Pure Organic: Trail Mix

Pure Bar’s trail mix flavor is one of 6 in the current line-up of raw, vegan bars. True for the entire line-up, the packaging does a great job of conveying the flavor and the contents. Trail mix contains dates, agave nectar, cashews, apples, raisins, almonds, sunflower seeds, cacao nibs, walnuts and rice protein concentrate. All the ingredients are organic. The bar is gluten-free, raw and vegan. Nutritionally, the bar delivers 200 Kcal, 3g of fiber and 5g of protein. The bar is very moist. The dominant flavor is actually the cacao. If you love cacao, which we do, then you’ll love this bar. There is a bit of sour note to the bar, which is something we don’t expect from a trail mix flavor. We realize however that you cannot put raw fruits like apples and raisins in a bar and not have some acidity come through. It would be nice to get another couple grams of fiber in the bar too. Overall, trail mix is another solid flavor from Pure Bar.

4 out of 5 stars

Prana Bar: Apricot Pumpkin

Prana’s Apricot Pumpkin is part of its organic, vegan line-up of “raw enzyme power” bars. The bar is impressive in its simplicity. It contains only the following: dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, date paste, almond butter, agave nectar, puffed amaranth, and sea salt. Unfortunately the pumpkin/apricot combination does not work well. It tastes almost as though there is a spice to it, though there is clearly no spice added to this product at all. Nutritionally, it delivers 190 calories, 5g of protein and 2g of fiber. The texture is like a fruity paste with some nice crunch to it. The flavor however was not to our liking.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Grass: Chocolate Whole Food

Amazing Grass’s Chocolate Whole Food Energy Bar  is part of its 4 bar Green Superfood line-up. We tried this immediately after a rather unpleasant experience with Odwalla’s Superfood bar, so we were not expecting much. Much to the contrary, this is an excellent product. The fact that it is coated in organic dark chocolate might lead some to say it is cheating a bit, but the chocolate coating helps deliver an amazing list of ingredients. Third on the list of ingredients, after dates and agave nectar, is Amazing Grass’ Green Superfood mix, which contains the following: Organic Wheat Grass, Organic Barley Grass, Organic Alfalfa, Organic Spirulina, Organic Spinach, Organic Chlorella, Organic Broccoli, Organic Acai, Organic Maca, Organic Carrot, Organic Beet, Raspberry, Organic Rose Hips, Pineapple, Green Tea, Organic Flax Lignans, L. Adidophilus, Alpha and Beta Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Lactase, Cellulase, and Organic Peppermint). The bar has a nice chew to it, which a little texture. Frankly, it could use a little more crunch, but overall it is pleasantly smooth. Nutritionally, it is 230 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber. The label is easy to read and communicates exactly what you can expect. Given what this bar packs into its insides, we’re fine with handicapping it’s star rating a little, not that it wouldn’t do just fine on it’s own.

5 out of 5 stars

Pure Organic: Wild Blueberry

Pure Organic Wild Blueberry is a gluten-free, raw, and vegan bar made by Pure Organic of Newport Beach, CA. The bar is made with organic wild blueberries and you can really taste them in the bar. The bar is more about flavor than it is about nutrition. It only has 3g of fiber, but it does pack 6g of protein. The bar is made with organic dates, organic cashews, and organic walnuts. The bar’s walnut base really comes through, but it meshes well with the blueberries. The packaging is attractive, and unlike so many other bars on the market, effectively communicates the flavor of the product inside. In total, this bar tastes great and it does it naturally.

4 out of 5 stars

Just Great Stuff: Organic Cacao Acai

JustGreatStuff’s Organic Cacao Acai is a bar that really lives up to its name . The most notable aspect of this bar is how much cacao flavor it delivers. Cacao is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao, from which cocoa solids and cocoa butter are extracted, from which chocolate is made. This bar is rich in cacao nibs which are cracked cacao beans. They have a chocolate flavor and add a nice bit of crunch to the bar. They are set in a base of dates, raw cashews, and tapioca syrup. Also incorporated into this bar is freeze-dried acai with added lime juice and/or citric acid. The acai isn’t high up on the ingredient list, but it’s flavor comes through. Nutritionally, this bar delivers 180 calories, 5g protein and 5g dietary fiber. It’s gluten free and organic. From a packaging standpoint, we think the brand name could relinquish a little of the label space to the rather under-emphasized text allotted to the flavor. Overall, this is one of the most innovative, delicious bars we’ve tried.
4.5 out of 5 stars

