Gluten Free Bars: Simple Squares Nut & Honey Confection - Product Review #118

Gluten Free Snacks: Simple Squares Nut & Honey Confection

PRODUCT NAME:                         Nut & Honey Confection

BRAND:                                        Simple Squares

COST:                                           $2.99

SIZE:                                            1.6oz each          

COST PER OZ:                             $1.87/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            GFCO

ORGANIC:                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            Indiana Certified Organic

VEGAN:                                        NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             USA

SHELF LIFE:                                 8 Months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:

When you are on a strict no wheat, no dairy, no refined sugar diet, your options for sweet treats are slim to none.  When Kimberly Crupi Dobbins was put in this dilemma, she decided to take it upon herself to make something to fill that void and the Simple Squares were born.  Simple Squares’ website describes these treats as “Savory-sweet, nut and honey confections infused with vanilla and herbs.”  They currently come in three varieties: coconut, rosemary and sage and they are all delicious. 

There is a lot going for these simple squares.  These sweet and savory treats are made with just 6 natural ingredients: nuts, honey, coconut, vanilla, sea salt and herbs.  Add to that the fact that these are “unfired fare”, Simple Squares’ term for raw, and you have a very healthy sweet treat that is chock full of power-packed nutrients. 

These simple squares taste great!  Take one nibble and you will immediately taste the sweet honey followed by a hint of herbs and coconut.  It’s truly a unique flavor.  The overall flavor is a little too sweet for my taste, but it would be perfect with a cup of tea.  The texture is great too, probably our favorite part.  It’s soft and chewy, but the organic almonds in there add a little firmness and crunch to the texture.  For a raw product, the texture was very impressive.

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients for Sage Simple Squares

The nutrition facts on these Simple Squares are very impressive.  Who would have thought that a 1.6 ounce bar can pack so much nutrition.  Each bar contains 230 calories, 17 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 95 milligrams of sodium and 10 grams of sugar.  Some of those numbers are may seem a little high, but you have to remember the ingredients are all natural.  What impressed me the most was the 6 grams of protein contained in these bars.  I never would have thought that such simple ingredients can come together to make such a delicious and healthy sweet treat, but Simple Squares has done it.

Overall, we loved Simple Squares Nut & Honey Confection bars.  They are bursting with flavor and are very nutritious.  These would go great with a nice cup of tea any time of the day.  At $1.49 per bar, the cost is about average, but weigh in the benefits and it’s definitely a good buy.  For more information about Simple Squares, visit their website at www.simplesquares.com.

Taste: These simple squares taste great!  They are sweet (from the honey) and have a light hint of herbs and coconut.  It is truly a unique flavor.  Combine that with the soft chewy texture and you have the whole package here. 

Labeling:  The labeling on these bars is great.  Everything is simple and easy to read.  The only thing I would like to comment on is the use of the term “Unfired Fare”.  It took a little digging around on the website to figure out that these delicious Simple Squares also happen to be Raw. 

Packaging:  The packaging is your typical sealed foil wrapper. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 5             

Taste:                     4             

Value:                    3

OVERALL:              4

Reviewed  5/5/11 by Calvin C.