Nightfood - Cherry Eclipse ice cream + Let's Do Gluten Free - Sugar Cones - Oct. 31, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Nightfood, Inc.
Cherry Eclipse Nighttime Ice Cream

Good +

Weight: 2/3 cup (96 g.) / 1 Pint (473 g.) in total container

Calories: 140 calories in 1 serving

Cost: $1.99 for 1 container

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Edward and Sons Trading Co., Inc. 

(Product of Israel)

Let's Do Gluten Free - Sugar Cones, Rolled Style

Good +

Weight: .77 oz. (22 g.) / 4.6 oz. (132 g.) in total box of 12 cones

Calories: 90 calories in 2 cones 

Cost: $4.49 for 1 box of 12 cones

Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Waffle Theme Week--a week that has included several waffle ice cream cone items and a few ice creams with chocolate inclusions.

Today is also Halloween. Happy Halloween to all. This holiday is linked traditionally with candy (fun-sized chocolate bars), carved pumpkins, spooky skeletons, bats, witches, ghosts and costumes of all sorts.

Cherry Eclipse Ice Cream

Today's Cherry Eclipse ice cream was manufactured for Nightfood, Inc. (Tarrytown, NY).

This light ice cream was "Cravemonster and sleep expert approved." Despite images of scary cartoon monsters (perfect for Halloween) featured on Nightfood ice cream containers, this product line was formulated for better sleep in mind. 

To earn their "Sleep Friendly" tagline, Nightfood has added certain ingredients (and omitted others). Buried in the long list of ingredients (see below) you'll see a sleep-friendly "Nightfood mineral blend," and prebiotic fiber (and possibly two more recent additions (based on Nightfood website ingredient information): lactase enzyme and vitamin B6). There was no erythritol, artificial sweeteners or gluten in this Kosher, low fat and higher protein, ice cream. Tart cherries (the second ingredient listed) were called out as being melatonin-rich.*

This Cherry Eclipse ice cream had a very light, creamy (silky, velvety, almost foamy) texture, yet retained an authentic dairy milk taste and mouthfeel. The light ice cream had a subtle cherry flavor and color, and contained a smattering of small chocolate-y pieces/flecks.

Disclaimer: After sampling this ice cream, a la carte, I later added a spoonful of single origin chocolate shards for richer, darker authentic cacao flavor and a few roasted walnuts--adding back in a bit of protein and fat, to balance out carbs (sugars and gums). It liked it both ways.

I tasted two monster-adorned Nightfood Nighttime ice cream flavors today--the only two I was able to find in time at my local store: "Cherry Eclipse" (with chocolate chips) and "Pickles for Two" (a chocolate-less flavor).** Other flavors in the Nightfood line-up include "Midnight Chocolate" and "Full Moon Vanilla.") 

Nightfood light ice creams are part of a sleep-friendly snacking trend; because scary things do occur late at night (such as eating a whole pint of ice cream, and then finding it hard to sleep).

Ingredients: Skim milk, tart cherries (tart cherries, water, invert sugar, sugar, corn starch, natural flavor, citric acid, locust bean gum), prebiotic fiber (chicory root), milk protein concentrate, brown rice syrup, choco pieces (confectioner's sugar, coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, cocoa, butter oil, soy lecithin, natural flavor), cream, tapioca syrup, glycerin, glycine, Nightfood mineral blend (calcium citrate, magnesium citrate, zinc citrate), tara gum, guar gum, natural flavor, salt, monk fruit extract.

(Note: This ingredient list from the container I purchased varies a bit with latest ingredients listed on the Nightfood website, which can happen as formulas and ingredients are updated, changed, replaced or clarified.)

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, soy. "Made on shared equipment that also processes Peanuts and Tree nuts."

Sugar Cones

Today's Rolled Style Sugar Cones were imported to the U.S. by Edward and Sons Trading Co., Inc. (Carpinteria, CA).

The lightweight, almost airy, crunchy, gluten free, sugar cones were strong enough to hold ice cream and toasted walnut and dark chocolate pieces (that I added). They came carefully packaged. (None were broken.) Just don't squeeze the cones too hard when they're full of ice cream.

These cones were more flavorful than the bland ice cream receptacles of decades past. Demerara sugar (a light brown, less processed sugar), a pinch of cocoa powder and salt, all contributed to a pleasing flavor. The aroma and taste evoked the ghosts of vanilla and chocolate ice creams, even when the cone was eaten with no ice cream (by itself). Spooky. (There was no vanilla added; I checked.)

I filled these sugar cones with two "scary" monster-adorned Nightfood ice cream flavor(s): "Cherry Eclipse" and "Pickles for Two."**

Ingredients: Potato starch, demerara sugar, tapioca starch, organic expeller-pressed palm oil, potato fiber, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, salt, xanthan gum.

Allergen-related information: Pareve, Non-GMO Project Verified

*Melatonin is a hormone (made in the humane body), that is released (by the pineal gland) at night to  coincide with sleep. Man-made melatonin supplements are thought to help regulate/influence sleep and wake cycles. There are studies that have shown Montmorency/tart cherry juice to be correlated with better and longer sleep. (Note: Nightfood advisors listed on their website included at least three sleep experts.)

**"Pickles for Two" was a Nightfood ice cream flavor with very faint and balanced dill pickle notes. Despite what you're thinking, it was not bad. This flavor was inspired by food and mineral cravings that pregnant women sometimes experience--in this case, for pickles (sodium/salt and small amounts of calcium and potassium) and ice cream (calcium and protein, as well as sugar and fat).

