Newman’s Own Organics

A while back, Newman’s Own Organics sent me some products to sample. I wasn’t expecting such a large variety of their products to try, but boy is the Newman’s Own Organics company generous! Before I get into the specific product reviews, I wanted to give you all a little background info on this company:

• Newman’s Own Organics began as a division of Newman’s Own in 1993, but left and became their own company in late 2001.
• Paul Newman has given over $265 million to thousands of international charities since 1982 (told you they were generous!).
• There are legends on the back of each package – I found them entertaining and cute.
• Products are certified organic and kosher.
• They use no Genetically Engineered Foods.
• You can find some Nell-tested, “Pa”-approved recipes in Nell’s Corner.
• Many of their products are vegan-friendly.

There’s a lot more information, and even a bunch of F.A.Q. on the Newman’s Own Organics site, and I definitely recommend you check it out.

All of the below reviews are the honest opinions reflected of the peresonal tastes and preferences of myself, my husband and my family. All pictures are from the Newman’s Own Organics website.

MINTS

The mints come in boxes and in rolls, and in four varities: Cinnamon, Ginger, Peppermint and Wintergreen.

• Cinnamon: usually I am not a fan of cinnamon and think it’s too hot. This was actually fairly gentle, and was a true “cinnamon” mint, and not the fiery hot cinnamon mints you can find elsewhere. Two thumbs up!
• Ginger: you can definitely smell the ginger right away! You taste it and WHOA! There is a fiery, spicy bite to these! Many have said these help with tummy aches, but I haven’t had the chance to test that out myself.
• Peppermint: I enjoyed these. They were strong, and to me these are perfect to refresh your breath, and possibly ease some tummy troubles.
• Wintergreen: Much gentler! May be my favorite. My family thought these dissolved quickly, though.

CHOCOLATE CUPS

• Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups & Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: as much as we were looking forward to these, unfortunately no one was a fan. My husband (the artificial-chemical filled Reese’s lover) didn’t like them at all. The chocolate was rather waxy, and the peanut butter was grainy and definitely your stereotypical “healthy peanut butter”. It wasn’t the creamy, sweet peanut butter goodness that I feel would be needed to convert a Reese’s lover.
• Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cups: Now these were awesome! I was expecting to compare them to your traditional York Peppermint Patty, but that’s not what these were like. These were like giant, soft Junior Mints! My gosh, Ross and I loved these. One was a perfect after dinner treat. These get our stamp of approval.
• Dark Chocolate Caramel Cups & Milk Chocolate Caramel Cups: We had mixed reviews on these. Ross and I liked these a lot. The caramel was a “drippy” caramel, more of the liquid caramel then the solid, chewy caramel. While we liked that, my mom and sister weren’t as big of a fan. (I’d still say go try it out!)

SIGNATURE SERIES CHOCOLATE BARS

• 70% Dark Chocolate: really good. All of my family members are serious dark chocolate fans, and I think we were all surprised by how smoothy and creamy this dark chocolate still tasted, considering the higher percentage of cacao.
• 54% Dark Chocolate: Let’s just say that whenever I went back to these, it was missing another square or two from the last time I’d seen it. My dad really liked this, and we definitely “ditto” the same smooth and creamy sentiments for the 54% cacao as the 70% cacao.
• Dark Chocolate Espresso: Good! I actually wasn’t overwhelmed by a coffee sensation, which was a pleasant surprise to me. The dark chocolate and espresso definitely complemented each other very well.
• Mocha Milk Chocolate: Good, but we felt there was a fairly strong coffee taste (and I think because it was Milk Chocolate and Mocha, we were expecting a more subdued coffee flavor). Still good, especially for you coffee addicts out there!
• Orange Dark Chocolate: The orange flavor actually complemented the chocolate nicely! It was subtle and not overbearing.
• 34% Milk Chocolate: good for a milk chocolate. My husband likes milk chocolate more than dark chocolate. Let’s just say after I had sampled a square of the chocolate, when I went back a while later there was only the wrapper left.

