Sunday, June 29, 2014

Mama Ganache - Coconut Patties - June 29, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache
Coconut Patties
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (39.6 g.) (estimate) in 3 patties
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) in 3 patties
Cost: $4.50 for 3 patties
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

This morning I dreamed I was vacationing on a tropical island covered with coconut palms. Helping to complete this fantasy were three Coconut Patties from Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA). I may have been imagining the island, but not these dark chocolate coconut beauties, individually wrapped in silver.

The coconut fondant or filling was very authentic tasting, with flecks of what tasted like fresh toasted coconut helped capture the full coconut flavor arc. These chocolates were also fair trade and soy lecithin free.

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


Saturday, June 28, 2014

Mama Ganache - Peppermint Creme bar - June 28, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates
Peppermint Creme Chocolate bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 156 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto

Today was the last day (Day #14) of a double-stuffed Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

This certified organic and fair trade Peppermint Creme Chocolate bar was crafted by Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA). A dark chocolate (70% cocoa content) exterior enveloped a white peppermint creme filling; and the flavors were natural tasting and well balanced, with a wave of refreshing mint.

While Mama Ganaches chocolates are tasty, another important part of this company's story revolves around the founders philosophy. Mama Ganache is a bean-to-bar maker that creates bars and filled chocolates with certified organic and fair trade chocolate.

Mama Ganache founders support efforts that help prevent social harm (e.g. the use of child slavery in the production of cocoa) through Fair Trade certification. The company also supports the efforts of the non-profit, Project Hope and Fairness -- to assist West Africa cocoa farmers who are working on organic certification.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Hershey's - Mint Sticks - June 27, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

The Hershey Company
Hershey's Sticks
Mint
OK + - Good
Weight: .39 oz. (22 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) total package
Calories: 60 calories in 1 stick

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Dark Chocolate with White Mint Filling
OK + - Good
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.)/ 6.9 oz. (195 g.) total package
Calories: 70 calories in 1 square

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week -- a very extended week indeed.

Today I reached way back into the chocolate vault to grab two different mint chocolates from large chocolate companies -- Hershey and Ghirardelli.

Both packages contained individually wrapped single servings of chocolate. The first was a "Hershey's Sticks" Mint flavored item, advertised as having only 60 calories per stick. This stick was a bit sweet for me, but I liked the smaller, sealed serving. Not everyone wants to eat or carry around a full chocolate bar; and these individual packets also keep one's purse free of chocolate meltage on a hot day.

The second item was a Dark Chocolate with White Mint Filling square from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (San Leandro, CA). This conveniently sized, mint-filled chocolate square was part of a larger line of individually wrapped, flavored chocolate squares that the company produces.



Thursday, June 26, 2014

Rademaker - Mint Chocolate Sticks - June 26, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Rademaker BV
Chocolate Sticks - Mint
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .22 oz. (6.25 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) in total package
Calories: 32.6 calories in 2 sticks
Cost: $ (information not available)
Purchased from: (information not available)

Today was Day #12 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

These small, slender Mint Chocolate Sticks from Rademaker (Holland) were packed with peppermint taste and were crunchy perfection. I enjoyed these more than certain after-dinner patty style mints.

Rademaker has been making Dutch chocolates since 1867. This particular box was imported by Dorval Trading Co., a third party, into the U.S.







Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Liz Lovely - Triple Chocolate Mint Cookie - June 25, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Liz Lovely
Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Mint Cookie
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 3.17 oz. (90 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 190 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.50 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

This Triple Chocolate Mint Cookie from Liz Lovely (Waitsfield, VT) had a nice, slightly crunchy chew, with plenty of chocolate and peppermint flavor.

The cookie held together well (sometimes crumbling is an issue with gluten-free cookies) and I felt like I was eating a "real" cookie.

Liz Lovely makes gluten free and vegan cookies in Vermont's Green Mountains. This cookie was also dairy free, egg-free, pareve and Non-GMO.


Hagensborg - Truffle Pig Dark Peppermint bar - June 24, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Hagensborg Chocolates
Truffle Pig Dark Peppermint bar
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33.3 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 175 calories (estimate) in 2/3 bar
Cost: $ (not known)
Purchased from: information lost to the sands of time

Today was Day #10 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. As I previously explained, I'm taking liberties with the term "Week," and I'm stretching one theme week into, well, two weeks (14 days).

I considered re-titling Chocolate and Mint Theme Week to Chocolate and Peppermint Theme Week, as almost all the chocolates this past week or so have contained peppermint (with the exception of an absinthe chocolate).

