Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Dick Taylor - DR bar - April 30, 2104

Chocolate of the Day:

Dick Taylor Chocolate
Dominican Republic bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.4 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) total bar
Calories: 225 calories in 3/4 bar
Cost: $N/A - part of a shipment with 3 bars
Purchased from: Standard Cocoa, New York City, NY

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

This dark chocolate (74% cacao) bar with a great flavor arc from Dick Taylor Chocolate (Arcata, CA) arrived at my doorstep several months ago, courtesy of Standard Cocoa (New York, NY).

Standard Cocoa offers a subscription for those who would like to know more about (and taste) craft chocolate, on a regular basis. Bars from some of the best new American makers who are making dark, often single origin bars, from scratch -- teasing out the best flavors from cacao beans worldwide -- can be shipped to your door-step.

This Dick Taylor bar was made with fairly-traded and organic cacao, and organic cane sugar. That's it. No emulsifiers, vanilla or other additives. So the flavors (enabled by many layers of successful processing and technique) really had a chance to shine.


Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Cello Chocolate - Dominican with Nibs bar - April 29, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cello Chocolate
Dominican with Cocoa Nibs
Good++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.00 (+ $1.00 shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cello Chocolate, online order

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

This agreeable dark chocolate (73% cacao) Dominican (Republic) bar from Cello Chocolate (Nevada City, CA) was peppered with crunchy little cacao nibs, pressed onto the back of the bar.

Cello Chocolate founders/owners are chocolate-maker Ned Russell and Debi Russell. They select single origin beans for their flavor, and purchase Certified Fair Trade and Organic beans to make their single origin bars. (Ned and Debi each bring valuable and complementary skills to the business - he used to work at Ghirardelli, and she brings sales and marketing experience. And, yes, Ned also plays the cello.)

Monday, April 28, 2014

Amano - Dos Rios bar - April 28, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amano Chocolate
Dos Rios bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 217.5 calories in 3/4 bar
Cost: $7.95 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Amano Chocolate table at The Chocolate Salon, San Francisco, CA

Today was the first day of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week. I'll be featuring several single origin bars, made from cacao beans grown in the Dominican Republic.

While it's true that cocoa beans from a single region may share certain flavor characteristics, the finished chocolate bars from the same country can vary widely, depending on several factors, including the crop, and in-country fermentation from year to year, as well as the steps followed by chocolate-makers (choice of roast, conch time, tempering, etc.).

Dos Rios, Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean. One island, Hispaniola, is home to two countries: The Dominican Republic (or D.R.) (to the east), and Haiti (to the west). "Dos Rios" refers to the area in San Cristobal province, a bit inland from the southern coast of D.R., where two rivers come together before flowing down to the Caribbean Sea. Relatively high-quality cacao has been grown in this region for many years, but the area is still somewhat remote and can be hard to get to, making travel there an adventure at times for Amano Chocolate (Orem, Utah) chocolate-maker, Art Pollard.

What caught Pollard's attention about this Dos Rios area were some unique beans that had bergamot, cinnamon and clove flavor notes. The resulting Amano Dos Rios 70% cacao bar made from these beans had floral, bergamot-to-orange blossom flavors unlike any other bar I've had. Art Pollard developed some "special techniques" just to preserve this flavor. (Floral flavors can be fragile, volatile or easily lost in the chocolate-making process.) I love floral smells and taste, so this bar was a treat.


Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Fremont Diner - Mexican Chocolate milkshake - April 27, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

The Fremont Diner
Mexican Chocolate milkshake
Good+
Weight: somewhere north of 14 fl. oz. I'm guessing
Calories: unknown
Cost: $5.50
Purchased from: The Fremont Diner, Sonoma, CA

Today was Day #7 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week. And, this week's chocolate was captured and consumed at The Fremont Diner (Sonoma, CA), located in rural wine country, in between Sonoma and Napa.

The Fremont Diner is all about hearty, country food made from scratch -- fresh biscuits, fresh eggs, fresh kale salad...smoked bacon and brisket (they have a smoker out back).

