With a label that boasts “Wild Blue-Green Algae” you know you are getting some good nutrition, but you may be a bit nervous to dive in. After all, the word “algae” doesn’t really make you shout “yum!” But once you do bite into a WildBar, algae will take on a delicious new meaning.
I had the privilege (and I do mean privilege … ) to taste test one of each flavor …
As I savored the first bite, my taste buds were met with a potent spice and a mild warming heat that made me certain this bar had a good dose of ginger. But as it turns out, it was a melodic mix of sweet and spicy cinnamon with a pinch of cayenne heat. The cacao and agave blend was truly delightful, creating a nice dark chocolate experience that was slightly sweet, rather than bitter. I loved that this bar was raw, but didn’t have a date taste or texture. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Larabars as much as the next person, but it is nice to have a date break.
Overall the flavor was excellent. In addition to the soft, chocolaty backdrop, there were pieces of cacao and generous chunks of macadamia nuts throughout. This was definitely one of the most intriguing and delicious bars that I have ever tasted.
Ingredients: Organic Cacao (Cacao Powder, Cacao Butter, whole Cacao chips), Organic Dark Blue Agave Nectar, Organic Macadamia Nuts, Organic Mesquite, Organic Hemp Seed, Crystal Manna™ (Organic Wild Blue-Green Algae), Organic Maca, Organic Poppy Seed, Blue Manna™ (Organic Wild Blue-Green Algae Extract), Organic Cinnamon, Organic Vanilla Bean Powder, Organic Orange Rind Powder, Pink Himalayan Salt Crystals, Organic Cayenne Pepper
Heather at Heather Eats Almond Butter swore that this one tasted exactly like a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie. I haven’t had a thin mint cookie in quite a while, so I can’t argue. I do agree that the flavor is excellent. The chocolate and mint are well infused with no overly minty tones, just a nice mellow flavor with the mint kicking up slightly in the after taste. I also loved the macadamia nut taste and texture in this one, and the rich cacao chunks. There was a slight sweet note that didn’t quite meld for me, but overall, it was delicious, fudgy, and dessert-like.
Ingredients: Organic Cacao (Cacao Powder, Cacao Butter, whole Cacao chips), Organic Dark Blue Agave Nectar, Organic Macadamia Nuts, Organic Mesquite, Organic Hemp Seed, Crystal Manna™ (Organic Wild Blue-Green Algae), Organic Maca, Organic Poppy Seed, Blue Manna™ (Organic Wild Blue-Green Algae Extract), Organic Vanilla Bean Powder, Pink Himalayan Salt Crystals, Organic Essential Oil of Peppermint
Of course, no bar is perfect. Did you notice that I don’t have a picture for either bar? Once you peel back the wrapper, these things are messy! Do not attempt to eat while driving, multi-tasking, or wearing that new white shirt. It tended to melt on my fingers, and I could have easily foreseen a slip and slide experience ruining my outfit for the day.
And then, there is the price. Whew! This is one high quality bar … as mentioned, whole cacao beans, macadamia nuts a plenty, loads of healthy blue-green algae, and all this comes at a price of over $5 (at my local Whole Foods) per modestly sized bar. It is also a bit high in fat 9.5g, but only 185 calories, so I couldn’t justify the price as a meal. All of this measures up to make this bar an indulgent treat, rather than an everyday staple for health. But a treat it is.
