Sunday, February 15, 2015

ChocolaTree - Rose Saffron - Feb. 15, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

ChocolaTree
Rose Saffron
Good ++
Weight: .37 oz. (10.4 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 55.5 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $2.22 for 1 piece
Purchased from: ChocolaTree, Sedona, AZ

Today was Day #7 of Valentines Chocolates Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and India Theme Week.

I've been interested in Indian spices, snacks and other flavors for several years now. I'll be featuring some chocolatier offerings that incorporate these flavors into chocolate bars and confections.

I'm also blending some of my own chocolates that I hope capture the spirit of India -- at least from an American perspective, and given that I haven't actually been to this very large and diverse country.

I love the use of flowers in Indian dishes, including marigolds, kewra, onion, drumstick, banana, orange blossoms, roses (petals and rose water), and saffron.* Roses are also popular this Valentines Day weekend.

Today's Rose Saffron chocolate from ChocolaTree (Sedona, AZ) incorporates two of these floral ingredients from the above list. This chocolate had a velvety melt and texture, was suffused with authentic rose flavor. It was also gluten free, dairy free and soy free.

I also sampled a ChocolaTree white chocolate elephant flavored with frankincense which tasted as intriguing as it sounded. My thoughts wandered to Indian elephants (especially male elephants with tusks) that are being killed by poachers in India. Best wishes to those who are in a role to help protect this endangered species.

* Kewra water is made with an extract distilled from the pandanus flower.
**Saffron is a spice made with the red-orange stamens from the saffron crocus flower (Crocus sativa).
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