Saturday, November 30, 2019

IQ Bar - Chocolate Sea Salt (bar) - Nov. 30, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

IQ Bar
Chocolate Sea Salt (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.87 for 1 bar
Purchased from: CVS/pharmacy, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Sea Salt bar from IQ Bar, Inc. (Boston, MA) contained 10 grams of plant protein (primarily in the form of almonds, pea protein, almond butter).

IQ Bars target an audience looking at "Brain + Body" performance.* This keto and paleo-friendly bar contained "6 Brain Nutrients"**: Lion's Mane, MCTs, Omega-3s, Flavonoids, Vitamin-E and Choline. It also had a natural chocolate flavor and tasted very satisfying.

This bar was sweetened with Erythritol, monk fruit and stevia and was not too sweet (thank you!). It also contained a fair amount of fiber (primarily Non-GMO tapioca fiber). Fiber was 13 g. of the 19 g. of total carbohydrate content. There were 4 g. of Net Carbs. in this bar after subtracting two for the Erythritol.

*Founder, Will Nitze, studied psychology and neuroscience as a Harvard undergraduate.

**Lion's Mane comes from a mushroom said to help support mental clarity. MCTs are medium chain triglycerides often derived from coconut oil. The bar was also labeled Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Dairy Free and Soy Free.

Sinister Labs - Sinfit Protein Cookie - Chocolate Chip Cookie - Nov. 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sinister Labs
Sinfit Protein Cookie - Chocolate Chip Cookie
Good
Weight: 2.75 oz. (78 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 310 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $0.99 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Sinfit Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie was manufactured for Sinister Labs (Southlake, TX). Sinister Labs offers protein powders, protein-enhanced pancake and waffle mix, caffeinated and non-caffeinated spreads, and protein cookies.

This generously-sized, soft baked, gluten-free* cookie contained 20 grams of protein (soy, milk, peanut) and was "covered with chocolate icing and chocolate chips," yielding a more satisfying chocolatey experience than most chocolate chip cookies offer.

Upon first opening the sealed packaging, there was a slightly artificial or processed aroma, but this dissipated. The cookie was fairly filling and could almost serve as a meal replacer if one was in a hurry or in a remote location.

Not sure what to make of the open jawed skeleton graphic... It looked poised to either offer you a sinister sinful cookie, or take a big bite itself. Take a bite, if you dare!

*The cookie contained no wheat or gluten-specific ingredients, but carried the shared manufacturing space with common allergens notice that many products do. Not certified gluten free, but probably OK. It did contain milk, soy, almond, peanut and sucralose. (While sucralose, an artificial sweetener, is not technically an allergen in the same way that soy or peanuts might be, it can cause an upset digestive system for some.)

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Clif Bar - Builder's Protein - Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar) - Nov. 28, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar
Builder's Protein - Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Builder's Protein bar—made in Canada and distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA)—contained 20 grams of protein, primarily from soy (soy protein isolate was the first ingredient listed), peanuts, peanut butter and cocoa.*

Twenty grams of protein* is significant, even for a relatively large (2.4 oz.) single serving bar like this.

This Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar had much more appealing flavor and texture than many other soy protein bars we've tasted in the past. And, it seemed to be less sweet (thank you). The protein helped mute the beet syrup, brown rice syrup and cane sugar.

The bar had a bit more loft (think puffed, crunchy rice) with peanut butter and chocolate, with a slight caramel soft chew, but without the overly sweet taste. Cocoa and cocoa butter helped provide a satisfying, mild chocolate flavor.

*The same amount (2.4 oz. (68 g.)) of solid, 70% cacao dark chocolate might contain anywhere from 4.56 to 9.5 grams of protein**—along with 28.8 grams of carbohydrates (including fiber) and 26.4 grams of fat. (Cocoa beans used to make chocolate consist of approximately half fat and half solids.**) Dark bars containing higher cocoa/cacao percent numbers (with more cocoa solids) and/or cocoa powder would be highest in protein.

**Protein content numbers found online vary (in part due to different varieties and types of cacao). Fat/solids ratio in cacao may vary with cacao variety and geographic origin (where it's grown). Cacao grown at the Equator might be leaner than cacao grown at 20 degrees away from the Equator (where temperatures are cooler, and cacao tends to contain slightly more fat). Cacao growers/in-country chocolate makers in Hawaii might have as much as 10% or more cacao butter in their beans than cacao grown in Ecuador.

