We Tested 100+ Kitchen Products in April, and We Can’t Stop Talking About These 11

This post is part of our ‘Monthly Obsessions’ series, where we ask our writers and editors what products they’ve added to their kitchen that they now can’t imagine living without.

As writers, editors, recipe developers, and home cooks, the Food & Wine team is passionate about staying up to date when it comes to cutting-edge kitchenware and pantry goods new to the market. We were lucky enough to test out hundreds of new products and snacks in April, but some stood out from the pack and have even become staples in our own home kitchens. 

Below, our editors share their 11 favorite finds of the month, including Star Wars hot sauce, stackable coupe glasses, and chef-loved hand cream. Read on to shop all of our picks, starting at just $12.

April Editor Obsessions

• Potluck Market Gochujang, $18 at potluckmarket.com
• Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump, $25 at amazon.com
• Rocco Super Smart Fridge, $1295 (originally $1500) at roccofridge.com
• Gracelife Set of 6 Hanging Coffee Spoons, $10 (originally $12) at amazon.com
• Ami Ami Vin Rose, $24 at ami-ami.vin
• Lanolips Everywhere Multi Cream, $17 at ulta.com
• Graf Lantz Merino Wool Lemon Slice Trivet, $32 at graflantz.com
• Made In Kitchen Candles, $49 at madeincookware.com
• Truff Star Wars™ Dark Side Hot Sauce, $40 at truff.com
• Our Place Party Coupes, $95 at fromourplace.com
• Joseph Joseph Nonstick Frying Pan, $100 at williams-sonoma.com

Potluck Market Gochujang

“I have been putting this Gochujang on everything. It’s made in Korea in a small batch and has  no added sugars, no preservatives, no artificial flavors, and I can absolutely tell the difference taste-wise between this and the jar from H-Mart that has been in the back of my fridge for four years. Potluck’s Gochujang is the new must-have condiment. Also, the Ssamjang is great, too.” – Dana Fouchia, Senior Editor

Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump

“I am a one-glass-of-wine-a-few-nights-a-week drinker, and this super simple system helps keep an open bottle of wine from going bad long enough for me to drink it! It consists of a collection of silicone stoppers, and a small, corkscrew-sized pump that removes air from the bottle and creates a vacuum seal. It’s easy to use, easy to store, and effective.” – Karen Shimizu, Executive Editor

Rocco Super Smart Fridge

“I’ve been testing the new Rocco Super Smart Fridge in my small-space apartment for a few months now, and it’s not only my favorite new appliance but my friends’ as well. After shopping around for a wine storage solution that not only kept my bottles chilled, I needed it to look good, too. Beyond its wine fridge capabilities (which it does well with dual-zone cooling, UV-protected glass, and smart temperature technology controlled by your phone), it fits the modern-day lifestyle. It doubles as a bar cart, and with modular shelving, it’s completely optimized for wine bottles, canned cocktails, sparkling water — or whatever beverage you reach for.” — Dana Fouchia, Senior Editor

Gracelife Set of 6 Hanging Coffee Spoons

“Nothing is worse than the feel of a greasy or sticky spoon that has fallen too deep into a jar. This hanging spoon prevents that from ever happening again. Whether it is mustard, jam, or a tall bottle of chili crisp, you can serve yourself and then hang the spoon by the curve of its bent handle. They can also be used for stirring coffee and other beverages since the set of six comes in various lengths.” — Jennifer Zyman, Senior Commerce Writer 

Ami Ami Vin Rose

“Boxed wine that’s good? Yep. Ami Ami makes wine that comes in a box and it is seriously delicious. The brand recently came out with a Rose and I can’t wait to bring it to the park. Not only does it look cute (and taste good), but it lasts for up to six weeks after opening. How cool is that?” — Daniel Modlin

Lanolips Everywhere Multi Cream

“When I’m not waxing poetic (no pun intended) about kitchen candles, I’m talking about this kitchen staple moisturizer from Lanolips, which also lives right by my sink, ready to heal dry, chapped hands after I’ve blanched vegetables or given my Dutch oven a good scrub. Lightweight but powerful without feeling greasy, this is a moisturizer for people who don’t really like the feeling of moisturizer.” – Oset Babür-Winter, Senior Drinks Editor

Graf Lantz Merino Wool Lemon Slice Trivet

“So many trivets are bulky and take up too much space in the kitchen. I’ve been a fan of Graf Lantz’s coasters for years, and when I found this cheerful trivet made of the same wool felt material, I knew it would get lots of use both as a functional home for hot pots and pans, but also as a design piece, because who doesn’t need a pop of yellow on their dinner table come spring? Best of all, it doesn’t scratch the wood on my dining (or coffee) table, so I can use it without worrying about pesky marks left behind.” – Oset Babür-Winter

Made In Kitchen Candles 

“These have been some of my favorite recent additions to my kitchen! They’re designed to be lit before, during, or after you’ve cooked. I know some folks can get a little sensitive with smells mixing with the foods they’re planning to eat — it can definitely throw off your experience. But these have been skillfully designed to mix well with what you’re cooking, and also really help to relieve any lingering smells. My favorite is Tear of Basil, because it smells exactly like a freshly plucked leaf. Pinch of salt is my second pick for its refreshingly beachy smell with notes of coconut, orchid, and driftwood. They’re all wonderful, so much so that I even find myself burning them in my bedroom with no food in sight.” – Kristin Montemarano, Food Commerce Writer 

Truff Star Wars™ Dark Side Hot Sauce

“Truff, the brand backed by Kim Kardashian, just launched its hottest sauce yet. In collaboration with Star Wars™, the new blend inspired by Darth Vader intertwines the opulent notes of black winter truffles with the fiery essence of ghost peppers resulting in a SHU range between 800,000 — 1M. Bottom line: It’s super spicy, and the bottle is making me want to join the dark side.” – Daniel Modlin

Our Place Party Coupes, Set of 4

“These are the perfect dinner party glasses. They’re less delicate than my other wine glasses, so I don’t have to worry about them breaking if someone accidentally knocks them over. They’re also stackable, which is unique for stemmed glasses.” – Katie Brown, Food Commerce Writer 

Joseph Joseph Nonstick Frying Pan

“I live in a small space, so I need cookware that performs but doesn’t take up room. Enter the Joseph Joseph Space Saving Frying Pan. It has a handle that folds up so it doesn’t take up too much room, and snaps into place with a satisfying click. I’m recommending this to everyone I know.” — Daniel Modlin