Why on earth would someone like me with a serious sensitivity to caffeine dare to product test and review Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Caramel? I have been known to have masochistic tendencies, especially when I am so curious about a product, I just can’t help myself.
Previous Chocolate Review
When Awake first came out they sent me a box of chocolate bars to test. See review here. It was great because I could share them with a whole bunch of people and get their opinions too. We all had our own reactions to it (chemical and otherwise) but my conclusion for myself was: “The chocolate was OK but not worth a potential headache!”
Nosh-Able Caramel Bites
Adding caramel to the mix is a whole other story. I LOVE caramel! I thought this was genius and there were a lot of foodies telling me that this product was even better than the last one.
When you buy a bag of the chocolate caramel bites you get 10 individually-wrapped pieces. At my store the bag of 10 costs $5.99. That is kind of steep! But, if this was a product I would actually use, I would prefer to have a bite rather than eat a whole bar.
The design is ridiculously cute, I love owls so this really appealed to me. The chocolate is good but the caramel is pretty darn awesome. I enjoyed the big bite but did get a headache the next day that lasted a few days. Thanks to my fibromyalgia, once I have pain it could cause it to echo with phantom pain for a while. So as much as I enjoyed this, 50 mg of caffeine (1/2 cup of coffee) is just too much for me.
But I am kind of the minority! Reg loved these bites. He added two to his regularly-caffeinated day and had a caffeine hangover the next morning. I will say that when he was drifting off just as we were going to watch World War Z I asked him to have a bite, he complied and was conscious throughout the movie. For which I am forever grateful!
Foodie Conclusion
I think Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Caramel in the nosh-able form is genius and for their customer demographics, perfect. If you just want a little jolt of energy that comes in an 80 calorie bite, this is a good choice. If you are at all sensitive to caffeine though, stay away.
Despite the resulting headaches, I am glad I had a chance to try these caramel bites. It is hard being an outsider to this particular foodie world. Well done Awake! I give this product four and a half out of five wooden spoons.
I laughed at how you put the one little piece in a bowl.
By the time the sun came out, that is all we had left! I tried to slice it in half to show the oozing caramel but it just disintegrated.
That’s great. You crack me up.
Not here in the states yet…Carmel and choc nice combo.
Coffee on the side.
I’d eat it just for the flavour, not the caffeine. For my stimulant, I’d rather just have a regular cuppa joe.
Dora, it’s a Canadian company but maybe they will get there soon?!
Debra, it’s not for everyone, it’s true. Definitely not for someone with a sensitive brain like me! My stimulant is salt, thanks to low blood pressure, LOL.
I live in Massachusetts and I’ve seen Awake chocolate. It’s sold at most Hess gas stations and I’ve seen it at Stop and Shop as well. Check the “where to buy” section on the Awake website.
I actually don’t have a sweet tooth for chocolate but when I saw it on dragons’ den, I couldn’t resist! I brought like 6 bars but gave a couple away for friends for their bday or if they helped me out. The milk chocolate is delicious and when I’m super tired while studying for midterms, I eat about two to keep me awake. I tried the cameral one which I found in my university convenience store. It tasted a bit bitter and I didn’t like the Carmel syrup. I was hoping the Carmel flavour would be infused with the chocolate, not separated. Oh well. I hope in the future, they would develop more sku with nuts. Just eating milk chocolate gets kind of boring.
I also find it funny how my friend was more excited about her awake chocolate gift than a Boscia mask set I got her.
Anonymous, fantastic, thank you for letting me know it’s in the U.S. in gas stations. That is where they wanted them to be so that’s great.
Linda, it is a great stocking stuffer and little gift for people, great point! Quite a novelty and a treat. Sorry to hear you didn’t like the caramel version. I thought the same thing, that it would be infused. Yes, I think getting creative with the product is wise too.