I admire the Clif Bar.
Nothing about it is glamorous, unlike most energy bars (e.g.). The packaging is brown and baggy, like an ill-fitting burlap dress. The logo looks like an illustration from Boy’s Life. It is completely lacking in catchy slogans, unless you count “Made with soybeans!™” And let’s not even talk about the aesthetics of the bar itself:
It definitely looks like an underdog. Or something produced by an underdog, at any rate. It’s like when you see an unattractive person in an MTV music video* and root for them instinctively, figuring that they must have actual talent to have gotten on air. Given the proliferation of energy bars in the last score of years, it’s a testament to the Clif Bar’s staying power that the vending machine still stocks this fugly whatever.
(* I am so old that I actually think that MTV still plays music videos.)
I did not know this until I read the Wikipedia page, but the Clif Bar guys make the LUNA Bar as well. My wife has a stash of LUNA bars that I routinely raid, despite the fact that they claim to provide “Energy for Women”. Presumably they are made from calories taken directly from the Indigo Girls.
Rating: Well it’s an energy bar, which means you are eating if for something other than taste. At least Clif has flavors like “Oatmeal Raisin Walnut”, which have a rough correlation to actual ingredients and flavor, instead of that “Super Hot Fudge & Whipped Cream Sundae!!” BS. So, points for honesty. Unfortunately, honesty ranks up there with soybeans when it comes to things that are good for you but kind of unappetizing. 45ยข/$1
