Saturday, March 10, 2012

Review: Larabar Cashew Cookie Food Bar


I haven't had a lot of success with Larabar reviews here on this blog before.  I always find the names/descriptions of their products so enticing but they always end up failing to deliver.  I keep reviewing them though because one of them is bound to fulfill it's promise, right?  So, this adventure leads me to the Cashew Cookie bar.  I picked this one up for $1.00 at Kroger and its vital statistics include a weight of 1.7 ounces, 230 calories and six grams of protein.  Also, like most Larabars, this one is scared of the world as it is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, Non-GMO, vegan and also Kosher.  Whew, I'm exhausted after typing that.



Judging by the picture, this one looks like any other Larabar with one key difference:  it's a lighter color.  Other than that, it's basically the same with a sticky texture and being primarily made of a puree of dates.  Actually, other than dates, the only ingredient is cashews and those are spread in very small bits throughout the bar.  I'm not sure how they get a cookie out of that, but the lighter coloring could imply that is is more cookie colored, I suppose.  Kind of a lame cop out, but I'm not a product designer, so I can't judge.

In terms of taste, this one is not all that impressive.  It's not bad, but it definitely does not taste like the name it is trying to sell.  The date puree mix makes it sort of like a cookie because it is soft, but the flavor of cashews is virtually non-existent.  In fact, I had to shut my eyes and concentrate on the entire bar in order to find the cashew flavor and being that this one is only 1.7 ounces (tiny), you aren't going to have a lot of time to find a cashew flavor before this is gone.  Also, because the cashews are so small, you really don't any sort of crunch from them either.  Dates don't taste like cookies and this bar does not either.

Buy It or Fly By It?  If you were eating this blindfolded without knowing what it was, it's just an okay bar.  Knowing what this is supposed to be though causes it to be an epic failure, so FLY BY IT.  This seems to be a common occurrence with Larabars and it is horribly disappointing.  I've only got a few different flavors left to try in my refrigerator, so hopefully I can find one that actually follows through.  I'm not holding my breath though.

FLY BY IT!!

4 comments:

  1. Awesome sight...I have been browsing it for a few weeks now and I love the reviews. I have been searching for the perfect powerbar and I thought your Cliff reviews were spot on. Promax's cookies and cream flavor is pretty good. I really recommend that one along with the cookie dough flavor. I might have to beat you to a review on these though, I was thinking about "ranting" about them on my site: www.FedUpFood.com

    Anyway, keep the great reviews coming, especially cereal ones...I am also searching for a damn good cereal that is slightly healthier then my current craze:
    http://fedupfood.com/2012/02/19/its-crack-for-breakfast/

    Oh, and on the Walden Farms products...have you tired the ones in the new packaging? I think they taste better. I mean there are certain Walden Farms products I have always liked, but now some taste even better (ex: caramel). and the new Garlic and Herb sauce tastes just like Papa John's garlic sauce they serve with pizza.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually have several more PowerBar reviews saved up and they'll be coming in the future, so keep your eyes open for those, as well as more Promax reviews.

      Thanks for checking the site and keep on coming back. You'll see more of those bars and also Walden Farms in the future, so hopefully you'll like it as much as you already have!

      Delete
    2. Great! Looking forward to more reviews! I am freaking healthy so any good health food reviews are always of interest.

      -Mr. Fed Up
      (I cant post anymore with my wordpress acct?)

      Delete
  2. Be aware that some well known protein bar names have their products made in China. One way to tell is if the label says "Manufactured for...." Given the lack of quality controls in China, would advise folks to stay with made in U.S. bars.

    ReplyDelete

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