Tasty Snacking

Calbee Takoyaki Balls: Puffed corn snacks coated in a sweet and savory seasoning blend that tastes just like takoyaki sauce (sort of like Japanese Bulldog sauce or Worcestershire sauce, deep in umami). In other words, it doesn't taste like seafood but just the sauce that typically coats the normally octopus-filled balls. Undoubtedly a substantial amount of MSG. Purchased from Uwajimaya, but actually a product of Thailand. 3.0/5.0

uwajimaya japanese calbee takoyaki balls 3.0

12 Tides Chili Pepper Puffed Kelp Chilps: These kelp chips have a texture similar to asian rice crackers but a little more dense (cassava and tapioca flour form the base). I haven't had kelp-based chips before, and I expected them to taste a bit like seaweed, but the chili pepper seasoning was way too overpowering – like eating paprika and cayenne spice directly. 2.0/5.0

PCC organic kelp 12tides chili pepper puffed chilps 2.0

Beneficial Brewing Company Jamaican Ginger Hibiscus Kombucha: Great purity of flavors – ginger and hibiscus are refreshingly balanced. Slightly tart with a nice amount of spice that doesn't overwhelming. From Seattle-based brewing company and purchased at stocked at Chicken Supply in Phinney Ridge. 4.0/5.0

Inka Chips Jalapeno Tostones Plantain Chips: These thick plantain chips have a unique texture – crispy on the outside but starchy inside, like a more substantial potato chip. The jalapeno seasoning is super tasty, well seasoned (with a decent kick of cumin), and just spicy enough. The serving size is criminally small (6 pieces). But I would definitely buy it again as a treat. Purchased at Sprout Market. 4.0/5.0

BAD Roll the Spice Pumpkin Spice Granola: Standing for Bad and Delicious, BAD aims to rid the world of artificial snacks "masquerading as health" with a combination of grain-less ingredients like sprouted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts), shredded coconut, and ginger spice. Despite the lack of grains, I still found myself eating it largely in place of regular granola (in yogurt, milk). But I found the pumpkin spice flavor to be overly dominant, like eating a seasonal candle. I'd personally prefer a more muted, neutr... (read more) 2.0/5.0

sproutmarket bad roll spice pumpkin granola 2.0

Annie's Really Ranch Crackers with Hidden Veggies: I generally enjoy Annie's crackers and was excited to try this flavor I hadn't seen before. I've had many types of vegetable-based snacks, which seems to have expanded substantially over the past decade (cauliflower, chickpea, beets, etc.), but my flavor baseline for mixed veggie crackers is super basic: Nabisco's Vegetable Things, or veggie cream cheese. I was hoping for more of the latter with Annie's combination of veggies with ranch, and they did not disappoint. The texture of the crack... (read more) 3.5/5.0

tasty snacking