Haagen-Dazs - Heaven Cold Brew Espresso Chip Ice Cream + Coconut Cones - Oct. 30, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Haagen-Dazs 
Heaven Collection - Cold Brew Espresso Chip Light Ice Cream
Good + 
Weight: 1/3 cup (60 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total container
Calories: 110 calories in 1/3 cup serving (1/2 suggested serving)
Cost: $1.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Sprouts Farmers Market
Coconut Cones 
Good ++
Weight: .636 oz. (18 g.) / 5 oz. (144 g.) in total package/box of 8 cones
Calories: 90 calories in 1 cone 
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of 8 cones
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Waffle Theme Week, including several waffle (ice cream) cone-related chocolates.

Today's Haagen-Dazs* Cold Brew Espresso Chip Light Ice Cream was part of the company's* "Heaven Collection" (with approximately half the fat, and lower calories). 

Typically low-fat or low-calorie ice creams contain extra ingredients, such as one or more vegetable gums. Thankfully this light ice cream flavor did not. (Haagen-Dazs has, historically, offered high-quality ice creams with shorter ingredient lists.)

This espresso ice cream had a creamy texture and relatively subtle roasted coffee and chocolate chip flavors. 

Ingredients: Ultra-filtered skim milk, skim milk, cream, tapioca syrup, cane sugar, chocolate (cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, milkfat, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), egg yolks, coconut oil, coffee, Vitamin A palmitate. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, egg and soy ingredients" 

Coconut Cones
I paired today's ice cream with some great-tasting, waffle-style ice cream cones. These gluten free and dairy free Coconut Cones were made in Thailand and sold in the U.S. under the Sprouts Farmers Market label.

The cone was large enough to fill with the Haagen-Dazs Coffee Chip ice cream along with (on top of) a layer of toasted walnut pieces, toasted coconut chips + dark chocolate pieces. 

I loved the short ingredient list (see below) for these honeycomb patterned waffle-style cones, as well as the crispy texture and authentic coconut (milk and sugar) taste. For a (gluten-free) ice cream cone, it had surprisingly delicious, rich flavor. 

There were no vegetable gums, stabilizers or other extraneous ingredients. (And thanks to very secure packaging, not one cone was broken.)

Ingredients: Coconut milk (extracted from coconut meat), rice flour, coconut sugar, egg, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: tree nuts (coconut), egg."

*Haagen-Dazs was once an independent company. Pillsbury bought Haagen-Dazs back in 1983. Later, in 1999, Pillsbury merged with Nestle. According to a Reuters news story (in 2019), Nestle owns the rights to Haagen-Dazs in the U.S., while General Mills sells the brand "in non-U.S. markets." This ice cream was listed as being distributed by "Nestle Dreyer's Ice Cream Company" in Oakland, California.

Note: For waffle cone fans, Haagen-Dazs also offered (at the time of this write-up) a Strawberry Waffle Cone flavor as part of their Heaven Collection (with "chocolatey cone pieces"). I would have gladly featured this flavor today, the waffle cone pieces contained wheat (this flavor was not gluten-free).

Jolly Llama - Vanilla Fudge Sundae Cones - Oct. 29, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Jolly Llama
(Casper's Ice Cream)
Vanilla Fudge Sundae Cones 
Good - Good +
Weight: 4.75 fl. oz. (140 mL) (100 g.) / 14.25 fl. oz. (421 mL) in total package/box of 3 cones
Calories: 290 calories in 1 cone
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package/box of 3 cones 
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Waffle Week, including a lot of chocolate and waffle cone items.

Today's Jolly Llama dairy-free and gluten-free Vanilla Fudge Sundae Cones were from Casper's Ice Cream (Richmond, UT).

The subtle aroma of these cones conjured up memories of ice cream, chocolate and cake.

This individually-wrapped cone (1 of 3 in a box) offered an attractive array of textures: fudge-y and crispy chocolate elements; relatively creamy frozen vanilla filling, and a crunchy "ice cream"/frozen dessert cone.

A plug of chocolate at the bottom of this sweet, vanilla and chocolate sundae cone helped prevent drips and provided a last blast of rich, chocolate-y flavor--a fun and functional touch.

Ingredients: Non-dairy frozen dessert (water, stabilizer (tapioca syrup solids, dextrose, pea protein salt, locust bean gum, guar gum), cane sugar, coconut oil, natural flavor); gluten free cone (rice flour, brown sugar, corn starch, tapioca starch, cellulose, natural flavor, salt, soy lecithin, vegetable oil shortening (may contain one or more of the following: canola oil, coconut oil, modified palm oil, soybean oil, and soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla extract); chocolate variegate (cane sugar, water, chocolate liquor, cocoa (processed with alkali), corn starch, natural flavors, salt); chocolate drop (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla extract).

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy and coconut." "Manufactured on shared equipment with products that contain milk, peanut, tree nut, wheat and egg ingredients."

Jolly Llama - Caramel Chocolate Chip Cone - Oct. 28, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Jolly Llama 
(Casper's Ice Cream)
Caramel Chocolate Chip Cone 
Good - Good +
Weight: 4.75 fl. oz. (103 g.) / 14.25 fl. oz. (421 mL) in total package/box of 3 cones
Calories: 320 calories in 1 cone
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package/box of 3 cones 
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Waffle Week, including several waffle cone items.

Today's Jolly Llama gluten-free and dairy-free Caramel Chocolate Chip Cones were from Casper's Ice Cream (Richmond, UT). 

