Eclat - Porcini & Thyme (bar) + The Organic House - Salted Onion (bar) - Sept. 3, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day 

Eclat Chocolate
Porcini & Thyme 33%/28% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .55 oz. (15 g.) / 2.2 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 86 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

The Organic House
Salted Cream & Onion 55% Belize - Maya Mountain Belize (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.76 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (30 g.) of bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week, featuring two different chocolate bars that contained (collectively) at least three savory ingredients: mushrooms, thyme and onion. The first bar was a polite sweet confection, and the second chocolate was a flavorful, hearty onion-tinged fiesta.

Porcini & Thyme 33%/28% Cacao (bar)

Today's Porcini and Thyme 33%/28% Cacao chocolate was from Eclat Chocolate (West Chester, PA). This bar was part of the company's "Parallel" bar series--that pair classic flavors, offering a light, layered tasting experience.

Aroma and flavor notes in this attractive bar (with alternating, parallel, fields of white and milk chocolate) included: sweet white chocolate and sweet milk chocolate, vanilla, and very faint (barely detectable herb and umami). 

Texture: smooth, with an even melt. (Flavor additions were fully incorporated. I couldn't detect any traces of porcini powder or herb "grit".)

I liked that I could choose squares that were more milk chocolate than white chocolate and vice versa. This elegantly designed and packaged bar would make a nice gift for those with a sweet tooth and who are botanically inclined. 

However, it may be too sweet for dark chocolate lovers. The high sugar content (and low cacao percentages) made it difficult for me to taste any cacao, porcini or thyme flavors--that were lost in a sweet cream and vanilla white chocolate confection.

Ingredients: White chocolate: (min. cocoa mass 28%, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soya lecithin, natural vanilla), milk chocolate (min. cocoa mass 33%, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soya lecithin, natural vanilla), porcini powder, fresh thyme. 

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

Salted Cream & Onion 55% Cacao Belize (bar)

Today's Salted Cream & Onion 55% Cacao Belize (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate (rich, chocolate-y with faint fruits) and honey-ed onion soup. This was a rich, smooth chocolate with diverse flavors that played together very nicely (in my opinion). The results were: less stuffy traditional orchestra and more New Orleans/Caribbean jazz ensemble. 

The base chocolate was smooth textured. The "cream" (in the salted cream and onion title) was achieved with cashews, not dairy. The onion powder was fully incorporated; and the sea salt balanced the honeyed sweetness, naturally occurring fruit and the subtle balanced earth and acidity in the cacao and onion. 

I really enjoyed the few squares I tried. But, sweet and sassy flavors may not be for everyone.

The single origin Belize (Maya Mountain) cacao was the bold heart and fruity soul of this bar, and the onion, sea salt and coconut flower nectar took it to the next level.

Thank you to the makers at Organic House for producing several chocolate bars with savory and/or umami flavor inclusions; using a short list of single origin, Organic ingredients; and creating chocolates with less processed sweeteners (maple sugar, coconut flower nectar) than refined white cane and beet sugars.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Buttery notes of chocolate, roasted onions, honey, raisins, pineapple, and sea salt"

Ingredients: "Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao beans, Organic cacao butter, Organic cashews, Onion powder, Organic sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut, Cashews. Made in a facility that uses tree nuts.

 

Siamaya Chocolate - Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 2, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Siamaya Chocolate
Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good++ - Good+++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Touring Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.

Today's Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Siamaya Craft Co. Ltd. (with a chocolate factory and shop in Chiang Mai, Thailand.)

This 70% bar was made in Thailand--using single origin cacao from Thailand.

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate; aromatic tart-sweet citrus (orange, lime, lemongrass); balanced and flavorful umami (chili, tomato and soup) and a small zing of refreshing galangal.*

Texture: The base dark chocolate was well-tempered (broke with a snap) with a smooth and appealing rich melt and satisfying mouthfeel. And the chocolate was accented with softly chewy, orange-ish bits of what I assumed were fresh-tasting candied citrus (or maybe even citrus-infused tomato).

I loved this sweet, spicy and slightly savory chocolate packed with authentic citrus flavors and Thai (Tom Yum soup) spices. It was invigorating and delicious, with a mild chili kick. I needed a mid-day picker upper, and this transporting chocolate lifted my spirits and took me on a virtual trip to Thailand.

Ingredients: "Cacao nibs, organic cane sugar, dried tomatoes, cacao butter, Tom Yum powder, lemongrass oil, makrut lime oil, galangal oil" 

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk or nuts.

*Galangal is part of the ginger family and is used in Southeastern Asia cooking.

Ara Chocolat - Tanche de Nyons Olives 70% El Salvador (bar) - Sept. 1, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Ara Chocolat 
Tanche de Nyons Olives 70% El Salvador (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $24.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.

Today's Tanche de Nyons AOC Olives 70% El Salvador (bar) was made by Ara Chocolat (Paris, France).

The single origin cacao used to make this chocolate was grown in El Salvador. And the AOC* olives came from a family farm in Southeastern France.

Aroma notes for this olive dark bar included: sweet, slightly fruity, gently fermented and savory dark chocolate. 

Flavor notes were similar, but with an added deep dive into the hearty dark chocolate and rich, dark olive experience. There were some very subtle and balanced earth, smoke/tobacco, brine and salted butter notes. Both chocolate and olives were high in flavor but relatively low in bitterness; and the finish was relatively clean and chocolate-y. The net result was more harmonious than it may sound.

