Category: Reviews

Waking up practically drowning in sweat these days, even my own skin is beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic. I can barely convince myself to get dressed in the morning, let alone venture outdoors to face the unforgiving elements. The summer seems to have arrived early this year, inflicting upon us such oppressive heat and humidity that I truly fear what conditions July might exhibit. Clearly I’m a New England sorta gal, better suited to freezing winds than muggy stagnant air, but I still can’t figure out for the life of me why so many people prefer this hellish season. What is it that they possess and I lack, besides the ability to relax poolside? If there might be one singular thing that I could point to, I believe that the answer may very well revolve around ice cream.

Having had mixed experience at best with frozen soy-based desserts, I’m still reluctant to pluck a new product of this sort off the shelf. Not too long ago though, a number of factors converged and drove me to sample some of the fruit-sweetened pints by Soy Delicious. First and foremost, the convenience factor paired with my desperate desire to cool off prevented me from leaving the freezer section empty-handed, but good words about this company reverberated in my head, assuring me that it wasn’t mediocre like so many well-intentioned but lack-luster choices. What really sealed the deal, however, was when I spied a pint of green tea ice “cream.”

Let me make this perfectly clear: I adore green tea and green tea-flavored desserts. It is such a sad state of affairs that most Americans don’t share my passion for this flavor, which is why discovering any commercial product that can boast such a sweet are a disappointing rarity. Upon spying this incredible find in my local health food store, I bought 3 pints on the spot and sprinted straight to the register, eager to secure my treasure and dish it out. Haphazardly slopping the contents of my grocery bags into all the wrong storage spaces when I got home, it was the most I could do to control myself and spoon it into a separate dish, as I would have just as happily dug straight into the container.

Savoring every drop, the dusty moss-colored ice “cream” melted slowly over my joyful taste buds. So smooth and creamy, the thought of this being a good substitute never crossed my mind – This was identical to the real thing, as far as I’m concerned. Delicately flavored with the complexities and nuances of authentic maccha and not a hint of bitterness to be found, it was accompanied by the perfect amount of sweetness. Faint whispers of vanilla lingered quietly in the background, and the resulting harmony throughout could put any imitator to shame. If I possibly could, I would fill my freezer with nothing but this frozen delicacy and eat it for every meal. Hell, I love it so much, I’d bathe in it if I could!

Uncertain that anything could even compare to the green tea delight that I was still in rapture over, I was reluctant to sample any other flavors. Sadly, it wasn’t long before my supply ran out, and as that small market has now mysteriously stopped stocking it just as suddenly as it arrived, so I had no choice but to move on.

Thankfully, if there was ever a flavor that I might be able to muster nearly as much enthusiasm for, it would be coffee. A self-proclaimed addict, the traditional hot drink holds sway over my mind like no other substance. Figuring that the espresso flavor might be able fill the hole in my freezer, I snatched up a pint as soon as I had the chance. Luckily, I was not disappointed; Deep, dark roasted coffee beans seemed to be infused into the frozen “cream” itself, as it could speak volumes in terms of the gourmet flavors enthusiasts are always after. Still, it was somehow light and not unctuous or overly rich, so it was still a wonderfully refreshing treat. Modestly sweetened, I could scarcely believe that I hadn’t found this creamy delight sooner. Truly, I’d take this over an iced latte any day!

There are so many other flavors on the market by Soy Delicious, this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg as to their full potential. Armed with this knowledge and some damn tasty vegan ice cream, the summer isn’t looking so miserable, after all.

Remember that old childhood favorite, Animal Crackers? Cute, crispy and cravable, a top choice for kids far and wide… Or so the producers would like to think. Sure, they’ve been around long enough to be considered a “classic,” (Over 100 years, in fact) but lets be honest here – They’re seriously lacking in every aspect they try to emphasize. Every time I picked up a bag out of my school cafeteria, I always regretted it before I could slog through the first disappointing handful. Bland and soggy as wet construction paper, the number of cookies in the trash would far outweigh the cookies that made it into my stomach. Most of the remaining lunch period would be spent puzzling over what sort of creatures these companies were trying to replicate, as I couldn’t tag a distinct species if my life depended on it. Not a single advertising gimmick withstanding, gullible kids like myself periodically repeated this optimistic tasting only to inevitably find themselves hungry and without lunch money. Ah, youthful naivety!

