Fruition Chocolate - Fresh Mint Milk Chocolate 54% (bar) - Mar. 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fruition Chocolate Works
Fresh Mint Milk Chocolate 54% (bar)

Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 166 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Fruition Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Fresh Mint Milk Chocolate 54% Batch #1 (bar) was from Fruition Chocolate Works (Shokan, NY).

The cacao used to make this bar was grown in the Semuliki Forest in Uganda. (Sourcing Partner: Latitude Trade Co.) 

Aroma and flavor notes included mint (aromatic, authentic mint/subtle spearmint); dark chocolate (subtler chocolate aroma with stronger flavor notes: dark, fudgy, single origin chocolate/ganache. 

Texture: smooth and relatively creamy, dark milk chocolate.

Mint chocolates often are candy-level sweet. Happily today's bar was balanced, i.e. not overwhelmingly sweet or minty. 

The mint tasted natural--closer to spearmint than vibrant peppermint candy. (The type of mint was not identified on the packaging; but the makers did use both fresh mint and mint oil.)

And the light touch of vanilla (beans) seemed just right.

Maker's description: "Fresh mint is blended into a creamy 54% milk chocolate crafted from intense and fudgy Ugandan cacao."

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Cane Sugar*, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter*, Mint, Vanilla Beans, Mint Oil, Salt (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. May Contain Traces of Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Eggs and Sesame.

Eclat Chocolate - Zuta & Orange 54%/33% Cacao (bar) + Embers Chocolate Orange & Bay leaf (bar) - Mar. 1, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Eclat Chocolate 
Zuta & Orange 54%/33% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (30 g.) / 2.2 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Embers Chocolate
Chocolate Covered Orange Single Origin 45% Milk Chocolate with Bay (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 71 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's two bars both contained milk chocolate, orange and herb flavors.

Zuta & Orange 54%/33% Cacao bar

Aroma and flavor notes for this blended bar from Eclat Chocolate (West Chester, PA) included: dark milk chocolate (smooth, chocolate-y, slightly roasted cacao with faint cream and nut); light citrus and exotic mint (that tasted like light spearmint, with very faint lemon balm and/or Douglas Fir tips).

Texture: creamy, smooth textured milk chocolate blended into smooth dark chocolate.

The slightly exotic zuta (Israeli mint) and the citrus (orange) ingredients were well integrated with the chocolate. I noticed the mint a little more in the aroma than the flavor.

I liked the idea of running two different cacao percent chocolates together in parallel strips in the same bar. The integration of the two cacao percentage levels together was a smooth one, and added a gentle, balanced complexity to the chocolate. 

I also appreciated the choice (and subtlety) of the two flavor inclusions; although I found myself wanting to taste a little bit more of the unique zuta mint (Micromeria fruticosa).

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (min. cocoa mass 54%, sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, natural vanilla), milk chocolate (min. cocoa powder 33%, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soya lecithin, natural vanilla), fresh zuta, orange. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Produced in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat and soy."

Chocolate Orange Milk Chocolate 45% bar

This diminutive bar was made by Embers Chocolate (Scottsdale, AZ). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: creamy, dark milk chocolate, citrus (orange), mint/menthol/laurel with a hint of lemon.

Texture: smooth, thick and creamy dark milk chocolate with chewy bites of candied orange pieces. Tiny green (bay leaf) micro-confetti added a light herbal flavor, but no detectable leaf texture/grit

This was a successful, thoughtful and well-executed blend of flavors. The bay leaf bits added gentle herbal (light laurel/bay flavor), i.e. Turkish Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)--not the much stronger California Bay variety (Umbelluria californica) that I'm used to sampling in the San Francisco Bay Area where I live.

I also appreciated the short list of ingredients and use of organic cacao and sugar.

Maker's tasting notes: "...bright citrus meets silky 45% milk chocolate, with a whisper of bay leaf that pulls out the sweetness and adds a savory, aromatic edge..."

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Milk Powder, Candied Orange Peel (Sugar, Water, Malic Acid), Bay Leaf. (* = Organic Ingredient)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Made using shared equipment that may contain traces of milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and sesame.

 

Cru Chocolate - Peppermint Drinking Chocolate - Feb. 28, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Cru Chocolate 

Peppermint Drinking Chocolate 
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total package

Calories: 360 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces (1 package)

Cost: $8.99 for 1 package  

Purchased from: FarmFresh (add-on to produce delivery service)

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's small box of Peppermint Drinking Chocolate (wheel set of 2) was from Cru Chocolate (Roseville, CA). I enjoyed tasting one (gold foil-wrapped) chocolate "wheel" by itself; and I prepared the second wheel into hot drinking chocolate with whole milk.

Aroma and flavor notes for both pieces included: smooth, but flavorful dark chocolate, with sweet peppermint. 

The second wheel had especially rich, satisfying chocolate (cocoa) notes when prepared with milk to made a 6 oz. mug of hot drinking chocolate. The heat seemed to bring out the cacao nuances. And the milk also helped balance the sweetness of the peppermint candy and sugar.

Texture: The first ("dry") wheel had slightly rough/rugged with sugar crystals/candy bits, but still had a smooth melt. This chocolate was smoother and creamier when blended with (dissolved into) warm milk. 

I appreciated the maker's short list of only three ingredients, and use of organic sugar. While peppermint candy flavors tend to overpower subtle cacao nuances, I could still taste the balanced complexity of the cacao -- chocolate-y; faint and diffuse fermented cacao/tropical fruit; and barely detectable balanced, light earth/clay -- in between sweet ripples of mint.

