Clif Bar - LUNA Chocolate Cupcake Whole Nutrition Bar - Dec. 17, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Clif Bar
LUNA Chocolate Cupcake Whole Nutrition Bar 
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.69 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information 

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

Today's Organic LUNA Chocolate Cupcake Whole Nutrition Bar was distributed by Clif Bar & Company (Emeryville, CA). This nutrition bar included: a "protein grain blend" of soy, oat and rice flours; brown rice syrup; and, of course, chocolate.

Aroma notes for this bar included: chocolate cake, and very faint soy + rice cake/cracker.

Texture: relatively light, crispy-chewy (rice-soy crisps) and smooth chocolate--with a chocolate-y coating and chocolate icing.

What did I like? One bar contained 8 grams of protein, and--for a nutrition bar--it was a surprisingly close approximation to an iced chocolate cupcake. I also liked that it was gluten free.

Ingredients: Protein Grain Blend (Crisps [Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour*, Alkalized Cocoa*], Soy Flour*, Rolled Oats*, Roasted Soybeans*), Brown Rice Syrup*, Cane Sugar*, Sunflower and/or Soybean Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Alkalized Cocoa*, Cane Syrup*, Chicory Fiber Syrup*, Agave Inulin, Unsweetened Chocolate*, Cocoa*, Palm Kernel Solids, Palm Kernel Oil, Natural Flavors, Gum Arabic*, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Cocoa Butter*. (*=Organic Ingredient)

Allergen-related information: "Contained Soy. May Contain Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, and Sesame."

Dark Chocolate Honey Cured Pink and Meyer Lemon Slices; Clif Family White Chocolate Lemon & Ginger (bar) - Nov. 7, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Dark Chocolate, Honey Cured Pink and Meyer Lemon Slices

(Homemade)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.6 oz. (45.28 g.) for 4 small slices

Calories: 195 calories in 4 small slices

Cost: $ N/A - various

Purchased from: N/A - various (including lemon trees in yard)

Clif Family Napa Valley

White Chocolate Lemon and Ginger (bar)

Good +

Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Village Market, Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Honey and Citrus Theme Week. 

Homemade honey and lemon dark chocolate slices

I'm drawn to pairing warm, bright flavors with chocolate as the weather cools in November. Fortunately, I live in California and Meyer lemon, sweet pink grapefruit, and other citrus trees are full of fruit now.

For today's first chocolate, I brushed ultra-thin slices of Pink Lemons and Meyer Lemons with honey and later (after a slow curing process) dipped these citrus slices into a melange of melted dark chocolates. I loved the bold bitter dark, and tart lemon flavors together with a subtle honey sweetness.

The second chocolate was a gentler, sweeter implementation of these flavors. 

Clif Family White Chocolate Lemon and Ginger (bar)

The Clif Family * winery and chocolate factory (Saint Helena, CA) are based in the Napa Valley in northern California--a region famous for wine and good food.

Today's White Chocolate Lemon and Ginger 33% Cacao Artisan Chocolate (bar) had authentic ginger flavor and subtle citrus (lemon) notes. (The Clif Family suggests pairing this bar with a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc wine.)

High cacao (butter) percent white chocolates (sans cacao solids) provide a sweet culinary launchpad for subtle herbs, spices and fruits like saffron, pepper(s), citrus (lemon, orange, lime, kumquat, etc.), members of the mint family, honey and many other flavor inclusions. 

Even ginger and stronger mints and fruits--that can hold their own with dark chocolate (high percent cacao solids)--can be intriguing when allowed to take center stage in a white chocolate base.

As long as the white chocolate is pure and not overly sweet, these flavor blends can be delicious. Today's 33% white chocolate was a balanced, warming ginger and lemon confection suffused with a touch of vanilla. 

Ingredients: "33% White Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla (organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk, organic nonfat milk, organic soy lecithin, whole Tahitian vanilla beans), organic crystallized ginger, organic crystallized lemon peel, citric acid."

