Carolina's Chocolate - Las Abuelas - rich chocolate with hints of raisin 78% Cacao & Pasilla Negra Chile (bar) - Mar. 21, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Carolina's Chocolate
Las Abuelas - rich chocolate with hints of raisin 78% Cacao & Pasilla Negra Chile (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: AJ's Market, Scottsdale, AZ

Bienvenidas a (welcome to) Day #5 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Las Abuelas (the grandmothers) rich chocolate with hints of raisin 78% Cacao & Pasilla Negra Chile (bar) was from Carolina's Chocolate (Mesa, AZ).

Carolina pays tribute to her two grandmothers with this chocolate and others she makes. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's bar included: smooth textured and smooth tasting dark chocolate, slightly savory chilies and subtle warm spice (vanilla).

I enjoyed the authentic, balanced chili and cacao flavors. It reminded me of rustic, stoneground chocolate with chilies and spices that you might find in Mexico -- only more finely ground into a very smooth dark chocolate bar form.

Ingredients: Cacao, Pure Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla, Pasilla Negra and Ancho Chili.

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts.

Moka Origins - Mexico Dark Chocolate Revival Cacao 60% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 20, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Moka Origins
Mexico Dark Chocolate Revival Cacao 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) total bar
Calories: 190 in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Mexico Dark Chocolate Revival Cacao 60% Cacao (bar) was from Moka Origins (Honesdale, PA). The company sources both coffee(s) and cacao(s) from select farms and growing regions. They've long focused on fair prices for farmers; and they also support tree-planting efforts and farmer training initiatives.

While I might have preferred a slightly darker, less sweet (70% cacao) version of this bar, I really enjoyed and appreciated the wonderful and nuanced fruit notes in this well-executed 60% chocolate. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: white/wine grape juice; very subtle ripe dark berry; and gently roasted nut (pecan). 

Together, the aroma and flavor notes had a floral elegance to them; i.e. I felt the same satisfaction I've gotten from smelling heirloom roses -- only with fruit notes. Very appealing and in the "just right" zone. 

There was no lingering acidity or bitterness--in short, what one might expect from a fine, heritage/Criollo cacao.

The cacao used to make this bar was from Revival Cacao. Their impressive mission: to revive "4,000 years of cacao history" in Mexico. They work with farms in Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca, including Agua Escondida in Comalcalco, Tabasco--where they got their start.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Dark chocolate with notes of blackberry, grape & pecan"

Ingredients: "cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles nuts, eggs, wheat, soy, almonds, and other tree nuts."

Hijita Chocolateria - Pink Maiz - 70% Dark Chocolate with Heirloom Pink Masa White Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 19, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita Chocolateria
Limited Edition - Pink Maiz - 70% Dark Chocolate + Heirloom Pink Masa White Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 326 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar (double check)
Purchased from: Online order from Hijita

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

Today's Limited Edition - Pink Maiz - 70% Dark Chocolate with Heirloom Pink Masa White Chocolate (bar) was from Hijita, LLC (Austin, TX). 

The company offers Mexican-inspired chocolates (bars and drinking chocolates molded into elegant sculptural shapes) that highlight Mexican cacao and flavor inclusions. (The cacao for the dark chocolate in today's bar was from cacao producer Agua Escondida (Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico.)

Aroma and flavor notes for this dairy-free, limited edition, two-toned (light mauve-pink atop an ebony base) bar included: chocolate-y chocolate (dark chocolate cake); faint, diffuse fruit (dark berries, very faint citrus); and very faint nut (almond/almond butter). 

The chocolate initially tasted relatively bold in flavor and a little tart (tart berry, citrus). But, when I re-sampled the two layers separately, the 70% dark chocolate base tasted like (relatively smooth) rich, dark chocolate cake; and the upper pink maiz layer was creamy and relatively mild. I'm not sure why the first bite was slightly intense/tart. 

The well-executed flavors and the two layers seemed to harmonize and calm each other a bit after a few bites that blended the two layers. And I kept imagining guitar playing in the background. (Sometimes foods can conjure images, memories and even sounds.) Chocolate magic.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate base, topped with a slightly creamier white (pink) chocolate. I was impressed at the smooth and creamy texture(s). There was no graininess from the pink* masa harina (corn flour), almond (flour) or ground cacao beans in this smooth blend. (It was as creamy as milk chocolate, but contained no dairy.)

I appreciated the balanced complexity, the dark berry notes in the dark chocolate and the thoughtful sourcing of single origin ingredients (from farms in Mexico when possible). This was an attractive, Mexican-inspired dessert in a bar that wasn't over-sugared/too sweet. (Thank you!)

Note: sadly, when I checked the Hijita website today, this bar was sold out.

Ingredients: Mexican Cacao, Heirloom Pink Masa Harina, Almond Flour, Cacao Butter*, Unrefined Cane Sugar* (* Certified Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. Made in a facility that processes Peanuts & Tree Nuts

*Pink Masa is an heirloom variety of corn, typically cultivated/grown at higher altitudes. The soft pink color is from naturally occurring anthocyanin pigments. Freshly harvested cacao beans also contained purple-pink coloration (from these same natural pigments) if you cut them open; although they lose much of this color after cacao beans are processed (fermented, roasted). This ingredient was sourced from Mercado Sin Nombre, in Austin, TX.

Other food sources with anthocyanin include: dark berries and red/purple grapes. The antioxidants from these pigments are frequently cited as offering health benefits.

