Alter Eco chocolate is certified organic and Fair Trade. It is GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and vegan (dairy-free!), so it's a great option for those of you with dietary restrictions. Given the ever increasing number of people with food allergies, (soy and gluten allergies along with gluten sensitivities at the forefront), there is a special place in my heart for companies that take these needs into consideration. Almost everyone can enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures (chocolate duh), by way of an Alter Eco bar. This is the first product I've encountered that is certified Carbon Neutral. After much research, I'm still not totally clear on what this means, but I think it's something along the lines of companies pledging to limit their carbon emissions. Which is generally a solid idea.
Of all of the great chocolate combinations in the world, chocolate and mint surely ranks in my top five. I adore a seaside scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream whilst strolling the boardwalk. I go gaga for Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. I grew up with a bulk-sized carton of York peppermint patties perpetually perched on top of the fridge. I might wrestle you for a Republic of Tea Cuppa Chocolate Peppermint tea bag. You get the picture. What attracted me to this bar was its description of "cool crispy mint." I eventually remembered that "crisp" is a common way to describe mint's taste, but at the time of purchase, I was looking forward to mint that was literally crispy. Texture-wise, that is. Surprisingly, my mistaken attraction was right on target.
Alter Eco Mint Dark Organic Chocolate is a medium-dark, 60% cacao bar seasoned with raw cane sugar, vanilla beans and what they term "peppermint crunch." Peppermint crunch is basically fancy cane sugar, spiced up with peppermint essence and...more cocoa powder. I like the way they think. The overall sugar content of this bar is fairly low (only 18g per serving), so it's not overly sweet. This allows for the sensation that you are eating literally crispy mint, as it is the peppermint flavor and not the sugar that takes center stage. How thrilling! How delicious! I know there are some naysayers who would disagree, but to me there's something that seems very wholesome about actual intact crystals of sugar. I suppose this is because it's out in the open. There is so much hidden sugar in our diets these days, and even I will admit that this is not the best thing. So there's something refreshing about a moderate amount of sugar that makes itself known.
I've found a lot of variation in the pricing of Alter Eco bars, but they're usually under $5. Each bar is 2.82 ounces and can be found at most health food stores. Thanks for reading! Strawberry kisses :*:*:*