Diet Food Reviews
Larabar Jocalat Chocolate Coffee Bar
By: | Nov 4, 2008
I tried the Cherry Pie Larabars after reading the review of them a while back. They are truly, truly fantastic. In fact, they were so good that I wanted to try some of the other flavors. LaraBars can be pretty pricey, but I recently discovered that Vitacost, one of my favorite online stores, offers them by the box at a significantly discounted price ranging from $18 to $21 dollars per box of 16. Still not cheap, but not prohibitively expensive either. I settled on the Larabar Jocalat Chocolate Coffee Bar and anxiously awaited my order.
Like all Larabars, the chocolate coffee creation consists only of real foods - in this case dates, walnuts, hazelnuts, cocoa, cashews and coffee, all of which are organic. From the first bite, the coffee flavor really jumps out. It is STRONG - to the point that it's a little bitter. There is a hint of chocolate but it's pretty much overwhelmed by the coffee. The bar itself, at least compared to the glory of the cherry pie flavor, is also a little dry. Now, having said all that, it may sound like I hated this concoction, but, as I continued nibbling away, the flavor started to grow on me a little bit. It's not great, but it's not horrible either. For what it's worth, my husband, who practically mainlines black coffee all day long, loved the taste.
As far as nutrition goes, this bar is pretty indicative of all LaraBar products: 190 calories, a good source of fiber with 5 grams (21% of the RDA), heavy on the fat - 9 grams (14% of the daily value), with 1 gram of saturated fat (6% of the DV), and 4 grams of protein. Each bar contains also contains 25 grams of carbohydrates which includes 19 grams of sugar, which is a little high in contrast with the fairly low protein count, but it all comes from dried fruit and other whole food ingredients.
One thing I love, love, love about LaraBars, regardless of taste, is the short list of whole food ingredients. But still - taste is important, and taste-wise, the Jocalat chocolate coffee bar isn't really my thing. But any of you die hard coffee lovers out there might enjoy them.
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I love coffee and I love this bar, too. It kind of reminds me of the ginger one in that the main ingredient is intense. If you like it, you're good. If you're not a big fan of it, steer clear. :)
im pretty sure this bar actually isnt organic -- only fairtrade.
I double checked - all the ingredients are listed as organic; the chocolate elements are both organic and fair trade certified.
DISCLAIMER! JOCALAT IS NOT A CHOCOLATE BAR AS LARABAR FALSELY ADVERTISES!
Maannn, Larabar has horrendous customer service. They may have decent fruit/nut bars but when they call them "Jocalat"? That is just cheap. Had I known, I would not have shelled out 3 bucks for a brick of compressed dates.
I commented on their blog with this message a 2 days ago, it has mysteriously vanished:
So I sent this comment thru Larabar's site last SUMMER, I never got a reply....
Hi Larabar,
Wow! With the influence of the West Coast and just choosing a healthier lifestyle I am familiar with your brand but did not have any of your bars until recently, and I regret to say that I was so disappointed with your product! I really expected Larabar, being pricey and with all its healthy, natural, fair trade propaganda, to actually taste good and deliver to its reputation. Well, I guess I am like all the other suckers. I bought your "Chocolate Jocalat", took a bite and became seriously confused. I had a few more bites of this "chocolate" bar but could not taste any chocolate! Looking at the wrapper I realized that the first ingredient of the "Chocolate Jocalat" bar was DATES?! What a scam. I am sure I am not the first to be duped by this awful mislabelling. How can you call this a chocolate bar when all you taste is dates and some sort of crunchy fruit leather texture? I admit I should have looked more carefully before purchasing but still this is questionable advertising! Could you please get back to me and explain this hugely misleading claim you make about your product?! Honestly, I don't mind date/nut bars that much- in fact I love them- however when I make a purchase of a product labelled "Chocolate Jocalat" I have chocolatey expectations.
Disappointed,
Crystal
As you can see, it was already the second time I tried to reach them about customer satisfaction...
and yet on their website it states, "Everyone at Larabar fully respects and supports blogging as means for people to express themselves". Selective expression, perhaps?
Why is it so difficult for them to address my very simple concerns about their product?
Hmmm, I never thought they were a chocolate bar, or even advertised as such. I'm sorry they haven't gotten back to you, I find most companies are pretty bad at that.
I have a Jocalat wrapper with me right now. Nowhere does it say that it's meant to be a chocolate bar. I think it's your ignorance to blame here, Crystal.
But I do think it's a great substitute for a chocolate bar, if you want a deep chocolate taste and would prefer something more filling than a real chocolate bar. I love them!
Although I love the Apple Pie and the Banana Larabars, I'm not a big fan of the Jocalat. The taste is just too strong for my liking.
I've recently discovered Omega Smart Bars, which are similar to the Larabars, but appear to have even more nutritional benefits. I found them at my local health food store, but you can also find them on their website: www.omegasmartbar.com
I love their pumpkin spice bars!
Perhaps you could be persuaded to review these bars, as well?