Berkeley Bowl Sweet and Cheesy Bar Snack Mix: This is a snack mix from Berkeley Bowl I will likely never purchase again because it’s *too* good and addictive. Consisting of mostly crunchy things, including glazed sweet sesame sticks, corn nuts, and cheddar crackers, the mix is far too easy to mindless eat by the handful, and I finished the bag in an embarrassingly short amount of time. If you have better self control or are buying to share, I highly recommend. 4.0/5.0
recommended berkeleybowl snackmix mix sweet cheesy bar snack 4.0
Bickford’s Creamy soda: In hindsight, there were a few warning signs: 1) the label has “with artificial flavors” in fine print, 2) the flavor is creamy soda and not cream soda (I thought maybe it was an Australian thing), and 3) when was the last time you saw a red-colored cream soda? Turns out it’s red because of Red 40, which of course impart no actual taste to the drink (also ironically the packaging states “a century of purity”). What I got instead was an overly sweet, mediocre cream soda. It just goes to show... (read more) 2.0/5.0
drinks avoid galcos australian bickfords creamy soda 2.0
Yaokin Takoyaki Umaibo: Continuing my quest to try every flavor of Umaibo (a challenge I don’t think will ever end), I tried the takoyaki flavored corn snack. For those who haven’t had takoyaki before, takoyaki is a Japanese street snack consisting of battered octopus balls topped with shaved bonito flakes and a kewpie mayo drizzle. This snack version of a snack had a very smoky seafood flavor, savory and sweet like a deep brown gravy (Worcestershire-like). It isn’t one of my favorite Umaibo as I found the flavor b... (read more) 3.0/5.0
japanese yaokin takoyaki umaibo 3.0
La Croix Key Lime sparkling water: Has a distinct flavor that separates it from a traditional lime seltzer. Almost dessert-y, with a strong vanilla aftertaste. Easily the least likable La Croix I’ve had to date. Can’t imagine eating it paired with foods; even by itself, the flavor is a bit overwhelming. 2.5/5.0
drinks seltzer lacroix key lime sparkling water 2.5
Kind Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bar: Kind is a rare brand where quality meets affordability. Their mantra, "Ingredients you can see and pronounce," clearly manifests in their packaging and choice of ingredients. This bar, combining glazed nuts drizzled with dark chocolate on top of a chocolate-coated granola base, is familiar yet executed well. A good, filling snack. 3.5/5.0
chocolate peanutbutter granola protein kind peanut butter dark bar 3.5
Perrier Pink grapefruit sparkling water: A more standard (but still good) sparkling water option from Perrier, with a sharp and tangy citrus flavor. Refreshing and, as always, 0 calories. 3.5/5.0
drinks seltzer recommended perrier pink grapefruit sparkling water 3.5