So, back to the actual chocolate...This silky smooth Truffle Pig Dark Peppermint bar from Hagensborg Chocolates (Burnaby, BC, Canada) was cleverly made of three chocolate pigs stuck together, each with a different expression. I ate two of them. The aroma of peppermint wafted through the air when I opened the packaging. The bar had remained fresh tasting after spending a considerable time wallowing in my "chocolate vault" in the back room.

Thank you pigs; and thank you to Hagensborg for creating such entertaining lively pig characters -- such as the one stepping out with the scarf pictured on this wrapper. Other illustrated pigs frolic and recline in chocolate.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Chocolove - Peppermint in Dark Chocolate bar - June 23, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Chocolove
Peppermint in Dark Chocolate bar
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 3.2 oz. (90 g.) total bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/6 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Paradise Foods, Corte Madera, CA

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

I enjoyed this creamy, semisweet (55% cocoa) Belgian chocolate bar from Chocolove (Boulder, CO). Each small bite was suffused with natural tasting peppermint oil.

Chocolove offers a bonus with each bar they sell; they include a free love poem. "Bound for your distant home" by Alexander Pushkin was printed on the inside of this wrapper. One lover dreams of being reunited with another. Thankfully, the chocolate and peppermint swaddled in this poem are successfully united in this bar.



Sunday, June 22, 2014

Christopher Elbow - No. 8 Peppermint bar - June 22, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Christopher Elbow
No. 8 Peppermint bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 180 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $ (lost info)
Purchased from: CocoaBella, San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week(s). In case you're wondering why there are 8 days in this theme week, I should explain. Due to the bounty of mint chocolate items accumulated, I'm planning to create a 14-day chocolate and mint fiesta.

A tiny riot of embedded peppermint candy bits brightened up this No. 8 Peppermint offering from Christopher Elbow, adding some crunchy texture to this 61% dark chocolate bar.

NuGo - Mint Chocolate Chip bar - June 21, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

NuGo Nutrition
Mint Chocolate Chip bar
Good
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.66 (sale price) in total bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Mint Chocolate Chip bar from (made for) NuGo Nutrition (Oakmont, PA) was made with Non-GMO protein, and was certified gluten free, vegan and pareve.

I would rate this NuGo Dark bar slightly higher than most gluten-free protein and/or snack bars I've tasted. The flavors and textures were fairly well balanced. The chocolate and peppermint tasted natural with the right level of sweetness (for my taste); and the bar had a mild crunchy, chewy texture -- without being starchy, dry or overly sweet and sticky as some snack bars can be.

NuGo Nutrition is affiliated with/part of Lifestyle Evolution Inc. (Bars are made in the U.S., but label did not state who made this particular product.)


Friday, June 20, 2014

Green and Black's - Mint Dark bar - June 20, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Green and Black's
Mint - Dark Chocolate bar
Good++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 191 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $2.29 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

I pulled this Green and Black's (U.K.) Mint Dark Chocolate bar -- infused with peppermint oil -- from my chocolate vault. I store my chocolate in a cool, dark cabinet. (Something resembling a wine cellar or refrigerator works too.)

In any case, this smooth 60% Cocoa Content, bittersweet organic chocolate dark bar still tasted wonderfully fresh and naturally minty -- that is, not too much mint, but enough to keep it zingy and interesting. Just right for my taste.

Thank you Green and Black's. Your chocolate withstood the test of time in the chocolate vault better than most!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Nash Brothers - Mint Cocoa Truffles - June 19, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nash Brothers
Mint Cocoa Truffles
Good
.848 oz. (24 g.) / 7 oz. (200 g.) in total box
Calories: 150 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $2.99 for 1 box
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

These Premium Cocoa Truffles from Nash Brothers Trading Company (Minneapolis, MN) were subtlely flavored with mint and dusted with cocoa powder. They came packaged in a sealed pouch to maintain freshness, and the truffles, despite their authentic rustic truffle appearance, were still soft and smooth.

Honey Acres - Chocolate Honey Mints - June 18, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Honey Acres
Chocolate Honey Mints
Good
Weight: .376 oz. (10.6 g.) / 1.13 oz. (32 g.) total package of 3
Calories: 36.6 calories in 1 mint
Cost: $1.49 for a package of 3 honey mints
Purchased from: The Fresh Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

I like honey, and I like chocolate. So, I was looking forward to trying these gluten-free and dairy-free Chocolate Honey Mints from Honey Acres (Ashippun, WI).

Each of the three gold foil-wrapped mints in this package was filled with peppermint oil infused honey and covered in 99% dark chocolate, creating a bold contrast between the "lighter" mint honey inside and the unsweetened, very dark chocolate coating.

Honey Acres is a family owned and operated business in Wisconsin with access to their own bee hives. They produce and sell a variety of honey-related offerings, including: honey (basswood, clover, orange blossom, buckwheat, wildflower), honey mustard and dark chocolates.