Pure Organic: Chocolate Brownie

Like the other varieties of Pure Organic bars, this one has undergone a branding makeover, with a more friendly and wholesome looking design to its wrapper.   The result is a bar that’s very inviting looking, with two sentences on the front of the wrapper speaking directly at you and giving the bar a not so serious vibe.   Inside, you’ve got a product that’s gluten free, vegan, and raw, starting with the dates, agave, nuts and cocoa.  It’s a pretty simple product, having only eight ingredients but still managing to deliver big flavor and solid nutrition.  In terms of taste, it lives up to being worthy of the chocolate brownie name, with a soft base that’s filled with big notes of cocoa.  You can’t taste too much of the date flavor, which is a good thing, while some pieces of nuts give the bar a bit of crunch to the finish.  Nutritionally, the bar has 180 calories, 7g of fat, 7g of protein, 4g of fiber, 220mg of potassium, and a fair mixture of vitamins.    All in all, this is an extremely enjoyable and satisfying product.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Pure Organic: Apple Cinnamon

If you like apple flavored bars, then Pure Organic’s Apple Cinnamon Bar is one that you’re likely to absolutely love. It uses a base of dates and dried apples, which has been further enhanced with cinnamon. In addition, the bar has loads of nut pieces, including walnuts, cashews, and almonds. This gives the bar some variety of texture, with the very soft base being complemented nicely by the crunch of the nuts. Plus, it has depth of flavor, with some savory to complement the sweet. Nutritionally, this gluten free bar has 190 calories, 8g of fat, 3g of fiber, 5g of protein, omega-3s, and a variety of different vitamins and minerals. Packaging is clean and has a healthy and modern feel to it. Their approach of putting a paragraph of text on the front wrapper isn’t normally something that we’d go for, but they’ve executed it nicely and it works. With their design and arrangement of the label, it’s easy to figure out what this bar is and what it’s benefits are quickly. Plus, it whets the appetite, which is always a plus. Overall, a very well executed bar.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pure: Cherry Cashew Bar

This bar is made with ingredients that are USDA Organic, raw, vegan, and gluten free, which helps make it live up to its “for all people” tag line. There’s a pleasant base of date and almond flavor to the mix, which has been sweetened with agave and has a slight crunch from small chunks of walnuts throughout. The cherry flavor is subtle, adding a nice tart flavor to the otherwise earthy tasting bar. We’re definitely pleased to see that they didn’t make it too “fruity” tasting. Nutritionally, this 1.7 ounce bar packs a fair amount in, including 400mg of omega 3, 4g of organic fiber, 6g and protein, 200 calories, 9g of fat, and vitamins and minerals. Packaging has a relatively simple style of presentation to it, with a white wrapper that’s decorated with a yellow illustration of a female face. It’s an appealing design that has a definite vibe of health and nutrition to it. The rest of the wrapper has a lot of text on it, but in this case, it all logically fits together as opposed to creating clutter. Overall, an exceptional tasting bar that delivers the perfect balance of flavor and nutrition.

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Luna: Caramel Nut Brownie

Luna’s Caramel Nut Brownie bar is an especially good one, both in terms of the nutrition content and the bar’s flavor. It’s definitely one of the more indulgent bars that we’ve seen from Clif’s Luna Bar lineup, with a sweet chocolate flavored soy, rice, and oat base (70% organic). From there, they’ve drizzled chocolate and caramel on the top of the bar, while the bottom also has a decadent chocolate coating. As a result, the bar is chewy but has some slight crunch and it’s sticky to the touch — so you might want to eat it directly from the wrapper. Nutritionally, this 180 calorie bar has 8g of protein, 1g of fiber, and loads of vitamins and minerals. Also notable is their promotion of the bar’s “Low Glycemic” index, thanks to the use of brown rice syrup as the bar’s sweetener. So, if you’re looking for a snack that’s more than just empty calories, this is a great choice. On the outside, the new Luna bar look is great, with clean illustrations that give the bar a look that should fit well with the yoga crowd that this bar is meant for. Definitely one of the better Luna Bars that we’ve sampled.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oskri Organics: Coconut Bar with Organic Dark Chocolate

