Ok kids, pull up a chair because this is going to be a long one. There were many delicious products at Expo West this year and I walked so many floors that I lost the feeling in my feet. I did not get to try every single product at the show, but I did try A LOT.
I chose my favorites the same way we make our cookies: 1) it’s got to taste good and 2) it’s got to have a pretty clean ingredient deck.
BEVERAGES
Obi Probiotic Soda, Root Beer
This totally tastes like Root Beer, but it’s made with probiotics and there are only 4 grams of sugar. Plus, those sugars are organic agave nectar and organic stevia extract. This former soda addict is very happy.
Thistle Juice, Lava
Your favorite meal delivery service is entering the retail market! Look for their juices on shelves soon, but hands off the Lava (Watermelon, Pineapple, Papaya, Lime, Strawberry, Watermelon Rind, Activated Charcoal) because it’s alllll mine.
Spindrift
Since we’re talking beverages, let’s talk Spindrift. It’s just carbonated water and real fruit juice. (yup, that’s it) Super refreshing, super delicious, and all natural. Move over La Croix!
In full transparency, Expo West is not my first tango with this brand. I go through like 3 of these bad boys a day and am starting to worry that I may be fully addicted. My favorite flavor varies depending on the day, but tops are Lemon, Raspberry Lime, Orange Mango, and Grapefruit.
Planet Oat and Happy Planet Oat Milks
Oat milk is IN, y’all. I wish I had a chance to taste these brands back to back, so I could give a better comparison, but all I can tell you is that they were both yummy.
I had Planet Oat’s Dark Chocolate oat milk and it was legit. Happy Planet made me a mocha with their oatmilk and I basically have never been happier. Oh man, I wish I was drinking that mocha right now…
Flying Embers Organic Hard Kombucha – Ancient Berry
This booch is delicious and perfect for relaxation. It has about the same alcohol content as a beer, but is more delicious (in my opinion). They had a few flavors, but Ancient Berry was my favorite. I will definitely be unwinding with one of these puppies soon.
SALAD TOPPINGS
Flavor Train’s Pop Zest, Artisan Cheese
Ok, first of all, kudos for the name Flavor Train. Second, kudos to their line of popcorn toppings that provide nutrients as well as flavor. I tried them all and my favorite was the artisan cheese. Don’t let the name fool you though – it’s vegan!
Pimp My Salad – Coconut Bacon
Healthy eating is great for the body, but sometimes boring for the mouth. Pimp My Salad has some great options to shake up a boring salad, and my absolute favorite was Coconut Bacon. Like the Pop Zest, it has a meaty name, but it’s actually vegan, as well as gluten free, paleo, raw, and made with great ingredients.
A note to those vegans that don’t like when things taste too real – this really tastes like bacon.
SPREADS
Faba Butter
I can’t believe it’s not butter. What’s even more surprising is what it is: aquafaba, or the water leftover after cooking chickpeas. It looks like butter, tastes like butter, and even bakes like butter – I saw the croissants made with Faba Butter to prove it! This is a great vegan alternative.
Wild Friends Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Tastes just like Nutella, but with way better ingredients. I’m really sad that I don’t have some in my mouth right this second.
They have a whole line of delicious nut butters that you should check out. I have a giant jar of Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter that is going to last about 2 seconds in my house. On top of that, the founders Keeley and Erika are super nice.
Wild Friends is my new fav.
The Amazing Chickpea
Peanut Butter is life, so it’s super sad when someone can’t eat it. Enter The Amazing Chickpea! They somehow make a delicious spread that tastes like peanut butter, but contains no peanuts!
CHIPS
Soñar! – grain free organic tortilla chips
I had a great time talking to Maria, the co-founder of Soñar! Their chips are delicious and made from great ingredients. Plus, they have a great mission. Here, I’ll let them tell it:
“Soñar!
is a Latina-owned organic food company on a mission to empower and nourish a nation of dreamers. Our chips are organic – good from the fields to your mouth, and we celebrate the flavor of our community in everything we do. Soñar! provides at least $10,000 annually, up to 1% of annual sales to advance the mission of the Latino Community Foundation. The Foundation exists to unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos. They invest in leaders, youth, changemakers working to create a more just, equitable future for all! At Soñar!, we make every chip delicious, and we make every chip count!”
