Loon Chocolate - 75% Maya Mountain Belize (bar) - Feb. 8, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate
75% Maya Mountain Belize (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, including several bars crafted from Belize cacao.

Maya Mountain Cacao* operates in Southern Belize, a region known for its fine cacao. Makers of many (if not most) of the single origin Belize chocolate bars available in the U.S. will have obtained their cacao beans through Maya Mountain Cacao.

Today's Loon Chocolate 75% Maya Mountain Belize (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH). The small batch chocolate makers hand sort, roast, shell and stone grind the raw cacao they receive.

Aroma and flavor notes for this relatively robust dark chocolate included: dark chocolate (ultra-dark fruity fudge) with flavorful diffuse dried fruits (citrus, tropical fruits, pineapple, mango, fig jam cookie) and very faint warm spice (vanilla) and sweet green/herbal. 

Texture: Smooth, satisfying thick (in a cold room) melt and mouthfeel with a very light astringency. 

I enjoyed this well-balanced, relatively bold, complex and flavorful bar--and the subtle interplay between the cacao's light bitterness and sweet/sour fruit elements. This chocolate had authentic, concentrated fruit sweetness, without being too sweet.

All this flavor was developed from just three (organic) ingredients. 

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a Facility That Uses Almonds, Milk and Wheat"

*Maya Mountain Cacao (MMC) is a specialty cacao sourcing company that works across the Toledo, Stann Creek and Cayo districts of Belize. 

MMC purchases fresh cacao, ferments and dried the cacao, and exports the cacao beans to numerous specialty chocolate makers in the U.S. and Europe.

Southern Belize is also known for having a very favorable growing climate for good cacao and for its rich cacao-related history.

Cacao has been cultivated in Belize for over 2,000 years, and has been used as food (and currency) by the Maya people. Cacao in this area has also been recognized by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund for its unique flavors and genetically distinct characteristics. 

Dandelion Chocolate - 70% Maya Mountain Belize (2024 Harvest) - Feb. 7, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Dandelion Chocolate
70% Maya Mountain Belize (2024 Harvest) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends - Thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla!

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, including several bars crafted from Belize cacao.

Today's 70% Maya Mountain Belize (2024 Harvest) (bar) was made by Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark, relatively bold chocolate with faint molasses and peat notes with a subtle, well-managed bitterness. (The faint peat note receded after the package was opened for several minutes.)

Texture: Relatively smooth with a very faint, tannic astringency 

Flavor notes included: Bold dark chocolate with balanced/managed bitterness and tannins with initial chocolate-y sweetness, followed by sour, dried fruit (citrus peel + apple + plum marmalade), barely detectable molasses, and light wood. 

After a few bites, the "sour"/marmalade fruit mellowed into tart-sweet red fruit and berry territory. 

This chocolate tasted more bold/intense than 70% cacao; it was closer to an 80%er. A fruit ale-like (almost hoppy)* bitterness lingered into a fairly long, ultra-dark chocolate-y finish. 

Note to milk chocolate fans with a sweet tooth...This Belize bar was full of flavors; but some of these flavors might be a bit intense for those easily frightened by bolder dark chocolates.

I really appreciated the makers' short list of just two ingredients; no added cocoa butter; and the choice of single origin (Maya Mountain Cacao, Belize) from a single harvest year (2024). 

I've long appreciated Dandelion Chocolate's range of single origin chocolates -- made with a group of different makers in their San Francisco location(s). A Belize bar one year might be slightly different than the next. The more specific the cacao type, origin, harvest and maker's roasting choices are, the more unique and special the flavor profile will be. 

Ingredients: Cacao Beans & Cane Sugar

Allergen-related information: "Contains No Dairy, Gluten, Nuts or Soy"

*Note: I drank some hop water, then re-tasted this chocolate. The chocolate tasted much mellower, balanced, sweeter and less bitter. So, this bar might be great paired with a hop-heavy ale or stout, or a smoky/peaty whiskey.

Amano Artisan Chocolate - El Cayo Belize 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 6, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Amano Artisan Chocolate
El Cayo Belize 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 202 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar (current price)
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, including several bars crafted from Belize cacao.