Whole Lotta - Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 27, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Whole Lotta
Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.98 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's gluten free and dairy free Whole Lotta Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar) was from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA).

This relatively new fruit, nut, seed and spice bar contained 10 grams of plant-based protein. The "fruit" was date paste (the first ingredient listed). Dates can act as a binder, sweetener and as some added moistness for many types of compressed bars. This fruit can deliver a powerful, gooey sweetness. However, this bar was not too sweet (and there was no added sugar). Thank you!* The protein and peanuts helped balance out the sweetness.

*Some might think it's odd to be sampling hundreds of chocolates a year, and not be that fond of sugar. But, I'm more interested in tasting the nuances of chocolate and flavor inclusions, and too much sugar can preclude having this experience.




Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Urban Remedy - Cacao - Plant Based Protein Bar - Nov. 26, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Urban Remedy
Cacao - Plant Based Protein Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.9 oz. (53 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 290 calories in 1 package
Cost: $3.75 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Cacao - Plant Based Protein Bar was made in Canada for Urban Remedy (Richmond, CA).

This multi-layered bar had a thin layer of dark chocolate on the top and a slightly crunchy, lightly sweetened cracker-like layer on the bottom. It had chocolate, green, fruit (goji) and graham cracker aroma and flavor notes. It was not overly sweet (thank you!), and there was no "off" notes due to the protein inclusion.

Pea protein supplied the majority of the 11 g. of plant protein in this bar.


Monday, November 25, 2019

Bulletproof - Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein Bar - Nov. 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bulletproof
Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein bar
Good
Weight: 1.58 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Protein Theme Week.

Today's Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein bar was manufactured for Bulletproof 360, Inc. (Seattle, WA). The company's CEO, Dave Asprey, has focused on products that help support health, longevity and performance.

This bar was designed not for fun or deep, rich chocolate flavor, but rather more with function in mind: high protein (11 g.), optimized fats (14 g.) and lower carbohydrates (14 g. total carbs and only 2 g. of sugars).

I liked this bar more than the often heavy, sweet and gooey compressed bars that claim to be nutrition or protein bars. This felt more lean and sleek and less sweet (with no added sugar, thank you!), with a uniform light crunch, touch of chocolate brownie flavor and a hint of sea salt.

Highly refined and fine-tuned oils* were used to make these bars. The collagen protein came from grass-fed cows.

*Ingredients: Organic cashew butter, grass-fed collagen protein, inulin (chicory), Bulletproof(tm) XCT oil powder (caprylic and capric acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut and/or palm kernel oil, tapioca dextrin, cocoa powder, organic cashews, Bulletproof (tim) Brain Octane oil (caprylic acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut oil), vanilla extract, organic coconut oil, sea salt, organic stevia leaf extract.


Sunday, November 24, 2019

Better Bites Bakery - Sun Butter Do Bites - Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough - Nov. 24, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Better Bites
Sun Butter Do Bites - Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total container of 6 pieces
Calories: 144 calories in 1 serving/bite
Cost: $1.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough Sun Butter Do Bites were from Better Bites Bakery (Austin, TX).

Free of 8 major allergens* (including wheat, peanuts, soy, dairy, egg, tree nuts, fish, shellfish), the "dough" at the center of these sweet Sun Butter Do confections consisted primarily of sugar (white and brown), a gluten-free flour blend and oils.

The flavor and consistency of cookie dough was enhanced with finely ground, sunflower seeds—a novel way to create the feel of cookie dough and to add some protein to help balance the sugar.

Thanks to the chocolate coating, each mouthful of these jumbo marshmallow shaped Do Bites yielded a pleasing, uniform chocolatey flavor as well.

*Better Bites Bakery was founded by Leah Lopez after her young son was diagnosed with severe food allergies.


Saturday, November 23, 2019

88 Acres - the seed co. - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar - Nov. 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a satisfying nutty-seedy chew. The company uses a seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in their bars, allowing people to satisfy their nut cravings without the nuts (which is good for people with nut allergies).

The whisper of sea salt worked nicely, adding a wee bit of flavor without overdoing it. This bar was also not too sweet (thank you!).


