Don't judge us: we were pleasantly surprised by this matcha
Sometimes you discover hidden gems at the supermarket that are better and more affordable than the 'reputed' brands. We tested new vegan products from Tnuva, protein bars by Deni Avdija, and other shelf newcomers.
Danone Bio Soy-Based (Strauss)
The new vegan Danone is simply delicious. Not just 'good for a substitute,' but genuinely tasty. It comes in strawberry, peach, berry, and natural flavors. Aside from the initial appearance upon opening the cup, which might raise a brief suspicion, it is a fantastic Danone Bio. Even the pickiest children didn't notice the difference. Bottom line: 5 stars. Price: 4.90–7 NIS for 150g.
Matcha Alternative (Tnuva)
We’re staying on the vegan track with the new Matcha-Oat drink from Tnuva’s Alternative series. This limited summer edition makes the trendy Japanese drink accessible to everyone. The light bitterness of the oat base blends perfectly with the matcha, creating a refreshing summer drink that outperforms many non-vegan versions. Sweet, green, and very pleasant.
We also want to highlight the new SIMPLE oat drink from the same series: it contains only 4 ingredients and is a great option for everyone. Bottom line: 4.5 stars. Price: 16–17 NIS per liter.
Yogurt Drinks (Gad)
Gad Dairies has launched three new summer flavors: Malabi, Acai Coconut, and Mango Lassi with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. All are 3.5% fat and feature delicate, not overly sweet profiles. We particularly enjoyed the Mango Lassi. While they don't perfectly mimic the original desserts, they are tasty and refreshing yogurts. Bottom line: 3.5 stars. Price: 14.90–18 NIS for 480ml.
Turbo Mix — Protein Bars by Deni Avdija
First launched for El Al business class passengers, these vegan and Kosher Parve bars are now available to everyone. The chickpea, soy, and pumpkin seed bar (19g of protein) was so addictive we couldn't stop snacking. The second version, with soy beans and raisins (22g of protein), works perfectly as a salad topper instead of croutons. Bottom line: 5 stars. Price: 13.90–14.90 NIS per pack.
Gyoza, Dim Sum, and Bao (Meatman)
Meatman has launched a new line of frozen Asian snacks, including various gyoza, dim sum, and bao buns. We especially loved the goose gyoza and the beef dim sum. The pulled beef bao was airy, juicy, and well-seasoned. These are perfect for a quick 10-minute meal or a picnic. Bottom line: 4.5 stars. Price: 34.90 NIS per pack.
Sodastream × Paneco Kits
A collaboration between Sodastream and the online store Paneco offers home cocktail kits (Aperol Spritz or Cosmo Lychee). We tested the Cosmo Lychee kit, which includes a Sodastream machine, syrup, and an alcoholic concentrate. The resulting tonic was much tastier and less sweet than store-bought versions, and the cocktail was of excellent quality. Bottom line: 4 stars. Price: 399 NIS (promotional).
