ChocolateBet: December 1, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

1 bar
thinkThin Products
thinkThin bites - Cookies and Cream
OK
Weight: .088 oz. (2.5 g.) - 1 bite / 4.4 oz. (125 g.) total box/package
Calories: 10 calories
Cost: $5.69 total box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

This thinkThin Cookies and Cream "portion control" snack (100 calorie bar) is, loosely speaking, a gluten-free cookie. The picture of the cookies on the box is reminiscent of small Oreo brand chocolate sandwich cookies. The gluten-free bar inside the wrapper is covered with a white chocolate-like coating, and the filling is chocolatey-dark -- more similar to an inside out chocolate sandwich cookie. The maltitol may help hold sugar and calories down, but the taste takes some getting used to. I think I'd prefer just a little less sweetener overall.

Note: Due to travel and lack of Internet connectivity this week (which usually results in delays in posting), I'm trying something new: posting 2-3 planned entries in advance. (I updated this post after I returned home.)

ChocolateBet: November 30, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

6 cookies
Home Free
mini crunchy chocolate chocolate chip cookies
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/ 5 oz. (143 g.) in total box
Calories: 130 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.29 total box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today is Day #6 of Chocolate and Gluten-free Cookie Theme Week.
These Gluten Free, Nut Free cookies are from Home Free.

As billed, these miniature, whole grain cookies where crunchy, without being too crumbly, and were quite good. The only note of caution: these contain gluten-free oat flour -- which some gluten-free diets can accommodate and others can't.

Note: Because I will be traveling and/or may not have regular Internet communications, I am posting 2-3 day's worth of planned chocolates-of-the-day in advance. (I updated this review after returning home.)

ChocolateBet: November 29, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

4 cookies
Mary's Gone Crackers
Love Cookies - Double Chocolate
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.8 oz. (52 g.)/5.5 oz. (155 g.) total box
Calories: 260 calories for 4 small cookies
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Andronicos (store closing sale), in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.
Yesterday I sampled the Chocolate Chip version of these wheat- and gluten-free cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers. I liked these a little bit better, but these Double Chocolate Love Cookies were good too. These were crunchy and a bit crumbly. Thumbs up for Mary's philosophy of adding healthy and hearty seeds and grains to their gluten-free crackers and cookies.

Due to travel this week and possible lack of Internet availability, I am posting this planned entry "in advance" -- or, I'm trying to perfect the art of chocolate time travel.

Note: I completed this review during my trip and updated this post after returning.

ChocolateBet: November 28, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

4 cookies
Mary's Gone Crackers
Chocolate Chip Love Cookies
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: .9 oz. (26 g.)/ 5.5 oz. (155 g.) total box
Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Andronicos, Palo Alto, CA (closed now)

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.
These Organic, Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers (based in Gridley, CA) were crunchy and satisfying. When I opened the inner wrapping (for one of two individually-wrapped bags), I thought I smelled and tasted molasses, and then a faint flavor of sweet coconut.

Mary's also offers a line of gluten-free crackers that are made from whole grains and seeds and that have a very hearty taste and texture that I've enjoyed with cheeses. Like the crackers, I felt like I was enjoying cookies that were healthy, without any compromise in taste, and without the pasty mouth-feel that sometimes accompanies gluten-free flour substitute mixes.

ChocolateBet: November 27, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
The Kallari Chocolate Project
(Produced at Ecuatoriana de Chocolates SA)
1.) 75% cacao - single source organic chocolate bar - Good+
2.) 85% cacao - single source organic chocolate bar - Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.)
Calories: 148 calories (estimate)
Cost: N/A - samples (thank you Sunita)
Purchased from: N/A samples from The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today I sampled two dark (one 75% cacao and one 85% cacao), single source, organic chocolate bars, that were produced in Ecuador. The first, the 75% bar, was dark and smooth, with a pleasing vanilla flavor taste -- good for those that like vanilla with their chocolate, maybe not as good for those who don't. The second, the 85% bar had a uniformly deep, dark flavor, but without much flavor arc (that is a define-able and enjoyable beginning, middle and end/finish).

Because today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week, I also melted some of the 75% bar -- into which I dipped gluten-free, Italian-style Pignoli (Pine Nut) cookies with a lovely, warm almond scent and taste. I think these flavors paired relatively well with the vanilla notes in the chocolate.
This little plate of 3 small dipping cookies disappeared in a hurry.