Saturday, July 31, 2021

Godiva - Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate (mini bars) - July 31, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Godiva
Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate (mini bars)
Good +
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 3.1 oz. (90 g.) in total package of 8
Calories: 190 calories in 3 mini bars
Cost: $2.24 (sale price, regularly $2.99) for 1 package of 8
Purchased from: Target, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate (package of 8 mini bars) were distributed by Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (New York, NY).

The nested packaging was well-designed. A chocolate bar shaped package contained 8 individually-wrapped rectangular mini bars that were, in turn, scored into six tiny segments--making these slim, smaller bars easy to share with friends (and/or yourself -- some for now, some for later; oops all gone). Perfect for a luxe theater or after dinner treat.

Each small, slim dark chocolate bars, neatly wrapped in gold foil, had an aroma of rich hot drinking chocolate with vanilla nut wafer sandwich cookie and coconut* notes.

The base dark chocolate had a buttery, uniform dark chocolate texture and true chocolate (fudge brownie) flavor, accented with bits of roasted almond(s). 

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, almonds, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, emulsifier (soy lecithin), salt, butter oil (milk).

Allergen-related information: (Contained almonds, soy and butter oil.) "May contain other tree nuts and wheat." 

*The chocolate did not contain coconut or vanilla ingredients. The cocoa powder may have been "dutch" processed (alkalized) leading to a mellower, hot chocolate aroma and flavor, with "implied" vanilla and coconut notes.

DSD Merchandisers/Farm Fresh to You - Milk Chocolate Almonds - July 30, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

DSD Merchandisers, Inc.
(Farm Fresh to You)
Milk Chocolate Almonds 
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) (9 pieces) / 7 oz. (198 g.) in total container
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (9 pieces)
Cost: $3.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You (CSA box delivery service, add-in item)

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's Milk Chocolate Almonds were distributed by DSD Merchandisers, Inc. (Livermore, CA) -- and were delivered to my doorstep via Farm Fresh to You (a local CSA box delivery service).

These shiny milk chocolate covered nuts had an aroma with sweet chocolate, caramel (and faint caramel popcorn) notes.

The chocolate covering was smooth, relatively creamy milk chocolate contrasted with crunchy, roasted almond textures at the center.

The somewhat addictive flavor and texture was a blend of uniform blend of sweet milk chocolate and almonds. The nuts helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, whole milk powder, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), Natural vanilla extract), almonds, tapioca dextrin, confectioners glaze.

Allergen-related information: "Contains nuts (almonds), milk and soy." "Packaged on same equipment as products containing milk, eggs, nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy."

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Nelly's Organics - Nutty Nougat Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 29, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Nelly's Organics ?
Nutty Nougat Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.50 for 1 bar (2 for $5)
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's Nutty Nougat Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Nelly's Organics (Chatsworth, CA). (The company offers a variety of bars. This one contained cashews, almonds, and peanuts/peanut butter.)

This bar had a soft nougat and blend of light caramel, nutty and chocolate flavors and textures. (The filling also contained cocoa butter.) The mild, relatively thin dark chocolate coating wasn't the main act; however, the nougat filling wasn't loaded down with sugar (thank you!), so I could still taste the dark chocolate (fair trade, from Italy.)

Eating this bar refrigerated, as recommended, on a hot summer day was refreshing. (Best not to tuck this away on a shelf for several months. Note the advisory: "Keep refrigerated - Raw organic food without preservatives...Stays fresh outside the fridge for up to a week.")

Ingredients: Organic raw cashews, organic brown rice syrup, organic raw cacao butter, organic raw almonds, organic raw blue agave, organic peanut butter (organic peanuts), organic raw shredded coconut, organic raw vanilla beans and pink Himalayan salt. Organic chocolate coating: organic chocolate liquor, organic cacao butter, organic cane sugar, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut, peanuts and tree nuts (cashews, almonds). Manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts and other nuts. May contain shell or pit fragments." "Soy free, plant-based, gluten free"


ChocXO Chocolatier - Choc Keto Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds - July 28, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

ChocXO Chocolatier
Choc Keto - Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds 
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total package 
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (10 pieces) (1.06 oz. (30 g.))
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's Choc Keto Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds were made in Canada for ChocXO Chocolatier (Irvine, CA). (The company also offers dark chocolate almond butter cups and other dark chocolates.)

These glossy, dark chocolate covered almonds were made with deep, dark 85% cacao chocolate, making them far less sweet-tasting (due to proportionately less sugar). The bold chocolate had a moderate but balanced bitterness (that became more appealing with each bite) with faint earth and roasted notes. 

While more robust in flavor than most confectionery equivalents, this dark chocolate covering still let the inner, authentic almond flavor through. The result: a satisfying, creamy and crunchy, roasted nutty snack with a relatively clean finish.

For the keto-curious, there were 8 grams of total carbohydrates (4 were dietary fiber). The net total sugars/carbohydrate level was 4 grams) per serving (10 pieces)--about half of what I'd normally expect.

Ingredients: Organic dark chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic cocoa butter, organic low-fat cocoa powder, organic cane sugar, organic vanilla extract), almonds, sugar (glucose), tapioca dextrin, confectionery glaze.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds. Produced on equipment that also processes: milk, soy, peanuts, other tree nuts."



Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Eating Evolved - Almond Butter Keto Cups - July 27, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Eating Evolved, LLC
Almond Butter Keto Cups
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 4.93 oz. (140 g.) in total package
Calories: 260 calories in 2 cups (2 servings)
Cost: $13.49 for 1 package of 7 cups
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s), featuring 1.) chocolate bars with almonds, 2.) almond butter chocolate cups and 3.) chocolate covered almonds. 

The almond butter chocolate cups sampled thus far have been refreshingly different than traditional, sugar-laden confections often laced with salt as well. Many are organic as well, and contain fewer ingredients. And while they are almost all more expensive, most offer a healthier, simpler/shorter list of quality ingredients.

Today's organic, vegan, paleo and gluten free Almond Butter Keto Cups, from Eating Evolved, LLC (Hauppauge, NY), contained no traditional sugars (they were sweetened with monk fruit extract), dairy or soy, and contained no salt.

Keto in this case meant 10 grams of fat and only 2 grams net carbs in each cup/serving--a bit higher in fat (the fats used are healthier than hydrogenated/trans fats, and certain heavily processed oils). Perhaps more significant, these contained 1/6 of the carbs present in popular, commercially sold chocolate covered nut/peanut butter cups.

When I read the tagline: "Chocolate: It's food, not candy." (tm), this slogan seemed to promise a less processed, less sweet version of the traditional chocolate covered nut butter cup. And indeed this was true.

