All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in October 2023

We love the flavors of October—and we're not just talking the endless Halloween candy.

In October, the fall season was in full swing, and with the dramatic shift away from sunny skies and heat, we also saw big changes in the food world , with some of our existing favorites and new brands giving us the chance to test all kinds of fantastic new snacks, drinks and more in order to share our favorites. To find out which eats our editors loved best in October of 2023, just keep scrolling.

Meati

Meati Foods is a plant-based food brand working on more sustainable, tasty and nutrient-rich foods, and we couldn't be happier about the Meati Jerky they just added to their lineup. This jerky is made with the brand's proprietary MushroomRoot mycelium, resulting in a snack with a savory umami flavor and tender, tearable texture that feels just like real meat. It's free of soy, nitrates and artificial flavors and preservatives, with classic flavors of Original, Pepper and Sweet Chili. Plus, in addition to having seven grams of protein per serving, it also packs calcium, iron, potassium, riboflavin, folate, magnum, zinc, copper, choline and more.

(via Meati)

 

MALK Organics

MALK Organics has quickly become one of our favorite plant-based "milk" brands, and they're getting the year's festive celebrations started up early with their new Holiday Nog. Unlike classic egg nog, it has no additives, gums, oils or fillers (and, obviously, no milk or eggs) without sacrificing its creamy texture and the holiday flavors of nutmeg and maple. Even if you don't like traditional egg nog, we think this smooth almond-based drink will win you over.

(via MALK Organics)

 

Clevr Blends

Clevr Blends is beloved for their tasty adaptogen-infused superfood teas and lattes, and we're newly obsessed with their London Fog SuperLatte. This creamy tea latte takes the classic flavor of earl grey, blending black tea with just a hint of floral, slightly bitter bergamot to create something extra-delicious while being further enhanced by the addition of organic ashwagandha and lion's mane to leave us feeling great. It also contains 35 mg of caffeine for an energy boost in the mornings, with just 80 calories per creamy cup.

(via Clevr Blends)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Taco Bell Sauce

 

Plant Provisions

We're not vegan, but we're always open to adding new delicious, plant-based options to our diets, and Plant Provisions has never let us down. Their new line of veggie sausages tastes great while being made with simple ingredients (minus any soy or gluten fillers) and without skimping on protein. The Smoked Sweet Potato Veggie Sausages is sweet and smokey, making it awesome for grilling and enjoying on a bun, while the Italian Peppers and Onion Veggie Sausage is sweet and perfectly seasoned, perfect for crumbling into your favorite pasta dish.

(via Plant Provisions)

 

Deliciously Ella

The U.K. plant-based food and wellness brand Deliciously Ella just became available in the U.S. for the very first time through Thrive Market, and we're already hooked. Everything they offer is made with simple, completely vegan recipes, and without any additives, preservatives, emulsifiers or stabilizers, offering just the best of the best. Their oat bars in Peanut Butter, Hazelnut, Pecan & Maple, Cacao & Almond and Apple & Raisin flavors are wholesome, filling and, best of all, a sweet pleasure to eat, and their collection of chocolate-dipped nuts are a sweet yet healthy snack to indulge whenever you please—and whoever thought up Chocolate Orange Dipped Almonds was a genius.

(via Deliciously Ella)

 

3 Farm Daughters

We're picky when it comes to pastas, and while many high-fiber and high-protein options can have weird textures and unpleasant aftertastes, 3 Farm Daughters isn't among them. Their pastas are made with just two ingredients—wheat and semolina—so there's nine grams of fiber and eight grams of protein per serving without sacrificing the classic taste and feel of great classic pasta. We've tried both the penne and the rotini, and we're in love.

(via 3 Farm Daughters)

 

Explorer Cold Brew

Explorer Cold Brew first came onto our radars thanks to their one-of-a-kind super cold brew concentrates available at four different caffeine levels, but these days, the brand has expanded to be so much more. We'll always love their cold brew (including their no-caffeine The Daydreamer concentrate), but we're also smitten with their The Alchemist Dirty Chai Concentrate with just the right amount of sweetness and spice and a bold coffee kick. Today, Explorer also offers functional adaptogenic elixirs to add to your favorite drinks, plus delicious flavor-enhancing simple syrups in Madagascar Vanilla and Himalayan Sea Salt Caramel.

