I was elated when my very first bag of Nonuttin’ trail mix arrived.  No nuts, no seeds, no milk chocolate chunks, no yogurt covered raisins, and no oaty clusters… seriously, what could possibly be in this snack?  My curiosity was peeked.  I was expecting a miniature package of perhaps dried fruit or something, but what I received was a rather large, stuffed to the brim bag (one pound!) of honest to goodness trail mix. 

I know you are dying to know (as I was) what could possibly be in a nut and seed free trail mix.  The first ingredient was…drum roll please… roasted soybeans with a light dose of sea salt.  As someone who had never experienced roasted soybeans before, and who refused to read the package before my first taste, I wasn’t sure what they were.  I actually thought they were peanuts at first, based on the size and texture.  That thought was immediately banished when my taste buds returned to earth, and I realized that this was a peanut-free company.  Also, they had a mellower flavor than your common nut.  I can see why they call they are dubbed “soynuts.”  Tasty, easy to like…if you don’t mention what they are, no one will be the wiser. 

The rest is a fun mix of the sweet, the chewy, and the chocolaty.  Realistically, I think it must have been hard for them to order the ingredients on this trail mix, as it all seemed in such equal proportion.  I was not overwhelmed by one single ingredient, not even the soynuts.  So in no particular order, the rest of the mix contained dried apples (sulfite-free), raisins, cherry chips (details to come), and 70% dark chocolate chunks.

The dried apples were most notable for their color and texture.  They added the chewy backdrop to the overall mix, and the color was confusingly identical to the soynuts.  Diced into small chunks, the dried apples added a light sweetness, but didn’t scream apples in this mix.  I was very pleased with this.  Likewise, the raisins were more of an added bonus, but not a prominent feature.  I did like that the raisins seemed to attract the sea salt for the occasional salty-sweet burst of flavor. 

The cherry chips are where things really started to get interesting.  Nonuttin’ makes their very own “cherry chips.”  Shaped like chocolate chips but with the flavor and texture of a candied jelly, these little things are awesome!  At first bite, the insane sugary jolt of flavor took me by surprise.  But once I knew they were there, I wanted more! 

As a disclaimer, I am a dark chocolate fan.  Yet, on their own, the chocolate chunks had a very intense almost coffee like flavor that I wasn’t partial too.  However, as a part of the mix they were quite enjoyable.  In fact, I became slightly (okay, very) addicted to the contrasting flavors of the cherry chips and the chocolate chunks when eaten together. 

Note to Nonuttin’:  chocolate covered cherry chips

Until they come out with this new product, I will be quite content with the interesting myriad of flavors in their trail mix.  Though quite unique, it really works.  I think Nonuttin’ may have a new bestseller on their hands!

My Extra Notes & Tips:

• Don’t worry, they thought of everything.  This mix comes in a stand-up, re-sealable bag.  Not that it will last long enough for many re-sealings. 
• The entire lowdown on this trail mix includes the following: no peanuts, no tree nuts, no dairy, no eggs, no sesame, no sulfites, no wheat/gluten, no trans fats, no animal-by-products (vegan), and certified Kosher Pareve by the BC Kosher. 
• True to their allergen-friendly promise, Nonuttin’ products are manufactured on dedicated equipment.  In fact, they have officially upped their “free-from” status, adding “gluten-free facility” to their already impressive list of special diet qualifications. 
• Don’t forget about peanut / tree-nut allergies at school.  Even if your children aren’t allergic, this mix is a peanut-safe treat that every kid can enjoy at school.
• I recommend this mix for snack lovers of all ages.  I have been told that it is a hit with little kids, and it is perfect for stashing in lunchboxes, purses, and desks.
• The trail mix is high in sugars, and relatively high in Fiber (4g), protein (8g) and fat (7g), making it excellent for endurance, energy, and post-workout.  The “no-raisins” trail mix has a similar nutrient profile.

Where to Purchase:  If you live in Canada, Nonuttin’ is finding a home on many store shelves.  If you live in the US, Nonuttin’ is just beginning strides towards distribution.  However, both U.S. and Canadian residents can order the entire product line direct from Nonuttin’ Foods via their online store.  Because of the specialty niche of food allergy-friendly foods, they have already gained a large following throughout North America.

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