ChocolateBet: March 30, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bovetti Artisan Chocolatier
Dark Chocolate with Espelette Peppers
Good - Good +
Weight: .875 oz. (25 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 130 calories (estimate) in 1/4 bar
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Spicy Pepper Theme Week. This 73% cocoa dark chocolate bar with espelette peppers was not spicy, but the crushed espelette peppers sprinkled on the back of this bar from Bovetti (France) did give it an attractive, festive look.

This would be a good bar for eating or for grating, baking, and perhaps even for fondue. However, for those who have become spoiled by the new American maker bars, you may find this dark bar a little flat-flavored. I was convinced I was eating nice dark chocolate (hard snap, smooth consistency), but there was something (flavorings? vanilla? cocoa source? a darker roast time that flattened out acidity?) that was dulling down the flavor arc from the cocoa itself. I've found the same thing in other dark(er) bars from Italy in the last few years. Theories on this phenomenon would be welcome.

Madecasse - Exotic Pepper bar - March 29, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Madecasse Chocolate
Exotic Pepper bar
Good +
Weight: .528 oz. (15 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) ttl bar
Calories: 77 calories (estimate) for 1/5 bar
Cost: $6.49 total bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh Store, Ferry Bldg., SF, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Spicy Pepper Theme Week.

If you want to experience some of the more beautiful flavor notes from pepper -- without the hot spots or grit of most commercially available freshly ground peppercorns -- then I highly recommend trying this 70% cocoa Exotic Pepper bar, made with tsiperifery pepper (and pink and black pepper) from Madecasse Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

Madecasse is one of a handful of chocolate makers developing bean-to-bar offerings in Madagascar -- closer to where cacao beans are grown. Most chocolate bars are made in North America, Europe, Asia, or elsewhere -- closer to the brand origin vs. the cacao origin. The hope is that developing closer relationships with farmers and those involved in the initial processing of cacao in-country may result more local jobs and better chocolate.

Desirs de Provence - P'tit Carre Chocolate - Piment d'Espelette bar - March 28, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Desirs de Provence
P'tit Carre Chocolate - Chocolat Noir Piment d' Espelette bar
Good+
Weight: .282 oz. (8 g.)/ 2.82 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 42 calories (estimate)
Cost: $9.95 total bar
Purchased from: TWG Tea, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Spicy Pepper Theme Week.

I bought this bar at a tea and gift shop (TWG Tea) while on a stroll through Vancouver, Canada.

It took awhile to find enough bars with "pepper" to do a whole theme week with this ingredient. This 70% dark bar was made in France (and Imported to Canada by Desirs de Provence, France). The piment d' espelette was not particularly spicy; but it is did add some texture.

L'Amourette Chocolatier - Chocolat Noir Cayenne Chili bar - March 27, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

L'Amourette Chocolatier
Chocolat Noir Cayenne Chili
Good - Good +
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 52 calories (estimate) in 1/10 bar
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Spicy Pepper Theme Week.

This 72% cacao Chocolat Noir (dark chocolate) Cayenne Chili bar from L'Amourette Chocolatier (San Francisco, CA) had a very hard snap, a deep, dark color, and a smooth consistency. The chocolate base contained a blend of Rio Caribe and Carenero Superior beans from Venezuela.

The chili flavor was present, but not overwhelming. My only quibble with this gluten-free product: the bar had a nice chocolately flavor, with a "hint of black currant," but also had a faint chemical taste. 

Madecasse - Cinnamon and Sakay bar - March 26, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Madecasse
Cinnamon and Sakay bar
Good +
Weight: .435 oz. (12.5 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) total bar
Calories: 65 calories (estimate) in 1/6 bar
Cost: $7.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Scream Sorbet, in Oakland, CA


Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Spicy Pepper Theme Week.

I was looking for a chocolate that might bridge these two theme weeks, and this Cinnamon and Sakay (bar) from Madecasse Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY), had a foot in both camps.

Made "in country" -- that is, from bean-to-bar in Madagascar --  this 63% cocoa bar base had a fairly robust flavor, with very subtle hints of cinnamon and a sakay pepper* finish. Madecasse founders took their Peace Corps volunteer experience in Madagascar and decided to make bars in the country where the beans were grown to help local people.

I found this bar at Scream Sorbet in Oakland, CA, a store with the best sorbet flavors I've yet tasted -- chocolate flavors included. Each flavor is carefully crafted and has the freshness of a sorbet with the rich satisfaction of an ice cream or gelato.

*The sakay pepper is found "in almost every home and restaurant on the island."

Michel Cluizel - Crispy Pearls with Cinnamon bar - March 25, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Michel Cluizel
Crispy Pearls with Cinnamon bar
Good +
Weight: .891 oz. (25 g.)/ 2.70 g. (76 g.) total bar
Calories: 129 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.25 total bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week.
Today's Crispy Pearls and Cinnamon (pareve) chocolate from Michel Cluizel (Paris France/Michel Cluizel USA - West Berlin, NJ) could have been breakfast in a bar.

