Now I am more of a savoury person but I do enjoy the occasional sweet treat. So when I recently discovered that Genius had a new range of muffins I just had to give them a try. They were obviously proving to be very popular as the only flavour available was double chocolate. So I popped a packet into my shopping basket to try.
The muffins come in see through packaging allowing you to see the tempting muffins inside. Onto the ingredients list they are clearly labelled as being gluten free and milk free so therefore suitable for dairy free me. Egg and soya are highlighted in the ingredients list. There is no may contain warning.
On opening the packaging I was pleasantly surprised. The muffins were larger than I expected and were wrapped inside a fancy cake wrapper. I tentatively peeled this down to reveal the chocolate muffin inside. On doing this there was a faint aroma of chocolate noted. This did not change on my close up sniff test.
On biting into the muffin their texture was slightly different to what I expected. I had hoped for a light soft slightly airy muffin like their cup cakes. Which by the way I love. What I experienced was completely different. It was similar in texture to other free from muffins that I have tried. On biting into the muffin it was slightly dry and crumbly in texture with a hint of crunchiness from the chocolate intermingled in the muffin. What I did notice was that it crumbled less than other muffins that I have tried. This was a bonus as I often lose bits of my muffin as a result. The muffin had a subtle but pleasant chocolatey taste this intensified when I got some of the pieces of the chocolate drops. The flavour overall was well balanced and gave me the right chocolate fix. Overall, I found this muffin to be a nice sweet treat that due to its sized filled me up for several hours.
So would I recommend this muffin, yes I would. I think I may have been a tad unfair expecting it to be like their cupcakes. They had a nice flavour, and their texture was typical of that of free from muffins. Their large size makes a great filling treat for at home or when out and about. In fact I have since stocked up and have got 4 packets to take with me as my emergency food on my holiday. So if you follow a dairy free and or gluten free diet why not give these muffins a try as a treat.
Review of Bluebird Tea co Dozy Girl Tea
If I might say so myself my quest to reduce my caffeine intake is currently going fantastically well. One tea that I have been really surprised by is chamomile. So much so that I now have it on a daily basis. I have recently reviewed some Bluebird Tea co earl grey tea and loved it. So I thought it was about time I gave their chamomile tea a try.
I’m a sucker for packaging and although this was a small sample packet I was drawn in by the name. Dozy girl, now that is me to a tee if you can excuse the pun. Now onto the tea itself. It contains a mixture of chamomile, verbena, hibiscus, rose petals and lavender. No allergens are highlighted on the ingredients list but there is a may contain warning for nuts.
On opening the packet I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised. There was a strong grassy aroma coming from the teabags. This was accompanied by hibiscus and lavender. On having a good old fashioned close up sniff test this aroma intensified. I placed the tea leaves into my infuser in my cup and added the hot water. It didn’t take long for the tea to infuse with the water resulting in a pale red colour. On infusing the tea as instructed the aroma intensified. It produced a lovely grassy aroma that I associate with chamomile tea. This was accompanied by the hibiscus, citrus from the lemon and lavender. On sipping the tea it had a light mellow taste which was slightly grassy. This was then followed by the hibiscus and lavender hitting my taste buds. The tea was light and refreshing. It also had a nice soothing effect on my stomach. Did help me relax prior to going to bed or improve my sleep not really. But to be fair I didn’t expect it to.
So would I recommend this chamomile tea blend yes definitely. The aroma of this tea in the packaging is something special. You are able to clearly smell the ingredients before it is even infused with the hot water. As for the colour of the ingredients it’s just pretty and a worth a try for this alone. Oh and the flavour is spot on like the aroma I was able to distinguish the different elements to this tea. I found this to be refreshing yet soothing at the same time. It’s not going to last me long. I need to buy a large packet next time. So thank you Blue Bird Tea co for producing a delightful chamomile tea. I would go as far as to say it’s my favourite one so far that I have tried.
Review of beond organic apple cinnamon bar
Now I’m a girl who likes her mid morning snack. I have tried a few alternatives to my old favourite Nature Valley bars but I still seem to have these by default. So I am making a real effort to try alternative snack bars. So when I stumbled across beond snack bars and discovered that they did an apple and cinnamon flavour I decided to give it a try.
