The Top 10 Snacks in Boulder Supermarkets

Active Boulderites demand quality snacks to bring with them on hikes up Flagstaff Mountain, bike rides along the Boulder Creek Path, and boating excursions at Boulder Reservoir. They also look for organic ingredients that taste good and embody their environmentally and socially conscious lifestyles. Each of the following snacks comes from Boulder Coutny and has been taste-tested by yours truly.

1. Two Moms in the Raw makes some of the healthiest snacks around and definitely has one of the best names around. Good for you and good for the planet, they make tasty snacks like pesto sea crackers and gojiberry granola, both of which are suitable for the vegan and gluten-free crowds. [Photo courtesy of Two Moms in the Raw]

2. Another of the best snacks available in Boulder’s local supermarkets are Justin’s Nut Butters. A new twist on the standard peanut butter, Justin’s makes flavors including honey almond, maple almond, and chocolate hazelnut, which is a fantastic, healthier version for all you Nutella lovers. Available in both jars and individual squeeze packs, these nut butters are protein- and energy-packed snacks that are delicious spread on fruit or crackers, or by themselves. [Photo courtesy of Justin’s Nut Butters]

3. Blue Moose makes flavorful salsas and amazing hummus, which comes in tasty flavors such as green chile and roasted red pepper. All of their products are found in the refrigerated section—the only place where fresh and yummy salsas can be found.

4. Blue Moose hummus is especially delicious when spread on Rudi’s Organic breads. With a list of ingredients you can pronounce that you even recognize, their breads contain wholesome ingredients that are “blended with a dash of sunshine, baked with love and delivered with a smile.”

5. Forget artificial ingredients, additives, sweeteners and other harsh chemicals—Bobo’s Oat Bars are something different, something better. It’s easy to understand why these dense oat bars were recently voted “Best Breakfast Replacement” by Backpacker—they’re quite filling and the 9 flavors ensure there’s always plenty of variety in your pseudo-breakfast. [Photo courtesy of Bobo's Oat Bars]

6. Did you know that canned soup is actually cooked in its steel and aluminum can before it sits on a shelf indefinitely? Imagine getting rid of that taste and all that added sodium, and you’d have Boulder Soup Works’ delicious soups. All organic, vegetarian, and gluten-free, their soups are just like the soups you would make at home, but without any of the work.

7. Every day, decadent chocolate bars are crafted using the timeless combination of chocolate and love to create Chocolove chocolate bars. These bars come in all the regular flavors, plus unusual combinations such as crystallized ginger and chilies & cherries. And to top it off, each comes with a love poem on the inside of the wrapper. How deliciously romantic. [Photo courtesy of Chocolove]

Whether these last three items are technically “snacks” is unclear, but they are undoubtedly some of the tastiest drinks to come out of Boulder.

8. Oogave is a delicious soda sweetened with organic agave nectar and the name is just too fun to not try.

9. Izze’s popular sparkling juices now have nationwide distribution and come in such tasty flavors as clementine, blueberry, and grapefruit.

10. Finally, Bhakti Chai is blended with fresh-pressed ginger and organic, fair-trade tea. Rooted in Indian Ayurvedic teaching, chai is meant to awaken the mind and body, and according to Bhakti Chai, all the ingredients in their chai have elements of heat or agni—energy of fire. Jars of chai concentrate are located in the refrigerated section of the supermarket, and cups of Bhakti are also sold at coffee shops throughout town. [Photo courtesy of Bhakti Chai]