All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in November 2023

For us, being foodies this November was about so much more than simply indulging in Thanksgiving favorites.

That's because the month was positively full of new product launches and exciting and innovative flavors from some great brands, including ones we've cherished for years and ones we just discovered. Both gave us the chance to try all kinds of goodies so we could bring you the ones that passed the test. To learn more about the foods our editors loved best in November of 2023, just keep scrolling.

Gone Bananas

We never thought we'd taste a banana bread just as good as the stuff we make at home, but that was before we were introduced to Gone Bananas. The from-scratch banana bread brand features classic banana loaves as well as breads featuring blueberries, cinnamon, pecans and more, and we've fallen in love with their OG Chocolate Chip loaf, with a liberal helping of rich chocolate chips. We recommend heating it up in the toaster for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste and texture.

(via Gone Bananas)

 

Reese's

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are iconic for creating the perfect fusion of milk chocolate and peanut butter, but they've somehow made the formula even better with the addition of a third ingredient—caramel. Reese's Caramel Big Cup adds rich, buttery caramel to the nutty peanut butter and sweet chocolate for a knockout trio, and the fact that this cup is also extra-sized is the icing on the cake.

(via Reese's)

 

Aura Bora

Aura Bora has to be our favorite sparkling water brand thanks to their ever-growing list of offerings flavored with real fruits, flowers and herbs, and though their latest flavor may be their strangest yet, we also think it's one of the best. Green Bean Casserole may sound like an awful sparkling water flavor on paper, but in reality, the combination of the grassy taste of green beans and earthy, minty sage is shockingly refreshing and easy to sip.

(via Aura Bora)

 

Tower 28 x DEUX

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year—for cookie dough lovers, at least. That's because our favorite better-for-you dessert brand, DEUX, has amped things way up this season with their delicious, vegan and gluten-free offerings, including one made in collaboration with high-performance clean beauty brand Tower 28. Their festive Peppermint Sugar Cookie dough is a delicious vanilla-infused sugar cookie dough with the cooling flavor of wintery peppermint throughout, while their Tower 28 x DEUX Cookie Butter Drip has a gooey texture, cinnamon speculoos flavor and edible glitter. And did we mention you can bake their cookie dough into dreamy cookies, too?

(via Tower 28 x DEUX)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Classic Bakers Square Pie Flavors

 

Barebells

We're always on the hunt for protein-packed bars that are both delicious and easy to eat, and we've found a new favorite in the form of Swedish brand Barebells. They just introduced their fan-favorite Banana Caramel Barebells Soft Bars to the U.S., and it's easy to see what all of the fuss is about. This chocolate-coated bar has a nougat-like texture with a creamy, buttery banana and caramel flavor reminiscent of a candy bar, and with no added sugar and 16 grams of protein per bar, they've become a go-to when we need to power our bodies.

(via Barebells)

 

Zack's Mighty

There's a reason tortilla chip brand Zack's Mighty is rapidly on the rise, and though their new ROLLED chips may look familiar, we're not exaggerating when we say they're even better than Taki's. These non-GMO chips come in super stackable Chile Lime and Fiery Nacho flavors with just the right amount of heat, salt and tang, but without any of the artificial ingredients or colors (like red dye No. 40) you might find in similar snacks.

(via Zack's Mighty)

 

GoodWheat

Single-ingredient pastas are the way of the future, and we've just discovered a new favorite in the form of GoodWheat. Made strictly from high-fiber semolina, this pasta packs four times as much fiber as regular pasta, plus nine grams of protein per serving, all without sacrificing taste or texture. It takes a little longer to cook than classic pasta, but whether you boil up some of their spaghetti, penne, rotini or fettuccine, you can't go wrong.

(via GoodWheat)

 

Revol Snax

We're newly in love with Revol Snax and their Cookie Bites, with the 3 Bite Packs being our personal favorites. These cookies are jam-packed with healthy and naturally sourced ingredients, making them a satisfying and healthy alternative to your typical on-the-go snacks. The brand is also committed to sustainability and leaving a small carbon footprint, so you can depend on their products being Keto, Paleo and plant-based friendly, as well as extra tasty.

(via Revol Snax)

 

Wholesome Yum

When you want to make something sweet, without the sugar, look no further than Wholesome Yum and all of their amazing zero-sugar food products. The brand offers a little bit of everything, from Zero Sugar Honey to sugar replacements, zero sugar syrups, baking mixes, Keto flours and more without any artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, artificial colors or flavors, thanks to real ingredients including allulose and monk fruit. We've especially been enjoying their Sugar Free Coffee Syrup, which lends the perfect sweetness without any icky artificial aftertastes.

(via Wholesome Yum)

 

Also read about: The Most Outlandish Ice Cream Flavors From Van Leeuwen

 

AVEC x Yes! Apples

New York apple brand Yes! Apples just teamed up with sparkling drink brand AVEC for deliciously seasonal apple-flavored beverages, and we have to say we're hooked. The Fuji Apple and Cardamom flavor uses real juice from locally sourced Fuji apples, infused with herbs and spices for a hint of apple cider-y warmth, without all of the stomach ache-inducing sugar that comes with other ciders. It's tart and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness—and it pairs beautifully with Yes! Apple's equally satisfying and crisp apples.