*The Clif Family operations in Napa are owned by Clif Bar founders, Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford.

Clif Bar - Sierra Trail Mix (bar) - Jan. 3, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Sierra Trail Mix (bar)
Good
Weight: 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Hit the Trail with Chocolate Theme Week.

I love being outdoors in the winter. A walk or hike in the fresh air makes food (including chocolate) taste better. So, even though it's January, as long as it isn't raining heavily. I'll be outside this week every day (with chocolate).

Today's Sierra Trail Mix (bar) was from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

The bar contained peanuts, chocolate and raisins; and this hiking snack had a sweet trail mix and granola aroma and flavor, compressed into a crunchy, chewy substantial bar.

*One rumor has it that trail mix was invented by two California surfers in 1968 when they mixed peanuts and raisins together for a snack. I can remember as a child carrying around plastic bags of homemade trail mix, "gorp," and/or granola with chocolate pieces and nuts in California in the 1960s, so this story sounds plausible. 

Many outdoor enthusiasts (my parents included) in the 1960s and early 1970s were creative DIYers. My father, an engineer, made his own wetsuits, ski clothing, trail mix, and just about everything else one could think of. And my mother packed awesome paper bag lunches for family adventures.

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.

Whole Lotta - Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 27, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Whole Lotta
Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.98 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and  Protein Theme Week.

Today's gluten free and dairy free Whole Lotta Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar) was from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA).

This relatively new fruit, nut, seed and spice bar contained 10 grams of plant-based protein. The "fruit" was date paste (the first ingredient listed). Dates can act as a binder, sweetener and as some added moistness for many types of compressed bars. This fruit can deliver a powerful, gooey sweetness. However, this bar was not too sweet (and there was no added sugar). Thank you!* The protein and peanuts helped balance out the sweetness.

*Some might think it's odd to be sampling hundreds of chocolates a year, and not be that fond of sugar. But, I'm more interested in tasting the nuances of chocolate and flavor inclusions, and too much sugar can preclude having this experience.

Clif Bar - Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter - Nut Butter Filled bar - Sept. 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar
Nut Butter Filled - Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter bar
Good
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Banana Theme Week.

Today's Nut Butter Filled Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter bar was from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA)*, a family and employee-owned company based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This organic bar had a fresh baked banana bread aroma, which showed up in the flavor (and finish). And it had a soft, chewy texture and a smooth chocolate nut (peanut) butter filling.

Clif Bar (co-)founder Gary Erickson's idea(s) for a better energy bar, and the first Clif Bar, were conceived in the early 1990s.

Clif Bar now offers a variety of bars (including a family of nut butter filled bars), in the ever-evolving, individually-packaged energy/trail/protein/snack bar category—designed for busy, on-the-go lives, and for those who want a sturdy, non-perishable snack to take on outdoor adventures.

I've had a life-long love for hiking, skiing and long-distance adventures, and appreciate all the progress that's been made in this category.

While home built snacks (like gorp) and trail "bars" last century were great. (You knew exactly what was in them and you could customize your own blend.) However, they required extra shopping and planning and the produce or plastic bags they were stuffed in, or taped up with, often leaked—or (worse) oozed—staining one's backpack and attracting unwanted wildlife out on the trail.

Thankfully, individually-wrapped commercially available bars have continued to improve. Early pressed bars made were often overly sweet, over-processed, and contained many artificial ingredients. Clif Bar has kept up with, and sometimes led, the field with their priorities and choices around health and wellness.

*This bar was made in Canada, and contained peanuts, fair trade chocolate, oats and "natural flavors."  It may contain traces of tree nuts, milk, wheat and soy.

Luna - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chunk (bar) - Mar. 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Luna 

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chunk (bar)

Good

Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) bar / box of 6 bars

Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $3.49 for 1 box of 6 bars

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Starches Theme Week.

Oats are a popular starch and cereal grain, often combined with chocolate chips or chunks, in cookies, granolas, cereals and oatmeal cereals. 

