Sun Valley Bar: Goji Lemon

Admittedly, our expectations for this bar were somewhat low. Why? Well, aside from the fact that we haven’t had that many goji flavored bars (or other food products) that taste all that good, it’s the combination with lemon that made us have low expectations (lemon + goji??). Fortunately, what’s inside the wrapper is an extremely enjoyable product, with a perfectly balanced mixture of flavors. There’s a soft base of oats, almond butter, seeds, and nuts, which gives way to a touch of goji and a pleasant note of what tastes like lemon zest. It very much has a homemade feeling to it, which is furthered by the product’s minimalist label design. Nutritionally, the bar has 230 calories, 10g of fat, 7g of sugar, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. The ingredient list is mainly comprised of items that are recognizable to your average consumer, which is certainly a plus. So, our only concern for this product is its minimalist packaging, which doesn’t allow you to see in and is completely devoid of any personality. That, in our opinion, might make for a tough sell when it’s going up against more flash competitors. Still, a very enjoyable product.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiger’s Milk: Peanut Butter Crunch

Featuring a tagline of “America’s Original Nutrition Bar” and a call out of “Great Taste,” this smallish bar was actually quite enjoyable to eat. The chewy, chocolate coated bar is reminiscent of a Butterfinger candy bar, both in terms of flavor and mouth feel. There’s a pretty strong peanut butter flavor in this bar – and the chocolate coating adds a bit of indulgence to it. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, B vitamins, iron, and copper. The bar also has 6g of protein, which isn’t bad given the size of the bar. On the outside, the wrapper feels like something that’s for the athlete crowd, especially given the recent success of another product with “milk” in the name (Muscle Milik). It’s not a bad look, with a somewhat classic vibe to it. Overall, very enjoyable taste and modest appearance make this a good choice when you need a little pick me up.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jammy Sammy: Strawberry Jam & Peanut Butter

This is the first “sandwich bar” that we’ve ever tried – and Revolution Foods has done a great job with it. It tastes spot on like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, although in a slightly smooshed form. The “bread” comes in the form of a chewy flour (barley and peanut) based exterior. Plus, this USDA Organic bar has just the right amount of flavor from both the peanut butter and jelly – it will definitely pass with kids (and it has no “crust” either!). Nutritionally, the bar has 110 calories, 3g of fat, 2g of protein, 1g of fiber, vitamin C, and iron. That should certainly satisfy parents. Packaging is bring and colorful, with a full wrap around the bar. Overall, a great product that could be used as a snack or for that moment when you’re in a pinch and need a nutritious lunch item for your kids.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars