There are a lot of different types of foodies, from those who love to cook at home to those who eat out exclusively, those who relish a great selection of seasonal veggies and those to whom meat is the most important part of a meal. No matter what types of food they fancy, there is going to be something out there, something extraordinary, that will make your favorite foodie's mouth water with anticipation. It could very well be one of the items on our list here. These are top of the line gifts, so some are quite expensive, but each and every one will be well-appreciated.

You can't go wrong with a good balsamic vinegar. It makes a wonderful addition to salads, as well as to sauces and marinades for all kinds of meat and vegetables. If you get a really good one, aged 25-50 years, the flavor will be rich and strong to the point where you might only need a drop or two to finish of a main dish or dessert. Aceto balsamico di Modena and balsamico di Reggio Emilia are the best types you can get, and they'll cost quite a bit more than the average grocery store brand, but are well worth it. Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena - 25 Years, $150.

There are a lot of really good vodkas out there to choose from if you're looking for a spirited gift, but 44°North Vodka offers several advantages. First and foremost, the huckleberry-infused ultrapremium vodka tastes fantastic. It has a distinctive berry taste and is unbelievably smooth, ideal both for sipping and for making cocktails. A 750ml bottle is $33.

It's hard, if not impossible, to go entirely wrong with chocolate. Between milk, dark and white chocolates, truffles, brownies, hot chocolate and simple bars, there will undoubtedly be something chocolaty that is appropriate for everyone you know. For one of the best selections, you may want to consider the Gourmet Chocolate of the Month club. The program ships out selections from different world-class chocolatiers every month, including Leonidas, DeBas and Nirvana Chocolates. You can choose subscriptions from 1 month ($39) to 12 months ($467.40).

Olive oil is used in a lot of recipes, from pasta sauces to salad dressings to cakes, but unless you're planning on going through bottle after bottle to discern the nuances of different kinds, it's going to be difficult to figure out which ones suit you best. Try The Flavors of Olive Oil: A Tasting Guide and Cookbook, $21 to get a useful course in teh basics, along with some great recipes.

What better way to celebrate a season of indulgence than with one of most well-known (and controversial) luxury foods out there: foie gras. Mirepoix USA carries a large variety of high-quality foie gras, from raw livers to truffle-layered terrines. Try the Whole Duck Foie Gras w/ Armagnac Au Torchon Style, $115, which is precooked, for an easy way to introduce it.

For a beef-lover, the ultimate meat experience is going to involve kobe beef. It has a higher percentage of fat than other beefs with extremely good marbling that allows the fat to melt and keep the beef as moist and tender as possible. Snake River Farms produces their kobe beef to Japanese specifications, resulting in a beef that is of higher quality than "prime," the highest U.S.D.A. grade for beef. An 8-lb Tenderloin Roast is $300.

Gelato is better than ice cream (and a lot of other things, depending on who you ask), but few will come close to the delicious products from Capogiro Gelato. The high-quality artisanal gelati from Capogiro is produced in tiny batches using seasonal ingredients and milk from grass-fed, hormone-free cows. You may never go back to ice cream after this. A six-pint order, with six different flavors is $60. Could you really turn down the wonderfully seasonal Sweet Potato with Pecan Praline Gelato, Pure King Leo Stracciatella or Apple Cider with Clove Sorbetto?

For the caffeine addict, assuming that you're going for flavor and not just NoDoz-like effects, Terrior Coffee has some of the best beans you can find. Their selection changes frequently and the beans are roasted just before shipping to ensure maximum freshness. The Kenya coffees are excellent, but a gift pack, like the Grand Coffees of the World collection ($45) is a good place to start.