Saturday, February 29, 2020

Montezuma's - 100% Cocoa Absolute Black with Cocoa Nibs - Feb. 28, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Montezuma's
100% Cocoa Solids Absolute Black with Cocoa Nibs
Good +
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Pacific Grove/Monterey, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week, and Day #1 of 100 percent Chocolate Theme Series.

Sometimes chocolate theme weeks overlap and become akin to nested Russian dolls. In this case 100 percent cacao chocolate bars could be a sub-category under "plain dark chocolate" (meaning there are no added flavor inclusions); but if plain means ordinary, 100 percent cacao bars are usually anything but.

Today's 100% Cocoa Solids Absolute Black with Cocoa Nibs bar was from Montezuma's Chocolates (West Sussex, U.K.).

This bar had a slightly bitter, dark, forbidding chocolate aroma; and a fire-roasted dark flavor—but without the expected bitterness. It was, refreshingly, un-sweet, almost savory. A generous helping of cocoa nibs gave the bar a hearty, authentic cacao flavor and a crunchy texture.

One does need to work with very high-quality cacao for 100% chocolate, as there is nothing else to hide behind. No sugar, nothing else.

It's wonderful to see more 100% (no sugar) bars on the market over time that are actually enjoyable to nibble on. Montezuma's also offers their absolute black bars with flavors also (mint, orange, almond, etc.). 






Thursday, February 27, 2020

Noi Sirius - Icelandic Chocolate 56% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 27, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Noi Sirius
Icelandic Chocolate 56% Dark Chocolate (bars)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g.) / 7.05 oz. (200 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 160 calories in 1.02 oz. (29 oz.) of 1 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package of 2 bars
Purchased from: N/A - gift (Thank you Don!)

Welcome to Day #9 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Plain, does not mean boring, or lesser quality chocolate. Today's Icelandic Chocolate 56% Dark Chocolate, from Noi Sirius (Reykjavik, Iceland), was from...Iceland! And the flavors in this bar were subtle and intriguing.

When I see a non-origin* specific chocolate (often a blend origins) that is lower than 60%, my expectations about flavor tend to be relatively low.

However, this bar had very light baked chocolate cake infused with light fragrant green (tea) and faint peach, cherry or tropical fruit/light floral aroma and flavor notes. Added vanilla and dry cocoa contributed to the uplifting, lighter, sweet baked goods, flavor profile.**

Light green, fruit and floral notes are relatively volatile, and often are lost during the chocolate-making process. So to have them preserved in this way was quite nice. Light and fun natural flavors from a cool country. (Today's weather forecast for Reykjavik, Iceland, called for snow and temperatures of 28 degrees F. (-2 degrees C.).)

*Origin of cacao beans, or indicating where cacao that was used to make this chocolate was grown. Cacao grows approximately 20 degrees (latitude) above and below the Equator.

**Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla, cocoa dry solids.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Chocolates Simon Coll, S.A. - 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 26, 2020


Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolates Simon Coll, S.A.
70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.99 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 159 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) of bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.


Not all "plain" dark chocolate blend bars are the same. However, the bulk of cacao harvested is used to make "bulk" chocolate, which does have a sweet, and sometimes relatively bland, over-roasted, very uniform chocolate flavor (occasionally brightened with some vanilla).

For large, high-volume makers flavor consistency is key--a requirement in fact--which means it's more difficult to find flavor depth and interesting variations that occur in a single year (or origin). This same volume vs. value situation holds true for wine and many other foods and beverages as well. However, this doesn't mean that all dark chocolate blends made with consistency in mind are alike.

Today, we sampled a dark bar from Spain, with some history dating back to the 1700s.

The 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate bar from Chocolates Simon Coll, S.A. (Barcelona, Spain) proved to be one of the better plain dark chocolate bars. (European flavor profiles can sometimes vary from U.S.-made dark chocolate.)

The packaging was adorned with an illustration/poster painted by Alphonse Mucha* circa 1900 for Chocolate Amatller*, a chocolate company founded in Barcelona in 1797.

