Ooh num num. That’s less than eloquent, but it’s how I feel right now as I eat Parma! out of the jar with a spoon. The exclamation mark, in case you think I’m overly excited, is part of the brand name.
What is Parma!? It’s not what comes back to bite you when you’ve been a jerk to plumbers from Pittsburgh. It’s a topping, like Parmesan cheese, but it’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and candida-free.
Made by Sister River Foods in Central Point, Oregon, I discovered this tasty condiment at Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck) just a few days ago. Knowing that I would rather drink an expired sorbet made from withered kale than eat some vegan cheese products, I didn’t know what to expect. But Parma!, made from walnuts, nutritional yeast, and Himalayan crystal salt, has a nutty cheesy flavor that tastes good atop a number of foods.
Interestingly, Parma!’s label says it contains Omega-3s and B12 as well as bits of other healthy things. It is low in calories and fat. It’s Kosher and contains no preservatives. It has an exclamation mark after its name, emphasizing how exciting it is when you can’t or won’t eat dairy and after many years find a worthy cheese-like flavor booster for your popcorn.
It looks like I bought the “original” flavor and there are two others, Chipotle Cayenne Parma! and Garlicky Green Parma! The latter, unfortunately, contains sesame seeds, which are also a common allergen. After posting this I’ll ask them if it’s possible the other flavors could be contaminated with sesame. Obviously Parma! is not for nut-allergic people.
Sister River Foods’ website is http://www.eatparma.com/index.html. I look forward to knowing more about their products and if my discerning digestive system will tolerate them.
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I hope they never find out that lightning has a lot of vitamins in it, because do you hide from it or not? -Jack Handey
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Truth, Justice, and All-American Allergen-Free Apple Pie 
It sounds wonderful!!!!! We don’t even have a Whole Foods Market anywhere near us here in Central PA…..I looked….
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Weird. I thought they were everywhere, even on Mars. Well, some natural foods store is bound to carry it. Hey, and here’s to your health!
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It has to be good. I grew up in Central Point, OR and my sister still lives there. We will have to get you a supply straight from it’s origin.
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No kidding. I know the area well. I’m afraid this is going to be one of those products I eat too much if initially and get sick of fast. I’ll decide whether to continue eating it after I hear back from them about my sesame inquiry…
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