I was drawn to the deep brown packaging and the small green apple to the front of the packaging. On the edge of the packaging and in white writing the snack bar is clearly labelled as being raw, vegan, dairy free, gluten free and paleo. On the ingredients list the only allergen highlighted is cashews. There is no may contain warning.
On opening the packet I was expecting something similar to the recent snack bars that I have tried ie: like the Nakd, or Rude Health snack bars. It was indeed similar. It was dark with small chunks of apple within the bar. There was a subtle sweet aroma from the dates with hint of cinnamon intermingled within this. I would personally describe as something similar to that of an apple cereal bar with a bit of date thrown in for luck. It’s texture was slightly sticky to the outside and a little gooey to touch. On biting into the bar I got a combination textures which worked really well together. It was soft and slightly gooey intermingled with a slightly crunchy tough element from the apples. As for the flavour the apple element was spot on not too strong or overpowering. The intermittent hit of cinnamon broke this up nicely. The dates and fruit juices added a slightly sweet element intermingled with this. I loved every element of this snack bar from the flavours through to the textures. All worked perfectly together.
So would I recommend this snack, yes I would. It made a refreshing change to have a bar that differs in consistency to those that are like Nakd bars. I enjoyed everything about this bar especially the chunks of apple. So if you are dairy free like me, follow a gluten free, soya free, paleo or vegan diet give these a try. They make a nice filling sweet treat and have made my mid morning snack list. So thanks beond for producing a nice snack bar that I can enjoy.
Review of Marks & Spencer Lemon, Ginger & Ginseng Infusion Tea
I found myself in Marks & Spencer’s the other day looking for something to have for our dinner. So of I course accidentally I ended up in the tea aisle. So what else could a girl do but pick up a couple of boxes to try. As I am still on my mission to reduce my caffeine intake one of these boxes was lemon, ginger & ginseng infusion teabags. I decided on this variety of teabags as I tend to find lemon and ginger a nice comforting tea.
I fell for the packaging of this tea. The greenish brown colour reminded me of autumn and the pictures of the lemon just grabbed my attention. The tea is clearly marketed as being caffeine free. Its description of being a warm and uplifting infusion just made want to get home and give this tea a try.
There are no allergens highlighted in the ingredients list and no may contain warnings. As well as the tea containing lemon and ginger, lemon grass and cassia bark are amongst its ingredients. Above the ingredients list there are simple instructions on how to make the perfect cup of tea. I like the tip about only using freshly boiled water, I only ever use this.
On opening the cardboard box foil packaging is revealed, great for keeping the teabags fresh. I was immediately hit by the aroma coming from the foil packaging once opened. There was a very strong aroma of lemon. I initially struggled to smell the aroma of the ginger or ginseng. On my close up sniff test I could distinguish the ginger element but not the ginseng. I personally found the lemon element slightly overpowering and artificial in smell. Yet somehow it invigorated my nasal passages.
I placed my teabag into my teacup and added my freshly boiled water as instructed. What immediately struck me was the lack aroma coming from the tea. I infused the tea with the hot water as instructed for 3 minutes. On removing the teabag there was a disappointing lack of aroma noted. I had to do my close up sniff test where I noted the lemon and a very faint aroma of ginger noted. On sipping the tea I was initially able to taste the citrus element from the lemon followed by the ginger element. I was unable to distinguish between the lemongrass to this tea. I found this tea to comforting and soothing on my stomach. It was also light and refreshing.
So would I recommend this lemon, ginger and ginseng tea, yes I would. The flavour may not have been as strong as the initial aroma on opening the tea and I may not have been able to taste all of its ingredients. But it was nice to have a lemon and ginger tea that was lighter in flavour as some can be a tad overpowering. It hit the sot nicely and provided a soothing sensation to my stomach. So thank you Marks & Spencer for producing a lovely lemon and ginger tea.