Each individually-wrapped cup I tried had a very subtle chocolate and nut aroma. And they had a luxe fatty and creamy mouthfeel and texture (cacao butter, MCT* oil).

At first, there was a natural, sweet taste; and then the initial, gentle sweetness ebbed relatively quickly. The sweet "fade" enabled the ground almonds (almond butter) to shine for a moment, along with very slight green (seed/nut/vegetable) notes. 

These cups had a pleasant clean finish with a faint, light roasted nut note.

Ingredients: Organic almonds, organic cacao, organic jerusalem artichoke fiber, organic cacao butter, organic medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, organic monk fruit extract.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds. May contain traces of cashew, coconut, hazelnut and macadamia nuts." ("Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free")

*MCT oil is short for Medium-Chain Triglycerides, a form of fat thought to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Other claims include support for better brain and memory function, and physical/athletic performance (endurance), and weight loss as part of a Keto diet (that can be very low in carbohydrates and relatively high in fat). 

As with all new/good things, moderation is advised, particularly if you have certain liver issues. Personally, I find I eat less (smaller portions) of snack foods with less sugar and salt and more fat; and find them quite satisfying as well. 

Monday, July 26, 2021

Theo Chocolate - Organic Almond Butter Cups 55% Dark Chocolate - July 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate 
Organic Almond Butter Cups 55% Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.27 oz. (36 g.) in total package of 2 cups
Calories: 230 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of 2 cups
Purchased from: Farm Fresh To You (CSA delivery box, add-in item)

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Organic Almond Butter Cups (covered in) 55% Dark Chocolate were distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The company has a long history of supporting fair trade and sourcing organic and fair trade ingredients whenever possible.

Aroma notes for these heart-shaped cups included faint chocolate and almond/cashew nut cookie notes.

The 55% cacao chocolate had smooth, relatively mild dark chocolate flavor and with an almost creamy melt. 

The crunchy-creamy almond butter filling had a genuine, mild nut flavor, un-enhanced by excess amounts of sugar, salt and/or "natural" flavors. Enough so that one was suddenly aware of how much sugar and salt is added to most commercial nut butter chocolate cups. 

The very judicious amount of added sea salt and sugar seemed just right and did not obscure the subtle chocolate and nut flavors. (Good choice as almond butter is milder than peanut butter.) Those who equate sugar and salt with flavor, and caffeine and sugar rush fans, may find these less exciting. To me, they were refreshingly authentic.

Ingredients: Almond butter (roasted almonds)*, cocoa beans*+, cane sugar*+, cocoa butter*+, powdered sugar* (cane sugar*+, cornstarch*), almond flour (roasted almonds)*, sea salt, ground vanilla bean*.

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almonds). "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, other tree nuts, milk, eggs and wheat. (*Organic, +fair trade ingredients.) 

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Simon Coll - 70% Cacao with Almonds (bar) - July 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Simon Coll Xocolaters 
(Chocolates Simon Coll S.A.)
70% Cacao Con Almendras (Almonds) bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 298.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

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

Today's "70% Cacao Con Almendras" dark chocolate bar was made in Spain by Chocolates Simon Coll S.A. (Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Barcelona, Spain). The company's chocolate-making roots stretch back several generations to 1840. (The company also acquired the historic Spanish Chocolate Amatller brand in 1972.)

The aroma and flavor notes in today's dark, gluten-free chocolate bar included: chocolatey notes (chocolate cake, freshly baked brownies with nuts), vanilla, nut (almond, walnut), faint fresh ripe banana and light molasses/brown sugar spice (banana licuado); and a balanced, bittersweet dark chocolate (earthy fudge brownie).

Almonds, vanilla and the addition of cocoa powder (that may or may not have been alkalized*) would have helped mellow the overall chocolate taste (and send one to fresh brownies-right-out-of-the-oven territory). These three additions can also soften bold, bitter or acidic notes. Regardless, today's chocolate had best-of-brownie flavor without being too sweet. (Thank you.)

This chocolate had a hearty, uniform texture and fudgy chocolate flavor, with some satisfying secondary flavors, and a light dark chocolate brownie finish.

Ingredients: "Cocoa mass, sugar, almonds (20%), cocoa butter, fat reduced cocoa powder, emulsifier (soya lecithin) and flavouring (vanilla). Cocoa solids: 70% minimum."

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds, soy. "May contain milk and other nut traces."

*On the 14-point pH scale that measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) substances are, the middle of the scale (7) is considered neutral. 

Cocoa powder often has a pH of around 5 (making it acidic). Alkalized cocoa powder, treated with an alkaline substance, can bring the pH back to a more neutral level (pH of around 7 or 8). The resulting cocoa powder (sometimes also referred to as "dutched" cocoa) is milder and has a slightly darker appearance than non-alkalized cocoa powder. 

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Cove Chocolate - Whole Almonds 68% Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cove Chocolate
Whole Almonds 68% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.2 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories (estimate) in 1.1 oz. (37.5 g.) of bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: All About The Chocolate, Carmel, CA

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

This chocolate was discovered in a chocolate shop in the seaside village of Carmel, California--after a hike along the Pacific Ocean (Point Lobos). These was beautiful scenery, and new chocolates to be found. 

I was a little afraid this local 68% cocoa chocolate (made in a registered home kitchen in Monterey, California) might be too sweet and perhaps too uniform in flavor. Thankfully, this was not the case.

The relatively complex aroma included bold, dark chocolate with earth and fruit (faint dark berry, red apple, lemon, dried apricot), and faint green floral and very faint, fleeting vegetable (potato chip) notes.

This hand-crafted, thick and substantial chocolate had a smooth texture and paired well with crunchy (whole) almonds).

The flavor was smooth with rich, dark chocolate, gentle mixed fruit (dark, ripe sweet berry, very light red apple and Meyer lemon) with faint green notes and a well-managed earthiness. There were no "off" or overly strong notes; and the bar had a clean finish.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla beans), almonds.

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts, soy"

 

Ritter Sport - Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds (bar) - July 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport 
Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 5 pieces (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds (bar) was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany). 

It was a member of the company's "Nut Selection" series of chocolate bars, in the classic Ritter square-shaped bar format, with a pre-scored grid ( of smaller squares), making it easy to break off pieces to eat or share.

This "new" dark chocolate bar was made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cacao (chocolate liquor).

The aroma contained roasted, bold but smooth dark chocolate (fudge brownie) and nutty (roasted almonds) notes.

Each chunky dark chocolate square was a mix of smooth texture/melt and crunchy bites of (whole) almonds.

