UPDATE (02/07/2013): I have since sampled Veggie Brothers "mozzarella" sticks again and they really have made some improvements to their recipe. The breading was thicker and much more flavorful, which is world's better. At almost $10 for a package of 6 sticks, which does not even include any kind of sauce, is still a bit high, but it's worth it as an occasional treat. I would order this product again and I'm glad I gave them another try for this product!

Original article:

Veggie Brothers is an all vegan website that offers breakfast foods such as ham, breakfast toast, scrambles, and more; appetizers such as hot wings, nuggets, etc; entrees such as wellington supreme, pot pies, tofu crab cakes, and others; etc. The also offer meal ideas, support, a blog, and much more. They are a great support system and resource for anyone interested in veganism or a healthier lifestyle.

Anyway, I finally received an order of their much awaited mozzarella sticks, which are vegan, of course. I realize this does not sound appealing to a large audience, but anyone who is health-conscious as well as any vegans and vegetarians may appreciate this item. That being said, I was so excited to try them!

Price, Appearance, Texture, and Taste

They looked delicious, but at over $9.00 per order of six sticks I was very hesitant to order. I couldn't resist trying them, however, so I gave in and bought some.

They looked and actually smelled delicious before even heating them up. The shape of each was slightly different, so each looked unique. Some were more square and oblong shaped while others were more rectangular and oblong. All measured about three to three and a half inches long.

I decided to fry them and I'm glad I did. (This product can be fried or baked, according to the instructions that were included.) The crust is absolutely delicious. It's crispy and flavorful. It's exactly what I want out of a breading.

The "mozzarella" inside was okay, but certainly not worth the price tag, in my opinion. If I never had real mozzarella I might like these, but since I still eat the real thing (mozzarella) on occasion, these didn't fully satisfy me. They are decent tasting, but not delicious. The texture is very realistic when hot enough, but once they cool down they get a bit like soft rubbery glue. When hot enough they are bubbly, gooey, and almost have a real mozzarella texture, though, in my opinion. There is no aftertaste as with some vegan cheeses, but I did belch them up a bit. (Sorry for being a bit too revealing with my experience!)

I definitely recommend using a sauce for these. Chunky mariniara with onions is a great choice, and even barbecue, ranch, salsa,  or mustard are good choices; whatever you like.

I didn't dislike them, but for almost $9.50 per single order, I doubt I will be ordering more anytime soon. I hate to write anything bad about Veggie Brothers since I truly love most of their products and fully support their ideology, but these don't quite hit the mark of quality I anticipate from this company.

Nutritional Information and Ingredients

There are a few allergens in this product: soy, wheat, and treenuts (coconut). The complete ingredients can be found at veggiebrothers.com.

Other items on the site come with nutritional values, but, much to my dismay, I couldn't find any information on this item. I like when calories, total fat, protein, and other nutrient statistics are included, but none can be found with the package I was shipped nor on the website. (Update: nutritional information was included in my most recent purchase of this product.)

Overall, I love Veggie Brothers and highly recommend almost anything on their site. This product is still new and could use improvement. Perhaps they are open to suggestions and can improve it as well as slightly lower the price. I did receive 9 points for purchasing these. Veggie Brothers offers a rewards program such that when 1,000 points are accumulated they issue a $100 gift certificate, or credit. With only three small orders I have 190 points. Veggie Brothers also offers frequent discounts.

Sources

IMAGE CREDIT: Veggie Brothers website

personal experience and opinion

VeggieBrothers.com

product labeling and website info

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