Pans and Pop – Oh My!

Sep 27, 2023 by Chef David

By Chef David

It seems like the focus on making healthy food fun is centered on kids. What about adults? After all, adults are drawn to things that are fun and often set an example for children. Somehow as we grow up our priorities shift, extolling only the benefits of eating healthy. We forget that healthy food selections can be delicious, satisfying, and even fun.  However, it feels like labeling food as healthy removes the fun factor that is generally associated with sweets. Adults tend to associate ‘fun’ foods with emotions, using eating as a way to relieve stress or a response to sadness or making them the centerpiece for celebrations which makes ‘fun foods’ seem exotic and differentiates them from healthier selections.

Adult eating habits can and should include foods that are both healthy and fun to eat.  We discovered Pan’s mushroom jerky, certified by Earth Kosher, and Made in Nature wide variety of delicious snacks certified by the OU. Both products are parve and offer a wide array of tastes and textures, fun snacking options that leave you satisfied.

Pan’s Jerky

Pan’s jerky is made from shiitake mushrooms. It has a full body taste packed with savory umami flavor with a dense and fibrous texture. This vegan jerky mimics the features of traditional meat jerky including the characteristic chewiness that releases an umami flavor mixed with savory smokiness. This is because the characteristic robust meatiness in jerky is actually the umami flavor.

Pan’s parve snack provides the richness of beef jerky, just without the meat. We found the eating experience is similar to beef jerky. As you chew, the natural flavors are released, revealing a complex flavor while providing the long-lasting chew of jerky.

Pan’s provides a nice variety of flavors including traditional jerky tastes of teriyaki, applewood BBQ, salt & pepper along with unique varieties like zesty Thai and curry. We tasted them all and enjoyed their distinctive tastes. Our preference was for the bolder flavors of zesty Thai and teriyaki.

Pan’s was a satisfying snack, easily portable, and perfect for when you have a hankering for a rich savory snack.

Healthy Ingredients

Pan’s ingredients are simple and natural. The Original flavor contains dried shiitake mushrooms, water, avocado oil, organic coconut sugar, Himalayan pink salt, and organic chia seeds. A single serving bag of 2.2 ounces is approximately 110 calories and provides 35% of Vitamin D, 18% of daily fiber, and 5 grams of added sugar. While it contains no preservatives, Pan’s jerky has a shelf life of six months.

 Pan’s History

Pan’s gained notoriety with their appearance on SharkTank which aired on November 20th, 2020, resulting in a partnership with Mark Cuban and an increased demand. Pan’s founder, Michael Pan was inspired on a trip to Malaysia where he discovered a family recipe that his cousins were selling locally.  In 2008 he began experimenting with the concept of producing mushroom jerky while working full-time as an engineer. This was before mushrooms and plant-based foods became popular.

For ten years, Michael tested a variety of recipes and learned about the food industry until 2018 when Pan’s Mushroom Jerky launched. Today, Pan’s Mushroom Jerky is produced in Portland, Oregon, and is available in over 3,500 stores across the United States in single 2.2 oz bags, or bundles of 5, 10, or 15 bags and can be ordered online.

Made in Nature

Made In Nature produces innovative fruit-based snacks, they have something for everyone with selections including dried mango (our favorite), Smyrna figs, cranberries, coconut, and apricots – just to name a few. [Note: Superberry is not kosher due to the inclusion of goji berries].  Their apricots are bronze rather than orange because they are sun-dried and do not use sulfur dioxide as a drying agent.  All the selections we sampled were fresh and delicious. We were pleasantly amazed at how juicy and sweet they were without added sugar.

Figgy Pops

What makes Made In Nature distinctive is their Figgy Pops, fruit bites made of unusual combinations, each with a textured surface surrounding a fruit paste center. Don’t be fooled by the name, these are adult-friendly energy bites and not a healthy lollypop substitute.  Their attractive, resealable packaging makes Figgy Pops a healthy grab-and-go snack.

Figgy Pops’ names are as unique as their flavor combinations. One of the varieties, Banana-rama contains a ball made of fig, dates, and banana, combined with the crunch from quinoa, walnut, and peanut, with cinnamon for flavor. It was a real crowd-pleaser. Tangy Red Razzy Figgy Pops offered a distinct raspberry flavor to these unbaked, gluten-free, fruit and nut bites. Some of our favorites included Nutter & Jelly, Ch-Ch-Cherry, and Choco Crunch. 

Each variety is distinctive including a mixture of fruits and nuts including cranberries, dates, figs, almonds, pepita seeds, and coconut to make their fruit-paste ball. A serving size is 3 pieces and contains about 110 calories, 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. The total sugar count of 11 grams (only one gram of added sugar), and they are a good source of iron, calcium, and potassium.

Made in Nature has been making organic snacks for over 30 years, starting as a small pear farm near Mt. Hood, Oregon in 1989 by Doug Brent. It has grown, into a producer of super snacks because ‘snacks are sacred, and we’d hate for you to waste a single one on faux food.’ Their motto ‘no junk – no joke’ fails to point out their great taste, freshness, and attractive packaging.

They are available for sale online and in a wide variety of stores.

Build Healthy Snacking Habits

Establish healthy eating habits with snacks like Pan’s and Made in Nature, natural foods that taste good and are good for you.  While they are designed for healthy snacking, catering to an adult audience with provocative innovative flavors that make your mouth water. They pack nutrition and taste with an engaging mouth feel that is fun to eat.

Elevate your snacking! And never look back.