Monday, April 30, 2018

Magnum - Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream - April 30, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Magnum
Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream
Good ++
Weight: 2/3 cup (110 g.) / 14.8 fl. oz. (440 mL)
Calories: 340 calories in 1 (2/3 cup) serving
Cost: $4.49 (estimate) for 1 container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

Today's Magnum* Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream was from Unilever (Englewood Cliffs, NJ).

The container of natural-tasting raspberry ice cream was surrounded by a layer of solid 65% chocolate (that actually smelled like real dark chocolate). 

The novelty of this item was that one squeezed the container to crack the layer of chocolate and then ate both parts together.

*The Magnum brand is part of Unilever. This ice cream was a product of Hungary.

Dick Taylor - Vanilla Raspberry bar - April 29, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate
Vanilla Raspberry 73% Dark Chocolate bar
Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.15 g.) / 1 oz. (28.3 g.) in total bar
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

Today's Vanilla Raspberry 73% Dark Chocolate bar from Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka, CA) was debuted in time for Valentines Day 2018. Happily there were still a few left this spring.

This five-ingredient, 2017 Great Taste Award-winning bar contained: organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic freeze-dried raspberries, organic vanilla coconut palm sugar, organic vanilla bean.

The makers used their 2018 Good Food Award winning 73% "Northerner Blend" (Madagascan and Brazilian cacao) chocolate to craft this bar. The back side was sprinkled with a layer of organic, freeze-dried raspberries and vanilla coconut palm sugar.

The solid, deep raspberry pink layer of color complemented the flip/front side—a dark mahagony nautically-themed design with the Dick Taylor logo.

The above-mentioned awards were on the mark. This well executed bar was crafted to perfection. The underlying chocolate was full of complex fruit flavor and the raspberry took it up a notch. What a great ride. As the makers said: "The tartness of the raspberry is a stark contrast to the ripe fruit flavors in the Northerner Blend." And the vanilla coconut sugar blended with the raspberries added a very slight, well-rounded sweetness.

Because the duo behind this company embody craftsmanship in all they do: The bar's wrapper "was designed and printed in-house on our letter press, including that hand carved raspberry and the hand lettering on (the) front." 





Saturday, April 28, 2018

Breyers Raspberry Fudge Swirl Low Fat Ice Cream - April 28, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Breyers
Breyers Delights - Raspberry Fudge Swirl Low Fat Ice Cream
Good
Weight: 2/3 cup (96 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 110 calories in 1 (2/3 cup) serving 
Cost: $4.49 for 1 container
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

Today's Breyers Delights Raspberry Fudge Swirl Low Fat Ice Cream from Breyers* (Englewood Cliffs, NJ).

Products with an ingredients list with longer than 5 items don't usually fare better than their simpler counterparts. For example, ice creams without vegetable gums taste better to us and seem to be easier to digest.

Today's low fat raspberry ice cream was created to respond to changing public tastes, and most of those changes seem to be for the better. In addition to being lower in fat and sugar and higher in protein, this ice cream was infused with natural tasting raspberry juice and flavor that seemed to be lacking in artificial flavoring or coloring. 

A light fudge swirl added a touch of chocolate flavor and rich texture. It was incorporated into an ice cream base that had a very slightly granular texture (due to lower fat and a little extra (milk) protein (about 6.6 g. per serving or 20 g. per container). 

The ice cream was also lighter in terms of sugar. It was sweetened with a combination of corn-based sweeteners and stevia. 

The nutrition labeling was printed large enough to be read and understood. At 110 calories per 2/3 cup serving (approximately 1/3 the calories of many premium ice creams), consumers might be more tempted to each a whole pint vs. just one serving. But, then, that is an issue on the consumer side and not on the producer side.

*Breyers, a brand of frozen desserts/ice cream sold in the U.S. and Canada, was originally founded in 1866 by William A. Breyer, and later became part of Kraft, and then ice cream giant, Unilever.






Straus Family Creamery - Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream - April 27, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Straus Family Creamery
Organic Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream
Good +
Weight: 2/3 cup (128 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 340 calories in 1 (2/3 cup) serving
Cost: $2.49 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Organic Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream from Straus Family Creamery (Petaluma, CA) offered a satisfying blend of creamy, natural-tasting raspberry ice cream studded with chocolate chips.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Lake Champlain Chocolates - Raspberries and Dark Chocolate 57% Cocoa bar - April 26, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lake Champlain Chocolates
Raspberries and Dark Chocolate 57% Cocoa bar
Good+
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 212.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draeger's Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Raspberries Theme Week.