And inside the attractive wrapper, the dark chocolate had a slightly malty, slightly fruity, sweet, chocolatey dark bar with a pleasant flavor and finish with a hint of vanilla.

Ingredients: "Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, fat reduced cocoa powder, emulsifier (soya lecithin) and flavouring (vanilla)."

*Alphonse Mucha was a Czech painter, illustrator and graphic artist known for his Art Nouveau style paintings and stylized theatrical posters. The founders of Chocolate Amatller were patrons of the arts. The Chocolate Amatller brand was, more recently, incorporated into Chocolates Simon Coll, S.A., a company that continues to feature the brand's historical look.

Dagoba - New Moon 74% Cacao (bar) - Feb. 25, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dagoba Organic Chocolate
New Moon 74% Cacao (bar)
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's New Moon 74% cacao bar was from Dagoba Organic Chocolate* (Ashland, OR). This organic and gluten free "rich dark chocolate" bar did in fact have a bit more flavor depth than your average "plain" dark chocolate bar, with relatively balanced fruit acidity and earth/bitter notes.

The dark chocolate was made using Organic and Rainforest Alliance Certified cacao. (No country of origin was listed.) This bar also, if I'm reading the ingredients list** correctly, contained some milk.

*Dagoba Organic Chocolate, a division of The Hershey Company, was founded in 2001 by Frederick Schilling. The brand has been owned by The Hershey Company since 2006. Hershey has maintained the Dagoba factory facility in Ashland, OR.

**Ingredients: Organic dark chocolate (organic and Rainforest Alliance Certified cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter), Non-GMO soy lecithin); organic milk.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Trader Joe's - Fair Trade, Organic 72% Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar - Feb. 24, 2020


Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
72% Dark Chocolate Bar (no origin?)
Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: ??? calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift (thank you Joe-Ming!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to Day #6 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Fair Trade Organic 72% Cacao Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar was made in Belgium and distributed and sold by Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

So many popular dark chocolate bars (made in higher volumes where consistency becomes a key objective), trade off consistency for interesting flavor profiles.

This dark chocolate had ripe, dried fruit and earthy notes that added aroma and flavor depth to this bar.

The cacao beans used to make this bar were organically grown and fairly traded.

Godiva - Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts - Feb. 23, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Godiva
Godiva Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift (Thank you Joe-Ming!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to Day #5 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Godiva Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts (bar) was distributed by Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (New York, NY).

This segmented bar was composed of squares. Atop each square was a heart-shaped dark chocolate pocket filled with a soft, dark chocolate ganache.

Yes, this was relatively sweet and uniform dark chocolate; but it was also well executed and satisfying to eye and palette.


Saturday, February 22, 2020

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - California Coast Whales Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 22, 2020


Chocolate of the Day; 

Sjaak's Organic Chocolate
California Coast Whales Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (56 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's California Coast Whales Dark Chocolate bar from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates (Petaluma, CA) was decorated with an illustration inspired by whales that can be seen off the California coast.

This bar had a true, rich dark chocolate aroma and flavor with a creamy melt.

ChocStars Ltd. - Dark Chocolate (bar); Gertrude's - Feb. 21, 2020


Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

ChocStars Ltd.
(Imported by Belgium's Chocolate Source)
Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 115 calories in 5 pieces of bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #3 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate bar was made for ChocStars Ltd. (Perth, Scotland), and imported into the U.S. by Belgium's Chocolate Source (Milton, MA).

ChocStars offers entertaining lineup of bars with packaging adorned with celebrity look-alike images. However, the impersonators are animals dressed up and styled to look like specific celebrities (complete with wigs, items of clothing, hats and other accoutrements), so that they are immediately recognizable. Today's small rodent "star" bore an uncanny resemblance to the Queen of England.

I believe I sampled a previous ChocStars bar that featured a suspiciously canine-looking Michael Jackson years ago. They're not rock stars...they're ChocStars.

As one might expect with novelty bars like this the dark chocolate inside is perfectly edible but a bit on the industrial side (smooth, very uniform, dark, sweet).

