What to Buy
An Ode to the Ghost Pepper Cashews From Whole Foods
It may be winter, but it’s hard to beat this heat.
The beauty of being human is that we all possess a unique range of strengths and weaknesses. Some of us excel at golf, while others can imitate a viral TikTok dance in mere minutes. I, well, I am good at snacking. In fact, I may be the best; and no, that’s not hyperbole. Give me a couch, a television, and a pantry, and you’ll have dozens of snacks housed at lightning speed. Satisfaction guaranteed.
As a freelance journalist who works from home, my cabinets have essentially become an arsenal of chips, crackers, jerky, and candy. They’re ready to be opened at a moment’s notice to satisfy any hunger pang when a meal was just fine, but never enough to sustain me beyond a few hours. I can munch my way through any bag or box with the greatest of ease. One particular find that has dominated my recent cravings? Whole Foods’ 365 brand ghost pepper cashews.
These kidney-shaped delights simply hit the spot, flawlessly balancing three of the most sought-after snacking flavors: sweet, salty, and spicy. And their base—a rich and high-fat cashew—is the ideal vessel to temper the heat with high-fat content and ultra-buttery texture.
While the use of that intimidating ghost pepper may rightfully scare away those with weaker palates (and this is coming from someone who frequently says “bring it on” when it comes to anything fiery), these nuts provide the perfect level of spice so that your taste buds awaken, but won’t have you running for a cold glass of milk to protect them. They’re so palatable and delicious that I once scarfed down an entire bag in one sitting, much to my intestinal tract’s dismay. (I’ll spare you the nitty-gritty details.)
These cashews are a snack of versatility, too. Not only do they taste delicious on their own, they can also be tossed into stir-frys, soups, and salads for a crunchy, decadent departure from croutons, seeds, or the freeze-dried cheese discs that are also having a moment.
The next time you’re perusing the aisles of Whole Foods or shopping on Amazon, search for this ghost pepper cashew that, frankly, will haunt your home in the best way possible. (If the beloved natural food chain decides to stop making them at any point, I’ll immediately be performing some type of witchcraft-esque resurrection to ensure that they’re available until something better comes along.)
Whole Foods Market 365 Ghost Pepper Cashews
Don't have a Whole Foods Market near you and want to try an alternative? Give these Chili Crisp Cashews from nuts.com or Blue Diamond Ghost Pepper Almonds a shot.
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