Thus, I tend to be wary of remotely similar products, but after avoiding them for so many years now, the time finally came that I was presented with just such a snack and … To tell the truth, I had a feeling that this experience was bound to be vastly different from the start. Instead of featuring unidentifiable creatures created from various animal products, fillers, and everyone’s favorite, high fructose corn syrup, these feature environment themes in both shape and composition. Justifiably called Eco-Planet Cookies, it was easy to see that these would be wholly different from your standard animal cracker.

Made of all organic, wholesome ingredients, this alone gives them an edge on the competition. I have to admit, I’m quite taken with the cute little shapes, too; Each tiny windmill, smiling sun, hybrid car, and Earth all serve as reminders of renewable energy and a healthier lifestyle. Who wouldn’t feel good about giving that to their kids in the first place? Not just talking the talk but also walking the walk, Heaven Scent actually donates some of the proceeds to like-minded environmental groups. Additionally, the line of products even has a much more diverse profile, moving into the realm of savory snacks as well. I hoped that I wasn’t falling into yet another clever marketing ploy, but these actually seemed to have great potential.

It was as good a time as ever to take the bull by the horns, so I went for the Vanilla Cookies first, figuring that they should be proof that either they were superior to animal crackers, or that it was simply impossible to make edible snacks in such a format.

Giving the open box a good shake onto my waiting napkin, I was greeted by the numerous cheerful faces of winking suns looking up at me. Immediately taken in by the cute-factor, my doubts were quickly dissipating. Pale and unassuming, there was no reason to fear a repeat episode of my childhood disappointments, so I set aside any remaining uncertainty and wolfed down a cookie in one crunchy mouthful. Sweetly flavored with a good balance of sugar and vanilla, they were quite pleasant indeed. No single aspect overwhelmed the cookie on a whole, and they worked together harmoniously to create one simple, crunchy biscuit. Certainly nothing mind-blowing or revolutionary, but hey, they nailed this one 100 times better than the original, and that’s really saying something.

Progressing on to their second sweet offering, I poured out a generous helping of darker colored cookies going by the title of Oatmeal. I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this one, since all oatmeal cookies I’m accustomed to have visible oats to show for their composition, but these were simply crunchy biscuits just like the previous cookie. Tasting them revealed a flavor similar to graham crackers, which turned out to be a very pleasant surprise indeed. Faint notes of vanilla lingered at the back of my throat as I began craving another bite, proving them to be a very easily addictive. Since graham crackers without honey are more difficult to find than you might think, these certainly are an excellent alternative for vegans.

Taking a dive into unknown waters now, the box of savory Pretzel Crackers was calling my name, playing on my curiosity until I could take it no longer. I was expecting to find hard pretzels like the more flattened twists, so I was pleasantly surprised yet again to take my first crunchy bite and discover that these were actually much lighter and flakey than regular pretzels. Sprinkled with large, enticing granules of salt and lightly toasted to varying shades of golden brown, each boasted an almost buttery flavor that I simply couldn’t get enough of. Although it sounds so basic, the combination of each of these elements really makes them into something special – I can definitely attest to that, because these particular crackers disappeared from my pantry faster than any of the other varieties!

While a cheddar-flavored cracker might naturally be the next addition to any average snack producer looking to expand their line of wares, this particular move is a surprise to me, as these offered by Eco-Planet are actually Dairy-Free Cheddar. Still weary of fake vegan cheese in general, I wasn’t sure what I was in for as the fluorescent orange tibits tumbled out of the box, producing a pungent cheesy aroma. All signs pointed in a good direction, as they really did smell very much like cheddar! Passing their first test, they warranted further investigation so I quickly popped the nearest miniature windmill into my mouth. Immediately I was struck by how similar they tasted to the other real cheese-flavored crackers on the market – They even stick in your teeth a bit like the real ones, too. A nice hit of salt rounded out the flavor quite nicely, and I soon found that the buttery, crisp munchies really started to grow on me. The more I ate, the more I liked them!

