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.

The Yes Bar Co. - Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar) - July 28, 2023

Chocolate of The Day

The Yes Bar Co.
Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Westpoint Harbor (shop), Redwood City, CA

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

Today's Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots "snack bar for foodies" was from The Yes Bar Co. (Oakland, CA).

Aroma notes included: coconut, dried fruits (apricot, stone fruit, cherry, red berry) and very faint chocolate and warm spices (cinnamon, vanilla).

This chewy, fresh-tasting fruit and nut bar with chocolate chips had an appealing texture and flavor. 

Flavor notes included: coconut, nuts, tart sweet dried fruits (apricots, stone fruit, red fruit (cherry, berry), faint, fleeting warm spice (cinnamon), and soft bursts of chocolate flavor (chocolate chips). Macadamias have a very mild buttery flavor and are sometimes more difficult to detect in a blend like this; but I was aware of eating bits of nuts.

This vegan, gluten-free bar was full of appealing, authentic flavors and textures. The "chew" was just right--not too stiff, not too crumbly, and loaded with good things. And, best of all, it wasn't too sweet. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Macadamia Nuts, Maple Syrup*, Cashews*, Almonds, Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Liquor*,  Coconut Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Sunflower Seeds*, Pumpkin Seeds*, Coconut Butter*, Pecans, Coconut Nectar*, Dried Tart Cherries (Cherries, Sunflower Oil), Dried Apricots, Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower Oil), Sesame Seed Butter, Ground Flax Seeds*, Cinnamon*, Sea Salt, Vanilla Extract* (Alcohol*, Vanilla Extractives*, Water). *Denotes Organic Ingredients

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Tree Nuts (Almond, Cashew, Pecan, Macadamia, Coconut), Sesame." "Made in a gluten-free facility that handles eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, sesame, and tree nuts."

The Yes Bar Co. - Dark Chocolate Chip Yes Bar - Sept. 19, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

The Yes Bar Co.

Dark Chocolate Chip Yes Bar

Good +

Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar 

Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar 

Purchased from: Farm Fresh To You (add in to CSA box delivery service), online order 

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Breakfast Surprise Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Chip Yes Bar was from The Yes Bar Co. (Oakland, CA). The company makes a line of "gourmet soft-baked nut bar(s)" with high-quality ingredients.

The Yes Bar messaging reminded the reader that it's possible to say yes..."to everything you want (and no to the things you don't)." You had me at certified gluten free, and "half the sugar of an apple."

This vegan (round cookie-shaped) bar had aroma notes (in order of appearance) with light cocoa, coconut, maple, slightly savory, mild nut and seed.

The bar had a soft, chewy texture and a hearty, satisfying feel. (This snack bar contained 5 grams of plant protein, and 17 grams of fat.)

Flavor notes included dark chocolate, coconut, nut, seed, and faint savory flavor notes.

Ingredients: "Organic almonds, organic maple syrup, organic dark chocolate (cocoa mass, coconut blossom sugar, cocoa butter), organic sunflower seeds, organic pumpkin seeds, cashews, organic coconut butter, macadamia nuts, organic coconut nectar, pecans, sesame seed butter, white chia seeds, organic ground flax seeds, Celtic sea salt, organic cinnamon, organic vanilla extract."

Allergen-related information: Contains almond, cashew, pecan, macadamia, coconut (and sesame seeds). "Made in a gluten free certified facility that handles eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, and tree nuts. May contain shell or pit fragments."

Nature's Path Foods - Love Crunch - Organic Dark Chocolate Macaroon granola bar - Feb. 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Nature's Path Foods

Love Crunch Premium Organic Granola Bars - Dark Chocolate Macaroon

Good

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 6.35 oz. (180 g.) in total box of 6 bars 

Calories: 150 calories in 1 granola bar

Cost: $0.99 for 1 box of 6 granola bars 

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

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

Today's Love Crunch Organic Granola Bars Dark Chocolate Macaroon (bar) was distributed by Nature's Path Foods (Blaine, WA). 

The company offers a variety of cereals, granolas, oatmeals and snack bars including a Love Crunch granola and granola bar(s) with chocolate. (Happy Valentines Day month to you all.)

