Gluten Free Crackers: Crunchmaster 7 Ancient Grains Crackers Hint of Sea Salt

PRODUCT NAME:                    7 Ancient Grains Crackers Hint of Sea Salt

BRAND:                                   Crunchmaster

COST:                                     $2.69

SIZE:                                       3.54 oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.76/ oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

VEGAN:                                  YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Loves Park, IL

SHELF LIFE:                           1 Year

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Crunchmaster 7 Ancient Grains Hint of Sea Salt crackers are a wonderfully satisfying snack.  They are crisp yet bold, with a full-bodied crunch.  They stand true to their namesake, having only a hint of saltiness, nothing too overpowering that masks the slightly nutty flavor of the grains that are packed into each cracker.  These are great snacks all on their own, having a whole grain flavor that combines well with the toasty quality of the rice.  They are actually quite addictive.  I certainly wasn’t able to stop at just one.  They also make excellent vehicles for hummus, cheese, olive spread or a slice of your favorite veggie to name a few ideas.  Their strong taste combines well with savory things of all kinds, which makes them a really good cracker to have around just for yourself or when you are expecting guests.  They are really tasty and are certainly a snack that everyone can enjoy.

Crunchmaster has a very thorough website where you can find out all sorts of facts about their company.  They grow their rice in Japan and follow pretty strict rules of harvesting and aging to create their rice crackers.  They seem to respect traditions of the East and combine them with our Western expectations of flavor and the result is indeed, a very delicious cracker.  Fifteen crackers are 130 calories with 2.5 grams of fat, which really isn’t so bad at all.  Their ingredients are honest and simple, actually containing the grains that they advertise on the packaging.  They have quinoa, amaranth, millet, and flax packed in there, which all combine to make a well rounded multi-grain cracker.

Check out the website for other flavors, products and more info: http://www.crunchmaster.com/

Taste:  crispy full-bodied multigrain flavor with a undertone of toasted rice

Labeling:  Inviting “healthy-looking” label clearly written and informative

Packaging: cardboard box with non resealable bag inside

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                5                             

Taste:                   5                             

Value:                   3      

OVERALL:             4.3

Reviewed by Krisztina L

Gluten Free Cookies: Schar Vanilla Wafers

PRODUCT NAME:                    VANILLA WAFERS

BRAND:                                   SCHAR

COST:                                      $3.49

SIZE:                                        4.4 oz

COST PER OZ:                         $0.79/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                    NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          ITALY

SHELF LIFE:                             2-3 MONTHS

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.       

REVIEW:

The Italian company, Schar has been around since the twenties and has been creating gluten free products for over 30 years. Now solely a dedicated gluten-free company, Schar produces a wide variety of wheatless treats, like pizza, bread, pasta, cookies, crackers, and other snacks. Created by a group of food specialists, Schar takes pride in providing a product based on an innovative, forward looking approach to gluten-free living. Since dedicating themselves to making only gluten free products, Schar has worked with doctors and nutritionists in order to create not only safe, but delicious products.

When I was a kid, my mom always fed my brother and I wafer cookies; the Neapolitan kind that came in a package of strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla cookies. I haven’t eaten them in years and was instantly brought back to my childhood. I even found myself eating them the way I used to when I was little; by separating each layer and eating the cream found in between layers instead of eating it quickly with big bites. Schar’s Vanilla Wafers tasted very similar to those cookies from my childhood, with a slight crisp and subtle vanilla taste. The wafers were light and airy and the vanilla cream was not too sweet. I remember the cream of conventional wafer cookies being slightly powdery but this was not the case with Schar’s Wafer Cookies. The cream in these cookies was the way it should be, creamy, fluffy, and not too dry.

These cookies would make a very good snack or desert. Each 160 calorie serving was made up of four cookies, so it was easy not to over-eat. They contain no preservatives, trans fats, or cholesterol, so they can be eaten without worry of putting too much unhealthy stuff in your body. For more information on their products, history, and hints for a fulfilling gluten-free lifestyle, visits www.schar.com/us/. 

Taste: These cookies were crisp with a subtle vanilla-flavored cream. The wafers were light, crispy and fluffy and the cream was sweet, but not too sweet.

Labeling:  Simple and sunny, this package had all the information I require when choosing a gluten free product. On the front it stated three times that it is gluten free, said it once again on each side as well as once on the back. It included an ingredients list, nutrition facts, and information about their multi-generational company as well as information about their website.

