Urban Fruit

Urban Fruit were kind enough to send me some samples to try and review on my blog. I'm not a big dried fruit eater (aside from Christmas cake, obviously) but their products sounded so good that I figured I should really give them a go. If nothing else, I figured they might entice me away from sugary cereal bars for a few days. The theory is that I'm part of a culture (and gender) of desk-snacking extraordinaries and that research has shown that women are terrible for desk-drawer treats and snacks throughout the day (clearly they have rummaged thorough my desk and found my chocolate stash, busted). These guys are trying to guide us onto the straight and narrow; offering us sweet suggestions that won't ruin our New Years health-kick resolutions. Sounds good? I thought so too so I snapped up some samples as quickly as my grabby-little hands would allow me to.

Bonus points to Hannah, who I liaised with regarding my sample delivery, for the most creative display of products that I've ever had the pleasure of receiving - they arrived in a hat box, in a bowler hat!

Brilliant, Hannah. Just brilliant!

A little about Urban Fruit and their ethos before I commence nomming.

"At Urban Fruit, we’re mad about fresh fruit. That’s why we only use 100% fresh fruit picked from wherever the sun is shining. We don’t add sugars, preservatives or any funny stuff, we just gently bake it so it’s a little bit more delicious and a lot more convenient."

Healthy, tasty and can fit in my handbag? Where do I sign?

I started with the Pineapple, which carelessly got slung into my work handbag one morning as I had nothing else to snack on that day. It tastes like sweets, no joke, it's like gorgeous pineapple sweets. I must have eaten a third of the bag in one sitting that afternoon and it really hit the spot when I needed something sweet. I was about to declare myself a glutton but then I checked how many Weight Watchers Vintage Points were in the whole bag (5) and therefore felt like a total snacking champion! This may sound weird but I've also eat en the pineapple with salted almonds, it's a lovely little sweet and salty combo (and what a brilliant snack!).

I moved on to the Strawberry next, which got their first outing when I needed something in my porridge. I was in the mood for jam, but as I don't keep a stock of jams in my desk drawers (yet) I thought I'd give them try. They were a lot better than jam, let me assure you! They flavoured my entire bowl (just like fresh strawberries would) but they burst into warm, gooey sweetness in my mouth when they'd been mixed into my porridge oats. Lovely. As these ones were so good, I went hunting for more and in Whole Foods Kensington I found them on offer (2 packs for £3) so I bought Raspberry and Cherry too, my porridge will never be dull again!).

Mango was one that I tried over Christmas, again in my porridge. I made porridge with coconut butter mixed in and thought I'd make it a little more tropical by adding some mango to the pan whilst it cooked on the stove. I think the mango might be my favourite, it tastes wonderful. It's so good that I feel like I'm cheating  - how can something this delicious and sweet be good for me? It's weaned me off mango liquorice, if nothing else (actually eating it as I type, seriously, I want BAGS of this stuff in my life forever).

The final pack in the box was Superberry, a mix of Golden Berries, Cranberries and Red Grapes. I must confess that I had to google Golden Berries, as I had no idea what they were and I'm a curious little monkey so I like to know what I'm eating before it goes in my mouth.(try it and you'll discover they have a range of antioxidants and health benefits as long as my arm).

I am converted, so much so that I've already restocked my supplies. Some days the chocolate cereal bars don't even get a look in. Urban Fruit, you have worked miracles.