Some might call my selection process of items to bring on a backpacking trip slightly “intense”. While packing for an eight day trek through Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park my elimination process followed suit. So, when I decided that I could do without that additional pair of socks, thicker pair of gloves and paperback book to make room for a supply of Kate’s Real Food Organic Energy Bars, it was no small matter. “These better be good,” I thought as I reluctantly threw a favorite pair of wool hiking socks into the “stay” pile. The small space I had created was a perfect fit for the five different flavors of Kate’s Bars that she had generously sent me to review the week before.

After working on an organic farm, company founder Kate Schade made organic a priority that is exemplified in all of her bars. These wholesome treats use all natural and organic ingredients from the honey and fruit to the oats and seeds. Kate offers five distinct flavors but all of the bars share some common characteristics. Every bar utilizes multiple flavors that work together brilliantly. They look a little bit like bird food, but don’t let that deter you. The bars stay together remarkably well and are seemingly uncooked, like no-bake cookies, but they have no problem packing in a satisfying crunch. Each bar is dense and satisfying with energy ranges from a hearty 190 calorie snack to a body-fueling 360 calorie meal bar. The compact bars and fast-acting energy can be perfectly described as fire starter cubes for your body. Here’s my take on each of the flavors.

Grizzly Bar

The Grizzly is one seriously meaty energy bar. You don’t just nibble on the Grizzly. You rip off a chunk and you chew and chomp for a satisfying meal. It’s like Kate made the best gorp ever, and then smashed it into a block the size of a soap bar. The Grizzly has a really nice combination of peanut and fruit flavors, and also makes use of an incredible honey-dark chocolate blending, that leaves a satisfied sweet tooth and a brick of energy ready to burn. Bye-bye Snickers bars.

Tram Bar

The Tram Bar was Kate’s original energy bar and I can see why she decided to launch a business after the reception she must have received for her first try. The Tram bar is another not-messing-around bar that is similar to the Grizzly, however the Tram uses milk instead of dark chocolate. This solid hunk of energy was a most welcome companion during a particularly treacherous ascent early in the trip that involved steep boulder clambering and a pack that seemed all of 30 pounds too heavy. The Tram Bar has smoother, sweeter taste that I preferred, while my boyfriend preferred the dark flavor of the Grizzly. Each to his or her own.

Caz Bar

The Caz was by far the most exotic of the bars. It has this great spicy aftertaste that lingers behind and smells a little bit like Christmas time. The chai tea flavors and sesame seed crunch really make meaningful additions. My boyfriend and fellow critic claimed that the Caz was, “The most original energy bar that I’ve ever tasted.”

Handle Bar

I think that the Handle Bar bar was my least favorite of the lot, but I would guess that my dissatisfaction is almost entirely due to my lack of a real love for cherries. However, if you are a cherry-lover, have I got a treat for you. Kate’s Real Food has done a wonderful job of incorporating high quality cherries into the Handle Bar. We’re not talking about small dried up tart cherries, but full, moist and sweet morsels. The interesting thing about this bar is that the chocolate and cherry flavors really almost mask each other until, BAM! At which point you encounter the pleasant zip of cherry or smooth comfort of chocolate.

Stash Bar

The Stash Bar was my favorite of the five bars that I tried. The Stash packs this awesome sea salt aftertaste that is almost sweet for a very pleasant experience. I really enjoyed the medley of flavors that this bar offers and they all seemed to work together while I still felt like I could taste each and every one. You just have no idea until you try one of these. Seriously.

In the end, after being thoroughly humbled by chain-lined descents, trail running Norwegian high schoolers and white-out conditions I reflected on my initial compromises. In hindsight, it was obvious that I was more than rewarded for my daring sacrificial decisions with originality, perfect flavor synergy and sweet, sweet energy. To Kate’s Real Food bars. Thanks for just being real.

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Image Credit: Erik Strahler, Alina Jesien, Kate’s Real Food