 
Packaging:   The cookies were stored in a plastic bag inside of a cardboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:       4  
Taste:           5 
Value:          3
OVERALL:    4

Reviewed  by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Superfood: Navitas Naturals Goji Berries

PRODUCT NAME:                       Goji Berries

COMPANY NAME:                       Navitas Naturals

COST:                                         $5.49

SIZE:                                           4 oz

COST PER OZ:                            $1.37

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           USDA Organic

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            N/A

SHELF LIFE:                                1 year +

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Taste:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: health enthusiasts just LOVE to push the Goji berry. As mentioned in other reviews I have written, it is a nutritional powerhouse. This tiny little guy is known as a “superfood” because of its extreme nutrient density. In addition to the low calorie doses of vitamin A and vitamin C, zinc, riboflavin, fiber, and beta-carotene that you would expect from a berry, it also has tons of essential amino acids and even PROTEIN packed into it. Although it is relatively benign in appearance, The Goji berry has some seriously wonderful health promoting properties.

I had previously only tried Goji berries within vegan, raw, faux dessert types of products and had been vastly unimpressed with the flavor. I found Goji berries to be seedy, bitter, sour, and texturally a bit paste-y. When I was given a plain bag of these berries to review I wasn’t exactly excited, but I was certainly attempting to keep an open mind. For something so nutritionally awesome, there are always second and third chances.

First, I tried sprinkling these plain berries atop some oatmeal, once I was done cooking it. I was surprised that the formerly repellent chewy quality actually added a lot to the texture of my oatmeal. The taste was strong, it’s true, but due to the price of the Goji Berries, I actually found this to be a beneficial component. A little Goji went a long way flavor wise!

I was pleased with Gojis as a simple oatmeal topping but still found the flavor to pack just the slightest bit more punch then I would like with breakfast. In a second attempt I stewed the berries in the oatmeal as it cooked. This is when the true miracle happened! With the benefit of softening the Goji’s tartness and integrating the flavor into the oats I was the recipient of some true flavor delight. My bland morning meal was suddenly a delicious textural dream, all due to just a few Gojis. Time to hang up my Goji hater cap and claim it loud and proud: these berries are my new best friend!

I imagine this product would be best in situations where it was cooked a bit. Oatmeal, sweet polentas, and accents to pies seem ideal but experimenting with topping yogurt and granolas with them might work too. Don’t give up on the Goji! It just might surprise you.

Labeling

I found labeling of this product to be very sufficient. All the nutrition information was very clear, and lots of other facts about the benefits of Goji berries were included on the bag.

Packaging:

Packaging of this product was a thick plastic sealed bag. It seemed sufficient for upholding the freshness of the product.

Reader’s Reviews:

Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:           4

Taste:               4         

Value:              3

OVERALL:        3.7

Reviewed by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Macaroons: Wonderfully Raw Chocolate CocoRoons

PRODUCT NAME:                      Chocolate Cocoroons

COMPANY NAME:                      Wonderfully Raw

COST:                                        $8.25

SIZE:                                           6 oz

COST PER OZ:                           $1.38/oz                     

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          NA

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          NA

VEGAN:                                      YES                             

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            No

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            NA     

SHELF LIFE:                                4 months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.         

REVIEW:

Taste: 

I am not exactly a sweet treat type of person. Sugar freaks me out (HELLO, blood sugar spike and crash), agave nectar has become controversial, honey is of questionable nature in the land of vegans, high fructose corn syrup seems basically akin to the devil, and splenda and aspartame are chemicals that I simply do not do. In steps our friend maple syrup.

For all my uptight food particularities, I cannot seem to find anything wrong with maple syrup. It provides a delightful depth and rich sweetness, it comes from our pal the tree, and it doesn’t seem to mess with my energy the way other sweeteners do. With my structure of rules, you can imagine my delight when Wonderfully Raw’s Chocolate Cocoroons arrived on my desk. A sweet treat without all the drama? Sign me up!

 

Like many staples of my diet, the ingredient list in this treat is extremely short (Dried coconut, almond flour, cacao, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt) but the taste of the sum of its parts is so much more. In fact, it is completely divine. The blend of almond, cacao, vanilla, and coconut creates a beautifully nuanced flavor that hits the tongue in tiers of deliciousness. There is complexity in each bite and as you chew you delve further and further into the bursts of each taste experience. The blend of these flavors is a delightful journey of the senses-one that I absolutely want to go on again and again and again!