The chocolate bar base had a darker roasted flavor than the 55% cocoa would have indicated, with a hint of coffee. Pressed into the back of the bar was a small cup's worth of puffed, lightly sweetened rice cereal that looked a bit like puffed wheat to me; but the ingredient list did say puffed rice. The cinnamon flavor was evenly present throughout the bar without being too overpowering.

Cafe-Tasse - Noir Cannelle bar - March 25, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Cafe-Tasse
Noir Cannelle
Good +
Weight: .99 oz. (28.05 g.) / 2.99 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 148 calories
Cost: $4.00 total bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, in Palo Alto, CA

This 54% cocoa Cinnamon bar from Cafe-Tasse (Belgium) had a relatively smooth milk + soy lecithin mouth feel, and an authentic cinnamon flavor.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week.

Mars - Cinnamon M and Ms - March 23, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mars
Cinnamon M and M's
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 9.9 oz. (280.7 g.) total bag
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: n/a
Purchased from: n/a

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week. Mars M and M's have been appearing in special flavors in recent years. Some flavors debut and then disappear -- such as these Cinnamon M and M's ("made with real milk chocolate").

The Cinnamon flavor made an appearance this past winter, and I haven't seen them since. Fortunately, I bought a bag before they disappeared.

Despite the added lactose and some artificial ingredients that I could do without, these crunchy classics with a twist had just about the right amount of cinnamon flavor.

Chocolate Visions - Cozy Cinnamon bar - March 22, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolate Visions
Cozy Cinnamon bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .353 oz. (10 grams) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 53 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ info not available
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, Scotts Valley, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week.

And, today's bar delivered a cloud of finely chopped, toasted pecan pieces and cinnamon enveloped in a smooth 32% Belgian milk chocolate base. This Cozy Cinnamon bar was from Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA).  

Nourish Your Soul Nutrition - SF Truffles - March 21, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nourish Your Soul Nutrition
SF Truffles
Good +
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 108 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift from Ramona B., Nourish Your Soul Nutrition


Sometimes I receive wonderful chocolate surprises by mail. Today's homemade, hand-wrapped SF Truffles were waiting for me when I arrived home a few nights ago.

The chili, cinnamon, clove, and other natural flavorings in these hand-rolled truffles were very subtle. I detected just a hint of spice and nut (walnuts). These chocolates were lightly sweetened with maple sugar and agave, and also contained small quantities of lacuma, hemp hearts and bee pollen.

The consistency provided just enough texture to indicate some other ingredients were mixed in, but smooth enough to avoid any graininess.

Unfortunately, I don't believe these SF Truffles are available in any markets for sale. But, you might inquire at Nourish Your Soul Nutrition.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week.

Thank you to Ramona Beville for sending this package of healthy truffles to Chocolate Banquet.

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi - Madagascar 75% bar, Bianco e Cannella bar - March 20, 2012

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi
Madagascar 75% bar
Good+
Weight: .696 oz. (20 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi
Bianco e Cannella bar
Good +
Weight: .696 oz. (20 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 107 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Leather Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Cinnamon Theme Week. After today's two entries, we bid adieu to bars clad in leather-like skins and labels from Italian-based Antica Pasticceria Muzzi, and move on to cacao mixed with the aromatic powdered tree bark, otherwise known as cinnamon.

The Madagascar 75% dark bar had the most complex and interesting flavor arc of the "a pelle" line of bars that I tried this week, although it did have a very slight bitter after-taste.

And, while technically I don't count white chocolate as one of my daily chocolates, I used today's Bianco e Cannella (white chocolate and cinnamon) bar to add some spice. I thought I was snacking on a smooth batch of cinnamon cookie dough with plenty of (cocoa) butter. Life is strange without cocoa solids.

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi - Cubarancia bar - March 19, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi
Cubarancia bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.)/ 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Leather Theme Week.  The dark 72% chocolate base in this Cubarancia bar paired very nicely with the "orange aroma" flavor. This bar was yet another member of the Antica Pasticceria Muzzi "a pelle" line from Italy.

And as a tribute to the fine leather goods that hail from Italy, I fashioned a purse out of fruit leather to accompany this bar. I'm sure this bag would be used to carry around chocolates.

Thank you to the Stretch Island Fruit Co. for supplying the fruit "leather" strip for this handbag.

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi - Criollo Picante bar - March 18, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi
Criollo Picante bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .69 oz. (20 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 100 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate the Leather Theme Week, and I sampled another bar from Italy's Antica Pasticceria Muzzi "A Pelle" line.


