Clif Bar - Builder's Protein - Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar) - Nov. 28, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar
Builder's Protein - Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Protein Theme Week.

Today's Builder's Protein bar—made in Canada and distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA)—contained 20 grams of protein, primarily from soy (soy protein isolate was the first ingredient listed), peanuts, peanut butter and cocoa.*

Twenty grams of protein* is significant, even for a relatively large (2.4 oz.) single serving bar like this.

This Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar had much more appealing flavor and texture than many other soy protein bars we've tasted in the past. And, it seemed to be less sweet (thank you). The protein helped mute the beet syrup, brown rice syrup and cane sugar.

The bar had a bit more loft (think puffed, crunchy rice) with peanut butter and chocolate, with a slight caramel soft chew, but without the overly sweet taste. Cocoa and cocoa butter helped provide a satisfying, mild chocolate flavor.

*The same amount (2.4 oz. (68 g.)) of solid, 70% cacao dark chocolate might contain anywhere from 4.56 to 9.5 grams of protein**—along with 28.8 grams of carbohydrates (including fiber) and 26.4 grams of fat. (Cocoa beans used to make chocolate consist of approximately half fat and half solids.**) Dark bars containing higher cocoa/cacao percent numbers (with more cocoa solids) and/or cocoa powder would be highest in protein.

**Protein content numbers found online vary (in part due to different varieties and types of cacao). Fat/solids ratio in cacao may vary with cacao variety and geographic origin (where it's grown). Cacao grown at the Equator might be leaner than cacao grown at 20 degrees away from the Equator (where temperatures are cooler, and cacao tends to contain slightly more fat). Cacao growers/in-country chocolate makers in Hawaii might have as much as 10% or more cacao butter in their beans than cacao grown in Ecuador.