Monday, March 18, 2024

Dude, Sweet Chocolate - Praline Chocolate Bar crunchy hazelnut caramel - March 18, 2027

Chocolate of the Day 

Dude, Sweet Chocolate
Praline Chocolate Bar crunchy hazelnut caramel
Good ++
Weight: .78 oz. (22 g.) / 1.55 oz. (44 g.) in total bar
Calories: 121 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Dude, Sweet Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's Praline Chocolate Bar crunchy hazelnut caramel was created by Dude, Sweet Chocolate (Dallas, TX).

Prominent aroma notes included: bold, dark, roasted (not quite smoky, almost coffee) cacao and toasted nuts.

Texture: This relatively thick dark bar had layered textures: smooth, bold dark chocolate and an embedded riot of crunchy toffee-like sugar and hazelnut bits.

Flavor notes included: bold, roasty dark chocolate (tasted more like 70%-72% than 62% cacao) with a uniform field of sugared hazelnut sparkly bits.

I loved the bolder dark chocolate flavors and the well-executed layered textures. Not too sweet (thank you!) and not too bitter either (at least for my taste). Not too moreish.* (One ounce (28 g.) was hearty and very satisfying.) This praline dark bar scored well into the Goldilocks zone for this dark fan.

Ingredients: Republica 62% chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa liquor from Peru, natural vanilla extract).

Allergen-related information: Tree Nuts, (Hazelnut); dairy. (According to chief chocolatier Katherine: the milk powder in the ingredients list (above) is a small amount used in the caramelization process. I could not taste the milk myself.)

*Moreish is an informal adjective used to describe foods (typically with a certain balance of sugar, fat and salt) that may trigger the desire to to eat more and more of something; even if it's not the best thing you ever have tasted. (I'm looking at you potato chips, certain ice creams, and some salted milk chocolates.) 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Beekman 1802 - Roasted Hazelnut chocolates - Mar. 17, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Beekman 1802
"Goat Poop" Roasted Hazelnuts chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total container
Calories: 230 calories in 1 serving 
Cost: $28.00 for 1 container with assorted flavors
Purchased from: Beekman 1802 site, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts.

Today's Belgian chocolate covered Roasted Hazelnuts chocolates (part of a Goat Poop assortment of chocolate covered rounds/ovals) were from Beekman 1802 (tm) (Sharon Springs, NY).

Where did the goat poop name come from? (Short answer: There are goats on Beekman 1802 Farm. The company also sells a variety of goat milk skin care products.)

Aroma notes included: sweet milk chocolate, faint caramel and nut. (Note: these hazelnut pieces were packed in with other dark and milk chocolate covered rounds, so all the sweet smells were co-mingling.

Flavor notes included: smooth creamy, sweet milk chocolate and crunchy whole hazelnuts.

Ingredients: Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Belgian Unsweetened Chocolate, Whole Milk Powder, Skim Milk Powder, Butterfat, Soya Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Roasted Hazelnuts.

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Tree Nuts (Almonds, Hazelnuts), Tartrazine. May Contain: Sulphites, Eggs, Peanuts.

 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Zotter - Hazelnut Kiss (bar) - Mar. 16, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Zotter Classic - Hazelnut Kiss (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: zotterusa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's Zotter Classic Hazelnut Kiss bar was made by Zotter in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US, LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma notes included: rich roasted nut butter and subtle dark or dark milk chocolate.

This bar had a very appealing smooth, creamy melt and texture. The hazelnuts were completely incorporated into the dark milk chocolate (no nut bits).

Flavor notes included: sweet dark milk chocolate and faint chocolate nut (hazelnut) spread.

I enjoyed the rich, roasted hazelnut nut butter aroma; and the ground hazelnuts also balanced the relatively sweet chocolate.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Butter**, Cocoa Mass**, Hazelnuts**(13%), Dry Whole Milk, Dry Skim Milk, Dark Brown Cane Sugar**, Lecithin (Soy)*, Vanilla Bean Powder*, Salt, Cinnamon**, (*Organic - 87% Organic) (** = Organic, and Fair Trade/Fair Traded)

Allergen-related information: Contains hazelnuts, milk, soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes other tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.

Holm Made Toffee Co. - Oregon Hazelnut Toffee - Cardamom & Vanilla - Mar. 15, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Holm Made Toffee Co.
Oregon Hazelnut Toffee - Cardamom + Vanilla
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 4 oz. (114 g.) in total package
Calories: 620 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's Hazelnut Toffee was from Holm Made Toffee Co. LLC (Bend, OR).

Aroma notes included: buttery toffee, nuts, and faint chocolate and warm spices (vanilla).

The texture for the toffee was perfect, i.e. in the Goldilocks* zone. It was crunchy toffee that wasn't too hard or too soft. It was just right.

Flavor notes included: rich buttery toffee, smooth dark chocolate, wonderful cardamom and warm vanilla.

I really enjoyed this flavorful confection. The green cardamom, hazelnut and brown sugar toffee flavors were especially good. (I love fresh cardamom.) I felt I was enjoying the best possible blend of authentic warm chai tea with smooth dark chocolate (a touch of rich cocoa) and high-quality hazelnuts. 