The flavor was true chocolate (fudge brownie) with a slightly earthy note, and well-managed satisfying boldness. 

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate liquor, almonds, cocoa butter, butterfat (milk), soy lecithin.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of peanuts, other tree nuts, wheat and egg."

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Trader Joe's - Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar - July 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Trader Joe's
Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, San Carlos, CA

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

Today's Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar was from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

The rich aroma for this chocolate bar included prune, date, light molasses, and vanilla nut (toasted almonds and pecans*) butter cookie and very faint green (tea, nut) notes.

The non-dairy bar had a creamy (milk chocolate) texture with a relatively rapid melt after the initial tempered firmness experienced with each new bite. 

The flavor was mild dark chocolate with a very faint plant (almond) "milk" flavor. The almond beverage inclusion and a good dose of cocoa butter (the number one ingredient) contributed to a subtle chocolate flavor--and (lighter, warmer) milk chocolate color. Almonds also balanced the sugar, i.e. it was not overly sweet (thank you!).

Very light touches of sea salt and vanilla rounded out the even, subtle chocolate flavor. This pleasant, organic bar may please vegan chocolate lovers who enjoy a smooth, buttery, dairy-free chocolate, with very low cacao acidity and bitterness. 

Ingredients: Organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa beans, organic almond beverage (organic almond flour, water), organic sunflower lecithin (emulsifier), sea salt, organic ground vanilla beans. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almond." Certified organic and Pareve (U). Vegan, gluten free, soy free.

*This bar contained almonds but did not contain pecan nuts, even if the aroma of this bar did bring back memories of pecan shortbread cookies from childhood.

 

Trader Joe's - Amped Up Almonds - July 21, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Trader Joe's 
Amped Up Almonds
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total package
Calories: 380 calories in 1 package 
Cost: $1.29 for 1 package
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, San Carlos, CA

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

Today's "Amped Up Almonds" - Chocolatey Coated Almonds were from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

These chocolate covered almonds had an aroma of chocolate with warm (vanilla), nutty/seed and very light, sweet vegetable aroma notes. 

Initially, I thought I might smell coffee (a caffeine-bearing ingredient that might explain the "amped up" in the product name), but I did not. Instead this moniker referred to extra protein supplied by added pea protein.*

The chocolate coating with smooth and, well, chocolatey. Dry roasted almonds provided crunchy, nutty texture.

The pea protein did contribute to some subtle attributes, but did not alter flavor very much. Imagine fresh, cooked green peas whipped into with some mashed potatoes, and then soften the flavor a bit. 

The pea protein did give some oomph to the texture (an almost undetectable "substantial" quality and a very fine graininess). These chocolate covered almonds were very filling. The pea protein (and almonds) seemed to balance out the sugar content and slightly muted other flavors. 

There was a very faint pea protein aftertaste a few minutes after finishing the last almonds. Nothing objectionable.

Ingredients: Chocolatey coating (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, pea protein, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla flavor), dry roasted almonds, confectioner's shellac.

Allergen-related information: Contains soy, almond. "May contain milk, wheat, peanut, pecan."

*Pea protein is typically made from yellow peas. It has become quite popular in the past decade with more yellow peas being planted to anticipate a growing demand for this product. As today's offering shows, it's not just for traditional protein powder smoothies and protein bars anymore.

Yellow peas could become part of the next (plant protein) gold rush. Global Market Insights predicated the U.S. market would grow to $325 million by 2027, reflecting an estimated 12% (compounded annual growth rate) from 2021-2027.

How is it made and what how does it fare nutritionally? The protein is isolated, and it's made into a powder that is a relatively complete protein, from an amino acid standpoint. (Although, like other plant proteins, it is relatively low in methionine.) It is higher in lysine and glutamine than many other plant proteins and relatively high in arginine, iron, potassium and calcium. It's considered to be a "good" protein for vegans and vegetarians and relatively easy to digest. 


Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Not Your Sugar Mamas (NYSM) - Almond Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate 75% raw (bar) - July 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Not Your Sugar Mamas - NYSM
Almond Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate 75% raw cacao bar
Good + 
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 380 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $7.59 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Pure and Simple Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Not Your Sugar Mama's (NYSM) (Vineyard Haven, MA). 

The company produces chocolates made with less processed ingredients (e.g. raw cacao, less processed sugars/no refined sugar, no emulsifiers). Founder, chef, mother and food entrepreneur, Kyleen Keenan (see also eathappyist.com), is currently focused on plant-based chocolates and cheeses.

Today's organic Almond Crunch bar made with raw cacao had a quiet, natural taste. It was more mild, less wild than most other 75% dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes included a hint of warm sugar (maple), sweet and clean dark chocolate, gentle fruit (very faint ripe, mild red plum), implied warm spice (not quite cinnamon, probably from the maple), and faint coconut and light green and nut notes.

This Almond Crunch chocolate had a smooth, almost creamy texture with a progressively, slightly rapid melt--while still maintaining a well-tempered, firmness. The almonds and coconut pieces added crunchy and chewy texture and mild (unroasted) flavors.

The raw cacao base offered even, very mild dark chocolate flavor with hot chocolate, very faint, fleeting earth notes and a clean finish. A barely there lemon/tart green herb (sorrel, oxalis, sour grass) note detected in the aroma was all but gone but for a very faint flicker of green (fruit) astringency.

Maple sugar contributed a natural sweetness--and some of the subtle aroma notes mentioned above. And the overall taste wasn't too sweet. (Thank you. I do not miss the sugar buzz.)

A very faint trace of Himalayan sea salt (I didn't even taste it) balanced out the sweet with a barely detectable touch of savory.

Ingredients: Organic raw cacao, organic maple sugar, Himalayan sea salt, organic vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Vegan + Paleo;" No soy, gluten or dairy; and "Processed in a facility that uses tree nuts: almonds and cashews." 

Cacao Crudo - Mandorlato Almondy Nougat Aux Amandes - July 19, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Crudo
Mandorlato Almondy Nougat Aux Amandes 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 7.06 oz. (200 g.) in total bar
Calories: 319 calories in 1/4 bar 
Cost: $ N/A - free sample
Purchased from: N/A - free sample 

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

Today's vegan, gluten-free Mandorlato Almondy Nougat Aux Amandes was from Cacao Crudo (Palestrina, Roma, Italia).

The 64% bar was made with fine, unroasted Criollo cacao, resulting in a subtle chocolate aroma and flavor with soft, clean, green notes. 

The easy-to-slice, smooth chocolate (large nougat style bar) was full of fresh, crunchy almonds in almost every bite. The generous serving of almonds also may cause slices of this bar to gently fracture when you pick up a slice to eat it. (I ate my slices on (and over) a small plate, so as not to lose any of the goodness.) 

