LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2024

INSIDE SCOOP

Trendspotting

A roundup of snacks that we’re into this season. BY CHARLENE ROOKE

Chocolate Plus Suzie Yorke is a co‑founder of FourX Better Chocolate (thebetterchocolates.ca), which makes Fair Trade Certified treats with no added sugar. This “chocolate with benefits” comes in fortified formulations including Protein Me and Energize Me.

Sweet & Savoury Dieticians Jamie Lee and Isabelle Lam make Remix Snacks (remixsnacks.ca) from legumes and upcycled produce. Bean Bark coats dehydrated fruit and black beans in dark chocolate, while Beanies turn mung beans and carrots into crunchy puffs.

Don’t Call it a Comeback Long associated with the yo-yo diets of the 1980s, cottage cheese is now the internet’s new “it” ingredient. Gen Zers and millennials have embraced this humdrum dairy product, praising its high protein, low fat and creamy texture. It’s a versatile ingredient that works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. Add it to scrambled eggs to boost the protein in your breakfast; dollop it on pasta instead of ricotta; or whiz it in the food processor with honey and vanilla for an easy pudding. —JH

Frozen Pops Tamara Al Dip and Yazeed Yasin of

Chips & Pitas Adriana Carrillo and Frank Jorge co-founded Prickly Eats

Toronto’s Nanashake (nanashake.com) make a divine line of low-sugar, banana-based, vegan NanaPops in fun flavours like Mango Madness and Rosewater Pistachio.

(healthypricklyconceptsinc.com), which makes vegan, gluten-free chips and pitas from fresh nopal cactus and non-grain flour in flavours like basil and chipotle.

28 FOOD & DRINK SPRING 2024