Building on the deliciousness of the taste, is the excitement of the texture. The amalgamation of coconut oil and dried coconut gives way to incredible windows of textural decadence. I could not pick a more perfect combo of creamy and rough to dip in chocolate. The hint of sea salt at the end caps the experience off with a hint of mystery. Basically, it leaves you satisfied due to the richness with one little bite.

I very much appreciate the nutrition information of this product. Ive noticed that many raw foods companies avoid taking the extra step to find the information out, and Wonderfully Raw takes on the task head on. In addition to having the information actually available, they have created a product that feels like dessert on an incredibly low calorie scale. Each truffle sized bite is 76 calories, and will curb craving for a good long while. Those who count calories or live their life with an emphasis on health will love these, but even your standard chocoholic dessert addict will enjoy.

Labeling: Labeling on this product was very sufficient. All nutrition information was clear and present.

Packaging: The packaging of this product was a solid Ziploc style plastic bag and it is my one complaint about the product. A compostable, or at least recyclable container seems more in line with the companies views.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:           5

Taste:               5         

Value:              3

OVERALL:        4.3

Reviewed  by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Snacks: Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps Product Review #114

Gluten Free Snacks: Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps

PRODUCT NAME:                       Baked Rice Krisps

BRAND:                                      Mr. Krispers

COST:                                         $2.99

SIZE:                                           4.2oz    

COST PER OZ:                            $0.71/oz                         

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                       NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             Loves Park, IL

SHELF LIFE:                                UNKNOWN

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:

All natural…check.  Made with brown rice…check.  Wheat and gluten free…check.  Certified gluten free…check.  These are all things going for Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps.  On a recent trip to the grocery store, we ran across this snack in the gluten free section and had to try it out.  We picked up the Sour Cream & Onion flavor.  These are something like a mix between a cracker and a chip.

Mr. Krispers describes these chips as a fusion between cultures; the flavors of the West combined with the traditional baked rice snacks of the East.  Sour cream & onion is definitely a flavor of the West.  You find it on everything from chips to fresh baked pretzels.  We thought it went great on these Baked Rice Krisps although we thought it was just a little overpowering.  Brown rice has flavor on its own so any flavoring that is added should be to enhance the brown rice flavor, not overpower it.  Other than that, the texture of these Baked Rice Krisps is great.  It is light and airy and extremely crispy.  If you aren’t careful, you can easily kill the entire bag in 1 sitting. 

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients

Mr. Krispers has done a great job with these Baked Rice Krisps.  Rice has a lot of health benefits and is a way to add fiber to your diet.  While these chips aren’t entirely good for you, with how good it tastes, we like to think it is.  The serving size is about 34 chips which seems like a pretty good amount.  Each serving contains 120 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, and 2 grams of protein. The one thing that jumps out at me is the 370 milligrams of sodium.  I think with a little tweaking of the flavoring, they can get that number down a little. 

Overall, we loved these Baked Rice Krisps.  The flavor is great and the texture is perfect.  Our only complaint is that at $0.71/oz they are priced a little on the high side.  If you’re going to base your purchase on flavor and texture alone, these will definitely be at the top of the list.  For more information about this product, visit the Mr. Krispers website at: www.mrkrispers.com. 

Taste: These Baked Rice Krisps taste great.  They have the perfect light and crispy texture with a very nice sour cream and onion flavor.  The seasoning is a little overpowering, so you might want to keep a glass of water handy for when you eat this. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this snack is simple and easy to read.  They give you all the important information in easy to read lists. 

Packaging:  The packaging is your typical chip package. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 5             

Taste:                     4             

Value:                    2

OVERALL:              3.7

Reviewed  4/26/11 by Calvin C. 

Gluten Free Snacks: Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries - Product Review #113

Gluten Free Snacks: Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries

PRODUCT NAME:                        100% Organic Strawberries

BRAND:                                       Crunchies

COST:                                         $4.89

SIZE:                                           1oz        

COST PER OZ:                            $4.89/oz                  

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           USDA

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             California

SHELF LIFE:                                18 Months                         

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:

If you’re looking for a quick way to get your fruit fix for the day, look no further than these Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries.  They are freeze dried strawberries that taste just like the real thing, only crunchy.  Each of these packages contains 5 servings of fruit, which is what the USDA recommends you eat daily.

Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries are made with real strawberries so you get real strawberry flavor.  Seeing these, I had high expectations for these strawberries.  I’ve had freeze dried fruit before and I am a fan.  The strawberries are cut into pieces before they are freeze dried so what you end up with are light and crispy pieces of fruit that taste just like the real thing.  There are no added sugars so the flavor is all going to depend on the flavor of the fresh strawberries that are being used.  Some will be sweet and some will be sour.  In the beginning, I was eating the pieces 1 at a time, but then I tried eating a handful at a time and it tasted even better.  You get more strawberry flavor and the blend of sweet and sour pieces blend together for a great strawberry taste. 

Nutrition Facts

Under ingredients, all you will see is 100% Organic Strawberries, so these are good for you.  The serving size is the entire package.  With just 98 Calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 1mg of sodium, 12g of sugars and 2g of protein this is definitely “Nature’s Ultimate Snack Food.” 

Overall, we liked these Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries.  I wish the fruit was a little sweeter, but that’s just going to depend on the fresh strawberries they use.  Another tip, if you’re going to split these up into several different sittings, make sure the bag is completely sealed.  We might have left a crack open and when we went to eat them again, they weren’t as crispy as the day we opened them.  My other complaint is that these are pretty expensive.  $4.89 for a 1 ounce package would mean that these are going to be only an occasional snack rather than an everyday snack.  For more information about the Crunchies line of snacks, visit their website at: www.crunchiesfood.com

Taste: With these Crunchies, you get real fruit flavor in a crunchy chip.  There are sweet pieces and sour pieces so it is best to eat these a handful at a time. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this package is just like on their other packages.  It is colorful to attract your attention and the clear window in the package lets you see exactly what you are getting. 

Packaging:  The fact that this package is resealable is a big plus however, you have to eat a good amount of it before you can use that resealable strip.  If you reseal it for storing, make sure you zip it up all the way or you will end up with soggy pieces. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 4             

Taste:                     4             

Value:                    1

OVERALL:              3

Reviewed 4/25/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Snacks: Bhooja King Rice Murkoo - Product Review #112

Gluten Free Snacks: Bhooja King Rice Murkoo

PRODUCT NAME:                      Rice Murkoo

BRAND:                                     Bhooja King

COST:                                       $4.50

SIZE:                                         7oz

COST PER OZ:                          $0.64/oz 

CERTIFIED GLUETEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                     YES

WHEAT FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           Hayward, CA

SHELF LIFE:                              6 Months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

When you look at these Southern Indian treats, you might think that they are sea horse tails.  What you will find is a hidden gem of a snack.  They are extremely crunchy, and slightly salty.  These are great crumbled into your favorite soup, eaten with dip, or just simply eaten by itself.  We chose to eat it on its own and they were very tasty. 

These Southern Indian treats are perfect to snack on.  They have a ton of flavor and are very crunchy.  The flavors are very strong and may not be for everyone.  The flavor starts off mellow, but right at the end, the strong spice kicks in.  So if you’re a fan of spicy food, you will probably be a fan of these.  The texture of this snack is great.  It is extremely crunchy.  If you have sensitive teeth, you might want to be a little careful with these though as they are a little hard.

Overall, we liked these Rice Murkoo a lot.  They had a nice spicy flavor and a great crunchy texture.  If you’re a fan of spicy food and a fan of crunchy savory snacks, this is the one for you.

Taste: These little crunchy curls taste great.  They are a little on the hard side, so if you have sensitive teeth, you might want to stay away, but if not, snack away! 

Labeling: The labeling is very simplistic and consists of only a sticker on the front.  One thing missing from this package was nutrition facts.  There were no nutrition facts on this package. 

Packaging: Non-recyclable plastic packaging.  The packaging is pretty brittle so it will tear pretty easily.  These were so good that we finished them in 1 sitting, but if you want to keep it for several snacking sessions, I would recommend moving it to a resealable sandwich bag. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company's other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product..