Blurring the lines between what we’d consider a “bar” and a piece of candy, Oskri Organics’ Coconut Bar with Dark Chocolate is extremely enjoyable nonetheless. This vegan, USDA Organic bar will be a hit with anyone who likes coconut, for there’s really nothing else to the inside of this bar. The chocolate coating adds a further touch of indulgence, but it’s might lighter than what you’ll find in a coconut candy bar (e.g. Mounds). Packaging has a pretty simple, but earthy look to it. We’d like to see more emphasis on the “with Organic Dark Chocolate” subtext, which is currently much smaller than the “Coconut Bar” text. That would certainly lure in more consumers – and be a more accurate descriptor of what’s actually inside the wrapper. Overall, we’re big fans of this bar, although it’s certainly a product that we’d only have once in a while as a treat.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clif Bar: Maple Nut

Maple Nut is one of the more enjoyable Clif Bar flavors that we’ve sampled. It tastes like exactly what the name implies, with a soft but slightly crunchy body that has just the right amount of maple flavor to it. There’s also a touch of salt to the finish, which gives the product a slightly savory note that helps balance everything out. In terms of ingredients, the bar’s key ingredients are organic oats and soy rice crisps, which help to add some substance and nutrition to the bar. They also account for the bar’s soft, but crunchy texture, which is quite pleasing and further adds to the sense of substance. Nutritionally, the bar has 10g of protein, 5g of fiber, 240 calories, and an ample dose of over a dozen vitamins and minerals. It’s a great choice if you need a snack before a workout or something to help get you through a long afternoon. Packaging is clean and appealing, although we’re not sure why the color purple was chosen to go with a maple and nut flavored bar. Still, the overall product is extremely good and we’d definitely reach for it again.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vega Whole Food Energy Bar: Berry Flavor

Like the other Vega Whole Food Energy bars, this one is made from “raw, alkaline, plant based superfoods.” You’ll find dates, hemp protein, almond butter, agave nectar, sprouted whole flax seeds, cranberries, raisins, almonds, sesame seeds, organic sprouted mung beans, organic wheat grass, and a few other ingredients for flavoring. It’s a soft but chewy bar, with a slightly dry texture, especially at the finish. Flavor is really enjoyable, with notes of the fruit and nuts throughout. There’s also a slightly earthy note of flavor to the bar, which is likely from the wheatgrass, mung, and flax. Nutritionally, the bar is a winner, with 10g of raw protein, 250mg of potassium, 6g of fiber, omega 3 and 6, vitamins, and minerals on top of 240 calories. The bar is great as for snacking before a workout – or to help supplement a meal with something that’s sweet but nutritious. Packaging is probably the only area that we’d like to see some improvement, with a look that feels technical rather than inviting. To a degree, the label made us expect a bar that didn’t taste good, which is fortunately not the case. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable product, but kicking up the packaging a bit would definitely help.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Larabar Jocalat: Chocolate Coffee

Like other Larabar products, this one is made with simple, understandable ingredients, including dates, walnuts, hazelnuts, cocoa, cashews, and coffee (all are USDA Organic). The resulting mix is quite good, especially since the flavor of the nuts helps mask the flavor of the dates, which can tend to overwhelm other flavors. The use of cocoa also helps quite a bit, with a touch of indulgence added to this nutritious tasting bar. And speaking of nutrition, the bar has 4g of protein, 5g of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and 190 calories. So, there’s some substance to it, but not too much, and just the right amount of vitamin content to make this a worthwhile snack. Last, but not least, is the packaging. It’s dark colored theme seems like the right choice for a chocolate and coffee flavored bar, while placement of the USDA and Fair Trade logos are a plus. On the other hand, the “JOCOLAT” text seems to make it hard for the eye to find the flavor of the bar – just something to consider. Overall, a very enjoyable bar.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clif Bar & Company Gives Protein Some Zest With New Lemon-Flavored CLIF Builder’s™ Bar

BERKELEY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Clif Bar & Company is bringing the refreshingly tangy taste of lemon to its CLIF Builder’s™ protein bar lineup. Read more

Clif Mojo: Honey Roasted Peanut

Beware starting this one, as the mix of sweet and salty peanuts definitely means you’ll have to finish it. It’s heavy on the nuts, which means plenty of protein, but also plenty of crunch and chew from the mixture of rice, rice syrup, and bits of pretzel. At 70 percent organic, it’s got some virtue, but mostly, it’s got the taste of peanut butter candy. Great stuff.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Calories: 200
Fat: 10 g
Carbs: 20g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 10 g

