Sunday, June 30, 2019

Original Beans - Piura Porcelana 75% bar - June 30, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Original Beans
Piura Porcelana 75% bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) /2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories:  calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.95 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Peruvian Superfoods Theme Week.

Today's Piura Porcelana 75% bar from Original Beans (Amsterdam) was made in Switzerland. It was made using with treasured "white" Porcelana (Piura Valley, Peru) cacao beans from the Piura Valley or Peru.

The inside of the Porcelana cacao seed (bean) is creamy white (instead of the more common purple and white) and these beans are prized for their delicate, complex flavor.

The bar had light, balanced fruit (berries, black currant), faint forest floor earthiness and fermentation notes. It had a smooth dark chocolate melt and taste, with balanced blackberry, black raspberry, black currant and red grape flavor notes. The fruit was subtle, full and round, complex and lower in acidity than most "bright" berry/fruit chocolate.

The flavor finish had a very subtle but long tail. It tapered off but then had a small fruit blip late in the curve, and a very slight earthiness even later.

The makers tasting notes described the flavor as having: lime, raspberry and pecan notes.

Also important to Original Beans founder, Philipp Kauffman, that the origin be honored for its treasured resources, like the Peruvian butterflies part of today's packaging design. Kauffman has pledged to plant one tree for every bar sold "...preserving some of the Earth's rarest places."

More superfoods...
Peruvian cacao could certainly be described as a superfood. A lot of people are using that term to market exotic foods with high nutritional value. But, of course, flavor and texture of the food in question are important too. And high-quality, bean-to-bar chocolate, like today's three ingredient bar (cacao mass, raw cane sugar and cocoa butter) gets high marks in all these areas.

Also consumed today was an Antioxidant Sweet Berry powdered mix from Amazing Grass (Newport Beach, CA), stirred into a glass of water.

The mix contained a variety of fruit and vegetable ingredients, green tea, as well as maca (discussed earlier this week) and camu camu* powders.

It may not have been as yummy as today's chocolate, but the company does produce offer offerings with cacao, as well as a convenient way to hydrate with a beverage full of vitamins and minerals, particularly if you have a tough time eating your greens before they wilt in your fridge.

*Camu Camu is an Amazonian, tart fruit high in Vitamin C. It looks like a bit like a large cherry plum or a miniature red apple in photos.



Saturday, June 29, 2019

Primordial Chocolate - 70% Cacao Salted Maca Crunch bar - June 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Primordial Chocolate
(Distributed by Fungi Perfecti, LLC)
70% Cacao Salted Maca Crunch bar
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peruvian Superfoods Theme Week.

Today's Primordial Chocolate 70% Cacao Salted Maca Crunch bar was distributed by Fungi Perfecti, LLC (Olympia, WA).

This bar had a slightly woodsy, chocolate aroma with a fleeting hint of coconut sugar.

The bar contained chocolate, cacao nibs, maca root and a blend of mushrooms/fungi: including: Lions Mane Mycelium, Reishi Mycelium, Cordyceps Mycelium, Chaga Mycelium; and Myceliated Brown Rice. A subtle touch of Peruvian Pink Salt rounded out this not-too-sweet (thank you!) bar.

A generous helping of cacao nibs gave the bar the "Crunch" that appeared in the title.

*Mycelium has to do with this little white/beige threads that eventually produce mushrooms (the "fruiting body"). Yes, this does make one wrinkle the nose a bit, and perhaps it's better not to know, as the chocolate tasted fun.


Friday, June 28, 2019

Skratch Labs - Skratch Anytime Energy Bar - June 28, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Skratch Labs
Skratch Anytime Energy Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Cashew Theme Week, and Day #4 of Peru Superfoods Theme Week.

Today's Skratch Anytime Energy Bar with chocolate chips and almonds was from Skratch Labs (Boulder, CO).

This chewy nut and fruit energy bar contained a nut and seed butter blend (cashew butter and tahini (sesame seeds, salt)), chocolate chips and almonds. Dried cranberries added some sweet-tart concentrated fruit flavor.

