9 Whole Foods Products You Should Buy This August
JL IMAGES / Shutterstock
If you're anything like me — which, if you like food, you probably are — you could easily spend hours perusing Whole Foods and thinking about what new items you should try out. But also, if you're anything like me, you probably don't have the time to stick around and read every product description or the grocery budget to give in to every little thing that catches your attention. That's where we come in: Every month we'll be trying out all of Whole Foods' latest products, including their own "365" brand items as well as any other exciting releases, to see what items are actually worth your time and money.
For the last of summer, the focus is all on condiments to elevate all of your outdoor cooking (and indoor because condiments are stars year-round). Read on to discover my picks for your shopping cart this August.
Momofuku Chili Crunch
Courtesy of Whole Foods
If you've ever had a meal at a Momofuku restaurant you know that 2006 Food & Wine Best New Chef David Chang and his teams can whip up some amazing dishes. And now if you want a little of that Momofuku action but you can't make it into a brick and mortar you can recreate it at home with their line of sauces, noodles, and seasonings which we love so much we just designated them as Food & Wine Game Changers back in June. Even better, Momofuku's Chili Crunch, one of their signature products and second only (in my opinion) to their Tingly Seasoned Salt, is available at Whole Foods to spice up all of your meals. Made with three types of Mexican chilis, crunchy garlic, fried shallots, and plenty of sesame seeds, it's a great way to add texture and a bit of an umami-rich kick to anything your heart desires. I recommend buying a couple of jars at a time because you're going to go through this chili crunch like it's your job.
OMSOM Japanese Yuzu Miso Glaze
Courtesy of Whole Foods
For as long as I've worked in social media I've heard about OMSOM for two reasons: One: Their great social strategy, and two: Their delightful starter sauces. If unlike me you've never heard of OMSOM, what you need to know is that they create eye-popping "starter" packets for different Asian dishes that combine all the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings you need so you just have to add a protein and veggies and you've got dinner! Luckily for you, the oft-praised starters for Korean Spicy Bulgogi, Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ, Japanese Yuzu Miso Glaze, and Thai Krapow are now available at Whole Foods so you can easily get a restaurant-quality Asian dish right at home. My favorite of the offerings was the Japanese Yuzu Miso Glaze a citrusy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that really amped up a simple salmon dinner. Considering how easy these packs make it to have a well-rounded and delicious dinner (they even come with protein suggestions and a recipe) they're a great pantry staple to have and could even make great gifts for those who are just starting out on their culinary journey (know a grad heading off to college?).
RW Garcia Organic Everything Crackers
Courtesy of Whole Foods
Our collective obsession with everything seasoning has churned out many exceptional products for savory fans and these crackers are no exception. Small but mighty, these little round crackers are pleasingly corn-forward and have more bite to them than most corn-based chips and crackers. They're also surprisingly sturdy, making them perfect for dipping. Fair warning, though, their everything seasoning is heavy on the garlic so if you're not a fan or a vampire, you may want to skip.
Lucky Foods Seoul Kimchi Mayo
Courtesy of Whole Foods
Next to hot sauce mayo is the ultimate condiment, hands down. So when I saw this kimchi mayo which combines both, I knew I had to try it, and let me say, it's a winner. Unlike other hot-sauce-and-mayo combos, Lucky Food's is not particularly spicy but it is bursting with all the flavor you would expect from combining mayo with fermented veggies. It's also both perfectly creamy and vegan, making it perfect for anyone to enjoy at your next cookout. Put it on a sandwich, use it as a dip, marinade some chicken with it, or if you're living on the edge, just eat it with a spoon like me.
Goodles Mover & Shaker Cacio E Pepe Inspired Mac
Courtesy of Whole Foods
Sometimes at the end of a long day, all you want is a comforting bowl of noodles you didn't have to spend a whole ton of time on, that's where these Goodles come in. Available at Whole Foods in Twist My Parm (asiago and parmesan) Mover and Shaker (cacio e Pepe), and Vegan Is Believin' (plant-based white cheddar), I opted for the cacio e pepe version for something a little more "upscale". As expected with boxed mac and cheese, my dinner came together in a flash and didn't disappoint. The powdered sauce was creamy enough on its own that it didn't need any additional milk or water to smooth out the texture and the noodles were perfectly al dente. Plus they really did taste like a spot-on cacio e pepe—especially considering the effort required. Though I do love to throw together a nice little cacio e pepe myself from time to time, I'll be turning to these on a busy weeknight.
Brooklyn Delhi Curry Ketchup
Courtesy of Whole Foods
One of my favorite foods of all time is curry wurst, pretty much entirely because of the curry ketchup, so I was very excited to try this spiced-up sauce to see if it got anywhere close to a Berlin version and I'm happy to report it did, and then some. The ketchup certainly delivers on the curry component but what's even better is the tomatoes have a lot more depth of flavor than your average ketchup, even taking on a bit of a roasted quality. Because of this, the ketchup is a lot less sweet than your average red condiment and, in my opinion, has a lot more to offer.
Mid-Day Squares Peanut Butta
Courtesy of Whole Foods
We love a good peanut butter cup around these parts but this plant-based "functional chocolate bar" from Mid-Day Squares might just be the more elevated version. Made with a thin layer of chocolate and a three-times-as-thick layer of solid peanut butter the chocolate-peanut-ratio in this dessert skews heavily in favor of the peanut crowd but given how rich the chocolate is, I'm not mad about it. Perfectly portioned in one-serving pouches they certainly live up to the name as stellar mid-day pick-me-ups.
Bachan's Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce
Courtesy of Whole Foods
This BBQ sauce is a great addition to any summer cookout. Tangy and a little sweet, it's a lot thinner than most BBQ sauces you might have experienced but that definitely doesn't detract from the flavor. In fact, its unique texture gives it an edge, making it a great option for marinating, dipping, or even adding it to a salad dressing. The possibilities truly are endless with Bachan's.
PSL Latte at Coffee Bar
Courtesy of Whole Foods
Listen, I am not a pumpkin spice latte gal. I am especially not a pumpkin spice latte in August gal. But this piece is meant to provide a bit of service to you, our readers, so if you happen to be a pro-PSL kind of person, here is a very important message for you: Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back! Head to the coffee bar at your local Whole Foods to get into the fall mood.