Almond paste was the number one ingredient (36%) and gave this nougat bar an extra "almondy" flavor (faint almond extract note) that complemented--and did not overpower--the mild Criollo cacao flavor. (Even the cacao butter was made with Criollo variety cacao beans.)

Unlike most sugary "nougat" confection bars, this subtle, nutty bar was not too sweet. (Thank you!) This might have been my favorite thing about this bar. The coconut flower sap used to sweeten the bar was understated and left me without the hard sugar buzz I feel with conventional confections.

The chocolate had a very light/gentle, clean finish and was almost without any bitterness or acidity.

Ingredients: "Organic (not roasted) almonds paste (36%), organic (not roasted) almonds, organic not roasted cacao Criollo beans paste, organic concentrated coconut flower sap, organic cacao Criollo butter from not roasted beans.

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds. "May contain hazelnuts and walnuts."

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Libeert - Belgian 85% Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Libeert s.a.
Belgian Dark Chocolate 85% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 3 squares of bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week, featuring 65% - 90% cacao dark chocolate blends (with no flavor inclusions) and/or bars with unspecified cacao origins.

Today's Belgian 85% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by Libeert s.a. (Comines, Belgium). It was labeled as a "Luxury" bar. And indeed it offered some sophisticated, rich cacao flavors (at a very reasonable price).

This bar had an enjoyable, shifting, complex aroma bouquet that included dark chocolate (warm, strong cocoa/drinking chocolate), concentrated fruit (prunes, raisins, dried cacao pulp, dried mango) shading into green floral notes. But wait, there's more. I kept sniffing and was rewarded with... the faint scent of a bowl of sweet breakfast cereal (sweet, light roasted rice/malt). 

The texture was smooth, and relatively creamy. The melt accelerated a bit about 3/4 way into chewing each bite. (Not off-putting, but different.) This was followed by a very slight dryness (astringency) toward the end.

The flavor, like the aroma and texture, had its own gentle twists and turns.* Similar concentrated fruit and green notes sashayed through; and the bar was relatively low in bitterness and acidity, making this it an approachable choice for those who want a more polite (more mild, less wild) ultra-dark bar.

Maker's tasting notes: "Bright dark chocolate with an intense and fruity cocoa flavour"

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor, sugar, soy lecithin, cocoa solids 85% minimum.

Allergen-related information: Contains soy. "May contain traces of milk, almonds, hazelnuts, pecan nuts, wheat and egg."

*Note: Libeert also offers an Organic Chocolate Extra Dark 85% bar, that I featured earlier this week. The relatively new organic bar was slightly less fruity than today's 85% chocolate and had a bit more of a light vanilla and nutty flavor. (The organic version also contained cocoa powder, vanilla powder and added cocoa butter. It also had a very faint (fainter) dryness toward the end. It did not contain soy lecithin.)

Both Libeert bars were relatively "friendly" for 85% cacao bars. Great for people who are watching their sugar intake (or want a less sweet chocolate), and/or are wanting a milder ultra-bar bar with some natural cacao flavors still intact. 

Larger European makers, specifically Libeert and Lindt, now offer affordable ultra dark (greater than 75%) bars. Although Lindt is a bit easier to find in U.S. stores. (Low prices allow more people to try and develop a liking for darker chocolates. Hoping cacao farmers are getting paid a fair price for their cacao.)

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Not Your Sugar Mamas (NYSM) - Pure and Simple Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 17, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Not Your Sugar Mamas - NYSM
Pure and Simple Organic Dark Chocolate 81% raw cacao bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $7.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Pure and Simple Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Not Your Sugar Mama's (NYSM) (Vineyard Haven, MA). 

The company produces chocolates made with less processed ingredients (e.g. raw cacao, less processed sugars/no refined sugar, no emulsifiers). Founder, chef, mother and serial food entrepreneur, Kyleen Keenan (see also eathappyist.com), has been producing plant-based cheeses and chocolates.

Today's Pure and Simple 81%  raw cacao, organic bar had a quiet, natural beauty. This ultra-dark bar was anything but bold, brash or bitter. However, it was also not boring. 

Its subtle aroma was complex and interesting, with authentic smokey vanilla, faint smokey whiskey (at the very beginning only), sweet and clean but rich cocoa nibs, gentle fruit (faint ripe, red plum, faint sweet cherry), implied warm spice, floral (vanilla), very faint, slightly tart green herbal (oxalis, sour grass, sorrel), and very faint, fleeting savory (salt) notes.

The chocolate had a smooth, almost creamy, texture with a slightly rapid/oily melt--while still maintaining a well-tempered, firm integrity.

The flavor notes were even and gentle. The raw cacao (vs. roasted) yielded a very mild dark chocolate flavor and clean finish. 

Maple sugar contributed a natural sweetness--and some of the subtle aroma notes mentioned above. It fused nicely with what seemed to be wonderfully flavorful vanilla bean(s), and the cacao. And the overall taste wasn't too sweet. (Thank you. I did not miss the sugar buzz.)

A judicious trace of Himalayan sea salt created an effortless whisp of balance on the savory side and the salt didn't interfere with any of the subtle aromas and flavors.

Ingredients: Organic raw cacao, organic maple sugar, Himalayan sea salt, organic vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Vegan + Paleo;" No soy, gluten or dairy; and "Processed in a facility that uses tree nuts: almonds and cashews." 


Friday, July 16, 2021

Theo Chocolate - Organic Chocolate for Baking 70% Dark (bar) - July 16, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Organic Fair Trade Chocolate for Baking 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) (2 squares) 
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You, add-in to CSA delivery box 

Welcome to Day #7 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week, featuring 60%-90% cacao dark blends and/or dark chocolates with unspecified origins.

Today's Organic Fair Trade Chocolate for Baking 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

The balanced bouquet of aroma notes in this bold and flavorful chocolate included dark chocolate; concentrated stone fruit (prune, cherry plum) as well as dried fruit with more subtle tartness (dried ripe persimmon slices); very light floral (cherry blossom) and nut (roasted cashew and roasted pine nut).

The taste encompassed most of the aroma notes mentioned above, although the emphasis was more on the "true" chocolate notes (roasted, bold but balanced fudge brownie with a cup of drinking chocolate/cocoa on the side) with balanced, light loamy forest earthiness and faint red fruit/berry fruit acidity.

A bit of light blueberry/red grape astringency (back of the throat tickle) kicked in about mid-way through--an astringency that lingered in the finish, similar to tannic acid in red wine.

As promised, this chocolate was enjoyable for eating, as well as for baking (for brownies and baked goods, shaved over other desserts, or made into small, fill-able chocolate cups).

