Monday, June 16, 2025

Taste Test: Chocolate Snacks

As someone who’s always on the lookout for a quick, healthy snack before hitting the gym, I recently realized I’ve been stuck using the same breakfast bar for the last 5+ years, so maybe it is time for a change! This assignment was perfect for my problem.

I decided to explore the world of chocolate-based snacks—specifically, ones that seem marketed as a semi-healthy or energy-boosting treat. After browsing the snack aisle, I landed on three products I had never tasted before: Keto Wise Chocolate Fat Bombs, CLIF's Builders Chocolate Protein Bar, and Bel Vita Choclate Creme Sandwiches I chose these because I have no previous experience with any of them, no brand loyalty, no expectations making them perfect candidates for a fair and unbiased taste test.

To keep the experiment as impartial as possible, I’ll be unwrapping each snack and trying them blindly—no packaging, no logos, just me and my taste buds. I’ll also make sure to cleanse my palate between bites, so each one gets a fair shot. Through this test, I hope to discover which chocolate snack checks all the right boxes: flavor, texture, and that perfect pre-workout satisfaction.

Let the chocolate showdown begin!

Now, from a visual standpoint, the Bel Vita Sandwiches were calling my name. I prefer brands that have an image of the item within the wrapping, that way I know what I am getting, and Oh Boy, those Sandwiches looked tasty. The Keto Wise Fat Bombs looked pretty decent from their image, but they did look just like a bar of chocolate. I don't even know what Keto is, but I know my Mom always raves about it. Now, the Clif Bar didn't really stand out as I didn't get any visuals on the wrapping, so as of now, they are at the bottom, but my expectations are still high for them.

I realized after I bought them that the consistencies and shapes were going to be off so it may be easy to tell which is which by feel, so to negate this potential room for Bias, I decided to use a fork which was honestly an awful choice but I just needed a way to try the Bars without feeling them with my hands. I also blind folded myself to not see anything, which made this much harder than it needed to be. I decided I was going to drink Milk in between each Snack so that I could wash out any of the taste from the previous.

I also am not going to look at what brand I just ate, that way I can't figure out the rest with deductive reasoning.

Now Onto the Tasting!

1. Keto Wise Fat Bomb

When I took my first bite, I noticed right away that the flavor was very light. There was a hint of chocolate, but it didn’t deliver the rich, indulgent taste I usually associate with a chocolate snack. The texture was soft and a little chewy, but not unpleasant. It was clear that this one leaned more toward the “health-conscious” side of the snack spectrum. While it didn’t taste bad, it lacked that satisfying punch I was hoping for. It felt more like something you eat because it’s good for you, not because you’re craving it.

Overall, Snack #1 was mild and inoffensive, but it didn’t leave much of an impression. A decent option if you’re looking for something light and not overly sweet, but maybe not the first choice if you’re after bold flavor. This Snack turned out to be the Keto Wise Fat Bomb. I'll rate it a 4/10



2. BelVita Chocolate Creme Sandwich

After chugging my Milk, it was time for Snack #2. From the first bite, I could tell this one was going to be different. The chocolate crème filling was smooth, silky, and surprisingly rich—just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. It paired really well with the slightly crunchy, grainy outer layers, which reminded me of an oat-based cookie. The combination of textures worked nicely too: crisp and soft, all in one bite.

This snack definitely leaned more toward a dessert-like experience while still feeling like something you could justify eating in the morning. It had a balanced flavor and a satisfying feel, making it a strong contender for anyone who wants it. I was not too surprised to find out this was the BelVita Chocolate Sandwich. I really enjoyed this one, so I'll give it a 9/10.



3. CLIF Builders Protein Bar

The third snack came with a noticeable heft to it, dense and solid, with a thick outer coating of chocolate. Biting into it was a bit of a workout; the bar was so thick and chewy that it took some effort to break down. That said, the flavor made up for the chew time. There was a subtle hint of peanut butter in the chocolate, which added a nice twist. Inside, it had a grainy, granola-bar-like texture that gave it some substance and made it feel like a filling, high-protein snack. While the chocolate itself wasn’t particularly memorable, the overall flavor and texture combo worked well, especially if you’re looking for something to keep you full for a while. I'd give this a 7/10. 



All of these snacks were good in their own way. I may continue looking for more breakfast bars, but they were all a pleasure to eat. The ranking finished BelVita 1st, CLIF 2nd, and Keto Wise 3rd. This was fun and has inspired me to try exploring new brands and stepping outside of my comfort zone. Maybe I'll find something new!


4 comments:

  1. You used great humor, personal context, and a great detailed sensory description in a way that made the taste test enjoyable to read. The blindfold and fork strategy added a fun twist! Have you considered doing a follow-up with fruit-based or non-chocolate energy snacks for comparison?

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    1. I have! I love the Nutri Grain Strawberry breakfast bars and the apple cinnamon bars; I have been eating those since I was a kid and still can't get over them. The only reason I didn't test that was because I knew I would be able to identify it by taste alone and would have way too much bias

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  2. I'm always on the lookout for quick snacks before the gym, and I have yet to find one I enjoy. I like how you went about this assignment to really figure out something you've been on the hunt for.

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  3. Very enjoyable, the fork and blindfold really gave the test some authenticity. I greatly enjoyed the detail you put into describing each flavor specifically.

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