NatureCrops - Quinoa, Almond bar - Jan. 31, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

NatureCrops
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Made in Argentina and Imported and Distributed by Natural Product Imports, Inc. (Delray Beach, FL) the NatureCrops Quinoa, Almonds and Dark Chocolate nutrition bar contained some soy, but no gluten.

The NatureCrops product line included other bars, and quinoa flakes.

This bar would be a great bar for someone who wanted something high in fiber and not very sweet. There are many times that I just don't want a mouth full of sugar (or any other sweetener used to excess). The dark chocolate was an accent flavor, and the Almonds provided some nutty crunch.

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

NuGo Nutrition - Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar - Jan. 30, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

NuGo Nutrition (Lifestyle Evolution Inc.)
Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar
Good
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.66 (sale)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate, Nut and Rice Theme Week. (Bonus Day), and Day #1 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar from NuGo Nutrition (Pittsburgh/Oakmont, PA) was enhanced with Non-GMO rice protein crisp and brown rice crisps, providing an alternative to the many nutrition bars packed with soy protein. In fact the packaging stated that the company intended this gluten-free bar to provide "...nourishing food for people with sensitivities to wheat, dairy and soy." The bar also contained dark chocolate, almonds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.

This bar was one of several gluten-free, pareve bars in the NuGo Nutrition line-up. The company prides itself on using "real" chocolate (vs. "chocolatey" or chocolate-like alternatives made with other vegetable fats added).

Taza Chocolate - Hazelnut Crunch bar

Chocolate of the Day: 

Taza Chocolate
Hazelnut Crunch bar
OK+ - Good
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 127 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $2.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

The Hazelnut Crunch bar from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA) was made with stoneground, organic chocolate, also the dominant flavor in this small-sized bar with big flavor. The "Crunch" was supplied by a flurry of brown rice crisps and bits of hazelnut.

The Taza process for their chocolate was described on their website. Inspired by Mexican stoneground chocolate, the company used/uses similar equipment (Oaxacan stone mills or molinos) to grind and partially refine their cacao beans into a paste that was used hundreds of years ago for cacao consumption in Mexico, Central America and parts of South America.

So, yes, Taza chocolates do have "rustic, bold flavor and texture." You might learn to appreciate this authentic flavor over time. Just don't expect super creamy sweet European style chocolate when you first try it.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate, Nut and Rice Theme Week.

Note: early cacao/chocolate was consumed as a beverage; and Taza chocolate can be nice melted in hot chocolate as well.

Macadamia Nut Rice Crisps - Jan. 28, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Explore Vietnam (brand)
Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Rice Crisps
OK + - Good
Weight: .276 oz. (7.8 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) total box of 18 pieces
Calories: 42.6 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $9.00 total box of 18 pieces
Purchased from: Duty Free Shop, Hanoi Airport; Hanoi, Vietnam

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Nut and Rice Theme Week.

These "Explore Vietnam" milk chocolates (manufactured by Hawaiian King Candies in Hawaii) were molded into smallish, peanut butter cup-shaped confections -- with bits of hazelnut and rice crisps in them instead of peanuts and peanut butter.

I've done my best to explore Vietnam this past week, and to look for chocolates with both nuts and rice (crisps) or rice flour/crepes. This may sound like an odd flavor trio, however, I've had no trouble finding chocolates with nuts + rice (in some form).

I also sampled some fairly fresh, lightly sweetened mochi (made with rice and filled with red bean or fruit paste, or sometimes chocolate flavoring), with chopped peanuts, and some local ice cream. More on that later.

Today's Explore Vietnam box was adorned with a large color photo of Halong Bay in central Vietnam, a popular tourist location. A boat tour is one of the best ways see some of the more than 1,600 towering "karst"/limestone (sea stack-like) islands in Halong Bay. Having visited this site this week, I can say that it's worth a visit.

