Coconut Secret was developed in the Spring of 2008 when a brother and sister, Randy and Leslie, had a desire to create a low glycemic, gluten-free snack line that was truly safe for diabetics, using the purest, most organic, least processed ingredients they could find. A few years earlier both of their parents were diagnosed with Diabetes, and they quickly became appalled at what was being passed off as "diabetic-safe" foods, especially in the snack category.
These siblings' goal was to find a natural sweetener that was safe for diabetics. After much research, they learned about the healthful benefits of coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is made by collecting the "sap" from coconut tree blossoms. This naturally sweet sap is very low glycemic (GI of 35), raw and enzymatically alive, an abundant source of 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, broad-spectrum B vitamins, and has a nearly neutral pH. It is then minimally evaporated at low temperatures and result is a syrup-like product known as coconut "toddy", which is then further evaporated into crystal form to produce the coconut sugar.
With this 'toddy' (or coconut sugar) Randy and Leslie were able to create sweet and delicious snacks and treats that their parents could safely enjoy, without having to sacrifice any flavor or quality. I received samples of Coconut Secret's Classic Coconut Bars and their Coconut Crunch Bars.
Coconut Secret's Classic Coconut Bars
Virtually every ingredient in Coconut Secret's Classic Coconut Bars have their own story to tell. Their single origin real dark chocolate coating was developed specially for Coconut Secret by one of the top artisan chocolate companies in the US and is made with only two ingredients: Ecuadorian chocolate and Phillipine Coconut Crystals. The sweeteners used in these bars are Coconut Secret's own low glycemic Coconut Nectar and Coconut Crystals.
Coconut Secret's Classic Coconut Bars come in four flavors: Classic Coconut Bar, Almond Coconut Bar, Macaroon Coconut Bar and Mint Coconut Bar.
My Experience: Oh my goodness, these bars are so delicious! I rceived a sample of each flavor and my children and I each opened one. We passed them around to taste each one, and all of them are so yummy! I love the dark chocolate coating and the chewy coconut inside. I have always loved coconut. I think the Almond Coconut Bar is my very favorite because it has crunchy almonds inside. My kids all loved these bars, too and so guess what I am going to be adding to their Christmas stockings this year?
Coconut Crunch Bars
Again, to create these delicious Crunch Bars, Coconut Secret partnered with one of the top artisan chocolate companies in the US who created their chocolate with only two ingredients: Ecuadorian chocolate and Phillipine Coconut Crystals. The end result exceeded even their own expectations, adding rich, caramel-like notes never experienced before in chocolate. Add that to the perfect fusion of Toasted Coconut…….and true sensory magic happens! It is Coconut Secret’s humble belief that these amazing chocolate bars will thrill even the most discerning palate.
Unlike other popular chocolate bars, there is no cane sugar or soy lecithin in these products.
The their Peruvian Dark Bar contains only three ingredients: chocolate, toasted coconut, and coconut crystals. To these basic ingredients they only add whole milk powder and vanilla to create their Ecuadorian Milk Chocolate Bar.
The Caribbean White Bar is made of non-deodorized cocoa butter that does not undergo heat-bleaching as do other makers of white chocolate. Because of the true tan color of the coconut crystals , the white chocolate in these bars is not white at all, but the taste is truly beyond expectation!
My Experience: Hey, I love chocolate. When I am having a chocolate craving, it is a serious one. Not just any grocery store candy bar will do for me. If I am going to have chocolate it is going to be special, extravagant, rich and decadent. I usually get my fix from a gourmet chocolate store at the mall. When I tried Coconut Secret Coconut Crunch Bars, I was definitely in chocolate heaven. The chocolate was beyond luxurious. It is much too hard to believe that chocolate this amazing, perfect and delicious is good for diabetics because it tastes sweet in all the right places. The Peruvian Dark was pure dark luxury. The Ecuadorian puts any other milk chocolate bar I have ever tried to shame, and the Caribbean White bar was probably my favorite. It was so rich and delightful. I savored every last bit of it. I am not a fan of white chocolate, but this white chocolate was premium and had a very yummy taste of its own. The toasted coconut in every bar added the perfect texture. I did not share these chocolate bars with my family because they were way too good. (Not saying my family is not worthy, but hey, this chocolate was gold to me!) I just might be adding a few to their stockings, however!
To learn more about Coconut Secret products go to: https://www.coconutsecret.com/
Disclaimer: I received samples of these products to review and to keep. All opinions are my own.