All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in September 2024

We're not quite sure where the time has gone, but it's officially October, and fall is in full swing.

Of course, we can't be the only ones who are embracing the arrival of fall—and everything that spells in the world of food. Autumn is the season of all things warm and cozy, as well as wonderfully spiced, and October means we've been getting to taste all kinds of delicious candies as well. It's a foodie's favorite season, and over the last month, all kinds of brands sent us their newest tasty releases so we could taste them and pass our favorites along to you, the reader. Without further ado, keeping scrolling to discover everything we loved best in September of 2024.

Ice Breakers

It seems like Ice Breakers has been our go-to brand for minty fresh breath for forever, but they're always innovating, and their newest releases may be their most unexpected yet. Ice Breakers Flavor Shifters is an unusual gum that stars with one flavor before shifting to another as you chew, and based on our experience, it seems that how long it takes the bold flavor to shift is up to your unique taste buds. While we love the Wild Berry to Coolmint flavor, starting fresh and fruity before it becomes boldly minty, others might prefer the more intense Wintergreen to Coolmint, blending two pops of minty flavor.

(via Ice Breakers)

 

Ghia

Ghia is a brand beloved for its grown-up tasting non‑alcoholic aperitifs, and their new Le Fizz drink, served in a tall bottle, comes in a refreshing Strawberry & Orange Blossom flavor. Featuring zero added sugars or artificial flavors, this bubbly beverage is equal parts tart, juicy and vibrant, with strawberry, blackcurrant and orange blossom flavors, plus a unique smokiness that differentiates it from anything else we've sipped before.

(via Ghia)

 

Aura Bora

Aura Bora and their naturally flavored sparkling waters haven't let us down yet, and their new Blackberry Black Pepper flavor feels like just the thing for ushering in fall. It's bursting with fresh and juicy blackberry flavor, just as the blackberry bushes are running wild outside, accented by peppery and spicy black pepper, with the notes complementing each other with every sip.

(via Aura Bora)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Sparkling Water in Aura Bora's Sampler Variety Pack

 

MASAH

As folks interested in reiki and chakra healing, we were immediately captivated by the concept of MASAH and their Chakra Caramels. The MASAH lineup features seven caramel flavors—one for each of the seven chakras—to help customers intentionally indulge and practice an affirmation as they enjoy. Each flavor is also inspired by each chakra, infused with essential oils and reiki-charged, made with organic coconut milk and coconut sugar, with less than 10 grams of sugar per piece. We've tried and love both the Apple Cinnamon Root and Orange Vanilla Sacral caramels. The bag also features a QR code to access a guided meditation by founder Emily Pagan, a holistic healer and reiki master. Plus, if you're not sure which one to choose, they have a quiz you can take to help you decide.

(via MASAH)

 

Also read about: A Beginner's Guide to the Seven Chakras

 

UNREAL Snacks

UNREAL Snacks is dedicated to creating their own all-natural, low-sugar and fair-trade versions of classic snacks, and if you're looking for a better-for-you twist on Mounds bars and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups this year, they've got you covered. Their Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups offer nostalgic flavors with less than half the sugar of the trick-or-treat classics, and we simply can't stop snacking on them.

(via UNREAL Snacks)

 

Also read about: The Most Delicious (but Healthy) Halloween Snacks for 2024

 

Lundberg Family Farms

Thanks to Lundberg Family Farms, we've completely changed the way we think about rice snacks. They offer a little bit of everything, from actual rice for cooking to ready-to-eat sweet and salty snacks, from rice cakes to cracker-like rice cake minis and even rice chips. Their Fiesta Lime Chips are a crunchy, satisfying substitute for tortilla chips, while their Organic Rice Cake Minis in Fiery Hot, White Cheddar and Buffalo Ranch are savory and stackable, and the Apple Pie flavor makes for a scrumptious dessert. We were also surprised by their Organic Kettle Corn Rice Cakes, convincing us that kettle corn is the ultimate flavor for the classic puffy treat.

(via Lundberg Family Farms)

 

Pressed Juicery

You probably know Pressed Juicery from their flavorful and nutrient-dense fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies, but they're now getting into the protein game with new Protein Smoothies in Dark Chocolate and Vanilla flavors. Both are packed with prebiotic fiber and between 20 and 30 grams of protein to support your body with what it needs, either before or after your workout. Both taste delicious and also make for an awesome base with a shot of cold brew for a caffeine boost to get your day going.

(via Pressed Juicery)

 

Blackbird Foods

We're longtime fans of Blackbird Foods and their delicious plant-based alternatives to classic meals, and they've just expanded their fan-favorite line of wings with two new flavors—Texas BBQ and Thai Chili. Both take their hand-battered seitan wings (complete with a "skin" for that authentic experience) for a bite that's meaty, crisp and tender, and made even better drenched in savory sauces. The Texas BBQ is wonderfully smoky, with just the right amount of tang, while the Thai Chili is sweet and spicy, with an Asian kick.

