K+M Extravirgin Chocolate
(Thomas Keller + Armando Manni)
Milk Chocolate Cocoa Nibs (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Cocoa Nibs Theme Week.
K+M Extravirgin Chocolate's Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs (bar)--a collaboration between Chef Thomas Keller and olive oil expert and supplier, Armando Manni--was made in Napa, CA.
Today's milk chocolate bar (no cacao percentage listed) had a subtle aroma and a rich, luxuriously smooth and creamy texture (from extra virgin olive oil and whole milk*), accented by a soft crunchy texture from a field of relatively finely ground cocoa nibs.
The small amount of olive oil replaced some of the cocoa butter, and contributed a silkiness and softness to the texture.
The flavors were more pronounced than the faint aroma would indicate. Clear dairy milk, rich sweet chocolate and ample caramel notes lingered into the finish.
This bar was well balanced and confection-level sweet; however, the quality of the chocolate, milk and olive oil were high enough to save it from sugar purgatory.
*Ingredients: cocoa beans, RBST-free whole milk powder, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic Manni extra virgin olive oil (Tuscany, Italy), cocoa nibs, organic soy lecithin.