Here are a few products I tested recently, which I thought I should include in this month’s roundup. From gluten-free crackers to exquisite spices to iconic drinks, read on and pick your next favorites to try 🙂
- Schär
For over a century, Schär has dedicated itself to enhancing the well-being of individuals with unique dietary needs. Schär USA, Inc. serves the celiac, gluten-sensitive, and IBS communities, with a diverse product range spanning from bread, cookies, candy, and crackers to frozen items, including puff pastry dough and croissants.
May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month in the US, and a plethora of related events are observed worldwide: Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 14-20); World Celiac Day (May 16); Digestive Disease Week (May 18-21); World Digestive Health Day (May 29). To mark the occasion, CDF sponsor Schär is giving Celiac Disease Foundation supporters a special offer: Use code WELCOMESCHAR1 for $10 off your order on shop.schar.com, now through May 31, 2024 (code valid for one time use only). Schär is also participating in dedicated Instagram giveaways under the hashtag #CDFMayGiveaway.
- Heray Spice
Heray Spice was started by Mohammad Salehi, who moved to Chicago from Afghanistan in 2014. Dreaming of the saffron fields he had left behind in his birthplace province of Herat, and animated by a desire to help Afghani farmers, Salehi built his vision using the vast saffron resources available in the region.
Heray Spice saffron “embodies the essence of centuries-old traditions and a commitment to excellence (…) We take pride in sourcing saffron directly from local Afghan farmers who employ sustainable agricultural practices. By supporting fair trade principles, we empower farmers and contribute to their livelihoods, promoting a positive impact on local communities.” It has no additives, no artificial dyes, and no preservatives.
You may remember me posting about Heray Spice in the past, when I made a revamped version of my mom’s spice cake recipe. This time, I used this exquisite saffron in a rice pudding enriched with plump dried cherries and crunchy chopped pistachios.
- La Colombe
La Colombe has recently launched their new 11fl oz Draft Lattes… in Chicago 🙂 Why Chicago? A few fun facts:
- 2023 was the highest year on record of cold brew sales in La Colombe cafes – with a majority of sales (56.6%) coming from the Windy City;
- Since 2020, cold coffee sales in Chicago have been consistently higher than all other La Colombe cafe markets;
- Chicago is also home to five La Colombe cafes (which will also carry the new draft latte cans), over 400 hospitality partners, and a huge fan base – rivaling La Colombe’s hometown of Philadelphia!
La Colombe’s new 11fl oz Draft Lattes are made with premium cold brew, roasted and brewed in-house, and locally-sourced 2% milk. They include Double, Triple, Mocha, Vanilla, Caramel, as well as Vanilla Oat, Double Oat, and Cold Brew. This launch builds upon La Colombe’s entry into the ready-to-drink coffee space in 2017, when the brand first introduced canned versions of their coffeehouse Draft Lattes on-tap in national retailers.
According to La Colombe, the new 11fl oz Draft Lattes have at least 50% less sugar than the typical ready-to-drink flavored coffee beverage. Some of the online reviews I have read emphasize the overly sweet flavor profile of the new drinks. Having tried them all, I agree that some of them (especially the Caramel variety) are way too sweet. Having said this, I appreciate the caffeinated convenience and portability of these draft lattes, which makes them perfect for traveling, and I will probably continue to drink these – in moderation 🙂
Which of these products would you like to try? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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