IQ Bar - Peanut Butter Chip bar - July 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

IQ Bar
Peanut Butter Chip bar
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 1 Pound, 12.8 oz. (816 g.) in a box of 18 bars
Calories: 160 calories for 1 bar
Cost: $18.49 for box of 18 bars
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolates --ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolate bars to casual snacks and protein bars.

Today's Peanut Butter Chip bar was made by IQBAR, Inc. (Boston, MA). This bar was part of a larger, 3-flavor, 18-bar variety box.*

Aroma notes for this individually-wrapped bar included: somewhat artificial sweetness, nuttiness (faint peanut), and almost undetectable vegetable protein/starch. The taste and texture were better than the initial aroma.

Texture: This peanut butter-hued protein bar had a relatively soft, very slightly crunchy, chew-- a texture that was interspersed with smooth chocolate chips.

Flavor notes included: light peanut/peanut butter, relatively invisible pea protein crisps, and the occasional flicker of dark chocolate. The pea protein and other additions made this bar more filling and satisfying.

I liked the relatively short and thoughtful list of ingredients; the fact that each bar contained 12 grams of Protein and 3 grams of (Net) Carbs; and that this protein bar didn't taste sugary sweet. I also liked that they called out the Magnesium** levels in their bars. I also liked the use of Stevia (vs. other sweetener alternatives in this particular bar).

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

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Peanuts, Almonds, Coconut" (Non-GMO Certified, Gluten Free, Vegan and Kosher)

*The two other flavors in this box were Chocolate Sea Salt and Almond Butter Chip.

**Dark chocolate naturally contains relatively significant levels of iron and magnesium -- one of the many reasons why some people crave chocolate. I find it difficult to get all the calcium and magnesium I need; so it was a plus to see the levels listed--15% Daily Value for Magnesium was not bad for this bar; and the amount would be higher for bars higher in dark chocolate. (You might not find this level of detail on some craft chocolate labels.)

To'ak - Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts 65% (bar) - July 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak 
Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts (bar)
Good++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 4 smaller bars
Calories: 336 calories in 1 package
Cost: $16.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: To'ak, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolate and peanut/peanut butter offerings--ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolates to casual snacks.

Today's Alchemy Salprieta* Peanuts (bars) were made by To'ak (Tierra & Arbol S.A.S.; Quito, Ecuador). The company started "from a rainforest conservation project in Ecuador and has become"...a global pioneer in the world of "luxury dark chocolate."

Aroma notes included: roasted nuts (peanuts), chili pepper and warm spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander/cilantro), and a very faint, fleeting menthol note that disappeared after re-tasting.

Texture: The flavor inclusions were almost all fully incorporated, leaving just tiny bursts of welcome flavor(s); although there were a few very hard, very tiny light-colored bits. (Corn perhaps?)

Flavor notes included: complex, almost sparkling flavors (like light streaming through a forest) that revealed themselves a bit at a time. Tiny salt crystals, tiny grains of nut, tiny atoms of spice, and dark chocolate nuances that included chocolate and tropical fruit. (The heirloom cacao used to make this bar was from Piedra de Plata, Manabi, Ecuador.)

What a beautiful ride. I loved the intriguing range of complex and subtle flavors in this bar. And, like all great rides, it was over too soon.

Ingredients: "Dark chocolate (65% heirloom cacao, 35% cane sugar), peanuts, salprieta (peanuts, achiote, cilantro, sea salt, and ground heirloom corn), achiote paste (achiote, sea salt), cilantro, cacao butter"

Allergen-related information: (Contains Peanuts.) "May contain traces of milk, soy, or nuts."

*Salprieta is a mix of ground (usually toasted) peanuts, corn and spices. It is used as a condiment in Ecuador. 

Simply Protein - Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bar - July 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Protein
Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.82 oz. (80 g.) / 5.64 oz. (160 g.) in total box of 4 bars
Calories: 340 calories in 2 bars
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a series that encompasses bean-to-bar chocolates...and a few snack and protein bars with peanuts/peanut butter and chocolate.

Today's Simply Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bars were distributed by Wellness Natural USA Inc. (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes included: light cocoa and peanut. There were visible peanut halves embedded into the bar. There wasn't a lot of chocolate flavor; but the unsweetened chocolate that was there added--the 5th ingredient on the list--added some richness and depth to this plant protein peanut bar blend.

The texture was light, crispy and crunchy (soy crisps, brown rice crisps).

I liked that this bar contained 12 grams of protein (making it feel more satisfying), and that wasn't too sweet. (There were Net 2 grams of added sugars in each bar.) It also had a relatively short list of ingredients for a snack bar.

Ingredients: Soy Protein Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt), Peanuts, Inulin, Vegetable Glycerin, Unsweetened Chocolate, Brown Rice Crisps (Brown Rice), Natural Peanut Butter (Peanuts), Cane Sugar, Peanut Oil, Sunflower Oil Blend [Sunflower Oil, Antioxidants (Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract)}

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy, Peanuts. Made in a Facility That Also Uses Tree Nuts, Sesame.