ChocolateBet: September 15, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:  

Monique's Chocolates
1.) Madagascar truffle - 64% dark
2.) Liquid Chocolate with Madagascar chocolate and Mexican spices
3.) Ash's Chai truffle

Monique's Chocolates (Palo Alto, CA) offered customers single origin truffles and other specialty chocolates, as well as Liquid (drinking) Chocolate(s) with several options.

I started by sampling a plain, dark chocolate (64%) truffle from Madagascar (Sambriano), and then had a cup of Liquid Chocolate made from this same Madagascar chocolate base. It had well balanced, subtle citric/acidic notes -- a characteristic often associated with this country of origin.

Monique's Liquid Chocolate was available either hot or iced. I chose the iced option, and selected the Madagascar chocolate base, a 1% fat milk as my "liquid" of choice, and Mexican Spices (cinnamon and Ancho chili) as an added flavor.

Last, but not least, I enjoyed Monique's Ash's Chai truffle, made with milk chocolate, tea and chai spices. This Monique's chocolate, topped with pieces of ginger, was a great chocolate replica of this sweet milky, spicy tea beverage.

Today was Day #6 of Spicy Chocolate Theme Week, and Day #1 of Madagascar Chocolate Theme Week.