Mark + Milk Chocolates - Jan. 27, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Dai Hien Tam Co., Ltd
Mark and Milk Chocolate

1.) Milk Chocolate with Cashew Nuts
(So Co La Sua Nhan Hat Dieu)
OK - OK+
Weight: .141 oz. (4 g.) in 1/2 piece / 4.233 oz. (120 g.) total box of 15 pieces
Calories:  20.51 calories (estimate) in 1/2 piece
Cost: 140,000 Vietnamese Dong (VD)
Purchased from: roadside shop between Danang and Hanoi, Vietnam

2.) Milk Chocolate with Lotus Seeds
(So Co La Sua Nhan Hat Sen)
OK+ - Good
Weight: .141 oz. (4 g.) in 1/2 piece / 4.233 oz. (120 g.) total box of 15 pieces
Calories: 21.4 calories (estimate) in 1/2 piece
Cost:  140,000 Vietnamese Dong
Purchased from: roadside shop between Danang and Hanoi, Vietnam

As mentioned in earlier posts this week, I've been hunting for local chocolates in Vietnam. I've had a hard time finding chocolates that weren't produced elsewhere. Happily, these two "Mark and Milk" milk chocolates were produced by Dai Hien Tam Co., Ltd (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam).

These chocolates were molded into the shape of traditional conical straw hats. Many farmers wear these hats in rice paddies, and on the streets selling produce in Cambodia and Vietnam and other parts of Asia. A tip of the hat to hard-working farmers everywhere.

Cashew nut bits flavored the first box of chocolates, and large pieces of ("vacuum fried") lotus seed accompanied the second collection. This was the first time I'd tasted chocolates with lotus seeds, fried or otherwise, so this was a treat. The lotus seeds had a pleasant, subtle flavor with a soft crunch.

As today was Day #5 of Chocolate, Nut and Rice Theme Week, I ate these chocolates with some rice and sesame crackers, and I enjoyed these flavors together.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Taza Chocolate - Crispy Crunch bar - Jan. 26, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Taza Chocolate
Crispy Crunch bar
OK+ - Good
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) total mini bar
Calories: 127 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $2.25 in 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate, Nuts and Rice Theme Week.

This organic, stoneground chocolate mini bar from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA) was embedded with brown rice crisps that were flavored with a hint of molasses.

To maximize the crunch factor, I ate this bar with nuts -- almonds from California, and cashews from Vietnam. (Lightly salted, roasted peanuts would have worked well too.) The bean-to-bar stoneground chocolate was rich in flavor, but a little less creamy than other chocolate, so the nuts (and the rice) helped balance and round out the taste profile and mouthfeel.

Due to travel, photos will be delayed. 

Romanze Rice + Hazelnut bars - Jan. 25, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Romanze Luxury Chocolate
Milk Choco with Rice + Hazelnut (bar)
OK+ - Good
Weight: .265 oz. ( 7.5 g.) / 5.8 oz. (165 g.) total package of 15 small bars
Calories:  40 calories
Cost: 170,000 Vietnamese Dong (VD)
Purchased from:  small shop in Danang Airport, Vietnam

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate, Nuts and Rice Theme Week.

These bite-sized Romanze "Milk Choco" with Rice + Hazelnut bars were a bit like a Nestle Crunch bar, but with tiny bits of hazelnut added.

I've been trying chocolates from Vietnam this past week. Many of the ones I've found in small shops and mini marts have actually been from Malaysia.* Today's set of 22 diminutive Romanze bars were manufactured in Malaysia for LB International Ltd.

*Note: The exception so far has been Marou Chocolate (Ho Chi Minh City) single origin, bean-to-bar chocolate bars from southern Vietnam.

Taza - Peanut Crunch bar - Jan. 24, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Taza Chocolate
Peanut Crunch bar
Good
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) in 1 mini bar
Calories: 127 calories (estimate) for 1 bar
Cost: $2.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate, Nuts and Rice Theme Week.

The Peanut Crunch mini bar from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA) was just the right size for a snack. Made from stone ground, dark chocolate and punctuated with crunchy texture from peanut and crisp rice bits, this bar was organic and gluten free as well.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed. 

Happy Zoo, MaxCrisp bar - Jan. 23, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Network Food Industries

1.) Happy Zoo Milk Choco
OK
Weight: .35 oz. (8 g.) in 2 pieces
Calories: 52 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: 48,000 VD
Purchased from: Mini Mart Van Toan; Hoi An, Vietnam

2.) MaxCrisp bar
OK+ - Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1 bar
Calories: 214 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 10,000 VD
Purchased from: Mini Mart Van Toan, Hoi An, Vietnam

Today was the first Day of Chocolate and Nuts Week, with some rice thrown in for good measure.

