Kakoa - 76% Cacao Pichucalco, Chiapas, Mexico (bar) - Mar. 31, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
76% Cacao Pichucalco, Chiapas  (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 76% Cacao Pichucalco, Chiapas (bar) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate with a very slight botanical or fruit sharpness and bitterness--think cranberry, pomegranate, some dark berries, black currant--but with green and tropical fruit top notes (red dragon fruit), and barely detectable plant/wood.

The flavors were relatively bold, but well balanced, and resolved into an appealing and unique dark chocolate that was relatively smooth with a satisfying finish.

Texture: smooth with faint astringency (although not as much as I would have thought given the initial aroma).

I enjoyed these unique fruit flavors and the long fruit finish. 

And I appreciated the short list of (just two) quality ingredients, including single origin Mexican cacao from Chiapas--and the information about the cacao farm(ers) who cared for this cacao--the Vila Contreras family. The following is a brief translated description: 

The biodiversity of the hacienda with howler monkeys, ocelots, coatis and other animals plays an important role in supporting the equilibrium of the ecosystem, converting it into the ideal environment for the organic production of cacao.

Rafael and his family have been producing cacao for more than 35 years in Hacienda Napana, located in Pichucalco, Chiapas  (near the border with Tabasco, in southeastern Mexico).

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans and Sugar 

Allergen-related information: May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

 

Kakoa - 60% Cacao - Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico; Dark Milk and Peppermint Caramels (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
60% Cacao Comalcalco, Tabasco Dark Milk Chocolate with Peppermint Caramels (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 60% Cacao Comalcalco, Tabasco Dark Milk Chocolate with Peppermint Caramels (bar) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate; subtle caramel and mint; and barely detectable lime (sweet key lime pie) and red dragon fruit. 

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy dark chocolate, with tiny crunchy flecks/bits.

I really enjoyed the beautifully balanced blend of the three flavors: dark milk chocolate, caramel and light peppermint flavors in this limited edition bar. For me, the peppermint level was just right (authentic, and not too overpowering).

And I appreciated the short list of quality ingredients, including single origin Mexican cacao from Comalcalco, Tabasco.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Sugar, Milk, Cocoa Butter and Peppermint Caramels

Allergen-related information: (Contains: Milk.) May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

Levelez - Chocolate Oscuro Mexico 75% Cacao Trinitario Sierra de Tabasco (bar) - Mar. 29, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Levelez
Chocolate Oscuro Mexico 75% Cacao Trinitario Sierra de Tabasco (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $20.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Levelez Chocolate Oscuro Mexico 75% Cacao Trinitario Sierra de Tabasco (bar) was produced by Silvia Guedez Chocolatier (Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico). 

This 75% dark chocolate was crafted "with Trinitario cacao from the community of Carro Blanco in Tacotalpa,...in the mountains of Tabasco."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate gentle fruit (melon) and very faint warm spice.

Texture: relatively smooth, with a very faint fruit astringency.

Flavor notes included: sweet and smooth-tasting dark chocolate with lots of fruit(s) (melons, ripe tropical fruit (mango, cacao fruit pulp), and mild, almost apple. A few hours later, I tasted tangy, sweet fruit that included sweet, slightly more tangy mango, berry, and very faint dried fruit (almost date, and almost dried plum). It was a bit of chocolate magic how these fruit flavors evolved over just a few hours.

This dark chocolate tasted slightly sweeter than expected. (It tasted more like a 62% cacao bar vs. a 75% cacao chocolate--in part due to the naturally sweet fruit notes).

Maker's Tasting Notes: "This mountain grown cacao offers a flavor profile with delicate fruity notes and subtle woody undertones, capturing the unique essence of its origin..."

I enjoyed the balanced, complex range of fruit flavors that made this a fun chocolate to taste.

Ingredients: Organic premium cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy.

   

Levelez - Spicy Dried Mango with Chocolate - Mar. 28, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Levelez
Spicy Dried Mango with Chocolate  
Good ++
Weight: 1.0 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 1 oz. serving
Cost: $22.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Levelez Spicy Dried Mango with 75% Chocolate pieces were produced by Silvia Guedez Chocolatier (Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate (smooth, dark, sweet), sweet mango with a light, spicy kick.

Texture: relatively moist/pump, chewy mango strips were sprinkled with seasoning and were almost fully dipped in/coated with smooth, dark chocolate (made with Mexican cacao from Tabasco).

