Admittedly, there are several brands of granola on the market, many of which (but not all!) are dairy-free, yet Boulder Granola has a few special things that made me want to review it for Go Dairy Free.
For starters, Boulder Granola has a unique ingredient addition: rice milk powder. It doesn’t seem to replace the need for using milk beverage if you want to eat it cereal-style. But it does add a little protein and nice, cohesive mellow sweetness to the overall blend. Plus, I thought it was pretty special that they went to the trouble of using dairy-free rice milk powder!
The second thing I noticed about Boulder Granola was the surprisingly low sugars: just 2 to 3 grams per quarter cup serving. I actually think they hit the mark overall with sweetness. I loved that I could enjoy it for breakfast or as a snack without feeling over-sugared and void of energy.
And then there is the packaging with that cute 60’s throwback vibe. It seems to honor tradition – the owner, Jody, based Boulder Granola on her mother’s recipe and describes it as pure, wholesome, and inspired by “the values that fueled a revolutionary generation of questioners and truth seekers.”
Tasting Notes for Boulder Granola
As I think you can mostly see above, Boulder Granola is small bits, not chunky clusters. It has so many seeds that the oats almost seemed like a subtle backdrop. Each flavor has just a touch of nuts added, more for helping to direct the flavor than as a base for the granola. Here is what we thought of each:
Original
Though the sweetness may be spot on, this one needs just a pinch of salt or other flavor heightener to really make it shine. I felt the sesame overpowered a bit and made it a bit too tahini for our tastes.
Cranberry
Just like the Original but with a good amount of sweet, plump dried cranberries throughout. A nice addition and perhaps that needed touch.
Chocolate Chunk
I didn’t see any chocolate chunks in this Boulder Granola blend, but could certainly taste a nice semi-sweet dark chocolate influence in each bite (yes, it is a dairy-free, soy-free chocolate!). I thought it was spot on for sweetness, but due to the chocolate nature, liked it better as a snack.
Vanilla Pecan
The generous drizzle of vanilla escalated this Boulder Granola to a sweet spot. Between the warm essence and the complimentary pecans (the other flavors all have a hint of almonds instead) this was easily my favorite flavor.
Again, this is a seriously seedy granola. We’re not super-seed fans, and thus preferred the more flavored varieties. But if sesame and sunflower seeds are two of your passions ,then Boulder Granola should definitely makes its way into your shopping cart.
The Facts on Boulder Granola
Certifications: Boulder Granola is Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Verified.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Boulder Granola is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-fre, vegan / plant-based, and vegetarian. Nonetheless, always read the ingredient statement and check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company / product.
For More Product Information: Visit the Boulder Granola website at www.bouldergranola.com.
2 Comments
Basically every natural/organic food brand from Boulder, Co raises the bar and I guarantee u this granola raw’ks. P.S.-went college at CU boulder and they’re all about the hitting local organic foodie scene!
Granola is my favorite snack, and all of their flavors look so yummy!