Today's Organic Raspberries and Dark Chocolate 57% Cocoa bar was from Lake Champlain Chocolates (Burlington, VT).

Slightly earthy dark chocolate was well balanced with bright tart-sweet, authentic red raspberry flavor. (Expect a few raspberry seeds.) The flavor profile of this dark chocolate initially gave the impression of a much higher cacao percentage bar, until the surprisingly sweet finish kicked in.
This Raspberries and Dark Chocolate 57% Cocoa bar was Certified Organic, Fair for Life, Kosher Dairy.


Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Hershey's - Snapsy Snap-Apart Bunny - April 25, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Hershey's
Snapsy Snap-Apart Bunny
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bunny
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bunny
Cost: $1.49 (estimate) for 1 bunny
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week. Fresh raspberries and chocolate: what a great combination. 

Today's Snapsy Snap-Apart Bunny was from The Hershey Company (Hershey, PA). The sweet, solid milk chocolate bunny did indeed break apart easily; and the first piece to go was the basket the bunny was carrying.

We liked imagining the bunny enjoying fresh green grass, or gathering a raspberry or two into its chocolate basket (to place next to the tiny milk chocolate egg it had) before said bunny disappeared.




Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Elements Truffles - Raspberry Beetroot 70% bar - April 24, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Elements Truffles
Raspberry infused with Beetroot 70% bar
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week, and the first day of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

Botanicals this week have included a variety of plant-based ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, flowers and seeds. Today's Raspberry infused with Beetroot bar from Elements Truffles (Kearny, NJ) contained both a fruit and and a root vegetable.

The company's Ayurveda-inspired, cocoa butter-rich* bars have a slightly soft, creamy melt and texture (like chocolate truffles).

This 70% dark chocolate had red berry flavor balanced by slight beet, vegetable note; and the bar was garnished with a thin line of freeze-dried, raspberries (powder) on the back.

*Ingredients: Organic Raw Cacao Butter (Peruvian Criollo), Raw Honey, Organic Raw Cacao Powder, Raspberry Essential Oil, Organic Beet Root Powder, Organic Freeze-Dried Raspberry, Himalayan Sea Salt.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Dagoba - Organic Ginger Lime Milk Chocolate 37% cacao - April 23, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dagoba Organic Chocolate 
Ginger Lime milk chocolate 37% cacao bar
Good
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 2.83 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Dagoba Organic Chocolate
Organic Ginger Lime milk chocolate 37% cacao Cacao Gems
OK ++ - Good
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 4.2 oz. (115 g.) in total package
Calories: 50 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 package of 3 flavors
Purchased from: Target Stores, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today's organic, gluten free Ginger Lime Milk Chocolates were from Dagoba Organic Chocolate (Ashland, OR).* One was in bar form and the other in individually-wrapped Cacao Gem form.

Although made with the same list of ingredients and wrapped in similarly themed packaging, the bar version of this Ginger Lime milk chocolate seemed a little tastier, fresher and a little more natural. The tiny pieces of crystallized ginger had a more natural soft chew, vs. crunchy flavored bit texture.

Both 37% cacao chocolates were very sweet (which may be OK if you like chocolate candy). However, like many other 37% chocolates, it was hard to taste the cacao under so much sugar and milk,

The design and packaging were well done. The pattern printed on the bar was especially nice, combining an abstract motif with a small figure, the outline of a cacao pod and a small company logo.

*Manufactured by Dagoba Organic Chocolate, a division of The Artisan Confections Company (owned by The Hershey Company). 

**The cacao (beans and butter) used to make these chocolates was sourced from dual-certified Organic and Rainforest Alliance Certified Farms.


Sunday, April 22, 2018

Map Chocolate Co. - The Secret Garden - dried plum, cardamom Belize 70% bar - April 22, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Map Chocolate Co. 
"The Secret Garden - respite from the storm" dried plum cardamom Belize 70% bar
Good+++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 187 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today's "The Secret Garden" dark bar from Map Chocolate Co. (Eugene, OR) had a long, poetic name: "The Secret Garden respite from the storm Belize 70% with dried plum and cardamom."


This attractively packaged and designed bar came with a tiny leaflet laced with colorful, commentary—a weaving of information about the chocolate bar (makers notes) with memories and associations.

Pieces of local (Oregon) dried plum, and freshly-peeled cardamom seeds, adorned the back of this bar.

This well-tempered dark bar broke with a hard snap, and had an aroma with dark chocolate, spice, toast and dried fruit notes. The Belize 70% chocolate was smooth, almost creamy, and the bar had a light plum and cardamom spice finish.