(via Explorer Cold Brew)

 

TiDBiTS

We'll be the first to admit that we're slightly obsessed with all types of gummies, and the latest brand to make us fall in love with their sweet and chewy offerings is TiDBiTS Candy. Unlike most gummy candies, they're made with real fruit juice, with just four grams of sugar and 60 calories per bag, boasting real fruity flavors—including the tartness that most sweet gummies lack. Texturally, they also have a tougher, more satisfying bite, plus plenty of dietary fiber, for an experience we crave again and again.

(via TiDBiTS)

 

Elmhurst

Elmhurst 1925 has become our go-to brand for the tastiest dairy-free milks around, and they've truly outdone themselves with their new Unsweetened Coconut Cashew Milk. It's made with whole cashews and rich coconut cream to be the brand's smoothest, creamiest non-dairy milk option yet, and we can't tell you how quickly we went through the 32 oz. bottle. Of course, we loved adding it to tea and coffee lattes for a rich, refreshing sip, but the fact that it's also perfect for baking and even soups makes this a must-try for anyone interested in alternative milks.

(via Elmhurst)

 

Blue Bottle

Without a doubt, Blue Bottle's instant coffee is the best we've ever tried, and we think they've just outdone themselves with their new Samra Origins Instant Coffee, created in collaboration with Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd). Samra is a celebration of Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, and this delicious single-origin instant coffee manages to capture the berry fruitiness and sweet floral notes of the country's delicious coffee without any of the hassle. Just add water and your sweeteners and/or creamer of choice, mix well and sip to your heart's content.

(via Blue Bottle)

 

Also read about: 6 Tasty Recipes to Enjoy on National Pasta Day

 

Sukhi's

As longtime fans of Sukhi's and their delicious authentic Indian eats, we couldn't be more excited to hear about the brand's new Tikka Bites. They're a bit like a high-end pizza pocket, with a crispy golden crust and stuffed with the brand's signature sweet and perfectly seasoned Chicken Tikka Masala recipe. They taste gourmet while being super easy and quick to heat up in the air fryer—though we recommend doubling the five-minute time on the box to ensure your pockets are crisp and the chicken tikka within is nice and hot.

(via Sukhi's)

 

Chike

Why simply sip on a pumpkin spice latte this fall when you can drink once that's also a powerhouse protein-packed beverage with help from Chike? Their Pumpkin Spice High Protein Iced Coffee contains two shots of real espresso coffee and 20 grams of whey protein in every serving, allowing you to get your morning caffeine boost and protein in one easy (and tasty) formula. Just add two scoops to water and shake for one of the yummiest coffee shakes we've ever had. Plus, each serving has just one gram of sugar.

(via Chike)

 

Siesta Co.

If you're even a little squeamish about canned fish, the delicious offerings from Siesta Co. will convert you in a flash. Inspired by delicious tinned fish (or "conservas") from Spain, Siesta Co. features everything from tinned anchovies, tuna belly and sardines to mussels and even squid. They're also packaged in organic EVOO for a classic clean Spanish flavor, and without the fishiness you might expect from these oceanic classics.

(via Siesta Co.)

 

DEUX

We're a bit infatuated with DEUX's vegan, gluten-free and energy-boosting donut holes, and thanks to the brand's new collaboration with Chamberlain Coffee, they've never been better. The two foodie giants teamed up to introduce new Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes, with 40% less sugar than traditional donut holes and a flavor like a decadent cinnamon bun, boosted with vitamin B12 and L-theanine to promote both focus and energy. If there's one downside to these tasty, feel-good treats, it's that they're so good you'll want to eat more than just the four donut holes in every package—and yes, they taste amazing dunked in your favorite coffee.

(via DEUX)

 

Mockly

We're always on the lookout for tasty new drinks that'll tantalize our tastebuds in brand new ways, and last month, we discovered a brand new brand in the form of Mockly. Their delicious all-ages canned mocktails are all about combining high-quality ingredients for bold complexity of flavor. We love the bitterness of the Love Bit Pomegranate Ginger Tonic, the spicy herbal quality of the Eye Opener Tangerine Basil Elixir and the floral notes of the Baron von Blue Blueberry Rose Spritz, but you'll have to try them all yourself to decide which one is your favorite.

(via Mockly)

 

roo.bru

roo.bru is a delicious and sustainable alternative to coffee, and their Joey Pouch contains 15 servings to keep you going. Filled with antioxidants and beneficial ingredients, each scoop is packed with natural energy without the crash. It also happens to taste incredible.

