Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Trader Joe's - Venezuela Passport bar - March 31, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
Venezuela 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.99 for larger tasting pack
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Palo Alto, CA

Today was the final day (Day #10) of an extended Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week.

Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) does a good job of sourcing high-quality, reasonably priced chocolate for their customers in the U.S. And, if you like single origin bars, the company's Trader Joe's Chocolate Passport, an annual tasting pack of several bars from different cacao-growing regions, is something to be celebrated.

Each year this set of bars are slightly new, reflecting the subtle variances of cacao harvests at different farms and plantations worldwide.

The Trader Joe's Venezuela 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate bar was relatively mild and almost honey-sweet (when compared to other Venezuela 70% cacao bars this week). The tasting notes on the label indicated: "hints of floral and dried grasses." This bar was glossy and smooth and easy to enjoy.

Monday, March 30, 2015

L'Amourette - 100% Venezuela bar - March 30, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

L'Amourette Chocolatier
100% Venezuela bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 171 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (14.1 g.) serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

Nothing says intensity like a 100% cacao Venezuela bar made with cacao mass and cocoa butter (and, in this case, a hint of vanilla bean) -- where no sugar has been added.

The chocolate maker(s) at L'Amourette Chocolatier (San Francisco, CA), used Carenero Superior (Trinitario) cacao beans in this single origin bar.

The glossy Vegan, Soy and Gluten-free bar was rich (with cocoa butter) and had the same oxymoronic sounding "smooth but bitter" earth description that I used with three other Venezuela bars this month. Some regions have more of this more intense flavor profile than others. It lacks some of the brighter fruit (citrus), berry, or floral, notes that are found elsewhere.

Thank you to Kathryn for tasting collaboration.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Franceschi - Canoabo 70% - March 29, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Franceschi Chocolate
Canoabo 70% bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) total package of 2 thin bars
Calories: 165 calories in 1 thin bar (1/2 package)
Cost: $ missing info
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week. There are so many complex and interesting single origin bars from Venezuela, that I've extended this week beyond seven days.

The Canoabo 70% bar from Franceschi Chocolate (Venezuela) was rich and wonderful. The flavors from beginning to end were consistently and wonderfully balanced -- encompassing floral, fruit, sweet, bitter, in just the right amounts.

My only quibble with this award-winning* bar was there was the occasional very tiny bit of grit in an otherwise smooth and well-tempered thin bar. (I've noticed this same quality on and off in other Franceschi bars as well. Small price to pay for excellent chocolate.)

Loved the packaging, and the two thin bars in one package from Venezuela (Franceschi and Cacao de Origen) this past week. The thinness permits ready access to flavors during the tasting process. And, speaking of packaging, Franceschi also produces small tasting square versions of this bar.

*Franceschi received an International Chocolate Awards Gold award in 2013 for their Canoabo 70% bar after receiving a Silver award in this same category in 2012.

Franceschi - Ocumare 70% bar - March 28, 2015



Chocolate of the Day: 

Franceschi Chocolate
Ocumare 70% bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 159 calories in 1 bar (1/2 package)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

Ocumare is another famous cacao-growing area, in the state of Aragua (one of 23 states in the Venezuela).

This Ocumare 70% bar from Franceschi Chocolate (Venezuela) had a light touch of bitterness along with fruit (citrus) notes, but was still an enjoyable, well balanced, single origin bar.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Franceschi - Choroni 70% bar - Mar. 27, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Franceschi Chocolate
Choroni 70% bar
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total package of 2 thin bars
Calories: 159 calories (estimate) in 1 bar (1/2 package)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week, and I tried a Choroni 70% bar, the first of a trio of bars from family-run Franceschi Chocolate (Venezuela).

What or where is Choroni? It's a beach town in the Aragua State of Venezuela. The nearby valleys of Aragua reach inland and are home to valuable heritage Criollo cacao trees.

As part of an overall mission to save fine cacao (Criollo, Trinitario) throughout the country, the Choroni cacao (an ancestral Criollo variety) used in today's 70% bar was "rescued" by Franceschi Chocolate (Venezuela) and others.

According to the date on the packaging, the origins of the company date back to 1830. And the Franceschi family name runs throughout the management team. Alberto (Franceschi) is President, Juan de Dios, Vicente, Claudia, Cristina...they're all Franceschis. So one hopes the legacy will continue for many years to come.