Gertrude's desserts, Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona
Bonus entry: desserts at Gertrude's, at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona: 1.) gluten free doughnut holes with chocolate, caramel and prickly pear dipping sauces, and 2.) gluten free chocolate cake with bourbon cherry sauce and cherry sorbet. Yum. Thank you Joy!

Gardini - Cioccolato 70% Organic Dark Turmeric (bar) - Feb. 20, 2020


Chocolate of the Day:

Gardini - Cioccolato D' Autore
70% Cacao Bio Fondente Curcuma
(70% Cacao Organic Dark Chocolate (with) Turmeric)
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 224.4 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ N/A - gift (Thank you Ahmed!)
Purchased from: Cafe Venetia, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Strawberries Theme Week, and Day #2 of Dark Chocolate Bar Theme Week. (Dark bars featured this week will be without added flavors, with the exception of today's bar.)

Today's 70% Cacao Bio (Organic) Fondente (Dark Chocolate) Curcuma (Turmeric) bar was from Gardini Cioccolato (Forli (FC) Italy).

This bar had a dark chocolate and a warm, slightly earthy/savory/slightly bitter spice (turmeric) aroma and flavor.

The chocolate had a thick, slightly creamy texture and a relatively even melt. Although the turmeric embedded uniformly in this bar yielded a slightly granular texture.

Turmeric's* strong taste (often used in curries) tends to overpower other flavors, including bolder flavors found in cacao. Although both the turmeric and dark chocolate flavors lingered a bit in the finish of this bar.

*Turmeric is a root-like, tuberous rhizome (that grows underground) This native of India and SE Asia looks like it might be a cross between ginger root, a knobby carrot and a Jerusalem artichoke with its light brown exterior and orange interior. (Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is related to ginger.) 

Once processed into a spice, turmeric is a bright, golden yellow. powder. (I've also sliced it into small coin-shaped pieces and included it in sauteed vegetable dishes (with sliced carrots and ginger) and also used it as a natural yellow dye.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Compartes Chocolatier - Pure 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 19, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Compartes Chocolatier
Pure - 80% Pure Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 173.3 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: CAO Chocolate, Sausalito, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Strawberries Theme Week, and Day #1 of Dark Chocolate Bar Theme Week.

This ultra-dark bar had a complex and intriguing aroma with green, true chocolate, very faint vegetable latex, balanced bitter and spice notes. There might have been a very faint green/floral note in there too; or it could have been the whisper of vanilla talking.*

The chocolate had a rapid melt, and deep roasted cacao flavor with mushroom/earth accent notes, with a fleeting fruit/honey/brown sugar sweetness.

I enjoyed the complexity; it tasted better with each bite. And it was not too sweet (thank you!).

Sweet strawberries, strawberry yogurt and strawberry cottage cheese were consumed in the same breakfast snack break.

*Ingredients: Organic Vegan Dark Chocolate 80% (Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Vanilla.




Raaka Chocolate - Pure Cacao, Strawberry and Coconut bar - Feb. 18, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Raaka Chocolate
Pure Cacao and Strawberry and Coconut bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50.1 g.) in total bar
Calories: 244 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: COA Chocolate, Sausalito, CA

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

Today's Pure Cacao, Strawberry and Coconut bar was made by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The 80 percent dark chocolate was made using un-roasted, organic cacao from Kokoa Kamili (Tanzania, Africa), and with no added sugar (thank you!). If you're open to a more intense dark chocolate  experience with a few natural flavor accents, today's vegan, gluten free and soy free, organic Raaka bar is worth trying.

In Chinese, Indian and other Asian cuisines, the five tastes that humans can sense: sweet, sour, salty/savory, bitter and spicy are thoughtfully balanced in each dish. The makers at Raaka achieved at least 3 or 4 of the 5 tastes mentioned above with the kaleidoscope of flavors present in this craft chocolate bar.

No boring, overly roasted, uniformly smooth industrial chocolate here. This chocolate had a smooth melt, and after that it was all mild spikes of different flavors. (Think Christmas "Cactus" with the pink flowers, not prickly cactus spikes.)