In sum, these are perhaps the perfect fast snack for kids – Fun shapes in relatively mild but agreeable flavors, with very little potential for mess that parents will need to clean up later. It’s a win / win situation, and even the planet can benefit from this environmentally considerate choice!

[Written for Go Dairy Free]

Trying new foods certainly requires an open mind, something that the less adventurous eaters among us may lack, perfectly content to eat the same old grub day in and day out. Those set in their ways might even fear the unknown, untraditional, and perhaps unconventional foods out there, preferring instead never to venture outside of their restrictive comfort zones. Everyone has a touch of this taste-bias. As for me, I would be hard pressed to enthusiastically seek out new hot peppers that sound about as tasty as putting lit firecrackers in my mouth.

Reviewing new products has truly expanded my palate in directions that I probably would never have investigated solo, and even led me to new favorites that may not have naturally sparked my interest otherwise. Thus, the fear for me doesn’t revolve around sampling new delicacies – Rather, I’m terrified to discover a product that I actually become taken with.

Sound strange? Yes, it does read as a curious statement, but the unfortunate truth is that the market works in mysterious ways, usually to my disadvantage. My bad luck ensures that new favorites don’t stick around for too long, quickly ushered off of the grocery store shelves just as soon as they were brought in. Even if the company doesn’t go belly-up altogether, it always seems like the one product that I’m always after manages to fall out of production, or simply never get ordered or stocked again. For some odd reason, my approval tends to be the kiss of death.

Knowing how much I loved Enjoy Life’s gluten-free cookies, I feared that it would be a treat sure to disappear in short time. Quite to the contrary, I was happily surprised to receive word that they weren’t fading away at all, but in fact rolling out new flavors in addition to their existing offerings! Breathing a sigh of relief, I knew that I needed to secure packages of these fresh flavors ASAP.

Making a fast grab for the flavor that sounded right up my alley, I had the package of Happy Apple cookies secured and ripped open in no time. Small domes of golden brown dough sat in a newly designed inner sleeve, which actually held them in a way that they didn’t stick together like their predecessors, much to my delight. Lifting one out of the protective package, it smelled so enticing that I found it difficult to stop and consider its appearance before stuffing it into my mouth. Strongly scented like a slightly tart green apple and melange of apple pie spices, I had high hopes as my teeth first pierced the soft exterior with ease. With the same soft and fantastically chewy texture of the older flavors, this one did not disappoint.

The apple flavor is pervasive throughout the cookie, with a bonus chunk of dried apple tossed in every now and then. This was mostly for textural interest, from what I could tell. Although they are very small pieces and made me feel a bit ripped off at first, I understood after a few more cookies that including larger pieces would have made these seem like just a piece of fruit. The minuscule size of the cookies would only accommodate smaller add-ins, especially considering the fact that each dollop of dough was about the size of a quarter. Like my old favorite of theirs, the Snickerdoodle, the cinnamon flavors had me singing Enjoy Life’s praises again. However, this one actually has the edge on the competition because the addition of fruit makes me feel less guilty about eating so many of them! I just may have a new favorite!

Enthused by this delicious discovery, I tore into the Lively Lemon cookies with just as much eagerness. Pausing briefly to puzzle over how these cookies still managed to stick together despite the innovative new packaging, I quickly wrote it off as an unimportant detail and continued with unwavering expectations. However, a closer inspection revealed a somewhat unappealing exterior, with strange, unidentifiable yellow chunks speckling the surface like some bad case of chicken pox. Trying to get a whiff to better know what I would be consuming, it was very difficult to identify any distinct scent at all, and only if pressed could I say that it was very vaguely lemony, like fading air freshener scent.

Flatter and floppier than the others, it should have come as no surprise that it had a very different texture, but I was saddened to experience this weird substance gumming up between my teeth. It wasn’t altogether unpalatable, I just had higher hopes for something carrying the Enjoy Life brand name, knowing their past success in amazing gluten free baked goods. The unknown yellow pieces did in fact lend an interesting, toothsome mouth-feel, so I won’t write them off as a completely arbitrary addition. Still, the flavor was a bit hard to pin down… Perhaps they were just a little bit lemony, but more prominently did I taste the deep sweetness alone, as though they were simple sugar cookies, only made with brown sugar instead. A very pleasant flavor regardless, they still made for tasty treats… But I would be more inclined to call them Lightly Lemon, not Lively Lemon.

Perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by their previous gluten-free cookies and now even though this one is perfectly acceptable, it just doesn’t strike my fancy. Nonetheless, the apple cookies do live up to their name and make me happy every time I get the opportunity to savor another one. Hit or miss, I’m just thankful that this awesome company isn’t throwing in the towel any time soon; My pantry would be at such a loss without their snacks!

[Written for Go Dairy Free]

You would think that a breakfast staple so common that it can be found in every bakery, grocery store, and even gas station that can boast a minimum of competency, would be as simple to make as rousing yourself from bed in order to chow down on it. In the case of the deceptively humble bagel, you would be sadly mistaken. Meant to be firm, chewy, and just a touch toasty on the outside while remaining soft inside, even the professional bakers don’t always get it right. Authentic bagels are kneaded by hand, followed by a leisurely rise that can last for as long as 12 hours, after which they are cooked first by boiling, and then finally by a trip through a scorching-hot oven. Bread baking is truly an art when done correctly, and being so artist myself, I would be quite reluctant to attempt such an undertaking. Sure, it’s easy enough to have bagels at home thanks to those convenient hockey pucks of bread-like material found in the freezer section, requiring nothing more than a quick defrosting before consumption… But the quality takes a serious plunge as soon as each icy brick enters into industrial blast freezers at the factories.

There are few feasible solutions to this dilemma, the most palatable usually being to give in and buy them fresh from a bakery as needed, shelling out more money in comparison to the bulk bagels at a grocery store. Not convenient, and not for the budget-minded.

However, it has been brought to my attention that there is in fact an alternative: Meeting the manufacturer half way on the labor. It may sound funny, but Bake’Mmm bagels hopes to prove that this particular compromise can be worth the work. They are still frozen, but they differ from the other brands out there in one big way – They’re boiled, but then left unbaked.

Removing the packages of frozen bagels from my freezer on a laid-back sunny weekend morning, I was ready to see what these partly factory made, partly homemade lumps of dough could do. Frozen together quite solidly, it took quite a struggle to separate a single one from its unbaked family, although I must admit that my desire to break out a chainsaw to dislodge them is more an indication of my weakness than a flaw in the product. Pale and icy, it was hard to imagine that these would be ready to go in no time.

Once they finally decided that individuality was worth a try and yielded to my pathetic beating, I lay them out on a baking sheet and checked out the helpful hints printed on the wrapper. Suggesting a heat of 425 – 450 degrees, I balked at powering up my oven so hot just to cook those wee little blobs. I know that bread baking does require higher heat than your typical cake or cookie, but I still can’t help but be reluctant to venture that far up the thermometer, so I opted for the lower setting of 425 degrees to start. Waiting for the oven to heat up took longer than the actual baking time, and after 10 minutes a golden brown tint began to creep across the surface, as though they were blushing in their unfinished state. Still pressing on for the full amount of time suggested, the bagels were out and steaming after another 5 minutes.

Opening the oven to release a pungent cloud of the yeasted scent indicative of fresh bread, the once rock-solid lumps had transformed into perfectly browned, authentic-looking bagels, and I could hardly wait to dig in. Slicing the first one I could get my hands around in half, I discovered a disappointing surprise inside. Although the exterior was gorgeous and clearly fully baked, the innards still appeared mushy and moist, almost to the point of being raw. Not prepared to discard this specimen with such high potential, I threw it into the toaster in hopes of finishing up the undercooked insides. Proving to be a satisfactory solution for the time being, the bagels emerged looking much more ready to eat before long.

On a second occasion, I did try setting the oven higher at 450 degrees for the full 15 minutes again, but alas, the same results awaited me lurking within the center of each bagel. A frustrating flaw to be sure, but not a deal breaker; They still come out perfectly after a quick cycle in the toaster, no matter what which setting you choose for your oven.

