For the adventurous eater, the best gifts are ingredients that double as conversation-starters — things they've likely never tried but will love telling stories about. Here are a few favorites for the curious cook:

• Oaxacan Chicatana Ants (hormigas chicatanas) - a true novelty ingredient from Oaxaca with a smoky, nutty flavor traditionally used in salsas and moles.
• Smoked Sal de Gusano (Oaxacan Salt with Agave Worm) - Perfect companion for Mezcal, Tequila, or a Michelada - a traditional Oaxacan salt made with toasted agave worm and chiles, great on fruit or rimming a cocktail glass.
• Pure Salep (Saleb), Wild Orchid Powder (for making Persian Ice Cream) - a rare wild orchid root powder used to make Persian ice cream and Turkish salep drinks, wonderfully obscure and fun to experiment with.
• 3 oz Dried Porcini Mushrooms (Cepes, Boletes), wildcrafted - wildcrafted porcini bring deep, earthy flavor to risottos, sauces, and broths, a great gateway into foraged, gourmet cooking.

Any of these make for a memorable gift that turns dinner into an adventure.