Dream of Sweden - Raspberry Truffles - Nov. 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Dream of Sweden AB
Raspberry Truffles 
Good + 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total box of approx. 9 truffles 

Calories: 170 calories in 3 truffles (1 serving)
Cost: $11.99 for 1 box
Purchased from: Alameda South Shore Center, Alameda, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Raspberry Truffles were from Dream of Sweden AB (Jonkoping, Sweden), and were imported into the U.S. by Dream of Sweden North America LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma notes for these cocoa-dusted truffles included: fairly strong raspberry flavoring, and subtle chocolate (cocoa). Flavor notes included a smooth, creamy chocolate-y taste as well as the prominent raspberry flavoring.

Texture: creamy with a rapid, almost buttery, decadent melt. (Vegetable fat was the number one ingredient.)

I liked the chocolate-y flavor, and really liked the texture and melt. I also appreciated the resemblance to "real", cocoa-dusted chocolate truffles from Europe (vs. the large chocolate covered bonbons that are sometimes referred to as chocolate truffles in the U.S.).

I wasn't as fond about the raspberry flavors. It tasted like the raspberry fruit was amped up with artificial flavor. (It was. Note: I don't care for added artificial or "natural" flavors.) The long ingredients list and artificial flavor(s) were the reasons for the slightly lower rating.

The sweetness level was about what most people will expect for truffles. (They were sweet, but not excessively so.)

Ingredients: Vegetable fat (Coconut, palmkernel), sugar, fat reduced cocoa powder (12%), whey powder (Milk), raspberry flakes (0.6%) (raspberry 40%, sugar 35%, maize starch 25%), emulsifier (Soya lecithin), artificial flavors (vanilla and raspberry)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Soy and Coconut. Made in a plant that also processes: Hazelnuts and Almonds.

Cacao & Cardamom - Cigar Collection (Root Beer, Cracker Jack chocolate cigars) - Nov. 1, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Cacao & Cardamom
Cigar Collection - "Root Beer" cigar - Good ++
Cigar Collection - "Cracker Jack" cigar - Good ++

Weight: 2.8 oz. (80 g.) / 8.4 oz. (240 g.) in a box of 6 cigars
Calories: 434 calories in 2 cigars
Cost: $36.00 + shipping for 1 box of 6 chocolate cigars
Purchased from: Cacao & Cardamom, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's two Root Beer and Cracker Jack (filled) chocolate cigars were part of a high-end, flashy* six-cigar chocolate box from Cacao & Cardamom (Houston, TX).

The company offers many high-end and attractive bars, bon bons and other chocolate confections.

Each of today's chocolate cigars were filled with two layers (one atop the other) that deliciously verified their respective namesake flavors. 

The root beer flavor had a darker root beer layer, and a white, light-as-a-marshmallow layer (could have been representing the foam floating atop a root beer soft drink, or vanilla ice cream on/in a root beer float).

The Cracker Jack** flavored cigar had a caramel layer and had authentic nut and caramel corn notes (and texture -- with tiny pieces of caramel corn and nuts.  

The smooth chocolate (likely milk chocolate) exteriors surrounded perfectly proportioned layers of confectionery heaven with addictive flavor and texture combinations. Not overly sweet, not artificial-tasting. Both flavors evoked happy childhood beverage and classic candy memories.

I really enjoyed these chocolate cigars. This cigar collection would be a great gift for a celebration. (Cacao & Cardamom also makes cigar flavors that are inspired by cocktails.)

For those who are wondering when the fruits will be discussed--this being fruits week...These two, sweet stogies were paired with a fall fresh fruit plate: slices of soft persimmon, juicy orange, and crisp fall apple.

Ingredients: Contact Cacao & Cardamom for information, ingredients, possible allergens.

Allergen-related information: Contains Nuts. (May contain Milk, other allergens.)

*The gift box had a slim string of lights at the bottom that shone when I opened the box. The shiny pattern on the inside of the box enhanced the effect of spotlighting the cigars.

**Cracker Jack was a sweet, nutty and slightly salty snack sold in many movie theaters that came with a prize. Caramel corn (popcorn pieces covered in a caramel-y coating), peanuts and a surprise--all in one box. The word crackerjack has also been used as a term that can mean "exceptionally good" or first rate.

The Organic House - Clementine 70% Cacao Philippines - Bon Bulak (bar) - Oct. 31, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Clementine 70% Cacao Philippines - Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 147 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

First, Happy Halloween to all who celebrate! (It's a big chocolate and candy holiday here in the U.S.) 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week. Round-shaped and orange-hued fruits* (an homage to pumpkins) were enjoyed--along with this Clementine (think mandarin orange) dark chocolate.

Today's single origin Clementine 70% Cacao Philippines - Bon Bulak (bar) from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada) was made using cacao from Kablon Farms, "a 70-hectare bio diversified, sustainable farm (3 locations in a 10 km radius) in South Cotabato, in Davao, Philippines."** 

Aroma and flavor notes included: flavorful, balanced dark chocolate; coconut nectar (subtle warm, brown sugar/maple sugar); and gentle citrus (orange, tangerine); very faint nectarine and mango fruits; and barely detectable roasted coffee. All these notes harmonized well together into a thoughtful, flavorful blend.