Franceschi makes their own bars (tree to tablet), and has supplied beans to chocolate makers (e.g. Escazu Artisan Chocolates and Dandelion Chocolate in the U.S.).

The subtle but complex flavor notes in today's Choroni bar were intriguing: light, floral pipe tobacco, roasted brown sugar, light fruit (ripe peaches). A wonderful, unique bar. This is probably the most delicately sweet and nuanced bar of the Venezuelan bunch I've tried so far this week.


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Cacao de Origen - Macuare 82% bar - Mar. 26, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cacao de Origen
Macuare 82% bar
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45.28 g.) (estimate) in 1 pouch with 2 bars
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in .5 oz. (14.1 g.) piece
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Cacao de Origen is bean-to-bar chocolate at its most specific -- created with beans from single region and plantation, these bars are all from Venezuela (and are hard to get in the U.S.).

Chocolate experts at Cacao de Origin + Chloe Doutre-Roussel formulated this slim pair of bars (two in one package/pouch) with two ingredients: 1.) Macuare cacao beans from Arturo Samana, Miranda, Venezuela, and 2.) sugar.

This Macuare 82% dark bar was darker than most single origin bars (less sugar), and was a merry-go-round of interesting flavors. It started with an intriguing aroma -- floral, salty earth, leather. The tasting experience unfolded in a unique, complex, but balanced, way. For example, there were also some slight bitter notes, but all these flavors were somehow kept in balance. There was just the right amount of sugar -- enough to add some brightness, but not enough to interfere with or mask the complex range of dark flavor notes.

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

Cacao de Origen - Chuao 75% bar - March 25, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cacao de Origen
Chuao 75% bar
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 1.65 oz. (46.6 g.) (estimate) in total pouch of 2 thin bars
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week.

Chuao is a small coastal village in Aragua,Venezuela, with a large reputation in the chocolate world. The coastal town has scenic mountains and beaches; and the "sea-locked" Aragua valley that extends back from the Caribbean Sea is known for its cacao plantation(s) and reputation for excellent Criollo cacao beans.

Today's Cacao de Origen Chuao 75% single origin bar was made using cacao beans from Hacienda de Chuao/"Tisano The Cacao Company." This limited edition bar was produced in/by Hacienda La trinidad (Caracas, Venezuela).

This Chuao bar stood out from other Venezuela bars this week; it had a much brighter, citrus fruit flavor profile from the first bite.

Like yesterday's Cacao de Origen Agua Fria dark bar (from the state of Sucre), this Chuao bar was made with just cacao beans and sugar. Nothing else. So, the flavors shone through more clearly, for better or for worse. (In this case, better.) There were no additives, emulsifiers or extra sweeteners to hide behind.




Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Cacao de Origen - Agua Fria 75% bar - March 24, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cacao de Origen
Agua Fria 75% bar
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.85 oz. (52.3 g.) in total package (2 thin bars)
Calories: 278 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: $ missing info
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

Cacao de Origin is as much co-op project and heart, as it is company or business. The organization seeks to create awareness around the fine traditions of Venezuelan cacao, formulate bars, and create better lives for others involved in cacao growing and making. Each bar has an origin story.

Venezuela is known for half a dozen famous cacao-growing regions, such as Chuao, Sur de Lago or Rio Caribe. The Agua Fria area is in the State of Sucre, east of Caracas, where the Caribbean Sea starts to mingle with the Atlantic ocean.

Today's Limited Edition Cacao de Origin Agua Fria 75% cacao bar (from Hacienda La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela), had some of the same dark, brooding, slightly bitter yet smooth notes as the two Venezuelan chocolates featured earlier this week. However, this was a bit less dense and uniform, with a few more sparkles of fruit/acid and other flavor notes.

This dark bar seemed less dense in part due to the thinness of the chocolate (two thin bars were packaged in a single, sealed silver pouch). Thin (greater surface to mass ratio and all that) enables ready access to flavor notes. No need to be patient and wait for a thicker piece to yield its secrets to your palette. The melt is already underway from the first nibble.