This was a lovely and very balanced umami blend--and especially satisfying if you like single origin dark chocolate and olives. (I do.) Throw in a couple of nuts, a few slices of fruit/glass of sherry and you'd have a very high-quality dessert/snack plate.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate base, with very soft tiny bits of dark, smooth olive, and a hint of salt.

Ingredients: "cocoa nibs, sugar, tanches de nyons olives (AOC), cocoa butter, salt."

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of nuts. 

* The AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) designation in France certifies that a product is made in a specific area, following a specific process, and helps ensure quality. Those who are wine drinkers are likely already familiar with these initials.

Standout Chocolate - Caramelized Goat Cheese 58% Dominican Republic (bar) - Aug. 31, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Standout Chocolate
Caramelized Goat Cheese 58% Dominican Republic (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 299 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $10.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #3 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.

Today's Caramelized Goat Cheese 58% Dominican Republic (bar) was from Standout Chocolate (Goteborg, Sweden). 

The makers chose to use cacao from Oko Caribe in the Dominican Republic and used Getmese ("a traditional Swedish food") made from "goat's milk whey that has been boiled down and caramelised."

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, sweet (caramel) dark chocolate (rich, chocolate-y, slightly earthy) with very slight tangy sweet, very light umami (mild, sweet cheese).

Ingredients: Cacao beans*, Sugar*, Cacao butter*, Goat's Milk Whey; Organic Cacao content: 58%."

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk

The Organic House - Barbeque Cookout 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) - Aug. 30, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
BBQ Cookout 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 30 g. (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

Chocolate historically has been incorporated into both sweet and savory beverages and foods, e.g. mole sauce in Mexico; chilis in cacao beverages and bars; BBQ spice meat rubs; and the occasional bacon chocolate bar). So chocolate infused with a  Barbeque spice mix seemed perfectly reasonable to me.

Today's Barbeque Cookout 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). I'm thankful to them for not shying away from savory flavors.

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao from the Philippines; a savory, barbeque spice blend; and coconut flower nectar.

The Bon Bulak cacao* was tasty with balanced complexity, and it partnered well with the savory spices. (See also previous entries for The Organic House's 65% Coffee Phiippines Bon Bulak (bar) and Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar.)

Texture: This well-executed chocolate had a smooth texture and a satisfying melt. Flavor additions were well balanced and fully integrated into the chocolate. (There was no spice powder grit, or detectable salt crystals or pepper particles.) 

This was a fun and tasty bar, and could be part of a savory chocolate tasting flight; or (if you're an adventurous chef) this could be part of a sweet and savory chocolate dessert.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "notes of sweet BBQ and mellow earth notes, with a smooth finish"

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter, Paprika, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Sea salt, Chili powder, Black pepper, Cayenne pepper."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. "May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pecans, Pistachios."

*Origin: Kablon Farms, "a 70-acre bio diversified, sustainable farm" in South Cotabato, in Davao, Philippines. (Most cacao from the Philippines in chocolate bars today is grown in the Davao region.)

 

The Organic House - Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) - Aug. 29, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 156 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

If you just think of chocolate as always being sweet, expect to see some unusual combinations over the next two weeks. Chocolate is more versatile than you might imagine; and (disclaimer) I enjoy chocolate with savory flavors.

Today's Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao and savory dill (seeds), onion and salt, sweetened with Ontario maple sugar. 

The Bon Bulak cacao* was very tasty with balanced complexity, and it partnered well with flavor inclusions in this bar and for a coffee bar last week. (See previous entry for The Organic House's 65% Coffee Phiippines Bon Bulak bar.)

Texture: This well-executed unique chocolate had a smooth texture and a satisfying melt. Flavor additions were well balanced and fully integrated into the chocolate. (There were no pickle particles, maple sugar crystals, onion bits, detectable dill seeds or sea salt crystals.) 

This was a fun and tasty bar. Think high-end dill pickle cucumber chips magically blended with high-quality dark chocolate. It's better than you might think. The (maple sugar) and sea salt/savory dill seasoning balance was just right for me. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "notes of dill weed and mellow earth notes, with a smooth finish."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic cacao butter, Dill seeds, Onion powder, Sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. 

*Origin: Kablon Farms, "a 70-acre bio diversified, sustainable farm" in South Cotabato, in Davao, Philippines. (Most cacao from the Philippines we're seeing in chocolate bars today is grown in the Davao region.)

Askinosie - 62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel (bar) - Aug. 28, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Askinosie Chocolate 
62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 320 calories in 2/3 bar
Cost: $10.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Good Food Awards winner: a 62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel (bar) was from Askinosie Chocolate (Springfield, MO).

This bean-to-bar dark milk chocolate was made using (Trinitario variety) cacao from the Philippines.

Aroma and flavor notes for this well-executed, single origin bar included: satisfying dark milk chocolate with faint caramel (organic cane sugar); very faint (almost undetectable) goat milk; and subtle sea salt. 

Texture: wonderfully smooth, thick and creamy texture with a satisfying, even melt

I enjoyed the lovely texture and the smooth and balanced chocolate-y flavors. And I appreciated Askinosie's long history of highlighting cacao farmers and their stories on their packaging. Today's bar featured an image of cacao farmer Peter Cruz from Davao (in the Philippines).

Ingredients: "Davao, Philippines Cocoa Beans (Trinitario), Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter (Made in our factory with Davao beans--visit askinosie.com for details), Goat's Milk Powder, Sea Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains Goat's Milk.