Today's individually-wrapped, Love Crunch Dark Chocolate Macaroon granola bar (that came in a box of 6 bars) was light, crunchy and conveniently portable with a sweet, oat-y aroma and flavor with coconut and chocolate accents (drizzle, chunks). 

The overall sugar level of this bar was a bit sweet for me; but I appreciated the bar's lighter, crunchy texture (think freshly baked oat granola), and the organic ingredients.*

This Organic bar had the satisfying texture of a crunchy cookie without the heavy, corn syrup-like sweetness of a chocolate drizzled coconut macaroon, or the excess butter or oils found in some cookies.

Ingredients: Whole grain rolled oats,* cane sugar,* sunflower oil,* Fair Trade dark chocolate chunks* (cane sugar,* unsweetened chocolate,* cocoa butter,* vanilla*), dark cocoa coating* (cane sugar,* palm kernel oil,* Fair Trade cocoa powder* (processed with alkali), sunflower lecithin,* vanilla,* milk), dried coconut,* invert cane syrup,* honey,* Fair Trade cocoa powder,* oat fiber,* oat syrup solids* (oat syrup solids,* tocopherols (Vitamin E), sea salt, coconut flavor,* tocopherols (Vitamin E).

*An asterisk above indicated Organic ingredients.

Domori - Dark Chocolate Apricot with Almond Grains (bar) - Jan. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Domori

Dark Chocolate Apricot with Almond Grains (bar)

Good +

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in total bar

Calories: 148.5 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $4.00 for 1 package

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and ABCD Theme Week, where I'm featuring flavor inclusions and forms of chocolate that start with the letter A, B, C or D. (Yesterday's chocolate pairing involved apple, banana, coconut and dark chocolate. Today the focus is on apricot, almond and dark chocolate.)

Today's Dark Chocolate Apricot with Almond "grains/nibs" bar was from Domori srl* (None, Italy). The company was founded by Gianluca Franzoni in 1997 (after he lived in Venezuela where he worked to help preserve Criollo cacao varieties). 

The smooth, 60% Cocoa (African blend) dark chocolate base had a robust flavor with a subtle earthiness. The apricot and crunchy almond bits added authentic, dried stone fruit (tart-sweet, lush, apricot scent) and pleasant nutty aroma and flavor notes that balanced the bold dark cocoa.

Chocolates with stone fruits (other than cherry), such as apricot, nectarine and/or peach, are difficult to find, so I was delighted to come across this one. A is for Apricot (or Albicocca in Italian.)

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (89%): cocoa paste, cane sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (soy lecithin); almond nibs (10%) and apricot powder (1%).

*Domori became part of Grupo Illy (Illy SpA Group) in 2006. 

Larabar - Banana Chocolate Chip bar - Jan. 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Larabar 

(Distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc.)

Banana Chocolate Chip bar

Good - Good + 

Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total box of 5 bars

Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.99 for 1 box of 5 bars

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

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

Today's Larabar Banana Chocolate Chip bar was distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc.--a division of General Mills, (Minneapolis, MN). Larabar fruit and nut snack bars were created by Denver, CO, native Lara Merriken. 

These bars had a soft chewy texture with natural-tasting fruit (date, banana) and nuts (almonds). Chocolate chips contributed subtle chocolate flavor, and helped round out this blend. There was no need for added sugars and, thankfully, none were added. Dates and bananas both have plenty of concentrated sweetness.

Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten free, vegan and dairy-free, this bar had no preservatives* and "just four ingredients." Not bad for a mass-produced snack bar, especially when compared with similar packaged snack bar offerings a few decades ago.

*Ingredients: dates, almonds, unsweetened bananas, semisweet chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla extract).

Bobo's Chocolate Chip Oat Bar - Feb. 4, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bobo's
Chocolate Chip Oat Bar
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar (2 servings)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Bobo's Chocolate Chip Oat Bar was from Simply Delicious, Inc. (Boulder, CO).

This hearty, gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO bar was chock full of oats.* The bar could be split in half and shared, with plenty for each recipient to sink their teeth into.

The texture was relatively soft and chewy; it was sweet without being overpoweringly so (thank you); and chocolate chips added some micro bursts rich chocolate flavor.

*Ingredients: Organic whole grain rolled oats, brown rice syrup, organic coconut oil, organic cane sugar, chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, vanilla extract), vegetable glycerin, salt, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, vitamin E (for freshness).  