This gluten-free and dairy-free cone had appealing layered textures (creamy, chocolatey and crunchy) and different flavor elements (chocolate dairy-free frozen filling, and chocolate and caramel, surrounded by a sweet, crispy cone. The chocolate frozen filling portion was very (convincingly) similar to ice cream.

It was sweet, as expected. So no surprises there. The ingredients list (below) was quite long--often the case for dairy and gluten substitute items in the U.S. But, it was nice to know there are treats like this that exist for those who have dietary restrictions. 

Ingredients: Non-dairy frozen dessert (water, stabilizer (tapioca syrup solids, dextrose, pea protein, salt, locust bean gum, guar gum), cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, natural flavor), gluten-free cone (rice flour, brown sugar, corn starch, tapioca starch, cellulose, natural flavor, salt, soy lecithin, vegetable oil shortening. May contain one or more of the following: canola oil, coconut oil, modified palm oil, soybean oil and soy lecithin), xanthan gum), chocolate flavored coating (sugar, coconut oil, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), chocolate liquor, sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla extract), chocolate drop (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla extract), caramel variegate (cane sugar, water, coconut oil, Non-GMO corn starch, salt, pectin).

Allergen-related information: Contains soy and coconut. Manufactured on shared equipment with products that contain milk, peanut, tree nut, wheat and egg ingredients.

Birch Benders - Chocolate Chip Waffles - Oct. 27, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Birch Benders 
Chocolate Chip Keto Toaster Waffles
Good +
Weight: 2.96 oz. (84 g.) / 5.92 oz. (168 g.) in total package of 6 waffles
Calories: 270 calories in 3 waffles
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package of 6 waffles
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Chip Keto Toaster Waffles were manufactured in Belgium for Birch Benders (Denver, CO). The self-described "micro-pancakery" offers pancake and waffle mixes and frozen waffles. 

These gluten-free chocolate chip waffles--sweetened with erythritol and stevia--were substantial and filling (primarily due to relatively high levels of protein and fiber). And, happily, these were not too sweet.

A light scattering of small chocolate chips added a chocolate-y rich accent flavor. (Optional: Top with some 100% dark chocolate chips/shavings (with maple extract perhaps) instead of sugary syrup for amped up chocolate flavor.)

Depending on how these frozen waffles are defrosted and heated, the texture can be soft, with a light chew, or a bit crispier. 

Ingredients: Eggs, high oleic sunflower oil, dark chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, erythritol, cocoa butter, stevia extract, sunflower lecithin), organic coconut flour, cassava starch, tigernut flour, buttermilk powder, leavening (monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), skim milk yogurt powder (skim milk, cultures), psyllium husk powder, spice.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: egg, milk, coconut."

 

Raaka Chocolate - Waffle Cone 61% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate

Waffle Cone 61% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: .9 oz. (25.4 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) in total bar

Calories: 121 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Uganda Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Waffle Week.

Today's Waffle Cone 61% Cacao Dark Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The cacao used to make this bar was grown in the Semuliki Forest region of Uganda.

Layered flavors

Instead of bits of waffle (ice cream cone) embedded in the chocolate, there was a broad strip of (gluten free) waffle cone adhered to the back of this bar, offering a sweet (but not too sweet) thin layer of contrasting flavor. 

Separating the dark chocolate and waffle cone elements allowed for layered flavors in the tasting process and made it easier to pick out flavors in the the underlying 61% dark chocolate. (It was also possible to break off a piece of chocolate from the non-waffle cone covered edge to taste that separately.)

Aroma and flavor notes included dark chocolate; diffuse fruit; warm spice (cinnamon, hot fruit compote spices); faintly soap-like plant and sweet green nut cookie; and authentic, faintly earthy and floral vanilla bean. 

The dark chocolate had an even melt and smooth, balanced dark flavor. And the thin waffle cone layer added a light wafer-like texture with a very subtle crunchy chew. The thoughtful stacking (vs. homogenizing) of authentic flavors made this novelty bar blend a success.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, gluten free waffle cone (organic cane sugar, organic coconut oil, organic apple puree, organic rice flour, organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca flour, organic millet flour, organic flax seed meal, organic arrowroot powder, organic baking powder, organic inulin, xanthan gum), organic cacao butter organic vanilla bean

Allergen-related information: Certified Organic; vegan, gluten free, soy free

(I also recommend trying Raaka Chocolate's Maple Dark 75% (Uganda) cacao baking chocolate pieces, featured on October 21, 2021; and yesterday's slightly richer, Raaka Double Chocolate Waffle Cone 61% (bar)--that was similar to today's bar, but the waffle piece/layer contained cacao as well.

 

Raaka Chocolate - Double Chocolate Waffle Cone 61% (bar) - Oct. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate

Double Chocolate Waffle Cone 61% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: .9 oz. (25.4 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) in total bar

Calories: 140 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Uganda Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Waffle Week.

Today's Double Chocolate Waffle Cone 61% Cacao Dark Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

It's unusual to find a "fun" single origin dark chocolate bar. If an artisan chocolate maker is laser focused on developing and featuring flavor nuances present in a small batch of single origin (and/or single variety or harvest) cacao beans, this maker likely, understandably, will hesitate to muffle these flavor nuances with additional ingredients. 

Today's offering not only evokes scenes of summer chocolate ice cream cones at the beach, but also amps up these conjured memories with a high-quality, flavorful deep, dark chocolate made from African cacao grown in the Semuliki Forest region of Uganda.*

An aesthetically-pleasing, broad strip of chocolate (gluten free) waffle cone was adhered to the back of this bar, offering a sweet (but not too sweet) flavor inclusion. Separating the two elements allowed for layered flavors in the tasting, and made it easier to enjoy the underlying 61% dark chocolate. (It was possible to break off a piece of chocolate from the non-waffle cone covered edge to taste that separately.)

