Hi, everyone! It's May, so that means it's officially Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! To celebrate, I want to introduce you to some of the AAPI-owned food and drink brands I had the honor of trying out this month. I hope you see something on this list that you'd like to try too. Let's goooo!
Note: Though BuzzFeed may have received items for free, we were under no obligation to post a positive review.
1. Boba Bam
I giggled a little at the packets because they reminded me of baked beans. Rest assured, they tasted far better! The brown sugar flavor was deliciously sweet, and it mixed beautifully with my vanilla almond milk. It truly tasted like something I'd buy at a boba shop, so needless to say, I'm obsessed.
The Better Bagel has two flavors — plain and everything — so it's really all or none. I, of course, opted for the everything bagel! Though I can't say the bagel is identical to one you might get from your favorite local deli, it's still very soft and flavorful. BetterBrand doesn't skimp on the "everything" aspect, and I'm very grateful for that. It's a solid breakfast for anyone, and a great brand to keep in mind if you're looking for healthier alternatives to some of your favorite foods.
Yuzu
Asian Pear
Lychee
Mandarin
5. Vite Ramen
6. MingsBings
9. Bokksu
This is the Seasons of Japan box — the first box new subscribers are sent. Look at how many wonderful snacks are packed inside this little box! It also comes with a lovely pamphlet that breaks down what each snack is, the snacks' flavors, their allergens, etc. From sweet candies to savory edamame snacks, my box was truly a treasure trove of goodies. The handmade yuzu sake candies, the mini red bean crackers, and mochi were my favorites! Food is such an incredible and intimate way to connect with another culture, so I'm beyond thrilled I learned about this box.
11. HighKey
The caramel-filled bar tasted exactly like a rich, creamy candy bar. No weird aftertaste, no unappealing texture — basically a dead ringer for a candy bar (until you look at the list of ingredients)! With only 2 grams of sugar and 2 grams of net carbs per serving, I was worried it would taste more like a protein bar than a treat, but that simply wasn't the case. I think it's safe to say my sweet tooth is VERY satisfied.
13. Kikori
Such a lovely assortment — truly any tea lover's paradise. Though I'm usually a mint tea gal, I think the hibiscus rose has to be my favorite. I mean, wow, it smelled like a fresh bouquet and tasted like springtime!
Chargel comes in three flavors: strawberry, white grape, and green apple. They're all very tasty, but the texture is definitely something to gear up for. It's like drinking loose Jell-O. As someone who likes Jell-O and typically any gummy or jelly candies/sweets, I was just fine with the texture. But if you're someone who may be put off by textures, this is your heads-up! Otherwise, the drinks are very refreshing! I had one before a long walk, and I can't say for certain whether or not it impacted my energy, but I had a nice, brisk walk and enjoyed the rest of my afternoon. No jitters, no racing heart, no upset stomach. For someone who avoids caffeine, Chargel is a great alternative to give a whirl.
I used a recipe card that came with my kale pesto to create this tasty lunchtime salad. I threw chopped tomatoes and chicken over a bed of greens, then topped it off with the kale pesto, a drizzle of olive oil, and some shredded Parmesan cheese. The pesto was so rich and flavorful, it made me that much more excited to try out the brand's other sauces. I'm not even a kale fan, but if Do Anything Foods can make kale taste that good, it must have some more tricks up its sleeve.
From cookies and bars to cupcakes and cake pops, Sugar Bliss is sure to keep your sweet tooth satisfied.
22. Catalina Crunch
Probably the best frozen breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I mean it! The biscuit didn't dry out, the meat was juicy and flavorful, and the egg didn't taste or feel like a processed piece of rubber. The biscuit is the perfect size for a quick breakfast. It wasn't heavy, yet I stayed full for many hours.
Unlike other instant noodles I've encountered, these have to be frozen. As you can see, the cup was filled with fresh carrots and cabbage! I really liked having the added textural bonus of the fresh veggies. It made me feel like I was eating something homemade rather than just another frozen meal.
27. Irvins
Do I have a great job or what? I'm so thankful I was able to learn about these incredible brands and the unique products they've created. Of everything I was able to try, here's a list of the top five products that stole my heart the most:
1. The Red Bean Choc Chip ice cream from Noona's
2. The palmiers from Sugar Bowl Bakery
3. The lychee-flavored hard seltzer from Nectar
4. The DIY boba from both Boba Bam and Tea and Milk
5. The Hibiscus Rose tea from Vahdam