Now that's a granola bar

[yendi]

We went shopping last night, and as we passed the granola bar area, shadesong noticed something: Caribou Coffee granola bars! Naturally, we had to buy a box of the Chocolate Mocha bars (upon further inspection, they turned out to be made by General "Nature Valley" Mills, with a license for the Caribou name).

Naturally, I had one last night, and they are good. Really good. First, just opening the wrapper gets you a wonderful (and likely artificially induced, but who cares?) coffee aroma. It felt like walking into a Caribou store. The bar itself is a chewy granola bar, with a layer of chocolate-mocha gunk on the bottom (or top, I guess -- I'm not entirely sure what the proper way to orient a coated granola bar is), and each bite is completely infused with coffee flavor. I'm not going to pretend that these (or any granola bar, a category of foods filled with high-fructose corn syrup and other stuff) is any healthier than a candy bar*, but it's so damned good. Money's tight enough that we can't afford to indulge in pointless junk food often, but given a decent coupon or sale, these will certainly be one of my occasional treats.

A quick web search shows that this is a nationally licensed deal, with intent to bring out the Caribou brand name in markets before expanding the coffee chain there. Good. Given our love of Caribou in general, I'm happy to see their license being used, and there's no question that it tastes like real 'bou coffee (although the article says there's not enough caffeine here to make a difference). Alas, the Caribou ice cream mentioned in the article looks likely to be stuck in a small section of the Midwest.

*Have I mentioned that my all-time favorite candy bar is the Canadian Coffee Crisp? And that #2 is the limited edition coffee-flavored Kit-Kat? I'm probably only alive because the US coffee-flavored candy market appears to be nonexistent.

Comments

[dragonheart97.livejournal.com]

I'm right on the border of the US and Canada and every time I go over there I have to get at least one Coffee Crisp. The Kit-Kats tasted pretty much like them, actually. When I was little, because of that border proximity they used to be available in stores here but for some reason they're not anymore. I do hope we get those Caribou bars up here, they sound yummy. :-)

[yendi]

From what the article says, it does look like they'll make it into national distribution!

[gaelfling.livejournal.com]

interested in a care package of the above mentioned Coffee Crisp? least a Canucklehead can do for a friend ;)

[yendi]

I probably shouldn't (considering the whole trying to lose weight thing), but I still have to say yes, if you don't mind!

how do you like your coffee?

[gaelfling.livejournal.com]

email me a send to addy and they are yours ;)

How does he like his coffee?

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

Same as his women: bitter and murky.

;-)

/The Edge (1997)

(I crack myself up...0

[fiddledragon]

see? Reason for you three to come visit! ;)

Oh...and another perk of working in downtown Mpls? Caribou coffee stores within spitting distance everywhere you turn ;).

I saw the Caribou bars a few days ago in the convenience market downstairs from my office. Oh gods, I wanted to try one *so* bad. :( no wheat for me, though...so no caribou bars :(

[yendi]

Oh, Minnesota is already my favorite city I've never visited -- I don't need convincing!

That said, Atlanta has Caribou stores pretty much nigh-everywhere as well. Even if they closed the Emory location. :-(

[fiddledragon]

oh good :) then maybe I can still have my coffee fix in a couple of weeks. :) *crosses fingers that there's one in or near the business complex where she'll be...assuming she's figured out the right one*

[isis.livejournal.com]

Have you tried that coffee flavored gum out? I've only seen it at 7-Eleven (in Illinois and in Florida) but you reminded me of it.

[yendi]

I haven't. I'm not sure if I'm intrigued or scared by the idea.