Ok, I'm going to get right to the good stuff since I know Jeff Boggess has been sitting by his computer, life on hold, impatiently awaiting my review. Doubtless you are also hovering over the "add to cart" button on his website, and Costco and Trader Joe's have their orders ready and waiting for my go ahead. So here goes...
I tried Ozark Original for lunch today and was absolutely blown away. I was expecting a variation on peanut butter, but this is to peanut butter what lobster is to hot dogs. It has a wonderfully balanced blend of nuts, seeds, fruit and chocolate. No single flavor assaults the palate, but instead it's like tasting a good wine. You literally get an initial flavor that opens into a bouquet from which you can identify and appreciate individual components.
I ate two sandwiches with just white bread and Trail Butter, then had to stop myself from going back for more. Contrast that with peanut butter, which I often have to choke down. What's more, I can see this being a great treat for parties as well as the trail. I would put it out with a cheese, fruit, and veggie platter and see where the flavor combinations take you.
Anyway, do yourself a favor and go to trailbutter.com and order some. I'm serious, it's that good. Go ahead and go now, I'll wait. It's not like anything exciting happens on here anyway. I hike to Canada - oh look, a tree, a rock - big whoop. Go on already!
So yeah, big success. This will be in my pantry and my pack from now on. Can't wait to try the other flavors!
Update from 8/7
Well I tried the Espresso flavor and, I gotta tell you, I was just as impressed as with the original!
The thing I love about this flavor is the coffee. Out here on the trail I miss a lot of things, but one of the big ones is coffee. Now I miss coffee for lots of reasons. I like a hot drink in the morning. I like sitting around and feeling relaxed as I smell that aroma. And, of course, I miss the taste. Well, this Trail Butter brings out a rich combination of cocoa and coffee bean that really hits the spot. I ate two sandwiches with this spread and then couldn't stop myself from eating a plain spoonful of it.
I think I would keep the original flavor as a mainstay around the house. It has a sophistication of flavors that I would enjoy with apple slices, celery sticks, on crackers, or a sandwich. The espresso flavor would also be good for the cupboard, and might go well on a vanilla or chocolate wafer as an after dinner treat. But where I would really enjoy the latter most is out here on the trail. It is perfect to appease the sweet tooth while still appealing to my adult sensibilities.
Another hit! One more flavor to try.
Update from 8/9
So I wasn't expecting as much from the maple flavored Trail Butter, simply because I am not as big on maple. I was pleasantly surprised, though, to find that the taste agreed with me almost as much as the other two flavors! There is a hint of maple, rather than the whallop that you usually get with maple flavored products. Once again, Jeff has created a treat with the right balance of flavors.
I sincerely wish I had known about Trail Butter in the planning stages of my Pacific Crest Trail adventure. My meals really would have benefitted from a bit more variety. I tried to accomplish this by switching from regular peanut butter to Nutella, but honestly I like the Trail Butter better than either one. I want to thank Jeff for sharing his creation with me, and making the end of my trip an epicure's delight!
I'm not sure if the product can be purchased online, but if you appreciate good food, and would like to support a small business with a great product, check out trailbutter.com
I tried Ozark Original for lunch today and was absolutely blown away. I was expecting a variation on peanut butter, but this is to peanut butter what lobster is to hot dogs. It has a wonderfully balanced blend of nuts, seeds, fruit and chocolate. No single flavor assaults the palate, but instead it's like tasting a good wine. You literally get an initial flavor that opens into a bouquet from which you can identify and appreciate individual components.
I ate two sandwiches with just white bread and Trail Butter, then had to stop myself from going back for more. Contrast that with peanut butter, which I often have to choke down. What's more, I can see this being a great treat for parties as well as the trail. I would put it out with a cheese, fruit, and veggie platter and see where the flavor combinations take you.
Anyway, do yourself a favor and go to trailbutter.com and order some. I'm serious, it's that good. Go ahead and go now, I'll wait. It's not like anything exciting happens on here anyway. I hike to Canada - oh look, a tree, a rock - big whoop. Go on already!
So yeah, big success. This will be in my pantry and my pack from now on. Can't wait to try the other flavors!
Update from 8/7
Well I tried the Espresso flavor and, I gotta tell you, I was just as impressed as with the original!
The thing I love about this flavor is the coffee. Out here on the trail I miss a lot of things, but one of the big ones is coffee. Now I miss coffee for lots of reasons. I like a hot drink in the morning. I like sitting around and feeling relaxed as I smell that aroma. And, of course, I miss the taste. Well, this Trail Butter brings out a rich combination of cocoa and coffee bean that really hits the spot. I ate two sandwiches with this spread and then couldn't stop myself from eating a plain spoonful of it.
I think I would keep the original flavor as a mainstay around the house. It has a sophistication of flavors that I would enjoy with apple slices, celery sticks, on crackers, or a sandwich. The espresso flavor would also be good for the cupboard, and might go well on a vanilla or chocolate wafer as an after dinner treat. But where I would really enjoy the latter most is out here on the trail. It is perfect to appease the sweet tooth while still appealing to my adult sensibilities.
Another hit! One more flavor to try.
Update from 8/9
So I wasn't expecting as much from the maple flavored Trail Butter, simply because I am not as big on maple. I was pleasantly surprised, though, to find that the taste agreed with me almost as much as the other two flavors! There is a hint of maple, rather than the whallop that you usually get with maple flavored products. Once again, Jeff has created a treat with the right balance of flavors.
I sincerely wish I had known about Trail Butter in the planning stages of my Pacific Crest Trail adventure. My meals really would have benefitted from a bit more variety. I tried to accomplish this by switching from regular peanut butter to Nutella, but honestly I like the Trail Butter better than either one. I want to thank Jeff for sharing his creation with me, and making the end of my trip an epicure's delight!
I'm not sure if the product can be purchased online, but if you appreciate good food, and would like to support a small business with a great product, check out trailbutter.com
