20 Food & Drink Discoveries For August 2021 & Well Beyond
With everything happening in the world, there is still a lot of uncertainty going around. But everyone needs to eat, and there is no shortage of exciting food and drink offerings to order online. If you are searching for new food discoveries, you have come to the right place as I have been monitoring the latest and greatest from online retailers. Here are 20 recommendations available for ordering today.
Founded in 1987, Applegate produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Its products are made without any GMO ingredients, and are reportedly-sourced from farms where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of its long-standing mission — “Changing The Meat We Eat.” Applegate has a wide range of craveable offerings on the market, like bacon, burgers, cheese, deli meat, snacks and traditional Italian meats. Notably, Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015.
One of the more memorable campaigns for me early 2020 was the “Applegate Clean Meat Cleanse” program, which aimed to “lend a helping hand to everyone in resetting their palates and meat-eating habits after their Super Bowl Sunday ‘mis-steaks.'” The “Applegate Clean Meat Cleanse” served as the first program of the mission-driven brand’s new “Go Applegatarian” movement. As Applegate wants to add a new type of “tarian” to the lexicon of eating ideologies, it defines an “Applegatarian” as someone who consciously chooses clean, craveable meat for ethical, environmentally-responsible and delicious reasons.
N!CK’S takes pride in being the first (and ever-popular) Swedish-style light ice cream, and the brand reportedly recebtky claimed its spot as the nation’s #1 direct-to-consumer ice cream brand. Its newest ice cream innovation is The Cookie Kräm. This American style ice cream sandwich is made with chewy, chunky, gooey cookies smashed around the sophistication of sweet, Swedish light ice cream. While many believe that they need to eat less of the things they love to be healthy, N!CK’s believes in adding more, which is why they are “krämming” in all the betters. Despite that complexity, N!CK’s Cookie Kräm has only 240 calories per ice cream sandwich, and is keto-friendly — 8g net carbs — with no sugar added. My new dessert go-to at home.
This Los Angeles-based brand offers a crunchy, garlic chili oil you probably won’t find anywhere else. Created by a husband and wife team, ZinDrew is a combination of their first names, Zin and Andrew. The couple didn’t expect to sell their homemade recipe, but it was such a hit with friends and family, they went from hand-delivering jars to now selling more than 4,000 jars a month. From pasta and pizza to burgers and dumplings, pour it on your food or mix it with mayo or barbecue sauce. Both of the hheat levels, mild and spicy, can now be purchased via Amazon.
Barebells Functional Foods was launched in Sweden in 2016 to offer products high-in-protein that never compromise on flavor. Since that launch, the functional food brand has revolutionized the industry with its best-selling protein bars delivering 20 grams of protein and no added sugar. Its wonderful Chocolate Dough bars are filled with mouth-watering chocolate dough, covered in creamy milk chocolate, and coated in chocolate crisps. A real tribute to chocolate without the guilt, the Chocolate Dough bars are free from palm oil. Ideal to fuel a workout and/or satisfy the tastebuds as one’s dessert alternative.
The creators of the Matzo Project were determined to make delicious matzo that was not just for Passover, but perfect to enjoy any time as a tasty snack or to elevate your charcuterie board. In turn, what started out as a good idea evolved into a great cracker that is vegan, nut-free, dairy-free, all natural and, of course, kosher. Offered as Matzo flats, chips and bites, The Matzo Project’s products can be in a variety of flavors including Everything, Harissa, Salted and Cinnamon Sugared. Quality products aside, the brand is currently offering free shipping for orders over $60.00 when using “springchicken” as a code.
This Avocado Oil Spray is made with “Bag-On-Valve” — or B.O.V., for short — a high-end technology thatis an absolute must for your kitchen shelf. B.O.V. is a one-way dispensing, non-aerosol system, completely separates the product from the propellant making it free of chemicals. The bag, composed of an aluminum core, acts as the barrier that keeps the product pure. The product is filled into a “bag” which is welded onto a dip tube, the stem that goes into the can, then the can is pressurized with air. When the actuator is depressed, the air pressure is squeezed on the bag and just the product dispenses.
