Frequently asked questions

Given all of the problems with product safety from China, do you buy ingredients from the People’s Republic of China?
Close Given all of the problems with product safety from China, do you buy ingredients from the People’s Republic of China?

No. We also do not support totalitarian regimes. We honor the Chinese people, culture and their history. We do not honor an oppressive communist regime.

Are there more flavors coming?
Close Are there more flavors coming?

Yes, many are in the research and development phase.

Is Noble Bar an ancient recipe that you discovered?
Close Is Noble Bar an ancient recipe that you discovered?

No, we researched what our chosen civilizations grew for crops and based the bar around those. It is quite possible that, for example, the Romans ate a bar, cake or concoction similar to the Centurion Fig bar. But we’ll never know for sure…

Why do you use honey in bars?
Close Why do you use honey in bars?

Prior to sugar cane, corn syrup and other sweeteners, honey was used by man to sweeten everything from cereals to wine. It is a natural preservative with antifungal, anti-yeast and anti-viral properties. We use it because that is what ancient man used and because it tastes good. HOWEVER, we recommend not feeding infants 1 year or younger any Noble Bar because it does contain honey. We’re sure most kids can’t eat Noble Bars at that age, but in the interest of safety for any advanced eaters, parents please wait till your kids are older than a year. For more information, check out the National Honey Board’s PDF file on this topic

Are there any trans fats in Noble Bar?
Close Are there any trans fats in Noble Bar?

No.

Where is Noble Bar made?
Close Where is Noble Bar made?

We produce the bars in Tacoma, Washington, USA.

Is Noble Bar just for military guys, history buffs or people like that? Why should I eat them?
Close Is Noble Bar just for military guys, history buffs or people like that? Why should I eat them?

It was designed for people who want to eat healthy- people who care about what they put into their bodies. It was made with everyone in mind- people with active lifestyles, demanding professions and mothers trying to find a suitable snack for their kids. We based it off of the diets of ancient civilizations because there are NO OTHER BARS out there that produce such a bar. We figured that people ate healthier back then, before the days of trans fats, artificial sweeteners and junk food.

Is Noble Bar registered with the FDA?
Close Is Noble Bar registered with the FDA?

Yes, we are a registered food facility with the US Food and Drug Administration. We are also a registered and licensed food processor by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Tell me about your symbols on the packaging.
Close Tell me about your symbols on the packaging.

On each of our packages, our eagle is clutching a symbol unique to that particular civilization. On the reverse, there is an additional symbol.

Centurion Fig: Front: laurel wreath (ancient symbol of victory for Rome and Greece). Reverse: same. Typically, victorious Roman generals were crowned with laurels after successful campaigns.

Spartan Pear: Front: lambda. Reverse: Lambda, symbol of the Spartan warriors and was thought to have been painted upon their shields during the Battle of Thermopylae.

Viking Cherry: Front: shield. Reverse: Hammer of Thor carving unearthed at a Viking settlement. Followers of Thor, the Norse god of thunder, typically wore this on a necklace.

Han Dynasty Apricot: Front: scroll with Mandarin Chinese character for Noble. Reverse: Mandarin Chinese character for the number 8. 8 is considered a very lucky number in China.

Samurai Persimmon: Front: cherry blossom, revered tree in Japan for its blossoms and fragrance. Reverse: Torii gate. The Torii gate is a symbol in Shintoism that acts as gate between the world (unclean area) and a holy or sanctified area (typically within the shrine). The Samurai prized the fleeting beauty of the cherry and plum blossom and often compared their own lives to the short lived flowers.

Kobukson Asian Pear: Front: Sam-Taeguk, Korea’s version of the well known yin and yang, with red symbolizing heaven and blue the earth. The added color of yellow to represents humanity. Reverse: Admiral Yi’s Kobukson, or turtle ship. History’s first “ironclad” battleship was used to defeat a Japanese naval force.

What is a Noble Bar?
Close What is a Noble Bar?

It is a bar based upon the diets of some of history’s most revered societies. It is made of dried fruit, nuts, whole grains and honey. These bars are individually hand crafted in Tacoma, Washington.

So, this is what ancient people ate?
Close So, this is what ancient people ate?

Yes, these are the types of foods that they grew and enjoyed. Dried fruit and nuts have been around since man first harvested the crops. Honey was also the world’s first sweetener. Grains such as wheat, barley, millet, rice and oats have sustained us for many thousands of years. We simply took the ingredients and came up with a recipe that tastes great and is nutritionally balanced. It’s quite possible that these same combinations were enjoyed by the civilizations we feature.

What are in Noble Bars?
Close What are in Noble Bars?

Only natural dried fruit, nuts, grain and honey. No added flavorings, protein or soy. We also do not add any preservatives. Our customers should be aware that we have to occasionally source dried fruit from our suppliers that has been processed with sulfur dioxide or potassium sorbate (sorbic acid). Roughly 1% of the population has sensitivity to sulfites and companies are required by the FDA to label their products as containing sulfites if they contain 10 ppm (parts per million) or greater. Sulfur dioxide is used by food processors to preserve color and to inhibit mold and is found in items ranging from red wine to tortillas.

However, WE DO NOT ADD these or any other preservatives to our bars. Currently, the only bar we make that contains sulfur dioxide is the Han Dynasty Apricot bar.

Our long term goal is to produce a USDA Certified 100% Organic bar.

I spend a lot of time outdoors. How will Noble Bars hold up?
Close I spend a lot of time outdoors. How will Noble Bars hold up?

We use a durable package, so they will survive quite nicely in a ruck sack, cargo pocket or in your car’s glove compartment. We put a shelf life on the bars for a year. If they freeze, bake in the sun or get stashed in a pantry, no problem. They will simply thaw if frozen or be softer if in a hot environment.

Are any Noble Bars gluten free?
Close Are any Noble Bars gluten free?

Yes, the Han Dynasty Apricot, Kobukson Asian Pear and Samurai Persimmon are all gluten free.

Tell me about the allergen info.
Close Tell me about the allergen info.

We do not use peanuts in any of our bars. Two of our bars contain wheat products; one barley. All of our bars are produced on equipment that has been on or near wheat and its related products. Please know that we are receptive to our customers with gluten sensitivities and we strive to ensure quality gluten free products. Additionally, see the above FAQ “What are in Noble Bars” concerning sulfur dioxide and potassium sorbate.

Can my children eat Noble Bars?
Close Can my children eat Noble Bars?

Absolutely! We have had great success with parents giving their kids Noble Bars (it’s a great way to sneak in a serving of fruit and extra fiber).

What kinds of grains do you use?
Close What kinds of grains do you use?

We use barley, wheat, oats, millet and brown rice. These are time tested, traditional, wholesome grains. Many people are concerned about what is going into their bodies and they want to eat healthier produce. Well, these grains sustained civilizations for thousands of years, and they will sustain YOU!

Any artificial ingredients used in the bars?
Close Any artificial ingredients used in the bars?

No. However, please see the above FAQ “What are in Noble Bars” concerning sulfur dioxide and potassium sorbate.

Where does your produce come from?
Close Where does your produce come from?

We purchase mainly from farmers and businesses in the Pacific Northwest and California. Occasionally, we will have to purchase from outside the US. Noble Bar makes every effort to purchase US produce first and we will only purchase from outside the US if the given country has a proven track record of food safety.

Any organic ingredients?
Close Any organic ingredients?

When we can obtain organic fruit and grain, we use them. If they are used, they will be labeled as such on the package.

 

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