This ultra-dark bar might be a little strong or bitter for some. However, I found it full of complementary flavors: the natural sweet tart berry (strawberry) sweetness, a light touch of naturally sweet coconut, and dark, earthy (almost savory) and bitter flavors from the cacao. It was oddly addicting in its own way.

Ingredients: organic cacao beans, organic strawberry, organic toasted coconut, organic cacao butter



Tuesday, February 18, 2020

That's it - Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit Truffles - Apple + Strawberries + Dark Chocolate - Feb. 17, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

That's it Nutrition, LLC
Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit Truffles
Apples + strawberries + dark chocolate
Good
Weight: 1.83 oz. (52 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 package
Cost: $3.19 for 1 package
Purchased from: CVS/pharmacy, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit Truffles (bites) were from That's it Nutrition, LLC (Los Angeles, CA). The company name "that's it" refers to the pared down ingredients list in their snack offerings made with plant-based, Non-GMO ingredients* free of most common allergens.

The five small "fruit truffles" in this package were made of just three ingredients: apples, strawberries and dark chocolate. A dark chocolate shell surrounded a pure fruit blend center, that was neither too dry or too moist. This refreshingly light and natural tasting vegan snack was made without preservatives, gluten or soy.

I look forward to trying the company's new Sea Salt Organic Dark Chocolate + Fig Truffles offering in the future.

*Ingredients: apples, strawberries, dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, organic sugar, cocoa butter)



Straw Propeller - Chocolate Strawberry oatmeal - Feb. 16, 2020

  
Chocolate of the Day:

Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Inc.
Chocolate Strawberry (oatmeal)
Good
Weight: 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in 1 cup
Calories: 280 calories in 1 cup
Cost: $3.25 for 1 cup
Purchased from: The Store House, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Strawberry oatmeal was distributed by Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Inc. (Redmond, OR).

The directions on this container suggested two ways of preparing this oatmeal: "Hot" or "Cold and Overnight." I chose the former, added hot water and gave the oatmeal a quick stir.

Chocolate chips, strawberries and beet powder morphed into a hearty, thick melange of cheerful deep pink and chocolate brown. This warm breakfast was satisfying without being too sweet (thank you!).

The oatmeal contained 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, and was made using Certified Gluten Free Rolled Oats.


Saturday, February 15, 2020

Clio - Strawberry Greek Yogurt Bar wrapped in chocolate - Feb. 15, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Clio Snack Company
Strawberry - Greek Yogurt Bar wrapped in chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

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

Today's chilled Strawberry Greek Yogurt Bar wrapped in chocolate were made by Clio Snack Company (Roselle, NJ).

The company's line of chocolate covered bars are described as: "greek yogurt (with a cheesecake texture and a sweet and tart flavor) meets chocolate in a bar." Indeed, all this was true, and the strawberry greek yogurt complemented the chocolate quite nicely.

This bar was marketed as containing "billions of probiotics" and 8 grams of protein. It was very tasty, although a bit on the sweet side for me. However, if you're looking for an elevated, gluten free dessert with some extra health benefits sprinkled in, this would be a great choice.

Note: Photos that accompany this entry have been delayed.

Strawberries and Sprinkles - Strawberries dipped in Belgian dark chocolate - Feb. 14, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Strawberries and Sprinkles
Strawberries Hand Dipped in Real Belgian Dark Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (49.5 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total container of 4
Calories: 110 calories estimate for 2 strawberries
Cost: $7.99 for 1 container of 4 chocolate covered strawberries
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Happy Valentines Day and welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Strawberries Theme Week.
Roses, chocolates and red berries (heart-shaped strawberries fit right in) go together on this romantic February holiday.

Big, plump, sweet ripe strawberries hand-dipped in dark chocolate. These were as tasty as they were visually appealing.

-o-o-o-o-

I also revisited a San Francisco classic...dark chocolate truffles with a hint of burnt caramel from Recchuiti Confections (San Francisco, CA) that I found across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, CA. Fittingly, these truffles were adorned with images of this iconic bay area bridge.

