NoNuttin’ Granola Bar: Chocolate Chip

Compared to their Double Chocolate Chunk flavored bar, NoNuttin’s Chocolate Chip bar has far less chocolate flavor. However, it’s still plenty to satisfy and it also leaves more oat flavor in the mix. Plus, there’s a note of what tastes like brown sugar and/or brown rice syrup (kind of earthy, hint of molasses). All of these flavors combine to give the bar just the right amount of each flavor, with a mild level of sweetness to complement the oats and chocolate. It has a definite high quality feeling to it, which is definitely a plus for this bar. From a portion point of view, this bar is definitely on the lighter side, having only 130 calories and 5g of fat per bar. However, being a gluten and nut free formulation is something that should definitely give this bar some added marketability. On the packaging front, this 1.06 ounce bar has a pastel green wrapper that’s pretty busy as far as text elements are concerned. While the name itself is clever, we’re not huge fans of the logo (they’ve got a yellow character blocking the “o”), plus something just feels disjointed about the way that things have been arranged. Our eye was circling around looking for the focal point and trying to absorb everything that’s on there. Still, the flavor is great and if they can tweak the label we think this bar would be perfect.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

WildBar: Mountain Mint

Made with raw cacao and wild blue green algae, this gluten free, vegan, and USDA Organic bar is designed to be the “ultimate meal in a bar.” The bar, which is dark in color and has a dry but chewy consistency to it, has a lot of flavor to it, including cacao, mint, and macadamia nuts. Unfortunately, these flavors aren’t balanced well, resulting in a harsh, almost off putting, mint flavor that leaves a bad taste in your mouth (and a lingering aftertaste). Conceptually, we think it’s a good one, and some refinement to the recipe might make this a better tasting product. Otherwise, this bar is likely going to appeal to someone who’s really hell bent on adding blue algae (Crystal Manna and Blue Manna) to their diet. On the packaging front, this product’s wrapper design made us expect something very different than what was inside it. Specifically, the bright colors and emphasis on the mint leaf seemed to be somewhat of a head scratcher, while there are no visual aides to call out the other ingredients in the bar. That seems like a big mistake, especially since mint isn’t something that’s likely to whet the palate of too many bar shoppers. Overall, this bar needs work, both in packaging and flavor.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Calories: 185
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 14g
Protein: 5.5g
Vitamins: Vitamin B5: 9%, Vitamin D 3%, Vitamin E 8%, Magnesium: 2.5g, Copper 26%, Zinc 12%, Selenium 16%, Molybdenum 37%, Phosphorous 60%

Sencha Green Tea Bar: Original

This chewy bar is our favorite of the Sencha bar lineup.  Touting the equivalent of three cups of green tea per bar, this variety has a tea laden flavor that provides a nice complement to the other ingredients used in the bar.  Otherwise, it’s very much an earthy flavored bar, with notes of nuts, seeds, and fruit (dates, plums, and goji).  It’s got a medium amount of chew to it, followed by some crunch from the nuts and seeds, making it very easy to eat.  With 3g of fiber and 9g of protein, as well as vitamins and antioxidants, this bar is definitely credible in the nutrition department.  Packaging is similar to the other brands in the line, but it’s more enticing (and easier to grasp) without the added sub-flavors found in the other two. Overall, a well executed bar with great taste and nutrition.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Greens+: High Protein Bar

This is one of those unfortunate bars that is almost inedible.  The flavor is pasty and tough, with a stick to your teeth consistency that makes it difficult to chew.  Flavor isn’t much better, with a “green” flavor that goes with the olive green color of the bar.  While we don’t mind the flavor of wheatgrass and sprouts, there’s an unidentifiable off taste and bitterness that hits your palate shortly after this product hits your palate.   The nutritional aspect of the bar is its strong suit, with 17g of net carbs and 20g of protein per bar.  In addition, the product has tons of wholesome ingredients and vitamin content, but that’s also what ultimately makes this bar so hard to swallow.  Packaging also needs a lot help.    There’s text running everywhere and a general lack of personality to the product’s design.

Rating: 1 of 5 Stars