The 10 Best New Groceries Hitting Shelves This March

March, to me, is when it feels like the year is finally — officially — starting. January is steeped in post-holiday blues, February is usually cold and we’re all just trying to get through it, but March feels like a month full of possibilities. Those possibilities include trying hauls of new grocery items — some of which really usher in excitement for spring.

We’ve got an extra spicy ginger beer, a vegan version of sour cream that’s perfect for potato salads and bowls of chili, a gluten-free and upgraded take on nostalgic boxed mac and cheese, and more. I tried dozens of new items hitting shelves this month. These are the March picks you need to try.

1. Táche Pistachio Milk Latte

I am in full support of the wave of pistachio hitting coffee shops — and now grocery shelves — that is happening. The nuttiness of pistachios is bolstered by bitter coffee, making them the perfect pairing. This latte from Táche is subtly sweet and very milky; pistachio and coffee aren’t competing, but working in tandem, to share the spotlight when it comes to predominant flavor. I wouldn’t drink this every morning, but I love it as an afternoon pick-me-up or a fancy treat for a weekend morning.

Buy: Táche Pistachio Milk Latte, $36 for 6 (11-ounce) cartons at Táche

2. Guayaki Berry Lemonade Yerba Mate

If you’re breaking up with coffee but still want some caffeine, yerba mate is a wonderful alternative. It’s a caffeinated tea that hails from South America (one can has 150 milligrams of caffeine, compared to around 95 milligrams in a cup of coffee) and contains a light, grassy aroma. This new berry lemonade flavor from Guayaki also has notes of lemon and a gentle fruitiness from strawberry and cranberry juice — don’t expect a syrupy, saturated flavor like you’d get from energy drinks or any fizziness like kombucha.

Buy: Guayaki Berry Lemonade Yerba Mate, $34.08 for 12 (15.5-ounce) cans at Amazon; also sold in individual cans for $2.99 at retailers nationwide

3. RITZ Sweet Habanero Toasted Chips

The seasoning on these new chips from RITZ taste so much like the sweet chili dipping sauce that often accompanies crab rangoons and egg rolls. They’re on the sweeter side, but the heat is present too and slowly creeps in. The actual chip itself also has a mild sweetness, which makes it a great base for this flavor. I wish there was a tiny bit more tang, like an actual habanero, but I can overlook that thanks to the crunch and butteriness of the toasted chips.

Buy: RITZ Sweet Habanero Toasted Chips, starting at $3.99 for 8.1 ounces at Instacart

4. Topo Chico Ginger Beer

When it comes to ginger beer, for me, the spicier the better — and Topo Chico delivered. Upon the first sip, I had a coughing fit (not in a bad way, the ginger was just way more punchy than I expected). It has the nose-clearing qualities of wasabi and that’s exactly what I expect from any ginger beer. Yes, this would be a great mixer for a Moscow mule, but honestly it’s also delicious on its own over ice. 

Find it in stores: Topo Chico Ginger Beer, $6.79 for 4 (7.1-ounce) bottles at retailers nationwide

5. Mooala On-the-Go Strawberry Banana Milk

My favorite bagel shop in Brooklyn boasts a to-die-for banana coffee that I think about frequently, because I love all things banana and I now live on the West Coast. This carton of banana milk takes me back to childhood — and also to New York. It’s not too sweet, has wonderfully creamy viscosity, and is made with organic strawberries and bananas. 

When I drink it straight, it tastes like my favorite flavor of smoothie but in an easy-to-drink carton. I’ve particularly enjoyed pouring a shot of matcha over this Mooala, making a strawberry-banana matcha latte to start my day, or, of course, adding it to my coffee (although the chocolate and vanilla flavors fare better in coffee).

Find it in stores: Mooala On-the-Go Strawberry Banana Milk, $1.69 for 8 ounces at Sprouts

6. Pipcorn Honey BBQ Twists

Barbecue is not my preferred chip flavor; I’d almost always rather have sour cream and onion or something spicier, which is why Pipcorn’s new honey barbecue twists took me by surprise. The texture is light and airy, almost reminiscent of chicharron or packing peanuts. The actual barbecue dust strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and salty — I can really taste the honey, brown sugar, and tomato powder used to create the seasoning.

Find it in stores: Pipcorn Honey BBQ Twists, $1.99 for 1 ounce bags at Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Thrive Market, Hungryroot, and Misfits

7. Marie’s Southwest Ranch Dip

The Super Bowl has come and gone and yet I still want dips to be a constant in my life. That’s where Marie’s new line of dips come in. The southwest ranch is my favorite, thanks to the mingling flavors of smoky paprika, tangy cotija cheese, and subtle heat from jalapeños. This dip pairs well with ridged potato chips as well as tortilla chips, but would also be a pleasant addition smeared onto roasted corn or tossed in a burrito bowl as a dressing.

Find it in stores: Marie’s Southwest Ranch Dip, $3.99 for 12 ounces at Food Lion, Wakefern, Albertsons, Southern Banner, Tops, Giant Company, Weis, Market Basket, Bozzutos, Big Y, Price Chopper, Certco/Woodmans, Schnucks

8. Milano London Fog Cookies

I’m more of a tea than coffee person, and a London Fog — which consists of Earl Grey tea, vanilla, and milk — is my go-to coffee-shop drink. That’s why I was really excited to see this limited-edition flavor roll out from Pepperidge Farm. It boasts that fragrant bergamot flavor and doesn’t feel soapy or perfumey (maybe because there isn’t any actual bergamot or tea in the cookie). Regardless of the artificial flavoring, the cookie is very much reminiscent of a classic London Fog and makes for a great accompaniment to afternoon tea.

Find it in stores: Milano London Fog Cookies, $3.99 for 5.6 ounces at retailers nationwide

9. Goodles Gluten-Free Cheddy Mac

I am not above boxed mac and cheese when the craving strikes (neither are chefs!), and it’s nice that there are options now with a bit more protein and heft. If you’re gluten-free, even better: Goodles’ new gluten-free Cheddy Mac is indistinguishable from its original recipe, so just as delicious. It still has a bright orange hue from the cheese powder, but there’s also a good amount of protein (14 grams or 20% of the daily value) and fiber (four grams or 14% of daily value) per serving. I like to add chopped broccoli and spinach to take this meal even further.

Find it in stores: Goodles Gluten-Free Cheddy Mac, $4.19 for 6 ounces at Whole Foods

10. Elmhurst 1925 Dairy-Free Sour Cream

The texture of this dairy-free sour cream is spot-on: thick, creamy, with a velvety finish that feels like the standard stuff. Does it taste exactly like traditional sour cream? Not necessarily. There’s definitely a note of coconut due to coconut oil in the ingredients and it lacks the same punchy tang sour cream does. That being said, it’s a great alternative for vegans and those who are lactose-intolerant, and I think it’d fare particularly well in something like a potato salad, where fresh dill, lemon, and garlic can overpower the coconut flavor.

Buy: Elmhurst 1925 Dairy-Free Sour Cream, $5.99 for 8 ounces at Thrive Market

Spot any exciting new groceries on shelves this month? Tell us about it in the comments below.