The cacao used to make today's chocolate was a blend, from beans grown in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Peru. This combination helps explain the rich blend of flavors.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cocoa beans; organic, fair trade cane sugar; and organic, fair trade cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes wheat, milk and tree nuts, and in a facility that handles sesame, eggs and peanuts." ("Soy free, Kosher")


 

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Hu Products - Snacking and Baking Chocolate Gems - July 15, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Hu Products LLC
Snacking and Baking Chocolate Gems
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total pkg.
Calories: 360 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $9.99 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's small, hexagonally-shaped, Snacking and Baking Dark Chocolate Gems were distributed by Hu Products LLC (Austin, TX). 

The company's chocolate origins trace back to Hu Kitchen (a New York City restaurant co-founded in 2013 by siblings Jordan Brown and Jessica Karp).* Since then, success has created opportunities for expansion, from chocolate bars to offerings like today's dark chocolate gems/pieces.

These chocolate gems, made from "organic, house-ground 70% cacao," had a sweet aroma of maple syrup and coconut blossom nectar...and sauteed butter with brown sugar that evoked childhood memories of homemade granola being made in a cast iron fry pan on a stove.

Unrefined coconut sugar contributed a noticeable caramel/brown sugar taste to the dark chocolate that had an underlying balanced earthiness and very faint green floral notes. These "gems" would be interesting to try in cookies and other baked goods--perhaps an updated (vegan) German Chocolate Cake. And as the name implied, they were good for snacking too.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic unrefined coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut. May contain traces of almond, cashew and hazelnut. Allergen cleans are made prior to production, but beware that product is produced using equipment that also processes tree nuts, soy, peanuts, milk and wheat."

This product is labeled as vegan, organic and paleo, with no cane or refined sugar, and no sugar alcohols or stevia; no stabilizers, soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin; no dairy; and no "natural flavors."

* Hu Kitchen in New York City focused on offering gluten-free and lower inflammation and paleo-style eating using "better" (often Organic) and simplied (shorter list(s) of) ingredients. The founders decided to close their New York restaurant in 2020 to focus on their expanding chocolate and snacks business.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Lindt - 85% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 15, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Lindt
85% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good 
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 3 squares (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Dark Chocolate Week.

Today's 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by from Lindt and Sprungli (USA), Inc. (Stratham, NH).* Today's chocolate was part of the Lindt "Excellence" line of bars.

This almost ebony-colored ultra-dark bar had a surprisingly light and sweet (vanilla and marshmallow hot cocoa) aroma for an 85% cacao bar. 

The chocolate broke with a well-tempered snap and had a smooth texture and mouthfeel.

The flavor was surprisingly smooth as well, with relatively pleasing, roasted, dark cacao notes and a touch of vanilla. The finish was long with bittersweet roasted cacao flavor and faint flickers of balanced acidity.

For this price (at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, that offers lower prices), this chocolate was certainly a good value. One hopes that cocoa farmers are being paid a fair price. No origin was mentioned on the packaging. If I had to guess I'd say it was a dark blend that included West African, Forastero variety, cacao.

Lindt tasting notes/description of this bar read as follows: "Excellence 85% cocoa is distinguished by a deep brown color, a powerful aroma of cocoa and full bodied chocolate." "Full-bodied cocoa flavor."

Ingredients: *Chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, demerara sugar, Bourbon vanilla beans. Dark chocolate contains cocoa solids: 85% min."

Allergen-related information: "May contain milk, soy and tree nuts."

*The company's roots in Switzerland date back to 1845.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Cacao Crudo - Raw Organic Criollo 80% Dark chocolate (bar) - July 13, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Crudo
Raw Organic Criollo 80% Dark chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) for 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco, CA 

Welcome to Day #4 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Raw Organic Criollo 80% Dark chocolate (bar) was made by Cacao Crudo S.r.l. (Roma, Italia/Rome, Italy).

The aroma and flavor notes for this Taveletta di Cioccolato Fondente Biologico (dark chocolate organic bar) were a mix of intoxicating, naturally sweet (green molasses* if that's possible) and very clear and clean green floral (white flowers: jasmine, magnolia, orchid) and very faint, green fruit notes that lightly lingered into the finish.

This was not your typical ultra-dark (80% or above) bar. It was low in acidity, bitterness and strong fruit. (In a blind tasting I might have guessed this was a 70%-73% cacao chocolate.) 

Speaking of fruit, far from being walloped with prune, pomegranate, orange peel and/or tart red berries--which are delightful in their own right, this chocolate caressed the palette with faint green fruit notes that lay at the opposite (mild) end of the tasting spectrum. Think very faint green kiwi shading into light cucumber blended with mild green table grapes.

Will everyone love this bar? Not necessarily, if you favor bolder, heavier, roasted flavors. But, please do try this bar if you have the opportunity. (It's currently available in specialty stores or online.)

The unique green floral aroma and flavor notes for this bar were made possible by using Criollo cacao that was unroasted--a processing choice that preserves more delicate floral and flavor notes that can be lost during conventional roasting and higher temperature grinding/conching.

The Criollo variety of cacao is prized for its more delicate flavors, which can include soft, complex fruit and cream notes.

Floral chocolate lovers rejoice. You may find yourself virtually transported to a celebration of green, floral chocolate flavors inside an orchid conservatory, or in a tropical jungle filled with green vines and wildflowers.

Ingredients: Organic Criollo cacao powder, organic Criollo cacao butter, organic coconut blossom nectar, organic coconut pulp, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: "Gluten Free...May contain traces of hazelnuts and pistachios." 

*The coconut blossom nectar (used as a sweetener instead of cane sugar) also contributed to a gentler (lower on the glycemic index), slightly aromatic sugar experience. Various descriptions of faint flavor notes this sweetener imparts include: brown sugar, caramel--and less frequently: barely there musky (floral), and/or very faint smoke. 

It does not taste like coconut meat or milk, even though the blossoms are clustered at the top of coconut palm trees. Floral sap is collected in small buckets and then made into coconut sugar.

Monday, July 12, 2021

Libeert - Organic Chocolate Extra Dark 85% (bar) - July 12, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Libeert s.a.
Organic Chocolate Extra Dark 85% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (3 squares of) bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week, featuring 60% - 90% cacao chocolates made with a blend or cacao origins, and/or unspecified origins.

Today's Organic Chocolate Extra Dark 85% (bar) was made by Libeert s.a. (Comines, Belgium). The company produces a variety of chocolate bars (and confections), including certified organic and fair trade bars, such as this ultra-dark bar.