Bora Bora Organic Snack Bar: Almond Sunflower

The Almond Sunflower variety of the Bora Bora Organic Snack Bar line is an extremely enjoyable bar. It’s made with only a few simple ingredients, including raisins, nuts, seeds, rice, agave syrup, and brown rice syrup and it’s certified organic. From a flavor point of view, the product actually has a lot more peanut flavor than it does almond, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless. That’s followed by a touch of salt, some sweetness from the brown rice and agave sweeteners, and a fair amount of crunch from the nuts and seeds. Wellements’ effort is extremely well executed, with just the right amount of sweet & savory as well as a nice balance of chew & crunch. Nutritionally, the bar has 180 calories,, 2g of fiber, 5g of protein, iron, and calcium. Lastly, there’s the packaging, which is appealing and lets you get a good look at the bar before you open it. Overall, a very palatable and nourishing bar that looks great to boot.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Clif Bar: Chocolate Almond Fudge

As far as Clif Bar products go, this is definitely one of the more indulgent tasting bars that we’ve sampled. It uses a base of organic oats and soy, which have been nicely paired with a strong dose of chocolate / cocoa flavor and a small dose of nuts to provide some crunch. Like most other Clif Bars, this product has a soft, but very chewy consistency, which helps give this product a feeling of substance. There’s a lot of stuff in this bar, including rolled oats, soy crisps, roasted soybeans, chocolate chips, nuts, and loads of added vitamins and minerals. The result is something that tastes great and has a lot of nutrition to it, including 10g of protein, 5g of fiber, and vitamins A,C,E,B1,B2,B3, and B6, just to name a few. On the exterior, the label is classic Cliff Bar, which makes it instantly recognizable. However, the use of the color red as the accent color isn’t what one would naturally choose for a bar called Chocolate Almond Fudge (maybe something dark or brown?). Overall, a very enjoyable and energizing bar.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Clif Bar: Blueberry Crisp

Made with organic oats and soybeans, Clif’s Blueberry Crisp bar has a pleasant tasting base that’s very chewy with a slightly crispy finish. There’s a fair amount of flavor to this bar, with the oats and blueberries providing the majority of the flavor, while an earthy note added flax seed and oat bran. It’s a relatively sweet bar, but not too sweet to the point where you can’t consume it during physical activity. Functionally, this bar definitely has some sustenance to it, with 240 calories, 5g of fiber, 9g of protein, and loads of vitamins and minerals. It’s just the right portion for a quick pick me up – or even to replace a light meal. Packaging has a “crunchy” vibe to it, complete with brown toned colors and an image of a mountain climber. It’s appealing and credible, especially given the equity that exists in the Clif Bar brand name. Overall, a very enjoyable product.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elevate Me!: Espresso Cocoa Crunch

Billed as “The world’s simplest protein & fruit energy bar”, the flavor of this bar certainly lives up to this intention. Blending whey protein isolate, dates, organic raisins, apples, almonds, cranberries, cocoa, and coffee beans, the product has a very “raw” and homemade flavor to it. It has a dry but chewy consistency, with pleasant notes of dried fruit and nuts, followed by decent note of cocoa and a hint of coffee to the finish. All in all, it’s a very pleasant and satisfying bar to eat. Nutritionally, this bar has 230 calories, 6g of fiber, and 16g of protein, which is certainly enough substance for us. That leaves us with the packaging, which is the largest area for improvement. Specifically, there’s something that’s unappealing about the design, especially compared to the better designs of other players in the category. We’d probably say the same for the name, which sounds like something that’s more appropriate for a supplement product. Overall, very enjoyable flavor and nutrition, but needs work on the packaging.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Luna: White Chocolate Macadamia

Featuring a refreshed looking design and a “new recipe,” this product is very much improved. It features a base of soy crisps, which chew and taste in very similar fashion to crisped rice. Flavor is good, but not really chocolaty, with an almost milky flavor to the bar. The nuts add some crunch, but not much in the way of flavor, but that’s to be expected from macadamia nuts. Last, but not least, there’s a drizzle of white chocolate over the top as well as a coating on the bottom. All in all, it’s a pretty well rounded flavor. Nutritionally, this bar is, like all Luna bars, formulated for the dietary needs of women. That means lots of calcium, iron and folic acid, as well 3g of fiber, 9g of protein, and lots of other vitamins and minerals. Packaging looks great, with a modern look that’s a step above the old Luna design. Calling out the product’s nutrition focus and the fact that it’s made with 70% organic materials seems like a smart move. Overall, a very enjoyable bar.

