Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Coffee Buzz Bar is definitely not your average chocolate bar-and absolutely not something I share with my kids. This one is for grown-ups only. Why? Because it's loaded with real coffee, real caffeine, and serious chocolate flavor. One square will wake you up faster than any cookie ever could.
I picked this up during one of my usual "just grabbing a few things" trips to Trader Joe's. (Spoiler: I never just grab a few things.) I spotted the word Buzz on the wrapper and thought, "Oh, that's cute."
I didn't realize until later that this bar is caffeinated enough to rival a shot of espresso. So yeah, don't eat it before bed unless you're planning to reorganize your closet at midnight like I did.
Taste and texture
This bar is really good. The dark chocolate is rich and smooth-definitely a good-quality bar-and the coffee flavor is bold. You can actually see and taste the crushed espresso beans throughout, which gives it a light crunch and adds a punch of real roasted flavor.
It's not sweet like a milk chocolate bar, but it's also not super bitter either. It lands in that perfect dark-but-still-indulgent zone.
Each square is satisfying, so you really don't need to eat much at once. (Though let's be honest, that hasn't stopped me.)
How I eat it
This is my new afternoon "don't fall asleep" treat. One square around 2 or 3 p.m. with coffee or tea gives me just enough caffeine to power through the rest of the day without diving into a whole cup of cold brew. I also keep a bar in my desk drawer for emergency snacking when life feels chaotic-which is, let's face it, often.
I do not give this to my kids. The caffeine content is no joke, and while they would absolutely love the taste, I'm not trying to deal with sugar-fueled chaos and an impromptu living room dance party at 7 p.m.
Where to find it
Look for this bar in the candy and chocolate section at Trader Joe's. It's with the other dark chocolate bars-usually near the peanut butter cups, truffles, and seasonal sweets. The wrapper is low-key, so it's easy to miss, but once you know it's there, it'll be calling your name every time.
Similar products
If you're into this buzzy little bar, here are a few other treats from Trader Joe's that deliver strong flavor (though not all of them come with caffeine):
- Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans - also for grown-ups only
- Trader Joe's Milk Chocolate with Corn Flakes- creamy, crunchy and fun
- Trader Joe's Brownie Truffle Baking Mix - rich and fudgy, no caffeine but still a serious chocolate fix
- Mini Hold the Cone! Strawberry - let the kids have these while you hide your coffee bar
Final thoughts
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Coffee Buzz Bar is strong, indulgent, and very much not for bedtime. It's like a fancy espresso turned into a chocolate bar. I love having it as an afternoon pick-me-up, especially when I don't want to make another coffee. It's bold, rich, and feels like a tiny treat that actually does something-which is exactly what I want sometimes.
If you're a fan of dark chocolate and coffee, this might become your new secret stash item. Just keep it out of reach from the little ones and maybe don't eat a whole bar at once unless you also enjoy mild heart palpitations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 - adults only, and totally worth it)
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