88 Acres - Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar - Nov. 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a slightly nutty, coffee aroma. The company's seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds gave this a nice crunchy texture. The mocha flavor was subtle and balanced.


Thursday, November 21, 2019

Health Warrior - Pumpkin Seeds, Honey, Cocoa and Peanuts - Dark Chocolate Bar - Nov. 21, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Health Warrior
Pumpkin Seeds with Honey, Cocoa and Peanuts Dark Chocolate Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) for 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Pumpkin Seeds with Honey, Cocoa and Peanuts Dark Chocolate Bar was from Health Warrior (Richmond, VA).

Health Warrior, founded in 2010 by three college athletes, offers a variety of chia and pumpkin seed bars and protein products (e.g., single serving protein muffins, protein powder).

Today's Organic, Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified bar had a hearty soft crunch from pumpkin seeds and peanuts. The seeds and peanuts were complemented with sweet wildflower honey and chocolate flavor from cocoa powder, resulting in an ebony-colored, shiny confection that was not too sweet (thank you!).

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Health Warrior - Pumpkin Seeds with Honey and Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar - Nov. 20, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Warrior
Pumpkin Seeds with Honey and Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Good
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) for 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Pumpkin Seeds with Honey and Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar was from Health Warrior (Richmond, VA).

Made with a relatively short list of ingredients,* this bar had a chewy, satisfying, soft seedy texture and a balanced sweetness (wildflower honey) and chocolate flavor.

Pumpkin seeds are a relatively neutral flavor and offer protein, magnesium, zinc, "healthy" monounsaturated fat, and other nutrients. It was also relatively low in sodium (60 mg.) and total carbs (11 grams including 2 grams of fiber), and contained 8 grams of protein.

This Organic, Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified bar also had a faint, fermented tropical goji berry fruit flavor note that I couldn't figure out. (There were no fruit ingredients. The cocoa extract perhaps?)

*Ingredients: Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Wildflower Honey, Organic Dutch Process Cocoa Powder, Organic Milled Quinoa, Cocoa Extract, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Coconut Oil, Sea Salt.



Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Casa de Chocolates - Organic Cacao Beans, Belize - Nov. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Casa de Chocolates
Organic Cacao Beans - Belize
Good +++
Weight: .12 oz. (3.5 g.) / 12 oz. (339 g.) (estimate) in total package
Calories: 11 calories (estimate) in 3 beans
Cost: $10.00 (estimate) for 1 package/box
Purchased from: Casa de Chocolates, Berkeley, CA

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

Today's Organic Cacao Beans from Belize were purchased some time ago, at Casa de Chocolates (Berkeley, CA).

A carefully sealed pouch of cacao seeds (beans) has been waiting inside its box, that has been stored inside the Chocolate Vault;* and it was eagerly unwrapped, at last, for today's sampling.

Chocolate is made from the seeds (beans) of the Theobroma cacao fruit that grows on trees in Equatorial regions. Eating cacao seeds (beans) offers an essential pre-chocolate cacao tasting experience.

Each batch of seeds (beans) has a slightly different flavor profile that will influence the flavor of the chocolate made from these beans.

In today's case, these Organic Cacao Seeds from Belize were smooth, mellow and balanced, with a faint hint of fermentation (that diminished after opening), light fruit, a fleeting floral note, earth, wood and nut aroma and and flavor notes. These seeds were quite good, and could be included in many dishes, beverages and desserts if so desired.

To eat a whole cacao seed, open (or break) and remove the thin, papery brown outer husk and eat the cacao seeds (or seed pieces (nibs) after husk removal)—without any sweetener. This is a fine way to enjoy the essence of pure cacao for many dark chocolate lovers.

*This reference is to the Chocolate Banquet Chocolate Vault, a cool, dark place out of the sun, kept at a constant temperature. In this case, a wine refrigerator turned up to 65 degrees F. (18.3 degrees C.) was used.


Monday, November 18, 2019

Chocolate Naive - Jaguar Tree Cacao in Heirloom Chocolate and Cacao (bar) - Nov. 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Chocolate Naive
Jaguar Tree Cacao - in Heirloom Chocolate and Pimenton
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Nibs Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Cacao beans are actually seeds (semillas), which makes the transition from a Chocolate and Cacao Nibs (pieces of cacao seeds) Theme Week to a Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week easy.