First up in the toaster was the Whole Wheat variety, sporting a lovely tan coloring through and through. Teasing my nostrils with a faint nutty smell indicative of the whole grains baked within, my taste buds couldn’t wait to get in on some of the action. Even unadorned, this bagel speaks volumes of deliciousness; Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and chewy all over, the purely tactile sensation of masticating made me wonder if I had ever eaten a truly fresh bagel in all of my life. This must be what those bagel-fanatics always talk about, as my only experiences thus far have been with bagels that were nothing more than round pieces of toast with extra crust and a hole in the center! Hearty, satisfying, and dense, this is an excellent vehicle with which to deliver whole grains into finicky eaters. Just a tiny smear of margarine kicks up the savory, salty side of things quite nicely, but nothing is really required to make this one fantastic breakfast.

I’m a real sucker for anything cinnamon, so the Cinnamon Raisin bagels were calling my name from the moment they took up residence in the freezer. Smelling fantastic as soon as they emerged from the heat, one mere whiff was enough to start my mouth watering. Lightly speckled with raisins throughout, it was just the right amount – Raisins aren’t my favorite in applications such as this, but there were few enough that they simply provided an occasional burst of tart, fruity sweetness without covering up the more subtle cinnamon flavor. Hoping for a cinnamon bonanza, I will admit that my first bite was a bit of a letdown. Wondering if there was some mistake here, I could have sworn that it just tasted like a regular, generic bagel. Where was the cinnamon? Slowly but surely, bite after bite, a gentle hint of spice crept up on the tip of my tongue, creating a quiet background flavor that permeates the whole dough. Nice for a mild, spicy treat that would be an excellent match with cinnamon peanut butter or cinnamon “cream cheese,” it was slightly underwhelming by itself. However, it was very pleasant nonetheless, and I’m sure it would be a great way for someone accustomed to fairly plain breakfasts to spice things up a bit.

Speaking of plain breakfasts, the last bagel on my hit list was the classic, Plain. Expecting a bland mass of dough like the typical frozen bagels I’m accustomed to, the difference from baking these fresh really struck me again. This was pure, no-nonsense, yeast-raised bread, simple but perfect as is. Sure, it wasn’t flavorful in the traditional sense of intense or overwhelming tastes that can be described by individual components, but this was the most delicious plain bagel I can recall tasting, and whether you can define a specific “flavoring” that would explain why it leaves all the other similar types in the dust or not, it definitely has spoke loud and clear to my taste buds.

Being such an excellent blank canvas, these would go with anything you fancy – Sweet or savory, seed- or herb- toppings, jam, margarine, or even marmite, these bagels are the epitome of versatility. Even on by itself, the soft, chewy texture makes for a breakfast that the most refined palates could crave without shame. I had only planned to eat half of this one after downing such great quantities of carbs, but I was powerless to stop myself from devouring the whole thing!

With all of the hard work done for you, I think that the requested baking time isn’t asking too much of the average eater. Easily defined as a convenience food all the same, it doesn’t take a skilled baker to produce a fantastic, fresh bagel any more. I must warn you though: After trying this new breed of frozen bagel, it may be near impossible to return to the regular old rings that pale in comparison.

[Written for Go Dairy Free]

Thanks to modern technology, the processes by which even the simplest foods are made today tend to resemble industrial procedures much more than standard cookery. In countless factories across the country, questionable materials and chemicals are manufactured with the express purpose of being added into edibles, usually with little warning given to the consumer. Such practices reveal the evil potential for scientific experiments gone awry; Reason enough to eschew processed food altogether, without even considering the lacking nutritional content. Increasingly rare is the attempt to use advanced technologies for the greater good of a nation hungry for real food, but there are still some valiant souls who strive to put a better face on the typically intimidating and even threatening masses of machinery. What’s truly impressive are the ideas in this field being executed by Crispy Green, especially considering the end results.