*Note: The bar was listed as sold out on the company's website.








Saturday, April 21, 2018

Map Chocolate Co. - "Favorite Flannel Shirt" Pumpkin Babka Caraway Seeds bar - April 21, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Map Chocolate Co.
Favorite Flannel Shirt pumpkin babka with caraway seeds bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 187 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today's "Favorite Flannel Shirt" pumpkin babka with caraway seeds bar was from Map Chocolate Co. (Eugene, OR).

The bar's packaging unfolded a bit like a Russian nested doll. Underneath the brown paper outer wrapping was a beautifully illustrated, botanically-themed wrapper. And at the center, was a square chocolate bar, imprinted with an intricate, mandala-like pattern. The flip side was dusted with a tiny riot of pumpkin and caraway seeds, spices, sugar and oat particles.

This bar had a pleasant, faint intriguing aroma that was tough to pin down (dried plum, dessert, light spice with a comfortable top and bass notes). The aroma did have a comforting/comfortable quality, thus the possible connection with "Favorite Flannel Shirt" and "babka" in the name.

A babka typically might contain yeast dough/gluten, but it seemed that organic oats* were used instead to simulate the grain component here.

The base chocolate had relatively bold, dark flavor with a touch of citrus acidity, and bar had a lingering, even finish.

*Ingredients: "cacao beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, organic pumpkin, organic oats, organic spices, caraway, maple syrup, olive oil, organic brown sugar"

Allergy information: Soy free; may contain nuts and/or dairy due to shared equipment.








Friday, April 20, 2018

Theo Chocolate - Lemon Hemp Chocolate Clusters - April 20, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate
Lemon Hemp Chocolate Clusters
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total package
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $0.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Lemon Hemp Chocolate Clusters were from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The company has a history of being "passionate about chocolate and making the world a better place." Founded in 2006, the company was one of the first to offer organic, fair trade cocoa products. (Today's USDA Organic, Non GMO Project Verified chocolate was "fair for life.")

Today's Organic Lemon Hemp Chocolate Clusters* contained a mix of dark chocolate, crunchy plant-based seeds and flakes and a hint of natural, lemon fragrance and flavor. One serving (1/2 package) of these crunchy clusters contained "50 mg cocoa flavanols per serving,"**

While not certified gluten free (these clusters were made on shared equipment with products containing soy, milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts and other tree nuts), they did not contain soy, dairy or gluten-containing ingredients.

*Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Coconut*, Crisped Sorghum Flakes*, Cocoa Butter*, Crisped Sorghum Flakes*, Cocoa Butter*, Crisped Quinoa*, Low Fat Cocoa Powder* (with Ascorbic Acid with color retention), Hemp Seeds*, Lemon Oil*, Ground Vanilla Bean*  (* = organic ingredient)

**Flavanols are plant nutrients found naturally in cocoa beans that are thought to contribute to heart health by "supporting healthy blood flow." 

Whether flavanols from dark chocolate can help counteract our habits of sitting behind a desk or on a couch for many hours a day, will depend on the individual circumstances. However, research does seem to support claims on this package that healthy circulation contributes to exercise performance, cognitive health, skin and cardiovascular health.




Thursday, April 19, 2018

Raphio Chocolate - Clementine Olive Oil bar - April 18, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Raphio Chocolate
72% Clementine with Olive Oil bar
Good +
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31.5 g.) / 2.2 oz. (63 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

This pleasant 72% dark chocolate Clementine with Olive Oil bar from Raphio Chocolate (Fresno, CA) had authentic, rich but smooth dark chocolate flavor.

It was infused with a light natural citrus flavor* and had a subtle, creamy/soft initial texture (olive oil) and melt. The chocolate had a very slight grainy finish, but it was not enough to affect the tasting experience.

*Raphio Chocolate's Elisia Otavi, skillfully incorporated Enzo Olive Oil Company's Clementine Olive Oil into this bar.





Violet Sky - 77% Guatemala Fennel Pollen bar - April 19, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Violet Sky American Craft Chocolate
Guatemala 77% with Fennel Pollen bar
Good +
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 185 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA


Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today we're having fun with the herb fennel. Fennel grows wild in California. Every part of the fennel plant is edible, including the tiny flowers and yellow pollen.

High-end chocolatiers and chefs occasionally infuse or dust food and dessert items with fennel pollen. The naturally sweet, fennel particles have a licorice flavor.

While potent, the fennel in today's (Lachua) Guatemala 77% with Fennel Pollen bar—from Violet Sky American Craft Chocolate (South Bend, IN)—didn't overpower the base 77% dark chocolate. This chocolate had its own bold flavor with citrus notes.




