launched recycling programs in Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Texas. You can bring spent capsules to participating Sur La Table stores. Sur La Table, a big seller of Nespresso machines, will send them to a recycling center. The aluminum will be recycled and the coffee grounds will be composted.

Learn more about the Nespresso recycling program.

Over the years, we’ve had many a potato chip, but none as guilt-free and delicious as Popchips. They have half the fat but all of the flavor. Super-crunchy, they’re fun as well as fabulous.

Instead of frying potato slices to make chips, Popchips are made with proprietary process. The potatoes are cut into small pieces, then popped under heat and pressure—no fat.
After the chips are popped, some fat is required for the seasonings to adhere. That’s why these delicious chips have half the fat of conventional chips. Compare one-inch servings:

Read the full review and TRY THEM! The line is gluten-free, non GMO and certified kosher, and is available at retailers nationwide.
Potato Chip History

The first potato chips were born in the U.S.A.—by accident, in the course of a “food fight” between a fussy restaurant patron and a cranky chef. Check out the story.

What Are The Best Conventional Potato Chips?

Our favorite conventional chips are the original Saratoga Chips, first made at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York.

A few years ago, local entrepreneurs began to produce Saratoga Chips. Small, curly and elegant, they’re terrific for everything from snacking from the box to nibbling with a Martini.

The company’s luscious dip mixes are also noteworthy. Packaged in a reproduction of the original chip box, Saratoga Chips are a great gift for the chip lover. Small, individual-portion size makes a great party favor or stocking stuffer.

Many Americans start the day with a bowl of granola or a yogurt-granola combination, or carry bags of granola for a healthy snack on-the-go.

With all the brands on the grocer’s shelf, what constitutes the best granola cereal?

The best granola is a healthy granola. As with all foods, choose a brand that starts with the highest-quality natural ingredients, and scan the nutrition label for:

Many pre-made granolas have unnecessary added ingredients, such as preservatives, and too much added sugar. Making a healthier granola at home is easy and cost effective: Most ingredients can be bought for significantly less in the bulk foods aisle of your grocery store. If you want to limit your gluten intake, you can find gluten-free oats. You can even give containers of your special blend as house gifts, special treats and stocking stuffers.

 
Why Are Whole Grains So Important?
Check out this article on whole grains. It may change your eating habits. It certainly changed ours!

Find more of our favorite cereal brands, plus recipes.

Get a tiered stand and do it at home!
Photo courtesy Russian Tea Room.

How about a tea party?

Every day in New York City, children arrive, dressed in their best, at the famed Russian Tea Room for afternoon tea. The tea, served from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m, is a special occasion providing a peek into a world of elegance.

The tiered tea tray is filled with kid-friendly treats: PB&J on a blini (you can serve yours on bread with the crusts cut off), pig-in-a-blanket and a selection of grilled cheese sandwiches and tea sandwiches: BLT, cucumber with chive cream cheese, tuna salad and egg salad.

The second course, the pastry tray, includes chocolate mousse with mixed berries, a red velvet cupcake, a traditional warm scone and fresh apple slices with creamy caramel.

And there’s tea, of course. The six decaffeinated tea choices are chamomile, ginger tea, green tea, mint verbena, raspberry hibiscus and rooibos chai.

Another treat: chocolate tea—teas made with real chocolate, yet are virtually calorie-free. Find a delicious sampler at The Nibble Gourmet Market.

Don’t like tea? Have some hot chocolate with whipped cream.

With a porcelain tea pot and a tiered serving dish, you can recreate the experience in your dining room (here’s another tea stand in white).

You’ll find other uses for the tiered stand: from breakfast (use it to present croissants, danishes, muffins, scones and toast) to desserts. For lunch, make a few different types of sandwiches, cut them in diagonal halves or quarters and serve them on the stand.

You can adapt the Russian Tea Room menu, add your favorite tartlets and even make the sandwiches a bit more special—like the classic watercress and sweet butter or cream cheese and smoked salmon.

For more inspiration, treat yourself to a book on tea parties.
 
Learn everything about tea in our Gourmet Tea Section.
  

Send a box of cakes. Burnt caramel-filled chocolates decorated with cakes, that is.

For years, San Francisco chocolatier Michael Recchiuti has featured the work of local artists on his acclaimed chocolate-covered burnt caramels (the caramel has a smokier flavor than conventional gourmet caramels).

This special edition of caramels is even guilt-free: For each box sold, $2 is donated to Creativity Explored, a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit and sell their art. How can you not want to help out?

The gift box of caramels—eight pieces, 3.5 ounces—is $21.00. Buy the chocolates online at Recchiuti.com. If you miss the special edition period, the burnt caramel chocolates without the art are available year-round (they’re one of Recchiuti’s most popular confections).

Want something other than chocolate?

Check out The Nibble Gourmet Market: THE NIBBLE Editors’ favorite gift foods and personal treats, conveniently organized in one location.

We don’t recommend everything: Just the best!