They're also a popular (non-wheat) inclusion in energy, nutrition and cereal bars, such as today's Luna Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chunk bar distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). 

Oats* can add a bit of substantial cereal oomph and texture/fiber to a bar and, to some extent, can help balance sweetness (if extra sugar isn't added to compensate for this muffling effect). Speaking of sugar this bar was labeled as "low glycemic" (19 grams carbohydrates and 5 grams of sugar).

This bar had mild peanut butter flavor. And small chocolate chunks adhered to one side of the bar, gave it a hint of rich chocolate flavor.

*The first ingredient listed was a Protein Grain Blend (soy protein isolate, organic rolled oats, organic rice flour). This gluten-free bar contained 7 grams of protein.

Luna - Rica Chocolate Coconut Almond bar - Feb. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Luna - Rica - Chocolate Coconut Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 16.92 oz. (480 g.) in total box of 12 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 box of 12 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Luna Rica Chocolate Coconut Almond bar was from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). The Luna Rica filled bars are relatively new. ("Rica" means rich and delicious in Spanish.)

This almond butter filled fruit and nut bar was quite sweet. Organic date paste was the first ingredient listed on the label, followed by Organic almond butter and Organic unsweetened chocolate. It also contained dried cane syrup. Further down the ingredient list was organic coconut.

The segmented bar was, as promised, rich in flavor. (I would have preferred a less sweet bar with no sea salt myself, but others will like this.)

For those who are concerned about allergens, this organic bar was gluten free, but contained soy, peanuts, almonds, cashews and coconut.

Clif Bar and Company - LUNA Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar - Feb. 10, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company

LUNA - Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter bar

Good

Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) for 1 bar / 16.92 oz. (480 g.) in total box

Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $6.99 for 1 box of 12 bars

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Luna - Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter bar from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA) was a "Peanut Butter filled Fruit and Nut Bar."

Dates (the first ingredient listed) helped give this bar a soft, chewy texture and dried fruit-flavor sweetness.

Clif Bar - Luna High Protein Chocolate Walnut Fudge bar - Dec. 10, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Distributed by Clif Bar and Company
Luna High Protein Bar - Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Good
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) / 9.54 oz. (270 g.) in total box of 6 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

This Luna Chocolate Walnut Fudge bar was Distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). The bar was part of the company's High Protein Bar lineup.

The 12 grams of protein in this protein bar was supplied by soy protein isolate, the first ingredient listed (followed by sugar).

The fun flavors of chocolate (cocoa) and nuts (tiny bits of walnut + macadamia nut butter) took a back seat to the soy protein and sugar.  This was a snack bar more serious in its intentions than most. However, protein apparently cut the effects of sugar, as this gluten free bar was also labeled low glycemic.

Spearheaded by Clif Bar and Company co-owner, Kit Crawford, the company launched the Luna product line and initiatives (LunaFest film festival, Luna Chix Pro Team) in 1999. The Luna bar was one of the first nutrition bars marketed to women, and multiple flavors have been created over time.

Clif Bar - Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut bar - Feb. 22, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut bar
(Mojo Trail Mix bars)
Good
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.00 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today I enjoyed a Mojo Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut bar from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

This relatively "low glycemic*" bar was studded with organic dark chocolate pieces/chips, made with Non-GMO ingredients, and contained 8 grams of protein.

The Clif Bar Mojo Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Bar was part of an ever-expanding family of individually wrapped energy bars, snacks and beverages that includes Clif, Mojo, Kit, Luna, Nut Butter Filled and other bar brand variations. (Luna bars seem to cater more toward women. Kit Bars are designed by co-owneer Kit Crawford.)

*This bar contained 20 grams Carbohydrates, including fiber. Only 10 grams are considered sugars.

**The company was founded in 1992, and Gary Erickson named the company after his inspirational dad named Clif. The original Clif Bar was apparently created in the early 1990s, after a 175-mile bike ride. Yup, that would do it.

Clif Bar - Hot Chocolate bar - Jan. 31, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar

Hot Chocolate bar
OK++ - Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 125 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Iced Gingerbread bar
Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 125 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of DEFGHIJK Week.