Wednesday, April 18, 2018

La Naya Chocolate - Orange and Juniper bar - April 17, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

La Naya Chocolate
Orange and Juniper milk chocolate bar
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 229 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week; Day #1 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today's Orange and Juniper 54% milk chocolate bar from La Naya Chocolate (Lithuania).

The gluten free, organic dark milk chocolate bar was smartly dressed in botantically-themed and illustrated packaging. The chocolate was flat on the back side (as bars usually are) and a molded 3D sculpture on the front side.

The maker described his bar as "bean to emotion," likening the emotion evoked to a spring day at The Vatican...with the promise of victory, or words to that effect. That phrase did evoke a cuirous state of mind.




Monday, April 16, 2018

Bounce USA - Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball - April 16, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bounce USA
Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) in 1 ball/package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 ball/package
Cost: $1.09 for 1 ball/package
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Today's Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball was manufactured in the US for Bounce USA (Bend, OR).

This substantial, chewy protein* ball had natural, balanced chocolate and orange flavor and a healthy dose of crunchy cacao nibs. The natural flavors were more present, vs. the traditional, tell-tale grainy, protein bar taste. Hurray. Also cause for celebration: this protein energy item was not overly sweet. Thank you!

*This Non-GMO Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball contained 9 grams of protein. It was made without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It was gluten free, but did contain milk (whey protein).

Note: This Orange Cacao flavor did not appear on the company's website on the date of this posting. So, it's not clear if it's a new, or possibly a discontinued, flavor. There was a Cacao Mint flavor though.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Chocolate Tree - Orange and Amaretti 70% bar - April 15, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolate Tree
Orange and Amaretti 70% Dark Chocolate bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 192 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Today's Orange and Amaretti 70% Dark Chocolate bar was made by Chocolate Tree (Haddington, Scotland).

Owners Alastair and Friederike Gower and their team at Chocolate Tree, use premium heritage single origin cacao that is "precisely roasted, obsessively winnowed, slowly conched and patiently matured to create exceptional chocolate."

This, and more, is what it takes to be successful, bean-to-bar chocolate makers. The groundwork begins (and continues over time), back at the country of cacao origin where relationships with farmers/plantation owners are developed, to help ensure one has the best cacao possible.

The Gowers are have been doing this work. And speaking of duos, there were two, individually-wrapped Orange and Amaretti 70% chocolate  bars inside a colorful outer package, making it easier to enjoy single portions, and/or to share this chocolate with friends.

The 70% dark chocolate had a relatively subtle dark chocolate aroma with citrus, light cookie and green* notes. The chocolate flavor was pure, relatively robust but smooth with citrus notes. (The chocolate was made from Trinitario cacao from Akesson's Ambanja estate in northern Madagascar.) Small, slightly crystallized amaretti bits added crunchy texture.

This bar was made with organic ingredients and contained no gluten-containing items. Ingredients: cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, amaretti biscuit (9%): almonds, sugar, eggs, bitter almond, orange oil

*The faint green notes were similar to a blend of green tea and green plants/green wood (think meadow/forest), green grass.




Saturday, April 14, 2018

Millcreek Cacao Roasters - Orange 70% Dark Chocolate - April 14, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Millcreek Cacao Roasters
Orange 70 percent Dark Chocolate 
Good + 
Weight: .875 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Today's Orange 70% Dark Chocolate bar was made by Millcreek Cacao Roasters (Salt Lake City, UT).

This thin, well-tempered bar had an aroma and flavor with robust, but smooth dark chocolate and very light citrus (tangerine) notes. The makers at Millcreek used Arriba Nacional cacao from the Hacienda Limon Farm in Ecuador for this bar.

Unlike other orange chocolates this week, the citrus flavor was infused into this bar using a "proprietary method," presumably during the curing process. That is, the three-ingredient list for this bar read: "cacao, pure cane sugar and cacao butter"—but no orange. How is that possible?

More chocolate makers are experimenting with different ways to infuse natural flavors into their chocolates in recent years; for example, they may barrel-aged their cacao nibs, or expose chocolate to flavors during fermentation or aging.*

Just as foods can be stored in a smokehouse and pick up a BBQ flavor, they may also pick up more subtle flavor nuances if stored with certain substances or exposed to vapors or volatiles in a confined area for a period of time.

*Once a batch of chocolate is made, blocks of chocolate may sit on a shelf (covered, in a cool storage area away from direct sunshine) for a period of curing, before bars are tempered and packaged into final bars for sale.



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