Every so often, Weshop adds some eye-catching items to its inventory that merit their own article. This year, there have been many new additions that have become popular among the student body, and we decided to focus on three: one study snack, one meal item, and one dessert. With finals coming up in just a few weeks, we want to help you prepare for those late-night Weshop runs with some insight on the trendiest finds.

 

1. Your best friend in the library: Boom Chicka Pop

If you have yet to see Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop in Weshop, it’s probably because it flies off the shelves as soon as it’s restocked. In fact, there seems to be an eternal gap in the chips section where this product should be located. Currently, Weshop seems to only offer the “Sea Salt Popcorn” variety, which comes in a huge yellow bag but weighs next to nothing.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this popular snack, Boom Chicka Pop is a national popcorn brand that started in the kitchen of Angie and Dan Bastian in Mankato, Minn. What began as a way to make extra money to pay for their children’s college education became a hugely successful venture into the food industry. They attribute their success to their naturally simple recipes, which consist of carefully selected, fresh ingredients that are popped batch-by-batch, and are also tasted and approved by Angie herself.

The Boom Chicka Pop founders highlight the healthful, wholesome nature of their product in addition to their own humble roots. The sea salt flavor, for instance, consists of only popcorn, sunflower oil, and sea salt. They prominently display “35 calories per cup” on the front of the package, which definitely makes this popcorn a much healthier alternative to some other popular study snacks (i.e. chocolate-covered everything). It also has a satisfying crispness without the loud crunch that could distract your library neighbors.

So, if you can get your hands on a bag, definitely give Boom Chicka Pop a try. It will make Smartfood a thing of the past.

 

2. Your go-to Haveli substitute: Café Spice

Café Spice grab-and-go Indian meals provide convenient yet satisfying microwavable feasts that are perfect for when you’re in a time crunch. They take only a few minutes to heat up, and they leave you surprisingly full.

These meals are also of particular interest to students who have special dietary needs. Microwavable meal options that are certifiably gluten-free can sometimes be hard to come by, but all of Café Spice’s meals are in this category. In addition, the Channa Masala, Saag Paneer, and Vegetable Korma are excellent vegetarian options, complete with hearty rice to keep you satisfied.

Much like traditional Indian food, Café Spice makes it a point to use freshly ground spices, all-natural ingredients, and traditional recipes. As a result, the meals are fairly authentic, standing up well against the dishes at Indian restaurants downtown.

Overall, these microwavable meals can be a great option for lazy days when you want a quick bite or simply have a craving for one of the most popular cuisines in the world.

 

3. Your new summertime delight: Steve’s Ice Cream

With the founding of this small-batch, artisanal ice cream company in 1973 came a frozen treat revolution: mix-ins.

The mix-in concept involves customers choosing different candies and toppings to be mixed into their ice cream. These days, you see mix-ins at nearly every ice cream shop, but Steve’s Ice Cream claims to have started the trend as a small company in Somerville, Mass. They pioneered the growth of creative gourmet ice cream, and mix-in options spread to several other chains and products, including Cold Stone Creamery and the Dairy Queen Blizzard.

Steve’s Ice Cream has made a name for itself through its innovation and authenticity. Though it started off as just an ice cream parlor in a Boston suburb, it re-launched as a packaged ice cream distributor with stores located in Brooklyn and Manhattan by 2011. Over the years, the brand has acquired an edgy, chic vibe. From the fashionable packaging to the classic flavor choices with interesting twists, Steve’s might start giving Ben & Jerry’s a run for its money.

If you’re interested in checking it out, we recommend the “BKLYN Blackout” flavor, which is described as “milk chocolate ice cream swirled with chocolate stout cake and dark chocolate pudding.” It’s a luxurious blend of high quality cocoa and rich, thick ice cream.

Now that you know what to look for the next time you head into Weshop, we hope you’ll give at least one of these products a try. In the meantime, if you see anything that you want WesStuffed to report on, send us an email at info@wesstuffed.com.