DRIED FRUIT

• Prunes: Good and moist! I’ve never been a huge fan of prunes, but apparently my husband has been and he loved them.
• Apples: These were good and chewy – I thought they were perfect! (If you’re expecting a crisp dried apple, these are not for you.)
• Berry Blend: This containes raisins, cranberries, blueberries and cherries. They were all delicious, and a perfect sweet and tart combination. I still have some left, and I’m thinking it’ll go great in a granola!
• Raisins: Good, soft, and I loved how there was no added sugar.
• Cranberries: I adored these. There were no artificial colors added and they were sweet (unlike some other, more artificial tasting dried cranberries).
• Apricots: Once again, I thought these were SO good! Sweet and soft, perfect. Ross thought the appearance was a bit awkward – not the bright orange you’re used to seeing.
• General Thoughts on Dried Fruit: I really loved how there were no added sugars and no added preservatives to the dried fruit. It is a huge pet peeve of mine when I’m looking for dried fruit in the store, and all I can find are dried fruits enhanced with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fruit juices, etc. Loved Newman’s Own Oraganics, though! Also good to note – because there are no preservatives, you need to make sure you keep these refrigerated after you open them.

PRETZELS

• Pretzel Nuggets: I LOVED these and thought they were the perfect pretzel! I had to be careful to not be around an open back, because I’d definitely go back for more than one handful. Ross thought they were bland though (psh, whatever).
• Honey Wheat Minis: really good honey wheat flavor, and surprisingly a crisper texture than other pretzels.
• “Mighty Mini” Pretzels: hard, crunchy and salty. As Ross said, “they taste like normal pretzels” (direct quote haha).
• Salted Rounds Pretzels: good, crunchy, thick and cute shape! (see below)

SOY CRISPS

• Cinnamon Sugar Soy Crisps: Ross’ quote surmises these the best: “oh these are good, I like these!”
• White Cheddar Soy Crisps: good flavor, although they’re a bit heartier than your typical rice cake/ rice crisp (understandably so – soy is heartier than rice). Ross thought these tasted like white cheddar popcorn.
• Barbeque Soy Crisps: unfortunately no one in my family is a fan of barbeque flavoring, so that had a big impact on our distaste, but if you like barbeque you’ll like these!

COOKIES

• Fig Newmans (Low Fat) – these were AMAZING!!! Ross and I loved these, and try as we might, these did not last more than a few days. Seeing them again makes me want to go buy a package. Go get some now, please!

• Ginger Hermits: these were good and kind of a more hearty, “rustic” cookie. Ross could taste the ginger very well, but I got more of a molasses cinnamon flavor. They’re still very good though. I know my mom is a fan, too.

• Ginger-O’s: delicious, with a subtle, sweet ginger flavor. My mom loves these!
• Original Newman-O’s: very good, just like an oreo! (Hey Nell and Pa – can we get some double-stuffed Newman-O’s going on?? I’d be all over it).
• Chocolate Newman-O’s: my favorite, for sure! I love the double stuffed chocolate oreos, and I loved the fact that the Chocolate Newman-O’s were full of more recognizable ingredients. (Although I have to say it again – double-stuffed, please? Only possible way to improve them).

• Cinnamon Graham Alphabet Cookies: subtle flavor, crunchy and thick. Not your traditional graham cracker though (but I may make a stretch and say they’re better? I’ve never been a huge fan of normal graham crackers though). The cinnamon flavor was just hinted at.
• Arrowroot Alphabet Cookies: these were good, crunchy, thick little cookies, but I’m not sure where the flavor was. What does arrorroot taste like, anyway?

• Espresso Chip Champion Chip Cookies: very good espresso flavor (definitely present but not overbearing); crunchy cookies with soft chips; cute and tiny little mini cookies! Ross loved them – another thing that pulled a “disappearing act” (which was surprising because he doesn’t like coffee flavored things).
• Chocolate Chip Champion Chip Cookies: And I quote, “mmm! Good, really good!”. Tiny crunchy little chocolate chip cookies.
• Double Chocolate Mint Chip Champion Chip Cookies: Ross liked them more than I did. They were good, but I thought the mint was very strong (too strong for my not-usually-too-fond-of-mint tastes).

Overall, I am so glad I had the chance to review Newman’s Own Organics products. I love the company, love how generous they are with their charities, and I love their belief and pride they take in their all-organic goods. I definitely have been keeping my eye out for N.O.O. sales!

Also, for any of you animal lovers out there, I just saw that Newman’s Own Organics has a line of premium pet food that I would definitely recommend checking out for your furry friends.

Thanks again to Sally and the other folks over at Newman’s Own Organics. I’m so glad I was given the chance to try these products, share them with my family and to now recommend them to others. Great company!