‘Tis The Season For Snacking: Gifts That Elevate Everyday Eating

Snacking, baking, and cooking are some of the greatest joys of the holiday season.  From munching on cheese and crackers to sipping cold-pressed juice, the fun of eating can be felt all through the holidays and into the new year.  As specialty food companies churn out fresh spins on classic favorites, there’s a new batch of nutritious, flavorful goodies to give as stocking stuffers or host gifts.

Stumped about what to get the friend who has it all?  Here are a few specialty foods that will make eating fun all year round:

Royal Hollandia Gouda

For over 120 years, Royal Hollandia has delivered premium cheese to people around the world.  Their Mild Gouda flavor makes a fitting holiday gift for any cheese lover, with a mild, balanced flavor and creamy texture that brings a touch of the gourmet to any holiday spread.  This delicious cheese comes wrapped in red wax and pairs beautifully with green grapes, crunchy almonds, or a crisp glass of Rosé.  Give it on its own, toss it in a gourmet gift basket, or chow down with some crackers for a yummy holiday appetizer.  Check out royalhollandia.us/collections to learn more about their cheese selection.

Gayo Azul Cheese

Homemade sandwiches, burgers, and paninis get a brand new upgrade with Gayo Azul Chili Pepper Slices.  Creamy, buttery, and with a subtle kick of spice, these cheese slices will add a touch of heat to an otherwise rudimentary meal.  Gayo Azul blends the history of Dutch cheesemaking with authentic Hispanic flavors, resulting in a flavor that combines the best of both cultures.  Since it comes pre-sliced, it’s easy to layer on a sandwich or chop for a holiday cheese board.  Gayo Azul Chili Pepper Slices can be found in grocery stores nationwide.  Learn more at gayoazul.com.

Nuttzo Mixed Nut Butter

Nut butters have expanded well beyond the old days of peanut butter and jelly.  Products like Nuttzo Chocolate Almond Crunch Nut Butter combine a flavorful mix of nuts, seeds, and Monk Fruit sweetener to deliver a low-carb, low-sugar spread.  Not only does it fit Keto and Paleo diets, but its use of natural ingredients like almonds, Brazil nuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds offers nutrition and indulgence in the same snack.  This nut butter is made for chocolate-lovers.  Visit nuttzo.com to learn more.

Craize Crackers

Craize Everything Crackers prove that crackers can be just as flavorful and crunchy even when they’re not fried or baked.  These crackers are made with Craize’s proprietary fire-griddling technique to give them a nice snappy texture without all that extra oil.  The Everything flavor harnesses the classic taste of an Everything bagel–sesame seed, poppy seed, garlic, and onion–in a crunchy chip-cracker hybrid that’s perfect for dipping, topping, and crunching.  Fitting for vegan and gluten-free diets, Craize Everything Crackers make a delicious and wholesome addition to holiday gatherings or a stocking stuffer with a healthy edge.  Find them at select stores nationwide and online at gocraize.com.

Sanzo Sparkling Water

Brands like Sanzo are bringing the exciting, diverse flavors of Asian fruits to the world of seltzer.  Sanzo Lychee Sparkling Water is a floral, lightly sweet seltzer that offers just enough sweetness without being too overpowering.  Lychee is one of those hard-to-categorize fruits whose taste lands somewhere between a raspberry, a grape, and a sweetly fragrant flower.  With only 25 calories and 4 grams of sugar in each can, a case of this sparkling water is a fitting gift for a friend who loves experimenting with bubbly beverages.  Order this flavor and more at drinksanzo.com.

De La Calle! Tepache

Tepache is a modern Mexican soda that combines pineapple, turbinado sugar, spices, and carbonated water into a refreshing, lower-sugar soda.  The De La Calle! Tepache Mixta Pack offers six bold flavors: Pineapple Spice, Mango Chili, Mandarin Refresco, Tropical Ponche, Prickly Pear, and Grapefruit Lime.  Tepache is crisp, refreshing, and sweet like soda–just without the extra calories and sugar. The Mixta Pack and more can be found on delacalle.mx.

Wonder Juice

Cold-pressed juice is often either too expensive or too time-consuming.  Wonder Juice keeps the flavor of home-made juice while eliminating the endless prep time.  The company carries a range of 11 unique flavors across three varieties: Wonder Beet, Wonder Lemon, and Wonder Melon.  Each flavor is made with organic ingredients and contains no added water or sugar, from energizing Beet + Lemon Ginger to cooling Watermelon Cucumber Basil and zesty Lemon Basil Jalapeño.  Full of natural nutrients and antioxidants, these glass bottles are a good choice for gifting or staying refreshed during the holidays.  Go to drinkwonderjuices.com to learn more.

Graza Olive Oil

Not all olive oils are created equal–some are made for sautéeing, others for drizzling.  Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil is designed as a finishing oil to add a last-minute pop of flavor before the first bite.  By using olives that are picked early, the oil delivers a bolder flavor and a higher level of antioxidants.  Try it on labneh or a salad for a nice kick of spice, or be bold and drizzle it over ice cream or popcorn.  Check out both the drizzling and sizzling oils at graza.co.

Diaspora Spices

Sometimes, all it takes to revitalize a bland meal is a dash of spice.  Diaspora Co. Pantry Refresh features six of the company’s most well-loved spices: Nandini Coriander, Pragati Turmeric, Aranya Black Pepper, Jodhana Cumin, Peni Miris Cinnamon, and Hariyali Fennel.  Every spice is made with freshly harvested, high-quality ingredients sourced directly from partner farms.  Nandini Coriander adds a beautifully lemony, nutty flavor to any dish, while Peni Miris Cinnamon brings sweetness and spice to pastries or coffee.  This six-pack of spices makes a fitting gift for that home cook who’s always eager to experiment and elevate their dishes.  Find it online at diasporaco.com.

Dorot Gardens Flash-Frozen Herbs

Another way to upgrade things in the kitchen is with Dorot Gardens Pre-Portioned Garlic and Herbs.  Fresh herbs and garlic make a huge difference in the taste of a dish, but not everyone has time to chop, peel, and measure.  Dorot Gardens takes freshly grown herbs, garlic, and sautéed onions and flash-freezes them into pre-portioned pop-out cubes.  This locks in the flavor and nutrients while bringing garden-fresh taste to every meal.  Perfect for cozy weeknight soups and festive dinners, Dorot Gardens is a gift for home cooks on a tight schedule.  Their products can be found in the frozen veggie aisle nationwide or online at dorotgardens.com.

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