Lundberg White cheddar & jalapeño baked grain bites: I know Lundbergh from their rice crackers, but this is the first time I’ve seen a snack from them that’s shelved outside of the health food aisle. Baked puffed “grain bites” have a bit of heat but largely taste imbalanced, with a white cheddar flavor that doesn’t quite mix with the brown rice taste. Crispy snack is reminiscent of chicharrones, but lighter and of course without meat. 2.5/5.0
organic lundberg white cheddar jalapeño baked grain bites 2.5
Snacklins Chesapeake Bay Vegan Cracklings: These vegan chicharrones made of mushroom and yuca are like the Impossible Burger of the cracklings world. The texture is remarkably similar to the traditional meat-based snack; they’re light and crispy, and they have that slightly oily coating. Unfortunately, the only problem is that this particular flavor is extremely salty, with an over seasoned old-bay-spiced coating that makes them hard to eat much of, though this bag is meant to be single serving (it’s not resealable). Too bad, because... (read more) 3.0/5.0
wholefoods chesapeake bay vegan cracklings 3.0 snacklins
Kuang Chuan Oolong Tea: I spent some time this summer looking for the best asian grocery store to buy bottled tea in Chinatown and ended up wandering into a handful of different small shops. To be honest, I don’t recall exactly which one this drink was from, but this bottle of oolong tea was decent - slightly roasted flavor, unsweetened, and thirst quenching. It wasn’t good enough for me to seek out again, though. 3.0/5.0
drinks tea chinese kuangchuan oolong 3.0
Yaya Tea Clean Clothes kiwi and mango fruit tea with boba: This Little Italy-based tea shop has mixed fruit tea flavors with bizarre names like “Blue Blood” and “My First Car.” I ordered one of the weirdest ones, a mango and kiwi fruit tea called “Clean Clothes.” Somehow the tea managed to be simultaneously super artificial tasting yet also incredibly diluted, with a sweet yet sour flavor that reminded me of those Chinese jello snacks and Jolly Rancher candies. The boba was similarly subpar - overly hard and lacking any taste. Definitely the worst... (read more) 1.0/5.0
avoid nyc drinks bubbletea yayatea clean clothes kiwi mango fruit tea boba 1.0
Annie’s Organic cheddar cheesy smiles: Like many American kids, I grew up eating Kraft boxed mac and cheese, which I still find appealing today. In grad school, with my limited budget, I upgraded to Annie’s mac and cheese. My favorite is their Yummy Cheese flavor with bunny-shaped pasta. This cheese puff snack, made with organic cheddar, tastes just like their Mac and Cheese with a slightly creamier flavor than normal cheese puffs while still maintaining the sharp cheddar taste I love. Very yummy - would purchase again. 4.0/5.0
recommended organic wholefoods annies cheddar cheesy smiles 4.0
Roberta’s Sweet corn soft serve: Truly tastes of sweet corn and cream. Texture is mostly smooth but a little bit grainy. Pricy for its size, at $6.50. Based on flavor alone, I would give it a 4, but accounting for texture and value, it’s a 3.5. Available at the take out section of Roberta’s in East Williamsburg. 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc dessert icecream brooklyn robertas sweet corn soft serve 3.5