Sunday, December 29, 2024

IQBar - Almond Butter Chip bar + Matcha Chai bar...and Intrigue Chocolate Pomegranate (bar) - Dec. 26, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day 

IQBar 
Almond Butter Chip (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A part of a $14.99 tasting pack with several flavors
Purchased from: IQBar, online order

Intrigue Chocolate 
Pomegranate 50% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Mushrooms Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate Tea, Herbs and Spices Week. 

I enjoyed two IQBar Inc. protein bars (with mushrooms) and a holiday Pomegranate 50% bar today from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).

IQBar - Almond Butter Chip

IQBar Inc. distributes a number of plant protein-based bars (with Lion's Mane), including the two flavors I enjoyed today: 1.) Almond Butter Chip and 2.) Matcha Chai. These were compressed bars with a cohesive, soft chew (think firm cookie dough). 

Both contained 12 grams of plant protein and only 1 gram of sugar. Only the Almond Butter Chip contained chocolate (chocolate chips). And the chocolate complemented the almond flavors and added some satisfying flavor depth. 

I liked that the protein and mushroom powders were fully incorporated and not too grainy.  

The green tea in the Matcha Chai bar provided the tea element in a theme week featuring blends of teas, herbs and spices.

Ingredients: "Almonds, Protein Blend (Pea Protein Crisps [Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch], Pea Protein), Natural Flavors, Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber), Coconut Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa, Water, Cocoa Butter, Cinnamon, Sea Salt, Lion's Mane, Stevia Plant Extract, Vitamin E"

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds, Coconut

Intrigue Chocolate Co.

Today's Pomegranate 50% Cacao bar from Intrigue Chocolate tasted relatively sweet at 50% cacao; but, a bit more sugar made sense given the bold, acidic and naturally astringent taste of pomegranate fruit and juice.

Pomegranate is a challenging fruit to tackle in chocolate. The maker here used freeze-dried pomegranate juice. Other than a brief flicker of fruit astringency, this well-executed blend was quite well-behaved and worked very nicely. It was enjoyable to try.

Ingredients: "Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, freeze-dried pomegranate juice."


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