Having food allergies and intolerances is never fun – I am coeliac so have to follow a strict gluten-free diet and I feel like I spend my life checking the labels of something that sounds delicious, only to be disappointed that I can’t eat it. It can be even harder for little gifts and stocking fillers too, especially if you also need to follow a dairy-free diet; I’m lucky and I can still eat dairy but lots of coeliacs can’t.
So it was great to be asked to try out a range of sweet treats that would be perfect stocking filler gifts, just in time for Christmas. We were sent a selection of items from Pulsin and Livia’s products: Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars from Pulsin (£17.82 for 18x35g Bars), Cookie Dough and Choc Brownie Nugglets from Livia’s (£12.99 for 9x35g Bags) and Salted Caramel and Chocolate Orange Million Squares from Livia’s (£15.99 for 12x60g Bars).
All of the products use dates or date paste as a basis, as lots of gluten-free products do. This means that they are a lot more natural than some gluten-free products which can have a tendency to be stuffed full of chemicals and preservatives. It’s also worth noting that the Livia’s products also use gluten-free oats – again, I’m absolutely fine with these but I know many coeliacs can’t tolerate them.
The Livia’s Nugglets come in small packs that are ideal as a little stocking filler or lunchbox snack. They are small balls of cookie/brownie flavoured yumminess, about the size of a Malteser. The texture is soft but firm, almost like a chocolate truffle, and I have to say that they are delicious. The date flavour doesn’t overpower like it can do in some products, and the flavour of the cookie dough / chocolate brownie really shines through. I also enjoyed the chocolate – I very often don’t like vegan chocolate but this was really nice. My favourite of the two is the chocolate Brownie flavour, but they were both really nice.
The next product we tried was the Million Squares – we were sent the Caramel and the Chocolate Orange flavours. These resemble little millionaire shortbread cubes, and each pack contains 3 little treats. They are comprised of an oaty biscuit base, a date-paste filling and a ‘chocolate’ topping. Of all of the snacks, I thought these had the strongest taste of dates, probable because they were filled so generously. I really enjoyed them but if I’m honest, I’d say these were probably more one for the adults as the flavour wasn’t quite sweet or chocolatey enough for the kids. Still a great standby for lunchboxes though, and again fantastic for if you’re looking at putting together a gluten free hamper or Christmas stocking.
Finally, my absolute favourite of the products! The Pulsin Choc Fudge Brownie Bar. Oh my goodness, this is delicious! It’s a bit bigger than standard a cereal bar so there is plenty there and it is absolutely delicious! There is a definite fudge flavour along with a rich, dark chocolate taste. I personally couldn’t detect any date at all, although the ingredients tell me it’s there! The texture is squidgy and decadent, and it is a real treat. You wouldn’t know it was gluten free at all, and it was so hard not to go back for another bar! I promise that anyone, coeliac or otherwise, would be delighted with this in their Christmas stocking!
DISCLAIMER – ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTS ALL STATE VEGAN AND SOYA FREE:
THE MILLION SQUARES May contain tree nuts, eggs, soya, sesame & peanut.
THE NUGGLETS May contain tree nuts, eggs, soya, sesame & peanut.
THE CHOC FUDGE BROWNIE BAR May contain nuts, peanuts & date pits.
For more information or to buy, visit www.pulsin.co.uk.
