R.I.P. tongue.
Thank you so much to Tristan and the other nice folks at Artisana for sending me the cutest care package of samples I have ever seen.
The Artisana company makes raw, organic nut butters in the following fun (and delicious) flavors: Pecan, Walnut, Macadamia Nut, Cashew, Tahini, and Almond. They also produce a line of coconut-based spreads: Goji Bliss, Cacao Bliss, plain Coconut, and Amazon Bliss.
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Is it even necessary to clarify which flavor this chocolate-loving girl sampled first? (Tristan, how did you know I’d be needing a bigger jar of the cacao than all the others?)
One lick of the Cacao Bliss nut butter and my tastebuds were forever altered. The flavor is reminiscent of a Mounds candy bar, but the texture is unlike anything I’ve ever tried before– so smooth and velvety. Artisana describes their coconut-butter spreads as “melting in your mouth” and WOW, do they ever!
Upon opening the jar, the contents are solid and crumbly. But warm the container up a little (the instructions tell you to do this) and the nut butter magically transforms into a beautiful, melty-smooth spread that is out-of-this-world delicious. Oh, and it’s super-healthy to boot. Don’t be alarmed at the high saturated-fat content; apparently sat fat from coconuts is not the same as saturated fat from animal sources. (You can read more about the many health benefits of coconuts here .)
Now, I promise that the reason I blog isn’t to get free samples. But that being said, I’m certainly not complaining when they’re offered to me! And this particular care package was so incredibly adorable! Just take a look at the adorableness:
Ohmigosh, look at how tiny!!
(As a reference, the cacao jar in the middle is the size of a regular peanut butter jar.)
Another look at the teeny tiny containers:
Unfortunately, the thing about free samples is that you run the risk of falling in love with a sample you wouldn’t have otherwise tried, which means you must then pay to buy more.
Oh well; the Cacao Bliss is 100% worth the cost.
Scratch that.
The Cacao Bliss is 1000000% worth the cost. If you can find this product, I HIGHLY recommend that you try it! That goes for the other nut butters and coconut butters, too.
Yes, I did try the other coconut butters, and yes, they were also very yummy. But my credibility as a taste-judge was ruined when I chose to sample the cacao butter first, because—let’s face it—nothing will ever be as good as chocolate!
Chocolate-Covered Meal of the Day
Artisana Cacao Bliss butter and homemade Strawberry Ice Cream: A perfect post-workout snack for a hot Texas day. (Another way I cooled off after my run yesterday: jumping in the pool, clothes and all! I love warm weather!!!)
What’s your favorite warm-weather snack to help you cool off?
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I’ve had my eye on those nut butters for awhile, but they’re just so expensive! Oh well, maybe it’s better that I don’t get addicted to them!
AW!!! I love anything mini and those jars look adorable
That sounds delicious! My mom loooves coconut oil and has books on its health benefits.
My favorite warm-weather cool off snack is a fruit smoothie. I loove mango, coconut, pineapple, papaya, any fruit basically. I also like a nice bowl of cold refreshing strawberry soup!
Those sound yummy! I love the taste of coconut infused snacks…had lots of those last night!
Warm weather snack: frozen mango chunks
oh my goodness. i just saw the cacao bliss last weekend & i thought about using it in my granola bars. i spend about 10 min. debating on whether or not i should get it. now i might just have to go back get it to use for my next batch. i bet the other flavors would work well in the granola bars too.
OH MY GOD those look incredible! I love coconut, coconut butters… amazing!
Aw man! Swimming! It’s still in the 40s here in NY. And how sweet is your care package?
I gotta get some of that stuff. I guess you can buy online? As for warm weather cool down, I love home made frozen fruit bars…as soon as it warms up here I’m bustin’ out the popsicle molds!
OK this is just MEAN-;) I am SO jealous!!!! First, of all these nut butters!!!!! AWESOME girl. Second, jumping in the pool w/ your clothes on is seriously making me envision the end of school in anticipation of summer! That must have felt amaaaazing after a good run. But again, back to your free nut butter grub-so cool.
I’ve seen that product before but have never thought to buy it. After reading your review I think I need to try it out!!
those look so good! i’ve never heard of them before.