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Kohler - Absinthe chocolate - June 17, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kohler Co.
Absinthe
Good
Weight: .35 oz. (9.9 g.) / 1.4 oz. (40 g.) total box of 4 pieces
Calories: 55 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $9.99 for 1 box of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Kohler Co.

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

Any chocolate with absinthe is rather intriguing, as the alcoholic drink that supplies the flavor is derived from anise, fennel, and a complex blend of herbs, that includes a few members of the mint family (lemon balm, sage, spearmint or peppermint).

Absinthe became legal again in the U.S. in recent years*, after being banned for quite some time due to concerns over a compound (thujone) associated with wormwood (absinthe's signature ingredient).

Today's green-tinted Absinthe jewel from Kohler Co. (Kohler, WI) was made with a 63% dark chocolate and absinthe infused ganache, wrapped in a milk chocolate shell. It had a hint of herbal finish, but was quite mild otherwise.

This Absinthe gem was part of Kohler's 4-piece Emerald variety box (that also included mint emerald, green tea, and lime chocolates).

*In December 2007, St. George Spirits (Alameda, CA) was the first company in the U.S. to start legally producing absinthe again.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Kohler - Mint Emerald - June 16, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kohler Co.
Mint Emerald
Good++
Weight: .35 oz. (9.9 g.) / 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1 box of 4 pieces
Calories: 55 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $9.99 for 1 box of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Kohler Co., online order

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week -- an opportunity to introduce some lovely green color (and flavors) to chocolate.

These Mint Emerald filled chocolates (part of a Variety Emerald box of 4 "green" flavors), from Kohler Co. (Kohler, WI) tasted very fresh.

Freshness, flavor balance, texture/melt, and quality ingredients are all key for good-tasting truffles and filled chocolates. But if the chocolates aren't fresh, other good qualities may not matter. Fortunately, this attractive emerald green milk chocolate, filled with creamy, milk chocolate ganache and natural mint flavor, was great on all counts.

I also sampled a Kohler "Green Tea" chocolate (shown at right with two mint leaves) with a sip of hot mint green tea, from the same, 4-piece Variety Emerald collection box. It was attractive and authentic tasting as well.

Tomorrow I'll feature the Kohler Absinthe "Emerald" chocolate. (Yes, the herbal concoction that is Absinthe also includes members of the mint family.)


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Lucienne's - Mint Sugar Free dark bar - June 15, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lucienne's
Mint Sugar Free 83% Dark Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.2 g.) / 2 oz. (56.7 g.) total bar
Calories: 62.7 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $4.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was the last day of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week, and the first day of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

This Mint Sugar Free dark bar from Lucienne's (Trumansburg, NY) was made from 83% Ecuadorian Antigua Nacional cocoa, "gently roasted," and sweetened with the company's "all natural" proprietary stevia blend.

The bar was designed for those watching their intake of sugar and carbs. Low in carbohydrates (1 net carb and 4 grams of fiber per serving), this dark bar with a tang of peppermint was sugar-, sorbitol- and maltitol-free, as well as GMO-free, dairy free and gluten free. (No soy either.)

*Note: Lucienne's has ceased production of their chocolate bars. As of this post date, customers are being referred to Vintage Plantations (Newark, NJ) a company that supplied Ecuadorian cacao for Lucienne's.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

Pacari - Dark Chocolate Covered Banana - June 14, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Pacari Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Covered Banana
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total package
Calories: 145 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: lost information
Purchased from: lost information

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

Pacari Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador) makes single origin chocolates, using Arriba Nacional cacao from Ecuador. Today's chocolate was not a Pacari bar, but rather a sleek package of dark pearls crafted from organic dark chocolate with dried banana inside, from the company's "Raw" line.

These glossy dark pearls were satisfying and full of natural chocolate and banana flavor and texture.





Friday, June 13, 2014

Equal Exchange - Ecuador Dark bar - June 13, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Equal Exchange
Organic Ecuador Dark bar
Good
Weight: .4375 oz. (12.5 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 88 calories in 1/8 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

It was an Ecuador Dark bar from Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA). It was from Ecuador. And it was Dark -- darker flavor than you'd expect for a bar with 65% cacao content, rather like a full-bodied, strong cup of coffee. That sums up today's chocolate, but it's not the end of the story.


This organic, fairly traded, single origin dark bar was made from cacao beans grown in the Manabi region of Ecuador, and it was produced for Equal Exchange (at an undisclosed location) in Switzerland. There also was a very subtle hint of vanilla (from Madagascar).

Equal Exchange makes a line of bars (using cacao from the Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador and Peru) and highlights small farmers and co-ops, and the individuals behind these organizations. Founded in 1986, Equal Exchange is, in fact, a worker owned co-op.


