Product Review: Rhubarb and Custard Nakd Bar

A recent Tweet of mine: “I’ve forgotten my keys, I’ve forgotten my textbooks, I’ve even forgotten my wallet… But I’ve never forgotten my emergency snack. #priorities”

So does this Rhubarb and Custard Nakd bar deserve to be an emergency snack? Well, it was in my bag yesterday during class when I went from neutral to ravenous in like five seconds, so I got a chance to find out.

 

Full disclosure: I’ve never tried rhubarb. However, I’m not sure that was a complication, because there isn’t any rhubarb in this! Odd…

Unlike a lot of date and nut bars, this wasn’t oily, which I liked. It was reasonably firm, which I also liked, and broke off into decently-sized chunks without any crumblage. Despite the apparent-to-the-eye cashew flecks, the bar had a really even consistency in my mouth.

But it was sweet–really sweet, and I’m usually one of those people who thinks “too sweet” is an oxymoron. Maybe there are one too many dates in this flavor, because I found it overwhelming. This also didn’t have a distinctly fruity taste–I mainly picked up on the sugar and the nuts.

Cost: $.076

Rating: 5/10

Would I buy again: No

Product Review: Brownie Batter JunoBar

It’s time to reveal a secret: I love bars. No, not the type most college kids love–I’m more about Clif bars than Pina Coladas, and instead of a beer, I’d much rather have a Brownie Batter JunoBar 😉

I keep a stash of bars in my desk, much like a chipmunk socks away nuts. Nutrition bars are tasty, reasonably healthy, and portable. What’s not to like???

This baby, by BumbleBar, is one of my new favorites.

When I read the name I was pretty suspicious. “Call a spade a spade,” and all that. Brownies are chock-full of sugar and flour and oil. These are not. Yet when I bit into the bar, the distinct taste of brownies filled my mouth! The chocolate flavor was rich and deep without being too sweet and melted wonderfully on the tongue.

Delicious it may be… photogenic it is not.

I was also a big fan of the texture. This was quite soft and chewy, interrupted by the occasional crispy quinoa chunk.

So how did this compare to its sister, the Apple Crisp JunoBar? Although their look and mouth-feel are almost identical, I definitely enjoyed the Brownie Batter more. It was sweeter and tasted more dessert-like, which my sucrose-loving taste buds adored. In terms of ingredients, they only differ in that the Brownie has cocoa where the Apple has (surprise) apples. I guess it makes a huge difference!

Cost: C/O (but it looks like they’re $2.69 on the website)

Rating: 7/10

Would I buy again: Yes