I won a bottle of the coconut butter on a blog, I just love it!!
That company has some wonderful products!
Neato- those look awesome. I’ll have to try some.
-E
I love my jar of the Coconut Butter. It’s so luxurious! I’ve only seen a couple of their other spreads in the store, but never the cacao one. So jealous! I bet it’s beyond awesome. What a great sample pack!
This stuff sounds incredible! Oh, moan, woe is me. . . once again, NAIC (not available in Canada). sniff boo hoo. . .
Having said that, how lucky are YOU to get such wonderful free samples?? You will be in nutbutter bliss for weeks to come, I’m sure!
Thanks for your incredible comment on my blog. I am SOOOO flattered, I can’t even put it into words.
I groped a jar of Cacoa Bliss in the health food store yesterday, but had to put it back because it was $9, and I currently have 5 open jars of nut butter in my fridge. Oops.
So yummy those nut butters look! You lucky girl! Enjoy the warm weather!!!
Wow, that looks amazing! I’m beginning to like coconut more and more so I’ll definitely keep an eye out for these. Those little jars are too cute!
Oooh, Katie, you spoiled child! Those look so yummy. They would be perfect with oatmeal!
i’ve seen these at the store, but the price tag prevented me from picking them up. i’m going to have to get the cacoa bliss now that you’ve sung its praise
I love those little jars. Nut butters are lethal in my house- disappear way too quickly. These munchkin jars are perfect!
Um. drool. Yum!
I’m jealous it’s warm there…. please send some my way because it’s no where close to being warm where I live!! But homemade ice cream is my fav. way to cool down too.
Wow: free stuff, coconut butter, strawberry ice cream, a pool AND warm enough weather to jump into a pool…
these tiny jars are sooooo cute!!! want to read your review for each of them!
your strawberry ice cream looks amazing too!
Hooray for free samples! the cocoa coconutbutter looks fantastic, I am not crazy fro DCD as much as WCW PB though
Hooray for free samples! the cocoa coconutbutter looks fantastic, I am not crazy for DCD as much as WCW PB though
banana popsicles , chocolate ice cream, or blueberry smoothies…all equally delicious for different reasons!
I’ve seen those nut butters at my local WF and was always intrigued by them… glad to hear that they are worth the price!
Thanks for the recommendation… have a great day, girl!
OY!!! dealthy allergic!!!!!! but hey- you liked ‘em so i trust they are good!
The painter in me is almost more jealous of those jars than the butters inside them. They would be perfect sized for extra paint! LOL!
With Love,
Emily
I never heard of those before, but they sound interesting. That’s awesome that they gave you so many samples to try!
Wow! I have never heard of these, but they do sound indescribably good!
Chocolate is incredible, thanks for the review!!
Those products sound absolutely amazing! I wonder if Whole Foods will carry them. And how funny you ended up with a big ol’ jar of the chocolate flavor!
I always crave spicy Mexican food followed by ice cream in the warm weather. Hasn’t the weather lately been glorious!
Oh my gosh those look awesome!
NAOmni
That is the greatest sample package I have ever seen! I would inevitably need to open every single kind right away. I’m preeeetty sure I’ve seen some products from that brand at a little health food store around here so I’m going to have to head over there and pick some up asap!
Lucky you getting all those samples. They all sound so good, especially the macadamia nut.
I’m so sorry for your loss, but at least your tongue went to Heaven!
Nothing will ever be as good as chocolate – wise words, wise words. Wow, check out all those goodies! I hope I don’t get an offer from Artisana to sample their goodies, it would suck to have to turn them down because of our travels!!
oh yeah, I tried these at the SF VegFest last year, they really are fantastic!
and girl, your free samples are out of this world! I will confess to occasional wild fits of envy. But sigh, I will re-commit to my yoga practice and celebrate your good fortune with you!
Agh! Those samples are adorable! I have seen those Artisana butters around the blog world but never in stores. They sound wonderful!
I look to cool of with smoothies–oh wait, I eat those year-round:)
Mmmm I want someone to send ME some of those! They look incredibly delicious! You’re SUPER lucky!! Maybe one day I’ll be lucky and they’ll jump on a ship, travel across the ocean and onto my tastebuds
the cacao bliss sounds amazing as it looks!! luck you!!