Oh, and they have a great milkshake and dessert menu (butterscotch pie, coffeecake-bread pudding today). I was tempted to get both their Mexican Chocolate and the Salted Caramel milkshakes, but decided to hold off on ordering the Salted Caramel shake. The generous sized chocolate shake was flavored with cinnamon and topped with whipped cream.

Good thing, because after the boiled peanuts, vegetable side dish, chili and smoked plate with house-made pickles, and the first milkshake, I was very full. On the walk back to the car we stopped and visited the chickens behind the restaurant (all fenced in except one loose one). Even the chicken's food (scraps of fresh bread and vegetables mostly) looked pretty wonderful.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Bar au Chocolate - Chiapas, Mexico bar - April 26, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bar au Chocolat
Chiapas, Mexico bar
Good +
Weight: .46 oz. (13 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) total bar
Calories: 69 calories (estimate) in 1/5 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week.

This two-ingredient dark chocolate bar (cacao beans + cane sugar) from Bar au Chocolat (Manhattan Beach, CA) was made with cacao beans grown in Chiapas, Mexico.

The chocolate had an interesting, complex and distinctive flavor profile, consistent with many of the best hand-crafted bars made from scratch.

The custom-folded packaging and lovely internal copper-colored foil inner wrapper showed careful attention to craft and detail as well.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Sonoma Latina Grill - Mexican Chocolate cupcake - April 25, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sonoma Latina Grill
Mexican Chocolate cupcakes
Good + - Very Good
Weight: Not known
Calories: Not known
Cost: $8.65 for 3 cupcakes (1 regular, 2 small)
Purchased from: Sonoma Latina Grill, Novato, CA

Today was Day #5 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week.

I was happy to find both a "Mexican Chocolate" items for this week, and also one that was gluten free. I picked up today's regular and tiny-sized Mexican Chocolate cupcakes at the Sonoma Latina Grill, in Novato, CA.

These cupcakes were chocolatey and flavorful, with a touch of cinnamon; and the thick swirl of white icing was buttery soft and sweet.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Cocopotamus - Naked Hottie Fudge Truffles - April 24, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

NYDC Chocolate, LLC
Cocopotamus
Naked Hottie
Good ++
Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in package of 5 pieces
Calories: 247 calories in 5 truffles
Cost: $10.00 for a box of 5 truffles
Purchased from: NYDC Chocolate, online order

Today was Day #4 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week. Sticking with the Earth Day theme of chocolates round and green, I chose these kelly green-foil wrapped orbs of goodness.

Today's sassy, "Naked Hottie" take on Mexican Chocolate was brought to you Max and Ally Sinclair, at NYDC Chocolate (Albuquerque, NM). The company's Naked Hottie Dark Chocolate Fudge Truffles were imbued with warm cinnamon, and had an uplifting, light mint flavor note.

Each truffle was a successful blend of wonderful textures -- creamy dark chocolate core, soft fudge mantle "shell," and a very light crust of sugar.

Thank you to Elana at SweetE Organic for introducing me to NYDC's gluten-free Cocopotamus line. The Rosie Posie fudge truffles infused with rose water hooked me.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Three Twins - Mexican Chocolate ice cream - April 23, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Three Twins
Sergio Romo's Mexican Chocolate ice cream
Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (85 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) total container
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: ?
Purchased from: ?

Unfortunately, I don't remember where I bought this creamy, organic Mexican Chocolate ice cream made by Three Twins  Ice Cream (Petaluma, CA), but I know it was in the San Francisco Bay Area -- because of the tribute to/tie-in with Sergio Romo, a pitcher for the championship-winning San Francisco Giants baseball team.

What is Mexican Chocolate ice cream? Chocolate ice cream infused with cinnamon and vanilla. I felt like I was savoring a dish of frozen, Mexican horchata (cinnamon and vanilla flavored milk drink) -- a chocolate version, that is.

Because yesterday was Earth Day, it's also worth mentioning the Three Twins land conservation initiative called Ice Cream for Acres. The company donates money to land preservation efforts (36 million square feet and counting...).

Today was Day #3 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week.

Taza Chocolate Mexicano - April 22, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Taza Chocolate
Chocolate Mexicano - Guajillo Chili
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.4 g.) / 2.7 oz. (77 g.) total package
Calories: 75 calories in 3 wedges
Cost: $5.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Soto's, Cambria, CA

Today was Day #2 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week.

Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA) offers a line of Mexican-style, stone-ground chocolates. This circular package of Guajillo Chili dark chocolate contained 2 discs. These discs were wrapped in paper and were easily broken into wedges. Taza chocolates have become popular enough that they can be found in numerous locations, including Soto's market in the small coastal town of Cambria, CA.


Today's Taza Guajillo Chili Mexican Chocolate was flavored with just the right amount (not too hot, not too mild) of dried mirasol chili, widely used in Mexico. And each of the three wedges that I ate (that spelled out the name of one of my favorite cartoon characters -- T-A-Z) were bursting with sparkling flavor.

Happy Earth Day. Enjoying something round and green (in the literal and figurative sense) did fit the occasion. As did Taza's efforts in organic and fair trade/direct trade.

This chocolate was also certified gluten-free, dairy and soy-free, and pareve.


Monday, April 21, 2014

Sweet Offerings - Mexican Chocolate truffle - April 21, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sweet Offerings
Abuelito's Mexican Hot Chocolate truffle
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) (estimate) for 1 truffle
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) for 1 truffle
Cost: $ ?
Purchased from: Sweet Offerings, Cambria, CA

Hola, y bienvenidos a dia numero uno de la semana de Chocolate Mexicano.
(Translation: Hello, and welcome to Day #1 of Mexican Chocolate Theme Week.)

During a recent trip to the Central Coast region of California (about 4 hours south of the San Francisco Bay Area), a friend and I stopped at Sweet Offerings Confections, in downtown Cambria -- a small village on the coast where the pace was a bit slower and the people seemed a bit friendlier than in the big, bustling cities.

Even the chocolate seemed friendlier, if that's possible. This Mexican Hot Chocolate truffle from Sweet Offerings was a gentle giant (close to a full ounce, or 28.3 grams each) that imparted a soft spicy glow of chili (Hatch green chilies) and cinnamon in each bite.





Sunday, April 20, 2014

Bovetti Chocolats - Dark bar with dried fruits - April 20, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Bovetti Chocolats
Dark Chocolate Bar with Dried Fruits
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) piece
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draeger's Market, San Mateo, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Pistachio Theme Week.

Happy Easter Sunday to those who celebrate this spring holiday that speaks of resurrection. Today we celebrated with a great lunch, colorful fruit sorbets, and pieces of this Dark Chocolate (73% cocoa) with Dried Fruits and Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios) bar from Bovetti Artisan Chocolatier/Bovetti Chocolats (France). It was all good. I felt thankful to be able to sit down with family and enjoy a meal together.

Earlier in the day I also sampled a lovely pastel green-colored pistachio gelato (that likely had a little almond extract in it as well), with some gluten-free pistachio and cranberry biscotti, and pistachio nuts. Perhaps having three Easter Sunday desserts today was excessive, but small portions allowed for more variety.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Fiorello's - Toni Spumoni Gelato - April 19, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fiorello's Artisan Gelato
Tony Spumoni gelato
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (130 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) container
Calories: 320 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $7.99 for 1 Pint container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

This pint container of "Tony Spumoni" gelato contained a melange of chocolate, almond and pistachio gelato(s) from Fiorello's Artisan Gelato (San Rafael, CA). A pistachio butter (with ground pistachios and almonds) provided a rich, sweet, nutty flavor to the combined flavor mixture.

I sprinkled my little dish of gelato with some green, shelled, lightly salted pistachio nuts and a spritz of rosewater, and I had one heckavu Tony Spumoni sundae.



Friday, April 18, 2014

Lindt - Milk Chocolate Pistachio bar - April 18, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lindt
Pistachio bar
Good
Weight: .875 oz. (25 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 3 pieces (per label)
Cost: $3.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Each rectangular piece of the Lindt Pistachio bar contained an embedded capsule filled with "white almond creme" and pistachio nut(s), covered in Swiss Milk Chocolate -- giving the bar a unique and fun look.

This bar looked and tasted fresh; and freshness and previous storage and handling is important for chocolates. So, I'm always thankful for a good distribution supply chain and good practices at stores. (Thank you Piazza's!)

