Snack Bar, Vol. 5: Welcome to Our Chocolate Factory

Between the iconically chic packaging, the unique, playful flavors, and their reputation as California's "avant-garde destination for chocolate," Compartes has long been a go-to gift among artsy and foodie types. And can you think of a better stocking stuffer? They've got something for everyone, with bars like Chocolate Pistachio ($9.95) and Nightcap Whisky ($9.95) that speak my exact language, and others such as Cereal Bowl ($9.95) that are undoubtedly popular but that we found to skew too sweet.

Indeed, a good chunk of their inventory trends towards that post-Milk Bar maximalism in sweetness, but there's no denying that every bar is fantastically made and memorable. If you like richer, darker flavors, just pick the ones that suit you. We were hard pressed to take issue with any aspect of them… besides the price point.

The latest in a line of snacks with intentionally off-putting names, Dirtbag's playful font and hot pink packaging definitely earns the double take. It's also quick to qualify itself as a "chewy chocolatey snack bar" and not a chocolate bar per se, which is a smart move since it's primarily made of dates. The combination of dates, rolled oats, sunflower seeds and 100% dark chocolate is pleasantly earthy and naturally sweet, with a gooey texture that's maybe softer than my ideal snack bar but still enjoyable. It's a nice option for chocolate lovers who want other flavors in the mix, and surprisingly low in both calories and carbs considering how high dates can spike those numbers. Plus it's vegan and gluten-free but you don't taste a hint of compromise.

When I told a friend what the focus of this month's column was, she immediately replied, "You've tried the Alter Eco truffles, right?" The short answer was no, but I immediately rectified that — and good god am I happy I did. For all its environmentally-conscious packaging and fair-trade sourcing of ingredients, where Alter Eco delivers even bigger is on the flavor quotient. These are some of the best chocolate truffles I've ever had, with the absolute perfect amount of sweetness and a creaminess that melts in the mouth. To come through with all of that and compostable wrappers? AE is truly operating on another level.

The combo of dates and chocolate strikes again, this time to even better effect. Spring & Mulberry's chocolate bars are undoubtedly expensive, but just like Compartes, make for a pretty terrific gift. The packaging itself is colorful yet minimalist, but the real visual treat comes from the bars themselves, which are studded with eye-popping ingredients like lavender, bee pollen and rose petals. They're so gorgeous, in fact, that the back of each box has a little window for peering in at the bars. And crucially, they taste delicious too, especially for those of you who prefer a less sweet treat.

Ghia's first food product takes its name from the Italian gianduja, a blend of chocolate and hazelnut paste that's become synonymous with that sugary behemoth Nutella. Nutella is clearly the Paste That Must Not Be Named when it comes to Ghia's marketing, as they reference childhood memories of "slathering hazelnut spread on very tall stacks of crepes" while avoiding the name check of their competitor. I'm free to compare and contrast them both, though, and will say that Ghianduja is a damn good alternative for those who are more health-conscious.

While I appreciate the darker cocoa notes and the halving of the sugar content, Nutella ultimately wins out for me because Ghianduja is just far too grainy. But if you're addicted to these flavors and want a sustainable, better-for-you option (think olive oil instead of palm oil), this is one product you should try ASAP.

Founded by Jenelle Manzi, a professional ballerina who craved a snack that provided energy while still being delicious, Get Golden makes bars that mix nuts, seeds and spices into two flagship flavors. I tried the Classic Caramel and truthfully was not a fan: none of the richness of caramel came through, just underseasoned, untoasted seed flavors. So I was totally surprised when I fell hard for the Chocolate Sea Salt bars. They taste healthy for you while still feeling rich and decadent, thanks to creamy coconut butter and deliciously salty pecans. More than any of the above products, the Chocolate Get Goldens became an easy go-to whether I was between meetings or on my way to the gym. They're full of real sustenance, just as the dancer who developed them intended.

"Vanilla chocolate," you say? So we're just collapsing the flavor continuum now?? I wasted no time in trying this curiously named offering by Taza Chocolate, and to be honest it tastes exactly like they're billing it. The flavor of real, organic vanilla beans shines through, a real treat for anyone who knows what it's like to bake with the real stuff instead of bottled extract.

The downside, though, is that between those vanilla bean seeds and the organic cane sugar, this chocolate is incredibly grainy — which doesn't cancel out the excellent flavor but definitely knocks some points off the score. They deserve plenty of props for stone grinding their chocolate, and shaping it into discs for that matter, but Taza falls short of being this month's MVP. Which, speaking of…