Not only was this a single origin bar, but the beans could be traced to one name/plantation. The semillas (seeds), what we call cacao beans, were from cacao producer Calixto Lopez.

I was fortunate to be able to pick up a few different Cacao de Origen bars (made bean-to-bar in Venezuela) from the company representatives while they were making a stop at The Chocolate Garage in Palo Alto, CA as part of a trip in the U.S.

After 3,000+ chocolates, I've enjoyed several bars made from 100% Venezuelan cacao. However, this was my first chocolate made from scratch in Venezuela by a Venezuelan company/organization. Something to celebrate. And I did. I savored both bars.




Monday, March 23, 2015

Lillie Belle Farms - Purple Haze bar - March 23, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lillie Belle Farms
Purple Haze bar
Good - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.75 oz. (77 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) of bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Lillie Belle Farms, Central Point, OR

Today was the second day of Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week.

Lillie Belle Farms (Central Point, OR) blended cacao beans from the Sur de Lago region of Venezuela to make this Purple Haze dark chocolate bar.

According to website description, this 75% cocoa content bar is "strong, yet smooth with a dark earthy note, that finishes mellow." I would agree. It had fairly strong, dark flavor, not much sugar, and a hint of bitterness -- that was neither harsh nor unpleasant.

The Purple Haze bar was also vegan and gluten free.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Cello Chocolate - Venezuela 70% Cacao bar - March 22, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cello Chocolate
Venezuela 70% Cacao bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34.2 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 3/5 bar
Cost: $ N/A - part of a larger order
Purchased from: Cello Chocolate, online order

Venezuela is a country with many cacao-growing regions and an abundance of fine flavor cacao (from Criollo, Trinitario and other cacao beans). Some of the finest dark chocolates are produced from Venezuelan cacao.

Today's single origin Venezuela 70% Cacao bar from Cello Chocolate (Nevada City, CA) had deep yet smooth dark flavor, with floral/vanilla notes and a slightly bitter finish (without the rough edge).

Cello Chocolate maker, Ned Russell (who has extensive chocolate making background, and also plays the cello), specializes in hand-crafting small batch, bean-to-bar, single origin chocolate bars -- made with cocoa beans*, sugar and cocoa butter.

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

*Cacao beans were "ethically and sustainably traded."

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Goldkenn - Original Praline bar - March 21, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Goldkenn
Original Praline bar
Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) in package/bar of 2 pieces
Calories: 105 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $N/A - gift from friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friend

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate Surprise Theme Week.

Sometimes the best surprises come from friends, like today's Swiss chocolate bar. Thank you Joy. The Swiss have a reputation for making chocolates with a silky smooth, buttery melt.

Goldkenn (Le Locle, Switzerland) offers a variety of milk, dark and praline chocolate bars packaged as replicas of gold bars. Today's Goldkenn Original Praline bar contained two pieces that were individually-wrapped in gold foil. The chocolate had a decadent flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture -- sugar, cocoa butter, butterfat, creamy milk chocolate with flecks of almond and hazelnut.



Friday, March 20, 2015

Chocolate Printing - Prunes in Dark Chocolate - Mar. 20, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolate Printing Company, Inc.
Fruits in Chocolate - Prunes in Dark Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (36 g.) / 6 oz. (169.8 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 140 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package of 9 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate Surprise Week.

Prunes? Yes, prunes. Before there was a Silicon Valley or an Apple Computer in the San Francisco Bay Area, there was the Valley of Heart's Delight, an agricultural region known for apricots, prunes and cherries. Chocolate covered apricots, prunes and other fruits were popular local confections.

Today's bag of individually-wrapped Prunes in Dark Chocolate from Chocolate Printing Company, Inc. (Inwood, NY) was a reminder of local California history. However, I didn't need nostalgia to sweeten this experience. I love the rich, almost caramelized, concentrated fruit flavor in prunes (and figs); and these dark chocolate covered prunes would be as enjoyable for breakfast as they would be for lunch, dinner, or a snack.

What would be even better? Perhaps a version of this offering made without preservatives or artificial flavor. Otherwise, they were quite good.


Thursday, March 19, 2015

Moondarra - Chocolate and Hazelnut Cream Cheese - March 19, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Moondarra Cheese Pty Ltd
Chocolate and Hazelnut - Australian Cream Cheese
Good ++
Weight: 4.2 oz. (120 g.) in total package
Calories: 440 calories in 1 package
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate Surprise Week.