Today's El Cayo Belize 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Amano Artisan Chocolate (Orem, UT).

Aroma notes for this attractively packaged* dark chocolate included: dark chocolate with dried fruits (cacao pulp, pear, red raspberry, cherry, green fig, green walnuts in syrup, and fig + vanilla cookie.

Texture: relatively smooth, thick (in a cold room), satisfying melt and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: chocolate-y dark chocolate (fudge brownie), vanilla marshmallow, dried fruits (mentioned above -- red berry/raspberry, red cherry and ripe plum notes arriving first, followed by tiny spikes of dried fig, dried plum, with fig + vanilla cookie (and almost undetectable sugar molasses chocolate cake/Boston Brown Bread and nuts) toward at the end of a wonderfully long finish.

I really enjoyed the flavorful, fruit-forward complexity in this well-executed Belize dark chocolate. Savor this chocolate slowly to fully enjoy all this bar has to offer from start to finish.

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of vanilla (or vanillin) being added to single origin dark chocolates. However, the judicious dose of ground vanilla bean(s) in today's bar, added a cookie/baked goods warmth and very nicely complemented the fruit notes without being too overwhelming (thank you!).

Maker's Tasting Notes: "...strong chocolate base with notes of raspberries, pears, dried cherries, and plums."

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Pure Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Vanilla Beans

Allergen-related information: "May Contain Traces of Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Wheat and Milk  Products"

*The colorful artwork on the packaging was by painter Martina Shapiro.

 

L'Amourette Chocolat - Limited Edition 75% Trinitario Cacao Medalla Nicaragua (bar) - Feb. 5, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

L'Amourette Chocolat LLC 
Limited Edition 75% Trinitario Cacao Medalla Nicaragua (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Central America Week.

Today's Limited Edition 75% Trinitario Cacao Medalla Nicaragua (bar) was made by L'Amourette Chocolat LLC (San Francisco, CA).

L'Amourette was founded in 2011 by Andre V. (and partner Roxanne). They offer European style dark chocolates: single origin chocolate bars; bars containing flavor inclusions; toffee; and truffles.

The Medalla cacao in this bar is a fine aroma cacao variety from Nicaragua, from Ingemann Fine Cocoa (Managua, Nicaragua). Chief chocolate maker Andre V., describes Medalla cacao pods as being "round and vibrant yellow."

Aroma notes included: flavorful dark chocolate; sweet green (green walnuts in syrup); dried fruits (fig, date, tropical fruit (cacao pulp, banana, pineapple, gentle citrus (orange, lemon), mango, mangosteen, other); and diffuse, warm spices & brown sugar-molasses cookie. 

Texture: smooth, thick (creamy nut butter-like) melt and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: a dazzling, harmonious array of rich, flavorful chocolate and fruit notes (fudge brownie with mixed tropical fruit jam, cacao pulp, dates, figs and brown sugar). All this, with a nicely-balanced fruit acidity and bitterness. This bar had a lingering finish with almond butter and berry notes at the very end.

I loved the well-executed vibrant complexity of aromas and flavors in this chocolate.

Maker's description: "Notes of dried fruit, molasses, Caribbean spices, and oats..."

Ingredients: Trinitario Cacao Beans, Cacao Butter, Cane Sugar

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts.

Fjak - Licorice Root & Sea Salt Milk Chocolate 50% (bar) Nordic Collection - Feb. 4, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak 
Licorice Root & Sea Salt Milk Chocolate 50% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / ~2.11 oz. (~60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 176 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Warm Spices & Maple Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & Central America Week.

Today's Licorice Root & Sea Salt Milk Chocolate 50% (bar) was from Norwegian maker -- Fjak Chocolate AS -- from their Nordic Collection. 

This bar was made using cacao from Guatemala. Once again, a chocolate with a global story that spans at least three continents (Central/South

Aroma notes included: gentle, but aromatic milk chocolate (authentic cacao, drinking chocolate, fermented berry/wine, almost undetectable black pepper) and faint, herbal (licorice) root.

The licorice root was fully incorporated into a smooth, buttery milk chocolate that had a slow, creamy melt.

