Perfectly vanilla

Perfectly vanilla
Vanilla-charged spirits are increasing, even if their quality isn't. But there's an exception: Navan.
This blingful production is from Grand Marnier, the house that makes the classic liqueur with notes of tropical orange. Navan combines Cognac and natural black vanilla. All of which means your quest for the high-octane Creamsicle is complete.
But Navan works on its own. The 80-proof palindrome, named for the Madagascar town where the rich vanilla comes from, is potent and subtle, with notes of pear and caramel, and Cognac aged three to six years.
An amber-gold spirit that delivers a smooth drink, it's fine on ice, and lively in a cocktail -- maybe a vanilla margarita, Navan and Coke, or just with club soda and lime. The hip stuff definitely will juice up your holiday eggnog. Invite Paris and Missy for a glass. But keep some for yourself.
A 750-milliliter bottle of Navan is about $40.
Do your coffee right
Coffee should not be stored in the freezer or refrigerator, according to Millstone Coffee. Doing so will cause the coffee to absorb food odors, and condensation inside the container will make it go stale. Once open, store the bag in an airtight container.
Olive oil from Greece
Legend has it that olive oil was first produced in Greece thousands of years ago. While the Italians may dominate today's market, Terra Medi, a Greek brand, is making inroads with its extra-virgin olive oil. When drizzled on salad and atop hot vegetable soup, one could immediately taste its sophistication and quality. The company also produces artisanal-style vinegars and mixed olives. The oil is about $14 at specialty food stores and gourmet markets.
New, good stuff
Handy new items that make life a little more pleasant:
An orderly way to serve bread at the table: Napa Style's baguette slicer is made of acacia wood and is wide enough to hold Italian bread as well; 26 inches by 31/4 inches by 11/4 inches tall, $49; order by calling (866) 776-6272 or online at www.napastyle.com.
Easy does it: Upgrade your plastic bag-carrying with the One-Grip by Sierra Housewares Inc., a lightweight contraption onto which bag handles can be loaded with push-button ease; $4.49, available at specialty stores.
Almost too pretty to drink: The Numi Flowering Tea Gift Set (above) comes in a bamboo chest with a small glass teapot to watch the nine different teas blossom as they steep; $37.95; order by calling (866) 972-6879 or e-mail info@worldpantry.com.
Animal magnetism
Hefty Zoo Pals, those so-cute-we-can't-stand-it paper plates and bowls starring a menagerie of critters, now includes cups. Each 8-ounce cup has a top that folds down to cover the contents, with room for a straw and -- cute alert! -- ears that stick up. A package of 18 costs $2.30 to $3 at grocers.
State of the soup
Regionally inspired flavors star in creative, whole-grain mixes from Waukegan-based Frontier Soups: Washington State Lentil Cracked Wheat, Montana High Plains Wheat Berry Chili and Iowa Open House Grain & amp; Pasta Potage (with brown and wild rice). Home cooks need to add some ingredients, including broth. Each package yields 6-8 servings and costs $6-$8 at various markets.
Truffle love
Love in Disguise chocolates from Chicagoan Uzma Sharif won us over with their impressive craftsmanship and perfect balance of flavors. This four-piece truffle collection contains (clockwise from top) mint (dark chocolate with mint leaves dipped in white chocolate), milk chocolate (with almond gianduja and almond dusting), coffee (milk chocolate with espresso) and dark chocolate; it costs $8.75 by mail-order -- (630) 292-2196 or loveindisguise.com. The Web site includes Sharif's other chocolate collections ($4-$20).
Autumn color
McCormick Fall food colorings in orange, black, forest green and burgundy arrive in time for Halloween and holiday baking. The dyes we tested produced pretty hues (though the black emerged more like a spooky gray). They will be sold through November. A box of four 1/4-ounce vials is $4.70.