Science aside, this oil is great for high-heat cooking, cooking and sautéing. It is 100 percent avocado oil, featuring neutral and clean flavor yet no additives. It is said to be keto and paleo-friendly, while also Non-GMO, gluten-free, canola-free and soy-free.
As launched in 2020, SpudLove thick-cut potato chips are made from organic spuds grown on a family-owned farm, Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, Oregon. Its potato chips are USDA-certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and certified gluten-free. These 100 percent organic potatoes are said to be cut 10 percent thicker than traditional kettle chips and slowc-ooked in small batches, resulting in a chip with more folds, bubbles and crunch. Quality of the ingredients aside, SpudLove’s potato chips can be found in Whole Foods and other retailers in the west as well as on Amazon, while purchases of the chips go on to support Farmers Ending Hunger.
Like all GoodSam’s products, GoodSam’s macadamias are purchased in a direct trade model where farmers command higher price points, are paid directly and GoodSam reinvests in business and community infrastructure. GoodSam works with a network of over 5,000 small holder farmers in Kenya, many of which are women, who lead the production and organize the processes of the farm. With 22 grams of fat and 2 net carbs per serving, these macadamias will keep you and your kids on your keto, low-carb goals. Good for you, good for farmers, good for the planet, these nuts are available in 1 oz. packages.
If coffee is more your thing, GoodSam Everyday Coffee is a balanced blend made for everyday enjoyment. Not only does it help kickstart your early back to school mornings, but it is good for the planet, helping to support farmers and their families, too. Grown by an indigenous tribe in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Northern Colombia, their business with GoodSam directly funds basic local education through increased productivity and profitability, to ensure that local farmers and their families stay together long-term. The blend features fruity notes of apple/pear and honey and is priced at $19.99 with each 2 lb. bag sold will help fund these efforts.
Success Rice bills itself as “the 10 minute, foolproof, boil-in-bag rice.” Beyond white rice, brown rice, authentic basmati rice, and tri-colored quinoa varieties, the brand has a jasmine rice offering on the market. The jasmine rice bag offers a delicious flavor and sweet aroma, making it an easy addition to any meal from breakfast to dessert. With no water-to-rice ratio needed, it is a quick and easy delicious meal that is gluten free, non-GMO and free of both MSG and preservatives. Brand recipes can be found here.
Nabati Foods is a family-founded food tech company offering whole, natural, plant-based, gluten, and soy-free foods for health-conscious consumers. Nabati was founded in 2014 and has 4 signature product lines, including dairy-free cheesecakes, cheese alternatives and plant-based meats. Its latest offering are its Plant Eggz, which are reportedly the first and only Canadian-made plant-based egg substitute, as featuring no cholesterol, 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per 90-calorie serving. Earlier this year, the company completed a $7.7 million funding round and is reportedly preparing to IPO.
Sweet Nothings is reportedly the first spoonable smoothie on the market. Per the brand’s website, it is “on a mission to show that eating healthy can and should taste delicious.” Co-Founder Beth Porter has made this happen as these spoonable smoothies are under 120 calories, ready-to-eat, frozen and plant-based made from a blend of organic fruits, nuts and seeds, with no added sugar Ideal for breakfast, post-workout eating, dessert and on-the-go dining alike, Sweet Nothings — which come with a disposable spoon in each container — are available in over 1,000 stores nationwide in 6 tasty flavors: Strawberry, Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Rise Coffee, Blueberry and Tropical Greens.
While I was familiar with the drink Clamato, I was not familiar with its Clamato Michelada recipe. This traditional Mexican beer cocktail combines the zesty flavors of lime, Worcestershire sauce, habanero pepper sauce, and Clamato mix. Here is what is needed to make this drink:
Ingredients:
– 1 Key lime or ReaLime (to taste)
– 4 oz. Clamato Original
– 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
– 2 dashes habanero pepper sauce
– 1 12-oz. bottle of beer
– Ice
– Tajín
– Garnish: 1 lime wheel
Method:
– Run lime across rim of mug.
– Dip mug in Tajín to coat evenly.
– Add ice.
– Add lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and habanero pepper sauce.