Recchuiti Confections
(for COA Chocolate, Sausalito, CA)
Filled dark chocolates/truffles (with Golden Gate Bridge designs)
Good +
Weight: .88 oz (24.9 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 132 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $5.50 (estimate) for 2 pieces
Purchased from: COA Chocolate, Sausalito, CA

Note: Photos have been delayed this month, but will be posted later.



Thursday, February 13, 2020

Fazer Confectionery Ltd. - Smooth and Rich Original Dark Chocolate bar - Feb. 13, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fazer Confectionery Ltd.
Nordi - Smooth and Rich Original Dark Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: 1.12 oz. (32 g.) / 3.35 oz. (95 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Nordi - Smooth and Rich Original Dark Chocolate bar was from Fazer Confectionery Ltd. (Ventaa, Finland).

This 70% dark chocolate bar had a pleasant, smooth, sweet milk chocolate aroma and flavor with nutty* and vanilla notes. The texture was rich, thick and smooth.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, reduced fat cocoa powder, natural vanilla flavor. *This bar did not contain nuts.

Fazer Confectionery Ltd. - Nordi Raspberry and Tangy Licorice Dark Chocolate bar - Feb. 12, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fazer Confectionery Ltd.
Nordi Raspberry and Tangy Licorice Naturally Flavored Dark Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: 1.12 oz. (32 g.) / 3.35 oz. (95 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Nordi Raspberry and Tangy Licorice Chocolate bar was from Fazer Confectionery Ltd. (Ventaa, Finland).

This bar offered a fun blend of slightly tart and refreshing sweet raspberry and piquant licorice—incorporated into dark chocolate (no cacao percentage listed).

Northern Europeans tend to take their licorice more seriously than we do. Higher-end licorice candy there is, I would argue, more flavorful and better tasting than our corn-syrup laden offerings. So, it's not a surprise to see this flavor fusion in a bar from Finland. I have yet to see this blend in this U.S.


Fazer Confecionery - Nordi Hazelnut & Campsite Coffee Naturally Flavored (bar) - Feb. 11, 2020


Chocolate of the Day: 

Fazer Confectionery
Nordi - Hazelnut and Campsite Coffee Naturally Flavored Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good
Weight: 1.675 oz. (47.5 g.) / 3.35 oz. (95 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Nordi Hazelnut and Campside Coffee Naturally Flavored Dark Chocolate bar was from Fazer Confectionery (Ventaa, Finland).

The bar had an authentic sweetened coffee (cafe mocha hazelnut latte) aroma and flavor that suffused the dark chocolate base. Embedded bits of hazelnuts added crunch and a faint, nutty flavor that complemented the chocolate, which also had a light, lingering coffee finish.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, reduced fat cocoa powder, natural vanilla flavor), Hazelnuts, Natural Coffee Flavor. 


Fazer Confectionery - Sea Buckthorn and Salty Caramel Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 10, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fazer Confectionery
Nordi - Sea Buckthorn and Salty Caramel Chocolate (bar)
Good
Weight: 1.12 oz. (32 g.) / 3.35 oz. (95 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Sea Buckthorn and Salty Caramel bar was from Fazer Confectionery (Ventaa, Finland). Fazer is a large company with a big brand portfolio, and a substantial bakery, confectionery and industrial export business.

The first sensory input that registered with me when I bit into this bar was an authentic sea buckthorn berry aroma and flavor. Many folks outside of northern Europe may not be familiar with these bright orange-yellow edible berries that grow on bushes.*

The berries have a mild sweetness and slight astringency and are high in Vitamin C. I found them closer to milder varieties of gooseberries or goji berries than to berries we see in the U.S. (e.g. strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or other berries we use for eating or in pies and jams). I hope to try these festively orange berries, dried or fresh, in the future.

Small caramel/toffee chips added sweetness to this chocolate.

*Also known as seaberries, sea buckthorn berries (and other parts of the plant) also have been used historically across northern Europe for medicinal purposes. 