RATING:

Texture:                 3                             

Taste:                     4

Value:                    3

OVERALL:              3.3

Reviewed 4/22/11 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Crackers: RW Garcia 5 Seed Crackers - Product Review #103

Gluten Free Crackers: RW Garcia 5 Seed Crackers

PRODUCT NAME:                       5 Seed Crackers

BRAND:                                      RW Garcia

COST:                                         $4.00

SIZE:                                           4oz         

COST PER OZ:                            $1.00 

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           QAI

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             San Jose, CA & Lincolnton, NC

SHELF LIFE:                                 6 Months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:

RW Garcia’s philosophy is “great tasting can be good for you.”  We saw it with their tortilla chips and today we saw it with their 5 Seed Crackers they sent us a few weeks back.  They use only high quality ingredients in their products including organic non-GMO corn and additive-free and preservative-free seasonings.  Their 5 Seed Crackers live up to their philosophy. 

RW Garcia’s 5 Seed Crackers come in 3 varieties, Rosemary and Garlic, Onion and Chive, and Tellicherry Cracked Pepper.  These crackers, made with white corn, hemp seeds, brown flaxseed, poppy seed, black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds, pack great flavor.  You would think with just 50 mg of sodium per serving, there might not be much flavor, but you’d be wrong.  These crackers are flavored with things like garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt.  It doesn’t take much seasoning to make these crackers taste good either.  The corn and 5 types of seeds these crackers are made of are flavorful on their own.  The flavors work very well together.  The texture is also pretty good.  Biting into a cracker, you get a nice crunch, but I must admit that these are a little on the dry side.  It goes great with dip though.

Nutrition Facts

Part of RW Garcia’s philosophy is being a healthy snack.  With a serving size of about 16 crackers, these have 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, no cholesterol, and 50mg of sodium.  I’m by no means a health expert, but seeing the nutrition of similar products, I would say these are pretty healthy.  I wouldn’t feel too guilty eating these crackers. 

Overall we liked these crackers a lot.  They have great flavor, they pack a great  crunch and they’re pretty healthy.  Add to that the fact that it is certified organic and is Non-GMO Project verified, we’ve got a great snack on our hands.  They are a little on the pricy side, but what you’re paying for is a quality snack that not only tastes good, but is also good for you.  For more information about RW Garcia’s line of snacks, visit their website at: www.rwgarcia.com.

Taste: These crackers pack a nice light flavor that is great for snacking.  You can enjoy them on their own or with your favorite dip for the perfect crunchy snack.   

Labeling:  You can see right away that RW Garcia has put a lot of effort into their labeling.  All of the images are clear and all of the text is easy to read.  These crackers are Non-GMO Project verified, certified organic and, although it doesn’t say it on the packaging, certified gluten free. 

Packaging:  The packaging is very attractive with colors that are pleasing to the eyes.  A sealed plastic bag holds the crackers and is placed in a recycled paperboard box. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 4             

Taste:                     5             

Value:                    2

OVERALL:              3.7

Reviewed 040711 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Chips: Medora Snacks Popcorners - Product Review #100

Gluten Free Chips: Medora Snacks Popcorners

PRODUCT NAME:                         Popcorners

BRAND:                                        Medora Snacks

COST:                                           $1.99    

SIZE:                                             5oz

COST PER OZ:                              $0.40/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:               NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:               Freeport, NY

SHELF LIFE:                                  1 Year

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:
Popcorn…one of the most popular movie time snacks.  I love popcorn just as much as the next person, but the skins of the kernels always seem to find their way to get stuck between my teeth.  Medora Snacks out of New York has the perfect answer to this dilemma with their Popcorners Popped Corn Chips.  The manufacturer sent us samples of these amazingly tasty chips that we just fell in love with.

The Popcorners come in 5 flavors: White Cheddar, Cheesy Jalapeno, Butter, Sea Salt and Kettle.  They are all delicious, but if I had to choose out of the flavors, White Cheddar is probably my favorite.  The chips resemble a tortilla chip.  They are triangular and have a slight curve to them that make it perfect for scooping up your favorite dip although they taste great on their own.  These taste exactly like popcorn and the flavoring on them just enhances the popcorn rather than overpowers it.  The overall flavor is very light.  As for the texture, it’s not quite popcorn-like, but it’s a very nice light texture.  Bite into it and it has a nice crunch, much like the texture of a very thin rice chip. 