Oh, yum! I read your post last night and then saw these at Whole Foods afterwards..I didn’t see the coconut based ones but will have to look closer next time! My favorite warm weather cooler is: 1 cup chocolate almond milk w/1/2 cup frozen organic raspberries in the blender then dusted with a little cocoa powder when it goes in the glass..my fav! Unfortunately up here in Boston we are back to 30 degree weather again so I won’t be trying that soon but very glad to hear that your weather is warmer!!
whoa. amazing. must have.
I saw those in a shop in NYC and wanted to grab them all to take home…but I resisted because I was about to go walk about Greenwich Village for several hours.
I am jealous
Looks and sounds delicious
Katie! You rock girl! Thank you for the awesome review! A write up this stellar is definitely worth a few free jars and some postage! I just wanted to leave a few things on here:
A) I’m not a big fan of the microwave, so I either soak the jars of coconut butters in warm water (like 90 degrees), or I leave them in the windowsill on a warm day. If you DO microwave, though, be sure to use a medium power setting, otherwise you can burn the coconut! =(
B)We are available in Canada!
C)Keep your eyes peeled on the shelves as we regularly have promo’s to knock the price down a little bit. As well, we are currently designing some Coupons! There will also be a number of ways to get a chance at winning a free jar on our new site (which is still under development!)
D) Crisp, cold apples are probably my favorite summer snack. Water Melon is up there as well. =)
Thanks Katie! Keep it rockin’!
Now I really need to try that chocolate spread…I’ve seen it before but didn’t get it because of the price. You convinced me to give it a try!! Maybe it’ll be my first chocolate treat once Lent is over
Oh my goodness, those look absolutely delicious, especially the Cacoa Bliss. There is a chocolate soynut butter at my local grocery store I really, really want to try.
Man oh man, suddenly I’m starving.
As for my favorite warm weather snack, I think I’m going to have to go with either fresh watermelon, or So Delicious Creamy Fudge Pops. There is nothing better than watermelon in the middle of warm weather and well, creamy chocolate fudge bars? Yum.
This looks delicious! they sell that nut butter at the Mother’s Market near me so i’ll have to pick some up!!!
I posted a blog which has a breakfast dedicated to you!!
Have a wonderful monday!
Dear Artisana,
Would you please send me a lovely sample pack to review on my blog, too?
CCV, you are so lucky and it looks like Artisana makes wonderful, healthy products!
OH… I’m so jealous. There is a lot of goodness waiting in that stack of jars. I’m glad you are enjoying it!
i am really jealous about all those free samples you get a hold of! those all look great. as for my favorite treat, i really like the smoothies. i like the tropical fruit kind, but i really like the pb&j: 1 frozen banana, 4-5 frozen strawberries, 2T Pb, 1/2 c. apple juice and 3/4 soy milk or water. yum.
Wow those look so tasty! I’m gonna have to order at least one ;P How do you even get into those free samples? Just through blogging or what is it? =] That’s amazing though, the companies must really benefit from you cause everything you review really IS pretty amazing and I usually end up trying it and becoming addicted haha.. =] Love your blog!!
These sound wonderful, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for them – it’s good to know that they’re available in Canada. The website doesn’t seem to be working, unfortunately (I’m getting a failure notice).
My favourite warm-weather snack is homemade peach slush (just blended half-frozen peaches).
Ohmygoodness, the Artisana nut butters amazing! I was fortunate to sample them all at the San Francisco Green Festival back in November. Thank goodness there were lots of people there because I just kept going back again and again to get more samples. I think my favorites were the goji berry bliss and the cacao bliss. SO GOOD! I’m totally jealous of your score!
Katie,
Words can not properly describe the amount of envy I had when reading this post. I love the Artisana products, and I cannot find them in Nashville. Whenever I see them in another city, I grab them without even caring how much they cost. They are just too amazing, and I must get them when I can. So glad you enjoyed your samples!
My favorite warm weather treat? Ice-cream, but I eat it all winter too.
Oh my! Looks divine!
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