We begin this week with today's Jaguar Tree Cacao in Heirloom Chocolate and Pimenton (paprika) bar from Chocolate Naive (Lithuania).

Chocolates featured on this site are made from cacao beans/seeds or cacao nibs, from the Theobroma cacao tree. However, there are other plant relatives in the Theobroma genus* that can be used to make chocolate.

The increasingly rare, wild Jaguar tree cacao (Theobroma bicolor) is known by many names (e.g., Pataxte, Mocambo, White Chocolate tree). Jaguar cacao fruit is rounder, more melon-like than a Theobroma cacao fruit pod; and the seeds are white.

The base chocolate for today's palette-shaped bar was sweet and slightly savory (smoked paprika, sea salt), and was topped with five large, white beans.

The bar had a rich flavor and smooth, almost creamy sweet texture. (At 240 calories for 1/2 bar, there must have been a fair amount of cacao butter content as well.)

The whole Jaguar Tree cacao beans were delightful. These ivory colored beans had a lovely smooth, soft crunch; and the beans/seeds broke into little white nib pieces. Jaguar beans lack some of the plant alkaloids (such as the small amount of caffeine present in conventional chocolate), resulting in less bitterness than is sometimes found in its conventional dark chocolate.

Note: This flavors in this bar were very interesting, well balanced and developed, but may not be for everyone. Tasting notes included: raw almond, firm avocado, fermented milk, toast, followed by a faint spiciness (paprika) and savory (sea salt). A folded paper insert included with this bar is full of interesting information (and tasting commentary).

*Members of the Theobroma genus include Theobroma cacao, Theobroma cupuacu, Theobroma bicolor, and more than a dozen other members that are all part of the Malvaceae (mallow) family. This same family also includes cotton, okra, hibiscus and rose mallow.


Sunday, November 17, 2019

Cocoa Parlor - Crushed Velvet 41 - Cacao Nibs (bar) - Nov. 17, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cocoa Parlor
Crushed Velvet 41 - Cacao Nibs (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) of bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Crushed Velvet 41 (bar) was produced by Cocoa Parlor (Laguna Niguel, CA), a company focused on providing premium organic chocolate.

This bar had a subtle dark milk* chocolate aroma and sweet, smooth milk* chocolate flavor; and it was studded with small bits of crunchy cocoa bean (nibs).

The company ethically sources cacao from the Dominican Republic.

This chocolate bar was certified organic; vegan; gluten free; and soy free.

*There was no milk in this plant-based (rice) "milk" chocolate bar. Ingredients: Organic, unrefined raw cane sugar, Premium organic cacao butter, Organic rice powder, Organic cacao mass, Organic cacao nibs. 

Eclipse Chocolate - Flourless Brownie, Sea Salt Nib bar; Erthe - Raw Cacao Energy Truffle

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Eclipse Chocolate
Flourless Brownie topped with Cacao Nibs
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $4.00 for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Eclipse Chocolate, San Diego, CA


Eclipse Chocolate
Sea Salt Nib (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Warwick's, La Jolla, CA

Erthe Foods
Energy Truffle - Raw Cacao
Good +++
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown 
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 piece
Purchased from: Erthe Foods, Little Italy Mercado Farmers' Market, San Diego, CA

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

Hello San Diego, California! A recent visit to this fair city yielded several chocolate items with cacao nibs, including the trio of chocolates featured in today's post.

Eclipse Chocolate
Eclipse Chocolate, located in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego, is a cafe/bar/bistro, event and tasting space and chocolate factory—all in one.

Inside, a display case revealed an attractive flourless brownie topped with a generous dollop of cacao nibs. This baked brownie was delicious and packed with chocolate flavor and topped with delicious, nutty nibs.

Also sampled on this trip: a small-sized Eclipse Chocolate Cocoa Nib Sea Salt bar. The chocolate, embedded with candied nibs, was smooth, well-balanced and well-executed and had a faint floral note from lavender-infused sea salt.

Erthe Organic Cafe - Raw Cacao Energy Truffle
Last but not least, was a quick run through the (Saturday) Little Italy Mercado Farmers' Market, where we found a Raw Cacao Energy Truffle from Erthe Foods (San Diego)—a local cafe specializing in organic and plant-based offerings, including beverages, bars and energy truffles.

