This stuff is fantastic!
I developed a pretty severe allergy to any and all cow products (beef & dairy) a couple of years ago. It's been a difficult process adjusting to all of the new dietary restrictions; dairy is used in so many things you'd never think about, and even food that doesn't directly contain it is often processed in that same facility or on the same equipment as other things that do. Unfortunately, my allergy is so sensitive that even trace amounts/contamination produce a full-on reaction.
This means that 99.9% of chocolate is off the table for me - even most cocoa powders are a no-go, too. There are, of course, specialty brands that cater to those of us with allergies, but they're often expensive with limited variety (don't get me wrong, though - I'm so thankful to have them). For a chocolate-addict such as myself, it's been a rough & expensive past couple of years. Though I finally found a good, "non-tainted" cocoa powder to help fill the void, there was still something missing in everything I made. There's a certain richness that comes from real dairy that just can't seem to be replicated by all of the alternative vegan milks & creamers available. Until...
This coconut cream powder.... Ah, I'm truly an thoroughly satisfied with my non-diary creations now. In the past, I would frequently lament the idea of never having "real" chocolate products again. The first sip I took of the test batch of hot cocoa made with this stuff, and that self-pitying thought flew from my mind. Naturally, it has the most lovely aroma/mild taste of coconut - it was like drinking a liquid Almond Joy. Delicious!!! It dissolves beautifully, and fills that satisfyingly-fatty void left by the absence of "real" dairy. You also get a generous amount for the price. 100% worth it to me -truly an amazing product!
The *only* gripe I can find with this product is the packaging; it comes in a pouch with a resealable zipper that the powder was thoroughly packed into upon receipt. No problem, I've experienced this before. I spent a couple of minutes clearing out the zipper with a toothpick and it worked fine. Then, the next time I opened the pouch, the zipper detached from the bag on one side. Oh well - into a ziploc. A minor annoyance, but an area of potential improvement Other than that, this coconut cream powder is perfect! Unless I develop a coconut allergy, too, I'll be buying this stuff as long as the brand produces it.
Organic Coconut Milk Powder
