Dirty Soda The Utah beverage craze has been making waves across the country. It’s a Mormon-created craze that combines diet cola, heavy cream, coconut syrup, pebble ice, and lime juice. This popular concoction became insanely popular in the Mormon community in 2012 when the church declared that caffeinated beverages that were iced were allowed. And now soda slingers like Swig and Sodalicious have emerged as outlets for this regional trend.
Balmuda The Toaster Steam ovens are 2023’s trendy must-have appliance. Watch out, air fryers; they are coming for you. This new technology started making waves in Japan. The steam heats more rapidly than air, and the steam locks in the bread’s moisture before the surface is given a golden-brown finish. The process draws out delicious aroma and flavor unlike any other toaster on the market. The unit features five different modes sandwich bread mode, artisan bread mode, pizza mode, pastry mode, and oven mode. The steam cooks veggies to crisp-tender perfection and can help you create countless other side dishes. The technology is new and gaining in popularity rapidly. It’s an expensive toaster, but as others get into the steam oven craze, the prices should go down. Be the first of your foodie friends to get one of these attractive-looking appliances on the counter. $299 at us.balmuda.com.
Date Syrup With many people choosing to live a plant-based lifestyle, alternatives to honey have become very popular. Date syrup is one tasty yet vegan way to replace honey in recipes and beverages. Dates are also very high in potassium which can help to lower blood pressure as well naturally. Get a bottle for $7.99 at thrivemarket.com.
Banderilla Tama-Roca This spicy yet sweet and sour candy treat from Mexico is trending big time with the Gen Z crowd. The tamarind spiced straws are tart and tangy with a little bit of heat. They are very popular as an addition to mangonadas, a colada-type beverage made with fresh mango and mango sorbet, and may or may not be spiked with a liquor of your choice. These candy straws are a way to elevate your palate and give your taste buds a broader sense of the world. Get a 30-piece jar to try for yourself for $25 at amazon.com.
Blackstone Griddles The latest fad in outdoor cooking is the coveted Blackstone Griddle. Available in different like the 36” one you see pictured. The cooktop boasts being able to cook everything on its flat top, from eggs and pancakes to burgers and high-end steaks. The four-zone cooking allows you to cook low and slow on one side and sear sizzle on the other. It’s a significant advantage to gently warm biscuits on one zone while crisping bacon and hashbrowns on the other. This model is propane fueled with a built-in cutting board, garbage holder, and side shelf. This is a welcome addition to any outdoor kitchen or the budding hibachi cook in all of us. Get one for $339.82 at amazon.com.