Today's winter-themed Hot Chocolate and Iced Gingerbread bars from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA) were released in time for the holidays last month.

Of these two bars, I enjoyed the gingerbread bar a bit more, largely due to the addition of molasses and gingerbread spices. Pictured, but not featured above, was the company's Spiced Pumpkin bars, which I also liked. It was relatively moist and, like the gingerbread bar, I liked the spices. (Neither the pumpkin nor the gingerbread bar contained chocolate.)

The first ingredient listed for all three bars was organic brown rice syrup, followed by organic rolled oats. These bars were a bit too sweet for me, but they provided a hearty, chewy snack. They also contained soy protein isolate (the third ingredient in Hot Chocolate bar).

I was not eating these while climbing snowy mountains. Fortunately, I was able to take a break from winter weather this week. Instead, I sampled these substantial bars before a walk in the Arizona desert sunshine.

LUNA Chocolate Peppermint Stick bar - Jan. 8, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
LUNA Chocolate Peppermint Stick bar
Good?
Weight: 1.69 oz. (48 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.99 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Alameda, CA

Greetings and Welcome to the First Day of Chocolate and Peppermint Theme Week.

Peppermint is a great flavor to highlight in early January. It's a natural follow-on to the holidays and it reminds me of brisk, cold winter weather. As children we received oranges (or tangerines) and candy canes in late December; and we were still sucking on left-over Christmas peppermint sticks outside in January. (The trick was not to get the peppermint candy stuck to your mittens when you went out into the snow.)

Today's LUNA Chocolate Peppermint Stick bar from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA) had slightly crunchy, chewy, nutrition bar texture infused with peppermint and chocolate flavor that was perhaps neater to eat than a candy cane.

This gluten-free bar was made with organic oats and "25% less sugar" than the original recipe.

*Clif Bar's LUNA bar line was one of the first nutritional bars targeted toward women.

Kit's Organic - Dark Chocolate Peanut bar - Aug. 7, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
Kit's Organic
Fruit + Nut Bar - Dark Chocolate Peanut
Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information in 1 bar
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's Kit's* Organic Fruit + Nut Bar - Dark Chocolate Peanut bar was made in Canada and distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

This bar was moist and dense and had a naturally-sweet (but not too sweet) chewy, fruity and nutty brownie texture and taste.

I also enjoyed trying a few Chimes Peanut Butter Ginger Chews today. These small, individually-wrapped candies (available in original ginger and other flavors) had only four ingredients: cane sugar, ginger, tapioca starch and peanut butter. Simple, flavorful and, along with the Kit's bar, a good trail/walking snack.

*Kit Crawford is the real person (and co-owner of Clif Bar and Company) behind the line of Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut bars.

Clif Bar - Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bar - Aug. 5, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
Nut Butter Filled - Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bar
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bar was a member of a relatively new line of nut butter filled bars from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

This oat-based chocolate energy bar with a peanut butter filling made me think: what a great idea. I'm surprised I haven't seen more like this sooner.

The organic bar had a soft but substantial chew and wasn't too crumbly. And I liked that it was not ultra-sweet.

I recently sampled Clif Bar's hazelnut chocolate nut butter filled bar (where the chocolate was on the inside), and it was quite good also.

Note: There was no guarantee this bar was gluten free, but it contained no wheat ingredients.

Clif Bar - Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter bar - July 14, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar
Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter bar
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Hazelnut Theme Week(s).

Today's Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Butter bar was from energy bar pioneeer Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). Hidden beneath a traditional oat-based energy bar exterior was a creamy chocolate nut butter filling (chocolate + hazelnut butter, cashew butter and almond butter).

This bar was part of a new line of Nut Butter Filled bars. (There is also an Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter bar (with chocolate on the outside and peanut butter on the inside).

While not explicitly gluten-free, there were no wheat ingredients listed in this organic bar.

