See what we at Gluten-Free Heaven headquarters thought of a selection of the latest gluten-free nuts to hit the aisles…
Snacking is great isn’t it? So when we decided to put nuts to the test we had a fair few volunteers and by and large we were not disappointed by what we had come into the office. We had interesting flavours, fascinating textures, new experiences and twists on the tried and tested. But most of all we had a lot of fun trying out new offerings from companies making their mark in the gluten-free world…
Abakus
Product: Hickory nuts
Price: £1.99
You may not have come across hickory nuts before, but they are definitely worth trying out. They are smaller than a peanut so work equally well as a sprinkle, but as a little snack they are great on their own. They have a real crunch and a buttery, almost butterscotchy sweet taste that we found both interesting and pleasing to the palate. At £1.99 a bag (20g) they are not cheap, but then again, which nuts really are? And, to be fair to Abakus, due to the sweet richness, you don’t need that many to satisfy your nut craving.
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Boundless
Product: Cayenne & Rosemary Nuts & Seeds
Price: £2.20
Sometimes you have a crisp, nut or cake that claims to contain a chilli hit, or a touch of mint and you never really get that when you tuck in, however, the claims on these little nuts and seeds are certainly warranted. The cayenne and rosemary comes right through as you munch down on the crushed almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. This is a mix that works well on its own for a light snack, but equally as a topping for a savoury dish. I’m thinking a Pad Thai would be the perfect main to this accompaniment.
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Chika’s – Editor’s Choice
Product: Honey-Spiced Almonds
Price: £2.19
Wow! There is a real and honest kick to these and they are fabulous. The almonds are delightfully crunchy and the honey coating is generous, offering the spice experience promised on the packet. These would make an ideal bowl of nuts to have on the side when entertaining, although they will probably go pretty quick. For the more adventurous of you, when you come to the bottom of the packet, the challenge is to mop up the remaining fallen off crumbs. It’s not quite a chilli eating contest, but it’s not far off!
Verdict: ★★★★★
Mr Filbert’s
Product: Marrakesh Spicy Peanuts
Price: £1.99
For a North African experience look no further than these peanuts from Mr Filbert’s. These peanuts contain chilli, garlic, honey and mint. There is a subtle sweetness and an equally subtle (but gradually more potent) spiciness that endear themselves to the palate. You get a good amount of product for your money too, especially as they will fall into the high-end category. Mr Filbert’s strap line claims ‘really interesting snacks’ and we have to agree. Taste, texture and even the packaging really hit the mark.
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Rolla Granola
Product: Zesty Caveman
Price: £5.50
We thought we’d put this granola into the test as it contains plenty of nuts and nowadays cereal is no longer just a breakfast activity.
£5.50 is a lot to spend on just 300 grams, but because of the mixture of pecans, Brazil nuts, cashews and apple, as well as a host of seeds, we really enjoyed them. They are filling too, so you should get a few sittings out of bag. Taste wise, they are rich, yummy and truly paleo, so the caveman in you should be pleasantly rewarded. Not for everyone, but certainly did what it said on the tin/bag!
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Whitworths
Product: Bright Little Nuts – Mini Hazelnuts
Price: £2.59
I took these home to my little ones and as those with fussy little things know, they can be hard to please. Sometimes, however, you just need
5 minutes of peace and as nice as a cuddle may be, its the last thing you need at that given moment. So, Whitworth’s to the rescue. The packaging is fun and bright, the nuts themselves taste great and a bag is more than enough to keep your child entertained while you get on with whatever it is you need to do. The 5 bags should ensure you get one too, which is a very good thing!
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Wilde Nuts
Product: Rosemary and Garlic Almonds
Price: £3.50
If you like the yeasty taste of Twiglets then these are for you – an upfront, no-nonsense hit of yeast spread meets baked nut. An almost meaty after-taste, they are bulky, crunchy, chewy and to finish a whole packet by yourself would be somewhat a badge of honour. Wilde Nuts have a great range that contain equally exciting offerings, but for the sheer bang factor we think these are a real winner, giving you taste, texture and some serious ‘ooomph’! They are not cheap though, so pick your moment well…
Verdict: ★★★★☆