Theo and Philo Chocolate - Milk Chocolate with Turon 44% with Banana (bar) - Jan. 15, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory
Milk Chocolate with Turon 44% with Banana (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 220 ?? calories (per label) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.25 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Banana Theme Week.

Today's Milk Chocolate Turon 44% (bar) was from Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates/Chocolate Factory, based in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.

This milk chocolate Turon* bar was flavored with "banana chips, crispy caramel and sesame seeds."

The initial aroma that arose from the freshly opened copper foil packaging was one of milk chocolate enhanced by a pleasant savory smell--with a very faint and fleeting cheese/fermented note that dissipated quickly, after the bar had been opened for a minute or so.

The milk chocolate was sweeter than the authentic, dried banana pieces with the occasional flourish of caramelized brown sugar. Sesame seeds added a bit of texture and seedy/slightly nutty flavor. Even though I've never had banana lumpia, I feel this bar conveyed the essence of what I know about this dessert.

After tasting and reading ingredients lists on all Theo and Philo Chocolate bars this past week, it confirms my experience that chocolates with authentic, unadulterated, high-quality ingredients really do taste better. The lack of "natural flavors," preservatives, emulsifiers or lab-created extracts almost always goes hand-in-hand with a fuller, more enjoyable tasting experience.

Ingredients: sugar, cacao beans, milk powder, cocoa butter, dried bananas, butter, sesame seeds

*I thought today's "Turon" might be related to popular nougat confections from Southern Europe. Turron (Spain) or Torrone (Italy)--typically made with honey, sugar, egg whites and nuts (often almonds). Both are sweet dishes/confections. 

However, this unique Filipino Turon bar was likely inspired by banana lumpia (lumpiang saging) a dessert one might find in the Philippines--made with thinly sliced, local bananas and brown sugar, and wrapped in a spring roll wrapper, and then fried. 

Thank you Theo and Philo for enabling a virtual culinary trip to the Phillipines this week.