(via Mockly)

 

Seed to Surf

Whether you're a seafood-lover who's gone vegan or are simply trying to incorporate more plant-based foods in your diet, you need to check out Seed to Surf and their innovative seafood-inspired offerings. They use whole vegetables, such as enoki mushrooms and celery root, and infuse them with natural sea flavors from kelp, knob and kombu seaweed for an authentic seafood taste. The results are the perfect combination of salty, meaty and sweet, with a great veggie texture.

(via Seed to Surf)

 

Also read about: 5 Easy High-Protein Snacks to Improve Your Diet and Energy

 

BjornQorn x Ruby

Ruby and BjornQorn have teamed up to add real hibiscus flavor to great popcorn for the holidays, and though it's exactly the opposite of what we expected, we can't get enough. If you're expecting something fruity from this vibrant pink popcorn, think again, because it's all about combining the tart floral notes of hibiscus with salty and savory flavors to create something one-of-a-kind and super snackable, with only popcorn, sunflower oil, nutritional yeast, salt and hibiscus powder on the ingredient list. Let us just warn you now—it's way too easy to munch on an entire bag in one sitting.

(via BjornQorn x Ruby)

 

Langers

Langers may be best known for their tasty juices, but their new tea products draw inspiration from the "blue zones" that are inhabited by the healthiest, longest-living people in the world living in the world. The people in these regions live lifestyles full of movement, with diets packed with fruits and veggies—and tea as another dietary staple. Both varieties are unsweetened and flavored with real fruit juice, with the Bergamot Black Unsweetened Tea inspired by Ikaria, Greece and the Green & Jasmine Unsweetened Tea influenced by Okinawa, Japan. We love that they're both super refreshing, fruity and not too sweet—perfect for fitting into a healthy lifestyle.

(via Langers)

 

Kettle Brand

Kettle Brand is our go-to brand for deliciously crunchy and flavorful kettle chips, and we're obsessed with them all over again thanks to their newest flavor, 7 Layer Dip. It's absolutely perfect for game days, taking away the mess and hassle of assembling an actual dip by combining cheese and sour cream flavor with tangy tomato and avocado with beans and a dash of onion and chili for a flavor that's just as snackable. Plus, that Kettle Brand texture can't be beat.

(via Kettle Brand)

 

Whisps

If you're a cheese fiend like we are, you need to get your hand on Whisps Cheese Crisps. These poppable chips are crunchy yet super light, and since they're made with 100% real cheese, they're salty and flavorful and always keep us coming back for more. They're also totally gluten-free as well as keto-friendly, with at least 10 grams of protein in every delicious serving, so they're actual fuel for the body as well.

(via Whisps)

 

Cheerie Lane

If extra oily, salty and unevenly flavored microwave popcorn bags just aren't doing it for you anymore, it's time to check out Cheerie Lane and their one-of-a-kind "popcorn pods." Their flavors come in solid pods, combining heirloom corn kernels with real cacao butter and premium flavors, which can be easily heated over the stove to create perfectly seasoned, fresh and better-for-you popcorn. They come in Butter, Rosemary Garlic and Tomato Basil flavors—all of which are delicious—and while we like mindfully cooking them right over the stove, they can also be microwaved if you have the right kind of container.

(via Cheerie Lane)

 

Pure Leaf

No one does classic iced teas quite like Pure Leaf—so much so that this season, veteran DIY master Martha Stewart is ditching home brews for the iconic brand. She's part of a new partnership with Pure Leaf, reminding customers that sometimes, not DIYing can be even better than putting in the extra effort—and Pure Leaf's tasty and just-as-good-as-homemade iced teas are proof. We've been sipping on their unsweetened flavor with some of our favorite honeys and dried fruit mixed in, and we're in full agreement.

(via Pure Leaf)

 

Mayawell

We're all about better-for-you sodas, and we just found a new favorite in the form of Mexican-made brand Mayawell. The brand produces gut-healthy prebiotic sodas in Oaxaca using organic agave, which acts as both a sweetener and a probiotic, resulting in flavors that are light and perfectly sweetened with just the right amount of bubbles. Each can has 40 or fewer calories and between four and five grams of sugar, plus five grams of dietary, to keep your belly and your tastebuds happy.

(via Mayawell)

 

Kraft Mac & Cheese

You know what they say—every Kraft Mac & Cheese shape has a different taste. We think the return of the SpongeBob noodles is their best one. It's pleasurably chewy without being rubbery, and the rich cheddar flavor gives it the perfect salty kick you'd desire from the pasta of your dreams.

(via Kraft)

 

Missed our roundup last month? Click HERE to discover our top food and drink discoveries of September 2023.