Back in January I was sent this range of products to review from Clearspring:
I was already a fan of Clearspring but was looking forward to trying out some of their newer products including the ramen noodles, tofu and rice cakes.
Clearspring are a UK company that sell a wonderful range of traditional whole foods with a focus on non GMO and organic. As well as a very impressive Japanese range they also sell Italian pastas, jams, oils, syrups, fruit purees etc.
Ramen Noodles
I was sent a pack of the soya sauce and miso ginger ramen noodles to try:
I loved these! In fact I liked them so much I ordered a couple of packs from Goodness Direct. They are just such a useful product. I often had them as a quick and tasty lunch alongside some chopped veggies. These are really like a healthy Pot Noodle! You simply add hot water and microwave for a couple of minutes then add the sauce / miso. They are made with natural recognisable ingredients, which for a ‘convenience’ product like this is excellent. I even used them to make a super speedy stir fry with veggies and edamame:
Tamari and Black Sesame Rice Cakes
I adore these rice cakes, they have a lovely slightly salty savoury taste. My favourite way to enjoy them is with some tahini for the perfect snack:
Again, I was so impressed with this product that I’ve already ordered more!
Organic Tofu
I quite liked these packs of firm silken tofu. I have to admit that from the information I’d been sent I had been expecting something more like a standard block of firm tofu which could be stir fried. I did give that ago but the silken texture of this tofu didn’t absorb any marinade or fry up that well. Instead I made a great use of this making my tofu yoghurt:
Basically this is a very similar product to the mori nu silken tofu but in a smaller pack, non GMO and organic (which I don’t believe mori nu is). I also used this to make the coconut icing for my cupcakes which turned out extremely well, in fact all silken tofu recipes will work well using this product.
Apple and Blackberry Fruit Puree
I used this product for baking – I often see healthy recipes that require some kind of apple sauce to be used and these little packs are ideal. I used some to make my Veganised Sinless Brownies:
These turned out even more fudgey than usual!
The other products from Clearspring that I have tried (including some products I have bought myself) include the Sencha and Kuricha green teas, brown rice miso paste, sweet white miso paste (one of my all time favourite ingredients) and nori sheets. All products have been superb! You can purchase these products via Goodness Direct or I’ve noticed that Sainsbury’s, Holland and Barrat and local health food stores tend to stock a good range too.
I know I may sound like a bit of a Clearspring groupie, but I do genuinely think their products are of excellent quality. Of course, and as I usually have to report when reviewing such healthy products, they are a little more costly.
A lot of the Japanese products such as the miso pastes and ramen noodles are pretty unique products on the market. The packs of ramen noodles cost £2.79 (a pack contains two servings), the tofu packs cost £1.85 (mori nu costs £1 a pack in my local Sainsbury’s) the rice cakes are £1.19 for a pack which I actually don’t think is too bad. I do believe that the excellent quality of these products and the fact that they are organic and no GMO makes them worth spending a little extra on. As I have said, I have gone on to order a lot of these products with my own cash I have been so impressed. The rice cakes, ramen noodles, sweet white miso paste and kuricha tea are now store cupboard favourites for me! I don’t think I would order the tofu or the fruit puree again as I don’t think they offer enough gains over the alternative products such as the mori nu and the baby food I tend to use as a fruit puree which is also organic and considerable cheaper.
Overall I am a massive fan of this company and of their products!
Have you tried any Clearspring products? What did you think?
Please see my disclaimers and policies page for more info on my review ethics. As always this review is 100% my honest opinion.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
oooh – I think I’ll definetly have to try some of the crackers to aid my tahini obsession… and I love instant noodles; the healthier the better x x
I had no idea they did other stuff. There is a huge Clearspring section in our Sainsbury’s with only Japanese stuff. The noodles look nice. Noodles are a good quick (aka lazy!) dinner.
Excellent review: I have tried some seed snack packs by Clearspring, and also the fruit purees. I was very impressed with both. However, I wasn’t too keen on their tofu as for me it had a slightly too ‘beany’ flavour when compared with the Mori-Nu.
I’d really like to try those noodles but I keep forgetting every time I go into Almonds & Raisins…
xxx
I really love the rice cakes – they got eaten in a couple of days … hence why I’m hesitant to buy any more :-) Their products are really unique and as you said good quality.
Thanks for the review!
I’ve tried a couple and really like them, I’m thinking the noodles are a must try now! x x
I love the Clearspring noodles – they really are like a Pot Noodle but without all the additives and rubbish! x
Clearsprings products are amazing! I was already a fan of their noodles and condiments. I have recently tried their crackers and ramean noodles and think that they are great!
I’ve only triied a few clearspring products and loved them all, but the new ramen noodle packs you tried look awesome! Perfect for a quick desk lunch in the office. I’ll be adding them to my next goodness direct order me thinks. I’ve also noticed that they do a great range of sushi products (including brown sushi rice – the white stuff bloats me out a little!) so I’m going to treat myself to a few bits try out making up my own tasty veggie sushi.
Great review Laura! I love Clearspring, and almost always buy their oils, nori, sea weed and such. I just found their tofu too, but havent tried it yet! And now as I saw your pictures of it, I want their nuddles too. Looks delicious!
I have tried Clearspring teas before – Genmaicha and Sencha, and both were lovely. I like the look of the noodles but I’m guessing they’re not wheat free? Great review :)
I make my own apple puree when I can be bothered and keep it in the freezer – but I love the Clearspring packs because they’re so easy, so delicious and no other ingredients! If I ever open one though, I just end up eating what I don’t use straight out of the tub :-)
I’d love to try their tofu though and the noodles look great!
Great review – you’re really good at them, no wonder companies are happy for you to do them!
I have tried the soya sauce noodles and they are yummy and like you say, make a great quick lunch which is handy when I’m at uni. The fruit purees are perfect for baking and as part of a ‘mess’ type snack too. I want to try their rice cakes but almonds and raisins never do them grr!
Such a great review sweetie! I love the little fruit puree pots to take to work in my lunchbox…….and the rice cakes are fab too. Must try them a la Laura, with some tahini :-)
thanks for the detailed review those ramen noodles sounds like a definite buy. ive tried their soba noodles which I loved so quick and easy to cook perfect for stir frys and tried their snack packs of nuts.