(via AVEC x Yes! Apples)

 

Meati

We're not exaggerating when we say that Meati's new Crispy Bites aren't just our all-time favorite vegan nuggets—they're among the best frozen nuggets we've ever had the pleasure of tasting. These nuggets are actually made with the brand's signature MushroomRoot, so they're 100% plant-based, yet they're incredibly meaty, juicy and tender on the inside while being crunchy and perfectly seasoned on the outside. They heat up beautifully in the air fryer and have 10 grams of protein per serving while also carrying plenty of fiber, B2 and B9 vitamins, plus zinc, so they're good for you, too.

(via Meati)

 

Kit Kat

Is there ever a time not to be excited about the introduction of a brand-new Kit Kat flavor? The beloved chocolate brand recently introduced its Chocolate Frosted Donut Flavored Bar, infused with donut sweetness in the cream to make the layers of chocolate and wafers even more delectable. Even better, you don't have to worry about this flavor going away anytime soon because it's permanently joined the Kit Kat lineup.

(via Kit Kat)

 

Monsoon Chocolate

The more we sample chocolates from all over, the more we discover just how special some brands can be, and the latest we've fallen in love with is Monsoon Chocolate. Based out of Tucson, Arizona, this award-winning chocolate brand is all about highlighting unusual desert-inspired flavors with help from ethically sourced chocolate from around the world. The lineup includes chocolate bars, malted milk balls and so much more, but their bonbons have to be our favorites, with luscious, gooey fillings and flavors including Prickly Pear Caramel, Pomegranate Hibiscus Caramel, Sonoran Sea Salt Dark Chocolate and more.

(via Monsoon Chocolate)

 

Olyra Foods

Olyra Foods just added Fruit Filled Breakfast Biscuits in Strawberry and Raspberry flavors, and they are the perfect snack for on-the-go or a quick breakfast fix. These great-tasting and wholesome biscuits are packed with fiber and a burst of flavor in their fruity centers. They're also ideal for an energy boost whenever you need it thanks to Ancient Greek grains to keep your body going.

(via Olyra Foods)

 

Also read about: 5 Drinks to Feel Warm and Cozy During the Colder Months

 

Siete Foods

If you're big on Mexican food, it's time to acquaint yourself with all of the delicious offerings from Siete Foods. You seriously can't go wrong with their delicious totopos corn chips or any of their iconic salsas, from Mild and Spicy varieties to Salsa Soleada and Salsa Cremosa, but it's when you stray off the beaten path that their foods get really special. They also offer potato chips (extra tasty in the Chipotle BBQ flavor), perfectly spiced and better-for-you Mexican Hot Chocolate and so much more, including cinnamon-sugar holiday snacks called Mini Buñuelos that are impossible to put down.

(via Siete Foods)

 

The Only Bean

For even more tantalizing and nutrient-dense single-ingredient pastas, you need to check out the unique offerings from The Only Bean. They come in three varieties, made entirely with either edamame, soybeans or black soybeans, so they're fully plant-based while being stuffed with over 40 grams of protein and 19 grams of fiber in every serving. That means a happy tongue and a happy tummy, and those are both things we can get behind.

(via The Only Bean)

 

Ghia

If you've been looking for a great all-ages beverage with all of the complexity and boldness of a grown-up drink, Ghia has you totally covered—especially with the latest aperitif in the lineup, Berry. This new drink uses real strawberry juice and blackcurrant juice with fermented jasmine green tea, plus the flavors of holy basil, cardamom, clove and orange blossom, to create something uniquely sweet yet dry and with a bite that sticks around. We love it with ice or mixed with our favorite fruity sparkling water flavors, or you can sip it straight for a real kick.

(via The Only Bean)

 

Joydays

Joyday's delicious snacks are a must for anyone looking for a low-sugar and nutritious alternative to store-bought conventional cookies. We tried them in Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate and Peanut Butter, which are all ridiculously tasty and rich in fiber, so they never leave us feeling sluggish. They're just the thing for a sweet midday snack.

(via Joydays)

 

waterdrop

We're longtime fans of waterdrop, not just for their gorgeously decorated glass water bottles but also their dissolvable microdrink tablets that add great flavors and nutrients to water, and their newest drop is our favorite yet from the brand. waterdrop just introduced a limited-edition cola flavor, which gives water a burst of satisfying, no-sugar cola flavor with just a hint of caffeine for the perfect pick-me-up. We like it just fine in still water, but if you're finding the result kind of flat, we highly recommend dissolving the cube in sparkling water for the full soda experience.

(via waterdrop)

 

Crossover Meats

If you're a burger lover who wants to make less of an environmental impact but simply can't go meatless, Crossover Meats is about to change your life. They have an entirely new concept for meat, blending chicken with lamb, pork and beef to create delicious, real-meat burgers that are still packed with protein, while being healthier and more sustainable—as well as cheaper. They come frozen and can be prepared on the grill or in a skillet, just like a classic full-beef burger, tasting phenomenal while also using 50% less land, 40% less water and with 50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions with each and every burger.

(via Crossover Meats)

 

South 40 Snacks

Sometimes, simpler truly is better, and that's definitely the case with South 40 Snacks and their nutty bars. Besides the Mixed Nut bar, each of their offerings has only four ingredients—glucose syrup, sugar and honey, plus either pistachio, almond, peanut, cashew or hazelnut, resulting in a simple but delicious sweet treat that's packed with real nut protein and healthy fats.

(via South 40 Snacks)

 

 

If you missed our piece last month, simply click HERE to discover the best foods and drinks we tried in October of 2023.