As much as I prefer fresh, whole foods, Chris and I tend to keep a good stock of vegan meal bars in our house. I always have one in my purse to prevent crazy hypoglycemic episodes. Chris has one before his workout every morning and always carries one or two just in case he can't find vegan food where he's working. Plus, they're great to have on hand while traveling.
When Marguarette Dau, co-founder of Journey Bar contacted me to review their vegan meal bar, I gladly accepted. I had already tried one of their bars about a year ago and recently got another sample (same flavor) in my monthly Vegan Cuts snack box.
There are a couple things that make Journey Bars unique. First, amidst a world of sweet, candy bar-like meal bars, these are savory and the flavors are inspired by the founders' travels around the world. I had tried the Pizza Marinara before, but was excited to learn that they come in Sea Salt, Rosemary, Sesame Ginger, and Coconut Curry flavors as well! I'm not going to lie- I do have a few sweet bars that I really like. They do, however, leave me craving something sweet afterwards (Damn that sweet tooth of mine!) so I whole-heartedly welcome a savory bar into my line-up. What also makes these bars unique is that the Marguarette and the other co-founder, Chris, are extremely passionate about helping the less fortunate. They support an organization in Haiti that helps orphaned children and they also support national parks in the United States. The fact that, even as a smaller start-up, they are so focused on making the world a better place makes me like them all the more.
We were given a sampler box to sample, but at the time, Pizza Marinara was on backorder so instead of five flavors, I only got four. It's okay because, as I said, I'd tried the Pizza Marinara before and already knew I liked it (Take my word for it- it's good! And it's one of their most popular flavors so I'm not alone!).
To give them each a fair review, Chris and I did a taste test of the different flavors. Chris was really thrown for a loop because, though I had told them they were savory, and he could read the flavors on the packages, he did not expect them to be so savory.
ROSEMARY. As the name suggests, there are strong rosemary undertones, but they are not overpowering. I found it fairly similar to the Pizza Marinara that I'd tried, but without the tomato flavor. It was probably my second favorite flavor.
SESAME GINGER. This one was very bold and flavorful- ginger, soy sauce, sesame. It reminded me of a nice stir-fry. I really liked it and I would eat it again but it wasn't my favorite.
COCONUT CURRY. This one was the strongest flavored of them all and I was a little overwhelmed. People who really love coconut curries would probably love it, but it was too strong for a bar flavor for me. I liked it, but if given a choice of this or the other bars, I would probably choose one of the other flavors.
SEA SALT. This one is so simple, yet not sweet at all. There are just light hints of sea salt and I could pick up on bits of onion and other spices. It was definitely my most favorite.
Journey Bar has been generous enough to host a giveaway here too! One lucky reader will get a 5-Flavor Sampler Pack! Use the box below to enter. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 24th.
Thank you so much, Marguarette and Journey Bar for letting me review your bars and for hosting this giveaway! To my readers- Good Luck!
What Journey Bar flavor are you most interested in trying?
Disclaimer: I was given these products to try but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Photography by Chris Miller
Sarah
Ooh—I think I would like the sea salt best! I try to keep a stash of bars around too—they came in handy last week when Irving got a flat tire and I had to quickly rush out of the house with my 2 year old in tow! Breakfast was served 🙂
Christine
Sesame-ginger combines two of my favorite flavors, so I'm intrigued!
Katy
Would love to try the rosemary!
Becca F
I think that the Rosemary sound great!
Rachael
I'm on a sea salt kick, so that one first!
Kim
I've tried the rosemary, but I'm most interested in trying to coconut curry!
Shannon C
I tried the sesame (in my vegan cuts box) but would love to try the coconut curry!
Rachel H
These are some unique bars! I think I would like sea salt best.
Barb D
Coconut Curry sounds yummy!
Lauren
I'm most interested in trying the coconut curry!
diana @ veggienextdoor
Sesame ginger!
Vicki
I would love to try sea salt best.
Kimberly
I can't pick. They all look soooo good!
Cadry
The pizza sounds best to me. I really like the idea of savory bars. I'm more of a savory/salty person. So when I have some kind of bar on the road or when I'm in a pinch, it would feel that much more satisfying to me if it weren't on the sweet side.
Mary P
coconut curry!
Chelsea
I'd love to try the sesame ginger one! I am a huge fan of ginger!
Camille
sesame ginger!
Carolina
Pizza!
Caitlin
i'm confused by these and wonder if i'd like them... i'm interested! i think the sea salt would be my best bet... kind of like a bag of chips? 😉
Danielle
I think they all sound intriguing but the sesame ginger sounds really yummy!
Aimee Douglass
I'm a sucker for anything rosemary flavored, so that one sounds delicious!
Amy J.
I am fascinated by all of the flavors but I think the first one I'd like to try is Pizza, then probably sea salt because you liked it so much. We all know by now that you have good taste!
Michelle
I want to try sesame ginger and sea salt. I didn't like the rosemary one... but I don't think that kind was my thing... I love sea salt flavors
Pat Benson
Sesame Ginger first, then any of the others.
Melissa
I'd love to try all of the flavors, but if forced to choose, I'd say I'm most interested in tasting the pizza marinara.
Gaby
I love rosemary on everything so probably that one, though the curry one is really intriguing!
Kimberly
Rosemary is one of my favorite things in this world! I'm so intrigued by the savory bar concept...
Katie @ Produce on Parade
I want to try the sesame ginger one! 🙂
Anna {Herbivore Triathletre}
I love coconut curries and although you said the flavors were a bit overwhelming, I think I'd like to try that one first. Then perhaps the sea salt or pizza flavors. Thanks for sharing a great giveaway Kristy!
Courtney
I have never heard of these before! They sound good though. I would love to try the sea salt!
Courtney
Mason
I definitely want to try the Coconut Curry! Sounds de-lish!
Ashley P
I would like to try the Sea Salt flavor!
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir
Ah, I love all of these savory flavors! There are too many sweet bars in this world. It's about time some Coconut Curry and other cool variations hit the market!
Devon
I am most excited to be able to try the Coconut Curry or the Sea Salt flavor! I have never heard of these bars before I learned about the giveaway!
Kathy L
The flavors of these bars sound very intriguing. I'm trying to decide between the coconut curry & the sesame ginger. I'd like to try the sesame ginger, & then the coconut curry, then the sea salt, the rosemary, then the pizza marinara....
Emily
i'm definitely interested in trying the coconut curry bar, two of my favorite things to eat!
Sarah
I'd love to try the coconut curry!
Sarah
I'd love to try the Sea Salt, it sounds so simple but I'd expect it to be just a little different!
Erica C
This is tripping me out! I've never thought about a bar being savory. Would love to try the sea salt.
Richa
i think i might like the coconut curry
sara
I think I'd like the rosemary bar, when I'm craving something savory.
Sara
Sea Salt for sure!
Maryann D.
I think I would like to try the Sea Salt flavor.
Nichole
I have to say the coconut curry...I am a sucker for strong flavors.
veganlinda
Coconut curry. I like anything with curry.
Sarah
Sea Salt...I love salty things.
Farrah
Sea salt. Love it!