Aroma notes for this bold, balanced bar included deep, dense forest, dark chocolate, subtle concentrated/dried fruit (plum-prune), and very faint, clean, clay-like aromatic floral (vanilla, rose, jasmine) perfume (very light baby powder) notes.

This relatively high-cacao percent chocolate was, it almost goes without saying, not sweet (thank you). It had an even, sustained dark, roasted, earthy, fudge brownie note, and a well-managed, slightly bitter dark finish with no off-notes.

The bar had smooth texture with relatively low astringency and acid along with a mellow bitterness for an ultra-dark 85% cacao chocolate (origin unspecified). It was a great value for the price. (If I had to guess the cacao variety of this Belgian, organic bittersweet chocolate, I'd say Forastero from West Africa.) 

Pairing suggestions

If ultra-dark bars were little black dresses, I'd say this one deserves to be in daily rotation. You might even use it for baking and dress it up with some brightly colored fruits (homemade ultra dark chocolate cups filled with sliced fruits (yellow nectarine/peach) and a drizzle of raspberry liqueur/juice/jam perhaps). Or fill these dark cups with coffee ice cream and top with whiskey-soaked (or just lightly toasted) cacao nibs and almond slices.

Ingredients: Organic chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar, organic low fat cocoa powder, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla powder. Cocoa solids 85% minimum. ("Sustainable cocoa...Traded in compliance with Fairtrade standards.")

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, soy, almonds, hazelnuts, pecan nuts and pistachios." 


Sunday, July 11, 2021

Amedei - Toscano Black Dark Chocolate Extra 90% (bar) - July 11, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Amedei srl
Toscano Black, Dark Chocolate Extra, 90% (bar)
Good +
Weight: .875 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.50 (+ shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Buona giornata (good day) and welcome to Day #2 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week, featuring chocolates ranging from 60% to 90% cacao, made with cacao beans from either a blend of origins, and/or from an undeclared origin. 

Today's Toscano Black Dark Chocolate Extra 90% (bar) was made by Amedei srl (in Pontedera (Pisa), Italy). The company offers a variety of bars, drops, pralines and spreads.

The aroma notes for this bar included: slight green herb (lemon balm, sour grass, oxalis/oxalic acid), and fruit (faint sweet berry and lemon), and mild hot chocolate.

The texture was uniform, with a slight astringency.

The flavor reflected some of the same aroma notes mentioned above and the bar was relatively approachable for a 90% cocoa chocolate. 

This chocolate had a mild, bittersweet chocolate flavor with medium acidity, and very faint, fleeting malt/cereal box and coffee notes.

Maker's tasting notes: "Toscano Black, the "Manifesto" dark chocolates from Amedei. These chocolates are made from a blend of Trinitario and Criollo (cacao). With different percentages of cocoa, they evoke the unique nuances of masterfully blended beans in an encounter with classic chocolate featuring a crisp cracking sound and a clean palette. Toscano Black 90% is characterized by a delicate fragrance of white flowers and is an inviting blend with the scent of hot chocolate. A discovery to taste: despite the high cocoa percentage, it is a very creamy chocolate that leaves a very clean palate at the end."

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cocoa butter, cane sugar. Cocoa minimum 90%.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of hazelnut, almond, pistachio, walnut, milk. No artificial colors or flavoring. Gluten free."

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Simon Coll - 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 10, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Simon Coll Xocolaters
(Chocolates Simon Coll S.A.)
85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.495 oz. (42.5 g.) / 2.99 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 255 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week. This week features 60% to 90% cacao dark chocolate bars--made with blends of cacao beans, or with no origin specified.

Today's 85% Dark Chocolate bar was made in Spain by Chocolates Simon Coll S.A. (Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Barcelona, Spain). The company's chocolate-making roots stretch back several generations to 1840. (The company also acquired the historic Spanish Chocolate Amatller brand in 1972.)

The aroma and flavor notes in today's ultra-dark, gluten-free chocolate bar included: green; fresh ripe banana and light molasses/brown sugar spice (banana licuado); nut (walnut); and a balanced, slightly green, bittersweet dark chocolate (earthy fudge brownie).

This chocolate was relatively smooth/uniform in texture and flavor, yet managed to have satisfying complexity.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, fat reduced cocoa powder, emulsifier (soya lecithin) and flavouring (vanilla). Cocoa solids 85%.

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy. May contain traces of milk, hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds.

Kind - Coffee Hazelnut plant-based frozen dessert + new-o-politan combo - July 9, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind
Coffee Hazelnut Coffee Plant Based Creamy Frozen Dessert
Good +
Weight: 1/3 cup (62.5 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 serving
Cost: $7.99 for 1/2 serving
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Coffee Hazelnut (with cocoa powder and chocolate flavor) plant-based, frozen dessert was from Kind LLC (NY, NY). 

Made with pear juice, almonds, hazelnut and coconut and other Non-GMO ingredients. The result, from this company that has specialized in fruit and nut snacks, was flavorful and almost surprisingly creamy. 

This frozen dessert was a member of an updated Neopolitan-like ice cream trio...that also included Strawberry Ice Cream from Acme (Petaluma, CA), and Blue Jasmine ice cream from Tin Pot Creamery (San Carlos, CA).

The three scoops were topped with nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds) and single origin dark chocolate shavings.

Kind's Coffee Hazelnut flavor was slightly tart, sweet, with the balanced bitter flavor of coffee + nut (hazelnut). Cocoa (powder, flavoring) and sweet coffee added traces of rich mocha to this smooth, yet relatively bold flavor blend.

Ingredients: Pear juice (from concentrate), water, almonds, sugar dried tapioca syrup, hazelnuts, tapioca syrup, coconut oil, coffee, cocoa powder, gum acacia, sea salt, chocolate natural flavor, soy lecithin, carob bean gum, tara gum, guar gum, pectin, salt, sunflower lecithin. 

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds, hazelnuts and soy.


Friday, July 9, 2021

Dick Taylor - Blackberry Bergamot 65% Belize (bar) - July 7, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Dick Taylor
Blackberry Bergamot 65% Belize (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week. 

Today's Blackberry Bergamot 65% Belize (bar) was handcrafted by Dick Taylor in Eureka, CA.

Not surprisingly, the aroma and flavor notes for this dark chocolate bar were fruit (dark berry, citrus) forward.

However, the concentrated, dark, earthy berry notes (from dried blackberries) melded seamlessly with the 65% Belize chocolate so that the "dark" fruit (blackberries and prunes with orange peel and molasses) notes--as well as the whisper of bergamot*--could easily be mistaken for naturally occurring aromas and flavors in a single origin cacao dark bar. 

