Veggie Bits
Bananas Reimagined
Upton's Banana Blossoms use the purple flowers of the banana tree, packed in a brine made of water, lime, and salt. Upton's markets Banana Blossoms as having a similar texture to fish, but to think of this product only as a fish substitute would be to limit its potential: this is a unique ingredient that could inspire novel recipes. Upton's Banana Blossoms work as a fish substitute because of flaky texture, but it's far from dry. The blossoms are stacks of individually soft and silken layers (the petals of the banana flower), which hold together firmly yet without disagreeable toughness. It produced results that were both delicious and visually and texturally similar to real fish, even in shape. No one who ate my Banana Blossom fillets detected any hint of banana fruit. Indeed, the flavor was almost entirely neutral. Gluten-free, organic, and soy-free. uptonsnaturals.com
Simon Brown/VRG Volunteer
Cheers to Alcohol-Free Gin
Mindful drinkers with a sophisticated palate will rejoice with New London Light (NLL) alcohol-free spirits. Made to taste and blend like gin by master distillers, NLL is bold, with a full spectrum of complex flavor layers. NLL has no alcohol or sugar, is low in calories, and is vegan, which creates a refreshing cocktail experience for health-conscious drinkers. Try it in any beverage recipe that traditionally calls for a full-bodied gin, like a gimlet, martini, Tom Collins, or a Vesper. Available nationwide and online at us.salcombegin.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Safe-for-School Seedy Snack Bars
Blake's Seed-Based bar is an ideal snack, packing loads of flavor. You can travel with it to school or work. The bars are gluten-free, peanut-free, nut-free and vegan—making them a quintessential choice for individuals with these food allergies. Blake's boasts an impressive array of flavors, from pineapple, blueberry, chocolate mint, raspberry, to s'mores, each possesses a unique, distinct pop of tastiness—and they're hearty. You will be satisfied with this as a between-meal snack. The blueberry bar was like biting into a plump berry plucked off of the stem while the s'mores snack bar enveloped my taste buds with a creamy, roasted flavor. Every bar—comprised of pumpkin, sunflower, and brown flaxseeds—is assured to be free of milk, egg, wheat, soy, and sesame. blakesseedbased.com
David Han/VRG Intern
Love that Granola Crunch
A crispy framework melts into a sweet explosion with one bite of Nature's Path Love Crunch Salted Caramel Pretzel Granola. Compared to typical dry granola that saps the moisture from your mouth with each bite, Love Crunch's combination of dark chocolate, pretzels, and granola boasts complex texture—crunchy, creamy, and crispy. Topped with a sprinkle of Himalayan pink salt and smooth caramel, it completely transforms the granola experience. The first bite enveloped my taste buds with a roasted, nutty flavor, while the second bite yielded velvety chocolate. One could quite literally feel the "love" with each snackable "crunch." Made with organic and fair-trade ingredients, it's available nationwide. naturespath.com
David Han/VRG Intern
Elegantly Smooth Oat Butters
Creamy, silky, cultured oat butter from Miyoko's is another win for the vegan company. The flavor and texture are downright luxurious. Crafted with sunflower oil and whole-grain oats, this product is ideal for smearing on bagels or toast, as well as melting over hot pancakes and biscuits. In two varieties, Hint of Salt and Garlic Parm, it's remarkably similar to dairy butter. The Garlic Parm is a match for pasta dishes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and over roasted veggies or baked potatoes. Wonderful for eating as-is, both varieties also worked well for baking and frying. Miyoko's Oat Butters are cashew-free, gluten-free, Kosher, palm oil-free, soy-free and non-GMO. Available nationwide at Kroger, Sprouts, Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart, and Whole Foods. miyokos.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Pea Protein Crumbles
Add some variety to your recipes with Longeve's Plant-Based Protein! With 20 grams of pea protein per serving, Longeve Crumbles can serve as an allergen-free ground meatless substitute in anything from chili to bibimbap. Simply mix the Crumbles—Plain, Masala Curry, or Zesty Taco—in hot water, and they're ready in five minutes. The texture is chewy and meaty. The Crumbles are particularly impressive in the lettuce wraps recipe featured on Longeve's website. The crunch of the lettuce provides a delightful texture contrast to the meatiness of the protein crumbles. Another standout product from Longeve are Plant-Based Breadless Crumbs, which can be used like breadcrumbs or to add a crispy texture to vegan meals. Everything from Longeve is gluten-, nut-, and, soy-free. Available online and from select retailers, longevebrands.com
Nina Lehr/VRG Intern
Bean Butchers
Butchering beans put Very Good Butchers on the block. VGB offers a variety of plant-based meats including bangers (sausages), BBQ, burgers, ground, hot dogs, pepperoni, ribz, and steaks. Testers loved the Very British Banger, packed with fresh apples, leeks, and herbs. The adzuki bean-based pepperoni was a winner on pizza and vegan cheese plates, and the jackfruit steak, seasoned with shiitake mushrooms, beets, and spices, makes an incredible centerpiece for any fancy meal. VGB boxes could easily get a family through the busy holiday season with entertaining and quick suppers. Products are available individually or as boxes for monthly subscription in the U.S. and Canada. us.verygoodbutchers.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Coconut Milk Lattes to Go
For most South Asian families like my own, our sip of evening chai is a significant part of the day to take a breather after work or school. Though it's so refreshing, it can take quite some time to prepare the tea. Feel the same? Look no further! Quik Tea offers a blend of various exquisite South Asian spices united in perfect harmony with plant-based coconut milk to bring your sips to the next-level. Available in the vegan flavors Cardamom, Lemongrass, Madras Coffee, Masala, and Turmeric Ginger. This tiny pack of convenience is composed of non-GMO ingredients. We loved it paired with a bite of toast or crunchy biscuits. Also convenient for travel, dorms, and office use. Purchase online at quiktea.com or from Amazon.com
Ksheetisha Bhat/VRG Volunteer
