Delicious Living's 2014 Best Bite Awards Winners
![Delicious Living's 2014 Best Bite Awards Winners Delicious Living's 2014 Best Bite Awards Winners](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blta3bbbe909520af5c/64f1dc3ec7f4a4b684a04529/Best_20Vegan_20Butter_20Substitute.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Nutiva Organic Buttery Spread Unlike most nondairy “butters,” Nutiva’s USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified spread contains coconut oil and responsibly sourced red palm oils—no soy, canola, or dairy. Use exactly like butter—even in cookies! Finalists: Earth Balance Organic Whipped Natural Buttery Spread, Spectrum Organic Butter Flavor Shortening
Silk Almond Coconut Blend There’s a new nondairy beverage in town, and it contains more calcium, fewer calories, and less fat than cow’s milk. Made with minimal ingredients, this Non-GMO Project Verified, no-sugar drink satisfies. Finalists: Califia Farms Iced Coffee with Almondmilk Cocoa Noir, Pacific All Natural Hemp Non-Dairy Beverage Vanilla
Steve’s Ice Cream Cold-Brewed Cinnamon Coffee Tasty add-ins like bourbon vanilla extract, cinnamon, and Blue Bottle Coffee make it hard to believe Steve’s is nondairy—it’s so creamy! The secret: a gluten-free, organic coconut cream base. Finalists: NadaMoo Mmm … Maple Pecan, Mr. Dewie’s Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert Coffee
Treeline Soft French-Style Cheese Finally, a dairy-free cheese we’ll eat like Brie. Crafted from cashews, active cultures, scallions, and spices, this creamy, slightly tart cheese makes a gourmet snack for vegans and dairy fiends alike. Contains no soy, corn, egg, or gluten, either. Finalists: Follow Your Heart Mozzarella, Go Veggie Grated Parmesan
Dastony Sprouted Almond Butter Raw sprouted almonds undergo grinding from large granite wheels to maintain low temperature and preserve nutrients. This ultraclean nut butter is divine on sandwiches (or, ahem, straight from the jar). Finalists: Yumbutter “Om-mond” Almond Butter, Once Again Organic Sunflower Seed Butter (Sugar & Salt Free)
The Ginger People Organic Ginger Spread Organic ginger and cane sugar are the only ingredients in this liquid-gold jam. Sweet and spicy-hot, it’s awesome with sharp, aged cheese or simply smeared on toast. Finalists: Blake Hill Preserves Raspberry & Hibiscus Flower, Crofter’s Just Fruit Spread Organic Wild Blueberry
Suja Fiji The tastiest greens drink we’ve found; the natural sweetness in apples and ginger balances tart lemon and bitter collards, kale, and spinach. USDA Organic, this high-pressure-processed drink is pure health. Finalists: Evolution Fresh Organic Sweet Greens and Ginger, Forager Project Roots “A”
B’More Organic Skyr Smoothie Caffe Latte Coffee and 23 grams protein keep us going during long hikes. This USDA Organic yogurt drink also is easy on sensitive tummies thanks to ample probiotics. Finalists: Little Miracles Organic Energy Green Tea, Sambazon Energy Mocha Java
Harmless Harvest 100% Raw Tea Lauded as the world’s first raw tea, it’s a blend of organic fresh-picked tea, cold water, and either honey or mint—refreshing, flavorful, and with tea’s health compounds intact. Finalists: Veri Organic Soda Orange, Virgil’s Zero Dr. Better
Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha Goji Ginger A sparkly tea elixir that contains spicy fresh ginger, lemon juice, and antioxidant-rich, organic goji berries, Reed’s hits the spot when kombucha cravings strike. Finalists: Clearly Kombucha Asian Pear, High Country Kombucha Rainforest Nectar
Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain This soft soy- and nut-free bread replaces wheat with potato and rice; flaxseed, millet, sunflower seeds, and cornmeal boost the nutrient lineup. Perfect for sandwiches, grilled cheeses, and toast. Finalists: Canyon Bakehouse San Juan 7-Grain, Food for Life Gluten Free Brown Rice Bread
Love Grown Foods Power O’s Honey You’d never guess that these light, crispy O’s are primarily made from navy beans, garbanzos, and lentils. Subtly sweet and addictive, one serving offers 4 filling grams of protein. It’s beans … for breakfast! Though Power O's have not been tested for gluten contamination, the clean ingredients are inherently gluten free. Finalists: Nature’s Path Sunrise Crunchy Maple, New England Naturals Organic Berry Coconut Granola
Zemas Multigrain Pancake & Waffle Mix Enjoy fluffy, hearty pancakes filled with omega-3s, fiber, and protein-rich hemp, chia, quinoa, teff, and flax. Manufactured in an allergen-free facility and Non-GMO Project Verified, too. Finalists: Amy’s Gluten Free Tofu Scramble Breakfast Wrap, Freedom Foods Ancient Grain Flakes
Hope Foods Hope to Go Dark Chocolate & Crackers A clever, take-everywhere duo: vegan chocolate spread (made with garbanzos!) and gluten-free crackers made with GF oats, plus almond, coconut, and tapioca flours. Yum! Finalists: Crunchies Freeze Dried Organic Strawberries, Quinn Popcorn Kale & Sea Salt
Barnana Organic Original Chewy Banana Bites As back-to-basics as it gets. Simply one organic, non-GMO, vegan, raw, and kosher ingredient: bananas! A delicious way to get your daily fiber and potassium needs in a portable, chewy snack. Finalists: The New Primal Grass-Fed Beef Jerky, WholeMe WakeMe Bar
Navitas Naturals Superfood + Cashews Maca Maple Picture meaty cashews coated with robustly sweet maple syrup and maca, a Peruvian root that reportedly improves energy and reduces stress. We could snack on these mineral- and vitamin-packed morsels all day. Finalists: Brussel Bytes Chili Pumpkin Seed Crunch, Health Warrior Chia Bar