Dried fruit is nothing new, as the peoples of all imaginable origins have been laying fresh fruits in the sun to dehydrate for centuries, without a single piece of special equipment necessary. Recently though, a new interpretation of the word “dried” has been taking this prehistoric practice by storm; Freeze-dried is the hottest thing since solar power, apparently. Employing special drying chambers and a good amount of labor, freeze-drying fruit isn’t the sort of thing you’d be able to do in your own home, which is a large selling point for this product in my eyes. Baking mixes and frozen meals are handy, but I’m perfectly capable of replicating them on my own, so I can easily do without them. Crispy fruits, though… Although it sounds standard, boring, and simple, it’s amazing what a little dose of science will do.

Pictured here are 3 out of 4 of the fruits available [I’m not a real fan of peaches in general, so that one was the odd man out], and let me tell you, the believable flavor packed into each tiny piece more than makes up for their unassuming appearance. I’m not kidding when I say the flavors are intense – Each new bite produced a jolt of bright, concentrated sweetness, so pure and unadulterated that it made me wonder how it could all fit into such a small package. Each little baggie holds only .36 ounces of actual consumables, a fact that I found unappealing at first, but the quality of those contents far outweighs that meager measurement. Excellent for health nuts and those striving towards a healthier lifestyle alike, everyone can appreciate how substantial the slices feel without carrying a hefty caloric content as well. Great for a quick snack on the go or a re-energizer before a workout, these crunchy fruit slices provide a wonderful burst of energy and flavor.

If you’re still confused about how each of these may taste, just go to your local grocery or farmer’s marker and take a bite of an apple, apricot, pineapple, or peach. Now, just imagine that taste being 100x times more powerful. There’s no other way to describe these than to compare them to the actual fruits they came from, and I am personally overjoyed by that. With all of the things that can go wrong through processing, these delicious gems have come out completely unscathed, and perhaps all the better for it.

The words “whole grains” may have meant very little to Americans only two or three years ago, but now that buzz-worthy term is on the tips of all mindful mothers’ and health conscious consumers’ tongues. Only recently has it gained such attention, and a panic has seemed to spread through the concerned public as though there were no feasible remedy. How should one squeeze these whole grains into your diet? Where do they come from? Why were they lacking in the first place? Such a simple answer should have been elementary, but there are countless articles, books, and television programs popping up to teach us how to eat again. Contrary to the struggle that so many make it out to be, whole grains should be the least of your worries when it comes to eating healthy, because they really are quite delicious in their own right.

Sure, everyone has old standby comfort foods that aren’t so easy to exchange for more nutritious alternatives, but allow me to introduce you to a snacking dream in the form of crunchy, hearty crackers that make no bones about their wholesome nature. Crackers are a staple in every well-stocked pantry, and now there is no excuse to keep those stale, tasteless cardboard squares on hand when Dr. Kracker is pumping out salubrious flat breads that could rival any others on the shelves in both taste and nutrition.

Even the pickiest snackers will find something that appeals to them; Producing seven flavors in total, browsing for healthier morsels among Dr. Kracker’s products alone will banish any thoughts a healthier diet can be limiting. Be mindful of the labels though, as some of their offerings include cheese and thusly are not vegan. Of those that included no dairy that I was lucky enough to try, I flat-out loved them. Forget about looking for something more nourishing; These are damn good by any standards.

Taking care to source high-quality ingredients and present them in a pleasing manner, what struck me as being unique was the amount of attention paid to their shape. All flavors are made as the standard small, rectangular crackers, as well as larger flat breads, chips, and smaller individual packs as well. I only obtained one pack of flat breads in addition to four flavors of the regular “snacker crackers,” but since they have the same flavor anyways, it was nice just to have an idea of what they would look like in comparison.

Grabbing the first package my hands happened upon, I started by taking my chances with the Seedlander variety, and I’m sure it requires no further explanation than the picture to understand why it might be called that. Doused with whole pumpkin, sesame, and poppy seeds, the dark brown cracker holding it all seems like almost an afterthought. Taking a whiff from the open package, all that my nose could pick up on was the smell of seeds, which excites me to no end. Finally, a cracker that is more than just a vehicle for goopy, artery-clogging dips – There’s real substance to this one!