– Fill with Clamato and beer.
– Garnish with a lime wheel.
Offering “an authentic taste of Africa,” African Dream Foods is all about using premium farm-grown ingredients to craft small-batch hot sauces and seasonings while simultaneously giving back. Simply add a fresh kick to your favorite dishes, knowing that your purchase is supporting conservation efforts across the continent. African Dream Foods’ hot sauces were launched in early 2021, as tied in with a successful Kickstarer campaign. The brand now has 12 products on the market and is carried by Amazon Prime and Walmart online.
Carbone is an Italian-American restaurant created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. The restaurant pays homage to the essence of the great Italian-American restaurants of the mid-20th century in New York, where delicious, exceptionally-well-prepared food was served in settings that were simultaneously elegant, comfortable and unpretentious. The food nods to that same history, yet takes its culinary cues from the great talents and techniques of the present and of the future. In turn, familiar dishes like Seafood Salad, Linguini Vongole, Lobster Fra Diavola, Chicken Scarpariello and Veal Parmesan are elevated to a new level.
This year, Carbone released a new line of restaurant quality pasta sauces. Now offered in 3 varieties — Marinara, Arrabbiata and Tomato Basil — these sauces were developed with the same time, ingredients, and care that is applied every day by the team in the Carbone kitchen. Highly-recommended.
Chef Shamy’s Freshly Churned Butter
Chef David Shamy is the founder of Chef Shamy Butter and an author of 6 cookbooks. Chef Shamy infuses its creamy, hand-churned butter with unique flavors and clean ingredients turning every home meal into 5 star restaurant quality. These butters are gluten-free, kosher and halal, while free from rBST and MSG. I am not usually someone who adds butter to any food, but I like the Garlic Butter best, as inclusive of parmesan cheese and basil.
Growing up we were taught that drinking dairy milk would make us big and strong, but many people have made a jump to pea milk for similar reasons. Sproud, a growing brand of pea milk, aims to be good for both you and the planet. Since peas are a regenerative crop, they restore soil’s organic matter and improve its health — reportedly — for a 75 percent lower carbon footprint than traditional dairy products. And speaking of fuel, Sproud’s pea milk is rich in protein and low in carbs and sugar, making it one of the healthiest dairy alternatives on the market. The Chocolate and Barista offerings are my 2 favorites from Sproud.
Meat District is the branded label of the Golden West Food Group’s premium, butcher-crafted burger. In turn, from Meat District you can expect, top-notch, premium-crafted, high-quality, whole-muscle meat cuts straight from folks that really know meat. Earlier this year, in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Meat District had launched Paddy’s Uncured Angus Corned Beef Brisket, as sold at Trader Joe’s stores nationwide. But year-round — not just during NFL season — Meat District has “Party Wings” on the market. These great chicken wings come in the following offerings: “Sweet & Sassy, Lemon Herb,” “Beer Brined,” and “Zesty Ranch.” You can find said wings and other fine products of Meat District all over the place.
The Nounós Creamery offers hand-crafted Artisanal Greek Yogurt that is low in fat — less than 3 grams per serving — while non-GMO, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, gluten-free, rBST free and free of artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Below is a recipe that was shared to me by the Nounós team for a Roasted Garlic Parmesan Dip:
Ingredients:
– 2 containers Nounós Classic Plain Yogurt
– 2 heads of garlic
– 1 tsp. olive oil + more for drizzling
– 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
– 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
– 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
– Fresh ground pepper to taste
Method:
– Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
– Remove the outer skin from garlic bulb and cut the top off so the garlic is exposed and drizzle with olive oil.
– Wrap in tin foi, place on baking sheet, and roast in the oven for ~30 mins or until garlic is soft.
– Once garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze cloves into food processor.
– Add all the other ingredients and process until everything is incorporated and smooth.
– Refrigerate until ready to serve.
– Serve as dip with roasted root veggie fries, sauce on chicken, or whatever else you think will be delicious.
