The ayurvedic superfood snack, AshaPops, is brought to us by mother and son team, Asha and Jai. Growing up in India, Asha regularly enjoyed popped water lily seeds as a healthy, flavorful snack, so, when Jai couldn’t find any healthy snacks that really satisfied him, Mom set out to fix that by combining her childhood snack with modern flavors that would tempt his taste buds.
After perfecting a handful of flavors ranging from sweet to savory, Asha and Jai brought AshaPops to the public, and I am SO glad that they did. Seriously, y’all, I cannot stop eating them. I tried a few of each of the flavors I received so that I could tell you about the flavor and texture, and then I sealed the bags and set them on my desk so that I could reference the labels while writing. Problem is, I keep stopping to open them back up and steal a few more, which basically means I am getting no work done today – just snacking.
Most of you – like me – are probably not that familiar with water lily seeds, so maybe we should start there. According to the AshaPops website, the Euryale Ferox is a water lily plant that grows in India, the seeds of which are recommended as part of a healing, ayurvedic diet. Water lily seeds are widely considered an Indian superfood and can be puffed to create plant-based snacks that are satisfying and delicious.
After perfecting a handful of flavors ranging from sweet to savory, Asha and Jai brought AshaPops to the public, and I am SO glad that they did. Seriously, y’all, I cannot stop eating them. I tried a few of each of the flavors I received so that I could tell you about the flavor and texture, and then I sealed the bags and set them on my desk so that I could reference the labels while writing. Problem is, I keep stopping to open them back up and steal a few more, which basically means I am getting no work done today – just snacking.
Most of you – like me – are probably not that familiar with water lily seeds, so maybe we should start there. According to the AshaPops website, the Euryale Ferox is a water lily plant that grows in India, the seeds of which are recommended as part of a healing, ayurvedic diet. Water lily seeds are widely considered an Indian superfood and can be puffed to create plant-based snacks that are satisfying and delicious.
AshaPops popped water lily seeds are vegan, paleo, gluten free, corn free, soy free, grain free, and non-GMO, so that is already pretty awesome. They also have short ingredient lists containing only ingredients that are familiar and easy to read and pronounce. Asafoetida might be the only exception to the easy-to-pronounce part for Westerners, but this is a common spice used in India made from dried resin from the roots of fennel plants. It has a flavor reminiscent of onion and has historically been used medicinally to treat infections, such as bronchitis and whooping cough.
Something else I love about AshaPops is that you are only taking in 100 calories if you eat the entire bag of one of the savory options and 120 calories if you down the whole bag of the Dark Chocolate. Plus, these snacks offer that savory flavor and crunchiness that makes them super satisfying and filling.
Did I mention that one serving has four grams of protein? Yeah, this is just one more example of how vegans and vegetarians can get plenty of protein from plant-based foods – even our snacks.
Another bonus if you live in SoCal or Central California – AshaPops are handmade and dry roasted in Los Angeles, so you get to support small business and local business when you buy these healthy, vegan snacks!
Not to worry, if you don’t live in California, they offer free shipping nationwide, so you can enjoy these tasty treats across the country. Plus, no matter where you live, when you purchase AshaPops, you are helping support growers, since AshaPops gives 5% of net proceeds to help growers and their families in low-income areas.
Okay, now that we know how awesome AshaPops are, let’s talk flavors.
Something else I love about AshaPops is that you are only taking in 100 calories if you eat the entire bag of one of the savory options and 120 calories if you down the whole bag of the Dark Chocolate. Plus, these snacks offer that savory flavor and crunchiness that makes them super satisfying and filling.
Did I mention that one serving has four grams of protein? Yeah, this is just one more example of how vegans and vegetarians can get plenty of protein from plant-based foods – even our snacks.
Another bonus if you live in SoCal or Central California – AshaPops are handmade and dry roasted in Los Angeles, so you get to support small business and local business when you buy these healthy, vegan snacks!
Not to worry, if you don’t live in California, they offer free shipping nationwide, so you can enjoy these tasty treats across the country. Plus, no matter where you live, when you purchase AshaPops, you are helping support growers, since AshaPops gives 5% of net proceeds to help growers and their families in low-income areas.
Okay, now that we know how awesome AshaPops are, let’s talk flavors.
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Bombay Pepper Masal AshaPops
The Bombay Pepper Masala AshaPops have four grams of protein, two grams of fat, 35% of the daily allowance of manganese, 15% of magnesium, 15% of thiamin, 10% of vitamin B6, 10% of phosphorous, 8% or iron, and 8% of potassium.
I love pretty much anything with masala or pepper, so I was pretty sure I was going to love these, which I did. If you like your savory snacks to have just a little bit of a kick, this is the flavor you should try. I definitely wouldn’t call it spicy, but there was more of a kick in this flavor than in the other two that I tried. These are awesomely savory and crunchy, so I would definitely give this flavor a try.
If I can manage to not eat the entire bag tonight, I’m thinking these would be perfect in place of croutons on a salad tomorrow.
I love pretty much anything with masala or pepper, so I was pretty sure I was going to love these, which I did. If you like your savory snacks to have just a little bit of a kick, this is the flavor you should try. I definitely wouldn’t call it spicy, but there was more of a kick in this flavor than in the other two that I tried. These are awesomely savory and crunchy, so I would definitely give this flavor a try.
If I can manage to not eat the entire bag tonight, I’m thinking these would be perfect in place of croutons on a salad tomorrow.
Turmeric AshaPops
The Turmeric AshaPops have four grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fat, and 30% of the daily allowance of manganese, 15% of magnesium, 15% of phosphorous, 15% of thiamin, 10% of vitamin B6, 8% of folate, and 8% of potassium.
This is my favorite of the three I have tried. Now, I should point out that I have not yet tried the Vegan Cheese AshaPops, so those might be the winner once I have had a chance to taste them, but, for now, Turmeric is my fave. I have a couple of days during the week when I have to do a lot of driving and need to bring enough food with me to last throughout the day. The Turmeric AshaPops are exactly the type of healthy, filling snack I want with me on those days.
This is my favorite of the three I have tried. Now, I should point out that I have not yet tried the Vegan Cheese AshaPops, so those might be the winner once I have had a chance to taste them, but, for now, Turmeric is my fave. I have a couple of days during the week when I have to do a lot of driving and need to bring enough food with me to last throughout the day. The Turmeric AshaPops are exactly the type of healthy, filling snack I want with me on those days.
Dark Chocolate AshaPops
The Dark Chocolate AshaPops have three grams of protein, one gram of fat, and 15% of the daily allowance of manganese, 10% of magnesium, 8% of thiamin, 8% of phosphorous, 6% of vitamin B6, and 6% of potassium.
I don’t know why, but I can’t help but think of chocolatey, puffed cereal when I eat these. In fact, I’m seriously thinking of bathing them in coconut milk in the morning and having them for breakfast. I’m usually a savory snack kind of girl, but I do tend to look for something a bit sweeter after meals or when I’m working late into the night. The Dark Chocolate AshaPops have just the right level of sweetness to perfectly cure that craving.
I don’t know why, but I can’t help but think of chocolatey, puffed cereal when I eat these. In fact, I’m seriously thinking of bathing them in coconut milk in the morning and having them for breakfast. I’m usually a savory snack kind of girl, but I do tend to look for something a bit sweeter after meals or when I’m working late into the night. The Dark Chocolate AshaPops have just the right level of sweetness to perfectly cure that craving.
Where to Buy AshaPops
I received product samples at no charge so that I could try this product and give you my honest opinion.
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