‘Indecisive’ is practically my middle name. Between different types of breads, salad dressings, and even apples, it tends to take me an ungodly amount of time to buy groceries. Now, I’ll have even more to waffle over because the folks at Larabar have created four additional flavors! Adding two bars to both their original and Jocolat lines has brought their count up to 20 total varieties- That’s a lot to pick from even for the decisive! Luckily, I was able to get my hands on all of the newest bars, so there were no tough choices this time around.
Naturally gravitating to the chocolate-y side of the spectrum inherent in the Jocolat line, my first pick was the tempting Chocolate Hazelnut. Although the chocolate flavor turned out to be rather mild and more one-dimensional like cocoa, it still came through, proving to be a good medium between candy and granola bar. The sizable chunks of hazelnut would lead one to assume that they have a prominent flavor, but they were really only present as a nice textural element to me. Soft, chewy, and slightly sweet like their old offerings, this one will certainly fit right into my normal rotation.
Chocolate Cherry sounded pretty decadent, but this snack would certainly not be confused for a truffle or cherry cordial. Tart cherries dominate, almost entirely pushing the chocolate out of the picture. With virtually no sweetness to speak of, those who aren’t quite so sugar-crazed might be happily surprised, but it wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
Astonishingly, it was the non-chocolate varieties that really appealed to me. The Coconut Cream Pie was the unexpected favorite in this batch. Incredibly rich with coconut flavor, I daresay it’s the next best thing to eating the fresh fruit itself. Studded with nuts and coconut flakes and yet so soft that it’s almost like eating raw cookie dough, I couldn’t get enough of these. As a fair-weather coconut enthusiast myself, I’m betting that even those wary of this tropical delight will even enjoy these bars.
The last flavor will undoubtedly find mass appeal as well, especially for those peanut butter lovers out there. Justly named Peanut Butter Cookie, it was just as incredible and nutty as you might hope. Admittedly a bit greasy and crumbly, all textural failings are swiftly forgotten as that intense, unadulterated peanut flavor spreads itself across your palate. Large pieces of peanuts surface every now and then to contribute a satisfying crunch, and trust me, it really does satisfy! Impossibly filling for such a tiny snack, one of the babies can keep you going for hours. Now, if only they came out with a chocolate version for this one…
It might be difficult to pick out only a few flavors from the overwhelming number of Jocolat and Larabars out there, but the good news is, it’s hard to go wrong with whatever you choose!
[Written for Go Dairy Free]
My Whole Foods recently started carrying all of these flavors, and I also received a free supply of Larabars from the Larabar company recently as well – yet I haven’t had the chance to try all of the new flavors yet!! I’m in love with the Peanut Butter Cookie flavor, and can’t wait to try the others. My dad thought that the Coconut Cream Pie bar was okay :-)
Don’t think we have any of these stuffs here. You’re lucky to even have 20 different flavors to choose from.
It will probably be about 6 months before I see these in my local supermarket. Looking forward to some new treats.
thanks for the review on all the deliciousnesses! i’ve yet to eat a Larabar – but i might have to pick one up sometime soon and give the Coconut Cream Pie flavor. they look soooo tasty!
Even more flavors of Lara Bars?! Wow, I’m still working on trying all of their existing flavors. I can’t wait until my local stores start carrying these new flavors- they sound amazing!
I agree, chocolate and peanut butter would be an ideal combination. Have you tried Krispy Kats? More good stuff to choose from!
ha…haa..I understand your turmoil. I have not tried these but they sound delicious alright.
Oooh – I hadn’t seen these new flavors yet! They all sound good except the cherry one, I must say. But I’ve never been a big fan of cherry unless it is fresh cherries. ;)
I love the idea of the new Coconut Cream Pie flavor. I am a true coconut enthusiast so this sounds like it’s right up my alley. I’m about to embark on a cross-country drive so I’ll definitely need to stock up on these for the journey.
cool. I really love Lara Bars and their Jocolat line. In the end, they’ve turned out to be my top-choice bar… especially for everyday snacking. Sounds like fun new flavors to check out… thanks for the review!
:)
Mmm I wonder if they have these flavours in Canada yet. I’m dying to try the coconut one!
Can you believe that I’ve never tried a single Larabar?
Yay Larabars! They get sent to us quite regularly at work (the six or so vegans out of our office 100 always have a snack, yay!) We actually cut up the different flavors when they arrive so everyone can sample. There are SO MANY I got full before I could try them all last time.
And I second your opinion on the cherry chocolate… I prefer the Laras over the Jocolat :)
I’ve only tried a couple and they were really good! These sound amazing…I can’t wait to try them =)
*drooooooools* those four flavors all sound amazing and right up my ally…. SO excited–when do they hit the shelves?
ah! i am obsessed with the coconut cream pie larabar!! it is heaven and a tropical vacation all in one! mmmmmm…
I really like your blog, I just read about it today in Vegnews and wanted to check it out, I enjoy larabars, the peanut butter cookie one looks really good:)
I recently found these at our co-op and I really love the cherry one!
I wonder about market distribution for products like this — the Chocolate Cherry has been out here for a while and Coconut Cream Pie has been out here for a couple months. Haven’t seen Peanut Butter Cookie or Chocolate Hazelnut .
I had a taste of the coconut cream pie and am not sure that I would spend money on it instead of making it myself.
Oooh, great review! The Coconut Cream Pie and Peanut Butter Cookie flavors do sound like my cup of tea the way you described them. I was looking for the new flavors at the store the other day and couldn’t find them… The sooner I can get my hands on them, the better! :)
ha, indecisive shopping, yep… no one will grocery shop with me anymore. :D
(I cannot WAIT to get my hands on the coconut and peanut butter bars!)
I tried the Lara Bar the other day. None of those flavors were available :( but I am not a big fan of the cashew cookie one!
Coconut Cream Pie is my new favorite! I met Lara a couple of months ago (she lives and shops nearby) and was able to try all the flavors…I really enjoyed the Peant Butter Cookie, too, but the coconut is just the best!