And, oats, quinoa crisps and sorghum flakes gave the bar some heft and soft crunchy texture.

Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced keen-whah), a flowering plant related to spinach with edible starchy seeds grows in the the high plains of the Andes, and has become a popular export crop in Peru.

This pseudo-cereal was enjoyed by the Incas and peoples of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador for thousands of years before it became popular in other countries. Some peoples in northern South America who may have been consuming cacao as a beverage may have also been enjoying quinoa seeds as well.

Regardless of what you may think of the term superfood, quinoa is higher in protein and vitamins and minerals than some true grains. It's been a welcome alternative to wheat and other gluten-containing grains for vegetarians and people with gluten sensitivities and allergies. And it's found its way into chocolate bars too.




Thursday, June 27, 2019

Bearded Brothers - Mega Maca Chocolate bar - June 27, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bearded Brothers LLC
Mega Maca Chocolate bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.519 oz. (43 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Cashews Theme Week, and Day #3 of chocolate and Peru Superfoods Theme Week.

Today's Mega Maca Chocolate bar was from Bearded Brothers LLC (Austin, TX). The company's line of bars appear to be designed for outdoor adventurers who might want a quick boost of natural and convenient energy on the trail, on the mountain, or on the go in general.

This Organic, compressed date and nut (cashews, almonds) bar also contained maca powder, cacao nibs, Mexican cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, chia seeds, coconut sugar and sea salt. The cacao flavors were very subtle.

Maca
Maca, a plant growing at high altitudes in Peru, is prized for its root that looks a bit like a beet or a radish. (Botanically speaking, it's in the mustard family.) It is rich in Vitamin C, carbohydrates, copper and other vitamins and minerals. It's also said to boost energy and sexual vitality, and to convey a host of other benefits that I can't corroborate. Additional studies are likely underway as I write this in 2019.

Maca root powder (the form we see it in) has been described as having an earthy, nutty flavor.

While color is not typically listed on ingredient lists or labels, maca root (like potatoes, carrots, radishes and other root vegetables), comes in different colors: including yellow, white, red and black, and the yellow or white powder (hard to tell in this form) seems to be common in stores in the Western U.S. It's not clear whether these varieties also have different superfood qualities or nutrient levels.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Markham and Fitz Chocolate Makers - Brain Food 85% Dark Chocolate bar - June 26, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Markham and Fitz Chocolate Makers
Brain Food 85% Dark Chocolate with Wild Organic Blueberries, almonds, cashews superfood bar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 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 Cashews Theme Week, and Day #2 of Peru Superfoods* Theme Week. Today's bar includes cacao and maca.

The Brain Food 85% Dark Chocolate bar with Wild Organic Blueberries, almonds, cashews and superfood powders (berries, maca) was from Markham and Fitz Chocolate Makers (Bentonville, AK).

This ultra-dark chocolate was made with cacao grown in the Dominican Republic, and had a dark chocolate, berry, nut and seed aroma and flavor. The base chocolate had a creamy melt and texture, and crunchy bits of almonds and cashews. The organic, dried blueberries were a nice touch and added natural blueberry flavor; and the 85 percent bar was not so sweet as to overpower the berry add-ons.

*The list of "superfoods" this week includes cacao, maca, lucuma, camu-camu, and quinoa. And while they may be found growing in other Latin American/South American countries, the latter four on this list are often associated with Peru. I could include potatoes (which also originated in/near Peru) as well, but it is more difficult (outside of gluten free chocolate baked goods that use potato flour/starch) to find chocolates with potatoes :-).


Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Fine and Raw Chocolate - Cashew Butter 54% bar - June 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Fine and Raw Chocolate
Cashew Butter 54% bar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Cashews Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Peruvian Superfoods* Theme Week—featuring chocolates that contain two or more of the following items: cacao, maca, lucuma, camu-camu and/or quinoa.