Texture: This bar broke with a well-tempered snap, and had a smooth texture, melt and mouthfeel.

I loved this well-executed, flavorful blend of single origin cacao from Bon Bulak (Philippines); warm, brown/coconut nectar; and subtle, and a soft, authentic citrus/orange fruit(s) tart sweetness. And I was impressed that the makers were able to create this tasty bar from a short list of four, organic ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Smooth chocolate with a light sweet orange finish, accompanied with notes of tropical fruits and toasted brown sugar."

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter, Organic clementine."

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

* Note to self: It's difficult to carve a jack-o-lantern (Halloween pumpkin) face into an orange. We tried it. ...And let that be a lesson to us. This bar, on the other hand, was enjoyed very much by everyone who tasted it.

**Cacao has a longer history in the Philippines than one might think. Spanish trade ships from Mexico brought cacao seedlings to the Philippines in the 1700s.

Preston's + Javier Confectionery - Ginger & Valencia Delight Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 30, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery

Ginger & Valencia Delight Chocolate Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (per label) in 1/3 bar (8 pieces)
Cost: $12.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week -- featuring a variety of fruits blended with chocolate(s).*

Today's generously-sized Ginger & Valencia Delight Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA).**

Aroma notes included smooth, dark chocolate and strong, sweet vanilla beans (vanilla marshmallow, cake and ice cream).

Flavor notes included a deeper dive into the chocolate-y dark chocolate that was smooth and uniform, and more vanilla.

Texture: This hearty bar had a generously thick, smooth (almost creamy) 63% bittersweet, dark chocolate base. Embedded in this chocolate-y base were pieces of authentic, relatively moist and chewy dried pieces of candied ginger and citrus. 

I enjoyed the rich, chocolate-y flavor (fudge brownie) with the generous helping of warm vanilla beans and, by comparison, almost faint ginger and Valencia (orange peel) in some bites (compared to the chocolate and vanilla), and the smooth blend of textures.

Ingredients: "63% Bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), Crystallized Ginger, candied orange peel (orange peel, glucose-fructose syrup, sugar)."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. 

*Fruits featured so far this week have included: passion fruit, mango, pineapple; lemon; pomegranate; longan, persimmon and candied winter melon; mulberry; cherry; scorpion pepper (yep, it's a technically a fruit); raspberry; apricot; and orange (peel). Fruits waiting in the wings (will appear soon) include: more orange, clementine, cacao fruit, (and more cherry).

**Preston's Candy & Ice Cream opened in 1946 and, until fairly recently, served up sweet treats to customers in downtown Burlingame, CA, at 1170 Broadway Ave. Happily the store is still there, although it became Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery--after Javier Santiago, a chocolatier (from Mexico) who purchased the historic Preston's a few years ago. 

Javier offers his own chocolate bars and creations as well as many Preston's classic flavors/items. And he's worked to preserve elements of the original business (e.g. the historic sign, original flavors/crowd favorites). Great combination of old and new (and some would say, timeless) chocolate bars and confections.

Stuhmer - Dark Chocolate filled with Sour Cherry Cream (bar) & Dark Chocolate with Orange (bar) - Oct. 29, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Stuhmer 
Dark Chocolate filled with Sour Cherry Cream (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 138.1 calories in 1 oz. of bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Marsha!)

Stuhmer
Dark Chocolate with Orange (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) / 3.18 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 236.25 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Marsha!)

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

Today's cherry bar and orange bar from Stuhmer (Maklar, Hungary) were purchased by a friend who was visiting Europe--and kindly given to me.

Dark Chocolate filled with Sour Cherry Cream 

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, chocolate-y (brownie) dark chocolate, and (especially after you take a bite into the filling) a sweet, red fruit burst sweet with tart-sweet cherry flavoring.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, and smooth, almost flowing, velvety sweet cherry filling.

The cherry filling and dark chocolate were balanced and relatively smooth; however, the filling was very sweet and made the bar taste more like chocolate and cherry candy. If you have a sweet tooth, you might enjoy this; but it was too sweet for me.

Ingredients: dark chocolate (65%) (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: soy lecithin, flavor: natural vanilla), white chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, emulsifier: soy lecithin, flavor: natural vanilla), sour cherry concentrate 14%, honey.

Allergen-related ingredients: Contains Soy, Milk. "May contain traces of nuts, eggs and gluten."

Dark Chocolate with Orange

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (lightly smoked brownie) dark chocolate, and with light citrus (gently tangy-sweet orange peel).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, interspersed with a tiny riot of chewy orange bits. The melt was relatively smooth, but there was a light, not unattractive (almost umami), residual blend of barely detectable oil, smoke and earth at the very end of the finish.

The sweetness and light vanilla levels seemed just right (not excessive); and the overall flavor blend was quite pleasant.