The company's Raw Cacao Energy Truffle was generously-sized and covered in relatively mellow, nutty, raw cacao nibs. The truffle had a satisfying soft (almost brownie-like) texture and authentic chocolate flavor without being too sweet (thank you!).



Saturday, November 16, 2019

Fu Wan Chocolate - Taiwan No. 5 - 62% Nibs Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 15, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Fu Wan Chocolate
Taiwan No. 5 - 62% Nibs Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .795 oz. (22.5 g.) / 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 133.6 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 - $14.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Taiwan No. 5 - 62% Nibs Chocolate (bar) was made by Fu Wan Chocolate (Pingtung, Taiwan).

Fu Wan makes tree-to-bar chocolate, working with farmers in Pingtung in southern Taiwan, where the climate is likely the most suitable for growing cacao.

This bar had a rapid melt and almost fluffy, whipped creamy texture. The balanced, even chocolate flavor had relatively light, bright sweet fruit notes (ripe tangelo, mild plum) with no off notes. Nibs added a bit of soft crunchy texture.



Friday, November 15, 2019

Obolo Chocolate - 70% Cacao with Nibs (bar) - Nov. 14, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Obolo Chocolate
70% Cacao con (with) Nibs (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 #8 of Chocolate and Nibs Theme Week.

Today's 70% Cacao con (with) Nibs (bar) was made in Chile by Obolo* Chocolate (Santiago, Chile). Obolo is one of the first (if not the first) small-batch, bean-to-bar, locally-based, chocolate makers  based in Chile, certainly in recent times.**

Chile is known more for fine wine grapes than cacao. However, cacao-growing neighbors like Peru and Bolivia to the north (where cacao grows best, within 20 degrees of the Equator), are relatively closeby, and Obolo has already made chocolate with other cacao (origins) and flavor inclusions. It's delightful to have a Chilean-based maker join the growing list of artisan chocolate makers.

This dark bar had chocolate flavor with fruit (dried banana, grape, fresh red plum) and faint green notes. The texture was smooth and uniform and cacao nibs added a bit of soft crunchy cacao texture.

*Obolo means a small gift or contribution.
** Most large chocolate companies selling products in Chile are from Europe or elsewhere.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Charles Chocolates - Cocoa Nib Brittle Bar - Ruby Cacao - Nov. 13, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Charles Chocolates
Cocoa Nib Brittle Bar - Ruby Cacao
Good
Weight: .875 oz. (25 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar (white dot w/ line through it)
Calories: 137.5 calories in 1/4 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA


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

Today's picturesque pink Cocoa Nib Brittle Bar—made with Ruby Cacao—was from Charles Chocolates (San Francisco, CA).

This creamy and sweet ruby chocolate* had a slightly fermented red berry (red raspberry and cherry plum jam) flavor, and had golden veins of faintly smoky-savory** toffee brittle running through it.

*Ruby chocolate (made with special ruby cacao beans) was introduced in 2017 by Barry Callebaut, a Belgian-Swiss chocolate company.

**At least compared to the ruby chocolate, these pieces of sweet toffee brittle seemed less sweet and relatively more savory.

Ingredients: ruby cacao bean (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, unsweetened chocolate, citric acid, soy lecithin), cane sugar, cacao nibs. 

Lake Champlain Chocolates - moka fleck (bar) - Nov. 12, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lake Champlain Chocolates
moka fleck (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's moka fleck (bar) was from Lake Champlain Chocolates (Burlington, VT). The company, founded in 1983, has been turning out a variety of milk and dark chocolate bars and confections with a variety of flavor inclusions for many years.

The bar was described as "dark-milk chocolate with a jolt of Dominican coffee and cacao nibs" and contained 43% cocoa (solids).

This 43% cocoa milk chocolate bar was sweet, but the included the roasted cacao nibs helped tone down the sugar glow a bit, which dark chocolate fans will appreciate.

This chocolate had smooth, quite sweet mocha latte aroma and flavor, interspersed with "crunchy flecks of house-roasted cocoa nib."*

*I've included Lake Champlain Chocolates' product descriptions (in quotes) in today's write-up because I found them to be accurate, without a lot of marketing fluff. And what I would've written sounded a bit redundant. 

