Unboxed: 11 new natural waters, snacks and more
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A handy single-serve pack of hummus paired with gluten-free chips that contain rice flour, corn flour, flax, potato starch, teff and quinoa flour, and more. At 122 calories and 5 grams protein, this satisfying snack is just large enough to tide you over until dinner. One caveat: It seems like there’s a lot of packaging here. Is there a more streamlined way to attach the hummus to the bag of chips? Trends: Snackification; One-the-go nutrition Learn more about Wild Garden here
In the continuing quest for ready-to-eat dishes, Udi's new frozen meals satisfy the need for a fast, gluten-free dinner. Each pouch contains two servings, and users can simply dump the entire package into a skillet or zap it in the microwave. Plus, each serving contains 22 filling grams protein. Trends: DIY meals; Gluten-free indulgence Learn more about Udi's here
I love this new brand of USDA Organic, caffeine-free teas that feature hibiscus. The Yellow Ginger Hibiscus flavor is full of antioxidants, and softened with organic agave nectar and ginger for a faintly bitter, nuanced taste. Trends: Simple ingredients; Sweet departure Learn more about TK Hibiscus here
Another maple water that launched in May 2014, the founders of DrinkMaple are dedicated to growing the category. Attractively packaged in an 8.45-ounce Tetra Pak, Vertical Water and DrinkMaple are similar. At this point, consumer education is key, says co-founder Kate Weiler. That's why I love their straight forward motto: "From Tree, To Bottle, To You. Nothing Added." Trends: Water trend; Coconut alternative; Local sourcing Learn more about DrinkMaple
Who knew that the lowly pinto bean would be the next hot snack ingredient? Gently roasted for optimal crispiness, gluten- and nut-free Crunchy Bean Snacks contain 150 calories per serving and 7 grams protein. Plus, the sea salt flavor includes just three ingredients: Pinto beans, sunflower oil and sea salt. Also available in Jalapeño Cheddar, and Smoky Chipotle BBQ. Trends: Simple ingredients; Back to basics Learn more about Snack Out Loud Foods here
This new “water” harnesses the antioxidant power of prickly pear cactus, widely consumed in the American southwest and Mexico for centuries. Caliwater recently reformulated to offer not-from-concentrate prickly pear juice, organic-certified sugar, and lemon juice. We also love the new Tetra Pak. Trends: Back to basics nutrition; Water trend Learn more about Caliwater
Though Nii bars remind me of Monty Python & The Holy Grail (“We are the knights who say Ni!”), this tasty, vegan bar contains 7 grams of protein and clean ingredients including USDA Organic dates, cashew butter, dried cherries, walnuts, rice protein and hemp seeds. Also available in Almond Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Berry Cashew and Cacao Coconut. Trends: Plant-based protein; Portable nutrition Learn more about Nii Bar here
Check out the sleek rebranding on this bottle of paleo, USDA Organic, gluten-free, raw, tigernut oil, formerly known as @OurTrueNuts. With its neutral taste, tigernut oil can be used to cook high-heat dishes like sautés and stir-fries. Trends: Paleo perfect; Back to basics Learn more about Organic Gemini
First launched at Natural Products Expo West 2014, Arty Water boasts that an entire artichoke (including the stem, the leaves and the heart) is extracted into each 40-calorie bottle. Vegetal and earthy, Arty Water also contains monk fruit, Pandanus leaf, spearmint and agave nectar for surprising palatability. Trends: Water trend; Sweet departure Learn more about Arty Water here
Let’s be clear: Maple water is not diluted maple syrup. Rather, it’s the watery sap that's tapped directly from the maple tree, and it has a slightly sweet, woodsy flavor. Some believe maple water is primed to become the next coconut water—a boon for consumers who value local sourcing and low carbon footprint, as most maple water hails from Canada or New England. It also offers high manganese levels and possibly other trace minerals. Trends: Water trend; Coconut alternative; Local sourcing Learn more about Vertical Water
Now this is a manufacturer that I can stand behind! The folks at Choctal are bean fiends—cocoa and vanilla beans, that is. Rather than put any 'ole ingredient into their ice cream, Choctal blends single-origin chocolate from Costa Rica, Ghana, Dominican Republic or Kalimantan in Indonesia so chocolate lovers can delight in specific aromas and nuanced tastes. For example, Choctal's Ghana Chocolate Ice Cream is "Rich and full-bodied; hints of tropical fruit and the sweet essence of fudge." I'd be a bit more enamored if Choctal didn't contain guar gum, however. Trends: Evolving palates; Chocolate is for lovers Learn more about Choctal here
Unboxed: Edition 10 This week in Unboxed, we review new natural products that exemplify consumer tastes for simple ingredients that can be prepared with little time or thought. A few notable examples include Udi's new gluten-free frozen meals, which Delicious Living editor-in-chief Elisa Bosley describes as a "full, hearty, and even healthy meal, with amazingly good GF penne." With the abundance of new plant-waters appearing at our office, it seems that coconut water's days are numbered. Values like local sourcing, exotic ingredients and unique health benefits are driving a burgeoning market for artichoke, cactus and maple water. As always, tell us your thoughts in the comments below, and tweet to @jennablumenfeld on Twitter if you would like your product reviewed on Unboxed!
Unboxed: Edition 10 This week in Unboxed, we review new natural products that exemplify consumer tastes for simple ingredients that can be prepared with little time or thought. A few notable examples include Udi's new gluten-free frozen meals, which Delicious Living editor-in-chief Elisa Bosley describes as a "full, hearty, and even healthy meal, with amazingly good GF penne." With the abundance of new plant-waters appearing at our office, it seems that coconut water's days are numbered. Values like local sourcing, exotic ingredients and unique health benefits are driving a burgeoning market for artichoke, cactus and maple water. As always, tell us your thoughts in the comments below, and tweet to @jennablumenfeld on Twitter if you would like your product reviewed on Unboxed!
Unboxed: 11 new natural waters, snacks and more
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