  

Hijita Chocolateria - Canela & Hazelnut Crunch 70% Agua Escondido (bar) - Mar. 18, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita Chocolateria
Canela & Hazelnut Crunch 70% Agua Escondida Dark Chocolate 
Good ++
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 326 calories (estimate) in 1 bar 
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Online order from Hijita

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut and Almond Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Canela & Hazelnut Crunch 70% Agua Escondida Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Hijita, LLC (Austin, TX).

Cacao origin: Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico, from the producer Agua Escondida.* 

Aroma and flavor notes included: balanced and nuanced dark chocolate (faint diffuse fruit - dark, ripe berry, mild citrus (orange/tangerine)); nut (hazelnut); faint, authentic vanilla bean and warm spice (cinnamon); very faint brown sugar-molasses (piloncillo); and very faint sea salt.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate; and crunchy, hazelnut bits.

I enjoyed this balanced, well-executed dark chocolate, made possible by the use of carefully sourced single origin/single region, quality and organic ingredients including: the Mexican cacao; the unrefined cane sugar; and the Mexican cinnamon and Mexican vanilla bean. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Molasses, Citrus

Ingredients: Cacao*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Organic Hazelnut, Cinnamon*, Vanilla Bean*, Organic Cacao Butter, Sea Salt* (* = sourced direct from small family-owned agroforestry farms in Mexico)

Allergen-related information: Contains Hazelnuts. Made in a facility that processes Peanuts & Tree Nuts

* Note: the Canela & Hazelnut bar currently on the Hijita website indicates Mexican cacao region (origin) may change/include Soconusco, Chiapas as well for this bar. 

 

Hijita - Cardamomo & Pistachio Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate - Mar. 17, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita Chocolateria
Cardamomo & Pistachio Crunch 70% Agua Escondida Dark Chocolate 
Good +++ 
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 326 calories (estimate) in 1 bar 
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Online order from Hijita

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut and Almond Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Cardamomo & Pistachio Crunch 70% Agua Escondida Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Hijita, LLC (Austin, TX).

Cacao origin: Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico, from the producer Agua Escondida. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: pleasing, balanced and nuanced dark chocolate (faint diffuse fruit - dark, ripe berry, mild citrus (orange/tangerine)); nut (pistachio/almond); faint, authentic vanilla bean and aromatic warm spice (cardamom); faint brown sugar-molasses (piloncillo); and very faint sea salt. (Note: there were no almond ingredients in this bar.)

Texture: smooth dark chocolate; and crunchy, pistachio bits.

I really enjoyed this balanced, well-executed dark chocolate--made possible by the use of carefully sourced single origin/single region, quality and organic ingredients including: the Mexican cacao; the unrefined cane sugar; and the lovely Mexican cardamom and Mexican vanilla bean (which sang beautifully together). 

Even the treatment of the pistachio pieces were handled perfectly: they were caramelized, but not too sweet.

Maker's Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Molasses, Citrus

Ingredients: Cacao*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Organic Pistachio, Cardamom*, Vanilla Bean*, Organic Cacao Butter, Sea Salt* (* = sourced direct from small family-owned agroforestry farms in Mexico)

Allergen-related information: Contains Pistachio. Made in a facility that processes Peanuts & Tree Nuts

Holm Made Toffee Co. LLC - Oregon Hazelnut Toffee Himalayan Pink Salt - Mar. 16, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Holm Made Toffee Co., LLC 
Oregon Hazelnut Toffee Himalayan Pink Salt 
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 4 oz. (114 g.) in total package
Calories: 290 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh, add-on to produce delivery service

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Oregon Hazelnut Toffee with Himalayan Pink Salt was from Holm Made Toffee Co. (Bend, OR).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth chocolate, rich, buttery toffee, authentic and fresh-tasting hazelnuts, and faint vanilla.

Texture: hearty, perfectly crunchy and buttery toffee covered with a thin layer of smooth chocolate and crunchy hazelnuts.

Holm Made Toffee makes great toffees. The generously thick slabs of buttery, crunchy toffee are delicious. The choice of toffee flavor inclusions: also very nicely executed. 

I would have loved to see a little thicker chocolate layer on today's toffee, but I understand this may not be practical due to cost or possible warm weather meltage (related to shelf life and compromised appearance if chocolate melts and smears). And...toffee is the hero ingredient here, rightly so.

Ingredients: "Butter [cream (milk) & salt], pure cane sugar, Oregon Hazelnuts, dark chocolate [unsweetened chocolate, sugar, sunflower lecithin, and vanilla], Himalayan pink salt"

Allergen-related information: Contains dairy and nuts (hazelnuts)

Theo Chocolate - Organic Almond Brittle Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 15, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Organic Almond Brittle Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: Gift from friends - Thank you Evan, Maddy and Isla

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Pistachio, Hazelnut & Almond Theme Week.

Today's Organic Almond Brittle Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made in Canada and distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, subtle vanilla and faint nut and sweet malt.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap--not always the case for a sweeter chocolate with brittle or toffee flavor inclusions.

I liked that this bar wasn't too sweet, and that the relatively subtle chocolate, brittle, nut and vanilla flavors were all balanced, pleasant and complementary.

I also appreciated Theo Chocolate's (historic and continued) use of organic and fair trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*+, Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+, Ground Vanilla Bean*), Almonds*, Brittle* (Sugar*, Rice Syrup*, Coconut Oil*, Sea Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate), Sea Salt. (*Organic, + Fair Trade -- Contains 89% Fair Trade Ingredients.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds). Made on equipment that also processes milk, peanuts, and other tree nuts. May also contain almond shell pieces.