These items generally arrive in North America (and likely Europe and Asia as well) in powdered or partially processed form, and we rarely see the original source vegetable, fruit, nut, seed or plant associated with their respective claimed health benefits. Nonetheless it is interesting to try these exotic plants and botanicals that co-evolved with cacao trees in Central and South America.

Today's Cashew Butter 54% bar was handmade, from bean-to-bar, by Fine and Raw Chocolate / Fine and Raw LLC (Brooklyn, NY), and contained cacao and lucuma. The base chocolate was relatively mild (often the case with unroasted/raw cacao).

Lucuma is a round fruit with green skin and golden flesh that imparts a multi-layered sweet flavor. (Some liken it to a cross between an avocado and a mango, with mild sweet potato, caramel and maple flavor notes.) Like cacao fruit**, it starts to ferment quickly after harvesting, making it difficult to ship to other parts of the world.

This raw, gluten free, and Kosher chocolate was smooth, and had a relatively creamy melt and texture due to organic cashews (butter) and added cacao butter that were both fully blended with the cacao.

It was sweetened with organic coconut sugar and lucuma and was not too sweet, especially unusual for a lower % cacao bar (thank you!). The lucuma did in fact add subtle aroma and flavor notes mentioned above (sweet potato, caramel, maple). Ground vanilla bean added a light, sunny, upbeat floral note.

Ingredients: organic cacao bean(s), organic coconut sugar, organic cashew nut, organic cacao butter, organic ground lucuma, organic whole ground vanilla

*While I inherently dislike the term Superfoods, and believe it is overused, it is difficult to come up with another term that summarizes this category.

**Cacao fruit/pulp is quite delicious but, unless you live in Hawaii, or perhaps south Florida, the odds are if you live in the U.S. or Canada that you've only tasted it in its refreshing, ivory-colored, frozen pulp form that tastes nothing like chocolate.

Keep Healthy Fruitkies - Chocolate Covered Mango bar - June 24, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Keep Healthy Fruitkies
Chocolate Covered Mango bar
Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 132 calories in 1/2  bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Menlo Park, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Covered Mango bar was made in the U.S. and distributed by Keep Healthy Inc. (Northport, NY).

The bar had a medium-soft chew and contained a relatively light colored, sweet filling (dried mango, cane sugar and citric acid). The chocolate coating yielded a subtle, smooth chocolate flavor.

This bar did not contain cashews. But, to keep the connection with Cashew Theme Week, it was consumed with a handful of cacao nibs and cashews. And, did you know that mangoes are part of the cashew family?*

*Mangoes and cashews are also related to poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac; so being botanical relatives isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Health Lab - Cacao Protein Ball - June 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 172 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Australia, with a U.S. presence).

Health Lab was founded in 2015 by Jess Thomas (who formerly worked at L'Oreal), as a "wellness and beauty brand inspired by what read women need and want." Great marketing statement, but how did the product taste?

The generously-sized, date-sweetened Cacao Protein Ball had a fudgey, substantial chew and flavor; and it contained a short list of ingredients* including Whey Protein and cashews, that made it more satisfying.

According to Health Lab representatives, their protein balls are gluten and grain free and the balls contain "no gluten, no soy, no palm oil, no artificial colors or flavors."

*Ingredients: "Dates, Cashew Nuts, Organic and Fair Trade Coconut, Raw Cacao (8%), Whey Protein Concentrate (8%), Water, Sea Salt" 

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Justin's - Dark Chocolate Cashew Butter Cups - June 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Justin's LLC
Organic 2 Dark Chocolate Cashew Butter Cups
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 package of 2 cups
Calories: 230 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $0.99 for 1 package of 2 cups
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's package of 2 Organic Dark Chocolate Cashew Butter Cups was distributed by Justin's LLC (Boulder, CO).

The company, founded by Justin Gold,  got its start with jars of natural nut butters sold at the Boulder Farmers Market, and eventually grew to incorporate chocolate as well.

Justin's organic, versions of chocolate covered nut butter cups have been a delicious and welcome addition for those wanting a healthier version of this tried and true confection. Today's dark chocolate cashew butter filled cups were no exception.


