Best brands of 2023: Retailer's top picks

As we start another thrilling year, let's pause to appreciate the magic of these emerging brands that defined 2023, selected by our independent retailers. Grab your favorite beverage and join us on this delightful journey as we celebrate the power of partnership and the brands that truly embody it.

Fishwife

Meet Fishwife, the modern sensation flipping the script on tinned seafood. "Fishwife" has an interesting history, originating in the 16th century to describe the wives and daughters of fishermen who sold fish at the market. Over time, it evolved into a derogatory term for bold, outspoken women. Sound familiar? Founded by entrepreneurs Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb in 2020, this LA-based brand offers ethically sourced canned delights like tuna, salmon, trout, and anchovies. With eye-catching label designs and a thriving DTC model, Fishwife is making waves in the culinary world.

One Trick Pony

One Trick Pony started with a love for Córdoba peanuts discovered in Argentina. Naturally sweeter, they inspired a peanut butter free of added sugars and palm oil, without sacrificing flavor. Lucy, Andrew, Dani, and Caro have diverse backgrounds, but a shared love for peanut butter. From baseball and bagels in DC to asados in Argentina, their journey led to culinary school, pizza, and love. Inspired by South America's indigenous peanuts, they crafted a peanut butter that highlights the region's flavors. With lots of Zoom calls and messages, One Trick Pony was born, proving that the world's best peanuts make the best peanut butter.

Fly by Jing

Jing Gao, hailing from Chengdu, China, decided to build a business around this transformative oil, reshaping her career in the process. After stints in brand management and tech, she turned to food to reconnect with her roots, launching Fly By Jing. Despite being pricier than traditional brands, her Sichuan Chili Crisp became a hit, proving that quality ingredients and superior taste are worth it. A successful Kickstarter campaign raised $120,000, fueling the brand's expansion into zhong sauce, dumplings, and more. Gao's vision now extends to introducing regional Chinese cuisines to her growing repertoire.

KariKari

Ruby Sparks and Rob Griset’s two-year journey perfected a symphony of flavors—umami from tamari, Sichuan peppercorn's subtle numbing sensation, and crispy garlic slivers. Inspired by their love for Lao Gan Ma, the Seattle duo gifted jars to friends and won over local businesses like SugarPill. With praise from J. Kenji López-Alt propelling its popularity, KariKari is now stocked in over two dozen outlets and beyond. Sparks and Griset are committed to expanding their reach while maintaining the essence of KariKari, ensuring its magic is shared one jar at a time.

Parch

Rodolfo Aldana, spurred by a life-altering diagnosis, founded Parch, a mocktail company celebrated for its inventive take on non-alcoholic drinks. Transitioning from a 14-year stint in the liquor industry, Aldana's health journey steered him towards crafting Sonoran Desert-inspired cocktails, merging his spirits expertise with a wellness focus. With a nod to sustainability, Parch sources fruits from the desert's rich biodiversity, revitalizing overlooked ingredients. Pepsi took notice of Parch's achievements, awarding Aldana a $20,000 grant and a 6-month mentorship via the Greenhouse Accelerator program, spotlighting his resilience as a finalist in the Latino-owned business category. Looking ahead, Aldana remains optimistic about Parch's future, determined to reshape the mocktail landscape.

Hiyo

Hiyo, founded by Evan Quinn, George Youmans, and Cygne Cooper, aims to revolutionize social drinking with healthy, non-alcoholic alternatives. Stemming from personal experiences with alcohol-related issues, they sought to create stress-relieving, mood-boosting beverages using functional ingredients. Hiyo seltzers, launched in June 2021 after two years of development, feature ingredients like ashwagandha and cordyceps mushroom extract. Available in flavors like peach mango and watermelon lime, they promise a sensation called "the float," characterized by reduced stress and increased presence. With positive feedback and plans for new flavors, Hiyo continues to innovate in the beverage market.

Brightland

It all began with stomach aches in 2015, prompting a reconnection with cooking after years of dining out in NYC. A friend's suggestion led to the discovery that olive oil was the culprit. Shocked by the prevalence of rancid olive oil in the market, the founder, Aishwarya Iyer embarked on a mission to create fresh, high-quality olive oil. Bootstrapping the business and prioritizing conscious sourcing, Brightland was born in 2017, offering visually stunning bottles and delicious olive oil blends that garnered immediate success, inspiring a new approach to pantry essentials.

These independent retailers' top picks truly shine, offering not just products, but stories and passion. From Fishwife's reimagined seafood to Parch's wellness-focused mocktails, each brand brings something special to the table. Here's to celebrating innovation, taste, and the joy of discovery!

Discover more about the top brands of 2023 chosen by independent retailers by visiting Cohere's website today!