Sometimes chocolate and cheese can pair surprisingly well.
Today's Chocolate and Hazelnut Australian Cream Cheese offering from Moondarra Cheese Pty Ltd (Dandenong, Australia) was deliciously unique. (Moondarra produces a variety of flavored cream cheeses.)

This creamy and well balanced cream cheese was spreadable -- just sweet enough, not too sweet -- making it suitable for a variety of uses: dessert plate fare, tea sandwiches, as a toast spread, or just for eating by itself. The incorporation of small bits of chocolate and hazelnut yielded subtle chocolate flavor highlights and nut texture and flavor.

*Moondarra is an indigenous Koori word for a region in Gippsland, Australia, known for dairy products. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Las Vegas chocolate bars - March 18, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Paramount Chocolates
Dark Chocolate Bar
OK
Weight: .25 oz. (7 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 37 calories (estimate) in .25 oz. (7 g.) piece
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Candy Shoppe, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV

Vegas Image (Distributor)
Crisp Chocolate Candy Bar
Good
Weight: .25 oz. (7 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 37 calories (estimate) for .25 oz. (7 g.) piece
Cost: $2.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Candy Shoppe, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate Surprise Week.

I thought I'd have enough chocolates from Las Vegas for another Las Vegas or Gaming theme week. (I had one a few years ago.) However, no dice.

I was surprised, however, to find these two bars that I'd tucked away in the Chocolate Vault just for this occasion. I'd purchased these (and some chocolate poker chips) in 2013 from The Candy Shoppe in the Las Vegas airport. So this week's Surprise Week seemed to be a good place to include them.

Both bars were adorned with replicas of the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada" sign that greets visitors to this "Sin City" in the desert. This sign is so famous it has its own Wikipedia entry. And both bars were fairly fresh given how long ago that I'd bought them.

My favorite was the thick, rich milk chocolate bar with crisp rice.




Tuesday, March 17, 2015

2nd St. Creamery - Truck Stop Fudge - Mar. 17, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

2nd Street Creamery
(Wells Enterprises, Inc., aka Wells' Dairy)
Truck Stop Fudge ice cream
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (105 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 cup ice cream
Cost: $1.49 (sale) for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate Surprise Week.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all who celebrate in the U.S., and beyond.

The closest I came to the Emerald Isle (Ireland) was imagining the green pastures of a dairy farm, dotted with cows, in the midwest, near a place called the 2nd Street Creamery*.

Surprise. We're pulling over for some Truck Stop Fudge ice cream from 2nd Street Creamery. (I couldn't find the company's Limerick Cherry Chocolate ice cream -- that would've offered a fun Irish twist.)

The Truck Stop related name was unusual enough I hit the brakes when I saw it in the freezer section. Plus that cute drawing of the cow riding a bicycle-milk cart sucked me in.

Made of rich chocolate ice cream, marshmallow cream and fudge sauce, this 2nd Street Truck Stop Fudge flavor was worth stopping for.

*Wells Enterprises, Inc., aka Wells' Dairy, is likely the largest, privately held, family owned ice cream maker in the U.S. They're also the owners of the 2nd Street Creamery and Blue Bunny ice cream brands. I was surprised to learn that Wells produces more than 150 million gallons of ice cream annually.




NewTree - Kola bar - March 16, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

NewTree
Kola (Petillant) bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 105 calories (estimate) in 1/4 bar
Cost: $6.75 for 1 bar
Purchased from: NewTree Cafe, San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate Surprise Theme Week.

NewTree just expanded their operations in the Bay Area. An attractive new cafe in downtown San Francisco opened earlier this month (March 2015). The company is offering a menu that includes more food items -- in addition to a display wall of chocolate bars, that continues to be updated.

When I visited Benoit and crew on opening day, I noticed a new Kola bar on the shelves that I hadn't seen before.

This Kola (or Petillant) bar did a great job of capturing the essence of a cola soft drink in a dark chocolate bar. The bar was crafted with 72% fairtrade cacao from the Dominican Republic, and incorporated "lime shavings" cola flavor, and "carbonated sugar" (glucose, lactose and carbon dioxide). I'm assuming the latter is popping candy (aka pop rocks) -- providing the fizz in this homage to a popular carbonated beverage.

