I received the Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars to review as part of the Chick-Advisor Review Club. These bars were delicious! They were soft, light, and not too salty. Pretty much everything I look for in a bar. My husband and kids loved them too I guess it's time to go out and get some more

J'Ai recue les barres harvest crunch quinoa a tester et je les ai adorés !
La texture moelleuse malgré tout les noix et la couche de chocolat en dessous !!

Et ca se prend super bien en collation car elles sont tres nutritives !!

C'est certain que je vais les acheter a l'avenir !

This product was provided to me at no cost through the Chick Advisor Review Club.

Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley, come in a retail box containing 5 granola bars, with each granola bar weighing in at 35 g (the retail box contains 175 g of product in total). The dimensions of each bar are roughly 9.5 cm by 2.25 cm by 2 cm (with wrapping, the length of each bar is 15 cm).

I myself purchase granola bars regularly. I often favour store brands over name brands, given the similar taste and product quality, all at a lower price than the name brands. However, it would seem that Quaker is offering a product that is unique in its own regard: a granola bar that makes use of the Quinoa grain. Perhaps those who believe ancient grains to contain health benefits long forgotten by a society that seem to prefer synthetic foods 'on the cheap' will be sold by the presence of quinoa, however I myself base my purchasing decision on three main factors: 1) value for my money, 2) taste, and 3) nutritional information. That being said, let's begin with nutritional information. Seeing as Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley is a unique product in its own right, let's compare it to 4 other types of varying granola bar and one type of muffin bar, listed in order from similarity to the host's product (I told you I consume a lot of granola bars : )

Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley, for 1 bar (35g) contains 160 calories, 6 g of fat (2g of which is saturated), 95mg of sodium, 24g of carbs, 1g of fibre, 9g of sugars, and 2g of protein.

Fibre 1 Oats and Chocolate Chewy Bars, for 1 bar (35g - same) contains 140 calories (20 less), 3.5g of fat (2.5 less), of which 1.5g is saturated fats (0.5g less), 80mg of sodium (15mg less), 26 g of carbs (2g more), 5g of fibre (4g more), 13g of sugars (4g more) and 2g of protein (same)

President's Choice Blue Menu Low Fat Chewy Cranberry Apple Granola Bars, for 1 bar (26g - down 9 g) contains 100 calories (60 less), 1.5 g of fat (4.5 less), 0 saturated fats (down 2g), 55mg of sodium (40g less), 21g of carbs (3g less), 1g of fibre (same), 9g of sugars (same), and 1g of protein (a loss of 1g)

Leclerc Choco Max Caramel Coated Chewy Bars, for 1 bar (32g - down 3g) contains 140 calories (20 less), 4.5g of fat (1.5g less), of which 2g is saturated fats (same), 55mg of sodium (40g lower), 23g of carbs (down 1g), 1g of fibre (same), 14g of sugars (5g higher), and 2g of protein (same)

Selection Milk Chocolate Coated Caramel & Nut Granola Chewy Bars, for 1 bar (34g - down 1g) contains 140 calories (20 less), 4.5g of fat (1.5g less), of which 2g is saturated fat (same), 50mg of sodium (45mg lower), 24g of carbs (same), 1g of fibre (same), 13g of sugars (4g higher), and 2g of protein (same)

Leclerc Essensia Carrot Muffin Bars, for 1 bar (38g - up 3g) contains 160 calories (same), 7g of fat (1g higher), of which 0.5g is saturated fat (down 1.5g), 5mg of cholesterol (not seen in any other product listed), 140mg of sodium (45mg higher), 22g of carbs (down 2g), 3g of fibre (up 2g), 8g of sugars (down 1g) and 2g of protein (same)

Given this rundown, it is clear that selling Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley as a 'healthy alternative' is 'reaching' at best. Of the 5 other products compared (only ONE of which claimed to be a 'healthy alternative') all four granola bars had less calories (the muffin bar had the same amount). All four granola bars had less fat (the muffin bar had more). All four granola bars had less sodium (the muffin bar had more). Two granola bars and the muffin bar had less carbs, with one remaining granola bar having the same amount and the other remaining granola bar having slightly more. Three out of the five products had the same amount of fibre, with the muffin bar and the Fibre 1 granola bar having more fibre. Three of the granola bars DID have more sugar however, with one remaining granola bar having the same amount of sugar, and the muffin bar having less sugar. All bars, save for the President's Choice Blue Menu bar, all had the same amount of protein, with the President's Choice bar having less.