The Nowadays brand was reportedly born out of a desire to make mindful food decisions delicious and convenient for children and adults alike. The brand’s crave-worthy nuggets are sold frozen and made with just 7 simple plant-based ingredients, including non-GMO yellow pea protein grown sustainably by U.S. farmers, whole wheat flour for the crunchy breading, sunflower oil for the fried, crispiness and golden color, plant-based fiber for texture, and extracts of both yeast and mushroom for that rich, meat-like umami flavor. This proprietary blend of ingredients results in a product that replicates the bite and flavor of chicken, while appearing to use significantly fewer, simpler and more nutritious ingredients than any other plant-based or animal-based chicken nugget brand currently on the market. Nowadays nuggets boast 13 grams of protein with only 120 calories, with no saturated fat, no sugar, and only 140mg sodium per serving. Nowadays also has plans to expand their product line with gluten-free nuggets and chicken tenders launching later this year.
KrackCorn is light caramel popcorn that’s irresistible. The brand launched just a year ago, as based on a home recipe from its co-founder’s grandmother. It now has a warehouse, 7 employees and can be found in over 400 stores, including Safeway locations. Followers of KrackCorn’s Facebook page are likely to find coupons and special offerings, so be sure to give that page a “like.”
Core Hydration is designed with you in mind. Ultra-purified and enhanced with electrolytes and minerals, Core Hydration has a balanced pH uniquely designed for an active lifestyle.
Additionally, this summer Core Hydration embarked on an empowering, “Find Your Balance” campaign that advocates change for women in skateboarding. To bring this to life, Core Hydration enlisted the help of three ultra-talented skate partners: Jenn Soto, and Olympic athletes that competed in the 2021 games, Amelia Brodka (Poland) and Bryce Wettstein (USA), who is featured in the above video.
AHA Sparkling Water is Coca-Cola’s first new brand in over a decade, and back in May 2021 AHA unveiled its “Can I Get An AHA?” campaign featuring comedians Lauren Lapkus and Colton Dunn. In its first year on the market, AHA Sparkling Water disrupted the sparkling water category with bold flavor combinations, enlivening sensory experiences, and first-to-market caffeinated options. In the words of Ulises Ramírez with The Coca-Cola Company: “As the sparkling water category continues to gain traction, we’re excited to unveil AHA’s first-ever comprehensive marketing campaign featuring a bold and unexpected duo reflective of our brand ethos. With a name that’s fun to say and a beverage that’s fun to drink, we’re leaning into humor with the goal of enlivening our fans’ everyday moments.”
More recently than that, AHA unveiled a new campaign related to this year’s summer heat. Consumers in cities that hit 3 consecutive days of 85 degrees or higher or set a new single-day heat record — “heat wAHAves,” as the brand is calling it — will be eligible for free product via rebates on their AHA purchase. This campaign kicked off on August 4, 2021 and will run through September 7, 2021.
Old Amsterdam Cheese — reportedly the market leader in Branded Aged Gouda in Holland and a product of the third generation 100 percent family-owned and run Westland Cheese Company — debuted 2 new flavors last month: Old Amsterdam Mild and Old Amsterdam Reserve. The new products join the current line, which includes Old Amsterdam Classic, said to be the #1 Aged Gouda in Holland, and Old Amsterdam Goat, named the #1 Hard Goat’s milk cheese in the world. Commented Rob van Mourik, Commercial Manager Export for Old Amsterdam in North America: “We are very excited to add 2 delicious and appealing flavors to our Aged Gouda and goat line. The timing is right to diversify the current Old Amsterdam line up with varieties and flavors perfect for burgers, sandwiches, salads and snacking. The new flavors join the delicious line up of Aged Gouda and Goat Cheese, offering our consumers more deliciousness The Old Amsterdam Way.” These, like all Old Amsterdam Gouda cheese products, are produced using high-quality ingredients, providing a good source of calcium and protein; and being naturally lactose-free, and gluten-free.
Last but definitely not least… Aunt Millie’s is a family-owned bread company which specializes in breads, buns and rolls. The brand’s Live Carb Smart dinner rolls have just 1 net carb and 1 gram of sugar apiece. In turn, thanks to the Aunt Millie’s team, carb-conscious and sugar-conscious consumers have a bread that they need not worry about enjoying.
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Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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