These delicious snacks are fairly healthy too.  They are all natural and they are actually popped rather than fried.  Each 1oz serving contains 130 calories, 3 grams of fat, no cholesterol and 2 grams of protein.  Sodium differs from flavor to flavor.  Kettle has just 105mg, Cheesy Jalapeno has 115mg, White Cheddar has 120mg, Sea Salt has 170mg and butter has 280mg of sodium per serving. 

Medora Snacks has put a lot of care into their products.  Although the facility they make their products in is not a designated gluten free facility, they have an isolated gluten free area.  The gluten free products have their own segregated line to prevent cross contamination from occurring.  They also test their products regularly as an added precaution. 

Overall, we loved these chips a lot.  At just $1.99-$2.29 per bag, they’re a pretty good value too.  It’s a good thing too, because you will probably be buying a lot of these being as addictive as they are.  For more information or to find retail locations, visit the Popcorners website at: www.popcorners.com. 

Taste: These popped corn chips tasted great.  They have a light and crunchy texture and great flavor that isn’t overpowering.  Watch out though, because they are pretty addicting. 

Labeling:  The labeling on these chips is very simple and easy to read.  Each flavor has its own color associated to it so you can find it quickly on the shelf. 

Packaging:  Regular air filled chip bag

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 5             

Taste:                     5             

Value:                    5

OVERALL:              5

Reviewed 4/1/11 by Calvin C.  

Gluten Free Chips: RW Garcia Flaxseed and Corn Tortilla Chips - Product Review #99

Gluten Free Chips: RW Garcia Flaxseed and Corn Tortilla Chips

 PRODUCT NAME:                        Flaxseed and Corn Tortilla Chips

BRAND:                                        RW Garcia

COST:                                           $3.49

SIZE:                                             7oz        

COST PER OZ:                              $0.50 

                                               

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            GFCO

ORGANIC:                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            QAI

VEGAN:                                        YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              San Jose, CA & Lincolnton, NC

SHELF LIFE:                                  6 Months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:
RW Garcia’s Flaxseed and Corn Tortilla Chips are the perfect gluten free snack.  Finally, a gluten free snack that is not only good for you, but tastes great too!  The other week, the manufacturer sent us a few packs of these delicious chips that completely won over the taste buds our staff. 

RW Garcia’s Flaxseed and Corn Tortilla Chips come in 4 flavors; Soy, Spice, Thai, and Blue Flax.  The soy flavor is similar to a regular tortilla chip, the Spice flavor is a slightly smoky savory flavor and the Thai flavor is a sweet and spicy flavor.  There’s a flavor for everyone.  A lot of times, chips are salty and have way too much flavor powder on them.  They end up being way too salty.  You won’t find that here with these RW Garcia Flaxseed and Corn Tortilla chips.  Each chip is perfectly seasoned with just enough flavor powder so you still taste the natural taste of the flaxseed and corn.  The texture is great too.  We saw very few broken chips in the bag.  They are crispy and firm and do very well with dips. 

Nutrition Facts for Thai Flavor

The chips tasted great and we were even happier when we saw how healthy these chips are.  With just 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 80mg of sodium and 2 grams of protein per serving for the Thai flavor, these are actually really healthy.  The spice flavor has similar nutrition facts, but an even more impressive 5 grams of protein.  The Soy flavor has just 50 mg of sodium and an impressive 5 grams of protein.  Similar chips flavored tortilla chips I’ve seen have well over 200 mg of sodium per serving, so it’s surprising to see that this one has under 80mg.  These chips also contain flaxseed, which is known to be very healthy.  It is probably the reason for the high protein content.  It also makes these chips a great source of Omega-3s with over 500mg per serving.

Overall, we loved these chips.  They taste great, they have great texture and they are healthy.  Priced just a little higher than your typical flavored tortilla chip, it isn’t a bad value either for such a high quality snack.  For more information about these chips and for store locations, visit their website at: www.rwgarcia.com.

Taste: This chip packs great flavor and texture in a very healthy snack form.

Labeling:  Great labeling that is very easy to read.  These chips are also certified organic and gluten free.  One thing we saw on here that we’ve never seen before is the high capacity barcode on the back that brings you to great recipes for these chips. 

Packaging:  Sealed chip bag

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 5             

Taste:                     5             

Value:                    3

OVERALL:              4.3

 

Reviewed 3/30/11 by Calvin C.