TASTE: Despite its 'health factor' shortcomings (despite being branded as a healthy alternative), the Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley do not taste as you would expect a 'healthy alternative' would. The granola reminds me of puffed rice cereal in its texture and taste, and the juxtaposition of the sweet 30mm thick layer of milk chocolate at the bottom of the bar combined with the salty peanuts, sunflower kernels and almonds really make for a pleasant taste. However, the main selling point: the quinoa grains (which do not look like what you would find on a 'conventional' granola bar to say the least), have a taste that is similar to other grain cereal one would buy at a grocery store (in that it tastes a little bitter and the taste remains in your mouth long after the other tastes from the granola bar have dissipated).

The final criteria I use to evaluate what makes a good product is price, or value for money. Given the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $3.49 for 5 bars and 175g of product, this is sadly not a competitive price in my opinion. For example, 630 g of President's Choice Blue Menu Low Fat Chewy Cranberry Apple Granola Bars costs me under $6, and that is for 24 bars. Generally, Choco Max Caramel Coated Chewy Bars sell for 2 boxes for $5, and each box contains 256g of product (8 bars). It's understandable that Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley represents a product that is unique to the market, but when the 'healthy alternative' sales pitch isn't significant, and the taste is at best 'pleasant' (I would not choose Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars - Chocolate Nut Medley over any of the other 5 products I had mentioned prior based on taste alone), sadly you do not have much of a sales pitch to go on. Worth mentioning before I end this review: the Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars DO stay together in one piece when bit into (there is no crumbs or other sort of 'falling to pieces' that takes place), however, the bar wrapper tears FAR too easy once opened (once a rip is created, the wrapping has the structural integrity of aluminum foil - ripping with even the slightest gesture.)

Received the harvest crunch quinoa bars from the chickadvisor product review for free to try. I must say, it was nicely wrapped in the mail. my hubby went ahead and tried them. He loves them. To him it reminds him of rice crispie squares with chocolate. That's good because I bought 3 more boxes for a Mir. I was surprised also that it tasted really good. It has a bit of everything in one bar. Salt, sweet, crunchy and soft. Its great for a filler as a afternoon snack. The only con is that there isn't that many in a box. Harvest crunch came out with at least two great granola bars and I love both of them.

I received the Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars to review as part of the Chick-Advisor Review Club.

I did not know what to expect when I learned I was selected to review. I had only recently tried quinoa for the first time this past summer and had eaten it a few times as a cooked cereal, so the texture was always soft like oatmeal.

I was pleasantly surprised with these bars. I love the texture! It has a nice, light crispy texture. Not too hard and it has a bit of a chew.

It has a nice, nutty flavour that reminds me of sesame seeds. The chocolate helps bring the nutty flavour out, but isn't overbearing. It is a lovely combination of flavours.

I would have to say these would be one of the best tasting snack bars I have ever had. These will now be a regular buy for me. I highly recommend them. I hope to see more flavour combinations in the future.

I was chosen to try these bars through the product review club...well I got one out of the box and it was great....made the mistake of letting my son have one to and before I knew it the whole box was gone in about 10 minutes!! I have never seen him love a bar so much!! These are always on the shopping list now!!

I received these bars to review and was quite surprised at how delicious they were. It is rare that we find a snack that every one like since we are a family of 6.

The sweet chocolate base is perfectly balanced out by the nuts and quinoa leaving you feeling satisfied after eating it. Its like getting the best of both words without having to eat a bag of chips and chocolate bar!

We will definitely be buying these bars again and would recommend them to anyone looking for a great tasting easy to eat snack.

I got a box of Quaker Harvest Crunch Quinoa Bars through the product review club. The bars were yummy, crunchy with a nice, thin layer of chocolate at the bottom. I love the idea of using Quinoa in a granola bar, and it definitely tastes great.

My only issue is with the amount of sugar in granola bars, and this one was no exception. I've shared a few of the bars with family members and they loved it too!

Though I'll keep a box on hand for when I need to grab breakfast and go, I'd feel it was a much healthier option if it didn't have all that sugar in it!

I recevied a box of quaker harvest crunch quinoa bars i have to say i was unsure about this product!When i opened the box to try one i was way wrong they taste amazing and very healthy even my children love them will defently be buying this product from now on thanks chick advisor for letting are family try them out

I received this product as part of the Chick Advisor Review Club. While I liked the taste I could of done without the chocolate, this is just a personal preference though (if I want chocolate I will just eat a chocolate bar). I like the Quinoa option rather than just granola. It make the bar truly different in the market and for this reason I would surely buy it. They are however a little messy so I'd take precautions where you allow children or your messy husband to eat them. I think the Harvest Crunch line is a little pricey but I do really enjoy them so I don't mind paying a premium. The nutritional value seems excellent and I would highly recommend these to someone looking for a new snack bar.