Cachet - Dark Chocolate Cherry (bar) - Nov. 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Cachet 
Dark Chocolate Cherry (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 4 squares of bar
Cost: $7.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: New Leaf Market, Santa Cruz, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Cachet 57% Dark Chocolate Cherry (bar) was manufactured by Kim's Chocolates (Tienen, Belgium).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively smooth, dark chocolate (dark chocolate cake/black forest chocolate cherry cake) and sweet, slightly tart, cherry.

Texture: smooth, dark chocolate. (The cherry elements were fully incorporated into the dark chocolate.)

Sweet, flavorful and addictive if you're hungry.

Ingredients: "Chocolate Liquor, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Sour Cherry, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Cherry Flavor"

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy. May Contain: Wheat, Egg, Tree Nuts, Milk."

Rawmio - Chocolate Covered Sweet Cherries 70% Dark Raw Chocolate - Nov. 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Rawmio
Chocolate Covered Sweet Cherries 70% Dark Raw Chocolate  
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.7 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 package 
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Rawmio Chocolate Covered Sweet Cherries 70% Dark Raw Chocolate (pieces) were made by Windy City Organics, LLC (Northbrook, IL).

Aroma notes included: rich, lightly fermented, authentic fruit (cherry, cacao pulp) and chocolate.

Texture: whole, dried (but moist) cherries were dusted with 70% "cacao powder" 

Flavor notes included: authentic cherry texture and balanced, tart-sweet stone fruit (cherry) flavor. The 70% cacao dark chocolate was a smooth and satisfying background flavor.

I liked that these real cherries were "glaze-free"--not over-sweetened (thank you)--and were allowed to shine while the dark chocolate added flavor depth. I could really appreciate the true flavors, and that was a very good thing.

Ingredients: Raw Chocolate (Raw Cacao Nibs*, Coconut Sugar*, Raw Cacao Butter*), Cherries*, Raw Cacao Powder*.

Allergen-related information: "Crafted in a GMP facility which processes Tree Nuts and Sesame, but no peanuts, soy, or gluten." (* Organic)

Friis-Holm Chokolade - Filled Chocolate Cherry - Nov. 17, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Friis-Holm Chokolade
Filled Chocolate Cherry bonbons 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.83 oz. (80 g.) in total box
Calories: 189 calories (estimate) in 4 pieces
Cost: $32.00 for 1 box
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Filled Chocolate Cherry confections were from Friis-Holm Chokolade (Roskilde, Denmark).

The cacao used to make this chocolate was from Nicaragua. Danish sour cherries, and cherry brandy from Frederiksdal*, were also featured in these filled chocolates.

Aroma notes included: very subtle chocolate, and very faint sweet fruit, nutty caramel. (These bonbons did not contain nuts.)

The glossy, outer 70% chocolate shell was perfectly executed (smooth, shiny and flawless; broke gently) to reveal a rich, flowing, sweet cherry center--a liquid cherry juice (cherry brandy syrup) that surrounded an authentic, whole, sour cherry (stvensbaer) -- dried for concentrated cherry flavor, but plump and moist in the flowing cherry creme filling).

Flavor notes included: sweet cherry juice/light syrup, cherry fruit, and very smooth chocolate. Despite containing cherry wine/brandy, there was little to no alcohol flavor.

I appreciated the use of single origin Nicaragua chocolate, the thoughtful incorporation of cherries, and Friis-Holm's skillfully executed take on a classic Danish sour cherry + Frederiksdal* cherry brandy creme-filled confections.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate, cacao beans, sugar, cacao butter, Frederiksdal cherries, kirsebaer, fondant, dried whole sour cherry, cherry juice, citric acid, 

Allergen-related information: (None found on label.)

*Frederiksdal's cherry wine is part of a fruit wine tradition that dates back to the 1700s in Denmark. During World War II, when the grape supply dwindled, fortified cherry wines became more popular. Their fortified cherry wine (brandy) used in today's chocolates was (I believe) made from sour cherries/cherry juice, using traditional wine-making techniques. In today's chocolate, it had a sweet, cherry flavor--similar to a high-end cherry liqueur (with a barely detectable level of alcohol).

Compartes - Wild Cherry Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar) - Nov. 16, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Wild Cherry Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Wild Cherry Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma notes included: smooth, subtle dark chocolate, clean mineral notes, and light stone fruit (cherry) and cherry soda.

Texture: smooth, creamy dark chocolate, chewy dried fresh cherries, and a much softer chew from translucent candied cherries. 