Friday, June 21, 2019

Brownie Brittle, LLC - Sheila G's Thindulgent Milk Chocolate Bark - June 21, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sheila G's - Brownie Brittle, LLC
Thindulgent Milk Chocolate Bark - Cashew Toffee
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 4.7 oz. (133 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Sheila G's Cashew Toffee Thindulgent Milk Chocolate Bark was created and distributed by Brownie Brittle, LLC (West Palm Beach, FL).

The bark had a sweet, berry aroma, and was a blend of sweet, creamy milk chocolate, crunchy toffee bits and mild nutty bits.

The sweetness level overpowered the more delicate nut flavor of the cashews (their flavor was more evident in the aftertaste)—a common challenge with cashews. However, some looking for a chocolate confection might prefer tasting the sugar. A subtle hint of Himalayan sea salt helped balance out the sweetness a bit.

The base chocolate was reasonably high quality for a commercial milk chocolate. I could still taste that it was chocolate, unlike many other sweet brittles.

The pieces of bark are a good size and are easy to share with others. And the resealable packaging made it transportable for an outdoor adventure or snack on the go.





Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate - Cashew 70% Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar - June 20, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate
Cashew 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar
Good++
Weight: 1.055 oz. (30 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 158.25 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week, and Day #1 Chocolate and Cashew Theme Week.


Today's Cashew 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar was from Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate (Granada, Nicaragua).

This dark bar had a slight cookie/biscuit/cracker aroma and a smooth chocolate with delicate, complex fruit flavor notes.

Lightly salted and roasted cashew halves on the back of the bar gave the chocolate a soft crunchy texture.




Thursday, June 20, 2019

Blanxart - Organic Dark Chocolate Nicaragua 85% Bosawas bar - June 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Blanxart
Organic Dark Chocolate 85% Bosawas Nature Preserve, Nicaragua bar
Good +++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31.25 g.) / 4.4 oz. (125 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 (estimate) calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Spanish Table, Mill Valley, CA

Buenos Dias y Bienvenidos al dia #12 de la semana tematica del Chocolate y Nicaragua. Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate (Chocolat Bio Noir) 85% Bosawas Nature Preserve, Nicaragua, bar was from Blanxart* (based in Barcelona, Spain since 1954). As the name implies, the cacao used to make this bar was grown in the Bosawas Nature Preserve in Nicaragua.

This ultra-dark bar had light, complex fruit (grapes, peach jam), malt, peanut butter and jelly, oatmeal cookie, and light caramel aroma, and a smooth melt and texture.

The flavor profile was remarkably mellow for an 85 percent bar. It contained chocolate, very light fruit acidity, nutty and very faint, balanced earth/dirt notes with a very subtle, balanced bitterness and a pleasant finish. Again, an intriguing complexity with a light touch and not too sweet. There was much to like here.

Thank you to Spanish Table for their assistance in selecting some great Spanish chocolates in their store, amidst paella pans, spice jars and packets and other interesting Iberian items.

*BB Chocolate Grup, S.A. This bar was imported by Culinary Collective (Lynnwood, WA).


Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Raphio Chocolate - 72% Nicaragua bar - June 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Raphio Chocolate, LLC
72% Nicaragua (bar)
Good+
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31.5 g.) / 2.2 oz. (63 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's 72% Nicaragua bar was made by Raphio Chocolate, LLC (Fresno, CA), using cacao beans from Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The inside flap of the bar included a map and information about the origin of this cacao.

Founders, Elisia Otavi and Yohanes Makmur, have roots in chocolate and Indonesia*—and recall visiting family and cacao farms there. Otavi was inspired by her two sons (Raphael and Rio) to name their chocolate company "Raphio," and to make healthy dark chocolate bars with natural ingredients.

This Nicaragua bar had a nice aroma with fruit and faint roasted malt notes. It had a creamy melt, fruit, earth/dirt and fleeting roasted nut and cinnamon flavor notes, and some astringency in the finish.