I had to buy the Happy Zoo (the first of two chocolates listed above). The cute animal faces printed on the individually-wrapped chocolates made me do it. The chocolate inside was nothing to write home about, but the concept and the animals were fun.

Hoi An (city in Central Vietnam) was bustling with activity. I dodged motor scooters and sidewalk vendors to get to the local Mini Mart today to check out local chocolates in Hoi An; so, feeling grateful to have survived the trip, I picked up a few extra chocolate items to celebrate.

The second chocolate, a MaxCrisp "Milk Choco" bar, contained bits of almond, and rice. It wasn't bad.

I believe both the Happy Zoo and the MaxCrisp bar may have come from Malaysia. (It was difficult to tell from the packaging.)

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Royal Foods - Cashew Nut bar - Jan. 22, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Royal Foods / Asia Pacific Corporation
One Royals - Cashew Nut with Dairy Chocolate bar
OK+
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1/2 oz. piece
Cost: $1.85 (estimate)
Purchased from: co.op mart (grocery store) in Hue, Vietnam

Today was Day #22 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks.

Yesterday, I was happy to find a Vietnamese Cashew Nut bar (from Royal Foods/Asia Pacific Corporation based in Hanoi, Vietnam) in Hue (in central Vietnam).  Even though cacao does grow in Vietnam (I did find cacao fruit at a roadside stand, shown below right),
many chocolate brands on store shelves were made with cacao from (or produced in) other countries.

The cashews I've had this week in Vietnam were very good, so I was hoping that the mild, sweet flavor of these nuts would not be overwhelmed by the chocolate. However, there were only a few bits of cashew in the bites of bar I had. The chocolate had slightly waxy mouthfeel to it (consistent with lecithins used), and while it had about the right level of sweetness for my taste, there seemed to be a slight artificial aftertaste.

Where's the coconut you might ask? I ate this bar with a small handful of toasted coconut pieces.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Granola Cacao bar - Jan. 21, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Love Force LLC
Granola Cacao bar
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (84 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 441 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #21 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks.

Today's Gluten-Free, Rawganic Vegan Energy Bar from Love Force LLC (Cincinnati, OH) contained raw organic walnuts, coconut and cacao (beans). It was sealed in plastic, was fresh-tasting, and had just the right amount of moist, chewiness to it. Raw, organic raisins and dates added sweetness, and sunflower and flax seeds added a bit of texture and heft.

"Raw" was defined (on the bar's label) as ingredients not being heated beyond 110 degrees Farenheit.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Que Dua Coconut Candy - Jan. 20, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Que Dua
Coconut Candy with Cacao
Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 9.89 oz. (280 g.) total package
Calories: 70 calories (estimate)
Cost: (Approximately) $1.80 USD
Purchased from: Outside of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Today was Day #20 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks.

I watched this Que Dua Coconut Candy (Vietnam) with bits of cacao being hand-made in southern Vietnam, Mekong River delta area (where both cacao and coconuts are grown).

For this candy, fresh coconuts were split open, shredded and stirred by machine in large stainless bowls with natural palm and rice sweeteners until the mixture looked like ivory-colored coconut taffy. Bits of cacao were incorporated. The candy was rolled out and hand cut into pieces and wrapped in edible rice paper, and then outer paper and plastic wraps.

On the boat ride back, we drank fresh coconut water, and ate fresh coconut meat. And, later, at lunch, I bought a cacao pod (yellow and red fruit) and enjoyed some coconut and taro ice creams. I did see some interesting Vietnamese chocolates, but it was too hot outside; they wouldn't have survived travel this week without air conditioning. It doesn't get more authentic than this.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

LUNA Chocolate Coconut Bar - Jan. 19, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
LUNA Chocolate Dipped Coconut bar
OK + - Good
Weight: 1.69 oz. (48 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Today was Day #19 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks.

This Chocolate Dipped Coconut "Nutrition Bar for Women" from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA) was loaded with different ingredients and added protein, fiber and vitamins, and a good choice for breakfast on the go.

