The Primal Pantry Double Espresso Protein Bar

When I'm trying to eat healthy (#thestruggleisreal!) I do like a nice refined sugar, gluten and dairy free snack to munch on. There's always the trusty, tasty Nakd bars on hand in most shops, but a lesser-known brand is The Primal Pantry, who make Paleo and Vegan approved bars with ingredients like nuts, dried fruit, coconut sugar etc. I've tried their stuff before and really enjoyed it. So when I spotted this caffeine infused Espresso variety in the Co Op recently I got very excited indeed - probably too excited, must have been the thought of that shake-inducing caffeine!

Described as simply a "Double Espresso Protein Bar" it contains real coffee beans and seemed to be promising an energy boost in bar form - protein AND coffee all at once?! Can't get more #fitfam than that ey?

Unfortunately, the bar turned out to be a bit pants. Overlooking the fact it looked like something you'd find in your pants, the texture was my first point of contention: it tasted gritty and unpleasant, no doubt due to the hemp used to boost the protein content. If that wasn't bad enough the density was neither firm nor chewy but sort of soft and squidgy, because Primal Pantry have used coconut nectar as the sweetener and it didn't work well to hold the texture of the bar. On top of that, the espresso flavour was not a strong shot of the good stuff but instead tasted of cheap coffee.

Overall, I don't really care how much protein or caffeine this contains, those are just bonuses because the most important thing is the taste, and it just didn't deliver. Sorry Primal Pantry - as much as I liked your other bars this one really falls short.

Ingredients: Dates, hemp protein 26%, coconut nectar, almonds, coffee beans 5%, caffeine extract from coffee beans (0.18%).

Nutrition Information (per bar): 196 Calories, 4g Fat, 24g Carbohydrates, 21g Sugars, 3g Fibre, 15g Protein.

5 out of 10.

The Primal Pantry Mixed Berries Paleo Protein Bar

The primal pantry have unleashed another Paleo and Vegan approved bar on the snacking market...this time with the addition of some plant protein in the mix. I spotted this bar looking for a "healthy" snack in Tesco Express and found it in the Free From section. It cost just over £2 which ain't cheap for a small bar...so is it worth it?

Thankfully it is. If you like Nakd bars or other similar healthier snacks bars you'll probably love this. It contains hemp protein, as well as coconut nectar as the sweetener (probably why these cost so much), goji berries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, raspberry, dates and apricots. There's 12g protein per 55g bar.

So how does it taste? Well it's actually quite yummy for a healthy snack bar! Usually my complaint with bars like his is that they're too sticky and based on dried fruit, but this has the right balance of seeds and nuts to sweeteness...the hemp protein gives it a slightly more substantial texture and is actually filling, compared to a regular fruit and nut bar. The pumpkin seeds add a nice bit of crunch and the berries bring some nice fruity bursts to keep things interesting.

Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by this bar...I'm not usually one to bother with protein bars, but this one doesn't taste like any regular protein bar, rather it tastes like a real food bar. I would buy one again, despite the high price point. 

8.5 out of 10. 

New Products: Coca Cola Zero Cherry, Pip & Nut Almond Milks & More!

It's August already...what happened to this year, seriously?! It's the time of year when many new products get launched for Winter - no Christmas stuff yet, but do keep your eyes peeled on my Instagram for the first Christmas sightings. I'm sure it won't be long now! In the meantime, lets' take a look at some of the latest new products to grace the supermarket shelves...

Coca Cola Zero Sugar Cherry:
They've already done a Vanilla Coca Cola Zero Sugar and now it's the turn of Cherry! Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Tiffin Large Size:

The recent return of the smaller Dairy Milk Tiffin bar in the UK was such a success that there was demand for a larger bar. I was sent some for a review recently...stay tuned for that!

Galaxy, Bounty and M&M's Trail Mix:

I reviewed these last year but now they're getting a larger bag version. If you see these in shops do let me know!

Quaker Overnight Oats:

Award for most pointless product of the year goes to...Quaker Oats! They've helpfully brought out a product you could easily make yourself, and added some dried apple to boot. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Clarks Peanut Butter Dessert Topping (50% Less Sugar): 

One for the peanut butter lovers out there (like Peanut!) this dessert topping contains 50% less sugar. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Clarks Dreamy Caramel Dessert Topping:

Also available in a Dreamy Caramel variety. Currently £1.50 in Sainsbury's, also includes Totally Choccy flavour.

Haagen Dazs Strawberries & Cream Limited Edition Sticks:

Haagen Dazs have launched this Limited Edition pack of three ice cream sticks containing strawberry pieces. Available from Sainsbury's. Let me know if you see it in other supermarkets!

Yeo Valley British Bramley Apple Limited Edition:

It wouldn't be Summer without another Limited Edition from Yeo Valley. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Tyrrell's Goat's Cheese Garlic & Rosemary Limited Edition:

An interesting new limited edition from Tyrrell's. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Pip & Nut Unsweetened Almond Milk:

Pip & Nut, makers of various nut butters have now launched into the Dairy Free Milk market, with three varieties; Unsweteened Almond Milk, containing no stabilisers and only natural organic ingredients. Available in Sainsbury's.

Pip & Nut Honey & Vanilla Almond Drink:

Also available in Honey & Vanilla flavour. Sounds yummy! Also in Sainsbury's.