Note: photos have been delayed this week. The image of  kayak on the water (on the package surrounding today's bar) was particularly relevant as this bar was enjoyed the day after an unusually windy and high tide day near the San Francisco Bay where I live, to the delight of windsurfers and kite surfers around the bay. Water levels were high enough to support small sailboats as well as canoes and kayaks. Chocolate is a wonderful outdoor snack.


Helsinki Heaven - ChocOat - Wild Blueberry Oat Milk Chocolate bar - Feb. 9, 2020


Chocolate of the Day: 

ChocOat - Wild Blueberry Oat Milk Chocolate bar
(manufactured by Helsinki Heaven OY)
Good
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 137 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Finland Theme Week.

Today's ChocOat Wild Blueberry Oat Milk Chocolate bar was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven OY (Helsinki, Finland).

The bar had a fruity blueberry and roasted chocolate aroma and even, authentic flavors and texture.  

Helsinki Heaven - ChocOat Plain Original Oat Milk Chocolate bar - Feb. 7, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

ChocOat - Plain Original Oat Milk Chocolate bar
(manufactured by Helsinki Heaven OY)
Good
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 138 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Finland Theme Week.

Today's ChocOat Plain Original Oat Milk Milk Chocolate bar was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven OY (Helsinki, Finland).

This single serving oat milk in this bar will offer a nice alternative to those who are vegan or who may want to avoid dairy products. It had a smooth, even chocolate taste and uniform texture and was not too sweet (thank you!).

The chocolate had a roasted (almost burnt) aroma, and a slightly waxier melt than a dark milk chocolate made with dairy might have. It was also eaten on a cold, winter morning, which can create a shift in perceived texture and mouthfeel with many chocolate bars. (Slowly bringing bars closer to room temperature (e.g. from 50 or 60 degrees F. to 68 or 70 degrees F.) before tasting generally softens the chocolate a bit and leads to more accessible aroma and flavors as well.)


Straw Propeller - Almond Cacao Crunch -- oats, almonds, cacao nibs - Feb. 6, 2020


Chocolate of the Day: 

Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Inc. (distributed by)
Almond Cacao Crunch
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in 1 cup
Calories: 240 calories in 1 cup
Cost: $3.25 for 1 cup
Purchased from: The Store House, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Almond Cacao Crunch was distributed by Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Inc. (Redmond, OR).

Made with Organic, gluten free oats, organic coconut sugar, organic almonds, organic cacao nibs and a smidge of sea salt, this oatmeal provided a satisfying warm breakfast.

I really liked that this was not too sweet (thank you!). Cacao nibs added natural essential chocolate flavor—without the added sugar (usually present when dark chocolate is added). And almonds added a bit of nutty flavor and protein.

Straw Propeller offers a variety of oatmeal flavors, including Chocolate Strawberry (look for that to be featured soon); Banana Pancakes; Hemp and Honey; and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, as well as seasonal flavors like Oh My, Pumpkin Pie. (They company also offers grain-free options.)

Note: Photos are delayed for this month's entries.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Kodiak Cakes - Chocolate Chip - Oatmeal Unleashed - Feb. 5, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Kodiak Cakes
Chocolate Chip - Oatmeal Unleashed
Good
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in 1 cup
Calories: 240 calories in 1 cup
Cost: $2.49 for 1 cup
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Oatmeal with Chocolate Chips was from Kodiak Cakes (Park City, UT). Kodiak offers "nourishment for today's frontier" in the form of several whole grain, oatmeal flavors in packet and cup form.

Hearty and substantial are two terms I use over and over to describe oat-based offerings. But they really do fit this oatmeal. One could eat this oatmeal either 1.) soaked overnight, or 2.) prepared with hot water. I chose the latter, for breakfast. And I was not hungry until lunch. With 14 grams of protein, this oatmeal is...yes, substantial. There's that word again.

Chocolate chips added some nice, rich chocolate flavor to this hearty breakfast. You could almost taste the whole grain goodness. The oats also helped balance the sweetness.

"Getting a protein-packed breakfast doesn't mean you have to suffer through a chalky protein shake or energy bar," the company reminds us.

Yes, that's true. There are lots of options with chocolate for breakfast out there now. And even "plain old oatmeal" has gotten a lot fancier. (Kodiak also offers a peanut butter and chocolate chip flavor.)