Normally this is not the case. Items added as flavor inclusions stand out either visually (pressed onto the back of the bar, or visible in the middle) or on one's palette. So, this fruit and floral bar (which actually made the chocolate taste a bit darker/heartier vs. lighter/sweeter) was a bit of a magic trick.

The texture was fairly smooth, except for an occasional blackberry seed, and the finish was relatively clean, with a very faint blackberry fruit and citrus acidity.

Maker's tasting notes read as follows: "Sweet, dried blackberries and a hint of bergamot oil are mixed into our silky 65% dark chocolate from Belize. The blend of bergamot and berries creates a perfect balance of citrus and floral notes, complimenting the lightness of this chocolate."

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic dried blackberries, organic cocoa butter, bergamot oil.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, wheat and peanuts."

*Bergamot is in the citrus family and the rind is used to flavor Earl Grey and Lady Grey tea (and perfumes). It's zest is aromatic with citrus and floral notes.

Hemp Love - Lavender Sea Salt and Hemp Seed Crunch (bar) - July 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Hemp Love
61% Cacao Lavender Sea Salt and Hemp Seed Crunch (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's 61% Lavender Sea Salt and Hemp Seed Crunch Organic Vegan Chocolate (bar) was manufactured for Hemp Love (Malibu, CA). 

The company incorporates hemp seeds (a food relatively high in protein and rich in Omega 3 as well as Omega 6 essential fatty acids) in their line of chocolate bars.

The aroma notes for Lavender Sea Salt bar included: floral (authentic, aromatic lavender buds) sweet dark chocolate and very faint vanilla.

This smooth, sweet dark chocolate had a mild crunchiness (hemp seeds) and occasional tiny sparkles of sea salt.

Flavor notes included smooth, sweet dark chocolate (cake) with lavender, vanilla and judicious salt notes. The bar had a pleasing, light lavender finish.

Lavender pairs very nicely with vanilla (creating a warm, invigorating* floral blend). When these two are joined with chocolate and sea salt and the hemp seeds, and angels started to sing. Some flavor sums are greater than their individual parts. 

The lavender sea salt provided the piney-floral, perfumed (some say soap) lavender flavor, and helped balance the sweetness.

Where's the fruit one might ask, given this week's chocolate, fruit and floral theme?

Bonus pairing: Alec's Honey Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream
Sweet tart, dark and slightly earthy blueberries play well with lavender and vanilla flavors (and chocolate). I amped up the lavender today by pairing the featured Hemp Love chocolate bar with a scoop of Honey Blueberry Lavender organic ice cream from Alec's Ice Cream (made in Petaluma, CA). The end result: harmony and bliss in the chocolate + fruit + floral universe. 

Ingredients: 61% dark chocolate (organic evaporated cane juice, organic cocoa paste, organic cocoa butter, organic ground vanilla), organic hemp seed, organic evaporated cane juice, organic lavender salt (sea salt, organic lavender oil, organic lavender flower).

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a Kosher vegan facility. Equipment shared with peanuts/tree nuts and soy. Ingredient suppliers may share equipment that could result in trace amounts of dairy protein."

*Disclaimer: I'm a lavender and floral flavor fan. Lavender (a member of the mint family) and chocolate are examples of foods that can be both relaxing and stimulating at the same time. 

Said to reduce stress and anxiety, a small handful of tiny, purple lavender flower buds (and a tiny rosemary sprig) thrown into a pot of simmering water can de-stress an entire room and/or perk up drab days fairly quickly. 


Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Hemp Love - 61% Cacao Orange/Vanilla and Hemp Seed Crunch (bar) - July 6, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Hemp Love
61% Cacao Orange/Vanilla and Hemp Seed Crunch (bar)
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's 61% Orange/Vanilla and Hemp Seed Crunch Organic Vegan Chocolate (bar) was manufactured for Hemp Love (Malibu, CA). 

The company incorporates hemp seeds (a food relatively high in protein and rich in Omega 3 as well as Omega 6 essential fatty acids) in their line of chocolate bars.

The aroma notes for Orange Vanilla bar included: natural orange soda, sweet dark chocolate and very faint vanilla.

This smooth, sweet dark chocolate had a light, almost whipped, crunchy texture with uniform, melded smooth orange and vanilla flavor.

Flavor notes included smooth, sweet dark chocolate (cake) with orange and vanilla (frosting) notes. The bar had a light, lingering finish. 

Ingredients: Organic dark chocolate (organic cocoa liquor, organic evaporated cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla), organic evaporated cane sugar, organic hemp seed hearts, organic orange oil, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a Kosher vegan facility. Equipment shared with peanuts/tree nuts and soy. Ingredient suppliers may share equipment that could result in trace amounts of dairy protein."


Monday, July 5, 2021

Cove Chocolate - Lemon Lavender 39% Milk Chocolate (bar) - July 5, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cove Chocolate
Lemon Lavender 39% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (75 g.) (per label) in total bar
Calories: 352 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: All About The Chocolate, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Lemon Lavender 39% Milk Chocolate (bar) was created by Matilyn Thompson, founder of Cove Chocolate (Monterey, CA).*  

I normally prefer dark chocolate. But, the balanced, natural lemon citrus and lavender floral flavor inclusions and aromas in this thick, creamy and sweet milk chocolate bar swept us off our feet--as did a California coast day trip that led to finding this relatively new chocolate.

A friend and I found Cove Chocolate bars in a shop (called "All About The Chocolate") in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea last month (June)--after a walk at Point Lobos, a nearby California State Park with trails that take you by wind-swept cypress trees and clumps of wildflowers, and offer views of turquoise waters and ocean coves at the bases of rugged cliffs.

Ingredients: "Cane sugar, cacao beans, whole milk, cocoa butter, non-fat milk, soy lecithin, vanilla beans, natural lemon oil, organic lavender."

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy, milk; traces of nuts possible"

*Thompson transitioned to being a home-based chocolate producer (Certified Cottage Food Operation in Monterey County) in part due to changes during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

We're grateful her decision led to this lovely lemon lavender flavored bar that evoked memories of iced lavender infused lemonade or lemon lavender ice cream. This fruit and floral flavor duo is great for summer, or any time of year.

Sunday, July 4, 2021

Antidote - Strawberry + Hibiscus Milk Chocolate 56% (bar) - July 4, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Antidote Chocolate
"Magician" Strawberry + Hibiscus Milk Chocolate 56% cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories (per label) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week. Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate. 

On the menu this Independence Day: potato salad and fruit salad (watermelon, strawberries, banana and blueberries), plus this red, white and blue packaged, fruit and floral Antidote milk chocolate bar.