Aroma and flavor notes included dark chocolate, diffuse fruit (spiced peach and berry compote/jam), warm spice (cinnamon) and authentic, faintly earthy and floral vanilla bean. 

The dark chocolate had an even melt and smooth, balanced deep dark flavor quality (richer than most 61% cacao chocolates). And the thin waffle cone layer added a light wafer-like texture with a very subtle chew. The thoughtful stacking (vs. homogenizing) of flavors made this blend a success.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, gluten free waffle cone (organic rice flour, organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca flour, organic millet flour, organic cacao powder, organic coconut oil, organic cane sugar, organic apple puree, organic flax seed meal, organic arrowroot powder, organic inulin, xanthan gum), organic vanilla

Allergen-related information: Vegan, gluten free, soy free

*Uganda is the becoming more well-known for single origin cacao, thanks in part to work being done in-country to reward (better pay, support) farmers to obtain premium cacao. In 2019, Uganda was the sixth largest cacao-exporting African nation (behind Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Sierra Leone).

The chocolates featured as part of an Uganda-themed week (Oct. 18-26, 2021), on this Chocolate Banquet site, have all been quite good--with deep, dark chocolate-y flavor; subtle hints of faintly tart-sweet fruit and occasional warm spice; and very faint, balanced earth. 

(I would also recommend trying Raaka Chocolate's Maple Dark 75% cacao (Uganda) baking chocolate pieces, featured on October 21, 2021.)

Latitude Craft Chocolate - Rwenzori 80% Uganda (bar) - Oct. 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Latitude Trade Company Ltd.

(Latitude Craft Chocolate)

Rwenzori 80% Uganda (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order (and Latitude via Chocolopolis.com)

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

Today's Rwenzori 80% (Uganda) (bar) was from Latitude Craft Chocolate / Latitude Trade Company Ltd. (Kampala, Uganda).

The cocoa used to make Latitude chocolate is sourced from several hundred certified organic farmers in Uganda. Latitude purchases cocoa "face-to-face at the farms," often at village collection points in rural areas.

Aroma and flavor were similar and included attractive, true deep, dark chocolate, light/diffuse red fruit (berry) and faint light earth, followed by an isolated, faint, sparkle or two of faint, tropical fruit.*

The melt and texture were fairly thick and creamy. (I was surprised to learn that there was no added cocoa butter--a testament to the fact that some cocoa beans have a naturally-occurring, higher cocoa fat/butter content. Beans with more fat are sometimes found when cacao is grown at higher, cooler altitudes and/or further away from the Equator) 

The (drum) roasting and refining/conching choices seemed thoughtful. Nothing too wild left in the results; but the smooth flavor(s) that were developed (or that remained) added a bit of complexity. 

The overall flavor was quite smooth, sophisticated, almost subdued, for an ultra-dark bar. There were no sharp off-notes. This 80% chocolate contained deep cocoa (brownie) notes in the background; and the finish was fairly clean and subtle. Some of the best flavor qualities of Forastero and Trinitario are evoked here. 

The cacao had a balanced, almost restrained, bitterness and a fair amount of natural sweetness. However, this ultra-dark bar was not too sweet. (Thank you to Latitude for offering this 80% cacao version.)

Maker's notes: "A dark daredevil with a fruity twist...This bolder, older sibling to our (70%) Semuliki bar. This is a darker chocolate with notes of bright fresh fruits."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles tree nuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts and soy."

*This tropical fruit note was only tasted in a later, re-tasting today, a few hours after I'd enjoyed some pawpaw fruit, so this could have been a prior fruit-influenced sparkle. I'd earlier (yesterday as part of a Chocolopolis.com Latitude remote bar tasting) also picked up a very faint green, molasses note, which did not show up in today's re-samplings. 

Latitude Craft Chocolate - Bukonzo Coffee Uganda (bar) - Oct. 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Latitude Trade Company Ltd.
Bukonzo Coffee Uganda (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Bukonzo Coffee Uganda (bar) was from Latitude Craft Chocolate (Latitude Trade Company Ltd.) (Kampala, Uganda).*

Uganda is in the geographic sweet spot for growing coffee and cacao, and is perhaps more well-known for the former. The country is the second largest producer of coffee (behind Ethiopia) in Africa; and exports include Arabica as well as Robusta varieties.

Both coffee and cacao can be found growing in the Rwenzori Mountains area of southwestern Uganda (close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo).

The aroma of today's coffee infused bar was a blend of sweet, dark chocolate and subtle roasted coffee notes. And the melt and texture were creamy and smooth.

This chocolate tasted sweet and bright with balanced acidity; and had a faint, pleasing almost floral (vanilla-hazelnut) upbeat note in the finish. The coffee was present without being overwhelming.

Tasting notes: "A breakfast alternative...Single-origin Ugandan arabica coffee from the Rwenzori Mountains delivers the punch in this pleasantly bitter, bright and nutty bar."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cane sugar, roasted coffee

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles tree nuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts and soy."

*Latitude is a Certified B Corporation actively involved in direct trade in Africa. The company sources the cocoa in their chocolate bars "from over 1,000 certified organic farmers in Uganda, purchasing face-to-face at the farms." Their supplier program offers "training, a premium price, insurance, and microfinance to support farm households..."

