Don’t let the name mislead you, buckwheat is a gluten-free grain. Kaia Foods Buckwheat Granola is gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and raw.  Yes, raw. The ingredients have never been heated above 118 degrees. In addition, the grains and nuts have been sprouted, a common practice in raw foods preparation, to release more of the nutrients.  The granola is made from the simplest of ingredients:  buckwheat, walnuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, ground flax seeds, and dried fruits and seasonings. And that’s all.

But the best thing about the granola is the taste! These cereals have a totally unique flavor, and a very hearty crunch.  This is NOT a granola that gets mushy in milk.  In fact, I like it best as a snack right out of the bag, especially the incredible, chocolate Cocoa Bliss flavor. Lately I have been serving the Dates & Spices granola with sliced peaches and organic half & half.  Of course, it is no longer vegan or raw this way, but for those of us omnivores, it’s a real treat!  The half & half is thinner than cream, and soaks into the cereal better to soften it up a little.  That’s one thing I will caution you about Kaia granola; it is not for people who have recently had dental work!  But if you love a good granola, try a sample of Kaia raw granola at Meadowsweet Market today. All three flavors, Cocoa Bliss, Dates & Spices, and Raisin Cinnamon, are also available here at juniperfoods.  Kaia Foods donates 1% of their sales to the Hunger Project and the United Nations World Food Program.  For more info and links, visit www.kaiafoods.com.