(via Blackbird Foods)

 

Columbus Craft Meats

Columbus Craft Meats are best known for their salami, but they've been on a roll recently with delicious new offerings to enhance everything from your lunch to your fanciest charcuterie boards. First, we tried their new Secchi Salami, a dry salami that's slow-aged in a natural casing for a smooth and peppery flavor profile, making us savor every hand-cut slice. Then, we tried their new former craft nuts line, with Parmesan Rosemary Marcona Almonds, Hot Honey Mezcal Cashews, Mocha Cashews and Caramelized Pecans each adding their own unique flavor notes to complement your boards. Lastly, we also fell in love with their new charcuterie trios. The Rustic Trio combines Sopressata Salame, Prosciutto and Uncured Coppa for a variety of meaty flavors and textures, all reflecting classic techniques.

(via Columbus Craft Meats)

 

Brodo

Now that it's finally fall and the temperatures have started dipping, we've been enjoying more cozy soups and broths to warm our bellies, and Brodo is a game-changer. Their shelf-stable bone broth is collagen-rich and satisfying, with rich and hearty flavors that are both nostalgic and easy to sip. They have both Signature Bone Broth flavors including Chicken, Beef, Hearth and Seaweed Mushroom for a more traditional approach, as well a boldly Flavored Bone Broths—the roasted garlic and chili Spicy Nonna, the turmeric and ginger Deeply Rooted, tangy Italian Tuscan Sun and aromatic and coconutty Tom Yum—for every kind of mood. Just microwave for 90 seconds in your favorite mug and get sipping.

(via Brodo)

 

Deux

Our favorite good-for-you donut holes from Deux just got even better with autumnal flavors we crave all year round. The new varieties are Pumpkin Spice, made with real pumpkin and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, and Maple, reproducing our all-time favorite donut shop order. Both are lightly coated in a sweet white chocolate glaze, perfectly portioned and loaded with vitamin B12, because Deux does things differently.

(via Deux)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Deux Donut Hole Flavor

 

Shuug

We'd never tried the classic Yemeni hot sauce zhoug before taste-testing Shuug, but we've been putting it on everything ever since. This unique green hot sauce combines cilantro, poblanos, scotch bonnet and jalapeños to create something herbaceous with a real kick. This Middle Eastern sauce is also shockingly versatile, and we love it on everything from pizza and tacos to curries, french fries, sandwiches and so much more.

(via Shuug)

 

Skout Organic

Skout Organic's Kids' Snack Bars are small but mighty, combining dates, cashews and other easy-to-name ingredients for a great soft texture and wholesome, satisfying experience. Just in time for the fall season, we tried their Pumpkin Pie and Cinnamon Snickerdoodle flavors, with seven ingredients or fewer each, plus two grams of protein, as well as calcium, iron and potassium to fuel the body.

(via Skout Organic)

 

Sun-Maid

Chances are that you're familiar with Sun-Maid and their classic raisins, but even if you're not a raisin person, there's a lot to love from their new Farmstead Reserve product line. These grown-up dried fruit snacks are made with busy customers in mind, and from their Dried Mixed Berries and Dried Whole Cranberries to their Sea Salt Chocolate Flavored Coated Banana Chips and Sea Salt Cocoa and Caramel Dusted Raisins, the entire lineup is exceedingly delicious. They come in pre-portioned packets for the perfect snack size, and the Sea Salt Cocoa and Caramel Dusted Raisins may have made us rethink our relationship with raisins with how good they are.

(via Sun-Maid)

 

Chomps

Chomps has quickly risen to become one of our favorite jerky brands with their 100% grass-fed beef sticks, and their newest flavor is among their best. They recently introduced a Smoky BBQ Beef stick, with a rich flavor of spice and smoke that complement each other without overwhelming the quality of the beef. Like the others in the lineup, it's completely sugar-free, but this one has a flavor so classic we can't believe it hasn't been here the whole time.

(via Chomps)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Chomps Trial Pack Meat Sticks

 

Jolly Ranchers

We've never met a Jolly Ranchers candy that wasn't absolutely bursting with bold, juicy fruity flavor, and the new Jolly Rancher Ropes are top tier. Each gummy rope is filled with an even more flavorful candy filling to make every bite as delicious as the last. The bags come in two different varieties—Blue Raspberry + Cherry and Green Apple + Watermelon—making for some incredible flavor combinations whether you try them both at once or one at a time. The Green Apple + Watermelon was our personal favorite, but you can't go wrong with either.

(via Jolly Ranchers)

 

CHIMANGO

Mango and chili make for one of the most unusual yet delicious flavor combos of all time, and CHIMANGO have truly mastered the recipe to instantly become one of our favorite sweet and spicy treats. The brand takes hunks of real sweet and tangy mangoes and adds a chili blend of sugar, chili pepper, paprika, red pepper and salt for a kick that highlights the fresh vibrance of the mango. Once we open the bag, we simply can't stop snacking.

