PhD Nutrition
Dark Choc Matcha
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
An uncommon pairing—matcha green tea powder under a 55% dark‑chocolate couverture—meets a multi‑protein blend (casein, whey, soy, plus a little collagen) for 20g of protein in a triple‑layer, candy‑bar format with only 1g of sugar.
When to choose PhD Nutrition Dark Choc Matcha
Best for chocolate lovers who prefer subtle, not syrupy sweetness, want a substantial snack or post‑workout top‑up with 20g of protein, and are comfortable with sugar alcohols like maltitol.
What's in the PhD Nutrition bar?
PhD Nutrition’s Protein Bar in Dark Choc Matcha wraps an earthy pinch of matcha and a dark‑chocolate couverture around a soft caramel layer. Under the hood, protein comes from a blended team—milk proteins (casein and whey), soy protein isolate, and a smaller share of bovine collagen—adding up to a near‑top‑tier 20g per bar.
The carbs lean ‘sugar‑reduced’ rather than fruit‑based: most sweetness is carried by sugar alcohols and glycerol, with a little refined tapioca starch for the crispy soy pieces. Fats arrive mainly from cocoa butter and sunflower oil, which make it satisfying but also push calories higher than average.
If you’re curious how that all plays out—energy, sweetness, and stomach friendliness—let’s unpack it.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 254
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20g of protein come from a blend of calcium caseinate and whey (complete milk proteins), soy protein isolate (also complete), and a smaller portion of bovine collagen peptides. The dairy and soy do the heavy lifting for muscle repair and recovery; collagen mostly supports texture and adds grams but is incomplete on its own. As blends go, this one delivers high protein without relying on a single source.
Fat
129HIGHMost fat comes from cocoa butter in the dark‑chocolate coating and some sunflower oil, with small amounts from dairy in the caramel. Cocoa butter is rich in stearic and oleic acids, while sunflower oil adds unsaturated fats for a softer bite. At 12g—above average—you get creamy satisfaction, though it also nudges calories up.
Carbs
2320MIDThe carbs here are ‘cleaner sweet’ than sugary: primarily maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and glycerol (a moisture‑holding, slightly sweet syrup), plus a little refined tapioca starch from the crunchy soy crisps and a touch from condensed milk. Compared with table sugar, this mix tends to raise blood sugar more gently and can feel steadier. Just note that larger servings of sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar, with sweetness mainly from maltitol in the chocolate and caramel and a little from glycerol; the condensed milk layer contributes the small amount of real sugar. That keeps spikes lower than a sugar‑sweetened bar, though some people are sensitive to sugar alcohols. There are no high‑intensity artificial sweeteners here.
Calories
254210HIGHAt 254 calories, this lands on the higher‑energy side for a bar. Protein (20g) and fat (12g) supply most of the intake, while carb calories are moderated because sugar alcohols and glycerol deliver fewer per gram than sugar. Think of it as a substantial snack or mini‑meal.
Vitamins & Minerals
No added vitamin or mineral fortification stands out. Any small amounts likely come naturally—from dairy (a bit of calcium), sunflower oil (some vitamin E), and cocoa (trace minerals)—but the bar is clearly built for macros, not micronutrients.
Additives
To cut sugar and keep the texture soft, the recipe leans on refined helpers: maltitol for bulked sweetness, glycerol to hold moisture, and lecithins to keep chocolate and caramel smooth. These are common, well‑vetted additives, but they are more processed than whole‑food sweeteners. If minimal processing is your priority, weigh that against the low‑sugar goal.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk
Cow's milk whey
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
Defatted soybean flakes
Ground roasted cocoa bean nibs
Corn or wheat
Cocoa beans
Soybeans
Vegetable oils and animal fats
Sugarcane and sugar beet
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Smart PhD bars are fantastic and the one I ate in the video. Comes in a variety of different flavours. You can also get these in plant / vegan editions.”
“I loved the mini phd smart blondie bars for a season, they were so so good.”
“PhD smart plant is my go to if I want something more filling, 21g of protein and definitely satisfies the hunger craving”
Main Praise
Across independent reviews, the Smart Bar line earns steady praise for tasting like a treat while delivering meaningful protein. Multiple outlets call it a strong everyday option: dependable 20g of protein, low sugar, and flavors that skew chocolate‑forward rather than cloying.
Fans also highlight how filling it is relative to its size—helped by the higher protein and a respectable dose of fats—so it works as a snack that actually tames hunger. The layered build (dark coating, caramel, crisp bits) gives texture variety instead of the usual single‑chew slab, which many people find more satisfying.
And while flavor opinions always vary, the brand’s chocolate profiles are repeatedly singled out as the safest bet. When discounted or bought in bulk, it’s often praised for value, too.
Main Criticism
The biggest knock is digestive: sweetness comes largely from maltitol, a sugar alcohol that some people tolerate well and others… don’t. Articles and users alike flag occasional chewiness and, in some flavors, a slightly gritty bite; if you prefer melt‑in‑your‑mouth softness, you might notice.
A few Redditors simply don’t like the taste at all—proof that protein bar preferences are deeply personal. Macros also tilt more ‘mini‑meal’ than ‘light bite’: 254 calories with 12g of fat and 23g of carbs is higher than some ultra‑lean competitors.
Finally, this flavor isn’t vegetarian because it contains bovine collagen, and it contains milk and soy; it’s also not labeled gluten‑free.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth sit between “fantastic” and “disgusting”? Likely in how you feel about dark chocolate that isn’t very sweet and about sugar alcohols.
Coach calls Smart Bars a good everyday option but “not the bar for a serious sweet craving,” which tracks with the matcha‑meets‑dark‑choc profile here—more ‘grown‑up chocolate’ than candy. Men’s Fitness notes the protein is legit for recovery; on that front, the casein‑whey‑soy blend pulls its weight, while collagen mostly helps texture.
Reddit also houses a few “couldn’t finish it” takes, often tied to specific sweeter flavors; if you lean toward darker chocolate and tea‑like notes, this one is more likely to be in your lane.
The calorie count and fats won’t thrill strict cutters, but they do contribute to satisfaction. The remaining wild card is maltitol: some barely notice it, others regret a second bar—your gut will cast the deciding vote.
What's the bottom line?
PhD Nutrition’s Dark Choc Matcha Smart Bar is a deliberately adult take on the protein bar: 20g of blended protein, a dark‑chocolate shell, real matcha in the mix, and only 1g of sugar. It’s built to feel like a treat without a sugar rush, trading table sugar for maltitol and glycerol to keep sweetness steady and texture soft. That choice, plus a generous 12g of fat, makes the bar satisfying but bumps calories to 254—closer to a substantial snack than a mere nibble.
slump. If you’re polyol‑sensitive, chasing ultra‑low calories, or need vegetarian or soy‑free, look elsewhere or consider the brand’s plant line instead.
Taste‑wise, expect restrained sweetness and a hint of matcha rather than a green‑tea milkshake. Net net: a satisfying, grown‑up chocolate bar that just happens to carry 20g of protein.