ChocolaTree - Raspberry raw chocolates - Feb. 11, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

ChocolaTree

Raspberry Mama
Good - Good +
Weight: .35 oz. (9.9 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 52 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $2.22 (estimate) for 1 piece
Purchased from: ChocolaTree, Sedona, AZ

Cosmic Raspberry
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: .35 oz. (9.9 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 52 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $2.22 (estimate) for 1 piece
Purchased from: ChocolaTree, Sedona, AZ

I really enjoyed a recent stop at ChocolaTree (Sedona, AZ). The chocolate display case in this progressive cafe + marketplace oasis beckoned to us as we entered. And the wide range of raw and organic chocolates, made from Ecuadorian cacao, immediately invited a closer inspection.

The chocolates came in attractive molded shapes and natural colors, many with stencil patterns across the tops. Unique chocolates included a white chocolate elephant. This wonderful little elephant came in two flavors when we visited: a rose saffron, or infused with frankincense.* (More on this elephant and these flavors soon.)

Today, because of the proximity to Valentines Day, I selected two ChocolaTree raspberry chocolates. The faceted, dome-shaped "Raspberry Mama" was made with raspberry leaf and, like other ChocolaTree chocolates was mild but flavorful, and not too sweet. (Sorry folks, no sugar buzz, just satisfying natural flavor here.)

The "Cosmic Raspberry" had a delicate stencil pattern across the top that was a little difficult to see until I held it up to the light. It depicted what looked like a cacao pod growing on a tree.

On biting into this chocolate my taste buds were surrounded by a whirlwind of authentic raspberry flavor, and the promised "honey sunburst" came seconds later. A very nice chocolate for Valentines Day, or any other occasion.

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

*Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin from a tree (Boswellia) found on the Arabian peninsula and Northeast Africa, mentioned in the Bible as one of the gifts carried by the 3 wise men (Magi) to Jerusalem.