Fun and Fancy Free
Although there’s thousands of free samples for the taking, it’s tough covering the New York Fancy Food Show each year. The corporate giants are always there, and finding a new product with an interesting story and a distinctive taste is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Plus, I’m saving the really good products for work, so I can’t share everything here. But I bet Gourmet‘s not interested in these foods. (No offense to these guys, but they just have a niche audience.)
I Swear it Tastes Better Than it Sounds
Raw Revolution is similar to Larabar, except with more interesting flavors and textures. Both brands pack their energy bars with ground nuts and puréed dates, but Raw Revolution leaves some nuts whole, so you’re not left with uniform, nubby bits. Raw Revolution also has a spirulina flavor, but I swear it doesn’t taste “green.” As a bonus, there’s flax seeds, which are high in omega-3s.
It’s a shame that Raw Revolution hasn’t caught on like Larabar. I suspect it’s the packaging, which has an anarchist-type feel. If you’ve ever opened a Nutrigrain bar and felt cheated by the tiny bar inside the big wrapper, you’re in for the same effect here. As an organic company, you’d think they’d cut down on wasteful packaging.
Another warning: That bar has as many calories as a small meal, but it’s nutrient-dense too. ($1.99 for a 2.2-oz bar)
BranTreats and Flaxmax sound more like bird food than desserts, but these are delicious. A hybrid between biscotti and crackers, these cookies’ only source of fat is the almonds. Delicate and crisp, you don’t need to soften them in a cup of coffee, although they certainly go together. If you still don’t believe me, Almondina, the parent brand, swept four awards at past Fancy Food Shows. ($4.49 for a 4-oz bag)
But it’s Just…
Photo: Fox & Obel
Granola-Kingslake & Crane has chunky clusters with an astoundingly light texture. Normally, nuts are an afterthought in granola, but these ones are perfectly toasted and fresh-tasting. There’s also tart cherries to complement the brown sugar-covered oats. This was so tasty that I assumed it was soaked in oil. Surprise, it was dry toasted. Although oats are dirt cheap, I don’t think you can replicate this recipe at home.
I make my own granola, and I’ve never been able to get those coveted clusters, toasted flavor, and light texture without adding oil. The best taste comes from Alton Brown’s recipe, but it has 1/4 cup oil. Deborah Madison‘s no-fat-added, apple juice granola is tough and bland, and The Traveler’s Lunchbox’s granola is light, but I’m not fond of the flavor. Maybe if I combine all three recipes, I’ll come close to Kingslake & Crane. ($9.95 for a 1-lb bag)
Peanut butter-Sunland/Peanut Better makes all their peanut butters from Valencias, which are naturally sweet. The sweetness is disconcerting for the plain butters, but they’re perfect for their chocolate and praline butters. Too bad they don’t make hazelnut butter, because they could outdo Nutella. ($5 for 10 oz)
Where Have You Been All my Life?
Bonnat is not new, nor does it have a flashy backstory, but their Chuao bar is amazing. Normally, Venezuelan chocolate has notes of soil and raisin, but this chocolate is different. Sadly, I don’t remember what it actually tastes like, because it was one of the last things I ate at the show, and my taste buds were spent. ($8.25 for a 3.5 oz bar)
susan allport said,
Thought you’d be interested in this short omega-3 video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIgNpsbvcVM
July 3, 2008 at 7:37 am
Jessica "Su Good Sweets" said,
Susan, ha! I can’t believe that video.
Jen, yes, food fatigue is the same as the art fatigue that you experienced. By hour two, I started second-guessing my tastebuds. I went to the supermarket to get Almondinas today and sadly they weren’t there!
Niko, I’ve never tried Arrowhead Mills, but it sounds good. PB & Co. is better than the big guys, but I feel like I can get similar results at home. The chocolate mochi are good!
July 3, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Katie said,
Sounds like a really interesting foodie show. Have tasted larabars and they are nice, although quite energy dense as you say.
July 3, 2008 at 9:00 am
Jen of a2eatwrite said,
I’ve been seeing various finds from this show in the media lately. Yours are much healthier than some I’ve seen. 😉 I love the almondina company.
I can’t imagine having to taste different things all day. I’m the daughter of an art historian and practically grew up in museums. I’ve learned that I can’t see much of a museum in one day – I have to sort of save my “eye” for savoring a style or a show. I think I’d have the same trouble at a food show.
It sounds like amazing fun, though!
July 3, 2008 at 9:18 am
niko said,
I 100% agree – the Raw Revolutions taste much better than Lara bars IMHO. I also really liked the Sunland PB too. I never really thought about why I liked the Valenica peanuts butters so much but I guess its sweetness. The Arrowhead mills PB is my favorite but the Sunland and Peanut Butter and Co is pretty darn good. I’ll have to check out those granolas too. Did you happen to try the dark chocolate covered mochi?
July 3, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Beth said,
Hi Jessica! Hope all is well with you. The FF show was crazy, wasn’t it?? Hope things at Gourmet are going great! So funny – those Raw Revolution bars are made by an old friend of mine from high school – I loved them even before I knew that!
Anyway – just thought I’d say hi. Take care!
July 13, 2008 at 10:55 pm