Yes please!!
Nora Seaweed Snack Tempura Original Flavor
I’m not gaga for seaweed snacks, but Nora are delicious. I was especially impressed with their Tempura Original Flavor. If you’re hungry and wish you were at a sushi restaurant, this is the snack for you.
DAIRY FREE
Sorbatto Dark Blue
It’s not ice cream and it’s not quite sorbet. It’s blueberries! Each of their frozen non-dairy desserts start with a blueberry base. Delicious and chock full o’ antioxidants. My favorite was the Dark Blue which is a chocolate blueberry combo. Yumzers.
The Coconut Collaborative and Coyo
Who needs yogurt when you can have coconuts! These two coconut-based, non dairy yogurts were creamy and delicious.
OTHER
Big Island – Classic Espresso Bites
This might be my favorite find. Unfortunately I don’t know how to explain it. I thought it was a chocolate bar. And it tastes kind of like a chocolate bar. But it was made of coffee. Each bar contains 3 shots of espresso, fewer calories than a 12 oz latte, and less sugar than a bar of chocolate.
Mind. blown.
Lynq Beaute Blend Mango-Peach
Ok, this product took a minute for me to wrap my head around. It’s made of dehydrated fruits and vegetables but it tastes like any other drink enhancer you might use (think Crystal Light). I am always looking for delicious ways to get my fruits and veggies in, and apparently so was the mom who created this product for her kids.
Mango-peach was my fav.
Serene House – Refresh
I came across this product simply by walking the floor. I smelled something amazing that wasn’t overpowering. Turns out it was Serene House’s refresh oil. As a mom with a toddler, 3 cats, and a very large dog all in a small space, I was really excited about this product.
Raaka
It’s very difficult to find chocolate that isn’t made with can sugar, so we were delighted to stumble across Raaka. Delicious, natural, and they have really cool flavors choices too!
Mother Raw Ketchup and Dips
I had the best time chatting with the folks at Mother Raw. And an even better time eating their products.
The Honest Stand Mild Nacho Dip
I love a good cheesy ballpark nacho, but what even is Velveeta? You don’t need it. I don’t need it. The Honest Stand makes delicious cheesy dips to for a delicious nacho experience. They also have other, spicier flavor options, but I am a wuss so I did not try them.
COOKIES
Maxine’s Heavenly
Listen, I don’t think I’m even being biased here. I’ve tried a lot of cookies in my time. Regular ones, weird ones, gluten free ones, vegan ones, protein ones, keto ones, crispy ones, soft ones… all the cookies. And almost all of the cookies at Expo West. I have a major sweet tooth.
And I just can’t find a better cookie than ours. We use great ingredients so you don’t feel gross after eating, they are complex in flavor and texture, soft, and in general just super delicious.
You don’t have to be a healthy eater, or eat a vegan or gluten free diet to love our cookies. They’re just that good. Period.
I’m super pumped about the snack packs we just launched which makes these babies more portable. They went like hot cakes at Expo and I hope you get your hands on some soon!
THE TRENDS
While I couldn’t try all the products, I can tell you that I did see some trends:
A lot of the companies with the most delicious products were just starting up, meaning it’s hard to find them on shelves. I look forward to helping them grow by asking my local stores to carry them. I also look forward to seeing how their doing at next year’s Expo! If they are flourishing, I am going to scream I FOUND IT FIRST at the top of my lungs, because I really like taking credit for things when it’s obvious that I don’t deserve any.
A lot of Canadians! Welcome to America. May you find great success in our markets.
The vegan versions of traditional animal products have gotten so much better. I ate a non-meat burger that tasted like a burger. I ate non-dairy cheese that tasted like real cheese. Now is a great time to introduce some vegan snacks to your non-vegan friends.
CBD is everywhere! As is protein, keto products, and things made from chickpeas. Expect to see more of these on your grocery shelves soon.
THAT’S A WRAP
There were so many delicious products. So many wonderful people eager to get their better-for-you products into the hands of consumers.
Expo is tiring, yes, but it’s also a beautiful thing. There are a lot of dreams out there on shelves! I hope the next time you go to the store, you’ll take a minute to look at some of these products – read their stories, check their ingredient panels, and maybe even give them a try.