This Criollo Picante (Spicy Criollo)bar was made with 55% minimum cocoa, and "powdered chilly 0.4%." The chili heat level was just about perfect for my taste, and relatively uniform.

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi - 99% Nero Nero (Double Black) bar - March 17, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi
99% Nero Nero (Double Black) Cioccolato Extremo bar
Good
Weight: .525 oz. (15 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 76 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Leather Theme Week. I traveled to the dark side -- to the Double Dark side in fact. This 99% Nero Nero bar from Antica Pasticceria Muzzi (Italy) was enveloped in a dark leather-like wrapper, and girdled by a brown leather-like belt and label. Nice original packaging.

Ninety-nine percent dark chocolate bars are tough. Many of them that use soya and/or vanilla/vanillin, tend to have a smooth consistency, but relatively flat taste.

I'd like to do a side-by-side tasting with a 99% bar from one of the vibrant new American makers -- just as a point of comparison.


Surprisingly, when I was tasting this bar, I found myself wanting a slightly more acidic bite -- or at least a more varied flavor arc. I was thinking this might be revealed when extra sugar and/or other ingredients were not present. Instead there was a slightly bitter note about 3/4 way through, but otherwise, it was a well-dressed dark, mysterious stranger in a black leather cloak.

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi - 70% Nero bar - March 16, 2012

Chocolate of the Day

Antica Pasticceria Muzzi
70% Nero Integro Cioccolato Extremo Con Zucchero Di Canna - chocolate bar
Very Good
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1 bar (estimate)
Cost: $8.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Leather Theme Week. Today's 70% Total Black (Nero Integro) bar with cane sugar was enveloped in a black leather-like wrapper. The sugar created an ever so slight grittiness to this robust yet smooth bar.

This Extreme Chocolate (Cioccolato Extremo) bar from Antica Pasticceria Muzzi (Foligno (PG) Italy) was part of the company's "A pelle" (soft leather) line, that "comes from a particular research of the finest cocoa in the world and nicely blend together with particular ingredients." The translation from Italian to English may be a bit off, but the sentiment shines through.

Vosges - Leather caramel - March 15, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Vosges
"Leather" caramel
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .6 oz. (16.98 g.)/5.4 oz. (152.8 g.) total 18-piece assortment box (estimate)
Calories: 90 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $29.00 for 18-piece box
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Leather Theme Week.

This "Leather" caramel pair -- with Brazil nuts, cocoa nibs from South America, and dark chocolate -- came packed in a purple box from Vosges (Chicago, IL), and were part of an 18-piece assortment of exotic caramels.

Pleasingly earthy, these chocolate covered caramels conjured up images of leather -- as in I'm sitting in my favorite slightly old, overstuffed, and amazingly comfortable leather chair, next to a fireplace.

Chocolate Talia bar; Amano Morobe bar: March 14, 2012

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) Unknown Russian Company
Imported by Delsy International
Chocolate "Talia"bar
Good
Weight: .176 oz. (5 g.)/ 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 26 calories in 1 bite
Cost: $0.25 (sale)
Purchased from: Crossroads Market, Palo Alto, CA

Since I can't read Russian, and therefore can't record the manufacturer and other information basics about this bar, I'm including this slinky number just for fun today. Russian chocolates feature some great paintings and illustrations that I don't often see on packages of U.S. chocolates (anymore?). Despite being past its due date and having an ever so slight perfumey aftertaste, this bar wasn't bad.


2.) Amano Chocolate
Morobe bar
Very Good
Weight: .8 oz. (22.4 g.)/ 2 oz. (56 g.) total bar
Calories: 116 calories in 2/5 bar
Cost: $6.00 total bar
Purchased from: Amano Chocolate table, at Chocolate Salon held in San Francisco, CA

Where else but in the world of chocolate can you go from Russia to New Guinea to Orem, Utah, in just a few bites?

Today's dark chocolate (70% cacao) Morobe bar from Amano Chocolate (Orem, UT) was made from cacao beans grown in Papua New Guinea. Two of the rich, complex flavor notes I picked up in this bar: raisin and roasted coffee. And yet, this bar has only 4 ingredients: cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, and whole vanilla beans.

Amano also includes the following list of possible flavors you might detect under their Tasting Notes heading for this bar: red grapefruit, lime, blackberry, smoke and leather.

How does one combine chocolate with leather? You'll just have to tune in this week to find out.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Leather Theme Week, with maybe a little lace thrown in too.

ChocolateBet: March 13, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 


Starbucks
Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Good++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) of 1 oz. (28 g.) packet / 8 oz. (224 g.) total box of 8 packets
Calories: 60 calories (1/2 packet)
Cost: $4.99 (sale) box of 8 packets
Purchased from: Safeway, in Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara, CA

Come on down for Day #7 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. I was hoping to diversify into other forms of mint this week, but all the chocolates I could find for this theme week contained peppermint -- admittedly a good match with dark chocolate.

