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FoodWellnessBody Care

Grocery Store Staples Get a Glow-Up: Smart Alternatives to Kroger Favorites

Steve McClain

Steve McClain

Co-Founder @ Marmalade

Published on: November 25, 2024
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Hero Image of product toasted-black-sesame-6-serving-oatmeal-pouch
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Walking the aisles of Kroger feels like a choose-your-own-adventure book where every chapter ends the same way. While there's nothing wrong with grabbing your usual grocery staples there, we've noticed an exciting shift in how smaller brands are reimagining everyday essentials. From dental care to breakfast basics, these innovative companies are writing new chapters in the story of our daily routines.
Let's explore four brands that caught our attention for transforming mundane products into something worth talking about. Each brings a fresh perspective to familiar categories, whether through sustainable materials, cultural authenticity, or clever design thinking.

Cocofloss
: Making Dental Floss Feel Like a Spa Day

The Cu sisters have a theory: if flossing felt more like a treat than a chore, we'd all do it more often. Chrystle, a practicing dentist, and her sister Cat turned this hypothesis into Cocofloss, challenging our collective sigh at dental hygiene.
Their Apple Cinnamon floss stands out with its unique texture – imagine a miniature loofah for your teeth. The design features over 500 filaments that expand between teeth, creating a satisfying clean feeling that standard floss can't match. We appreciate how they've managed to make each strand from recycled water bottles without compromising on performance. The addition of coconut oil helps it glide smoothly, while subtle aromatics transform the experience from clinical to indulgent. Their innovation hasn't gone unnoticed in professional circles, earning two Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Awards.

Why we like Cocofloss

  • 1

    Eco-Friendly Materials

    Made from recycled water bottles without compromising quality

  • 2

    Superior Design

    500 filaments create a more effective cleaning experience

  • 3

    Luxurious Experience

    Coconut oil and aromatics transform routine dental care

  • 4

    Professional Recognition

    Award-winning dental hygiene innovation

Ioli Baltas

Ioli Baltas

09/17/24

So much better than simple mint flavored floss and the coconut material makes it perfect for getting all gunk out of your teeth

Yoyo

Yoyo

03/04/24

Who gave FLOSS the RIGHT to taste so good? Like, why am I looking forward to flossing? The dentist who invented this gave the people exactly what they wanted. Apple cinnamon, at night? Talk about a sweet treat. <3

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The Spice House
: Where Spices Tell Their Origin Stories

Since 1957, when the Penzey family opened their first Chicago shop, The Spice House has taken a historian's approach to flavor. While most spice racks gather dust in supermarket aisles, this company treats their ingredients like living stories that deserve to be told properly.
Their fresh-ground turmeric exemplifies this philosophy. The vibrant orange powder arrives with an aromatic intensity that makes us question everything we thought we knew about this ancient spice. Daily grinding ensures maximum potency, but what truly interests us is their commitment to transparency. Each spice comes with detailed origin information and cultural context, turning simple seasonings into windows to the world. Their direct relationships with farmers worldwide create a spice trade that values both quality and ethical sourcing.

Why we like The Spice House

  • 1

    Fresh-Ground Quality

    Daily grinding process ensures maximum potency

  • 2

    Transparent Sourcing

    Detailed origin information for each product

  • 3

    Direct Trade

    Established relationships with farmers worldwide

  • 4

    Cultural Context

    Rich historical background for each spice

Lily Galef

Lily Galef

02/11/24

Great to add to any recipe for flavor, it also helps boost immunity.

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Omsom
: When Authenticity Refuses to Be Watered Down

The Pham sisters grew up watching Asian flavors get lost in translation on American store shelves. Instead of accepting this cultural dilution, they created Omsom – a brand that treats bold Asian flavors as non-negotiable.
Their Best Seller sauce set reads like a manifesto for authentic Asian cooking. Each starter packet contains the exact sauce combinations that Asian American chefs use in their own kitchens. We're intrigued by how they've managed to capture complex flavor profiles while keeping the cooking process accessible. The sisters work with celebrated chefs to ensure each recipe maintains its cultural integrity, effectively challenging the notion that Asian flavors need Western adaptation. Their educational content goes beyond recipes, exploring the cultural significance behind each dish and celebrating Asian American identity through food.

Why we like Omsom

  • 1

    Cultural Authenticity

    Genuine Asian flavors without Western adaptation

  • 2

    Chef Collaboration

    Recipes developed with celebrated Asian American chefs

  • 3

    Educational Impact

    Rich cultural context with each product

  • 4

    Accessible Format

    Complex flavors in convenient starter packets

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Yishi Foods
: Where Eastern Breakfast Wisdom Meets Modern Mornings

Lin Jiang looked at American breakfast options and saw an opportunity to introduce traditional Asian breakfast wisdom to Western morning routines. Her mother's black sesame porridge inspired Yishi's signature oatmeal, creating an intriguing bridge between two breakfast cultures.
The Toasted Black Sesame Oatmeal represents this cross-cultural innovation perfectly. Organic gluten-free oats provide a familiar base, while traditional Chinese ingredients add unexpected depth and nutritional benefits recognized in Eastern medicine. We're particularly interested in how they've maintained the functional aspects of both traditions – the sustained energy from oats and seeds, combined with the wellness properties of Asian ingredients. Jiang has effectively transformed breakfast from a rushed morning ritual into a thoughtful act of self-care, all while preserving the convenience modern life demands.

Why we like Yishi Foods

  • 1

    Cultural Fusion

    Blends Eastern wellness with Western breakfast traditions

  • 2

    Traditional Benefits

    Incorporates authentic Chinese medicinal ingredients

  • 3

    Modern Convenience

    Quick preparation without sacrificing quality

  • 4

    Nutritional Innovation

    Combines familiar oats with unique Asian superfoods

Emma Leuchten

Emma Leuchten

09/19/24

I love this oatmeal!! I mix it with rolled oats (half and half) to make my daily oatmeal more interesting—it's nutty and hearty, and I love the sesame flavor. It's lightly sweetened, so mixing it with plain oats makes it less sweet and makes each bag last longer.

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The Future of Everyday Essentials

These brands demonstrate how reimagining familiar products can lead to genuinely interesting alternatives. They're not just offering different options – they're challenging our assumptions about what everyday items can be. Whether it's through sustainable materials, cultural authenticity, or innovative design, each company proves that even the most basic products deserve thoughtful consideration. While Kroger will always have its place in our shopping routines, these alternatives remind us that sometimes the most interesting products live just beyond the familiar.