Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Raspberry Licorice Log


This log (though I'd consider it more like a rope) of licorice is made in New Zealand by RJ's who claim to be "Making the world a better licorice place!" My mom got it for me at Natur-Tyme in Syracuse.


The bite is softer and less chewy than typical licorice. Its a great texture. The raspberry flavor is awesome, kind of like raspberry jam. However, licorice always leaves a strange aftertaste in my mouth. So any kind of licorice probably wouldn't be my first choice of a candy.


Ingredients: Wheat flour, Cane sugar, Glucose syrup, Water, Humectant (glycerin), Rice bran oil, Natural raspberry flavor, Acidity regulator (malic acid & citric acid), Salt, Natural color (fruit and vegetable concentrates), Licorice extract. Suitable for Vegetarians/Vegans.


Nutrition: A serving is 40g or one log. 140 calories, 10 calories from fat, Total fat 1g, Sodium 45mg, Total carbohydrate 31g, Dietary fiber less than 1g, Sugars 15g, Protein 1g.


Overall, not too shabby. Its all natural and I like the vegetarian/vegan statement. I can handle the aftertaste too. I would definitely choose these over something like twizzlers. A 7 out of 10.


Monday, March 22, 2010

Bubble Chocolate


Similar to Aero, Bubble Chocolate is an aerated chocolate bar. This bar is 60% cocoa, all natural, and described as "bubbles wrapped in chocolate!" It is distributed by Bubble Chocolate in Salem, MA, but this is a product of Belarus. I picked it up at TJ Maxx (of all places) for $2.99. It is much lighter than a typical chocolate bar, it feels almost fake.


The chocolate itself is alright if not kind of bland. Its certainly not a bad flavor though. The texture is interesting and very new to me. It is kind of soft and crumbly and dry at first, but it melts almost instantly.


Ingredients: Cocoa mass, Sugar powder, Cocoa butter, Lecithin (an emulsifier), Vanilla.


Nutrition: A serving is half the bar (40g). 200 calories per serving, 120 calories from fat. Total fat 15g, Saturated fat 9g, Total carbohydrate 22g, Dietary fiber 3g, Sugars 16g, Protein 2g.


Well, it is interesting but it just doesn't do it for me. I don't feel like I am eating bubbles wrapped in chocolate, I'd prefer solid chocolate no matter how dense it is. I rate it a 5 out of 10.





Sunday, March 7, 2010

Seitenbacher Kiwi Frogs


These are vegan gummi fruit candies by Seitenbacher. I ordered them from veganessentials and they come in a huge variety of flavors and shapes. I wish they came in variety packs so I could try them all. They are a product of Germany.


Ah, the texture is great. Too stiff to be "jelly" in my book. Its not sticky, it is kind of a bouncy texture. The taste is decent. It doesn't scream kiwi though, it tastes more like apple. There is a lingering sweetness to these that I really enjoy.


Ingredients: Apple extracts thickened, Kiwi, Apple pectine, Lemon juice thickened, Slightly sprayed with vegetable oil, Natural flavor.


Nutrition: A serving is 40g, 2.5 servings per container. 130 calories, 2 calories from fat. Total fat 0g, Total carbohydrate 31g, Dietary fiber 1g, Sugars 28g.


So, I like these. I definitely would like to try some other flavors because the kiwi doesn't necessarily wow me. These are way cuter than gummi bears or gummi worms. I rate these a 6 out of 10.


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Boom Choco Boom Crispy Rice Milk Chocolate Bar


(Note: Contains Honey) This is an allergy friendly rice milk chocolate bar made by Enjoy Life. It is like an allergy friendly crunch bar. It was really stupid of me not to re-read the ingredients before beginning this post. But, since I have already eaten one square and uploaded the photos, I might as well continue my post about it.


The taste is okay. I really enjoy dark chocolate so this seems really sweet and otherwise bland. The texture is nice though. The little rice crisps' saltiness adds to the overall flavor of the bar. These seem to be a great chocolate bar alternative for kids with allergies.


Ingredients: Evaporated cane juice, Non-dairy cocoa butter, Natural chocolate liquor (non-alcoholic), Rice crisps (rice flour, rice bran, raisin juice concentrate, honey, salt), Rice milk powder (rice syrup powder, rice starch, rice flour, carrageenan), salt.


Nutrition: A serving is one package. 220 calories, 140 fat calories. Total fat 15g, Saturated fat 10g, Sodium 30mg, Total carbohydrate 22g, Fiber 1g, Sugars 16g, Protein 1g.


I guess this chocolate bar proves that animal products are lurking everywhere. I'm not going to rate this product as it doesn't fit into my vegan criteria.