IQBAR
Matcha Chai
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare mash-up: vegan and keto-friendly with no sugar alcohols, in a matcha–chai flavor that’s more tea shop than candy aisle. It also packs an unusually high hit of vitamin E and includes a sprinkle of lion’s mane.
When to choose IQBAR Matcha Chai
A steady, low-carb snack for plant-based eaters who avoid whey and sugar alcohols and like green-tea-meets-spice flavors. Great between meals when you want 12g of protein without a dessert-level sweet bar.
What's in the IQBAR bar?
Meet IQBAR Matcha Chai: a plant‑protein bar that trades sugar and starch for fat, fiber, and spice. Protein comes from pea protein (plus a crunchy pea‑protein crisp), while matcha and cinnamon set the flavor with that gently earthy, chai‑like warmth.
The macros are unusual for a bar: carbs are very low and built mostly from added soluble fibers, fat runs high thanks to almonds and coconut oil, and protein lands in the moderate camp.
The surprise finish is vitamin E—almonds plus a touch of added vitamin E deliver a big dose—while sweetness leans on stevia rather than syrups.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Carbohydrates
- 10 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1215MIDThe 12 grams of protein come primarily from pea protein—both as crisps and as straight pea protein—with a small assist from almonds. Pea protein is a clean, dairy‑free isolate with solid amino acid quality; the crisps add texture but also carry a little tapioca starch. It’s a moderate protein hit by bar standards, well‑suited to those avoiding whey or soy.
Fat
159HIGHMost of the 15 grams of fat are from almonds and coconut oil. Almonds bring mostly heart‑friendly monounsaturated fats (and natural vitamin E), while coconut oil contributes saturated fat that firms the bar and boosts fullness but can raise LDL for some people. The result is rich and satiating—great staying power—so balance saturated fat across the day if that’s on your radar.
Carbs
1020LOWWith only 10 grams of total carbs, most come from added soluble fibers made from cassava and other plants (the “prebiotic blend”), which act more like fiber than quick fuel. The main digestible starch shows up in the pea‑protein crisps (tapioca starch), and almonds add very little available carbohydrate. Expect steadier energy, not a sugar rush.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1 gram of sugar, largely from naturally occurring sugars in ingredients like nuts; sweetness is supplied by stevia leaf extract used in tiny amounts. There are no dates or syrups and no sugar alcohols. If you prefer whole‑food sweeteners, note the low sugar is achieved with a highly refined, zero‑calorie sweetener plus added fibers for body.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this sits lighter than many bars yet is fat‑forward: the bulk of energy comes from fats, then protein, with minimal calories from digestible carbs. Translation: it eats like a creamy, low‑carb snack—more tide‑you‑over than meal replacement—with slow‑and‑steady energy.
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin E is the standout at about 90% Daily Value. Almonds naturally deliver alpha‑tocopherol, and added vitamin E boosts the total while also helping protect the bar’s fats from oxidation.
Additives
A few modern helpers do the heavy lifting: soluble tapioca/vegetable fibers add prebiotic bulk and keep net carbs low, stevia provides sweetness with virtually no sugar, and natural flavors round out the matcha‑chai profile. It’s a relatively short list and avoids sugar alcohols, though the fiber and stevia are more processed than whole‑food sweeteners.
Ingredient List
Almond tree seeds
Yellow pea seeds
Cassava root
Cassava root starch
Corn or tapioca starch; chicory root
Coconuts
Inner bark of cinnamon trees
Young shade-grown Camellia sinensis leaves
Cultivated Hericium erinaceus mushroom
Stevia leaves
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I love my IQ bars!”
“I just found iQ bars. Really love them and they have a lot flavors. 2-3 net carbs, 1g sugar, 12g protein”
“IQ bars. Healthiest cleanest ingredient list I’ve found, 2-3g net carbs. Sweetened with stevia. Can buy them online from Costco (bulk) or amazon”
Main Praise
Fans keep coming back for three things: the macros, the texture, and the way it sits in the stomach. Keto and diabetes communities call out the low net carbs and 1g sugar without resorting to sugar alcohols, which many people find gentler.
Editorial testers from Good Housekeeping and Women’s Health describe it as smooth and easy to chew with a soft-meets-crunch bite—those pea-protein crisps do real work here. Verywell Fit crowned it Best Low-Carb, praising the nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.
On Amazon, multiple reviewers say one bar actually tides them over—“satiating,” “perfect start to my day,” and “only good stuff here” are common refrains. For a vegan bar, the 12g protein plus almond-and-coconut fats seem to deliver that steady, not-sugary fullness a lot of people want.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. Some folks pick up a stevia aftertaste (Good Housekeeping flags this) or just don’t vibe with pea protein—the Reddit comment “Pea protein.
Woof. ” sums up that camp.
A few reviewers found the texture off-putting, even chalky, and one Redditor went full caps-lock about it being “disgusting.
” Fiber load is another watch-out: the bar leans on refined plant fibers for structure, and more than one in a day can be too much for sensitive stomachs, as a Redditor cautioned.
Practical gripes pop up, too: 12g protein won’t replace a 20g shake post-workout, and some buyers felt burned by pricey single-bar listings online. Finally, the matcha-chai profile is subtle and tea-like; if you expect a dessert bomb, it may read as mild.
The Middle Ground
Here’s the split-screen: editors and many buyers praise a soft, clean-tasting bar with a gentle crunch and low net carbs, while a minority find the flavor/texture combo just not for them.
A lot of that comes down to the formula choices. Stevia sweetens without sugar alcohols—a win for people who avoid erythritol—but it can leave a lingering note for sensitive palates.
The matcha-chai angle is another fork in the road: if you like green tea’s earthiness and warm spice, you’ll probably nod along; if your bar needs to taste like a brownie, you might echo the Reddit skeptic.
On macros, 12g protein is a pleasant snack, not a heavy hitter; if you’re chasing 25g after the gym, pair this with a yogurt or a shake. And the fiber strategy—added prebiotic fibers refined from plants like cassava—keeps carbs low and energy steadier, but doubling up can backfire for some guts.
Lion’s mane is interesting but not a magic bean; human evidence is limited, and it’s not for everyone. The truth?
IQBAR Matcha Chai is dialed for people who want plant-based, low-sugar, no–sugar-alcohol calm energy in a tea-forward flavor. That’s specific by design.
What's the bottom line?
IQBAR Matcha Chai is a thoughtful low-carb snack with a point of view: 12g plant protein, 15g fat from almonds and coconut oil, only 1g sugar, and a soft texture punctuated by crunchy crisps. It skips sugar alcohols in favor of stevia and added plant fibers (refined from sources like cassava) to keep sweetness restrained and net carbs low. You also get a notable bump of vitamin E thanks to almonds and a touch of added vitamin E.
The bar’s weaknesses mirror its strengths: stevia and matcha-chai are love-it-or-leave-it flavors, and the moderate protein makes it more tide-you-over than full-on meal replacement. If you’re sensitive to fiber, start with one and see how you feel. Allergens are real here—almonds and coconut—so skip if those are an issue.
Bottom line: if you’re a plant-based or keto-leaning snacker who prefers steady energy over a sugar rush and you like tea-and-spice flavors, this bar earns a spot in your bag. If stevia gives you a side-eye, or you want 20+ grams of protein from a single bar, there are better fits.
Listicle quick take: Plant-based, low-carb, no sugar alcohols, and a rare matcha–chai profile make this a smart, steady-energy snack. Lovely soft crunch, big vitamin E, and 12g protein—just know stevia and the tea-forward flavor are polarizing, and it’s a snack, not a full meal.