Crunching loudly enough to arouse the curiosity of people in adjoining rooms, it occurred to me that this is perhaps what the exact opposite of Wonder Bread. The thick slices of dense, crisp bread possess a hearty taste similar to rye bread, but coupled with all of the toppings, they are elevated to a whole new level. The deep undertones of poppy seeds seemed to dominate the flavor profile, but each individual element was far from forgotten. Even those seeds that didn’t share the spotlight contributed amazing texture, bringing added dimension to each bite. All of these hearty subjects did amount to a serious test of my teeth and jaws at times though; These crackers were so solid that I might not recommend them for the weak of dentistry.

Taking somewhat of a departure from the savory chips that I had anticipated, I discovered a package of unusual snackers that went by the name of Muesli Kribbons. Muesli I understand… But what makes these “kribbons?” Moreover, what are kribbons? No matter, the same sort of deep rye crackers made up the base for these sweeter munchies, but instead of a barrage of toppings, a more modest sprinkling of sesame seeds graced the exterior, revealing dark spots of dried fruits lurking just below the surface. Aided by the natural chewy tendencies of dried fruit, this one was a bit easier to just pop in my mouth and grind down like usual, but rest assured that absolutely no crunchiness was sacrificed to achieve this.

Powering through these with enthusiasm, I was surprise to take a closer look and discover the appearance of sunflower seeds every now and then tucked into the base of the cracker as well. An uneven distribution of fruits and seeds all over perturbed me at first, but I soon found that making every bite just a little bit different was a huge draw, as it kept me coming back for more. Only very lightly sweet and more tart if anything due to the choice of fruits, I could very easily see myself enjoying these for breakfast instead of a bowl of cereal.

Picking up a farer-skinned cracker next by the name of Klassic 3 Seed, I can’t help but find the cutesy use of “K” instead of “C” to is starting wearing on me, but luckily the goods aren’t in the package for long, and the taste more than makes up for their creative spelling. Resembling the Seedlander in many aspects, it boasted a fairly similar flavor as well, but with slight nuances that effectively held my rapt attention. Flax seeds replaced the previously dominant poppy seeds, but this time seemed take the place of a silent vowel. Contributing mainly to aesthetic appearance and nutrition, the flax allowed other seeds to shine instead of hogging all the glory, while simultaneously allowing the more subtle nutty flavors typical of whole wheat goods to quietly sneak into the background. Having more restrained flavors, I could more easily see this one being paired with a hummus or other sort of dip, whereas I would have been completely content to eat the former completely unadorned. While I may prefer the Seedlander to these overall, I would certainly not be averse to picking up another box of the Klassic all the same.

Reaching once more into the depths of my cracker horde, I pulled out the final flavor within my grasp. Although it definitely had some tough acts to follow, this one needed no introduction all the same. Seeded Spelt really lived up to its name, so even though I’ve never had any definitive spelt-product before and therefore couldn’t specifically describe its unique taste, but it is definitely a pleasant change of pace. Lighter and less powerful in general, this would be another good cracker to be paired with some sort of topping or spread to kick it up another notch. A simple, solid, all-purpose cracker, this could be the flavor that the less adventurous might feel more at home with, if easing into new foods is the way to overcome initial reluctance. Aided in the textual department by the addition of toothsome sunflower and sesame seeds, they were quite pleasant to nibble, but I don’t think that this is the one I would come running back to first.

My only small complaint is about the packaging for the snacker crackers. I like the shape and design of the boxes, but just musing about the ingredients and turning one upside down to read the label unleashed a downpour of loose seeds and crumbs… Directly into my keyboard below! Still, I can forgive that tiny flaw because I don’t think that the crackers would really hang around in that package for too long in the first place. I sure know that even though I had a huge box of these nibbles packed away in the back hall closet, my supply dwindled down to mere crumbs much faster than I had anticipated!

If there was ever a processed food to dispel the myths that whole grains are difficult and distasteful to fit into the standard person’s diet, these crackers would get my vote. Instead of serving weak party platters full of insubstantial dusty squares comprised mainly of salt and trans-fats that are truly nothing but filler, why not venture out of the realm of the mediocre and try dishing out real food? Take the hint from your gagging guests and end the suffering – Beneficial to your health and your taste buds, whole grains are the way to go.

[Written for Go Dairy Free]