Pip & Nut Almond Drink with Coconut:

And last but not least, Almond with Coconut. If you try any of these varieities pease do let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Rude Health Banana Berry Oats:

Banana Berry  Oats...now this sounds a bit different! Certainly more interesting than Quaker's Basic offerings lately. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Sainsbury's Gourmet Salted Caramel Drizzle Cake:

Containing salted caramel buttercream and topped with caramel filled meringues, chocolate coated pretzels, as well as caramel icing, this looks like one super cake indeed!

Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Dulce De Leche Mini Cupcakes:

Containing a swirled caramel buttercream topping and chunks of chocolate, these new cupcakes from Sainsbury's look a bit dangerous! Also available in a Chocolate Ganache variety.

Tilda Caribbean Rice & Peas Limited Edition:

A new limited edition from Tilda, this Caribbean Rice & Peas variety is gluten free and ready in two minutes. Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Trolli Dino Rex Vegan Sweets:

Some new vegan sweets from Trolli Candy, spotted in WH Smiths.

Buttermilk Caramel Sea Salt Crumbly Fudge:

New "artisan confectionery" that's also gluten free. Yum! Spotted in Sainsbury's.

Walkers Oven Baked Crispy Crackers Mature Cheese/Italian Herbs:

A new variety of Walkers Oven Baked Crispy Crackers, spotted in Sainsbury's.

Walkers Oven Baked Fusions Cheddar Cheese & Red Pepper:

Another new Oven Baked variety, available in single packs. I saw these in Boots.

Califia Farms Go Coconuts Coconut & Coconut Water Blend:

Califia Farms recently launched their Dairy Free Milk brand onto the UK market, with some coffee varieties available in Sainsbury's as well as this Coconut and Cococnut Water blend. Spotted in Waitrose.

Nush Dairy Free Almond Milk Yoghurt:

A new brand of dairy free yoghurt made from almond milk. Interesting! Available in Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Rebel Kitchen Semi Skimmed/Whole Dairy Free Mylk:

Rebel Kitchen have created what they claim to be the best Dairy Free Vegan milk that tastes as good as real milk. It comes in both Semi Skimmed, Whole...

Rebel Kitchen Skimmed Dairy Free Mylk:

...and of course Skimmed! Spotted in Waitrose.

The Primal Pantry Paleo Protein Bar Cocoa Brownie:

Primal Pantry have launched this new vegan friendly, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free Paleo Protein brownie bar, containing hemp protein. I'm intrigued! Spotted in The Co Op.

Nature Valley Crunchy Variety Packs:

A new variety pack from Nature Valley containing Canadian Maple Syrup, Oats & Dark Chocolate and Oats & Honey varieties. Spotted in Morrisons and Sainsbury's.

Primark Unicorn Strawberry Splash:

A new strawberry flavoured, magical sugar free sparkling water from Primark, sure to have you high as a unicorn dancing on rainbows. At least according to the label!

The Chocolate Smiths Bizarre Apple Pie & Custard/Maple Bacon bars:

Those crazy Chocolate Smiths have been busy creating some new bars, and the latest seasonal offering is this Apple Pie bar, featuring both milk and white chocolate. They also do a maple syrup and bacon bar. Spotted in Fenwicks, also available from https://www.thechocolatesmiths.com.

The Chocolate Smiths Bubblegum Sundae bar:

A Vanilla Bubblegum and White Chocolate bar from The Chocolate Smiths. Sounds yummy! And yes that's a Banoffee Bread bar below it.

The Chocolate Smiths Strawberry Lemonade Bizarre/Campfire S'mores:

Another recent addition to the range was this Strawberry Lemonade bar, containing white chocolate with strawberry and lemon popping candy. Below is the Campfire S'more Bar.

The Chocolate Smiths Irish Cream Milk Chocolate Bar:

Last but not least, one of their boozy themed bars, exclusive to Fenwicks. They also do Gin & Tonic, Prosecco and Beer flavoured bars!

M&S Dessert Menu Stracciatella Gelato:

A new gelato variety from M&S - not just any gelato!

M&S Dessert Menu Tiramisu Gelato:

Ice cream with Marsala wine swirled with coffee sauce, chocolate pieces and sponge cake pieces, made in Italy. Sounds delightful, I'll have the lot! ;)

M&S Spirit of Summer King Prawns & Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise with a Charcoal Bun:

A charcoal bun! I don't know how I missed this until now but this is certainly not something I fancy trying. Anyone else?

M&S Percy Piglet Cupcakes:

Percy Pig's babies have been put onto cupcakes! What a lovely way to celebrate his 25th birthday.

M&S Coconut & Raspberry Scottish Shortbread:

New Homestyle (whatever that means) Shortbread with the food of the moment added: coconutttt!

Marks & Spencer Scottish All Butter Rhubarb & Orange Shortbread Rounds:

For a tart kick to your Shortbread, some new Rhubarb & Orange Shortbread Rounds from M&S. Because who doesn't like being kicked by tart?

Waitrose Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Slices:

Is this possibly one of the best combos ever? I think it might be!

Asda Half 'N' Half Cake:

I couldn't not mention this new cake from Asda...can't decide between milk chocolate and white chocolate? Now you don't have to! Half chocolate cake with milk chocolate, half vanilla cake with a white chocolate topping.

Well, that's all for this edition of Spotted In Shops, I'll be back as soon as there's more new products out! I wonder how long it'll be until the first Christmas snacks appear?