Dastony – 100% Organic, Raw & Stone Ground Nut and Seed Butters in business since 2011
Here is what Anna, Windy City Organics Sales and Brand Outreach, emailed me about the company:
About 3 years ago we launched Dastony….
4 years ago we developed a healthy, pure, raw version of Nutella and coined it Rawtella….we used stone grinders to get this ultra silky consistency. The owner fell in love with the stone grinding process and decided to launch a bunch of nut butters as well using super high quality ingredients. We started with just almond, cashew, coconut and sesame and have just kept adding more and more. We now have 11 flavors all together including the 4 sprouted varieties.
Here is some information from their website:
About Dastony
The inspiration for Dastony came from a desire to share what we feel is the healthiest and by the far the smoothest nut and seed butters. We are a family owned company with uncompromising standards of purity, taste, and integrity. Our values are in place due to our deep understanding of the benefits that can be achieved through quality ingredients, and when it comes to taste, well, we work tirelessly in this respect. Our integrity is unwavering and our loyal customers and fans would testify to this. To read more go to: http://dastony.com/about-dastony.html
Why Stone Ground?
We’ve all witnessed the browning of an apple. When the fruit is cut or bruised browning occurs because living cells are damaged and begin to oxidize. Now imagine the process used during the production of a typical nut butter – mastication with heavy duty metal blades. This process literally shreds, tears and cuts repeatedly until the desired texture is achieved. Any living enzymes, viable nutrients, and ‘life’ would certainly dwindle.
RAW and LIVING are principles we at Dastony are truly passionate about. Like with anything living, the energy and vital compounds found in nuts and seeds are very delicate. Our method of stone grinding is the best way to preserve and cherish this life force. Large, flawless granite wheels slowly turn ‘grinding’ the food until it is silky smooth. Temperatures well below 118 degrees are continuously maintained – another gauge for the preservation of raw and living.
From their Facebook Page:
Curious what the stone grinding process looks like? Check out the premier of our behind the scenes video to see those grinders in action! http://youtu.be/yQP8276I1Lc
My Review:
I have found some great products to review, simply from doing a search on Amazon. Before I decide if I even will consider the product, I read the reviews on Amazon and then search on the company site to see that it complies with my own personal high standards for myself, as well as for the public who are reading my posts and also watching my videos. Instead of buying the product, I contacted the company to see if they are willing to send me product(s) for an unbiased review. I want to thank Anna for her willingness to send me a few of the great nut and seed butters that Dastony sells.
I was so anxious to try out the butters and could not wait till the package arrived at my door. It was well worth the wait and then some. I do not think that I will ever want to eat any other nut or seed butters ever again! Once you taste the best artisan-made products (regardless of the cost), it is very difficult to eat another brand. It is the same as if you are a farmer or work at a farmers market (I do work for an organic produce farmer who has the highest quality, tastiest and unique greens and other produce – if you are interested in knowing more about him and if you live in San Diego, you can buy his produce at various markets or through his CSA – go to http://www.sagemountainfarm.com) and eat the freshest food, it is not the same to “buy” your produce, even at a health food store. Dastony uses an “old world” method for processing and offer unique products to their customers. It is worth every penny you will spend to buy them! I was also happy to find out from Anna that the facility handles only their raw tree nuts and seeds and does not process soy or dairy. Also the nuts and seeds are truly raw, as they source out the best products, especially now that raw almonds that are grown in USA are pasteurized.
I received two of their 8 oz butters: Sprouted Pumpkin Seed and Sprouted Sunflower Seed Butter (plastic containers are never used, all of the products come in glass jars). They also offer Sprouted Almond and Sprouted Sesame Seed Butter (Tahini). The difference with sprouted nuts and seeds, it that the germination allows it to be digested more easily in your body and it is considered “living food.” In order to do this, the seeds/nuts are first soaked, at least overnight and they allowed to germinate or even begin to sprout, where you see a “shoot” coming out of one end of the seed/nut. Afterwards, the seeds/nuts are dehydrated at low temperature below 118 degrees to remain raw and enzyme-rich.
The process that Dastony uses to make the butters is explained above and called “stone-ground” and was used in ancient times to make olive oil. It creates the smoothest, creamiest nut and seed butters I have ever tasted. The flavor is like nothing I have ever had before and I am sure if I did a side-by-side taste test with other companies who make nut and seed butters, they would not “hold a candle” to these products! Of course, not many are using this “old world” process as they do not want to take the time or make the effort to offer the best product to the public. They simply want the “machine” to crank out more products, so they can make more money and then, as the expression goes, “you get what you pay for.” This holds true, for sure with Dastony! The prices they charge for what you get is really “cheap” relative to the quality. I ask, please, Dastony, do not mark up the price because I think it is too low, because you still want it to be relatively affordable to the consumers and I do not want to get negative comments from people who say it is my fault that the price went up.
The other products I received (not sprouted) are a 1 oz sample jar of: Almond Butter, Cashew Butter and Coconut Butter. The cashew and coconut butters are also certified kosher by Earth Kosher. They do not sell this size to the public, but are offered in 8 and 16 oz sizes. Besides the varieties I sampled, they also offer:
Brazil Nut, Hempseed, Sesame Seed (Tahini) and Hazelnut Butters. Each butter has its own unique flavor profile, and the 3 mentioned here, to me, have a sweeter flavor and I really enjoy using them to spread on a cracker, add to a soup, smoothie, to make a nut/seed milk, sauce, dressing, dessert, etc. They are such versatile products. The possibilities are endless and is as infinite as the mind can think of! I also like to dip my yummy tri-color carrots or celery into the nut/seed butters. Sone like to split a date in half and spread some butters in there. Please note that double-dipping is not recommended and here is why: Our mouths are the dirtiest places around and if the mix of germs and bacteria present in our mouth get into a jar it can cause mold and rot. This holds true with any food in your fridge!
I know that in the future, I will be purchasing my nut and seed butters from Dastony and enjoying the love and care that goes into each of their products.
Disclaimer: I was not sponsored to write this, but I did receive a sample of the product(s). These are strictly my opinions. I only review products that I, myself would use and purchase.
I am also including some photos from the product packaging that tells you more about the product and the benefits mentioned.
Check out my video review, as well where I taste these great products: http://www.youtube.com/TheRawsomeVeganGal
To find out more about this company, their products and where to purchase, go to: http://www.dastony.com
Dastony Nut and Seed Butters -100% Raw, Organic and Stone Ground
Dastony Seed and Nuts Butters – 100% Raw, Organic & Stoneground
More detailed information on the jar of Pumpkin Seed Butter about the process of stone-grinding
My r-Awesome Life 