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (fudge with faint vanilla) and two different cherry flavors: dried tart-sweet, authentic cherry flavor and candied cherry.

I enjoyed the creamy texture of the dark 73% cacao chocolate and the range of cherry flavors was fun to try.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla), Cherries (Cherries, Sugar, Citric Acid, Red #3)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles dairy, peanuts, wheat, egg, soy, tree nuts. "Vegan, Gluten Free"

Loon Chocolate - Dried Cherry 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 15, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate
Dried Cherry 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.125 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 450 calories in 1 bar (per label)
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #25 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week. We continue with fruit-themed chocolates; and finishing with a "just cherries" and chocolate week.*

Today's Loon Chocolate Dried Cherry 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH). Loon Chocolate is a small batch, chocolate producer.**

Six whole, large, dried cherries rested on the back of this bar in a well-organized grid pattern. (On the front of the bar were loons (birds) silently and invisibly treading water on a lake, presumably in the northeast U.S.)

Each cherry had a satisfying, concentrated cherry tart-sweetness and pleasantly chewy texture. The dark chocolate was uniformly smooth and a bit somber--serving as an excellent foil for the sweeter, more flavorful cherries.

I paired this bar with a small cup of ginger tea. All three flavors harmonized very well together. A rousing trifecta for a cool, rainy fall day.

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Dried Cherries" 

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a facility that uses Almonds and Milk." ("Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan")

*I couldn't find enough fresh cherries to eat this past season; so, after feeling deprived, I gave cherries their own week on Chocolate Banquet--a 19-year long, chocolate-tasting adventure divided into themes and theme weeks, to better organize the delicious chocolate chaos.

**Loon Chocolate is a registered trademark of White Birch Living LLC. They "import cacao beans from small farm growers."

Dorrel Sweets - Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Prunes - Nov. 14, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Dorrel Sweets
Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Prunes
Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 8.8 oz. (250 g.) total package
Calories: 180 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $13.09 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order

Welcome to Day #24 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week(s).

Today's Dorrel Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Prunes were produced and distributed by PrimaveraSweets LLC  (Los Angeles, CA).

Plum and prune harmonize well with chocolate; but there aren't many options out there. (I grew up in what used to have lots of fruit orchards. Chocolate covered apricots and prunes were prized seasonal treats.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, rich dark chocolate and concentrated, rich dried plum (prune) fruit. Chocolate covered plums/prunes 

Texture: Smooth dark chocolate covered moist, whole, chewy prune.

I liked the authentic prune fruit flavor and moist, plump texture of the fruit--as well as the smooth, dark chocolate used to cover each prune. (I also appreciated that these were Non-GMO.)

Ingredients: Dried Prunes (Potassium Sorbate added as a preservative), Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor).

Allergen-related information: This product is manufactured in a facility that processes other products which contains (sic) peanut or tree nut products.

ChocXO - Raspberry Creme Cups - Nov. 13, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

ChocXO Chocolatier
58% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Raspberry Creme Cups
Good + - Good++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 2 pieces/cups / 14.8 oz. (420 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #23 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week.

Today's package of individually-wrapped 58% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Raspberry Creme Cups were from ChocXO Chocolatier (Dallas, TX). 

Aroma and flavor notes for these filled chocolate cups included: a smooth, dark milk chocolate exterior with a relatively subtle, raspberry-infused white chocolate filling with very faint vanilla.

Texture: the smooth texture of most filled chocolate cups.

I appreciated the list of organic ingredients; authentic raspberry and dark milk chocolate flavors (vs. sweeter milk chocolate and synthetic berry flavors); and the company's goal to offer chocolate confections that have a slightly lower sweetness level--closer to a natural fruit sweetness, without artificial sweeteners. 

Ingredients: Dark Milk Chocolate* (chocolate liquor*, sugar*, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder*, cane sugar* fat reduced cocoa powder*, natural fat reduced cocoa powder*, vanilla*, vanilla extract*, and sunflower lecithin*), White Chocolate* (sugar*, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder*, sunflower lecithin* and vanilla*), Coconut Oil*, Raspberry Powder*, Raspberry Flavor*, (sunflower oil*, natural flavorings), Double Fold Vanilla Extract* (water, alcohol*, vanilla bean extractives*), Balsamic Vinegar Powder (molasses, balsamic vinegar, sugar, silicon dioxide). * Organic

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk and Sulphites. Produced on equipment that also processes Soy, Peanuts and Tree nuts.