Latitude Craft Chocolate - Dark Milk (Uganda) (bar) - Oct. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Latitude Trade Company Ltd.
Dark Milk Uganda (bar)
Good
Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Dark Milk Uganda (bar) was from Latitude Craft Chocolate (Latitude Trade Company Ltd.) (Kampala, Uganda).

Aroma notes for this made-at-the-source, organic Dark Milk bar included slightly bittersweet chocolate with very faint, diffuse fruit and nut notes. The melt and texture were smooth and uniform.

The taste was very uniform and fairly sweet. (Admittedly, too sweet for me. But fans of sweet milk chocolate may enjoy its relative mildness.) As with many milk chocolates, it had a muted flavor profile due to the sugar and milk. (Organic cane sugar was the number one ingredient.) There were no "off" flavors in this bar. However, it was lower in flavor depth and complexity.* 

The bean-to-bar makers may have been playing it safe and homogenizing flavors across a wide spread of cacao sources to ensure consistency. Which they have every right to do; and arriving at a consistent flavor profile is not as easy as it sounds, especially if one is making chocolate in-country, or in an area that may still be developing a uniformly sophisticated utility, temperature-controlled manufacturing and transportation infrastructure.**

 This small-batch milk chocolate is still more fragrant, and will be more interesting to try, than most commercial, high-volume chocolates sold around the globe. 

And it has a good story behind it. (See inside of wrapper for details.) The company signs long-term contracts with cacao farmers to grow organic cacao; and in turn pays them a "premium price." Over 50 percent of their contracted farmers are women. (Farmers typically have 1-3 acre farms.) Latitude's supplier program also offers access to training, "insurance and microfinance to support farm households."

Maker's notes: "A warm brownie paired with a cold glass of milk."

Ingredients: Cane sugar, organic cocoa beans, cocoa butter, whole milk

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles tree nuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts and soy.  

* I could not find a cacao percentage for this chocolate on the label. I'm guessing it may have been in the 40-50% cacao solids range.

**Note: Kampala, the headquarters for Latitude Trade Company, is Uganda's capital, and largest city, with over 1 million residents, and a modern skyline. Outside the larger cities, many people in rural areas are feeding themselves and making a living by being subsistence farmers.

Raaka - Maple Dark Unroasted Dark Chocolate (75% Cacao Baking Chocolate) - Oct. 21, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate

Maple Dark Unroasted Dark Chocolate 75% Cacao Baking Chocolate (pieces)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 1/8 cup (15 g.) / 8 oz. (226.4 g.) in total package

Calories: 71 calories in 1/8 cup serving

Cost: $15.00 for 1 package 

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Maple Dark, Unroasted Dark Chocolate, 75% Cacao Baking Chocolate (pieces) were made by Raaka Chocolate in Brooklyn, New York.

These dark chocolate baking pieces were made with cacao sourced from Uganda (Semuliki Forest). Raaka practices "transparent trade," and pays farmers (farmer-owned co-ops and grower-centered organizations in cacao growing countries) "transparent, stable premiums above Fair Trade prices."

The rich dark chocolate aroma and flavor were similar and included: dark, almost tart/tangy sweet molasses/brown or maple sugar; dried fruits (prunes and a few dark, dried cherries with a tiny splash of apple brandy and light cider vinegar with warm spice); clean and clear green, and balanced, diffuse forest/earth notes.

There was a very slight astringency in the taste (a slight throat tickle), but overall the melt and mouthfeel were smooth and even. 

The relatively thin (wafer thickness) of these ebony-colored, flat, heptagonal (seven-sided) polygons yielded quick access to rich dark chocolate flavors, and made these pieces well-suited (easy to melt and stir evenly) for baking, cooking or fondue-ing. 

These balanced, bold and bittersweet pieces will add extra depth to tortes, brownies, couverture, homemade snack mix, or any other item you create. And they'd make a flavorful addition to a fruit. dessert or chocolate tasting plate. 

Maker's notes: Raaka's description of this chocolate read as follows: "Our maple sugar sweetened, single origin take on the classic bittersweet baking chocolate is fruity, bright, and rich, with just the right amount of complexity to give your baked goods that extra oomph." 

(Postscript: I found myself repeatedly returning to snack on this flavorful 75% chocolate later in the week, and upped my rating (from a "Good ++" to a "Good ++ - Good +++") based on this desire for more.)

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic maple sugar, organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "Certified Organic and Kosher by NFC" "Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free"

Puchero - 55% Uganda Butter (Mountains of the Moon) - Oct. 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Puchero 
55% Uganda Butter (Mountains of the Moon) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 207.9 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 55% Uganda Butter (Mountains of the Moon) (bar) was from/made by Puchero (Tostarix S.L.) (Valladolid, Spain).

This bean-to-bar chocolate made in Spain featured pasiega* cow butter. Aroma notes included: dairy butter and faint, integrated sweet chocolate. This butter was luscious and decadent although it did mute some of the single origin (Uganda) cacao nuances. 

Texture: soft melt and very buttery mouthfeel and texture.

Flavor: Truly buttery chocolate. What high quality whipped butter with chocolate might taste like.

What a unique treat. And it was not too sweet. (Thank you!)

Maker's notes: "The chocolate combines the Ugandan cacao fruity smoothness with creamy Cantabrian cow butter."

Ingredients: cacao, sugar, butter, milk, salt; Cacao 55% minimum

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten"

*Pasiega refers to a breed of red cattle found in the autonomous community of Cantabria in northern Spain. Their milk is used to make cheese and/or butter (usually without extra preservatives or coloring). Pasiega milk also used in quesada pasiega, a regional (Cantabria) cake (similar to a thick pudding or cheesecake) that is often flavored with lemon and cinnamon.

