When you are searching for a quick caffeine pick-me-up, what is the first thing that comes to mind? A sugary can of energy drink? A filling and rich iced coffee? A cup of tea that never seems to remain at the right temperature? In general, looking for a quick and healthy way to fight sleepiness can be difficult considering all of the other sweet and unhealthy options available, an issue that a company called Verb has solved with their energy bars. 

With 65 mg of caffeine, as much as in a shot of espresso, Verb bars are the perfect green-tea, jitter-free option to keep you energized. This snack is made from completely vegan and gluten-free ingredients that come in small, 2-inch granola bar-like rectangles.  

Over the past several months, these little treats have saved me from the torture that comes with late study nights and exhaustion after sports. They are easy to order, with just a simple text of your shipment to the company (that’s right a text), and they come in so many fun and exciting flavors that I have actually enjoyed eating. As a Verb energy bar super fan, I wanted to share my take on a few of the flavors I have had the opportunity to try, rating them on a scale from zero to five. 

Peppermint Mocha  

If you are a coffee lover, this is definitely the energy bar for you. This snack tastes exactly like a traditional peppermint mocha drink, with a blend of chocolate and mint flavors. However, the mint flavor is slightly overpowering, taking away from some of the notes of coffee that lie underneath. Although I enjoyed this flavor, whenever I was looking for a pick-me–up and craving the flavor of coffee, I found myself making a coffee instead of eating this bar. For that reason, it has taken me a while to finish this order, especially because there are so many better flavors available.  

Rating: 3.5/5 

Blueberry Crisp  

In all honesty, I had no idea what a blueberry crisp was prior to this Verb bar, but now this dessert is on my bucket-list of things I must try. With gentle hints of blueberry complementing the decadent flavors of brown sugar and oats, this bar reminds me of a delicious breakfast. It is not overwhelmingly sweet, but is just sugary enough to perfectly supplement the tartness of the blueberry. This bar is perfect, and I order it every time I put in a shipment. 

Rating: 5/5 

Double Chocolate  

Breathtaking. Showstopping. Truly incredible. The double chocolate Verb bar is a culinary masterpiece. The soft, chewy texture of the traditional bar is taken to another level with small, crunchy chips of chocolate dotted throughout the already chocolate bar. Now, disclaimer, I am a huge fan of chocolate, but I believe this bar has the power to sway even the most stubborn of chocolate haters. It is neither overpowering nor too fudgy, but it has enough sweetness that it essentially tastes like a candy bar. I had to stop myself from eating all of these and bouncing off the walls with the caffeine.  

Rating: ∞/5 

Blueberry Waffle  

This essentially tastes exactly like the blueberry crisp bar, so this flavor loses points for lack of originality. On top of this, while the blueberry crisp bar is perfect on its own, this flavor is dotted with tiny, dried bits of blueberry that throw off the texture of the whole bar. With the blueberry crisp already existing in its perfection, this flavor feels unnecessary, and I have not ordered it since my first time trying it.  

Rating: 2.5/5 

Cookie Butter  

If you have not had the opportunity to taste cookie butter, you are missing out. A spread made from Biscoff cookies, this delicious topping boasts sharp notes of cinnamon and ginger snap with the sweet flavors of brown sugar. It tastes very similar to gingerbread, but is not quite as strong in ginger flavor. This Verb bar does an excellent job matching the flavor. Although this bar is delicious, I did not find myself reaching for them often because of their strong savor. Cookie butter usually tastes best with some sort of fruit or cookie to downplay the intenseness of the cinnamon, and I felt that this bar needed another flavor to do the same. 

Rating: 4/5 

Lemon Raspberry  

Now, I love the lemon/raspberry combination in desserts. The tangy lemon flavor matches perfectly with the sweet and sour raspberry for a refreshing summery vibe. Although this bar tastes exactly like its description, the texture of soft oats makes for a confusing combination on the palette. Because these bars are usually room temperature, this flavor is not as light as it is known to be in lemon bars. I definitely enjoy this bar, but it would probably be better refrigerated, which takes away from its on–the–go purpose. Overall, lemon/raspberry is a great flavor, but not great for an energy bar.  

Rating: 3/5 

Strawberry Rose Hibiscus  

I first ordered this flavor out of pure curiosity. This sounds like a strange yet intriguing flavor combination, and it is safe to say it did not disappoint. Somehow managing to clearly portray the three different flavors of the name, this bar tastes like a high-end fruit rollup. The flavors are very fresh and refreshing without being overly sweet. This is easily one of my favorite flavors, which I usually enjoy for an afternoon snack because of its deliciously fruity flavor. 

Rating: 6/5 

Salted Peanut Butter  

Now this bar was honestly just a disappointment. As a peanut butter lover, I was excited to try this flavor in hopes of a sweet and salty treat. However, the bar failed in both of these aspects. Somewhat bland, this bar tastes thick and unappealing. It tastes more like a raw peanut than peanut butter, lacking enough sweetness to liven the salty undertones that blend in with the oats. If you are craving peanut butter, I would just recommend eating a spoonful of the spread instead. 

Rating: 2/5 

In general, these bars are well-made and match the flavors to perfection. While every palette and preference is different, there are some clear winners when it comes to the flavor of one of these energy bars. With new flavors being created about once a month, you are guaranteed to find one that you will like. Regardless, this is a great alternative to some of the other, less healthy caffeine options to keep you energized throughout the day, so they are definitely worth a try!