TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: barkTHINS Chocolate Bark

October 16, 2014 at 2:17 pm · Filed under Chocolate, Fair Trade, Food Holidays, Party Favors-Stocking Stuffers, Top Pick Of The Week

barkTHINS: thin and rich. Photo courtesy
Ripple Brands.

There are several reasons to love barkTHINS:

The delicious varieties, crammed with inclusions* (see the list below).

The thin pieces that, unlike conventional bark, let you have half as much.

The Fair Trade certification (FairTradeUSA.org) that helps poor farmers.

The everyday affordability (yet it’s great for party favors and stocking stuffers.

October is National Fair Trade Month, the perfect time to feature barkTHINS as a Top Pick Of The Week (here’s more about Fair Trade certification).

The line debuted in 2012. Unlike traditional chocolate bark that is thick and hard to break, barkTHINS are thin slivers of chocolate that are easily snap-able—easier to eat, fewer calories in your chocolate fix, more flexibility as a dessert garnish (well, that probably wasn’t their intent but it’s a use we employ regularly, by crowning a scoop of ice cream or breaking into pieces for mix-ins).

*The industry term for what many people call “mix-ins.”

barkTHINS FLAVORS

Each variety is as delicious as the next, depending on your flavor preferences. We were personally thrilled with Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel, a limited edition for holiday season. The packages have a shelf life of 12 months, so if you can’t live without it, you can stock up until the new batches arrive for the next holiday season).

Feast upon:

Dark Chocolate Almond With Sea Salt
Dark Chocolate Blueberry & Quinoa (sweetened with agave)
Dark Chocolate Mint
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel (Limited Edition)
Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed
Dark Chocolate Toasted Coconut With Almonds
Milk Chocolate Peanut

A great party favor, stocking stuffer, teacher gift, etc. Photo courtesy Ripple Foods.

The bags stand upright for presentation as party favors. You can stick a place card on the front; you can tie a ribbon through the shelf-hanger opening at the top for added festiveness or to hang on the tree.

Check the store locator for a retailer near you (including Costco, H-E-B, King’s, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market and numerous others), or head to Amazon.com.

WHAT IS FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE?

A Fair Trade certification guarantees consumers that the farmers who grow the product are getting paid a fair price. In many areas of the world, middlemen buy up crops at a price that often is the same or less than what it cost the farmer to grow it, resulting in a cycle of poverty. Under Fair trade, farmers can increase their incomes and gain afford education and healthcare for their families.

When you make a conscious decision to seek out Fair Trade products, you are helping hard-working people raise their standard of living. You can feel good about every bite and every sip (look for Fair Trade coffee, tea and hot chocolate, too).

Fair Trade certification also means that the farmers are following good agricultural practices and are investing in their farms and communities. To learn more, visit FairTradeUSA.org.

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