MARY’S GONE CRACKERS
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A quick glance at the Mary’s Gone Crackers package can make even the most serious health nut a bit apprehensive. Wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, no hydrogenated oils, no trans-fats, non-GMO: the litany of what’s not in these crackers is so extensive, you start to wonder what is in them. Are they, like too many health foods, so free of bad-for-you ingredients that they are also taste-free?
Thankfully, no. Mary’s Gone Crackers may be good for you (in addition to the –free list, the package also points out that they are organic, kosher and made from whole grains), but they don’t skimp on flavor. The flat, round wafers—think Catholic-church communion offerings, but with a whole lot more punch—have a great nutty, whole-grain taste. Each of the five flavors (Original, Black Pepper, Caraway, Herb, and Onion) is distinct and straightforward. Black Pepper, for example has a nice pepper bite; Herb features basil, oregano and other the dried-herb-rack staples; Onion is reminiscent of Lipton® Onion Soup mix, which sounds bad but is somehow good in this cracker. Even the Original, which doesn’t have any added goodies to mask the healthy base, has a nice, hearty wheat flavor.
Mary’s also win big points for texture. Instead of having the cardboard or packed-sawdust consistency of so many health foods, the crackers are light and crispy—flaky, even. At the same time, they’re not so delicate that they fail to satisfy. Made with hearty brown rice and whole quinoa, and packed with flax and sesame seeds, these crackers have substance and great crunch.
That said, we can’t imagine eating an entire box of Mary’s Gone Crackers by themselves. They almost beg to be eaten with big chunks of cheese, or used as a base for hors d’oeuvres. Of course, this would significantly increase the 120 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per serving, and would probably negate every other health benefit you’re getting from the crackers, but it would be worth it. In fact, the suggestion for toppings shouldn’t reflect badly on the crackers: we can’t think of many crackers that aren’t better with sinful things on top.
In all, we think Mary’s could be a great go-to cracker: a terrific alternative to the standard-issue water crackers that accompany most cheese trays; a yummy foundation for your favorite tapenade or other hors d’oeuvre topping; and, in a pinch, a healthy snack to tide you over till your next meal.
MARY'S GONE CRACKERS GLUTEN-FREE CRACKERS Original, Black Pepper, Caraway, Herb, and Onion
Certified USDA Organic
Certified Kosher (Parve) by Kosher Overseers
Click on the links to purchase a 6.5-ounce box for $3.85:
