My New Lime Green Fiestaware Is Brightening Up My Winter

I love the color so much I’ve rearranged my cabinets to give them their own shelf.
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I recently spent a day with my Virgo king father that was full of walking, eating and perusing the cookware section of Macy’s. We were testing the handles of Calphalon sauce pans when a glimmer of color caught my eye.

There, in the plate section, was a beacon of neon yellow-green, like a highlighter or hi-vis vest, just waiting for me. It was the cheeriest color of Fiesta dinnerware I’ve ever seen, and I knew I needed some.

As long-time lover of color, I’ve been so excited to see the recent resurgence of neon home and cooking items. Yeti has a great selection of bright drinkware (all of which I covet) and I was so excited to get a bright yellow Nutribullet last summer to make equally colorful smoothies. 

Upon researching the history of Fiesta colors, I learned this hue is called “lemongrass” and has actually been in production since 2009. Yet, even as a Fiestaware lover, it was new to me. I grew up with a set of Fiesta cereal bowls in pink that I still use when I’m at my parent’s house, and always get excited when an Airbnb or friend’s house has a collection of reds, blues and oranges.

But this super bright green-yellow was so fresh and fun, I couldn’t wait to bring it home. As a birthday gift, my dad got me two plates and a bowl (nothing says “You live alone” like someone giving you a single setting) and they soon became my favorite thing to eat off. I love the color so much I’ve rearranged my cabinets to give them their own shelf.

Made in America from vitrified ceramic and lead-free glaze, Fiesta pieces are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, plus oven-safe up to 350 degrees. They’re hefty without being weighty, so they feel sturdy in your hand and you don’t have to be extra fussy when cleaning them. They’re durable enough to be used every day, and they have a 5-year chip resistance warranty if something should happen.

You can get a pretty solid selection of Fiesta dinnerware at Wayfair, Macy’s and the brand’s own website, allowing you to mix and match in an assortment of happy colors. (There are even some odds and ends at Amazon.) If you’re looking to brighten up your kitchen without spending thousands of dollars or are just ready to get some new timeless everyday plates with a vintage feel in a sunny color palette, here are some of my favorite sets. 

1
A useful trio for all sorts of meals
While this isn't the exact trio I got (I went with the medium bistro bowl instead of the classic medium bowl), I think it's a great way to test out a new color. The big dinner plate is great for large meals or for putting out snacks or cheese when company is over. The smaller plate is great for sandwiches, fruit or other snacks, and some sort of bowl is a must for me, for night cereal or soup. This set comes in 12 colors that are not all neon, but I can't say it enough: The lemongrass just does it for me.
2
Or the same trio plus a mug!
Don't be fooled by the darker tone in this photo, this set comes in the same happy bright yellow-green as the one above — only with a mug! The perfect place setting, this gives you a larger dinner plate, a smaller plate, a bowl and a surprisingly modern coffee mug with a cool circle handle.
3
An everyday five-piece place setting
A versatile set that ends up being less than $10 a piece, this five-piece lemongrass setting has all the parts of the three-piece with a mug and saucer. If you're stocking a new kitchen or just want a complete set for yourself, this one really has it all.
4
Or a 12-piece dinnerware collection with four sets
Of course, if you know you're in love with lemongrass, I'd suggest springing for this 12-piece set containing four dinner plates, four smaller plates and four medium bowls. It will make your table look like summer all year round, and gives your space some color while still looking purposeful and tailored.

Before You Go

Just 10 Kitchen Items That Reviewers Say Make Them Enjoy Cooking Meals
A colorful set of Cuisinart knives(01 of10)
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Each stainless knife in this 6-piece set from Cuisinart comes with a matching safety blade guard and has been finished with a colorful nonstick coating for easy slicing. The set includes a utility knife, two slicing knives, a chef's knife, a Santoku knife and one for paring.

Promising Amazon review: "These were a functional and fun addition to my kitchen. Each knife has it's intended use, and they work excellently to that end. The handles are comfortable and do not slip in my large hand. The blades are sharp and of good quality. I would definitely buy these again!" — Adam
(credit:Amazon)
A 10-in-1 Always Pan(02 of10)
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Meant to do the job of 10 pieces of traditional cookware, the Always Pan is made from an exclusive nonstick ceramic coating and is capable of braising, searing, steaming, straining, sauteing, frying, storing and more. The fact that it comes in a selection of ultra-displayable colors doesn't hurt, either.

Promising Our Place reviews: "Love our new pan. Easy to use and easy to clean. Makes cooking a lot more fun." — Hollie Z.

"The Always Pan is a game-changer! It's not only beautifully designed but also incredibly functional. The non-stick surface is a dream to cook with and clean. Plus, the modular design and thoughtful features make it versatile and convenient. Highly recommend this pan for anyone looking to simplify their cooking experience and add style to their kitchen!" — Parlin S.
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A hot and cold cooking blender(03 of10)
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If mealtime calls for a silky smooth purée, a piping hot soup or a protein-packed smoothie, this hot and cold blender from Ninja has you covered. It features a heat-safe borosilicate glass pitcher, 12 intelligent and customizable settings and an 800-watt heating element that can cook soups or sauces at the same time as it blends for a simple one-step process.