Today's "Magician" Strawberry + Hibiscus Milk Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar) was from Ms. Red Thalhammer--self-described "Austrian chocolate dreamer," and chief maker--at Antidote Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The back of this bar was a festive field of red bits. and had an aroma with strawberry, tart red, floral fruit and dried red plum notes.

This dark milk chocolate had a creamy melt and texture; and the tiny pieces of freeze-dried strawberry added some soft crunch.

The dark milk chocolate had smooth dark chocolate flavor, with a faint, occasional and balanced (by the milk) earth note.

Ingredients: Cacao beans (56% cacao Arriba Nacional), cacao butter, milk powder, whole cane sugar, strawberries, red hibiscus, sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles soy and nuts."

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Chocolita - Blueberry Bliss Raw Dark Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar) - July 3, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolita 
Blueberry Bliss Raw Dark Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate, Fruits and Flowers Theme Week. We're gearing up for 4th of July weekend celebration in California. And this week I'll be featuring chocolates with red, white and/or blue items (like blueberries) as well.

Today's Blueberry Bliss Dark Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar) was from Chocolita (Sedona, AZ).

The aroma of this chocolate had mild dark chocolate, light fruit (dark berry), faint green and botanical notes. The texture was smooth and the chocolate was uniform and satisfying.

The word that kept coming up for me for this bar was "balanced." All the (organic) inclusions (blueberry powder, lucuma, hops, passion flower, vanilla) were fully incorporated were tasted and felt nicely balanced. 

This chocolate was relatively relaxing, with less of a sugar buzz or cocoa lift than many other chocolates have. And even at only 56% cocoa, it was not too sweet. (Thank you!) This might be a good choice for a late afternoon, or early evening treat, if you're worried about chocolate keeping you up at night.*

Ingredients: Organic cacao paste, organic cacao butter, organic coconut sugar, organic lucuma powder, organic blueberry powder, organic hops, organic passion flower, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut. Made in a facility that processes tree nuts." 

*I eat my daily chocolate in the morning, and generally refrain from eating chocolate after 3 or 4 p.m. in the afternoon. After almost 15 years of eating chocolate every day, my body is accustomed to cacao. However, stimulants like theobromine and caffeine (both found in chocolate), can affect us for several hours.

Friday, July 2, 2021

Endorfin Foods - Ultra Dark Chocolate Caramelized Coconut Mylk (bar) - July 2, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Endorfin Foods
Ultra Dark Chocolate Caramelized Coconut Mylk (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week.

Today's Ultra Dark Chocolate Caramelized Coconut Mylk (bar) was distributed by Endorfin Foods (San Francisco, CA). 

The Bay Area-based company offers a line of attractively packaged chocolates, including (non-dairy) coconut mylk bars, along with a bit of what they refer to as "plant-based chocolate alchemy."*

The aroma of this bar included dark roast cacao beans melded with aromatic green (clean green tea, faint green floral), caramel and coconut, as well as a faint nutty note (faint sweet peanut butter + light roasted coconut). Note: there were no peanut ingredients in this bar.

The chocolate had a thick, rich, creamy melt--a melt that picked up speed once in the mouth--and a very light granular mouthfeel at the end.

This 90% cacao bar was not sweet (Thank you!...It might even make a good vegan baking chocolate.) It had a smooth, ultra-dark, roasted chocolate flavor with a very balanced, light bitterness that harmonized well with the 10% naturally sweet, warm aromatic flavor from the caramelized coconut and coconut sugar.

The organic and fair trade cacao used to make this bar was from Ecuador.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic coconut sugar, Organic caramelized coconut, Organic cacao butter. (All ingredients were also marked Fair Trade Certified; "99% Fair Trade Ingredients.")

Allergen-related information: "No dairy, no soy, no refined sugar, no gluten, no GMO, no sugar alcohols."

*For those fond of botanical flavor inclusions in chocolate, Endorfin offered one of the first absinthe bars (with anise, fennel and mugwort). They offer bars infused with spices and flowers (turmeric, cardamon, rose). And, they also offered (on their website) a line of single origin, unsweetened "ceremonial quality" drinking chocolates (including one from Cayapas River, Ecuador).

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Ritual Chocolate - Ecuador Camino Verde 85% Cacao (bar) - July 1, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Ritual Chocolate
Ecuador Camino Verde 85% Cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.95 for 1 bar (+ shipping)
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

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

Today's Ecuador Camino Verde 85% Cacao (bar) was from Ritual Chocolate (Park City, UT).

Aroma notes that unfolded sequentially included: bread, light warm spice (cinnamon), fruit (light raisin, peach), dark chocolate (fudge brownie).

Like many ultra-dark bars, be ready to brace yourself before tasting. The flavor was different (darker) than the aroma.

This 85% bar had deep, almost unsweetened, dark chocolate flavor with hints of moldy bread/cheese, dark chocolate (unsweetened brownie), faint herb (licorice), a fleeting sour milk and fruit note (unsweetened tart cherry and orange peel in plain yogurt) and a faint charcoal roasted note.

These slightly funky bean flavors were more common in craft chocolate bars years ago. Now it's more unusual to taste them. But, as with all chocolates (and some red wines) leave them open for awhile and re-taste, and some of these flavors settle down a little.

This chocolate mellowed a bit. A long finish yielded a very faint nutty, buttery aged cheese (fontina, gouda) note--a few minutes after the first bites. 

And re-tasting this bar a few minutes later, was more pleasing (or less surprising perhaps). In fact, I plan to pair this chocolate with cheese or perhaps stir in an ounce (28 g.) or so into a cheese fondue. (If you can't "fix" it, feature it.)

Some of these flavor notes mentioned above can be traced back to fermentation of cacao that happened in Ecuador. These notes will be interesting and educational for cacao addicts and culinary adventurers, but may not be the preferred choice for those who enjoy light, uniform, sweet chocolates.

These interesting flavor notes were more exposed with lower sugar levels, which is to say that added sugar can dull/neutralize stronger flavors. With two-ingredient chocolates, like today's bar, chocolate makers make daring leaps; there is nothing to hide behind. And I am grateful to all craft makers who share the results with us.

The cacao (2019 harvest) used to make this bar (Batch 03) came from Camino Verde, Ecuador, not far from the city of Guayaquil on the Pacific coast. "Made with cacao that is carefully fermented and dried by Vicente Norero of Camino Verde in Ecuador. Vicente's unique fermentation techniques, along with Nacional cacao from a multitude of growers, give this chocolate its distinguishable, rich, chocolatey flavor."

The maker's tasting notes read: "Honey and fudge" 

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic cane sugar

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat.


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