Energy products for us are tools for the job. We might not like them, they don’t excite us but they get the job done and they do it well. That carefully timed gel mid race or mid spin will kick in and get you to the finish when a banana will probably only get you half way there.

We didn’t know anything about these guava blocks before they landed on our desk so we read through the marketing blurb and we liked what we read. The blocks contain nothing but guava and sugar of which 85% is guava and 15% sugar. No nasty e-numbers, preservatives or acids only natural ingredients.

According to the packaging, Colombian’s have been using guava for generations, stuffing it in the back of their jerseys before going out on a ride. Now it was our turn.

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A big downside for us with normal energy products is the packaging and the impact it has on the environment. No matter how careful you are there is always a chance that when you’re reaching into your pocket for something to eat mid race you could dislodge an empty wrapper without knowing it.

The great news about these blocks of energy is that they are wrapped in biodegradable leaf wrapping. With that said, if the leaf is not native to where you live you are probably best to try and take it home with you.

We tested the standard flavour but they also come in raspberry or coffee flavour. They came in a nicely branded package with 10 individually wrapped blocks. The leaf wraps are so refreshing to see and feel compared to the foil packaging and injection molded plastic of traditional gels.

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Each block contains 368kj/88kcal of energy, 22.5g of carbs of which all are sugars, 6.4mg salt and 18mg of vitamin A, 32mg of vitamin C, 40mg of calcium and 1mg iron. So all in all very natural and on par with most gels on the market but without the additives(Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Fructose, Stabilisers (Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum), Citric acid, Natural Flavourings, Sea Salt, Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate), Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) Sweetener (Sucralose))

Open up the leaves and you will find the solid block of guava and to the touch it is not sticky and won’t leave any residue on your hands. Bite into it and you get a really nice sweet taste with a really nice flavour. The guava very quickly turns into a moist paste and is super easy to swallow. If you’re only taking a bite of it you can chuck the rest back in your jersey pocket without fear of creating a sticky mess in there.

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We first tried these in the office and there was little doubt that after a minute or two you got a kick which kept you typing for longer than a strong cup of coffee. Out on the bike you could really feel the kick and being able to digest easily and not have a messy sticky gel packet stuff in your pocket was a real bonus.

Final Verdict:

We love the fact they are 100% natural with biodegradable packaging for the blocks and recyclable outer packaging. The energy boost we got from these was easily as good as most standard gels we have tried but have the added bonus of having natural vitamins, calcium and iron. Price wise they are on point with a 10 pack costing you £14.99 which works out as just under £1.50 each.

For more info check out their website: https://www.luchodillitos.co.uk

5 COMMENTS

  1. I’ve been eating these for most of my life and I never thought of using them as energy food. I love the taste. I’m sure if you shop around in your local Colombian market you can find them for much less.

    • Where do you get it? I’ve seen big pieces of guava paste at delis sometimes, but nothing really portable or snackable, and it was actually kinda sticky/jammy, not as neat as the product described in the article. I looked up this specific product and it only seems to be sold in the UK and Hong Kong…. ? I really really really like guava, and would really really really like to find this.

    • Kevin D. Brown I’ve seen them, not the same brand, in super markets that are in Spanish neighborhoods. Let me see if I can find some for you. No, the guava paste is not the same. These are no where near as sticky. You can also try one of those Colombian bakeries in Englewood. Ask them if they have bocadillos.

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