Righteously Raw Chocolate : Treats that Aren't too Sweet

I love chocolate, but I'm also a vegan. So I'm often in conflict: I crave the flavor but I don't want dairy...or sugar, for that matter--just the taste of real chocolate. Luckily, I've discovered Righteously Raw vegan chocolate bars by Earth Source Organics.

Righteously Raw bars, which Earth Source Organics calls "truffles," are made out of delicious organic dark chocolate (80-90% cacao), filled with a variety of raw (i.e., unprocessed) super foods, including goji, maqui, and açaí berries. Thanks to their high cacao count and the absence of refined sugar, the rich chocolate flavor comes through in every bite.

What makes these fillings "super" is their high phytochemical content (i.e., chemicals that have disease-fighting properties). Still, the bars gain a subtle sweetness from their fillings, as well as from a hint of agave nectar. Agave is a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index, so it's a healthy alternative to refined sugar.

My favorite Righteously Raw bar is the Caramel Cacao bar, which is filled with a mixure of dates and a South American fruit called "lucuma." The filling had a nice grainy texture, rather than a gooey consistency, and I liked the taste because it was chewy like caramel without the usual overdose of sugar.

The Açaí bar was also nice. I couldn't really distinguish a specific taste because I haven't had enough açaí to have a taste memory, but overall, the bar tasted like good dark chocolate. The filling in the Goji bar reminded me a bit of strawberries, but again, I don't have a taste memory of goji, so it's hard to be exact.

Overall, I really enjoyed sampling these bars because I loved being able to focus on the dark chocolate taste. The fillings were fairly low-key, which I also liked. The bars are made in an allergen- and nut-free facility, are dairy- and soy-free, and they're certified kosher, vegan, and organic. Sorta perfect for me.

Thanks to Earth Source Organics! I can still have the treats I crave and keep my dietary guidelines in place.

Eco Creds: certified organic, non-GMO.

Bottom Line: A healthy alternative to traditional chocolate bars.--E.D. (Feb 2011)

BUY ONLINE: $5.95 click to shop.

Manufacturer's Site: www.earthsourceorganics.com

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