Kind - Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars - Chocolate Peanut Butter - Feb. 1, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind LLC

Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars - Chocolate Peanut Butter

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 5.2 oz. (148 g.) in total box/package of 4 bars 

Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $3.00 (sale) for 1 box/package of 4 bars

Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week.

Ever sense chocolate and peanut butter collided (thank you Reese's!), candy and snack bar makers have been experimenting with how to best combine these two flavors into best-selling offerings.

In recent decades power, energy and nutrition bar makers have offered chocolate and peanut in their line-ups. However, some have been heavily processed, compressed with pulverized whole grains and or protein powders. While these bars offered convenience, they haven't always resulted in appealing taste and texture.

Demand grew for bars that were easily transportable, were healthier than traditional candy bars and tasted better than early energy bars.

Some Chocolate Banquet viewers may remember write-ups of nut butter filled bars with chocolate from local San Francisco Bay Area-based Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA). Their nut butter bars have been a step in this direction.

There has also been interest in more whole foods with shorter ingredients lists of less processed items. Kind LLC (NY, NY) became successful for their bars that addressed this demand.  Kind has pioneered snack bars with a simple (short) list of relatively whole ingredients. (You can see real nuts and seeds, and many are topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate, rather than a heavy layer.)

Today's Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars from Kind is an evolution of many recent industry trends and developments.

Kind's relatively new line of nut butter filled bars combines their experience with crunchy, chewy, nut, seed and chocolate drizzled bars with whole grains* (oats) and a smooth nutty, creamy peanut butter filling. A tasty combination!

*Kind's description of their bars includes a definition of whole grains, which speaks to another reason why they've been successful: their transparency about ingredients. "A grain is considered "whole" if it contains all three parts of its original seed: the bran, germ and endosperm."

Trader Joe's - ABC Bars - Almond Butter Cacao - Oct. 1, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
ABC Bars - Almond Butter Cocoa Bars
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 7.4 oz. (210 g.) in total box/package of 6
Calories: 160 calories for 1 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 box/package of 6
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's box of six individually-wrapped ABC Bars - Almond Butter Cocoa Bars (flavored with other natural flavors) was from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

The bars were composed of a substantial, sweet and chewy chocolate "dough" and a soft almond butter filling. The outside had a subtle fig texture and sweetness and an almond extract flavor accent.

Enjoy Life - soft baked Chewy Bars cocoa loco - Aug. 7, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Enjoy Life Natural Brands, LLC

soft baked Chewy Bars cocoa loco 

Good

Weight: 1.15 oz. (33 g.) / 5.75 oz. (165 g.) in box of 5 bars

Calories: 140 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $4.99 for 1 box of 5 bars

Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's individually-wrapped, cocoa loco, soft baked Chewy Bars from Enjoy Life Natural Brands, LLC (Chicago, IL) were a nice, small size.

These snack bars were, as advertised, soft and chewy, and had a "brownie texture." They were, perhaps most significantly, allergy friendly—made in a dedicated facility and free of a dozen or more common allergens, including gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, soy, egg, sesame and more.

If you have a sweet tooth, you're in luck. These cocoa loco bars were quite sweet. (They were made with an alternative flour blend and sweetened with tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, chocolate chips and date paste.)

Van's - Chocolate Chip Snack Bars, Waffles - July 27, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Van's 

Chocolate Chip chewy baked whole grain snack bars

Good

Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) in one bar

Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $ part of a larger box

Purchased from: missing information 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Chip Week.

Today's Chocolate Chip chewy baked whole grain snack bar from Van's International Foods (Vernon, CA) helped power a nature walk in the baylands and a busy day at work.

Van's has offered both conventional and gluten free items (including waffles, pancakes and snack bars—some with chocolate) for many years.
  
Today's sweet, cookie-like bar was a blend of warm oat, fig and chocolate flavors with a hint of vanilla. The fig paste and concentrate added flavor and helped bind the ingredients together.

Sahale Snacks - Banana Pecan with Cocoa Nibs & Cinnamon bar - Dec. 13, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Distributed by Sahale Snacks
Banana Pecan with Cocoa Nibs and Cinnamon Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar / 5.6 oz. (160 g.) in box of 4 bars
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $?.?? for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nuts Theme Week.

