Festive Nuts! Saxon Cinnamon Hazelnuts vs Organic Traditions Dark Chocolate Hazelnuts

On the left: Saxon Cinnamon Hazelnuts
On the right: Organic Traditions Dark Chocolate Hazelnuts

Organic Traditions 'Dark Chocolate Hazelnuts' are a tasty and healthy snack (I have written about these before), so I just had to buy a new bag when I saw them at HomeSense last week. But alongside them on the shelf was a perfect comparison product: Saxon's Cinnamon Hazelnuts.

So what was the verdict?  Saxon's was definitely sweeter, and had just a subtle hint of cinnamon flavour, which was nice.  It also seemed more 'gifty' than the Organic Traditions bag.  But my cravings for bitter chocolate (with less guilt) won out, and I opted to finish the bag of Organic Traditions, while saving Saxon's chocolate for a time when I can indulge in something sweeter.

So here is my recommendation:

If you want to have a healthy, protein-rich treat that tastes great with a dark roast coffee - go for the bag of Organic Traditions.

If you want a sweet treat that also is rich in protein, or if you need to buy a gift for a chocolate lover, go for the bag of Saxon Cinnamon Hazelnuts.

Here are the package details of Saxon's Hazelnuts:

Chocolate Enrobed Cinnamon Hazelnuts (150 g / 5.3 oz)
Saxon Chocolates (Toronto, ON)
www.saxonchocolates.com
Ingredients: Chocolate (Belgian unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, skim milk powder, milk fat, cocoa fat, soya lecithin as an emulsifier, vanilla extract), dry roasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder, cinnamon sugar. May contain peanuts and gluten proteins.  Made in Canada with imported ingredients.
I bought this for $4.99 at HomeSense.

As for Organic Traditions, I did not know about the controversy or the recall (because trace amounts of milk was found in the product by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency), when I purchased the bag and wrote this article. However, when this recall is over, I will still likely buy this product if I see it in stores!