Note: Photos accompanying these write-ups this month have been delayed due to technical problems.








Bobo's Chocolate Chip Oat Bar - Feb. 4, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bobo's
Chocolate Chip Oat Bar
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar (2 servings)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Bobo's Chocolate Chip Oat Bar was from Simply Delicious, Inc. (Boulder, CO).

This hearty, gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO bar was chock full of oats.* The bar could be split in half and shared, with plenty for each recipient to sink their teeth into.

The texture was relatively soft and chewy; it was sweet without being overpoweringly so (thank you); and chocolate chips added some micro bursts rich chocolate flavor.

*Ingredients: Organic whole grain rolled oats, brown rice syrup, organic coconut oil, organic cane sugar, chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, vanilla extract), vegetable glycerin, salt, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, vitamin E (for freshness).  


Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Nature Valley - Granola Cups - Peanut Butter Chocolate - Feb. 3, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nature Valley
Granola Cups - Peanut Butter Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38 g.) / 6.75 oz. (191 g.) in total box of 5 pouches
Calories: 190 calories in 1 pouch of two cups
Cost: $3.00 for 1 box of 5 pouches (of two cups or pieces each)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week.

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Cups were from Nature Valley—a brand owned by General Mills, based in Minneapolis, MN.

The first Nature Valley granola bars came out way back in 1975, making them a pioneer in this market. And the product lineup expanded into a wider array of products over time that fall under the broad granola bar category, including today's offering that tasted like a sweet cross between a cookie and a bar.

If you're in a mood for an oatmeal cookie, with rich peanut butter and chocolate flavor, you're in for a treat.








Cascadian Farms - Organic Plant Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chip bars - Feb. 2, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cascadian Farms
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chip bars (with) Organic Plant Protein
Good
Weight: 1.77 oz. (50 g.) / 8.85 oz. (250 g.) in total box of 5 bars
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 (sale) for 1 box of 5 bars
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week.

Today's box of Cascadian Farms Organic Plant Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chip bars were from Small Planet Foods, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN). The Cascadian Farms brand is owned by General Mills (Minneapolis, MN).

Each individually-wrapped and relatively sweet, chewy oat bar included a smattering of dark chocolate chips; contained approximately 12 grams of protein (supplied by organic plant protein primarily from peanuts and peas), and consisted of (just) "10 simple ingredients."

Many large corporations are to be commended in the last decade for efforts to simplify (and/or shorten) their ingredients lists and to explore using more Non-GMO and organic ingredients, healthier supply chains, and less processed ingredients.

Many companies have also responded to customer desires to consume more "clean protein" and/or non-animal protein in their diets, resulting in higher demand for organic ingredients in their supply chains and/or for items like organic pea protein.*

I like protein in bars because it seems to balance out sweeteners, and it makes me feel more satiated (less hungry); and I feel better about adding some plant protein if I skip eating meat for a few days.

*Pea protein (a protein supplement powder made from yellow peas) is popular right now. 
In 2020 it can be found in many items including protein and energy bars, smoothie mixes, protein supplement packets, and vegetable "burger" patties. 

And, speaking of pea protein and companies/ingredient suppliers in the midwest...Currently, Puris—with facilities in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota—is perhaps the largest U.S. supplier of Non-GMO pea protein. Cargill invested $75 million in Puris in 2019, to enable them to double production of this vegan, relatively non-allergenic ingredient currently in high-demand. While the source of the pea protein in this (and most other) bars is not typically disclosed, the Cargill investment in Puris shows there is a large and growing market for pea protein.







Helsinki Heaven - ChocOat Cool Mint Oat Milk Chocolate bar - Feb. 8, 2020


Chocolate of the Day: 

ChocOat - Cool Mint Oat Milk Chocolate bar
(manufactured by Helsinki Heaven OY)
Good
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 137 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Finland Theme Week.