Ingredients: dark chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: soy lecithin, flavour: natural vanilla), candied orange peel 15% (orange peel 53%, fructose-glucose syrup, sugar, antioxidant: (citric acid), dextrose).

Allergen-related ingredients: Contains: Soy. May contain traces of milk, nuts and gluten. Cocoa solids: min. 70%

Preston's - Apricot Bliss Dark Chocolate Bar - Oct. 28, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery
Apricot Bliss Chocolate Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories (per label) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $12.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week -- a series that includes a variety of fruits blended with chocolate(s).*

Today's generously-sized Apricot Bliss Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA).**

I enjoyed the rich, chocolate-y flavor (fudge brownie) with warm vanilla beans and authentic dried apricot pieces and the blend of textures--with dark smooth dark chocolate and lightly-sweetened, dried apricot pieces.

Texture: This hearty bar had a generously thick, smooth (almost creamy) 63% bittersweet, dark chocolate base. Embedded in this chocolate-y base were pieces of authentic, relatively moist and chewy dried apricot. (I grew up around apricot and cherry orchards, so I'm always happy to feature these two flavors.)

Ingredients: 63% bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), dried apricots (apricots, sulfur.)

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. 

*The fruits featured so far this week have included: passion fruit, mango, pineapple; lemon; pomegranate; longan, persimmon and candied winter melon; mulberry; cherry; scorpion pepper (yep, it's a technically a fruit); raspberry; and apricot. Fruits waiting in the wings (will appear soon) include: orange, clementine, cacao fruit, (and more cherry).

**Preston's Candy & Ice Cream opened in 1946 and, until fairly recently, served up sweet treats to customers in downtown Burlingame, CA, at 1170 Broadway Ave. Happily the store is still there, although it became Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery--after Javier Santiago, a chocolatier (from Mexico) who purchased the historic Preston's a few years ago. 

Javier offers his own chocolate bars and creations as well as many Preston's classic flavors/items. And he's worked to preserve elements of the original business (e.g. the historic sign, original flavors/crowd favorites). Great combination of old and new (and some would say, timeless) chocolate bars and confections.

 

Scorpion Pepper 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) & Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 27, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Scorpion Pepper - 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 79 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend (thank you Wendy!)
Purchased from: NA - gift from a friend 

Sted Foods
Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.)
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week, featuring three different bars from Sted Foods in Minnesota.

(See previous entry, for information on the first of the three chocolate bars featured today from Sted Foods--the "Cherry Nibbler" 50% Dark Milk Chocolate bar (with crunchy cacao nibs, cherry bits and vanilla.))

All three bars contain a different fruit. And yes, the Scorpion Pepper is, technically, a fruit. 

Today's Sted Foods Scorpion Pepper 70% Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate bars were manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Scorpion Pepper 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes for this small bar included: refreshing, smooth and subtly complex dark chocolate with very faint butter, and faint chili pepper fruit, with spicy chili heat kicking in after the first several seconds.

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy dark chocolate. (The scorpion pepper was fully incorporated into the chocolate. There were no pepper bits or spice grit.)

I appreciated this blend of pleasant, smooth dark chocolate and the contrasting spiciness of the scorpion pepper that blossomed toward the end of the tasting experience. After the spiciness receded, the pleasant, chocolate-y dark chocolate (with faint caramel and fudge brownie notes) returned.

Maker's tasting notes: "This bar has just a touch of heat from Trinidad scorpion pepper. You'll get the endorphin rush of heat from the pepper, balanced with the richness of our dark chocolate."

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic scorpion pepper powder"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses coconut, almonds, pecans, and milk"

Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate (bar)

White chocolates (with no cocoa solids) may not count here as they lack the darker cocoa solids/mass; but I sometimes include them, or pair them, with other dark or dark milk chocolate bars from the same maker. Such was the case today with this Sted Foods Raspberry Cream 38% white chocolate.

Aroma notes included: a dessert chocolate with aromatic sweet berries (fresh raspberries) and sweet white chocolate 

Flavor notes included: authentic-tasting, tart-sweet raspberry fruit (including some seeds and fruit) and cream. There was no added vanilla (unlike many other sweet white chocolates), which meant the focus stayed on the raspberry flavors and textures. It was more true to its name: Raspberry Cream, vs. a white pudding or other cream-based dessert with raspberry flavoring.

Texture: a pleasing blend of creamy white chocolate with authentic and effectively integrated raspberry textures (raspberry seeds, dried raspberry pulp) that made this more interesting than a plain white chocolate. 

I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients in all three of today's featured Sted Foods bars. And I was glad to have been able to try Dark Milk, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate bars for this chocolate + fruit series.

Maker's tasting notes: "This bar evokes the joy of sunny days spent gathering freshly picked raspberries. Each bite melds the sweet and tangy flavor of ripe raspberries with the creamy richness of white chocolate."

Ingredients: "organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic whole milk powder, organic dried raspberry"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk."