VEGGIE BITS
Broma Lentil & Almond Butters
You might feel like you need more smooth, creamy chocolate in your life. Broma's Dark Chocolate Lentil & Almond Butters are here to answer your call. These dreamy spreads have recognizable ingredients like cacao and coconut sugar, with the surprising addition of lentils. This is not at all lentil-y, by the way. Testers didn't detect the savory beans in taste or texture. Instead, these chocolatey butters—which come in Cherry, Coconut, Mint Chip, and Original—are heavenly without too much sweetness on warm waffles, smeared across a toasted bagel, or stirred into oatmeal. If you enjoy baking, the website offers up suggestions for brownies, cookies, and granola bars using the butters, too. Sold in jars or small travel pouches. Gluten-free, kosher, low-sugar, organic, and soy-free with no refined sugars. Available at independent grocers throughout the Northeast and online at eatbroma.com
Rissa Miller/Former Senior Editor
Fruit Powders
Elevate your breakfast game with Pitaya's freeze-dried Acai Berry and Dragon Fruit. Not just for smoothies, these fruit powders are vivid additions to yogurt parfaits, homemade popsicles, fruit salad dressings, agua frescas and other drinks, chia pudding, oatmeal, and non-bake cookies. These powders are bold and colorful, and bring the exotic into your kitchen. The Acai Berry is unsweetened and has the fruit's characteristic tart earthiness. It's a great balance against sweeter fruits like banana, mango, or pineapple. The Dragon Fruit has more natural sweetness, though it is not cloying and works well with blackberries and strawberries. The fruits are sustainably grown in Central America and are kosher, non-GMO, and organic. Available online at pitayafoods.com or from Amazon.com or Thrive Market.
Rissa Miller/Former Senior Editor
Gluten-Free Cookie Mixes
Soft, melt-in-your mouth cookies that hold together and are safe for school sound like a fairy tale. However, Raised Gluten Free has made this a reality, and one so simple, their Cookie Mixes are designed to be made by kids (with the supervision of an adult, of course). These handy mixes come in Chocolate Chip, Confetti, and Double Chocolate flavors. The tester-favorite was Chocolate Chip; it has a classic comfort taste and paired well with both vegan milk and hot coffee. The Confetti had a vanilla birthday-cake vibe that made it fun to eat and popular with child-testers. Double Chocolate has a more intense flavor, but no chocolate bitterness. The ease of preparation really deserves highlighting: you mix the package with vegan butter, applesauce, and vanilla; chill; then scoop and bake. That's it. They're in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. The quality of the gluten-free and vegan cookies with the simplicity in the kitchen is a triumph. Made in small batches at a dedicated, certified gluten-free bakery. Free of the top eight allergens, kosher, and non-GMO. Raised Gluten Free items are in over 3,500 stores nationwide. To learn more, visit raisedglutenfree.com
Rissa Miller/Former Senior Editor
Joi Oat Milk Coffee Creamer
Get a quicker, cleaner coffee fix at home or on the go with these single-serving powdered creamer packets. Made with limited ingredients and lightly sweetened, they're specifically designed to blend smoothly into hot beverages for a perfectly velvety, rich brew. They can even be mixed with water and steamed separately to make the ideal foam for lattes and cappuccinos. Added fiber helps create more sustained energy than just caffeine alone. Non-GMO, kosher, and packaging made from post-consumer recycled materials. Available on Amazon and addjoi.com
Hannah Kaminsky/Senior Editor
Cavi.art Black Seaweed Pearls
Add a touch of elegance and affordable, sustainable opulence to your next party with a dollop of kelp-based caviar. Subtly oceanic in flavor, the crunchy, popping texture is a delightful contrast to any creamy dairy-free spread. You can add them to both hot and cold dishes without fear of the color running or having them melt away. The bottles are also shelf-stable for up to three years unopened, or three months in the fridge after you've broken the seal. Gluten-free, kosher, and no GMOs. Available on Amazon, at Walmart, and at some specialty grocers. More information at caviart.com
Hannah Kaminsky/Senior Editor
Hiker's Hummus
Whether you're traveling by air, bicycle, car, or foot, Hiker's Hummus is a terrific way to fuel your journey with no need for refrigeration. Available in Chipotle (spicy), Cilantro Lime, Roasted Garlic, and Thai Basil, these light-weight pouches contain freeze-dried hummus that was made in small batches. All you need to do for a hearty meal is add cold water directly to the bag, reseal the zip-top, and knead with your hands. After it sits for about 3-5 minutes, it's ready to eat with your favorite hummus delivery system, such as carrots and celery, crackers, or pita. Testers raved over the bright and refreshing flavor of the Cilantro Lime, and Thai Basil had an easy-to-love Asian twist on the classic dip. The Chipotle has more bite and is ideal for adventurous eaters, and the Roasted Garlic will remind you of your favorite restaurant-style hummus. These would also be a simple workplace snack or store well in dorms for students. They're all gluten-free, non-GMO, and sesame-free. Shop online at ubufoods.com/collections/hiker-s-hummus
Rissa Miller/Former Senior Editor
Tree Top Fruit Pouches
Busy parents (and anyone who loves applesauce) are going to want to try Tree Top's FAVS fruit snacks. These single-portion sized pouches come in Banana, Orange, Peach, and Strawberry flavors, but each is packed with many other fruits and vegetables. The Banana variety, for example, contains apples, banana, and sweet potato with a nutrient blend sourced from other fruits and shiitake mushrooms. All that, and the taste is light and fruity but with no added sugars. These are easy to pack for lunches, picnics, sporting events, travel, camping, and work, making a fun and healthful dessert option for any on-the-go situation. Gluten-free, non-GMO, and nut-free, with no artificial colors or flavors in BPA-free packaging. Buy nationwide at major grocers or on Amazon. For more information, visit treetop.com/consumer/fruit-products/apple-sauce/fruit-and-vitamins
Rissa Miller/Former Senior Editor
WunderEggs
A new era of plant-based eggs has dawned. WunderEggs by Crafty Counter is sold in Whole Foods Markets, right alongside cartons of conventional chicken eggs, as well as online. Almonds, cashews, and coconut sounds like a dubious combination for replicating that essential hard-boiled staple, but somehow, once sprinkled with the sachet of sulfurous black salt, this unlikely trio is transformed into boldly, undeniably eggy decadence. Rich, creamy yolks contrast to smooth, bouncy whites, working together to create a savory sensation that the humble tofu scramble could only aspire to replicate. Soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO. For more information, visit craftycounter.com
Hannah Kaminsky/Senior Editor
