Crunchies sent me two of their products, the freeze dried Grapes and the freeze dried BBQ Roasted Veggies. The latter was my favorite: lightly salty and crunchy, as the brand name implies. Plus, they have a super flavorful barbecue zing. Made up of corn, peas, carrots, red peppers, these snacks are filled with vitamin C, 5 grams of protein, and 5 grams of dietary fiber. One downside, is that the veggies contain soybean oil, making them neither soy free nor oil free.
The freeze dried Grapes, on the other hand, were a little sweet for me by themselves. With the taste of raisins and a crunchy texture, they are familiar and yet unique. I imagine they would be great in a trail mix with savory seeds and nuts to balance out the sweet. Unlike the roasted veggies, the grapes only contain one ingredient, grapes, making them an even more wholesome snack.
According to Crunchies Food Company’s website, water is the only thing taken out of the produce when it goes through the freeze drying process, preserving its flavor and nutrients. Their products are wheat-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Crunchies make a variety of snacks in addition to the BBQ Roasted Veggies and Grapes. You’ll find everything from freeze dried strawberries to edamame, making them a great snack for just about anyone.
Rachel Curit is a recent graduate of the University of Maine, an intern with Mercy for Animals, and the blogger behind The Vegan Mishmash.