Today's box of 4 individually-wrapped Banana Pecan with Cocoa Nibs and Cinnamon Bars were distributed by Sahale Snacks (Seattle, WA).

These bars were natural tasting and well-balanced, with a hint of banana bread and nuts. They had a pleasing chew to them (not too soft or too stiff). They had a rich flavor; the first ingredient listed was cashew butter (dry roasted cashews, date paste, brown rice protein).

Despite the sweet ingredients (bananas, dates) and tapioca syrup, caramelized sugar, they were refreshingly restrained in terms of sweetness. The dark chocolate flavor was supplied by cocoa nibs. Again, not too sweet, but flavorful. Light hints of cinnamon and vanilla gave the bar a slight warmth—a nice touch in the cooler months.

The Banana Pecan snack bar contained 5 grams of protein; and it was a satisfying bar for breakfast and as an any-time-of-day snack.

UGo Bars - Cherry and Peanut Cacao Snack Bars - April 8, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

UGo Bars, LLC

Cherry/Cacao Snack Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.8 oz. (51 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.69 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Marsh supermarket, Indianapolis, CA

Peanut/Cacao Snack Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.8 oz. (51 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 228 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.69 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Marsh supermarket, Indianapolis, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Indiana Theme Week.

Multiple chocolate stops were made today along the Indy Cultural Trail. This 8-mile trail linked five cultural districts and enabled a great walking and food tour of Indianapolis, IN, this week.

My first stop today was the Winter Farmers Market, at the Circle City Industrial Complex (where the NE end of the Indy Cultural Trail meets the Monon Trail). It was a great market, and I started my day with a taste of the excellent and interesting Cedar and Whiskey ice cream from Lick (Ice Cream).

Later I walked southeast, through downtown, and over the White River to the Indianapolis Zoo. All this walking made me hungry, and that's where today's locally-purchased Ultra Cherry Cacao and Wanderlust Peanut/Cacao snack bars from UGo Bars, LLC (Bloomington, IN) came in handy.

Both were perfect to a healthy snack on the go, were full of natural tasting flavor, and had a satisfying, dense, nutty texture.

The final chocolate-tasting occurred at The Best Chocolate in Town (Indianapolis, IN), in the form of two scoops of gelato from Gelato Da Vinci (Carmel, IN): 1.) Extreme Dark Chocolate and 2.) Salted Caramel (with chocolate chips). Very tasty and refreshing after many miles of walking today.

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.

Kashi - GoLean Dark Chocolate Cashew bar - Nov. 7, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kashi
GoLean Dark Chocolate Cashew Chia bar
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

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

Today's GoLean Dark Chocolate Cashew Chia bar from Kashi Company (La Jolla, CA) was a chewy oat and seed bar with an attractive layer of (fair trade) chocolate and cashew nuts on top.

Peas, peanuts, almonds and chia seeds helped boost the protein (8 g.) and fiber (4 g.) totals in this bar.

Most Kashi cereal-related items have wheat in them. Today's GoLean "plant-powered" bar, while not advertised as gluten free, listed no wheat ingredients and was Non GMO Project Verified.

Two Degrees - Chocolate Peanut bar - Apr. 22, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Two Degrees, Inc.
Chocolate Peanut All Natural Snack Bar with Quinoa, Millet and Chia
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.66 oz. (44 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA


The next time I have a craving for chocolate and peanut butter, I'll have one of these Chocolate Peanut bars from Two Degrees, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) instead.

This chewy, almost crunchy, complex and interesting Chocolate Peanut bar did contain, as expected, both chocolate and peanuts (and peanut butter).

However, the chocolate and peanuts were were incorporated into a satisfying and filling mix of seeds: sunflower, sesame, quinoa*, millet and chia seeds, and other ingredients (rice crisps, raisins, plum puree). The bar was sweet, but without being overly so.

This bar was Vegan and GMO-free Certified. (It was not labeled as Gluten Free, although it contained no gluten ingredients that I could see on the label.)

*Yes, quinoa is a seed too. The plant is related to spinach and beets (rather than grains); and the part we eat is considered a seed.

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

2 Degrees - Chocolate Banana bar - Jan. 17, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Two Degrees, Inc.
2 Degrees Chocolate Banana bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (44 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Banana Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Banana bar was made by Two Degrees, Inc. (San Francisco, CA).