Promising Amazon review: "I would definitely recommend this. It has a ton of power and a lot settings, heats up really fast and even has a self cleaning feature. I love it. Thank you again for making great products that I actually look forward to using."Brettstewart
(credit:Amazon)
A breakfast sandwich maker(04 of10)
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Hamilton Beach's electric sandwich maker promises you a fresh and custom-made breakfast sandwich in just four easy steps and all with one appliance. Each nonstick cooking layer is removable and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup and allows you to prepare an egg directly in a designated egg pan.

Promising Amazon review: "I bought this as a gift when I saw it advertised on Facebook and thought my 86 yr old mom would enjoy it. It may have been one of the best Mother's Day gifts I ever got her. Take the pre cooked sausage out of the freezer the night before and in the morning you're all set to go and eating a hot delicious sandwich five min. later. It was actually fun to use, and I think the more it is used the easier it will be to prepare. Thank you Hamilton Beach." — Kim
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A nonstick mashing tool(05 of10)
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If breaking up ground beef in your pan for taco night is wearing your wrist out, let this clever meat-mashing tool do the work for you. It's made of BPA-free and heat-resistant nylon that's also nonstick and dishwasher-safe. The five non-serrated blades are also great for breaking up softer cooked vegetables, making mashed potatoes or shredding chicken breast and won't damage the bottoms of your pots or pans.

Promising Amazon review: "Since I cook a lot with ground beef I got myself this utensil. I used to break down the meat with the same wooden spatula or spoon I used for stirring but it was a task I kind of dreaded. This tool makes it faster and more fun. It is sturdy, resists high sauté temperature and I can just throw it into the dishwasher right after using it. Is it necessary? No, but it makes my life better." — delasoupus


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An herb-stripper and chopper(06 of10)
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This helpful tool takes the onerous task of plucking herb leaves from their stems into quick work by simply feeding your fresh herb through one of the nine various-sized holes. It's made from food-grade stainless steel and can be used for stripping things like kale, cilantro, thyme and rosemary. At the base of the tool, there's also a built-in blade meant to finely chop your fresh herbs so they're ready to be added to your dish.

Promising Amazon review: "So much fun and easy to use. It has a lot of sizes. It also has a chopper blade with safety cover. Makes cooking with fresh herbs more fun!" — LK
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Gracula: A garlic crusher and peeler(07 of10)
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Why have a regular garlic crusher when you can have this adorable little tool that transforms entire peeled or unpeeled cloves of garlic into perfectly crushed goodness in just a matter of seconds? The Gracula is a grinder-style crusher that can mince not just garlic, but ingredients like ginger and chilis with just a few twists. Its BPA-free, food-safe construction also means it's dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Promising Amazon review: "Could you spend half the amount for a plain garlic crusher that does the exact same thing? Sure. Would it be as fun as having a lil' Dracula sitting on your counter? Absolutely not." — Nancy
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An automatic stirrer(08 of10)
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Never break a butter sauce again or let a creamy purée go lumpy thanks to this automatic stirrer that continually mixes contents for you. The stirrer offers a timer function, multiple settings and comes available in either a battery-powered or rechargeable option which lasts up to nine hours per charge.

Promising Uncommon Goods review: "This gadget is by far the strangest in my collection (it's basically a vibrator with feet) and it's an immediate favorite. The kitchen is so much more fun when you're not stuck stirring. I'm going to buy one for every chef on my list." — Allison
(credit:Uncommon Goods)
A 4-in-1 chopping tool(09 of10)
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I think most people would agree that the least enjoyable aspect of cooking is the slicing, dicing and chopping of all the essential ingredients. This BPA-free chopping tool makes hovering over a cutting board a thing of the past thanks to its versatile collection of attachments, which include everything from a spiralizer to a dicer to a blade that promises not to squish ripe tomatoes.

Promising Amazon review: " I can’t believe how great this thing is. Easy to use. Easy to clean. I’ve used it about five times so I hope it lasts but so far 11/10. Now I’m eating more veggies because it’s so satisfying to chop." — Kellie Rowe
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A corn cob peeler(10 of10)
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There's few kitchen tasks more daunting (and potentially dangerous) than trying to cut away corn kernels from the cob. This compact, Y-shaped peeler is made with Japanese stainless steel blades and an ergonomic handle to safely and swiftly peel away kernels so you can have fresh corn whenever you want.

Promising Amazon review: "Okay, I've been using a knife for many years to cut corn off the cob and it works just fine. But this gadget is so efficient that I was stunned by the difference. For my first few passes on a tough ear of corn I didn't even notice that the blade was covered by a piece of plastic meant to be removed. Still cut so smoothly, without corn flying all over the counter. Works even better without it! I could live without this gadget, but I will definitely make lots more corn recipes this summer now that I have it. It is a joy to have the exact right tool for the job." — M. Baird
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