I cannot provide an "apples to apples" review of this chocolate yet because we're waiting on nutritional information, which has to be validated by outside sources. This will eventually arrive.
There has been some on-going confusion, so let me be clear: even though I'm reviewing Gnosis Chocolate on this site, it is NOT an MLM chocolate.
It is sold in retail locations and online at www.GnosisChocolate.com. They may eventually have an affiliate program, but that would entail no start-up costs or required monthly purchases, and I doubt they'll get into the business of making health claims. I enjoy the heck out of this chocolate and know that the woman who makes it has a great deal of integrity about ingredients and is well connected in the raw foods world.
Gnosis Chocolate Review
Overall Rating: A+
(Rating based on objective health and value factors and not on flavor, which is subjective.)
Summary:
A: Starting Grade.
A: Raw.
A: Organic.
A: No Sugar. (Uses low-glycemic agave nectar.)
A: Blue green algae ("Crystal Manna") added.
A+: Handmade. NO SOY lecithin. Sold in Earth-friendly packaging too!
(Additional health benefits from other ingredients based on the bar. This review covers their basic chocolate, called "Simplicity.")
When my wife first saw Gnosis chocolate featured in Spirituality and Health magazine, I imagined it would be another so-called healthy chocolate -- possibly even organic -- that was still loaded with sugar. But I was wrong.
Not only was I wrong, but this chocolate is one of the most unique on the market, and possibly the healthiest. We immediately decided to make this the first and only chocolate that we retail in our health center.
To give you an immediate sense of how special this chocolate is, every bar is hand-made by the founder of Gnosis Chocolate, Vanessa Barg, and her team of "Oompa Loompas."
Although this may test the beliefs of some readers, there is scientific research underway about how our thoughts and intentions actually affect water and food. Definite, repeatable results have shown on a microscopic level how cellular relationships change based on the input of intention. So if you can grasp this forward-thinking concept, it says a LOT that Vanessa and her carefully selected team invest themselves in every bar. She explicitly says that they put a loving intention into every bar they make.
Of course this doesn't mean as much if she's using low-quality ingredients, but she uses the best. The cacao content is organic, and rather than using sugar, she uses natural agave nectar, which is very low on the glycemic index, so that it never spikes a person's blood sugar (good news for diabetics and those trying to lose weight).
Even better, all of her chocolate bars include "crystal manna," which is a form of blue/green algae -- a nutrient-dense, green superfood. Other Gnosis Chocolate bars include a variety of healthy ingredients, from various fruits to spices, herbs, and more.
(The Superchoc is an AMAZING blend of ingredients that you have to see to believe. And Acai Pomegranate is my favorite.)
And maybe most important of all, this chocolate is fully raw. Since cooking any food, including chocolate, can compromise the nutritional elements, this is important. My guess is that, when testing is done, we'll find that this chocolate boasts a higher ORAC score and overall nutrient content than cooked chocolates, and I expect that the benefits of the neurotransmitters in the chocolate will be greater.
By the way ... Vanessa also does NOT use soy lecithin as an emulsifier in her chocolate. Most chocolate uses this as a shortcut for producing the right texture. It is NOT an ideal ingredient, and the best chocolates do not include it. But it takes longer to make chocolate in this way.
As for the experience, Gnosis Chocolate is slightly soft (not the same "snap" as cooked chocolate). In just looking at it, I've had one client say that it looked almost like fudge. It is rich and not over sweet. It is, in short, a grand, dark chocolate experience that has captured virtually everyone I've given a sample to.
VALUE
Gnosis Chocolate is comparable to the cost of network marketing chocolates, but I believe it's healthier than any of them and of course there's no minimum monthly requirement on how much to buy since it's sold through retail. With 6 servings per bar, you can purchase just 5 bars a month (about $45) to feed your chocolate craving in an incredibly healthy way on a daily basis.
Here's a breakdown of costs:
Gnosis Chocolate: $1.50 / 9 gram serving. (Estimated cost before shipping.)
Xocai Chocolate: $1.25 / 12 gram serving. (Estimated cost after shipping.)
Tru Chocolate: $1.40 / 8 gram serving. (Wholesale, autoship prices, shipping included.)
IsaDelight Chocolate: Unknown cost but not recommended.
