Not all granolas are equal, or even similar. Big industrial companies tend to load it up with weird processed ingredients, and then fill up box space with contemptible wheat puffs fused into the oat mix. That’s a big reason right there to dig into the more artisanal granolas… even if you hate the term “artisan”; fancy, home-grown granola is better.
Consider something on the lines of Olde Man Granola (Olde with an “e” for extra artisan-ness). Although the package says something about the mountains of Africa, it’s made in Findlay, Ohio. The cereal is crunchy with giant clots of clumpy granola, and it tastes exactly like granola used to taste before it got all messed up by big industry manufacturers. It’s toasty and sweet, with pronounced grains and baked-on sugar and butter. The Chocolate Nut flavor is loaded with a generous supply of pecans, almonds and coconut – also toasted for extra addictive qualities. A few diminutive chocolate chips make it into the mix too, just enough to keep things interesting.
Scrumptious Chewy Granola from The Toasted Oat is made right here in Columbus. It’s sort of unusual, and that’s not a bad thing. As the box says, it’s chewy. Even so, it’s still a surprise to find soft clots of granola inside the package; cereal is usually crispy-crunchy. This version is dewy, and smoother than other granolas on the market. The SCG No.4 landscape is dotted with cashews and small dices of apricots; they come across more like dates. Although, if you warm the stuff up, the apricot accent becomes more aggressive (and delicious). The label also mentions flax seed, and the use of gluten free oats. While oats are supposed to be naturally gluten-free, the grain is often processed in facilities that expose it to gluten products. For those with allergies, the SGC oats are certified free of gluten.
You can pick up a package of either version at local gourmet grocers.
For more information, visit www.thetoastedoat.com and www.oldemangranola.com.