Tosier Chocolatemaker - Semuliki Forest, Uganda 70% (bar) - Oct. 19, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Tosier Chocolatemaker
Semuliki Forest, Uganda 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Semuliki Forest, Uganda 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Tosier Chocolatemaker (Gipping Valley, Suffolk, U.K.).

The cacao was from the Semuliki Forest (in the Bundibugyo district in remote, western Uganda). And post-harvest, it was centrally fermented in wooden boxes and certified organic at origin. The Tosier maker(s) crafted this chocolate using a light roast profile, and ground the cacao "in (a) stone melanger with refiner."  

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, sweet diffuse fruit, and very faint bread and butter notes.

The melt was even, and the texture had a slight graininess/astringency. 

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate cake/torte, and diffuse fruit (peaches with faint cinnamon and warm spices). A subtle dark chocolate truffle note lingered in a polite finish.

Tasting notes: "chocolate ganache and red bean paste"

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, ethically sourced cocoa butter"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts." "Additives free, gluten free, dairy free, palm oil free, plant-based"

La Feverie (Hasnaa Chocolats) - Rwenzori Forest, Uganda 75% (bar) - Oct. 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

La Feverie
(Hasnaa Chocolats Grands Crus)
Rwenzori Forest, Uganda 75% (2020 Harvest) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Rwenzori Forest, Uganda 75% (2020 Harvest) bar was produced by La Feverie (Bordeaux, France).

Rich, dark, complex aroma and flavor notes included: concentrated, almost earthy, dried fruit (roasted green banana), honey, roasted figs and cherries, faint dried apricot--and a very faint, fleeting white floral note far into the finish.

The balanced ultra-dark flavor(s) were neither too bitter nor too acidic. And the 75% cacao choice (vs. the standard 70%) was quite nice. This Hasnaa offering could have passed for 80% cacao chocolate, and was more interesting (and less sweet) than most 70% bars.

Hasnaa Chocolats (maker's) tasting notes: "Fresh and tangy tannin, blooming in a fleshy and enveloping sweetness with slightly smoky notes of cherry, apricot, and liquorice."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans and organic cane sugar

Allergen-related information: (None listed on package.)

Sibu/Sibo Chocolate - Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Toasted Almonds Costa Rica (bar) - Oct. 17, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Sibu/Sibo Chocolate

Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Toasted Almonds Costa Rica (bar)

Good ++

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $6.50 (+ shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Central America Week(s), featuring chocolates made using cacao grown in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Sibu/Sibo* Chocolate Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Toasted Almonds (bar) was made in Costa Rica by Chocoindustria Cinco S.A. (Escazu in San Jose Province, Costa Rica). 

Happily, not only was the cacao used to make this chocolate grown in Costa Rica (in the Brunca region in southern Costa Rica), the chocolate bar was made (further north) in Costa Rica as well.** 

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate with diffuse concentrated/dried fruit, and roasted nut.

The texture had a smooth dark chocolate base accented with soft, cacao nib-like crunchy bits ( roasted almond pieces) with very faint earth, olive, roasted coffee, nut and malt that lingered lightly into a clean finish.

I loved the balanced dark and nut flavors; and, perhaps best of all (for my taste) this Costa Rica chocolate was refreshingly un-sweet for a 70% cacao chocolate bar. (Thank you!)

Maker's tasting notes: "Flavor profile: spice, with notes of dried fruit and a nutty finish."

Ingredients: Chocolate (cacao beans, cane sugar, cacao butter), almonds.

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

*The company name "Sibo" Chocolate (with an umlaut over the "o") seems to be used in the United States. Whereas "Sibu" may be in use in Costa Rica. An umlaut can be used over a vowel to denote a change in pronunciation.

** Chocolates made "in country" (in the same country where the cacao was grown) have gotten easier to find in the U.S. But, the vast majority of bars in stores are still manufactured in the northern hemisphere (North America or Europe). Why?

Traditionally, reasons for this have included: the need for sophisticated (more expensive) manufacturing facilities and reliable utility infrastructure (precise temperature and humidity control(s) are important in chocolate-making). 

Cooler temperatures in the northern (and southern) hemispheres help extend shelf life for chocolates. Cacao has grows plus or minus 20 degrees from the Equator. And most chocolate manufacturing seems to take place closer to 35 to 50 degrees from the Equator. 

Last, an inconvenient truth is that, wealthier chocolate consumers often live north (and south) of tropical, cacao-growing latitudes--markets closer to more sophisticated manufacturing facilities.

When cacao is/can be produced "in-country," more wealth tends to stay in the country of origin.

Valrhona - Tulakalum (Belize) 75% dark chocolate (bar) - Oct. 16, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Valrhona

Tulakalum (Belize) 75% dark chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $7.50 (plus shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week.

Today's Tulakalum (Belize) 75% cacao dark chocolate (bar) was from Valrhona Chocolate (Tain L'Hermitage, France).*

Aroma notes (in order of appearance) included: earthy, dried fruit (fig, prune, banana), sweet cocoa and nut butter.

Texture: Thick, creamy melt and smooth mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: chocolate-y (fudge brownie with a hint of vanilla) with bright, tart fruit (raspberry, sweet cherry, and strawberries dipped in brown sugar) that extended into the finish. 