The only language I might change would be the word "jolt" (of Dominican coffee and nibs). I found these flavor elements to be smooth and in-balance. (Milk powder helps mellow the stronger flavors a bit.) But, if you're looking for wake up candy, this chocolate does contain sugar, caffeine (coffee + cacao) and theobromine (the stimulant in cacao).

Monday, November 11, 2019

The Prolific Bean - Organic Cacao (beans) - Nov. 11, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

The Prolific Bean
Cacao
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight:  .082 oz. (2.36 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total package
Calories: 12 calories (per package) in 2 beans*
Cost: $11.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's package of "Cacao" (beans) were from The Prolific Bean (Menlo Park, CA), a company that specializes in high-end coffee and cacao beans.

The descriptive terms listed for today's cacao beans included: "Organic, Whole Bean, Hand Peeled, Low Caffeine, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant."  (They're also gluten free, vegan and soy free.) The country of origin for the cacao was not identified.

This "sustainably-farmed, all natural energy snack" was very good, with all the satisfying flavor elements one might find in a relatively delicate but complex chocolate with no "off" or extremely bitter flavors. (More of a citrus fruit note in the aroma than a bitter one.)

The texture and "chew" was just what you might hope to find in a roasted cacao bean. With each bite, the bean gently fractured into lovely nib pieces. Selling roasted cacao beans intact may help preserve flavor as well. (Less surface area(s) exposed to open to the air mean less drying out/staleness.)

These cacao beans were pricey, but also of very high quality. And one or two beans might be enough to satisfy your cacao or chocolate craving. Nibs (and whole beans) are high in flavor and very low in calories (with zero sugar or sweetener).

*These beans were labeled as containing approximately 6 calories per bean. (Each bean only weighs about .041 oz.) 

The numbers for 1 oz. of cacao nibs varies from 130 to 170 calories per oz. The percentage of fat in cacao beans depends in part on where the cacao was grown. (Cacao grown in colder climates has a bit more fat, which may help explain the variance.)

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TCHO - Organic, Fair Trade Roasted Cacao Nibs - Nov. 10, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

TCHO
Roasted Cacao Nibs
Good +
Weight: 1 TB (3 g.) / 7.84 oz. (222 g.) in total package
Calories: 20 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: TCHO.com (online order)

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

Today's Organic, Fair Trade Certified Roasted Cacao Nibs were from TCHO (Berkeley, CA).

Opening up a fresh package of roasted cacao nibs is an invitation to experience the essence and origin of true, deep, unsweetened chocolate flavor. Frequently nibs (unless raw) will have roasted, nutty or coffee notes. In this case, the nibs had nice roasted chocolate aroma and flavor with a faint, not unpleasant, green tea note.

TCHO tasting notes for these nibs read as follows: "Intense fudge-like flavor with notes of roasted almonds and malt."

These humble little cacao bean bits had uniform flavor and crunchy texture with no "off" notes. This tells me that the cacao beans were fermented, dried, sorted and roasted by a sequence of experienced hands.

While plain nibs will be too bitter for some sweet chocolate lovers, most will appreciate the opportunity to try cacao nibs at least once.

And, for those fortunate cooks and chocolate lovers who are creative, you will have a ball with these. They can be used in so many ways, in both sweet desserts (brownies, chocolate chip cookies, marinated in spirits of your choice and sprinkled over ice cream, etc.),  and beverages/smoothies, and also in savory dishes (spice rubs, marinades, with salads, smoked, etc.). Add nibs to coffee (during the brewing and filtering process), for a touch of roasted mocha flavor. Or infuse nibs into hot milk and strain them out before serving.

At 1 gram of Carbohydrate, 1.5 g. of (unsaturated) Fat, and 20 calories, a single (1 TB) serving of roasted cacao nibs offers a lot of satisfying flavor for very little "cost" for those watching what they eat. And, no sugar.

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Saturday, November 9, 2019

Joe Chocolate Co. - Roasted Cacao - Dark Chocolate Espresso Bark with Nibs - Nov. 9, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Joe Chocolate Co.
Roasted Cacao - Dark Chocolate Espresso Bark with Coffee and Roasted Cacao Nibs
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 1 oz. (28 g.) in total package
Calories: 85 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $ N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Cacao Nibs Theme Week.

