TRENDS
NYC
Artificial anything-particularly re: ingredients and food colorings-a disappearing act on snack food labels...even on crunchy eats which as tasty as they are, don't pretend to be nutritious-but a "Lesser Evil"-i.e. baked, healthier oils, non-GMO, organic (the real deal kind-USDA certified), and gluten free.
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| The name says it all "Lesser Evil"=Buddha Bowl Foods...USDA organic (that means non-GMO certified too)...in one of the 'hot' food categories-gourmet salts...Himalayan Pink Salt (or Sea Salt) on everything... |
Bottom Line: the emphasis is def. on the flavors (spicy is big)...and the textures.
Highlights:
Some crunchy sweets:
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| From Morocco-crunchy buttery Orientines Palmiers+crackery Craquants |
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| Dip-able hybrid-melba toast- biscotti fusion-Almondina Toastees-no preservatives, no cholesterol, dairy free...4 flavors |
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| the best part of brownies-duh-the crunchy top-edges parts---violà-this genius 'invention' Brownie Brittle---are so popular now-we got a pack on a recent flight home instead of the usual pretzels. In convenient, relatively low calorie packets-SHEILA G Brownie Brittle own this category-serving up 4 flavors-chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, salted caramel (a duo that is another popular 'it' flavor), and toffee crunch. Widely available...and inhale-able---and satisfying...a great way to placate that needed crunchy sweet craving-without dangerously adding to one's daily calorie counts. YAYY! |
CHIPS get hip...and hot...made from bumped up ingredients- vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
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| Jans...Mixed Root Chips...3 flavors Rosemary Garlic, Coriander Sea Salt, Slat+Vinegar-joins giant Terra Chips-crispy root vegetables...purple+orange sweet potatoes, taro & cassava -2x fiber and 30% less fat than potato chips-with vitamin E... |
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| GRINGO JACK's Flaky Tortilla Chips -a tasty crunchy product from a Manchester Vermont based SW restaurant/caterer |
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| Feel Alive-and potentially sinus clearing... |
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| a SOFI AWARD WINNER...Maya Raimal (pictured on the right)...Chickpea Chips-a taste of flavors inspired by South India-murukku a crispy snack made from chickpeas and rice+Asian spices. |
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| 3 flavors available-Chickpea Chips are gluten free and have protein too! |
SPICY CRISPS, BETTER PUFFS, PREMIUM POPCORN...
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| if you like your salsa-medium-to hot...Pop Gourmet-SRIRACHA Hot Chili Sauce Croutons, Potato Chips and Popcorn...should be on your snack equivalent of voice command- speed dial. |
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| our sample lasted oh---an hour! A worthy heated snack for game night...the POP Gourmet SRIRACHA Hot Chile Sauce Popcorn-had powerful flavors featuring intense chili, garlic, vinegar, salt+sugar)-not too greasy either---and was quickly devoured-with thumbs up for the 'spicy but not too spicy' (meaning tear is inducing) balance of seasonings! Non-GMO, gluten free and no trans fat...no artificial flavorings or colors. |
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| we tried these...salty sweet and flavorful |
Gourmet Kettle Chips: SEXYChips and SexyPop...exotic flavors and interesting combos...with a marketing MO of having confidence in our unique selves ---imo not necessary--- the flavors work.
Most interesting use of Matcha-the new 'it' tea with the healthy attributes of green tea, magnified---in the Spinach and Matcha Tea flavor...
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| non-gmo kernels |
Similar graphics- fonts to Pirate Booty franchise...so we thought -and it makes sense as both companies share the same visionary entrepreneur...Robert Ehrlich.
Bonus points: Gives Back.
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| Pirate's Booty |
PIRATE'S BOOTY...adds to its winning Pirate's Brand snacks-with-new to us: Fruity Booty...baked rice and corn puffs...really do have that berry flavor (dried raspberries)...a sweet-salty (brown sugar, sea salt) crunch that satisfies without the artificial colors, flavors or preservatives! Widely available...
ERIN's CHURRO POPCORN---inspired by that cinnamon-sugar fried dough dessert treat from Spain---this is a new popcorn flavor ...from a brand with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. NICE...a crunchy sweet salty snack...from well-known Pacific Northwest company-
Tim's Chips. Bonus points: a true commitment to
eco production and recycling- we wish all companies did.
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| Erin's White Cheddar flavor Popcorn...light crunchy with just a hint of spice (barely)-cheddar flavor is real-and favorable....becoming widely available... |
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| Truffle salt-insta-gourmet...Seattle Popcorn's Uncle Woody's has a patriotic give back ...in several flavors including caramel -truffle salt. |
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| Pop'd Kerns™...retro packaging---crunchy good four flavors-non-gmo, gluten free---imo very well branded given the history of the company-from its rural Minn. farm beginnings... |
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| a holiday flavor...Ginger Snap |
SPROUTED= nutrition packed seeds, grains and beans (flaxseed, chia seeds, quinoa, black beans, broccoli seeds and daikon radish seeds) ---gets main billing in WAY BETTER SNACKS...making these tasty crunchy tortilla chips from stone ground non-GMO corn...as billed---way better with added nutrition. Certified gluten free - these delicious tortilla chips that are worthy of being eaten straight outta the bag -come in seasonal flavors -as well as good to eat year round flavors. YUMMY!
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| no surprise to us-----ingredients that naturally add anti-oxidants/protein/minerals/vitamins to a snack food- is a booming category...as Americans snack more and eat sit down meals, less. Bonus-each serving delivers 190mg of Omega-3 essential fatty acids! |
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| we tried this---the Pumpkin Cranberry flavor-delivers on the tarty sweet with a hint of pumpkin that works with naturally sea-salty crunch. Recipes on their websites...we used a bag of these instead of bread- for a crunchy take on a sandwich...more fun too. |
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| Not too hot-those opting for mild salsa---will be able to handle this sweet chili flavored chip....with 400mg or Omega-3 essential fatty acids! |
VEGGIE Pasta Chips...non-GMO baked crunchy snacks that come in 120 calorie packs - fit in that cracker-chip middle ground.... make great scoopers for dips...and the flavors-are like the varieties of fav sauces that get poured on pastas. Buon Gusto!
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| a trip to Tuscany inspired these made in the USA Pasta Chips-made with imported semolina flour-just like Italian pasta-with fragrant herbs. Six flavors...baked crisps-very fun product. No wonder we see these sold -like-everywhere. On trend-less fat than regular potato chips, no cholesterol... |
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| Light and crunchy-nutritious laden- non-GMO, certified gluten free... QUINOA PUFFS from I Heart KEENWAH a Chicago brand-with new for 2015 eats. Low glycemic, fiber loaded quinoa flour (combined with white+brown rice flours) deliver protein to these airy little bites. We tried the Aged Cheddar...authentic cheese flavor, right amount of salt...and 5 grams of protein per serving---a winner. |