These mango and dark chocolate confections were also fairly addicting. 

Description: "Sweet, sour, slightly spicy...Chili-coated dried mangoes, covered with 75% origin chocolate from Cerro Blanco, Tabasco. An unexpected contrast that awakens the senses and celebrates the tropical richness of Mexico."

Ingredients: "Spicy dried mango, chili mix, iodized salt, citric acid, red 40 dye, yellow 6 dye, sulfur dioxide, chocolate"

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy. 

Levelez - Chocolate Oscuro y Frambuesas - Mar. 27, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Levelez
Chocolate Oscuro y Frambuesas 58% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $20.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Levelez Chocolate Oscuro y Frambuesas 58% (bar) was produced by Silvia Guedez Chocolatier (Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, sweet dark chocolate and aromatic, sweet red raspberry.

Texture: relatively smooth 

I enjoyed trying this bar from Mexico. The high sugar level made it difficult to detect chocolate/cacao flavor nuances; but those with a sweet tooth or who like tart-sweet fruit flavors may enjoy this bright, red raspberry chocolate confection.

Ingredients: Premium cacao, organic sugar, cocoa butter and raspberry powder.

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy.

  

Levelez - Chocolate Oscuro y Mango 58% (bar) - Mar. 26, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Levelez
Chocolate Oscuro y Mango 58% (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $20.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Levelez Chocolate Oscuro y Mango 58% (bar) was produced by Silvia Guedez Chocolatier (Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico). 

This chocolate was adorned with plant symbols and printed on the packaging was a poetic story of the growth of seeds and their potential to flower, to transcend and ultimately to leave a gentle light or legacy.*

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate (smooth, dark, sweet) and diffuse tropical fruits (mango, faint floral passionfruit; mango candy/chewing gum with very faint spice (cardamom). 

Texture: relatively smooth

The sweetness level was high for me; but those with a sweet tooth may enjoy exploring this fruity bar from Mexico that highlighted Mexican-grown mango flavor from Oaxaca.

Ingredients: Premium cacao, organic sugar, cocoa butter and mango powder.

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy.

*The phrase "Sera frondoso, Sera Levelez" appears--roughly translated: "It will be leafy/lush; it will be light."

"Levelez" in Hungarian translated into English roughly means: "she writes" or corresponds--which might  apply also. This chocolatier is making connections between the growth and potential of plants and seeds (and as well as chocolate, and possibly humans). And she is creating and sharing chocolate with us, which is a product of seeds grown with light--and then that have been transformed into chocolate. 

 

Moire - Sister Crops Tuxpeno Corn *M!lk* 60% Dark M!lk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 25, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Moire
Sister Crops Tuxpeno Corn *M!lk* Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Moire Sister Crops Tuxpeno Corn *M!lk* Chocolate (bar) was made by Eero Fortuna, LLC (Los Angeles, CA).

Initial aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: very faint chocolate and faint corn meal mush/corn pudding/cornbread. The subtle corn flavor was authentic and pleasant, but (initially) it seemed to neutralize flavors in the cacao/chocolate, resulting (initially) in a more bland flavor than I was expecting.

Then some chocolate magic occurred...The taste changed as I took more bites. I'm guessing my palette adjusted to the corn flour. I began tasting more of the dark chocolate. It was relatively bold, but smooth. It seemed any rough edges (acidity/bitterness/astringency) in the cacao might have been buffed away by the corn flour. There was a dried fruit (date + very faint berry/citrus blend) note--primarily from the dates used to sweeten this bar.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a snap (in a cold room) and had a very smooth, thick and creamy texture--comparable to other dark milk (alternative "milk" and some dairy milk) chocolates. There was no grainy texture. 

The corn flour added heft, resulting in a bar that tasted like: 35% substantial (and very slightly savory) side dish (corn meal mush, almost corn tamale), 55% dark chocolate and 10% date pudding.

I loved the concept behind this bar: pairing two foods from Mexico with a very long, shared cultural and culinary history. The cacao and corn harmonized well together. And it was an honor to try this very thoughtfully conceived chocolate.

I also appreciated the short list of authentic, organic and quality ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Toasted Cornbread, Corn Pudding"

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Date Powder, Organic Cocoa Butter, Heirloom Tuxpeno Corn Flour, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: Processed in a Facility That Also Processes Nuts. "Vegan + Gluten Free"