It was not too sweet (thank you!) and the sweetness that was there seemed to be more natural and less sugar-forward than in many 70 percent bars.

Maker's notes read: "Flavor notes you may taste: Pecans, dates, molasses."

This bar was gluten free, vegan and made with Non-GMO ingredients and no soy. Ingredients: Organic cacao, Organic cane sugar, Organic cacao butter.

*Indonesia is a fairly large producer of cocoa (approximately 240 thousand tons in 2017/2018 season). However few single origin bars made from Indonesian cacao can be found in the U.S., to date. Perhaps we might taste a single origin Indonesia bar from Raphio in the future? 

Monday, June 17, 2019

Zotter Chocolates - Labooko Vegan Dark Chocolate Nicaragua 70% bar - June 17, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Zotter Chocolates US LLC
Labooko - Vegan Dark Chocolate Nicaragua 70% bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total package of two bars
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 package of 2 bars
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's Labooko Vegan Dark Chocolate Nicaragua 70% Sail Shipped Cocoa bar was made by Zotter in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolate US LLC (Cape Coral, FL). Josef Zotter started his family chocolate business in Austria in 1987 and he's been an innovative and creative maker in the chocolate world.

And he reminds us (with a printed enclosed card) to stop and smell and savor the chocolate rather than gobbling it up in one go.

This Nicaragua bar had a fruity aroma, creamy melt and light, almost whipped cream (whipped cocoa butter?) texture. Its light dried fruit flavor was more fruit and less heavy acidity (thank you)—a uniformity that was brightened by a small frisson of fruit and very faint roasted nut or roasted coffee complexity. It was sweet without being too much so (thank you).

Zotter's maker's notes read as follows:

Fragrance notes: dried fruit with accents of fermentation, notes of caramel and nuts with hints of malt.

Taste notes: an intense aroma of roasted nuts with malt, caramel and subtle hints of whipped cream and fruit (jammy dried fruit, in particular berries and raisins), nutty and malty finish with echoes of fruit.

A Sustainable Transportation Twist
In case you were curious about the images sailing ships printed on the packaging...

A few bean-to-bar chocolate makers have experimented with cleaner maritime shipping alternatives. The cocoa used to make this bar was "transported from Nicaragua to Hamburg on a sailing vessel," instead of large (fossil-fueled) cargo container ship. (The cocoa's last leg from Germany to Austria was by train.)

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter. All three ingredients were "fair traded" and "from controlled organic cultivation." Certified Organic by LACON GmbH.


Sunday, June 16, 2019

Somerville Chocolate - Nicaragua 70% Cacao Bisiesto bar - June 16, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Somerville Chocolate
Nicaragua 70% Cacao Bisiesto bar
Good++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.375 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70.75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 188 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's Nicaragua 70% Cacao Bisiesto* bar was handcrafted by Somerville Chocolate (Somerville, MA). The company describes itself as a bean-to-bar Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)* operation.

For this bar, swaddled in an outer paper wrapper in the form of an historic map, the makers at Somerville Chocolate partnered with Cacao Bisiesto,** an in-country, cacao company in Nicaragua that plays a valuable role in advising farmers on cacao quality and flavor and connecting these growers with craft chocolate makers.

The aroma of this 70% dark Nicaragua bar had well balanced savory, light earth, dense chocolate aroma, and red/citrus fruit flavor that blossomed with the first bite. It had a lingering, satisfying aftertaste with a very slight astringency.

Nicaragua Flavor Profile?

At this point in a single origin chocolate theme week, it's often easy to draw conclusions about an origin, a terroir-influenced flavor profile that might be found across a series of bars from the same country. This is especially true in countries where chocolate makers are buying cacao beans from just one or two farms or plantations. If so, what does a characteristic Nicaragua cacao taste like?

