Our 13 Favorite Products We Tested in January

With the merry season now a month passed, our writers and editors are still busy unwrapping their holiday gifts and purchases to give them a spin in the kitchen. Some are detoxifying their kitchens with plastic-free gear, including the Earlywood tasting spoon for cooking and some Branch Basics dishwasher detergent for cleaning. Others are stocking their pantries with new staples, such as ”fancier” taco seasoning and high-smoke-point cooking oil. We’ve also tested new cookware, knives, insulated tumblers, and more that may end up topping our tested reviews in the future. Read on for all our favorite tested kitchen tools this month.

Best Writer- and Editor-Loved Products for January

OXO Good Grips Swivel Vegetable Peeler

“My current snack fascination is sliced mini cucumbers in my homemade cashew dip. I’m not a fan of cucumber skins, so this swivel peeler has been super handy for preparing my mid-afternoon nosh. It’s dishwasher-safe, comes with a blade cover for when I’m not using it, and is only $12 right now.”  — Phoebe Sklansky, senior editor

Earlywood Long-Handled Tasting Spoon

“Earlywood recently sent me this wooden tasting spoon to test out, and I can’t stop raving about it. Its extra-long, narrow handle makes it easy to sample my soups and sauces and stir lemon juice into pitchers of iced tea. It’s especially useful this time of year, when my deep stockpot gets the most mileage.”  — Katie Brown, editor

Elephant Green Chili Chutney

“I attended the Specialty Food Association’s Winter FancyFaire this month to try the latest in snacks, sauces, and other packaged foods, and this sweet-and-spicy condiment was one of the best things I tasted. Put it on your cheese board to pair with any kind of crumbly goat cheese (like, say, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog, my very favorite cheese in the world).”  — Jason Horn, senior writer

Viva Minima Eva Mug

“My partner gifted me this cute pink glass tea cup over the holidays, and I’ve been using it every night for herbal tea before bedtime. Its design is clean and minimalist, and the tinted glass looks pretty on my kitchen counter or nightstand. I also love that the handle stays cool. Hint, hint: It would also make a sweet Valentine’s Day gift for tea lovers.”  — Danielle St. Pierre, senior editor

Microplane Premium Zester and Grater

I used the same store-bought rasp grater for years, having heard that Microplane does it best the entire time. I finally hunkered down and bought one to replace my dull mess of a zester this month, and my fingers are very thankful. The sharp, perfectly angled blades don’t hack and chop, causing a cut hazard; instead, citrus and cheese glide across the surface with ease.”  — Dillon Evans

Hydro Flask 20-Ounce All Around Tumbler with Straw Lid

“I’ve never been a Stanley cup or water tumbler person, but I have recently become a morning smoothie person. I’m a slow sipper, so my smoothies were getting weird and melty before I was even halfway done, and I found myself less than excited to finish them. I ordered this 20-ounce tumbler, and it’s honestly been a game-changer. It’s the perfect size for my morning smoothie, and it actually keeps it cold and frozen. Almost two hours after I had made it, I was having the last few sips and gave myself brain freeze because it was just as cold as when I first blended it. It’s also not huge and bulky, so I can easily take it on the go.”  — Nick DeSimone, writer

Our Place Wok

“Our Place’s new carbon steel wok has become a daily staple in my kitchen. It was designed in collaboration with chef Kenji López-Alt to include thoughtful features like a tempered- glass lid for steaming vegetables and a beechwood handle that stays cool to the touch during the cooking process. It’s virtually nonstick and even comes with a wide wooden spoon for sautéing and scooping.”  — Katie Brown

Desert Dust Taco Seasoning

“As a Midwesterner, I grew up on ground-beef tacos made with those McCormick taco seasoning envelopes; Desert Dust is the fancier version. The seasonings are a little more complex, and the spicy version is legitimately spicy. But it’s still just as easy as cooking beef, adding an envelope and water. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.”  — Jason Horn

Branch Basics Dishwasher Detergent Tablets

“I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of plastic I use in my kitchen, which is why I was so excited to test the Branch Basics Dishwasher Detergent Tablets. I’ve used them for about a month, and so far, they’ve done an excellent job of cleaning my dishes. I especially appreciate that they aren’t wrapped in a layer of plastic. No notes.”  — Liv Dansky, writer

OXO Good Grips Prep and Go Utensils with Case

“My husband and I are looking for ways to spend less in 2026, which includes packing his lunches for work. Enter: OXO’s travel-friendly utensil set. The fork, spoon, and knife are made of stainless steel, which feels incredibly sturdy (no more sad single-use plastic sets from takeout orders), and are dishwasher-safe for fuss-free cleaning. I love that they come with a carrying case so nothing gets dirty in the bottom of my husband’s backpack, and he’s complimented how the knife’s serrations actually cut through proteins like pork and steak.”  — Katie Macdonald, director

New West Knife Works 8-Inch Steph Knife

“I’ve now been chopping and slicing with Iron Chef champion Stephanie Izard’s knife for 4 months. It’s exceptionally balanced and surprisingly comfortable without a bolster. Its shape resembles a santoku knife, so it chops vegetables like a charm, but the uber-keen tip is light and narrow for delicate tasks, making it one of my favorite everyday knives.”  — Dillon Evans, writer

Kolsvart Gäddan Elderflower Candy

“I love gummy candies, and these Swedish fish (not Swedish Fish; these are fish-shaped gummies made in actual Sweden) might be the best I’ve had. The subtly floral flavor is one everyone who tastes it loves — St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur is called “bartender’s ketchup” for good reason. The texture is great, and they’re not quite as sweet as other gummies, which lets the flavor shine through. There’s also a variety pack with the elderflower and four other flavors.” — Jason Horn

Simply Sunflower Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil

“This is a non-GMO cold-pressed sunflower oil from flowers grown on a 120-year-old regenerative farm. It’s high-oleic, high in vitamin E, and has a 450°F smoke point, making it very stable for sautéing, searing, and pan-roasting. I’ve been using it for dinner prep for the last couple of months and really like that I have access to a single source, high-temperature oil at an affordable price.”  — Greg Baker, writer