Valrhona description/tasting notes: "Tulakalum's...fruity, tangy...nutty intensity and powerful cocoa nibs dreamily encapsulate the gorgeous biodiversity of Belize, an endlessly colorful country with multiple culture and history."

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans from Belize, brown sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla..."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses milk." "This product may contain: gluten, nuts, soya." "May contain wheat, soy, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, chestnuts, coconut and/or all their derivatives."

*Valrhona has historically (since 1922) partnered with pastry chefs and artisan chocolatiers around the world, supplying them with quality French chocolate. In recent decades they have enhanced their efforts to source sustainable cacao (traceable and sourced directly from producers). They are also a Certified B Corporation (that stipulates adherence to standards associated with social and environmental impact).

Enna Chocolate - La Mosquitia, Wampusirpi Honduras 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 15, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Enna Chocolate

La Mosquitia, Wampusirpi Honduras 75% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar

Calories: 162 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $11.00 (estimate) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's La Mosquitia, Wampusirpi Honduras 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Enna Chocolate (Exeter, New Hampshire).* La Mosquitia is along the "mosquito coast," in eastern Honduras. The closest town might be Wampusirpi in a relatively remote, agricultural area in northeastern Honduras in the department of Gracias a Dios ("Thanks to God").

Aroma notes for today's bar included: dark chocolate, subtle savory (smoked salt) and faint brown sugar/molasses with very faint, diffuse concentrated fruit (faint plum/prune).

The texture had a satisfying hearty, smoothness with a very faint (barely there) mineral quality.

Flavor notes included deep, chocolate-y (lightly smoked sea salt, dark fudge brownies); with fleeting balanced bitter and earth. and a clean mineral chocolate finish--a balanced, malty, almost calcium-like mineral quality that cushioned sweetness (vs. an acidic, sugary finish) and other flavors, and allowed for a soft close.

I found this a relatively bold, balanced and enjoyable chocolate. The boldness was less dense and more flavorful than most Forastero cacao varieties, and more like a Trinitario variety grown in rich and interesting soil. And the choice of a 75% cacao (vs. 70% cacao) bar helped boost the rich cacao flavors. Regardless of the cacao variety, it was handled/managed well by the chocolate maker.

Ingredients: "roasted cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter"

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

*Chocolate maker Enna Grazier makes small batch, bean-to-bar chocolate in a small factory and retail space in Exeter, New Hampshire. Like many craft chocolate makers she switched to chocolate making from another profession--in this case wedding and food photography. While I've never met Enna, I am guessing her desire to make high-quality products, share stories and create community were there all along her journey.

Exeter is a coastal town in the northeast United States lies about 8 miles inland from the Atlantic Coast/beach. Enna Chocolate's logo includes a Maya glyph of an oyster. 

I live on the other (Pacific) side of the U.S. near San Francisco Bay, that also has its own oyster stories. But, I'll save those for another time. Suffice to say that both oysters and chocolate, from an edible, cultural and sustainability standpoint, are of interest to me as well.

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Guatemala Asochivite 77% (bar) - Oct. 14, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate

Guatemala Asochivite 77% (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar

Calories: 165 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Central America Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Guatemala Asochivite 77% (bar) was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA). 

The single origin chocolate makers discovered this "surprisingly bright bean" when they traveled to the Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala. The cacao was "grown and harvested by Q'eqchi Maya farmers."

Aroma notes included: subtle, tart sweet fruit (ripe persimmon, apple) and very faint (almost inferred)* warm spice.

The bar had a creamy melt and texture.

Flavor notes included: sustained, balanced tart sweet fruit, acidic fruit (peach, apple, mango). Sweet and fruit notes were well balanced, like a good cider. Low in bitterness.

This bright fruit session was followed by a gentle wall of more opaque creamy, soft dark chocolate and a fade at the finish--conjuring the image of an autumn fog descending softly onto an apple orchard.

The makers press their own single origin cocoa butter to match it with the cocoa beans from the same origin to help reinforce the aroma and flavor notes of the particular region.

Maker's tasting notes: "green banana and mango"

Ingredients: Single origin cacao beans, organic cane sugar, single origin cacao butter

Allergen related information: "May contain trace amounts of peanuts and tree nuts." "Soy free, vegan, gluten free."

*What do I mean by "almost inferred"? When I detect a "warm spice" note on the heels of a fruit or brown sugar/molasses note, my palette may be triggered into thinking of baked goods, baked apples or warm fruit compote with warm spices (like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger). It's hard to be sure if this warm spice note is truly inherent in the item I'm tasting, or whether my brain is filling in the blanks, and recalling an association with a related flavor memory.

Central American Dark Chocolate Honduras Banana Bread - Oct. 13, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

(Homemade)

Central American Dark Chocolate Honduras Banana Bread

(Modified Honduran Banana Bread recipe)

Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) serving

Calories: 165 calories (estimate) for 1 serving

Cost: $N/A - multiple items

Purchased from: N/A - multiple sources

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Central America Week(s), featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Today's homemade chocolate banana batter bread was based on a Honduran banana bread recipe. I added to this recipe: a blend of 70% cacao chocolate pieces (melted and stirred in) from the five different Central American countries mentioned above.

Aroma notes for this moist, dense bread included rich chocolate, banana (bread), with traces of warm spice and nut. The pecans provided a soft, nutty chew. (Especially fragrant right out of the oven.)

I omitted from this recipe any added sugar or added oils/butter. The 70% cacao chocolates, banana and coconut provided enough natural sweetness for my taste. Eggs, kefir and nuts provided satisfying levels of protein, fat and texture. And banana (flour and fruit), eggs and kefir contributed moisture and cohesion to this gluten-free version.)