While there are some similarities, there also have been many differences in flavors this week, in part due to the use of different varieties of cacao being used in Nicaragua. A few of the resulting chocolate bars have been relatively high in fruit acidity, and others have been amazingly complex, hitting on almost every major category on a chocolate tasting wheel. The earthiness found in some of these bars has been very appealing. (Nothing like the mold-tinged dirt bars that can keep people off "earth" notes for the rest of their chocolate-tasting days.) Keep us guessing Nicaragua! All of the bars have been quite good in their own right.

*A CSA often helps support farmers by giving them some renumeration before or during a growing season (in advance of a harvest). And in turn the farmer(s) provide goods/produce to the organization. Community Supported Agriculture also serves as a way to buy local food directly from a farmer.

**Cacao Bisiesto is a small cacao company based in La Dalia, Nicaragua. (The company was founded on leap year (bisiesto) day, February 29.) Founders José Enrique Herrera and Gifford Laube, with backgrounds that include agronomy and agriculture management, have developed respectful relationships with local independent farmers in Central America and have offered assistance to them on fermentation, cacao tree management and other techniques. They help connect these farmers with craft chocolate makers, who in turn are willing to pay farmers a higher price for higher-quality cacao. 




Saturday, June 15, 2019

Zak's Chocolate - 70% Cacao Nicaragua bar - June 15, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Zak's Chocolate
70% Cacao Nicaragua bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) (per label) in total bar
Calories: 135 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week, featuring another attractively packaged artisan chocolate bar.

Today's 70% Nicaragua bar was made by Zak's Chocolate, a craft chocolate and confection maker with a small factory and retail space in Scottsdale,  AZ.

This single origin bar had a pleasing complex aroma with balanced green, fruit, bitter, chocolate, earth and light spice notes. The flavor was smooth with medium fruit acidity and a very faint roasted coffee note.

Ingredients: "Nicaragua Matagalpa cacao, organic cane sugar, Nicaragua Matagalpa cacao butter pressed in house" (Matagalpa is a relatively mountainous cacao-, coffee- and tobacco-growing region (department) in Nicaragua.)





Omnom Chocolate - Milk of Nicaragua 50% bar - June 14, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Omnom Chocolate
Milk of Nicaragua 50% bar
Good+
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Milk of Nicaragua 50% bar was handcrafted in Iceland by Omnom Chocolate (Reykjavik, Iceland).

This attractively packaged bar was relatively complex and interesting for a milk chocolate containing only 50% cacao.

The single origin, small batch milk bar possessed rich authentic caramel flavor; and even the texture (with a slightly gummy melt) was reminiscent of caramel.

The two founders (Kjartan and Oskar ) source their cacao beans from Madagascar, Tanzania and, most recently, Nicaragua. Today's bar was made with an organic O'payo cacao, one of several varieties of cacao offered by Ingemann Fine Cacao (Tipitapa, Nicaragua).

The OmNom makers use cane sugar from Brazil, and milk and sea salt from Iceland.

Ingredients: "Organic cocoa beans from Nicaragua, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, Icelandic milk powder, sunflower lecithin (E322)."


Friday, June 14, 2019

Cru Chocolate - La Dalia, Nicaragua 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) - June 13, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cru Chocolate
La Dalia, Nicaragua 72% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good+++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 132 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 Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's La Dalia, Nicaragua 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Cru Chocolate (Roseville, CA)—a perfect chocolate to accompany a day trip to Yosemite National Park, a few hours drive from Roseville.

This bar had a chocolate aroma with a slight savory note. It had a creamy melt and texture with an almost fudge-y chew. The well balanced chocolate flavor was smooth and dense with very faint nut and fruit notes, and smooth, well balanced bitterness. It was satisfying without being too sweet (thank you!).

Definitely a bar I'd like to try again.

Argencove - Passion Fruit 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar - June 12, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate
Passion Fruit 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar
Good+
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 132 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Passion Fruit 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua (bar) was from Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate (Grenada, Nicaragua).

This bar had a smooth melt and a tart, tropical fruit aroma and flavor with balanced dark chocolate bittersweet fruit flavor.




Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - 77% Cacao Nicalizo Nicaragua Premium Dark Chocolate bar - June 11, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
77% Cacao Nicalizo Nicaragua Premium Dark Chocolate bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 146 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's 77% Cacao Nicalizo Nicaragua Premium Dark Chocolate bar was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA).

This bar had a creamy melt and smooth texture  (similar to the company's two other Nicaragua single origin (El Carmen) bars we sampled earlier this week).

The aroma and flavor had cream and fruit notes (similar to chocolate made with Criollo cacao). Tart, but balanced fruit flavor bloomed as the taste experience progressed. This bar had some of the same desirable qualities of the 77% El Carmen Nicaragua bar from the same makers; however, it was more fruit forward and complex.

We look forward to trying more Goodnow Farms Chocolate origin bars in the future.

Monday, June 10, 2019

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - 69% El Carmen Nicaragua Coffee Dark bar - June 10, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
69% Cacao El Carmen Nicaragua Coffee Premium Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 146 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 Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's 69% Cacao El Carmen Nicaragua Coffee Premium Dark Chocolate bar with Coffee was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA).

The company offers a variety single origin bars—a few with inclusions from the same origin,* like today's coffee bar.

This bar had the same luscious thick creamy melt and texture as yesterday's 77 percent El Carmen bar (by the same maker); although the coarsely-ground, lightly roasted coffee beans* contributed some fine, well incorporated, grit to the texture.

The coffee also imparted some rich flavor and helped balance out the sugar**, making the chocolate seem bolder, richer (and less sweet) than many 69 percent bars (a good thing if you're a dark chocolate fan).

*According to their website, Goodnow Farms Chocolate sources their coffee beans for their 69% Nicaragua coffee bar "from Recreo Coffee and Roasterie in West Roxbury (Mass.), where husband and wife team Hector and Miriam Morales import beans directly from their family farm in Jinotega, Nicaragua."

**Ingredients: Cacao beans, Organic sugar, cocoa butter, coffee

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - 77% Cacao El Carmen Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar - June 9, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
77% Cacao El Carmen Nicaragua Premium Dark Chocolate bar
Good +
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 146 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's 77% Cacao El Carmen Nicaragua Premium Dark Chocolate bar was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA).

This bar had a dark chocolate aroma with a very faint and fleeting savory earth note.

It had wonderful firm, creamy melt and creamy smooth delectable texture.

The flavor was uniform and smooth dark chocolate with a bit of relatively low, balanced fruit acidity, a very faint nutty plant (tiger nut) note and a mild finish.

The maker's description read in part..."Working closely with local partners, we've developed a custom drying technique that perfectly highlights the unique blackberry, raisin and cocoa flavors of this cacao."

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, Organic sugar, cocoa butter.





Saturday, June 8, 2019

Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate - Saffron 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar - June 8, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate
Saffron 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar
Good - Good+
Weight: .88 oz. (25g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 132 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Nicaragua Theme Week.

Today's Saffron 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nicaragua bar was from Argencove Fine Artisan Chocolate* (Granada,** Nicaragua).

The company had its start with three Australian families who "embarked on a journey of taste through Central America."

This three ingredient bar (cacao, sugar and saffron) had an slightly fruit, dark chocolate aroma with faint green plant and spice notes. (Saffron, a spice with a luscious golden, red-orange color, comes from a purple crocus flower.)

Balanced tart red fruit (cherries) and very slight, well-managed earthy flavor notes permeated this chocolate that was not overly sweet (thank you). It also had a very slight hint of savory spice, that you might smell in saffron rice or a light golden curry.

*Manufactured by C y B Productos Acricolas S.A. in Granada, Nicaragua.

**The three largest/most well-known cities in Nicaragua all are located in the Western half of the country: Managua, Leon and Granada (All three have been the capital city of Nicaragua at some point in history.) Granada is located just east of the largest lake in Central America, Lake Nicaragua, aka Lake Cocibolca (sweet tea). The country's rich, volcanic soils are good for growing cacao, which has a long history here.



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