Today's Joe Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA) dark chocolate bark was a gift from a friend. Thank you Elise! She found this Roasted Cacao - Dark Chocolate Espresso Bark with Coffee and Roasted Cacao Nibs snack while traveling in Washington.

The long product name seemed appropriate to fully capture the big flavor from these small pieces of rich dark bark—flavorful "bits of buzz."

The team at Joe Chocolate turn out "functionally caffeinated" offerings at their combined chocolate factory and coffee bar. (Founders, Sam Tanner and Peter Keckemet,* opened the first Joe Chocolate Co. retail location at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle on June 1st, 2019.)

As soon as this small package was opened, it yielded wafts of freshly roasted, bold coffee and cacao nibs—uplifting on a cool, misty morning. Each small shard of the bark broke with a snap and each bite offered a roasted espresso and cacao bean nib (heavy on the crunch) extravaganza. The roasted beans complemented the fairly smooth and steady dark chocolate bark base.

*Joe Chocolate Co. was founded in 2016. The founders started production with a trail snack initially aimed at (Pacific Crest Trail) thru-hikers and friends. They use fair labor chocolate and Latin American, co-op sourced coffee beans in their snacks.

Copyright 2019. Unauthorized use of the text and/or images from this site, www.ChocolateBanquet.com, is a copyright violation.



Friday, November 8, 2019

Leonidas Chocolate - Leonidas Dark 54% with Cocoa Nibs (bar) - Nov. 8, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Leonidas Chocolate
Leonidas Dark 54% with Nibs (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Cacao Nibs Theme Week.

Today's Leonidas Dark 54% with Nibs (bar) was from Leonidas Chocolate. The chocolate was made in Belgium and imported to the U.S. by Chocolate Stars (USA), LLC.

This uniform, very sweet dark (Belgian) chocolate had a rich chocolate cake flavor, punctuated with finely ground, crunchy cocoa nib pieces.

Some of these nibs had a pleasing, pure chocolately crunch, and a few tiny particles were quite hard (something that can happen with some nibs).

The chocolate and the cocoa nibs complemented each other. The nibs helped balance the sweetness (good for those who don't like overly sweet chocolate).

*Ingredients: Chocolate liquor, sugar, roasted cocoa beans, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (emulsifier)

Copyright 2019. Unauthorized use of the text and/or images from this site, www.ChocolateBanquet.com, is a copyright violation.




Thursday, November 7, 2019

Divine Chocolate - Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs 85% Sao Tome (bar) - Nov. 7, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Divine Chocolate
Rich Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs 85% Cocoa Sao Tome (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving (30 g.) of bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Africa Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Cocoa Nibs Theme Week.

Today's Divine Organic Rich Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs 85% Cocoa Sao Tome (bar) was made in Germany and distributed by Divine Chocolate Inc.in Washington, D.C. (Divine partners with farmers in Africa; and in fact cocoa farmers own 44% of the company. More information is available on the inside of the wrapper.)

This robust, ultra-dark chocolate was studded with earthy cocoa nibs. Nibs added crunchy texture and concentrated cocoa flavor was made using cacao from Sao Tome, part of the African island nation of Sao Tome et Principe.

What are Cocoa Nibs?
Cocoa nibs are pieces of cocoa beans. Generally these beans have been fermented and roasted first (unless they're sold as raw or unroasted), before being crushed into aromatic pieces, or nibs. These small pieces have a true, authentic, unsweetened chocolate flavor, and sometimes have nutty, fruit and/or fermented flavor notes. (Today's bar with nibs had earth and fruit notes.)

Traditionally these nibs have represented one of the first steps in chocolate making. They are ground into a paste to make chocolate, unless, like this week, we are lucky enough to get our hands on them before then.

What are they good for? Cocoa (or cacao) nibs are wonderful flavor inclusions in chocolates, adding flavor and a bit of soft, crunchy texture. Nibs are also very versatile and can also be incorporated into brownies, shakes, and many other sweet or savory edibles (roast spice rubs, filtered coffee drinks, liquor-marinated toppings for ice cream, salads, etc.) As a lesser processed form of cacao, nibs also retain relatively high anti-oxidant and nutrition levels.

*Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, 6% cocoa nibs. (May contain traces of milk, wheat, almonds, hazelnuts and coconut.)

Copyright 2019. Unauthorized use of the text and/or images from this site, www.ChocolateBanquet.com, is a copyright violation.
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