Hello Finland! I was delighted to find enough (7) bars to have a Finland-based chocolate week. Bars from Finland-based Helsinki Heaven feature heavily this week. The company is affiliated with Goodio Craft Chocolate, founded in 2015. This company has been producing a variety of tasty vegan chocolate bars in the last few years.

It makes sense to segue from a chocolate + oats theme week to a Finland-related chocolate week, as Finland has, arguably, the highest oat consumption per capita of almost any other country. So, if I'm going to sample oat milk chocolates, let's begin in Finland.

Today's ChocOat Cool Mint Oat Milk Chocolate bar was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven OY (Helsinki, Finland).

This bar had a slight menthol and citrus aroma, and a clean, natural sage-mint flavor.
The mouthfeel and texture was smooth and uniform. The finish had light chocolate and citrus-mint notes.

The relatively new line of Helsinki Heaven oat milk chocolate bars be quite as creamy as dark milk chocolate bars made with milk, but they're certainly satisfactory and provide a nice dairy-free alternative chocolate.

Last, but not least, this chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!).

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Kind - Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars - Chocolate Peanut Butter - Feb. 1, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind LLC
Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars - Chocolate Peanut Butter
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 5.2 oz. (148 g.) in total box/package of 4 bars 
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.00 (sale) for 1 box/package of 4 bars
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week.

Ever sense chocolate and peanut butter collided (thank you Reese's!), candy and snack bar makers have been experimenting with how to best combine these two flavors into best-selling offerings.

In recent decades power, energy and nutrition bar makers have offered chocolate and peanut in their line-ups. However, some have been heavily processed, compressed with pulverized whole grains and or protein powders. While these bars offered convenience, they haven't always resulted in appealing taste and texture.

Demand grew for bars that were easily transportable, were healthier than traditional candy bars and tasted better than early energy bars.

Some Chocolate Banquet viewers may remember write-ups of nut butter filled bars with chocolate from local San Francisco Bay Area-based Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA). Their nut butter bars have been a step in this direction.

There has also been interest in more whole foods with shorter ingredients lists of less processed items. Kind LLC (NY, NY) became successful for their bars that addressed this demand.  Kind has pioneered snack bars with a simple (short) list of relatively whole ingredients. (You can see real nuts and seeds, and many are topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate, rather than a heavy layer.)

Today's Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars from Kind is an evolution of many recent industry trends and developments.

Kind's relatively new line of nut butter filled bars combines their experience with crunchy, chewy, nut, seed and chocolate drizzled bars with whole grains* (oats) and a smooth nutty, creamy peanut butter filling. A tasty combination!

*Kind's description of their bars includes a definition of whole grains, which speaks to another reason why they've been successful: their transparency about ingredients. "A grain is considered "whole" if it contains all three parts of its original seed: the bran, germ and endosperm."

Monday, February 3, 2020

Bobo's - Oat Bites, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip - Jan. 31, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Simply Delicious, Inc. 
Bobo's Oat Bites - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 6.5 oz. (185 g.) in total package of 5 bites
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bite
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package of 5 bites
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Bobo's Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oat Bites were from Simply Delicious, Inc. (Boulder, CO).

These vegan, Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified bites offered a rollicking oat and textural taste fest with a light smattering of chocolate chips. The addition of smooth peanut butter added smooth nutty flavor and helped tone down the sweetness level just a bit, which I liked.


Sunday, February 2, 2020

Tone It Up - Peanut Butter Chocolate Plant Protein Bites - Jan. 30, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Tone It Up
Plant Protein - Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bites
Good
Weight: 1.27 oz. (36 g.) / 5.07 oz. (144 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 serving (2 bites)
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bites were from Tone It Up (Manhattan Beach, CA). The company offers a variety of protein powders, shakes, bars and bites, books, nutrition plans, fitness information and related items.

Each individually-wrapped, small rectangular bar (or bite) provided 9 grams of Non GMO plant protein. Protein provided a satisfying feeling of fullness, although it also contributed a slight, fine grain in the texture and mouthfeel. The chocolate and peanut butter flavors were subtle and balanced.

The small individual serving packets were convenient and easy to transport, and the bites themselves were not too sweet (thank you!).




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