(via CHIMANGO)

 

Happy Wolf

Back-to-school season means the return of convenient lunchbox goodies, and if you're not yet familiar with Happy Wolf's snack bars, it's time you tried them out for yourself. Their bars are made with only good-for-you, clean ingredients and sweetened with dates, and while they do require refrigeration, they're good for up to three days on the go. They're also plant-based, dairy-free and nut-free, coming in flavors such as Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon, Choco-Banana and Chocolate Chip in a brownie-like form for easy, tasty snacking.

(via Happy Wolf)

 

Koia

When we're in a rush, protein shakes are one of our favorite ways to start the day, and Koia's plant-based options have quickly become morning staples for us—especially with their new line of exciting fall flavors. Each shake offers a whopping 18 grams of plant protein, plus six grams of fiber and only four grams of sugar. While we love the coziness of the Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake and the sweet earthiness of the Matcha Latte, we're head-over-heels for the syrupy flavor of the Maple Pecan shake. We also love adding a bit of coffee concentrate to the Pumpkin Spice and Maple Pecan flavors to transform them into energizing lattes.

(via Koia)

 

Protein2o

For those times we need a boost of protein but aren't feeling like a rich shake, there's always Protein2o. These fruity, sugar-free drinks offer 15 to 20 grams of whey protein isolate per bottle, plus hydrating electrolytes, while having the flavor and consistency of a classic sports drink. The brand also has a great +Energy line, adding caffeine for energy and L-theanine for mood and focus, to make Protein2o an essential part of any workout.

(via Protein2o)

 

Castello Cheese

If you love cheese, Castello Cheese is a must-know brand. The iconic company has been around since 1893, with a mission of crafting high-quality cheese using traditional techniques, and we haven't yet met a Castello cheese we didn't love. From the smooth sharpness of their blue cheeses to the unique crunch of their aged Havarti and the nuttiness of their Gouda, their cheeses are all something special. And we're particularly infatuated with their new Whipped Dips, adding great flavors like garlic and cracked pepper to fluffy whipped cheese to make it delicious on crackers, and the ideal pairing for any charcuterie board.

(via Castello Cheese)

 

KIT KAT

We're always happy to try every variety of KIT-KAT, and the return of a fan-favorite release, Vanilla, is yet another winner. Its beauty is in its simplicity, with a white chocolatey coating and vanilla flavored creme between each crispy and satisfying wafer. It's just as iconic as it is classic.

(via KIT KAT)

 

Rao's Homemade

There's a good reason Rao's Homemade and their famous pasta sauces have recently become one of the leading brands, and the team just made us even bigger fans by giving us a more in-depth look at what they have to offer. We were already fans of their perfectly seasoned sauces, from Homemade Marinara Pasta Sauce to Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Homemade Caramelized Onion Sauce and more, but now that we've tried their pastas—including Fettuccine and Fusilli—and their cozy, earthy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, we're fallen fully in love.

(via Rao's Homemade)

 

C4 Performance Energy

C4 Performance Energy is a sports and fitness drink that does more than just energize you with caffeine, and also happen to be delicious—especially with their new collaboration with Jolly Rancher. They come in Blue Raspberry, Green Apple and Watermelon, bursting with the fruity, juicy flavor you'd expect from the iconic candy brand, and with 200 mg of caffeine, plus fatigue-fighting CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine and hydrating Betapower in every can, it's designed to aid energy as well as endurance.

(via C4 Performance Energy)

 

Also read about: 6 Pumpkin-Flavored Recipes to Sink Your Teeth Into This Fall

 

alouette

Alouette is best known for its savory cheese dips and spreads, but now, they're also offering something for the sweet tooths with their Cheesecake Spread. This super-soft cheese is perfect for spreading with a sweet, creamy taste that turns anything into a cheesecake-like dessert. You can bake with it, dip graham crackers or fruit into it or just eat it out of the tub with a spoon. We also adore it spread on top of cookies and brownies to make them ever more decadent.

(via alouette)

 

BRĒZ

We can't get enough of adaptogen-packed, mood-boosting beverages, and BRĒZ just became a new favorite brand with the FLOW beverage. This lightly sparkling drink has notes of Italian lemon and elderflower for something that's citrusy and tart, with a hint of refreshing bitterness, but what we really love is how it makes us feel. It combines lion's mane, black seed oil, cacao and L-theanine for motivation, an elevated mood and enhanced cognitive performance.

(via BRĒZ)

 

Groove

Keeping up with your nutritional needs can be difficult during the busy final months of the year, but groove is here to help with their tasty and powered wellness supplements. They combine vitamins B12, C and D, plus Alpha GPC for focus and absorption-enhancing Himalayan sea salt, so all you have to do is add to water and sip to stay balanced and energized. Their Groove Greens sticks come in Meyer Lemon & Blueberry, Ginger Peach and Wild Strawberry Kiwi flavors, supporting digestion and immunity with help from real green superfoods, while their Groove Hydration sticks are available in Cucumber Watermelon, Black Raspberry and Wild Strawberry Kiwi and are positively packed with electrolytes for enhanced hydration and rejuvenation. We love that these refreshing flavors are something we actually look forward to drinking every day.

(via Groove)

 

 

Missed last month's roundup? Click HERE for all of the best foods and drinks we tried in August 2024.