The RAW-view:

Jocalat Chocolate Hazelnut Bar

Reviewed on:	2009-06-22
Manufacturer:	Larabar
Where I found it:	Whole Foods

 You've all heard of Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, right?  The kind they use in those tasty (yet horrible for your body) little Ferro Roche chocolates?

Ok so when I saw this bar, I thought, YES, a healthy version of the chocolate hazelnut spread that makes my mouth water.  I grabbed it - not one, but two - and headed for the door.

Ingredient list:

• Organic Dates
• Organic Hazelnuts
• Organic Almonds
• Organic Cocoa Powder

I could barely wait to get home to try this out, but I behaved myself in the car.  As soon as I got inside, I took a photo of the package and then opened it right up.  The scent which wafted from the wrapper was to die for - a rich, almost coffee-like scent mixed with chocolate and dates.

The first bite was, and I'll say this bluntly, a little bit disappointing.  The bar actually tastes a lot like the regular Larabar in Chocolate Coconut, just without the intense coconut flavor.  I do have to say, though, that the big pieces of hazelnut inside made it totally worth finishing (as if the chocolate flavor itself wasn't enough!). 

Like all Larabars, the chocolate flavor was balanced just right - not too bitter, not too sweet.  The texture is similar to all of the regular Larabars with the exception of the larger hazelnut pieces.  This package also read that Organic Cocoa Mass was used, which I believe is meant to bond the ingredients together in a nice bar.

Overall, I would say that this bar was delicious - but not quite what I expected.  I still recommend that you try it for yourself though!  It's worth the treat just to give it a shot!  For me, well, I think if I want this type of flavor I'll stick to my favorite - the Larabar Chocolate Coconut - and spend about $0.20 less :)

*Rawr!* to you!
Misty