Rating : 4 of 5 stars

Calories: 190
Total fat: 7g
Protein: 9g
Potassium: 140mg
Sugars: 11g

ProBar: Nutty Banana Boom

ProBar has hit the nail on the head yet again with this one, a pleasant bar that blends nuts, seeds, and fruit into an awesome tasting “whole food meal.” The bar has multiple layers of flavor, including notes of oats, dates, dried bananas, and nuts, all of which are perfectly balanced and working in unison. Like other ProBar products, this product one is extremely satisfying and nourishing, which is the result of the organic and unprocessed nature of the bar (your body will be thankful!). The bar has a variety of key nutrients, including fiber, protein, potassium, calcium and iron. Packaging is extremely appealing, with images of bananas, nuts, and seeds on the front — it whet our appetite very quickly. Overall, this is a great choice for a meal replacement bar. We’ll definitely be reaching for this one again.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calories: 380
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 9g

Jammy Sammy: Apple Cinnamon & Oatmeal

Like its counterpart, “Strawberry Jam & Peanut Butter”, this sandwich bar delivers excellent flavor in a nicely portioned size. Flavor wise, it tastes exactly like we would have expected based on the name of the product. There’s a lot of apple flavor that has a hint of cinnamon to the finish. The exterior has a nice oat flavor, with a consistency that’s like that of smooshed bread. Ultimately, it tastes very similar to the apple flavor that you’d expect to find in other mainstream products, such as cereal or oatmeal. That’s fine by us – and we think it will be a hit with kids as well. Packaging is colorful and clean, with an excellent design that gives of a credible vibe of nutrition and quality. The product is USDA Organic certified – and the logo is a key part of the front part of the wrapper. Overall, this is a very enjoyable and convenient product that’s sure to be something that will go over well with kids.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Calories: 100
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Sugars: 10g

Go Raw: Real Live Flax Bar

Made with sprouted organic flax seeds, organic apricot, organic raisin, organic date, and organic lime juice, this bar is a tour de force of the organic and raw way of life. The bar itself eats like something that’s on par with “fruit leather”, those chewy pressed fruit snacks that most of us had as kids. However, that’s where the similarities end, for this is a far superior product in just about every aspect. Flavor comes in the form of dried fruit, which is a mixture of apricot, raisin, and date flavors, and the sprouted flax seed. It has noticeably earthy flavor to it, which is to be expected given the use of flax. Nutritionally, this vegan, non-GMO, USDA Organic bar has a nice hit of protein, fiber, and omega-3, plus the benefits of eating raw and unprocessed food. Packaging is busy, but effective, with an extremely text heavy design that works for some strange reason. However, we do think that calling attention to the fact that it’s made in a solar powered production facility might be a marketable benefit. Overall, a stellar bar – definitely one to try.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Calories: 164
Fat: 7g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 5g

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%

ProBar: Maple Pecan

ProBar has achieved perfection again, this time in the form of their Maple Pecan bar. It is a splendid mixture of nutritious organic, whole foods that deliver enough substance to replace a meal and plenty of enjoyable flavor to satisfy your palate. On the flavor side, there’s a slight note of maple to it, but the base of the bar is the classic ProBar style formula (nuts, dates, seeds, peanut butter). As the name suggests, they’ve added pecans, which combine nicely with the maple, giving the bar an almost butterscotch-like note. The pecans, as well as the nuts and seeds, also create the “savory” flavor that the bar advertises. There’s a nice yin and yang thing going on inside this wrapper – and it’s definitely one of the best bars that we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. On the outside, they’ve done a great job as well, presenting a design that’s an accurate portrayal of what’s inside the wrapper. Plus, the combination of nuts and maple graphics makes our mouth water. Overall, if there were a bar “hall of fame”, this one would certainly deserve to be in it.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calories: 400
Fat: 22g
Total Carbs: 44g
Fiber: 6g
Protein 9g

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