February 16th: Eat Natural Cranberries, Hazelnuts, Orange & Milk Chocolate

Kcal 198 Fat 9.8g Fat(sats) 3.2g Carbs 24.3g

I guess this has to be classified as my most relevant review of an Eat Natural product thus far given the fact this one actually contained chocolate of some description. Despite boasting the longest product name in ChocolateMission history (I think!), this bar still didn't manage to quite describe itself fully through its name. It contained all of the mentioned cranberries, hazelnuts, orange and milk chocolate, however also brought peanuts, puffed rice cereal, sultanas and dried apricot into the mix. 

This bar came in a 45.0g size that impressivelly clocked in at under 200 calories. I was sort of bewildered by the presentation of the product - on one hand the wrapper looked rather nifty with its good use of colours and display of information, though I couldn't help but feel that the bar itself cut a rather disfigured, ugly appearance. It must be said the smell was a little more  promising, with some delightful peanutty smells proving rather forthcoming in and amongst the sweet, poignant fruity scents.

As you can imagine the taste was a real lottery, with each bite providing a significantly different experience. On the whole the milk chocolate was quite well implemented, with it providing a highly detectable milky, chocolaty background set of flavours to each bite. Personally I would have loved to have seen it more generously portioned, though I guess that would have affected the 'sub 200 calories' malarkey a bit. All in all the fruit aspects of this bar were pleasant. The combination of the cranberries, apricots and orange did make for quite an acidic, sharp taste, however this was nicely counter balanced by the sugary sweetness of the sultanas. It has to be said the zesty orange peel was the most prominent out of all the fruits, though the cranberries were also highly significant with their tart, berry like flavours. Although the hazelnuts were the choice of nuts mentioned in the name of the product, much like the smell suggested by far the strongest tasting were in fact the peanuts. The peanuts made for a long lasting, sustained taste in the mouth, as well as adding a nice crunchy texture that played nicely against the softer rice cereal.

Overall this was another pretty satisfying product from the Eat Nautral range, and one that I would recommend if you are looking for a 'lighter option' in regards to snacks. The milk chocolate although somewhat lacking in presence, did not lack relevance to the taste, and proved to be ever present in and amongst all the fruit and nut elements. Despite a large portion of the bar being formed by puffed rice cereal the product was actually rather fulfilling, and did me well as a pleasant afternoon snack. Although not my favourite, this is another product I would definitely say is worth looking at from the ever growing Eat Natural range.

7.5 out of 10