Newman’s Own Organic brand has a new line of chocolate. It’s different than Newman’s chocolate you may have tried in the past. It’s called Newman’s Own Organics Signature Series Chocolate, bars and chocolate cups. The chocolate is made from cocoa beans grown on Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. But does this green, organic, environment-friendly chocolate stand up to my picky gourmet chocolate loving taste buds? Click ahead for my product review…
Green, Eco-Friendly Gourmet Chocolate. First off, Newman’s new line of signature series chocolate is good for the planet. Organic and Rainforrest Alliance Certified. It bears the USDA organic seal. The USDA Organic Seal assures that at least 95% of the ingredients are organically certified. And that’s not all, Newman’s Own brand has given a lot of money to worth-while causes over the years.
Newman’s Own Organics. Good People. “Newman’s Own Organics was established as a division of Newman’s Own in 1993, and became a separate company in late 2001. Paul Newman has given over $200 million to thousands of charities worldwide since 1982.”
Great company, but how is the chocolate?…
Product Review: Newman’s Own Organic Signature Series Chocolate bars
Flavors: Dark Chocolate, vegan, (made on shared equiptment)
Shelf Appeal: Nice. Sleep new packaging with an inner gold wrapper. I love the fact that the chocolate bars will be available in two sizes: 3.25-ounce and 2.25-ounce. Flavors include: Dark Chocolate, Super Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa, Mocha Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Espresso Dark Chocolate, Orange Dark Chocolate. The only vegan ingredients flavors are the dark chocolate varieties. And I love the large squares with big N’s on each square.
Label Check: Organic certified. Rainforrest Alliance certified cocoa bean farms are used. For the most health benefits, go with the 70% Super Dark Chocolate flavor. Super Dark ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (organic chocolate liquor*, organic evaporated cane juice, organic cocoa butter*, soy lecithin [an emulsifier], organic vanilla). Bars are around 300 calories. When it comes to chocolate, this is some of the good stuff.
Taste Test: To quote my husband: “oh my God! This is so good!” He tried both the peanut butter cups and dark chocolate bars and loved them. And I have to agree. These are not ordinary chocolate bars. And they are better than the traditional Newman’s chocolates. This new Signature Series is creamy, dense and has a pure intense chocolate flavor. Not too sweet and not too bitter. And the espresso flavor was bold like a bar of a mocha coffee drink. As store-bought chocolate goes, this is some of the best I’ve tasted.
Price Check: Around $2.50-$3 in price. Depending where and how many you buy. Competitive pricing with other organic chocolate bars.
Last Word: Tried Newman’s Chocolate before? Try it again-the new signature series. It’s different. Watch out chocolate snobs, this in-store brand is boutique store quality.
Learn more about the chocolate at: Newman’s Own Signature Series Chocolate website.
And I even found this awesome-sounding book from Newman’s Own. It is a Guide to a Good Life. Sounds like a good read:
More chocolate images below…
lord, i love your blog! i have been wondering about these bars because i'm not really a fan of the regular newman's own chocolate.
my favorite is chocolove…have you ever tried them? they're DREAMY!
Xiaola,
Great Question. And I have an answer and a great link for you.
Here is what the Ranforest Alliance says:
Q: How does Rainforest Alliance Certified differ from FairTrade?
A: Fairtrade is an alternative marketing system that gives disadvantaged farmers a guaranteed price for their products. Rather than emphasizing how products are traded, Rainforest Alliance certification standards focus on how farms are managed. They cover a full range of worker protection issues including the right to organize; the right to a safe, clean working environment; the right to be paid at least the national minimum wage; dignified housing (including potable water); access to medical care for workers and their families and access to free education for workers' children.
So in short, fair trade products are different that RFA certified. To my knowledge, Newman's is not Fair Trade certified.
A full list of Fair-Trade chocolate and cocoa can be found here:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products/retail_products/product_browse.aspx?comps=CHOCOLATE,COCOA
Kathy
Are you kidding me? I've eaten an entire chocolate bar and lived to tell about it! haha. Many times!!!! I say: Everything in moderation, EXCEPT chocolate!
I love your blog Kathy!
Summer D 🙂
Do you happen to know if they are fair-trade? Thanks!
Bintelmadina:
It looks like there is organic vanilla in most of the bars. But it doesn't say vanilla extract. But you may want to check all the ingredients on the Newman's Website.
Kathy
just wondering if they have any vanilla extract ?? or any of the extracts with alcohol?
If those bars were soy-free, I'd be allll over them – darn!! Enjoy an extra one for me, please 🙂
saw these at my local whole foods the other day. I will have to buy one next time I'm there!!!