I admit, I thought this bar was going to be too sweet for me. As I've commented before, I generally like less sugar (and lactose) in my chocolates. However, the flavor and texture were good -- and the sugar level was consistent with what I imagined a sweeter, creme-filled milk chocolate bar should taste like.






Thursday, April 17, 2014

Blue Bunny Cocoa Pistachio ice cream - April 17, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Blue Bunny
Cocoa Pistachio Ice Cream
Good
Weight: 5.5 fl. oz. (162.6 mL)(103 g.) in 1 container
Calories: 230 calories in 1 serving/container
Cost: $0.99 for 1 small container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

The weather has been getting warmer this week, so I found an ice cream that combined chocolate with pistachio nuts. The single-serving container (complete with white plastic spoon) of Blue Bunny Cocoa Pistachio Premium ice cream contained cocoa (chocolate) ice cream with bits of pistachio nuts.

I topped this ice cream with an extra handful of green pistachios, for some extra crunch and nutty flavor.
With added pistachio nuts

Blue Bunny is part of Wells* Enterprises Inc. (Le Mars, Iowa). The company has been making dozens of ice cream flavors and similar offerings for many years.

*Wells is one of the largest privately held and family-owned ice cream makers in the U.S. The business was founded in 1913. The Blue Bunny brand was born in 1935.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

L'Amourette - Pistachios Chocolat Noir bar - April 16, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

L'Amourette Chocolatier/ L'Amourette LLC
"Pistachios" bar
Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (19.8 g.) in 1/5 bar / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total bar
Calories: 118 calories (estimate) in 1/5 bar
Cost: $5.99 in 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

This 72% Dark Chocolate bar with salted pistachio nuts (Chocolat Noir Aux Pistaches Salees) from L'Amourette (San Francisco, CA) was handmade from a combination of Rio Caribe and Carenero Superior (Trinitario) cacao beans from Venezuela.

The dark chocolate was complex and interesting with faint bitter/acidic and earthy notes. A light sprinkling of crunchy, California pistachio nuts added a hint of salty, crunchy flavor and texture. Not having too many nuts allowed the chocolate to really shine. However, I do like my nuts, and I cracked open a few extra pistachio nuts to eat a la carte with my bar.  

Hedonist Chocolates - Pistachio - April 15, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Pistachio
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25.5 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 130 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $ N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - sample from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, Rochester, NY

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

This Pistachio gem was part of the dark chocolate Fruit and Nut Cluster jewel box from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates (Rochester, NY).

This particular dark dome-shaped piece was chock full of roasted, salted California pistachio nuts that were partially submerged in/embraced by the dark (72% cacao) bittersweet chocolate.



Monday, April 14, 2014

Sucre - Pistachio Rose Petal bar - April 14, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sucre
Sicilian Pistachio and Rose Petal bar
Good
Weight: 1.34 oz. (38 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week, and the first day (Day #1) of Chocolate and Pistachio Theme Week.

How fortunate that I found a Sucre (New Orleans, LA) bar that incorporated both of these themes! Sucre is powered by Executive Pastry Chef Tariq Hanna and Founder Joel Dondis, who combined forces to offer chocolates, macarons, caramels and other treats for the great city of New Orleans and beyond.

The pink candied rose petals from Europe and light green Sicilian pistachio nuts were very attractive, and added some hints of crunchy texture.

The sweet, Swiss milk chocolate (38% cacao) dominated the taste experience. These subtle flavor additions would have been lost altogether in a dark chocolate base; however, the milk chocolate was so sweet (fine for some, perhaps not for others) that these lovely petals were overpowered by the sugar. It's a delicate balancing act with milder floral and nut items like this.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Alprose - Rose sundae - April 13, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alprose
Milk Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 114 calories (estimate) in 1/5 bar
Cost: $2.50 (sale)
Purchased from: Safeway, Menlo Park, CA


This afternoon I made a rosewater infused vanilla ice cream sundae, with chopped almonds and milk chocolate (30% cacao) chips from an Alprose (Caslano-Lugano, Switzerland) Milk Chocolate (Chocolat au Lait) bar. Top sundae with an edible, organic rose, and you're done.

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