Review of Tesco’s value crunchy peanut butter
As a fairly recent convert to peanut butter I often find myself having it as an emergency snack. My other half loves it as well. He was disappointed when he couldn’t have a late night fix of peanut butter. Why ? Because I had taken the jar to work. Of course I then made sure that I replenished our supply at home whilst getting an extra jar for work. I decided to try Tesco’s value crunchy peanut butter as for some unknown reason I’ve not tried this yet.
Being from the value range the packaging is simple. It’s a clear plastic jar with a cream / light tan colour label. To the front is a picture of bread, sandwich, and peanuts. Not that appealing to be honest, but hey I’ve fallen for posh packaging only to be let down from its contents. Onto the ingredients peanuts are obviously highlighted as an allergen. There is also a warning for may contain other nuts. So therefore perfect for dairy free me. It is labelled as being suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
On opening the jar I could smell the typical aroma of peanut butter. This aroma didn’t change on my close up sniff test. It was subtle but spot on as the aroma of the peanuts wasn’t to strong or overpowering. It is described as being crunchy I would say it looked more smooth in consistency. Personally for me this is the perfect consistency as it is the best of both worlds. The peanut butter was easy to take out of the jar and I could clearly see the combination of textures.
I had the peanut butter on toast. It was easy to spread eveningly onto the toast. On biting into my toast I definitely got the two combinations of textures. The initial smoothness followed by the intermittent crunch from the nuts. This was spot on. Now onto the flavour I could certainly taste the peanut element, but there was also a slight sweetness noted. This was a little unexpected but nice.
So would I recommend this value peanut butter, yes I would. Overall, it was a nice enjoyable peanut butter. It hit the spot nicely. So if you follow a dairy free and or vegan diet why not give this a try. So thank you Tesco’s for producing an enjoyable everyday crunchy peanut butter.
Review of Dandylion Black Teas
I’m an avid tea drinker and of my favourite teas has to be earl grey. I am always on the lookout for new brands and varieties of the classic earl grey tea to try. So when I was lucky to be approached by Dandylion teas to try their and a selection of their teas which included three black teas how could I say no.
The first tea that I had to try was Contessa Grey. I liked its description a touch of regal splendour with a tea fit for a countess, well that is so me. I checked the ingredients and it contains Sri Lankan black tea, lemon peel, orange peel, orange flowers and bergamot oil. No allergens are highlighted in the ingredients list. On opening the sealed packaging I got an aroma of a strong quality black tea. I struggled to smell the citrus and bergamot elements even on my close up sniff test. What I did like about these tea pyramids was the ingredients inside they were clearly distinguishable and inviting. I may not have been able to smell all of the ingredients but I was able to clearly see them.
I placed the tea pyramid in my cup and added the boiling water and let the tea infuse for three minutes as instructed. The hot water soon changed to the medium dark brown colour a little stronger than I personally I like. There was a strong aroma from the Sri Lankan black tea noted. I struggled to smell the citrus and bergamot element. I did my close up sniff test and struggled to smell the citrus and bergamot. On sipping the tea again the Sri Lankan black tea seemed to overpower the other flavours to this tea. There was a subtle undertone of citrus noted but no bergamot. I personally found the black tea to be dominant in the flavour of this tea blend it was too strong for my personal taste. So would I recommend this tea I am really sorry Dandylion but if you like to enjoy a medium weak earl grey tea milk free like me it’s a no. The black tea element was just a tad overpowering for me and I felt that this impacted on the other flavours in the tea.
The second tea I tried was the Dandy afternoon tea. It says it’s just the thing to revitalise your afternoon. I checked the ingredients and it contains Sri Lankan black tea, and Indian first flush Darjeeling black tea. No allergens are highlighted in the ingredients list. On opening the sealed packaging I got an aroma of a strong quality black tea. I have to confess to not being able being able to distinguish between the two teas even on my close up sniff test. What I did find strange was its aroma seemed to be a little weaker than the Contesssa Grey.
