Ever wake up one morning and think to yourself, “Wow! My world would be just a little bit brighter if I had access to sugar free strawberry-flavored syrup?” ZOMG! Mine too! We’re so alike. We should lunch sometime!
Enter Davinci’s. Sensing a need in the gourmet syrup market, this company offers literally dozens of syrups–including Strawberry–and dozens of options for sugar free lifestyles, as well.
For me, the measure of a company’s success is to purchase the most obvious flavors and test them. If a company can’t make a simple flavor, what’s the point? I mean, if you’re going to go all X-FlavorGames and taste a melted popcorn surprise syrup (doesn’t exist. Call me DaVinci’s people!) it’s obvs the flavor won’t showcase the masterful capabilities of a company like a simple Strawberry flavor can.
I purchased this product for the sole purpose of flavoring shaved ice for kiddos during the summer sweat season. I also nabbed a squirter from netrition.com that replaces the screw on lid and lets you play with red-dyed liquids next to your light-colored fabrics (mind your pastels) and schmootzes out a little too much at a time for my liking in terms of product (1-2 Tbsp). Still, the squirter pump was worth buying if for no other reason than to send into the bathtub with the kids. Now they can shoot the bathwater everywhere. Which might not be a good idea on revisiting. Oh. Unless you like stepping in cold puddles of kid water that a naked bottom had been marinating in for 30 minutes.
The Strawberry syrup itself is decent. The flavor is super sweet, but then again, since a little dab is supposed to do you, the squirt pump is shooting me colossal mouthfuls of sucralose and red # 40. It all tastes very pink.
Used in the shaved ice, I’d recommend using wee amounts of it distributed, rather than trying to turn the ice red (this isn’t Carrie anyway, where the little snow cone girl goes to the snow cone prom and goes all strawberry on everyone). In cream cheese, I was able to make a spread for a flax cracker and still stick to Atkins induction levels (read: low carb). I showed it who it’s mama was… and then I ate it. Which sounds a little bit too Donner Party when you think about it.
I’d say try the strawberry in your favorite coffees, teas, mixed with fresh whipped cream, in cream cheese frosting or wherever you can combine color with flavor. A wee bit in a cheesecake batter will tickle you pink, while everything’s just a little rosier when you can add that little fruit shazam. You can even combine it with a bit of xanthan gum for a thicker syrup to go over pancakes.
My favorite way to enjoy DaVinci’s flavors is to use them for both the flax cracker and the spread.
To make the carpet match the drapes: The cracker: Simply mix 2 Tbsp flax seed meal with 1 Tbsp water + 1 Tbsp Davinci’s. Spread on a piece of parchment paper and microwave for 2.5 minutes. Let cool. The spread: In a separate bowl, heat 1 ounce of cream cheese for 20 seconds. Add 1 Tbsp DaVinci’s syrup and mix. Spread on cracker.
DaVinci’s website even offers literally hundreds of recipes for people looking to try some of their flavors. This Berry Lemonade recipe they include isn’t exactly rocket science, but it shows one of the many practical applications of the product. I dropped some into my iced tea for kicks. Because that’s how I roll. I’m danger girl with a squirter. But I digress.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
DaVinci’s Cost: $7.49 for 25.4 fl ounce glass bottle (25 servings)
Carb/Calorie Count: 0 carbs/ 0 calories per 2 Tbsp (1 fl. oz)
Ingredients: Water, natural flavor, cellulose gum, sucralose, sodium benzoate, citric acid, red 40
Flavor: Strawberry
Texture: Smooth and pretty much red
Usefulness: slushies, smoothies, as a pancake syrup, in coffee, in frostings, versatile fun flavor
Negative: Very strong flavor, so be careful to not overdo. Red can stain
Found at: netrition.com, some grocery stores in coffee aisle (check the top shelf)
Website: https://www.davincigourmet.com/
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