Both the chocolate coating and the coconut were supporting players in the overall flavor mix. And the texture of this barely sweet bar was slightly chewy, and slightly crunchy.

Chocolate was not the primary focus, but it was relatively filling, and kept me satisfied until lunchtime.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Leslie's Organics - Coconut Macaroon Bar - Jan. 18, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Leslie's Organics
Coconut Secret
Coconut Macaroon Bar
Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.75 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #18 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks, and I celebrated with another Leslie's Organics (Mill Valley, CA) Coconut Secret bar.

In addition to being organic, gluten-free, dairy free and low-glycemic (sweetened with coconut nectar and crystals* (rather than cane or beet sugar)), the Coconut Macaroon Bar was also kosher.

Unlike the other dark chocolate coated.bars in this Coconut Secret bar family, today's Coconut Macaroon Bar was "topless," meaning that the top and sides were a golden, coconut macaroon color, and only the base was dark chocolate. I like the browned flavor and surface, but a dark chocolate drizzle over the top would have added a little richness and moisture to the coconut, and I would have liked that. I did like that the macaroon bar was not too sugary sweet.

Coconut Palm Sugar Harvesting
*The coconut nectar was harvested from coconut palm trees. If coconut nectar is similar to maple syrup harvested from maple trees, then coconut crystals would be similar to crystals of maple sugar.

I've included photos of the coconut nectar collection process (in Angkor Wat, Cambodia) from this week, shown at right. This man climbed high up into a coconut palm and made small cuts first, then put collection vessel(s) in place to collect the nectar. He'll come back later to collect it.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

delish - Chocolate Granola - Jan. 17, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

delish
Chocolate Chip Granola
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup serving
Calories: 130 calories for 1/4 cup (30 g.) serving
Cost: $4.39 (estimate) for 1 bag
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #17 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

This delish brand gluten-free granola from Walgreens (Deerfield, IL) was dressed up with small chunks of dark chocolate and a hint of coconut. Coconut is a common addition to granolas and complements oats nicely.

I enjoyed this cereal for an early breakfast with a few almonds and some green tea, without milk. This crunchy cereal would also make a good topping for vanilla ice cream, yogurt or sliced bananas. I'll likely add this granola to other gluten-free cereals, with milk or a milk alternative, in the future.

It was great to find a gluten-free granola, like today's entry, in a popular store such as Walgreens. Batches of gluten-free oats in the past two years seem to agree with me more, i.e. may "really" be gluten-free. (Suppliers have done a better job at preventing cross-contamination with wheat/gluten.)

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Coconut Secret - Almond Coconut Bar - Jan. 16, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Leslie's Organics
Almond Coconut Bar
Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 290 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.50 in 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #16 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks.

The organic, Coconut Secret - Almond Coconut Bar from Leslie's Organics (Mill Valley, CA) was very similar to yesterday's Chocolate of the Day (Coconut Secret Classic Coconut Bar), only with almonds.

Coated with dark chocolate, and filled with a coconut center, this bar was sweet without being cloyingly so, as can be the case with coconut confections. I enjoyed the almonds, which always seem to complement coconut and chocolate nicely.

This Coconut Secret bar was gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.

Coconut Secret - Classic Coconut Bar - Jan. 15, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Leslie's Organics
Coconut Secret - Classic Coconut Bar
Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 290 calories in 1 bar
Cost:
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #15 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Weeks.

The Mill Valley, CA-based makers behind Leslie's Organics organic, Coconut Secret - Classic Coconut Bar were inspired to create a line healthy, low-glycemic and gluten-free bars and other products. And, they've succeeded, at least for grateful customers such as myself who can't have gluten and don't want the blood sugar spike sometimes associated with other sugars and sweeteners.

The company uses coconut nectar instead, harvested sustainably from coconut palms in the Philippines.

This bar was marketed as low glycemic, and that has been my experience with coconut palm sugar thus far in other bars. According to the label, this bar contained 17 grams of carbohydrates - lower than other chocolate, or sweetened bars of similar size.

Today's organic dark chocolate-covered coconut bar was also dairy-free and non-GMO.

Note: Due to travel, photos will be delayed.