New Tree Chocolate Granola Bar

I have liked New Tree chocolate since the very first bar I found on a visit to Zabar's in New York City. The first one I tried was the Tranquility bar, which is milk chocolate and lavender (new and improved review to come soon -- but for now, my rather lame first review can be read here). I love unusual flavors and New Tree has no shortage of those. Since I started trying New Tree's chocolates, they have changed their packaging from the old heavy cardstock and rather simple drawings of the theme ingredient to a glossy, sleek photo-style envelope. And it looks like chocolate bar itself has been re-molded as well...which is yet another reason for me to redo my older reviews.

The bar I'm reviewing now is part of New Tree's expansion into healthier options that take another step into more unconventional flavor combinations. This bar, for example, boasts having antioxidants and three times the fiber (along with 30% less sugar) than its similar counterparts. And if that's not a good reason to eat chocolate, then I am just going to call it a day permanently. Other than raw fruit and veggies, that's about as close to health food as I really feel the need to get.



Anyway, New Tree's Granola bar is a 31% milk chocolate that not only features little bits of granola, but is flavored with lime and green tea as well. I love green tea with lime as a drink, but will they play well together with chocolate? I am looking forward to finding out.

I do, however, have one complaint prior to actually tasting anything. It is a minor complaint, but it irks me. While New Tree has indeed changed the exterior packaging to a more modern look -- which I really like -- the new package illustration also shows a change to the molding of the bars themselves. That's all well and good...except that the bars actually are still molded just as they were when I first tried them almost four years ago. As you can see below, the bar is broken up into smaller square tiles rather than the brand-name embossed bar portions with the jaunty little tree designs that you see on the label. I realize that's not a big deal in the grand scheme of life -- but it's not truly representative of what you're getting. It's like a chocolate version of that hot girl you meet with the seemingly titanic rack: it looks great pushing out against her shirt, until you remove said shirt and find out you got duped by a push-up bra. Yes, I know the chocolate still tastes just as good (and the girl probably does too, but that's not within the scope of this review), yet it's still a disappointment. I guess the lesson here is that, much like many other aspects of life, it is the inside and not the outside that should count. It's just that sometimes the inside has to work a little harder to win you over once the outside has let you down.



So, after all that dime-store philosophizing, how did the inside work out?

Pretty well, actually. Regardless of its molding, the little squares have a great aroma. It's zesty and floral with a nice creamy finish. And the taste is even better.

The first thing you taste is the lime. It's bright and tangy but not sour or overpowering.



I am not sure that if I didn't know this bar had green tea in it that I would have guessed exactly what I was tasting. Actually, on first taste, it reminded me of mild pepper rather than tea. Then again, it is tea extract, and I can't say I have ever tasted that before. Maybe tea extract is just peppery? (Anyone out there have information on that?) Peppery or not, though, it was quite good.

The little clumps of granola are toasty and oaty and perfectly crunchy, which adds a nice contrast to the smooth texture of the chocolate. And, speaking of the chocolate: even three-years-plus after trying it for the first time, I am still in love with it. New Tree is a Belgian company, and -- yes, I have said it before -- those people can give the Swiss a run for their money any day when it comes to making chocolate. (But neither the Belgians nor the Swiss should get too complacent, because there are plenty of other countries who want a piece of the high-end chocolate action, and some of those efforts might surprise you. For instance, I've reviewed an Icelandic chocolate that was absolutely delicious, which you can read about here. I've also reviewed a very nice assortment box from Bolivia, which you'll find here.)

The chocolate is just strong enough that the lime and the tea flavors don't run it over. There is a really rich, milky taste to it. It's definitely on the sweeter side, but I think that with the tart lime, that's for the best. I can see where the lime might be too aggressive otherwise.



It has a reasonably smooth melt -- but remember, there are the bits of granola to melt around. It's a pleasant contrast.

Bottom line: As someone who loves citrus and chocolate together, this bar was an easy winner for me. I really think lime needs to be paired with chocolate (and not white chocolate!) more often. If you should see this bar, by all means get it. You won't be sorry.



PURCHASED FROM:
Sample from company.

CALORIES:
170 calories per 100 grams.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
Allergen info not listed.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
newtree.com

Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale

I love ginger ale. But it's one of those sodas that doesn't have a whole lot of variety. Sure, you see the odd raspberry or cranberry ginger ales, but it's not like there are many new options out there.

Well, here at last, is a new one.



I had been jonesing for some diet Canada Dry, when right next to the twelve pack I was going to pick up, was the new Canada Dry green tea ginger ale. Woohoo! Kick ass!




While it doesn't appear to come in a diet version (or if it does, I haven't seen it), it boasts that it's enhanced with 200mg of antioxidants from green tea, plus vitamin C. But you know what? I couldn't care less if it has any nutritional value, because it is just that good!