I placed the tea pyramid in my cup and added the boiling water and let the tea infuse but not for the three minutes as instructed. This would have been far too strong for me. The hot water soon changed to the medium dark brown colour. There was a nice comforting aroma coming from the tea. It reminded me more of a Darjeeling tea. This did not change of my close up sniff test. On sipping the tea again the Darjeeling seemed to be the prominent flavour. I personally liked this as I can find this tea to be lighter and more delicate in flavour and works well milk free. So would I recommend this tea yes I would. I found it to a nice light and refreshing tea. I preferred this to the Contessa Grey which really surprised me.
The final tea that I tried was the Classic Black. It is described as a full bodied traditional blend that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. I checked the ingredients and it contains Indian Assam black tea and Sri Lankan black tea. No allergens are highlighted in the ingredients list. On opening the sealed packaging I got an aroma of a very strong quality black tea. The Assam element was the definitely the predominant aroma to this tea. This did not change of my close up sniff test.
I placed the tea pyramid in my cup and added the boiling water and let the tea infuse but not for the three minutes as instructed. I just knew that this tea would be too strong for me if I had. The hot water immediately changed to the medium dark brown colour. There was a nice subtle Assam aroma with a subtle hint of Sri Lankan coming from the tea. It reminded me of good old fashioned Yorkshire tea. On sipping the tea again the Assam seemed to be the prominent flavour. I found this tea to be comforting rather than refreshing as it is stronger than the teas that I normally try. So would I recommend this tea yes I would. It would make for a great everyday quality strong black tea. If however like me you have your milk free it works really well as a weak black tea. You still get the flavour from the tea and you can re steep your tea pyramid a couple of times.
So thank you Dandylion for sending me these samples to try. It has made me realise that I need to try some stronger varieties of black tea because they can work well weaker and milk free. I look forward to trying your fruit and herbal teas.
Dandylion tea sent me samples of their tea to try. All of the opinions included in this post are my own and are not influenced by this.
Review of co-op organic soya milk
Well my mission to try some new dairy free milks is proving a little harder than I expected. One of my favourite milks is soya only mainly because I personally find it easier to cook with. So when I spotted an organic soya milk in my local co-op I thought that I should give it a try. It is UHT and comes in a 1 lite carton. I personally found the packaging design to be a little unappealing. I assume it is meant to be representing a field but why there is a chicken on top of the word organic I’m not sure. Oh and one final criticism to this packaging I’ve yet to have a soya milk that is white. Sorry for moaning co-op.
The ingredients list is on the back of the carton with water, soya beans and flavourings noted. I’m intrigued to know what the flavouring is. The soya is clearly highlighted in bold as an allergen. There is no may contain warning. To the front of the packaging the milk is labelled as being suitable for vegans.
On opening the carton I was surprised that there was no nuttiness aroma to the milk. In fact it smelt pretty neutral, of nothing really. I viewed this as a positive. I’m personally not keen on milks that have a sweet artificial aroma. It poured easily into a glass and was the typical cream colour you get with soya milk. It was slightly thick and creamy in consistency. On sipping the milk it was smooth and slightly creamy in texture. There was a very faint nutty element to this milk I naively thought its flavour might have been a little more distinct being that it was an organic milk. That said I personally preferred this. It was nice to have a neutral tasting milk that didn’t taste artificially sweet like other brands that I have previously tried.
I also warmed the milk for 90 seconds in the microwave ready for my famous Weetabix test. It microwaved well and did not separate or form a skin to the top of the milk. It was absorbed easily by the weetabix. It did seem to impact on the texture of my Weetabix making it slightly smoother. This made a pleasant change and made it stand out from other soya milks that I have tried. On tasting the Weetabix it tasted just as a Weetabix should the milk did not impact on its flavour. This may sound a little strange but a couple of milks that I have previously tried have made my Weetabix have a slightly in sweet flavour. I personally don’t like this and if I have sweet tooth on a particular day I like to be able to choose to add a little sweetness to my Weetabix.
So would I recommend this soya milk, yes I would. It’s neutral flavour was spot and made a pleasant change to the other soya milks that I have tried. It wasn’t and artificially sweet and was nice and creamy and smooth. So if you follow a dairy free or vegan diet why not give this soya milk a try. So thank you co-op for producing a soya milk that I can enjoy.
