Get your gift-giving thinking caps on, it’s that time of year again! Before you head to the mall or buy any gift cards online, check out Melissa’s for some unique and healthy gift basket ideas.

Not the gift basket type? I suggest you take a look at Melissa’s before making that decision. They’ve got something for every taste, from practical and family-friendly to exotic and gourmet. We’re not talking supermarket quality basket, we are talking high-end, quality produce—that’s what Melissa’s does. Melissa’s is an actual produce company, not just a gift basket company, and these people know their kumquats from their clementines!

There are many great gift baskets to choose from, including the Deluxe Exotic and Tropical Fruit Basket that the kind folks over at Melissa’s sent me! This stunning assortment is arranged in a woven basket with cellophane wrapping and colorful ribbon. If you are looking for a fresh, juice selection of the season’s best exotic fruits, look no further. Melissa’s gift baskets would make a great gift for anyone—family, friends, and co-workers. Or if you are looking to add some new and different fruits and vegetables into your life, you can order one for yourself!

Overflowing with some on the world’s most luscious, brilliantly colored fruits, selected at their peak of perfection, promise the mouthwatering flavors of far away places. Based on seasonal availability, the selection may include: Asian Pears, Blood Oranges, Feijoas, Kiwis, Kumquats, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Sapotes, Tamarillos, Lychees, Passion Fruit, Specialty Bananas, Strawberry Papayas, Cherimoyas, Baby Pineapples, Pepino Melons, Mangoes, Starfruit, or Coconuts.

My basket was filled with:

Passion Fruit, Kiwis, and Mangoes – some not just ripe, which was nice so I didn’t feel rushed to eat them all right away.

Feijoas, sometimes known as the Pineapple Guava, are a lime-green, egg-shaped fruit with a soft, succulent flesh similar in texture to a pear. Its flavor is reminiscent of pineapple, quince and lemon, with a hint of eucalyptus. I like to cut them in half and spoon out the white, succulent pulp and edible seeds—yum! Or slice it up and add it to a fresh fruit salad.

Sapotes closely resemble an apple in size and shape. The inside is filled with small black seeds, and the flavor is similar to a blend of banana, peach, lemon, and coconut. 

I loved the juicy mangoes, sweet papaya, and baby pineapple, which has the same delicious flavor as the full sized pineapple and is actually a bit sweeter.

The kumquats were sour, like a lemon, and I put them in my water, like you would a lemon.

I also really enjoyed the Tamarillo, also known as a tree-tomato. The full-flavored, tart flesh is an excellent source of vitamin C.

The Red bananas were small and plump with had a creamy flesh that is sweeter than a yellow banana. I couldn’t eat all the ones in the basket so I used the rest to make banana bread.

Is your mouth watering yet? Head on over to Meilssa’s and check out their wide selection of fruit, vegetable, wine, grilling essentials, and many more baskets!

Disclaimer: I received these products for free to sample and review for my blog.  I was not paid for my review and all opinions are my own.

Tags:  apple, Banana, coconut, Dairy Free, fruit, gift basket, Holiday, organic, Product Review, soy free, tomato, Vegan, vegetarian

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