Welcome to the latest instalment of my 52 Bars in 52 weeks protein bar review series. This week I taste-tested the Choc Brownie Protein Bar by Tropeaka.
I knew absolutely nothing about this brand before this taste-test and saw this bar by chance racing through Coles doing last-minute Christmas food shopping. After doing a little googling I discovered that Tropeaka is pretty cool.
Their food products and supplements are designed for everyday use and to make healthy choices taste good. And after tasting their Choc Brownie Protein Bar... I can definitively agree that they've nailed the flavour part!
Have they nailed the nutrition too? Let's find out.
Tropeaka Choc Brownie Protein Bar First Impressions
Protein Bar Quick Details
Price
RRP: $4.80
Flavours available
Peanut Butter Indulgence
Choc Mint Brownie
Caramel Choc Fudge
Double Choc Fudge
Choc Brownie (the one this article is about!)
Protein Bar Packaging
I really like the almost neon colour palette used for the Tropeaka Protein Bar range. It feels fresh and fun, and is certainly easy to spot on the shelf. As usual, high contrast between simple bold colours means that readability is great.
The ingredients list and nutritional information panel are both prominently displayed on the reverse of the bar, and not hidden under the fold so they get top marks for transparency too.
Protein Bar Nutritional Claims
No artificial flavours or sweeteners
Plant-based
Includes 37% organic ingredients
This section details what Tropeaka has put on its packaging to entice consumers. I find it extremely interesting that aside from the words 'Protein Energy Bar' up top, there's no further mention of protein.
It's also gluten-free, dairy-free, and suitable for vegans & vegetarians. There's a hell of a lot they could be shouting about more on the packaging and they've really held back.
This bar is definitely not targeting the gym bros! It's all about how natural and organic it is instead, which is a major point of difference in the world of protein bars.
Protein Bar Taste Test
Protein Bar Appearance
The Tropeaka Choc Brownie Protein Bar looks dry, and you can see flecks of salt and nuts throughout. There are distinct ridges on one side, but I'm not entirely sure if that serves a particular function or is just a byproduct of manufacturing (maybe it was cheaper?). If you know, please drop me a comment.
Protein Bar Aroma
As soon as I opened the packet I was greeted by a super-rich, chocolate fudge aroma. But there was also something mysterious that I couldn't put my finger, or my nose!, on. There was a slight hint of nuts, and while this may sound odd, it smelt expensive.
If it had been dusted in flour and sitting on a plate with a fancy tablecloth underneath, it would have smelled like it was in the right place. If you're not sure what I mean, imagine smelling a Patties Meat Pie with tomato sauce in the middle of a fancy five-star rooftop restaurant surrounded by waiters wearing suit tails. Wrong, right? That disparity is what I'm talking about. This smells too good to have come out of a packet from a shelf at Woolies.
Protein Bar Texture
To touch, the bar is very firm, dry, and unyielding. It's not as brick-like as the Coles PerFORM Bar I reviewed a few weeks ago, but it's pretty close.
When you bite into the bar the first thing you'll notice is how dry it is. But, unlike the Coles PerFORM Bar, it doesn't stay dry. It gets moist (sorry to all the moist-haters out there, that word comes up a lot when reviewing food!) really quickly and before you know it, it's melting in your mouth.
Tiny chunks of peanut and almond give an inconsistent crunch that's really lovely.
Protein Bar Flavour
You know when you ate a really rich chocolate cake as a kid, and kind of hated it because the flavour was too intense compared to the old faithful milk chocolate mud cake? This bar smells like one of those rich chocolate cakes, but the cocoa intensity when you taste it is damn near perfect. 11-year-old me would have been pleasantly surprised!
After about two seconds of dry nothingness, the chcolate flavour emerges swiftly, and it tastes just like a chocolate cake. Not your $6 Woolies cake but a restaurant-quality, decadent chocolate cake. You can almost detect flour in the flavour, just slightly, and in that good way that lets you know it's homemade. Kids would love it, but no one is getting through a second slice. It's pretty heavy, and more of a dessert vibe in flavour.
Rating out of 5 (0= terrible, 5= amazing): 4.5/5
Despite the initial dryness this bar was brilliant. For a casual buy from Woolies at a pretty middle-of-the-range price, it tasted excellent.
Protein Bar Digestibility
No issues. No bloating. It was dense and heavy and I felt full afterwards.
Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis
Ingredients List
Dates* (23.4%), Pea Protein Isolate* (14.5%), Maple Syrup, Dutch Cocoa (11.5%), Coconut Milk Powder, Peanut Butter, Cacao Butter, Coconut Oil, Peanuts, Almonds, Natural Caramel Flavour, Vanilla Extract, Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil, Himalayan Salt
(*37% Certified Organic Ingredients) Contains: Peanut, almond.May be present: Sesame, cashew, other tree nuts. May contain occasional nut, shell or pit pieces.
Protein sources:Â Pea protein isolate
Carbs source: Dates and maple syrup
Healthy Fats:Â Cacao butter, coconut oil, and almonds
Let's take a closer look at a few of the additional ingredients and why they've been included.