Today's chocolate: a half serving of dark "velvety cocoa with the pleasing tingle" of tiny peppermint candy shards, from Starbucks (Seattle, WA). This cocoa was indeed darker, and better, than many instant  mixes.

Patric Chocolate - Mint OMG bar - March 12, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Patric Chocolate
Mint OMG bar
Very Good
Weight: .76 oz. (21.6 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) total bar
Calories: 110 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

In truth, all the mint this week has been peppermint, so I probably should have called this Chocolate and Peppermint Theme Week.

No matter, with nice bars like today's chocolate from bean-to-bar maker Alan "Patric" McClure, with natural peppermint flavor. Today's dark chocolate Mint OMG bar from Patric Chocolate (Columbia, Missouri) was smooth as a milk chocolate bar, but there was no milk, and only four lovely ingredients in this one: cacao, sugar, cocoa butter and peppermint. 

Williams-Sonoma - Peppermint Bark Bite - March 11, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Peppermint Bark Bite
Good ++
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) / 1.2 oz. (34 g.) total piece/package
Calories: 85 calories
Cost: $2.36 (sale)
Purchased from: Williams-Sonoma store in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

This Peppermint Bark Bit (rectangular bar) from Williams-Sonoma (San Francisco) was made up of two layers fused together: a dark chocolate layer and a white chocolate layer (both from Guittard) -- with bits of peppermint candy sprinkled on top. 

Russell Stover - Mint Patty - March 10, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Russell Stover
Mint Patty
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.3 g.)/20.7 oz. bag of individually wrapped chocolates
Calories: 63 calories
Cost: $9.99 total bag/package
Purchased from: Walgreen's in Palo Alto, CA

Today's chocolate was an individually-wrapped Mint Patty from Russell Stover (Kansas City, MO). A lustrous dark chocolate coating (made with real chocolate the label assured me) covered a sweet, pearl white translucent center that was flavored with peppermint oil.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

Trader Vic's Grasshopper drink; Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark dark bar - March 9, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

1.) Trader Vic's
Grasshopper (drink)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 3.5 fl. oz. (estimate)
Calories: n/A
Cost: $7.00
Purchased from: Trader Vics; in Palo Alto, CA

2.) Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.
Peppermint Bark with Dark Chocolate bar
Weight: 1/8 bar; 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 55 calories in 1 square
Cost: $not available
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

The Trader Vic's Grasshopper was a mixed drink -- made with creme de cacao and creme de menthe -- and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint. Trader Vic's is based in San Francisco, and helped popularize the Singapore Sling and other tiki bar style drinks in the U.S. It was a fun place to enjoy a cocktail. This Grasshopper was a sweeter, after dinner drink, but still quite enjoyable.

I also sampled a bit of a Peppermint Bark bar with a layer of white chocolate (embedded with peppermint candy pieces), fused to a layer of dark chocolate on the back, from Ghirardelli Chocolate -- another company with a great history in San Francisco. Ghirardelli also made individual peppermint bark squares, which I'd tried a few years ago.

Bissinger's - Peppermint Chocolate Bar - March 8, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bissinger's
Peppermint Chocolate Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) total bar
Calories: 360 calories
Cost: $4.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. This Peppermint bar from Bissinger's (St. Louis, MO) was made, in a gluten-free facility, with both dark and white chocolate. The very natural tasting peppermint flavor helped boost my enjoyment of this bar that was decorated with crunchy flecks of peppermint candy.

Russell Stover - Peppermint Creams - March 7, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Russell Stover
Peppermint Creams
Good - Good +
Weight: .30 oz. (8.68 g.) / 4.9 oz. (139 g.) total box of 4
Calories: 35 calories in 1 bite
Cost: (missing information)
Purchased from: (missing information)

These large, glossy, dark chocolate Peppermint Creams from Russell Stover (Kansas City, MO) were filled with fluffy white peppermint centers.

All was good with these, with one small exception: there was a very slight artificial taste to these. It could have been because this box dated back to the Christmas holidays, or due to the actual artificial flavoring listed in the ingredients. Regardless, there was nothing wrong with dark chocolate + minty fresh breath, all in one go.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

Gefen - Brownie Cookies - March 6, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Gefen Brownie Cookies - Gluten-Free
(Product of Israel)
Manufactured for Kenover Marketing Corp. (Brooklyn, NY)
Good - Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.)/ 5.3 oz. (150 g.) total box
Calories: 90 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $3.99 for total box
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

This week has, thus far, covered bars, bites, and brownie squares. Today it was time for "100% Gluten-Free" Brownie Cookies (from Israel).

These small "Biscuits de Brownie" cookies were crunchy, and sweet, and slightly starchy. Good with fresh fruit.