Product Review: Blue Diamond Wasabi & Soy Sauce Bold Flavor Almonds

Blue Diamond Wasabi & Soy Sauce Bold Flavor Almonds seem to be a low-carb, "heart healthy" version of the typical Asian wasabi flavored snack crackers. It's part of a line of "intense" roasted almond flavors, including Maui Onion & Garlic and Salt 'n' Vinegar.

The flavor is certainly more interesting than the typical nuts and, unlike snack foods such as chips, is high-protein, low-carb, low-salt and contains potassium, Vitamin E, magnesium, calicium and iron. But the flavor is only a light powder coating on the almonds, and doesn't last long. There's a burst of mild horseradish flavor (no genuine wasabi, of course), which is a good level for people who don't handle spiciness well but might disappoint those who do. But once you chew the almond for a few seconds, the flavor disappears with hardly even an aftertaste, leaving a bland almond with a dry, slightly woody texture whose bits get stuck in your teeth.

The most disappointing part is the lack of soy sauce flavor. Presumably this is because of the low salt content (one serving only contains 5% RDV of sodium), but that's no reason to skimp on flavor when there are so many low-sodium soy sauces available. The flavor of garlic, which doesn't even merit a mention on the front label, comes through much more strongly than any soy sauce flavor.

As a result, the Wasabi & Soy Sauce flavor is somewhat disappointing. But for people who aren't such fans of soy sauce and who enjoy the texture of roasted almonds more than this reviewer, it can be an unusual and satisfying (if expensive) snack.