Explore It!

    By now, consumers have a chance to get their hands on California-based Clif Bar & Company’s new energy bar flavor that launched at the end of January.
    The new flavor, white chocolate macadamia nut, was first announced in October. But was the anticipated flavor worth the wait?
    Depends on how you look at it.
    Biting into the Clif version (the company also made a Luna version that I think is sweeter and slightly more appetizing), my initial thought is a pleasant combination of sugary graham cracker and nuts.
    The frosting that zig-zags the top of the bar helps add to the cookie-like sweetness. But it’s not as refreshing as other Clif bars.
    It simply doesn’t stand out like other flavors. One gripe many people have is that Clif bars all taste the same.
    While it’s a broad generalization, to some extent, with this bar, I agree. This bar does have the same fine-chopped consistency as many others.
    But it still tastes good – though it’s not quite as good for you as some of its fellow bars.
    Unlike its seasonal bars which are only on the shelves until consumers buy them all, the white chocolate is here to stay – at least as long as people continue to buy them.
    For me, it’s not one of my favorites, but it’ll be a frequent addition to my Clif arsenal. If you’re a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie fan, give it a try. Otherwise, take a look at my October 10 post for some other flavor suggestions.

On a side note:
    Clif Bar & Company has a voluntary recall as part of the peanut-related salmonella fiasco.
    It only pertains to certain Clif and Luna bars, but if you’re worried, check it out here.

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I’m a self-proclaimed skeptic of most things – especially if it’s food that “tastes like cardboard.”
After eating them about 10 years ago and not finding a flavor I liked, a Clif Bar was something I wouldn’t touch until recently.
Now, though, with flavors like Blueberry Crisp, Carrot Cake, Pear Apple Strudel and Spiced Pumpkin Pie, I could eat one everyday and not get sick of them.
Sure they may be mostly organic, have energy packed inside and be easy to stash, but dang, they taste good.
For now, forget about the boring flavors like Crunchy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownie.
Instead, head straight for the seasonals.
Since 2004 Clif Bar has produced seasonal energy bars that are in stores sometime around Fall and only “while supplies last.”
Pumpkin has been around since the beginning, Iced Gingerbread since 2005 and Pear Apple since 2007. But if you don’t get some now, you’ll have to wait for another year as Clif doesn’t make special bars for other seasons.

Here’s my Clif Bar top 5 list and a note on how my taste buds responded:

• Spiced Pumpkin Pie: Spot on pumpkin flavor with the right mix of sweetness and refreshment
• Pear Apple Strudel: Very energizing, fruity taste
• Blueberry Crisp: Great fruity blueberry flavor in a substantial bar
• Cool Mint Chocolate: What more can I say, it tastes like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie
• Oatmeal Raisin Walnut: Think oatmeal raisin cookie in a power bar disguise

New at Clif
This hasn’t been released yet, but a little bird told me that the company plans to introduce a White Chocolate Macadamia Nut bar in January.
I haven’t tasted it yet, but my mouth is already watering.
I imagine it being like a delicious cookie wrapped in a package and begging me to take it on the trail.
Also hitting the shelves soon is a Shot Blok “fastpak.”
Instead of getting your little energy gummies in a small package and fishing them out while on the go, they’ll be lined up in a row so you can squeeze them into your mouth with one hand.
The new packaging, along with a new flavor (Mountain Berry), should hit stores next month.
All this from a company with a great story.