*The kola nut is the fruit of the kola tree (native to Africa) that provides the flavoring used to make popular cola soft drinks.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Ticket Chocolate - French Truffle - Mar. 15, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ticket Chocolate
French Truffle
Good - Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) total package
Calories: 450 calories (estimate) in 2 servings
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - sample

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate Surprise Week.

Each year I look forward to having a week like this, a time when I can feature items might be unique, whimsical, new, or involve something unexpected.

I first spotted today's Hot Chocolate on a Stick offerings from Ticket Chocolate (San Francisco, CA) at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, earlier this year. The company produces single-serving "blocks of fine couverture chocolate" on a stick (or vintage silverplate spoons), that can be stirred into hot water or milk of your choice.

Thank you to Ticket Chocolate for allowing me to try their 6 oz. (170 g.) sized bag of 4 individual servings of their French Truffle flavor. It did not disappoint.

It has been a cold winter on the East Coast, with plenty of snow. And, thinking of them, I made hot chocolate from one serving, stirring the chocolate on a stick into hot water; it dissolved completely after a minute or two.

However, California has skipped winter altoghter it seems. It was a warm day today and I didn't necessarily need any more hot chocolate, but still wanted more chocolate. So, I also ate a second serving, right off the stick, lollipop style and liked that very much too.

A chocolate (or any food) tasting is enhanced by presentation and what I'll call the experiential component. Ticket Chocolate scores high marks on both.

Other Ticket Chocolate flavors include Belgian Milk, Salted Caramel, Peppermint, Three Chili, Chai, Peanut Butter Cup and Vanilla Mint.


Saturday, March 14, 2015

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzels, and Spread - Mar. 14, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Gratify Foods
(Distributed by Osem USA, Inc.)
Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Covered Twists
Good
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) / 5.5 oz. (156 g.) in total package
Calories: 210 calories in 7 pretzels
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Happily there are many tasty gluten-free pretzel options these days, even some with chocolate.

The line of Gratify Gluten Free pretzels, distributed by Osem USA, Inc. (Englewood, NJ) includes several pretzel + chocolate options (some seasonal) -- and, at least one with peanut butter as well.

This morning, I enjoyed a handful of Gratify Gluten Free Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Covered Twists. These pretzels hit all the snack receptor buttons - rich, crunchy, creamy, sweet, savory/salty...etc. And one serving size (7 pieces) was just the right amount.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week. 

Friday, March 13, 2015

Betty Lou's - Nuts About Peanut Butter - Mar. 13, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Betty Lou's, Inc.
Nuts About Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.7 oz. (49 g.) in total package
Calories: 210 calories in 1 package
Cost: $1.79 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

The product name took up a lot of space on the label from Betty Lou's (McMinnville, OR). But the "Nuts about Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Energy Ball" inside combined peanut butter, gluten-free vegetable protein, chocolate chips and more, to make a chewy, satisfying snack.

The company's tagline "Great Stuff and Plenty of it," had a nice, familiar ring to it. I've previously tried some of the company's Great Stuff bars with fruit, vegetable and chocolate ingredients. Founder Betty Lou started making products with alternatives to refined sugar and healthy ingredients for her own family more than 30 years ago.









Thursday, March 12, 2015

Popcorn, Indiana - Chocolate Peanut Butter Drizzlecorn - Mar. 12, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Popcorn, Indiana LLC
Chocolate Peanut Butter Drizzlecorn
Good++
Weight: 1.85 oz. (53 g.) / 5.5 oz. (156 g.) in total package
Calories: 257 calories in 1/3 package
Cost: $3.00 (sale)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.


I was concerned that today's confection would be on the heavier sweeter side.

Made by Popcorn, Indiana LLC (Englewood, NJ), this Chocolate Peanut Butter Drizzlecorn looked like a decadently sweet, crunchy, popcorn snack food, drizzled with chocolate and peanut butter.

The company, however, gave quite a bit of thought to health and well-being with their whole grain snacks. This popcorn was made with Non-GMO corn, and without artificial flavors or colors, or high-fructose corn syrup. It was also gluten free, kosher, and contained "zero grams trans fats."