Thursday, June 12, 2014

Republica Del Cacao - Manabi 75% bar - June 12, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Republica Del Cacao
Manabi 75% bar
Weight: .166 oz. (5 g.) / .5 oz. (15 g.) total package
Calories: 25 calories in 1 piece
Cost: (unknown)
Purchased from: (unknown)

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

This Single Origin Dark Chocolate sampler package contained three individually-wrapped chocolates from Republica Del Cacao (Quito, Ecuador).

Inside this package were two different chocolates, made with Arriba* cacao beans from Ecuador. The 75% cacao chocolate (in the purple wrapper) was made with cacao beans from the Manabi region of Northern Ecuador, and the two other pieces were crafted from beans from the El Oro region in southern Ecuador.

This bite-sized bar tasted smooth and chocolatey, with very little bitterness.

*Note: Republica Del Cacao was founded in part to help preserve indigenous, high-quality, fine aroma Arriba Cacao plants (that produce cacao beans) in Ecuador.



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Dick Taylor - Ecuador 76% bar - June 11, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dick Taylor
Ecuador Camino Verde 76% bar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 (estimate) in 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

If you enjoy a cup of good strong coffee, this Ecuador Camino Verde 76% cacao bar from Dick Taylor (Arcata, CA) might be the right bar for you. There is no coffee in this bar, and it doesn't taste like coffee -- but this bar had a strong, dark roasted richness and balanced acidity like you might find in a cup of java.

Dick Taylor founders (Adam Dick and Justin Taylor) began making chocolate after they'd mastered furniture and boat building (thus the nautical packaging elements). The two bean-to-bar makers appear to have a knack for designing and crafting items by hand.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Fruition - Camino Verde Crunch bar - June 10, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fruition Chocolate
Camino Verde Crunch bar
Good +
Weight: 1.055 oz. (30 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 158 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Camino Verde Crunch dark bar from Fruition Chocolate (Shokan, NY) was crafted with cacao beans from Balao, a city located in the Guayas Province, on the west coast of Ecuador.

The "Crunch" in the Camino Verde Crunch bar came from stone-ground cacao. Particle sizes in this bar were even and smooth and slightly crunchy, with no "grit," making this stone-ground chocolate a delight to eat.

This was a fairly robust dark bar at 75% cacao content. While the bar's packaging suggested I might detect hints of eucalyptus and malt, I didn't really pick up on these flavor notes. 

Monday, June 9, 2014

Original Beans - Esmeraldas Milk bar - June 9, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Original Beans
Esmeraldas Milk 42% bar
Good ++
Weight: 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 399 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Bienvenidos al primer dia de Chocolate y Ecuador semana. (Welcome to the first day of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week!)

Today's bar was made from cacao beans that hailed from the Pacific Rainforest in the Esmeraldas Province of northwestern Ecuador.

The Esmeraldas Milk 42% bar from Original Beans (Amsterdam, Netherlands) was actually made in Switzerland, a country where they know a thing or two about conching chocolate until it's rich, creamy and smooth. (In this case, the cocoa mass (ground cacao beans), was conched for 16 hours.)

When I first broke off a piece of this bar, I could smell the aroma of freshly roasted cacao beans. What followed was a velvety smooth bar with complex almost burnt caramel flavor, slightly bitter but well balanced with other flavor notes. I didn't taste a lot of bright red fruit, but there were "summer fruit" notes in this bar. All in all this flavorful, Certified Organic, Gluten Free and Vegan milk chocolate bar was remarkably easy to finish.

Original Beans, the company, also helps to replant trees and encourage sustainable practices.




Sunday, June 8, 2014

Moonstruck - Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee bar - June 8, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.
Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week. I added a bonus day to this week, due to the variety of chocolate items that contain butter.

One of the reasons I like toffee, caramel, and chocolate-covered caramel turtle/terrapin items -- all of which have been featured this past week -- is the butter. It adds a certain richness and balance, and a hint of salt helps to accentuate certain flavors in chocolate -- as long as there is not too much sugar and salt.

The Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee bar from Moonstruck Chocolate Co. (Portland, OR) was made with 31% milk chocolate, so it was relatively sweet. Tiny bits of embedded toffee gave the bar a slight, soft crunch. Despite the toffee, sea salt, almonds, sugar and other ingredients, I could, happily, still make out a faint hint of butter, my favorite part. The bar was stamped with the message: "Share if you dare."

I also paired pieces of this bar with Jeni's Browned Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream, and topped this sundae with fresh pecan halves. This combination was a bit rich for a hot day outside, but the sundae was in a very small glass. Small-sized and shotglass desserts are always easier to justify, if you feel you need to do so.

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