Having eaten more than my fair share of dense, nutrient-rich energy bars over the years, I have to admit that I was a little wary of Kind bars. After all, most protein bars, energy bars, and other supposedly healthy meal-replacement snacks are long on nutrients, short on flavor, and have a taste that is reminiscent of high school chemistry class. So, when I got my first "Mango Macadamia" bar, I closed my eyes, gingerly nibbled, and tasted...food. Truth be told, it was absolutely delicious, with a sweet, gooey nuttiness and a complex texture that pleased both my palate and my tongue. Looking at the ingredients, I was happy to note that the bar only contained two ingredients that I could not easily picture (potassium citrate, calcium sulphate), and had a pretty solid nutritional profile. This is not to say that all Kind bars are created equal. While I loved the Mango Macadamia and Strawberry Nut Delight, the Almond and Cashew was bland and the Almond, Walnut, and Macadamia was dry, somewhat sawdusty, and a little too close to a traditional granola bar. Also, at $2 per bar (a fair bit less if you buy online), the price is a little high for a daily snack.
On the other hand, Kind, and its parent company, PeaceWorks Holdings, donate 5% of all profits to charity, focusing their efforts on promoting peace across the world. Thus, although the pricetag might not be a little big, it supports a good cause. Moreover, when a bar tastes as good as the Mango Macadamia, even $2 a pop seems like a great deal!