Warning: addictive. Don't eat when you're very hungry.

Ingredients: "Butter [cream (milk) & salt], pure cane sugar, Oregon hazelnuts, dark chocolate [unsweetened chocolate, sugar, sunflower lecithin and vanilla], green cardamom, pure vanilla extract"

Allergy-related information: Contains hazelnuts, dairy (cream/milk)

*Goldilocks zone refers to a character in a European fairy tale. In the modern version I grew up with (Goldilocks and the Three Bears) a girl named Goldilocks enters a bear family home and, finding them out, samples their three bowls of porridge, chairs and beds. She finds the porridge(s), in sequence, too hot, then too cold, and finally--just right! (Same sequence with the chairs and beds.) Today the term "Goldilocks zone" pops up in several contexts (including food, ecology and various sciences).





 

Zotter - Praline Variation - Dark Milk Chocolate 60% filled (almond, hazelnut praline) bar - Mar. 14, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Praline Variation - Dark Milk Chocolate 60% filled with almond, hazelnut praline (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's "Praline Variation" (bar)--Dark Milk Chocolate 60% filled with almond and hazelnut praline-- was made in Austria, and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma notes included: sweet chocolate and nut butter (almonds, hazelnuts).

I liked the slim, flavorful layers in this "hand-scooped," filled bar. Melt-away, creamy dark milk chocolate encased a sweet almond and hazelnut praline center with occasional crunchy sweet crystals.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark milk chocolate and authentic nut praline (almond and hazelnut), with very faint warm spice, green, floral and citrus notes. 

The subtle notes were very thoughtfully cultivated by the maker. Very small quantities of vanilla, cinnamon, rose petal and lemon were added, and enhanced/mirrored naturally occurring cacao notes. Dark brown sugar (vs. refined cane sugar) also added some subtle flavor depth. 

Warning this bar might be slightly addictive. 

Ingredients: Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Mass**, Cocoa Butter**, Almonds (13%), Hazelnuts (12%), Dry Whole Milk, Butter (Cream), Dry Sweet Whey, Dry Skim Milk, Dark Brown Cane Sugar**, Lecithin (Soy)*, Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder**, Cinnamon**, Rose Petals*, Lemon Powder* (Lemon Juice Concentrate*, Corn Starch*, Sugar*) (* = Organic; 90% Organic) (**Organic, Fair Trade)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds, Hazelnuts, Milk, Soy. Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs, Sesame and Gluten.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

TCHO - "Hazel Nuts!"- Oat Milk Chocolate - Mar. 13, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

TCHO
"Hazel Nuts!" Oat Milk Chocolate (bars)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .83 oz. (23 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total package of 3 bars
Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar (1/3 package)
Cost: $5.99+ (estimate) for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's "Hazel Nuts!" Oat Milk Chocolate bar was from TCHO (Berkeley, CA).

Aroma notes included: relatively sweet, milk chocolate and hazelnuts.

Texture: skillfully executed creamy oat milk, studded with crunchy nut bits. 

Flavor notes included: complex/flavorful "milk" chocolate, and authentic, nuanced and fresh hazelnut.

Both taste and textures were well balanced; and the sweetness was offset by high-quality hazelnuts and chocolate and a bit of sea salt. This chocolate had more pleasing complexity than other comparable oat and other alternative milk bars; and it was slightly addictive.

What I loved about this bar: 1.) expert blend of creamy and crunchy; 2.) high-quality hazelnut bits and flavor; 3.) sweet, but not overwhelmingly so--balanced by just the right amount of sea salt; 4.) a fairly tasty oat milk chocolate; and 5.) individually-wrapped small bars, making sharing easier.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*, Cacao Beans**, Cacao Butter**, Gluten Free Oat Flour* (Oat Flour, Natural Vitamin E, Hazelnut Butter*, Dried Hazelnuts*, Sea Salt, Sunflower Lecithin*, Vanilla Beans* (*Organic, **Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA)

Allergen-related information: Contains hazelnuts. May contain other tree nuts. Certified Kosher DE by Earth Kosher.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

LOVO - Hazelnut Milk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 12, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

LOVO
Hazelnut Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's LOVO Hazelnut Milk Chocolate bar was manufactured (in Switzerland) for Radically Good Food Co. (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Aroma notes included: very subtle chocolate (cocoa), and almost undetectable nut/oat sweet cereal.

This oat milk chocolate was relatively smooth and creamy. (Zero oat particles/grit detected.) I liked the almost silken mouthfeel--not always easy to achieve with plant milks. (The Swiss know a thing or two about how to achieve smooth chocolates.) 

Flavor notes included: uniform, very sweet plant-milk chocolate, faint vanilla frosting, and very faint nut and oat. 

There were no "off" (or bold) flavors that stood out. However, the almost overwhelming sweetness of this chocolate also eclipsed subtle flavors. There was too much sugar for me; but candy fans and those looking for a non-dairy (alternative milk) chocolate confection with a nice smooth texture might like this.

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa mass*, hazelnuts, cocoa butter*, sunflower lecithin, organic vanilla extract. (*Rainforest Alliance Certified. "Find out more at ra.org.") 

Allergen-related information: Contains hazelnuts. "Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, almonds, coconut and peanuts."



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