Review: ALOHA Protein Bars

Background

ALOHA is an employee-owned company and Certified B Corporation committed to balancing purpose, sustainability, and profit. Founded in 2017, ALOHA operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, ensuring that their business decisions prioritize positive social and environmental impacts alongside financial success. Their products, including protein bars, drinks, and powders, are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and focus on plant-based ingredients. ALOHA also engages in partnerships with organizations like Kupu and Conscious Alliance, supporting initiatives that promote environmental conservation and combat food insecurity.

In 2023, ALOHA became the first Climate Neutral Certified plant-based protein brand, a milestone achieved through accurate carbon footprint measurements, actionable reduction plans, and the use of regenerative agricultural practices for sourcing ingredients. Their Kona Bar, for example, features locally sourced macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, and Ponova® oil from sustainable Hawaiian farms. ALOHA’s dedication to ethical sourcing and giving back to communities reflects their mission to leave the world better than they found it, and this ethos is evident in every aspect of their products and operations.

For those with dietary restrictions or a preference to avoid certain ingredients, a brand’s commitment to creating products without them can be a significant advantage. ALOHA’s certification as Vegan and their avoidance of gluten, soy, dairy, and artificial sweeteners demonstrate their dedication to inclusivity and clean ingredient choices. While these exclusions don’t personally influence my enjoyment of the product, ALOHA has positioned itself as a reliable option for individuals seeking thoughtful, allergen-conscious options.

Flavors

Chocolate Mint

If you like peppermint as much as I do, you’re in luck. The Chocolate Mint ALOHA bars don’t skimp! My immediate thought upon taking a bite was how much it tastes like a York Peppermint Pattie.

There was something just a bit off about the taste, though. Perhaps it’s sort of in the Peppermint Pattie uncanny valley: close enough to tasting like one that it’s what I’m expecting, but obviously not the same thing.

Regardless, it still tastes great; no “protein taste” to speak of. It’s not quite on the tier of tasting like a candy bar, but I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed to have one of these be the snack I pulled out of my pantry.

Value

Now for the bad news: depending on what you’re looking for in a bar, it may be a bit difficult to justify these ones when it comes to what you’re getting for your money and calorie. Just around 25% of the calories come from protein, placing them well below other bars such as Barebells and Pure Protein. At the time of writing, these bars have about 7 grams of protein per dollar, which isn’t the worst, but isn’t anywhere near the top performers in this category.

Summary

ALOHA bars don’t excel in any of the categories I score on; their taste is pretty good, the value is alright, and the protein ratio is simply not great. However, I certainly wouldn’t recommend against these bars. They have a respectable ingredients list and are certified Vegan; these two factors alone may make the bars worth it for some. For a protein bar that is both dairy-free and soy-free, I’m impressed that they were able to get the 14 grams of protein that they did in a single bar. And while they’re not sugar-free, the 4 grams of sugar aren’t bad, and the calories from sugar are below the 10% threshold that would give the bars a sugar penalty in my final score.

Although these bars probably won’t be a go-to for me, I still see myself purchasing them from time to time. The taste was a good change of pace from what I usually have, and it’s great being able to support a company that is proven themselves to be supporting a worthwhile cause.