One Degree Veganic Sesame Sunflower Bread This bread company follows “veganic” growing practices that reject animal-based soil fertilizers, such as bone meal. Check out the website onedegreeorganics.com for high-quality videos of One Degree’s eco-conscious farmers. Finalists: Justin’s Maple Almond Butter, Nutiva Red Palm Oil Unrefined
This Bar Saves Lives For every non-GMO nut-and-flaxseed bar sold, this company funds a lifesaving food packet specifically designed to combat childhood malnutrition. Finalists: Make a Stand! Lemon-aid, Tea Tibet Harmony Spiced Tea
Core Defender Meal Raw Almond Raisin Whole-food, organic ingredients—including oats, almonds, raisins, flaxseeds, vanilla beans, and cinnamon—fortify this raw bar. At 350 calories and 12 grams protein, it meets your nutritional needs when a full meal seems impossible. Finalists: ProBar Fuel Blueberry, Vega One Bar Chocolate Cherry Almond
Tanka Bar Buffalo Meat with Cranberries Fashioned after a traditional Native American snack, this bar’s omega-3-packed buffalo delivers 7 grams of clean protein per serving. Plus, Tanka is based on Pine Ridge Reservation, where the company provides jobs and other opportunities to the community. Finalists: Simple Squares Organic Snack Bar Coconut, Steve’s Paleofig Bar
Enjoy Life Cocoa Loco Bar A sweet anytime treat that’s chewy and chocolatey, made with sunflower seed butter, date paste, and millet flour—and free from common food allergens, including soy, nuts, eggs, dairy, and wheat. Finalists: Bakery On Main Truebar Apricot Almond Chai, Two Moms In The Raw Gojiberry Nut Bar
Saffron Road Chana Saag Succulent chickpeas, spinach, and tomatoes simmered in aromatic garlic, spices, and ginger, all certified gluten free, certified halal, and Non-GMO Project Verified. What it doesn’t contain: eggs, corn, soy, wheat, and nuts. Finalists: Evol Gluten Free Chicken Burrito, Ian’s Mac & No Cheese
Luvo Kale Ricotta Ravioli Pop this paper bag in the microwave, and minutes later you’ll enjoy a restaurant-quality lunch or dinner that, unlike most frozen meals, actually looks appetizing. All with just 460 mg sodium and a smart 260 calories. Finalists: Annie’s Homegrown Family Size Frozen Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese, Asherah’s Gourmet VeganBurgers
Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen with Miso Soup The ol’ college staple gets revamped in a glossy, obsidian pasta made from gluten-free heirloom black rice. Flavored with onion, mushroom, and parsley, it also packs 33 percent less sodium than conventional ramen. Finalists: Ancient Harvest Quinoa Rotelle, Tolerant Organic Red Lentil Penne
Neat Mexican Mix What do you get when you combine pecans, garbanzo beans, organic cornmeal, and spices? A delicious, vegetarian, soy-free, ground-beef swap. Just add water and eggs or egg substitute to enjoy a high-protein taco and burrito filling. Finalists: Beyond Meat Chicken-Free Strips, Sweet Earth Hickory & Sage Smoked Seitan Bacon
Numi Organic Tea With an astonishing array of delicious teas (including Chocolate Pu-erh and vegetal Savory Teas), these always Fair Trade Certified, USDA Organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified products stand out for good taste and good business. Finalists: The Republic of Tea, Rishi Tea
Mama Jess Garden Ketchup We’re giddy about this gluten-free, USDA Organic, no-added-sugar ketchup because it also sneaks in healthy fruits and veggies like carrots, beets, plums, and sweet potatoes. Finalists: Bragg Ginger & Sesame Salad Dressing, Organicville Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce
Late July Organic How Sweet Potato It Is Organic corn chips filled with sweet potatoes, brown rice, and chia seeds make for an addictively tasty, guilt-free nosh. These beg to be enjoyed with homemade guacamole or extra-spicy salsa. Finalists: Food Should Taste Good Multigrain, Kettle Organic Sweet Chili Garlic
GinnyBakes Lovely Brownie Bliss Made in a gluten-free facility, this mix of organic dark chocolate chips and cacao powder creates perfect celiac-friendly brownies. It’s also Non-GMO Project Verified and certified vegan. Finalists: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix, Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
GinnyBakes Lovely Brownie Bliss Made in a gluten-free facility, this mix of organic dark chocolate chips and cacao powder creates perfect celiac-friendly brownies. It’s also Non-GMO Project Verified and certified vegan. Finalists: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix, Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
For Delicious Living’s second-annual Best Bite awards, we asked experienced natural retailers, manufacturers, and readers to share the products that make healthy living more delicious. Our editors carefully tasted samples and scrutinized ingredients to choose 29 products that rise above the rest in their use of nutrient-dense, clean, whole food ingredients. These brands have not only perfected taste, but have done so while addressing special-diet considerations.
Here's our message to retailers, manufacturers and distributors: These are the products to stock, to celebrate and to emulate. The Best Bite winners (and finalists!) are leading the pack in innovation and doing so with a commitment to quality that has true staying power.
To view the winners in each category, click "Next" in the upper-right box.
And the winners of the 2014 @deliciousliving Best Bite Awards are ...
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