This snack bar had a soft crunch and easy chew -- and was slightly less sweet than many bars. The addition of fiber (quinoa, millet and chia) made this bar with natural banana and cacao flavors more satisfying.

I also tried crumbling bits of this bar on a tiny cup of rich, creamy banana gelato. It provided a nice contrast of textures; and I enjoyed these crumbles more than a traditional ice cream topping—such as chocolate syrup or sugar sprinkles.

Dark chocolate contains magnesium and iron, and bananas are high in potassium. Gelato can provide a healthy dose of calcium. So, this morning meal was relatively balanced for a dessert breakfast.

Two Degrees founders are committed to using proceeds from their kosher, gluten-free, vegan, GMO free bars to help prevent childhood hunger. (Today's Chocolate Banana bar was also nut free.)

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

Chapul - Chaco Bar Peanut Butter and Chocolate - Nov. 8, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chapul, LLC
Chaco Bar - Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Good
Weight: 1.9 oz. (54 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Markets, Mountain View, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week.

Well, it's time to try a bar with something different.

Today's energy bar contained brown cricket protein powder. Fear not. There was no identifiable cricket flavor or texture in this Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chaco Bar from Chapul (Salt Lake City, UT).

What I could taste was the first two ingredients: slightly fruity, chewy, moist dates, and honey. The bar contained a blend of dates, organic raw honey, chocolate, peanuts, oats, cricket flour and flax seeds.

Many living things rely on insects for valuable protein and a complete set of amino acids. Humans too—and not just the ancient Greeks and Romans, who also ate bugs. There are insect markets in Cambodia and in other Asian countries. Fried grasshoppers (chapulines) are on the menu in Mexico.

And American Indians included roasted cricket flour in their diet. The name for this particular "Chaco" bar was inspired by the Chaco people, a "pre-Colombian civilization in the Colorado River Watershed."

Jimmy Bar - Super Hip Chocolate Chip - Sept. 23, 2014

Chocolate of the Day

Jimmy Bar!

1.) Super Hip Chocolate Chip
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.00 + tax
Purchased from: The Beach Hut, San Francisco, CA

2.) Peanut Butter Clutter
Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.00 + tax
Purchased from: The Beach Hut, San Francisco, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

These two "clean snack bars" from JimmyBar! (founded by a brother and sister team in Chicago, IL) were very similar. In fact, if you'd held both up side-by-side, you might have trouble telling which was the chocolate and which was the peanut butter flavor.

In terms of taste, the Super Hip Chocolate Chip bar was clearly the one with chocolate; chocolate chips were the second ingredient, listed, after dates. And peanuts, almonds, almond butter and walnuts gave this bar a satisfying, fresh nutty flavor and texture. In fact there were so many nuts, the bar was slightly crumbly, although I didn't find this too problematic.

Dates were also the first ingredient listed in the second, Peanut Butter Clutter, bar; its dark look was similar to chocolate. I tasted the dates, nuts (peanuts, almonds) and honey (no sugar was added). However, the peanut butter was more muted -- perhaps mellowed by the addition of crisp brown rice.

Both JimmyBars were gluten free and dairy free, and were made without preservatives. The Super Hip Chocolate Chip bar was also vegan. I also liked that these bars were flavorful but not overly sweet.

Van's - Peanut Butter Chocolate bars - May 27, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Van's Natural Foods
Peanut Butter Chocolate snack bars
Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 6.2 oz. (175 g.) total box of 5 bars
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.49 for 1 box of 5 bars
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

These gluten-free Peanut Butter Chocolate snack bars from Van's Natural Foods (Vernon, CA) were slightly chewy and were made with gluten-free oats. The bars contained both peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. And the incorporation of fig paste helped give these a pleasantly sweet and moist chewy texture.

The flavors and textures were fairly well balanced. I would have liked a bit more chocolate and peanut butter; although the sweetness level was about right for my taste. (I don't care for gooey sweet snack bars unless, oddly, there are lots of nuts involved.)

I ate this snack bar after some early morning exercise, before harnessing myself to my office chair for several hours of computer time. I would love to be outside today taking a hike; but on busier days like today, snack bars like this can come in handy.