We sampled these crackers at Whole Foods a few days ago, smeared with a mixture of goat cheese and strawberries (very good). Then, when we looked around on the internet for more information, we found out people are sort of fanatic about them. Where have we been?
Raincoast Crisps (try to avoid calling them Rainforest Crisps. It's hard.) are made by Lesley Stowe Fine Foods, a company run by a chef in Vancouver. So, most of the die-hard fans we've come across on the web are from Canada, and that might explain why we're not familiar with the product.
We think Raincoast Crisps have been around in San Francisco for a while, but unless we're missing something, they are new to New York.
The crackers come in different flavors — Rosemary Raisin Pecan, Cranberry Hazelnut, Fig and Olive, and Spicy Sundried Tomato, along with Original — and are extremely crispy, nutty, and slightly sweet. We've even seen recipes around the web for re-creating them at home, they've become so popular.
They are also very pretty, with little nuggets of fruit and nuts. A nice alternative to typical cocktail crackers if you're putting out a cheese tray.
Are we late to the party? Do you buy and love these crackers?
Related: How Much Will You Pay for Crackers?
(Images: Lesley Stowe Fine Foods)
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OMG - these are the best! A comment from Toronto. They are so popular that they have already been copied, but with far less success. They are perfect with cheeses and even delicious on there own. Find them and buy them all.
I buy them for special times but they are expensive. There is another company (also from Vancouver) that makes wonderful crackers for wine . . try them if you see them.
http://www.gonecrackers.ca/flavours.html
These crisps are my crack. I'm from Vancouver and used to live a mere 4 blocks from Lesley Stowe's store and so have built my addiction slowly but surely.
I'm lucky that I have a boutique retailer that I can get them from at $1 less a box than the chain grocer (Save-On-Foods) but have no idea how much they'd be at Whole Foods. Exepensive I'm guessing!
Excellent with goat cheese and certain bean dips.
I call them RainCOAT crisps, but rainforest is a little more appropriate, since they're full of all those chewy fruits and crunchy nuts. I enjoy them a lot, but haven't tried spicy tomato and fig and olive.. sounds YUM!
You can get them basically everywhere in Seattle. They are good!
The rosemary ones are to die for. I've never tried the others though. It's strange, but the rosemary ones are just sweet enough without being overpowering.
Oh, man, yes. I'm from Vancouver, and for the longest time these crackers were so hard to find. Every time I saw them in a store, I'd grab a half dozen boxes, price be damned. They are AMAZING with good brie and a dab of sweet pepper jelly (and all three together make a nice little hostess gift). And lucky me, I have all three in my house right now. Thanks for the reminder!
where in SF can these be found? i checked a whole foods yesterday to no avail. i will check bi-rite next, but not sure where else to look - thanks!
The website has a locator option - http://www.lesleystowe.com/raincoast.htm#locations
I sampled these for the first time last weekend, had feta dip on the fig ones. I couldn't justify the $7.99 for the box, the stumbled on them the next day for $6.99 - still expensive, but I bought them. I'm planning on taking them to work with goatcheese and hummus.
thanks for the tip! looks like whole foods is supposed to have them - i will have to check again.
I had these while visiting friends in Montreal last summer. They're incredible!
When I opened my boutique food store here in Nelson. These were the first request I had to bring in. All the flavours are amazing, and pair up well with just about anything you have lying around. a must for your next get together. I can not live with out them.
I have never had a better 'cracker', but the word doesn't do them justice. They are cookie, cracker, chip, and bread in one. The rosemary ones made me plant rosemary in my yard, I so loved the taste. The windowpane cookie effect that comes from the big plump raisins they put into the loaf is like nothing else i have ever had.
Holy cow! The cherry ones are soooo good!
And by cherry, I meant cranberry!
Made these over the weekend and they were great. I didn't have any pecans but used walnuts instead and I think those were a great replacement given the rosemary in the recipe. The recipe made a huge freezer bag full so enough to gift and to enjoy.