Clif Bar - Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut - Dark Chocolate Walnut bar - May 31, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar
Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut bar - Dark Chocolate Walnut bar
Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Theme Week.

Clif Bar and Company offers several types of bars now, beyond the original Clif Bar, including organic bar options. Today's Dark Chocolate Walnut bar was part of the Kit's* Organic Fruit + Nut bar line.

Described as "rich dark chocolate combined with crunchy organic walnuts," the fruit in this slightly chewy compressed bar came from the #1 ingredient listed: organic dates.

And speaking of ingredients, the list was short: six items. And fewer ingredients often means less processing and higher-quality ingredients.

This Dark Chocolate Walnut bar was "USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free."

*Kit's Organic is named for Kit Crawford, co-owner of Clif Bar and Company. In addition to Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut bars, the company also offers a line of Kit's Organic Fruit + Seed bars.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Kit's Organic - Dark Chocolate Almond Chile bar - May 5, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut Bar - Dark Chocolate Chili Almond
Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $unkown
Purchased from: unknown

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Salt and Almond Theme Week.

Salt can balance sweetness, bitterness, and other aspects of flavor. This magical ability is one reason why salt is used in bars, even where not explicitly mentioned in the bar's name.

For example, Kit's Organic Dark Chocolate Chili Almond bar from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

Ingredients: organic dates, organic almonds, organic unsweetened dark chocolate, sea salt, organic cinnamon, organic vanilla beans, organic cayenne pepper.

The salt in today's bar helped cut the acidic sweetness of dried fruit (dates)—the number one ingredient in this Fruit + Nut Bar —that also contained chopped almonds, and chocolate.

The salt was just right. And the chili gave the bar a uniform spicy kick that lasted from first bite to last; and chili, salt and almonds (and chocolate) also blended well together. Add any more salt, and you'd start to have a hint of the same dark richness you might find in a mole sauce.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Clif Bar - Chocolate Brownie bar - Mar. 14, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Chocolate Brownie bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.00 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate Brownie Week.

Today's Chocolate Brownie bar was from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

The company's line of substantial bars, made with rolled oats, have long been found in outdoor stores, where they've been popular for years with climbers, cyclists, hikers and other active types. I found this one in the local supermarket.

Gary, the founder and owner of Clif Bar and Company, named the company after his father, Clifford. The creation of the first bars was driven by a desire for a better energy bar. And, Gary remembers, after a 175-mile bicycle ride (where other energy bars failed to satisfy), and "countless hours in mom's kitchen," the company was founded (in 1990) and Clif bars came into being.

There are now more than 20 different Clif bar flavors plus a few seasonal ones.

This slightly chewy Chocolate Brownie bar provided a hearty way to start the day. Made with organic, rolled oats it had some of the characteristic texture and heft of an "oat" bar, and some of the chocolate richness of a brownie, without as much sugar.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Clif Bar - Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond - Aug. 11, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, San Carlos, CA

In 1990, the Clif Bar, from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA) was a relatively early entrant into the world of trail mix or energy-type bars for active, outdoor folk.

However, they weren't always gluten-free. The organic and fruit and nut trail mix bars were introduced a few years ago; and happily, I found two gluten-free fruit and nut Clif bars. One even had chocolate.

Both trail mix Clif Bars were individually wrapped. The first one, a Wild Blueberry Almond Mojo Fruit and Nut bar (part of a box of bars I bought) contained no chocolate. The second, individual bar was a Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Organic Trail Mix Bar. (Today was a transition day from blueberries to cherries as a "featured" fruit this week.)

Both bars were pleasantly chewy and substantial with an even distribution of crunchy nut and sweet fruit flavor. They were medium sweet, i.e. not overly sweet (and slightly lower on the glycemic index than many cereal or trail mix bars). The Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond bar contained both almonds and cashews, and contained organic, dried cherry pieces. And small chunks of dark chocolate "richened" up the flavor.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate, Fruits and Nuts Theme Weeks, although I have several more items that combine these three items, so expect a few more in the next few days.