This ginger ale is very lightly carbonated -- yet not so lightly as to be flat. The green tea adds a slightly sweet note, which is just a little on the spearmint side. And the crisp zip of the ginger cuts through the overall sweetness, leaving a brisk, clean taste. All the various flavor notes are good, and the balance between them is perfect. Honestly, there is just not enough bandwidth to tell you how great this is!

Officially my favorite soda since Coke Zero! And my second favorite Canadian export since Douglas Coupland.



PURCHASED FROM:
Albertsons Supermarket

Green Tea Bonbons

I'm not sure who makes this candy. I bought these on my spree through Economy Candy in New York City. The box bares no name brand- other then a clear sticker that says "Tea Symphony"- which Googling turned nothing up on- so if any of you know more about this candy please leave a comment!

I think from the word "bonbon" I was expecting little soft candies. However, what they really are is individually wrapped khaki colored hard candies.

The candies are solid but I managed to saw through one:


The first flavors that hit your tongue is that of pure green tea leaves that have been kissed with honey. It's really clean and refreshing. There's an Earthy grass notes. With both sugar and malt syrup listed on the box the candies don't come off sweet. The flavor is best described as green tea squared. There is only one problem...

The texture.
After the thinly panned surface layer dissolves the rest of the candy gets gritty. I am talking about is this a Pepcid or is this a candy gritty. Candy shouldn't hurt your tongue. And the longer you have the candy in your mouth the rougher it gets. Really that is too bad because if they were a smooth candy (or at least less gritty) these candies would be addictive.

If you would like to try them for yourself they can be purchased online direct from Economy Candy HERE

Rating:


PURCHASED FROM:
Economy Candy NYC

Trader Joes Matcha Green Tea Yogurt

I love green tea!
I love yogurt!
So why didn't I love green tea yogurt?

The color was appealing. The smell was good. The texture was a little thin but I could over look that. No, I think it was because the best way to describe the flavor would be to tell you that it is like eating spinach yogurt. Yes, you read that right- spinach.

And I mean spinach yogurt in the worst possible sense. Imagine you took a brick of frozen spinach, defrosted it, squeezed the "juice" that comes out of said brick of spinach into some thin, lowfat yogurt. THEN you pureed some of the spinach into the yogurty sludge. Well that is what I feel like I have eaten.

Since TJ's has so few misses this one saddens me but certainly won't keep me from continuing to try more of their products.


PURCHASED FROM:
Trader Joe's

Meiji Meltyblend Green Tea

I admit I was not entirely sure what kind of candy these were when I bought them. All I had to go on was the picture on the box and the words "green tea"
Not exactly overly helpful. When I opened the first of the individually wrapped pieces I was a little more confused. The pieces which are slightly larger then sugar cubes are covered in a rather chalky looking thin layer of cocoa and chocolate. And the cubes while not as hard as a hard candy have no give to them either.

Throwing caution to the wind I just popped one in. The cubes instantly start to melt in your mouth with a very pleasant cool feeling on the tongue. The first things you taste would be the cocoa coating then there is almost a malted milk ball type flavor before getting to the green tea center. The green tea is sweet without being too candy/fake tasting and is deep without being bitter.

The melt is very, very smooth and it is way too easy to quickly have an embarrassingly large pile of wrappers next to you! (um, not that I did that or anything)
I liked these SOOOOOOOOO much I am definitely going to have to stock up on my next trip to the store.


PURCHASED FROM:
Ranch 99 Supermarket

Pocky- Marble Green Tea

It's Macchariffic!
I loved this Pocky!
The green tea flavor is a crisp, clean taste. Exactly like unsweetened green tea. The chocolate that is swirled lightly throughout isn't terribly noticeable to be honest. It looks cool but it doesn't bring a lot to the party. What I do taste a little of is a malted note- although as far as I can tell there is no malted milk in the mix.

What I also liked about the green tea Pocky is that the candy coating seems to be a little thicker on this one then it is on the regular chocolate ones.

I can see getting more of this in the future.

PURCHASED FROM:
Kam Man Market NYC

Lipton Brisk Green Apple Green Tea

Seeing this on the shelf I couldn't resist trying it- it's bright green! who could resist something bright green?!

It has occurred to me after the fact that in nature there is a reason why things that are dangerous are brightly colored as a warning sign... And yet I chose to ignore it anyway.

About the only way to describe this is to imagine drinking a liquid sour apple Jolly Rancher- and oddly enough that is not a good thing. I can see this being a big hit with teens or even younger kids but I don't see it having a broad enough appeal to get hugely popular. Worth a try but it can't hold a candle to Snapples Apple White Tea.