In its earlier days, Squirrel Brand was not targeted to gourmets, but to folks looking for a simple bag of fresh, salted peanuts. Old radio commercials on the company website urge the average Joe to enjoy them, and tell parents to buy a bag for the kids.

Today, average Joe has been left behind; he would not be too interested in the sophisticated, transcendent truffled almonds which we think are to die for—a fusion of California nuts and Ritrovo’s Italian truffle salt. Meyer Private Reserve cashews from Brazil are dusted with a delicate blend of five peppercorns from the Pacific Rim that accents—never overwhelms—the fine cashew flavor. The same seasoning is available on “blistered” Virginia peanuts, roasted with a special technique for extra crunchiness. And yes, there are the sweet offerings—Crème Caramel Pecans, Crème Brûlée Almonds—and the “plain” nuts, including mixed nuts and pistachios salted with Fleur de Sel.

Squirrel Brand opens your eyes to a category called “gourmet nuts”—not just the best quality nuts, but the best quality handled by master roasters and flavored by great palates. With Father’s Day coming up, you don’t have to go nuts or squirrely figuring out how to treat Dad to something special. Just hop over to Squirrel Brand and shell out for something special. Read the full review, including recipe ideas and serving suggestions.

Check out:

• Find reviews of our favorite nut products in THE NIBBLE’s Fruits & Nuts Section.
• Other “Top Pick Of The Week” Nuts
• Table of Contents of The Nibble June issue.

His “cure” was to suppress carnal urges, for which he prescribed a strict vegetarian diet and the avoidance of alcohol, tobacco and refined white flour. Toward this end, he invented the eponymous graham flour, from whence came the graham cracker. Graham flour is a form of whole wheat flour in which the bran and germ layers are returned and mixed in, producing a coarse, brown flour with a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. (Grape Nuts cereal is made of graham flour.)Many graham crackers have followed, but today, the commercial version is a pallid affair. For graham crackers with gusto, try the homemade taste of Tiny Trapeze, reviewed by THE NIBBLE a few years ago,

• Learn historical facts about the Graham Cracker.
• Read about Laura’s Candy S’Mores Kit and scrumptious graham treats.
• Organize your own s’mores party—recipes included.
• Check out articles on other types of cookies at  THE NIBBLE’s Cookies Section.

Learn more about cheese condiments.

Tequila
Tequila adds a piquant bite to mellow, sweet pineapple. The subtle tang of fresh lime juice and a mounting heat towards the finish make for an excellent overall flavor.

Mrs. Renfro’s Pineapple Salsa.

Pomegranate
Many products claiming to be pomegranate-flavored end up tasting like anything but. Not so with this salsa. The fruit shines clearly through the rich, smoky chipotle without so much as a peep from artificial flavoring. The lingering sweet-hot afterburn will have you immediately reaching for another chip.

The verdict: we’re more than likely to dip into these again!

• See more of our favorite salsas.
• Read the history of salsa.
• See our favorite gourmet tortilla chips.

Spend the night with Amelia Earhart and Napoleon Bonaparte.

• Read our recent review of Hershey’s line of gourmet chocolates, Cacao Reserve.

• One can never have enough chocolate, or knowledge of it. Learn more with our Chocolate Glossary.