Flavor notes included pleasant, light flavors (criollo/white cacao bean; almost white milk chocolate), making this bar initially seem a bit "blander" than most licorice chocolate bars. I highly recommend you savor this chocolate slowly to appreciate the nuances of flavor and aroma that seem to reveal more of themselves over several minutes. 

The licorice root and the sea salt flavor inclusions were quite subtle. And that helped the cacao notes to shine through.

I appreciated the maker's skillful balancing of more subtle flavors; their use of high-quality, organic and gluten-free ingredients, and single origin organic cacao beans from Guatemala.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Milk Powder*, Cocoa Butter*, Liquorice Root*, Sea Salt. Min. 50% cocoa.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Certified Organic. Gluten Free"

Ritual Chocolate - Orange Cranberry Bar 46% Cacao - Feb. 3, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Ritual Chocolate
Orange Cranberry Bar 46% Cacao 
Good ++
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories in 1 bar
Cost: This was 1 of 3 items in a $44.00 holiday bundle
Purchased from: Ritual Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Warm Spices & Maple Theme Week.

Today's Orange Cranberry Bar 46% Cacao was from Ritual Chocolate (Heber City, UT). I paired this chocolate with a hot, spiced cider (with an extra dash of cinnamon).

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, sweet, milk chocolate; caramel; and fruit (dark red berry/cranberry; subtle, authentic citrus (orange)).

Texture: creamy, smooth, orange extract-infused milk chocolate broke with a light snap. About every third bite contained a whole, plump, dried cranberry--that was moist, softly chewy and satisfying. 

The ruby-hued, dried cranberries were sweetened, but weren't overly sweet (thank you).

This was a sweet, holiday chocolate. (When the cacao content of a chocolate dips into the 40% cacao range (less than 50% cacao), relatively more sugar can mask cacao and other flavors.) But the complementary, balanced and authentic cacao, citrus and cranberry elements in this bar helped balance the sweetness.

I appreciated the thoughtful execution behind this orange milk chocolate with cranberries bar and the choice of organic, authentic-tasting ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Orange Zest, Cranberry & Light Caramel"

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic A1/A2 Whole Milk Powder, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Cranberries (Organic Dried Cranberries, Organic Sunflower Oil), Orange Extract (Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Orange Oil)

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk." "Manufactured in a facility that also processes Milk, Tree Nuts, and Wheat." 

Ritual Chocolate - Gingerbread Toffee Crisp - Spiced Oat Milk Chocolate with Molasses Toffee Crisp 53% Cacao (bar) - Feb. 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Ritual Chocolate
Gingerbread Toffee Crisp - Spiced Oat Milk Chocolate with Molasses Toffee Crisp 53% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories in 1 bar
Cost: This was 1 of 3 items in a $44.00 holiday bundle
Purchased from: Ritual Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate, Warm Spices & Maple Theme Week.

Today's Limited Edition Gingerbread Toffee Crisp - Spiced Oat Milk Chocolate with Molasses Toffee Crisp 53% Cacao (bar) was from Ritual Chocolate (Heber City, UT).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively smooth dark chocolate; (ginger) cookie dough; and a full spectrum of warm, gingerbread spices.

Texture: relatively smooth, oat milk dark chocolate base, with a layer of finely ground spiced and slightly crunchy (very tiny toffee bits).

I appreciated the thoughtful execution behind this gingerbread chocolate. I loved the layer of high-quality gingerbread spices (and barely perceptible toffee bits) on the back of the bar, that created a layered tasting experience. I also appreciated that this 53% bar was sweet--without being overly so, and that the oat milk was not too grainy-feeling.

Note: Often gingerbread flavors are seasonal. This Limited Edition bar was still available on Ritual Chocolate's website when I checked today (2/2/2026).

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Oat Flour, Organic Cocoa Butter, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Ginger, Allspice, Cloves, Cayenne Pepper, Sunflower Oil, Molasses Toffee (Unsulphered Molasses, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Coconut Oil, Distilled Vinegar, Sea Salt, Baking Soda)

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes Milk, Tree Nuts, and Wheat."