Maker's Tasting notes:

Intensity: Light. 50% cacao

Style: North American

Body: Smooth & silky

Nose: Fresh mint

Mood: Fresh happy cheer

Suggested liquid: Whole milk

Preparation: Melt and mix 1 wheel into 6 oz. of suggested liquid. Enjoy.

Ingredients: Fermented cacao beans, organic cane sugar, peppermint candy

Allergen-related information: Manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts and milk.

Moonstruck Chocolate - Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 27, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Moonstruck Chocolate
Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45.5 g.) / 3.2 oz. (91 g.) in total bar
Calories: 245 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by CW Moonstruck LLC (Portland, OR).

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractive seasonal confection of a bar included: dark chocolate (fudge, ganache), peppermint candy and very faint vanilla.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate melded with a field of crunchy, crushed peppermint candy pieces.

This Peppermint Bark bar was a balanced, authentic blend of flavors and textures. 

As with most sweet chocolates or chocolates with candy bits, the additional sugar can make them a bit more addictive (more-ish). For those with a sweet tooth, this may not be a plus and not a problem.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), Crushed Peppermint (Cane Sugar, Corn Syrup, Peppermint Oil, Red 40).

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy. Manufactured on Shared equipment. May contain traces of milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, sesame, and tree nuts."

  

Loon Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate Peppermint Candy (bar) - Feb. 26, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate Peppermint Candy (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 391 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order  

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Loon Chocolate Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate Peppermint Candy (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH).

Aroma and flavor notes for this winter seasonal bar included: rich dark chocolate and peppermint candy.

Texture: smooth, dark chocolate with a generous layer of crushed, crunchy candy cane pieces.

The peppermint candy was crunchy and minty sweet; but, I wanted to taste more dark chocolate. It told me something (positive) about the cacao used, when I found myself prying off peppermint pieces to try to enjoy more of the 70% dark chocolate underneath.

I appreciated the use of organic ingredients, and the lack of artificial ingredients and colorings in this bar.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Peppermint Crunch (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Natural Peppermint Flavor, Organic Vegetable and Fruit Juice Concentrate for Color (Radish, Apple and Blackcurrant)).

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

TCHO - Merry Mint - Fudgy Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Single Origin Ghana 70% Cacao (bars) - Feb. 25, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

TCHO

Merry Mint - Fudgy Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Single Origin Ghana 70% (bars)
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total package of three bars
Calories: 220 calories in 2 bar(s) (2/3 package)
Cost: $31.99 for 1 holiday gift box (today's bar was part of a larger order)
Purchased from: TCHO, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's package of three "Merry Mint" - Fudgy Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Single Origin Ghana 70% Cacao (bars) was from TCHO Ventures Inc. (Berkeley, CA).

Aroma notes for the two (of three) individually-wrapped small bars I enjoyed included: dark chocolate (fudge); mint (peppermint) and very faint vanilla.

Texture for this dairy-free chocolate: smooth, buttery with a thick, satisfying melt and mouthfeel.  

Flavor notes included: fudgy dark chocolate infused with relatively minty peppermint and faint vanilla.

I appreciated the use of single origin cacao (from Ghana) and the relatively short list of organic and quality ingredients. 

I also enjoyed the festively pink/red and gold outer packaging for this winter holiday offering that was attractively merry and bright--as well as the three bars (making these great gifts or just easier to share a package with friends). Note: these Merry Mint bars may have been seasonal, as I could no longer see them online on the TCHO website.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*+, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*+, Coconut Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin*, Peppermint Oil*, Vanilla Beans* (*=Organic, += Fair Trade Certified(TM))

Allergen-related information: May contain tree nuts. Certified Kosher Pareve by Earth Kosher.

SOMA chocolatemaker - Minty Bar dark milk chocolate - Chocolat au lait noir 51% (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

SOMA chocolatemaker
Minty Bar - dark milk chocolate - Chocolat au lait noir 51% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Minty Bar - dark milk chocolate - Chocolat au lait noir 51% (bar) was from SOMA chocolatemaker (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Aroma notes for this bar included: sweet, smooth peppermint/spearmint dark chocolates from childhood. 

Texture: buttery smooth and creamy dark milk chocolate

Flavor notes included: smooth, rich dark chocolate (made using the company's "dream machine" cacao blend) infused with mint + very faint mint with vanilla marshmallow. 

I found this chocolate very satisfying. The smooth, creamy texture contributed to this enjoyment of this blend of flavors. Warning: this bar can be highly addictive, especially if you're hungry.

I also loved the squirrel (standing up and holding mint leaves) printed on the outer packaging. (Squirrels have broken into boxes of chocolates delivered to my front door in years past, so chocolates with squirrel images make sense to me.)

And I enjoyed the jungle pattern on the bar--with SOMA's hidden bird-like mascot wearing a shoe. This little creature is also seen next to the company tagline: "travelling without moving." (Chocolates from around the world provide lots of virtual travel opportunities here on Chocolate Banquet.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: mint, chocolate cake, caramel

Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Cacao Nibs, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Natural Vanilla, Organic Mint Oil, Salt

Allergen-related information: May contain trace amounts of peanuts & tree nuts. Contains dairy & cane alcohol (mint extract). 

*The squirrels in question knew exactly which box to tunnel into; and (no surprise) they went for the chocolates with nuts.