Dutch Cocoa & Cacao Butter: These provide the rich chocolate flavor and deliver antioxidants. However, they also add to the saturated fat content.
MCT Oil: This supports rapid energy production. For hikers, this can be a significant advantage, especially during extended activities, and is a really cool inclusion to see.
Coconut Milk Powder: Adds creaminess but also contributes to the fat content.
Peanut Butter & Almonds: Offer a boost of protein, healthy fats, and flavour. Obviously if you've got a nut allergy, you should steer clear of this one!
Natural Caramel Flavor & Maple Syrup: While these enhance taste naturally, they do increase the sugar content, which might not suit all dietary preferences. Sugar isn't the enemy, and on hikes it's an awesome fuel source.
Nutrition Information Panel
In every 46g of this Tropeaka Choc Brownie Protein Bar, you'll score 178 calories, 10g protein, 14.7g carbohydrates, 8.3g fat (2.8g saturated fat), an undisclosed amount of fibre, 102mg of sodium, and 11g of sugar.
While 11g of natural sugar is better than refined sugar, it's more than what I'd aim for in the average snack (less than 10g per 100g is a good rule of thumb, and this is double that). While you're hiking this isn't a big deal but if you're snacking on them in front of the telly be mindful.
Protein
With 10g of protein per 46g bar, this isn’t a high-protein option but provides a moderate amount suitable for light recovery or a snack. The primary protein source is pea protein isolate, which is plant-based and hypoallergenic.
Carbohydrates
Dates and maple syrup are whole food-based sweeteners, offering some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants alongside energy. This inclusion is ideal for a quick energy boost mid-hike when glycogen stores run low.
Fibre
The fibre content isn’t explicitly listed but is likely moderate due to the inclusion of dates, coconut milk powder, and almonds
Fat
Healthy fats from cacao butter, coconut oil, and almonds provide sustained energy. Very low saturated fat of only 2.8g is excellent to see, especially for any hikers managing blood pressure or heart conditions.
Sugars
While natural sugars are better than refined, 11g of sugar is relatively high for a single snack.
Sodium
Himalayan salt provides trace minerals and electrolytes that support hydration and muscle function. The amount is pretty low to do a lot – you'd be better off with an electrolyte (and I'd consume both) – but it's better than zero!
Conclusion
The Tropeaka Choc Brownie Protein Bar is a fantastic mid-hike snack or pre-workout option for quick energy. Pair it with a handful of nuts or a higher-protein snack post-hike to meet muscle recovery needs.
Key Takeaways Tropeaka Choc Brownie Protein Bar
Cost per bar: $4.80
Cost per 100g: $10.43
Cost per gram of protein: $0.48
Flavour & Texture
4.5/5
Consumption Recommendation
The Tropeaka Choc Brownie Protein Bar is perfectly fine to eat every single day!
Protein Bar FAQs
Where can you buy Tropeaka Protein Bars?
I've found this one at Coles and on the Tropeaka website.
Can I eat Tropeaka Protein Bars daily?
You can certainly eat one per day, there's nothing to suggest that these will harm you. Everyone is different so if you're planning on doing a long multi-day hike, as usual my advice is always to test your trail diet out at home before you go to ensure everything suits your tummy.
What is pea protein?
Pea protein is easily digestible and provides all nine essential amino acids, though it's slightly lower in methionine compared to animal proteins. Compared to whey or soy, pea protein can take longer to digest and isn't as efficient for muscle repair. Hikers aiming for peak recovery who aren't limited by a vegan or vegetarian diet should aim to pair this bar with additional protein sources.
What's whey protein isolate?
Whey protein isolate (WPI) is a highly purified form of whey protein that contains over 90% protein with minimal fat, carbohydrates, and lactose. It’s rapidly absorbed by the body, making it an excellent choice for muscle recovery post-exercise, and a common ingredient in high protein bars.
Whey protein isolate is especially popular for those wanting lean protein supplements with fewer calories, or those who are lactose intolerant.
Does this bar provide enough protein for hikers?
With 10g of protein, there is enough protein to support muscle repair and recovery on the go, but for tough days on the trail, you should ensure you're getting additional protein from other food. For day walks or snacks around home it's perfect.
Where can I find more protein bar reviews?
Follow @thehikersnutritionist on Instagram for regular protein bar reviews and flavour comparisons. Otherwise, stay tuned to this website for a new protein bar review every single week.
Why is dark chocolate more bitter than milk chocolate?
Dark chocolate is more bitter than milk chocolate because it has a higher cocoa content, no milk solids, and typically fewer added sugars to counteract the natural bitter taste.
Disclaimer
I bought this bar using my own money from Coles Supermarket. Tropeaka had no involvement in the production or commissioning of this review. My opinions are my own and I stand by them – especially given no one is forcing me to share them. Catcha in seven days my ragtag band of readers who actually reach the end of the article & read this notoriously boring section (thanks for being here!).
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