And, most important, this had identifiable, natural tasting chocolate and peanut butter flavors, and did not descend into the depths of sticky, sweet gooiness. Thank you!



Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Nestle Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups - March 11, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nestle
Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 230 calories in 1 package
Cost: $1.29 in 1 package
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Nestle's Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups really are a perfect fusion between smooth peanut butter cups and a crunchy Butterfinger candy bar. Executed in filled chocolate cup form, these chocolate and peanut butter confections are sure to satisfy a sugar craving.

I'd rather skip the lactose and the hydrogenated vegetable oils, but these flavors do bring back fun childhood memories. However, if I'm not mistaken, there is good news too. Any artificial food coloring that might have been used to amp up orange-gold hues, has been replaced by more natural annetto and paprika extract coloring.

Nestle Cocoa Plan

Nestle also has formulated a program to help support cocoa farmers, with their "Nestle Cocoa Plan," (launched in 2009), represented by a logo seen on this package. The program is focused on farmers in West Africa (Ivory Coast, Ghana), where much of the world's cocoa is grown, largely on smaller farms, with the goals of improving the quality of farmers lives and the disease-resistance of cocoa trees.

Part of the training for farmers there involves the introduction of more disease-resistant trees. And, regardless of how you may feel about this and related subjects (GMOs, plants that may require more herbicides pesticides, etc.), the program also supports building schools and providing other support services. One can hope that child slavery issues are being addressed, directly or indirectly, with this funding as well.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Theo - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - March 10, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Theo Chocolate
Organic, Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Good+
Weight: 1.3 oz. (36 g.) in package of 2 cups
Calories: 190 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $2.25 for 1 package of 2 cups
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Organic, Fair Trade Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Good++-Very Good
Weight: 1.3 oz. (36 g.) in package of 2 cups
Calories: 200 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $2.25 for 1 package of 2 cups
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA) produces a line of chocolates and bars made with fair trade cacao. Building on that distinction, the company called today's chocolate(s): "the first fair trade peanut butter cup."

Today I'm featuring Theo's Organic, Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, and the Milk Chocolate version of these Non-GMO, palm free and soy free, filled chocolate cups. Both were slightly heart-shaped cups.

Theo Chocolate makers partnered with CB's Nuts (a nut butter maker) for their peanut butter.

I enjoyed the authentic, well balanced chocolate and smooth nut flavors, and less sweet taste. I didn't get the sugar buzz that I sometimes get from eating other brands -- a good thing. The dark chocolate aroma was more akin to one of Theo's bean-to-bar, dark bars than commercial candy bar chocolate, without any trace of acidity or bitterness.

The milk chocolate were also smooth and yummy.

I certainly wouldn't mind if my homemade nut butter cups tasted this smooth in flavor and texture.




Monday, March 9, 2015

Health Warrior - Chia Bar - Chocolate and Peanut Butter - March 9, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Health Warrior
Chia Bar - Chocolate Peanut Butter
Good - Good +
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in total bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ (lost info)
Purchased from: (lost info)

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Health Warrior (Richmond, VA) products include chia seeds and chia bars/snack foods, including today's Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Bar.

The chocolate and peanut butter flavors were subtle. It was a great bar for a hike. Not too sweet, but satisfying and natural tasting. One bar at lunch helped power a hike up Ring Mountain (Tiburon, CA) this afternoon to see the Miwok Indian Petroglyphs. Thanks Health Warrior founders (Dan Gluck, Nick Morris, and co.).

Little chia seeds are naturally nutrient dense -- offering a good source of protein and fiber, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. (This small bar contained roughly 1,000 mg of Omega-3s.)

Chia seeds have been enjoyed by humans, as far back as 3,500 years ago) -- and, by inference, Aztec warriors. Today's health and fitness "warriors" might also benefit.

Those Chia Pets* and heads are great fun, but chia seeds are also a great healthy food. Maybe there needs to be a "chia warrior?"

*What are Chia Pets? Joseph Enterprises, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) created them and still sells them. These figurines made their debut in 1977. Moistened chia seeds are spread on small, animal or head-shaped terracotta figures. And if watered and cared for properly the seeds sprout and grow "fur" or "hair." (The company also sells chia seeds for consumption.) 


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