Ingredients: Banana flour, (3) eggs, kefir (in lieu of sour cream/neufchatel cheese), banana (dehydrated slices, crushed), pieces of single origin dark chocolate bars (from 5 different Central American cacao-growing countries), pecans, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: Contained dairy, tree nuts and eggs. (Gluten free, low sugar)

Cachet Costa Rica 71% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 12, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cachet 

Costa Rica 71% Dark Chocolate (bar)

(Manufactured by Kim's Chocolate)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.17 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 200 calories (per label) in 1/3 bar

Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Central America Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao grown in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

This Costa Rica 71% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured in Belgium by Kim's Chocolate (Tienen, Belgium).

The aroma had smooth, dark chocolate and balanced light bitter and sweet notes.

The flavor was also even and smooth with relatively gentle dark chocolate; light, diffuse mixed fruit (syrup) with very faint maple vanilla; and subtle roasted nut butter notes.

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, natural vanilla flavor. (80% Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa). (Dark chocolate cocoa solids minimum 71%)

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

Wm. Chocolate - Belize Maya Mountain 68% Dark (bar) - Oct. 11, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate LLC
Belize Maya Mountain 68% Dark (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Belize Maya Mountain 68% Dark (bar) was created by chocolate maker William Marx of Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI).

The (2017 Harvest) cacao used to craft this bar was grown on "rainforest farms in (southern) Belize's Maya Mountains, where...Maya Mountain Cacao...works with growers to sustainably produce bright, luscious cacao deserving of the high prices it fetches." 

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate included a diffuse sweetness (date); red fruit (cherry, goji berry, pomegranate); and faint brown sugar, molasses with an implied warm spice.

The texture of this well-tempered and executed chocolate was pleasing, smooth and creamy.

The chocolate tasted intriguing, smooth and sophisticated. A soft, layered undulation of high-quality flavors contributed to its overall deliciousness. Flavor notes included: fruit (soft "round" white grape/raisin and goji berry); faint fleeting aromatic, sweet tobacco; creamy vanilla and warm creamy, vanilla mocha; and a reoccurring (diffuse but) identifiable tart-sweet fruit through note (including red fruit and berries with brown sugar).

Maker's tasting notes: "candied pineapple, custard, raisin"

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic whole (unrefined) cane sugar, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Sourced for flavor and fairness. No soy, no dairy, no nuts, no grain, no refined sugar, and no animal products."

Zotter - Labooko Belize 82% Sail Shipped Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 10, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter

Labooko - Belize 82% Sail Shipped Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total package of 2 bars

Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $8.25 for 1 bar (+ summer shipping)

Purchased from: Bar and Cacao, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Labooko Belize 82% Sail Shipped* Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Cape Coral, FL). The company makes a variety of bars and chocolates that are organic and fair trade.

Aroma notes included (in order of appearance): dark and chocolate-y with slight, balanced bitterness, and diffuse, dried fruit (potent but not too strong, bright or sweet, e.g. plum/prune + fig) and a very faint hint of warm spice. (In re-tasting, there was also a barely there, fleeting vegetable (green + baked potato + nut) note, and a very faint, fleeting earth note.)

This chocolate had an attractive, thick, creamy (almost whipped), and nut buttery mouthfeel and texture.

Flavor notes: The bar was well balanced with smooth, flavorful, dark chocolate (fudge, ale) and a smooth, pleasing ultra-dark finish. (In re-tasting, there were also some sparkles of red berry/fruit.) 

Maker's Notes

Zotter aroma notes: "The chocolate is just faintly bitter and offers a broad aroma spectrum." "Fragrance notes: nutty notes, accents of dried fruit (plums, cherries).

Zotter tasting notes: "...nutty praline, cream, accents of caramel, mild notes of spice. Also fruit: hints of cranberry and plum, then intense sour cherry aroma. A mild note of tannin at the finish."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa mass, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, milk, soy, peanuts and sesame."

*The "genuine Maya" cacao used to make this bar was grown in Belize, and transported (emission free) from Belize across the ocean to Hamburg via sailboat. 

LetterPress Chocolate - Maya Mountain Cacao - Belize 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 9, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

LetterPress Chocolate

Maya Mountain Cacao Belize 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++ 

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar

Calories: 165 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar 

Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar (+ summer shipping)

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Hacienda Azul, Costa Rica 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by LetterPress Chocolate (Los Angeles, CA). 

The cacao used to craft this bar was from Maya Mountain Cacao located in the southern Belize department of Toledo--a region famous for its cacao.

Aroma notes included (in order of appearance): fresh bread and dark chocolate, diffuse fruit sweetness, and very faint molasses/brown sugar.

This chocolate bar had an even melt and creamy, smooth texture.

Flavor notes included berry and peach jam, butter and melted dark chocolate on fresh bread with a sip of warm, naturally sweet latte with creamy milk on the side. This was followed by a very faint flicker of floral spice (freshly ground black pepper).

Maker's tasting notes: "stone fruit, mocha, pepper"

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy" (Made with certified organic ingredients.) (Parve, Kosher LA)

Tosier - Maya Mountain, Belize 90% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Tosier Chocolatemaker
Maya Mountain Belize 90% Rich Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 148.8 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates made from cacao grown in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The Toledo District in southern Belize is to chocolate what Napa is to wine in California. That was my take-away after visiting Southern Belize years ago. (This visit included a Jeep ride to visit Maya Mountain Cacao,* a small co-op working directly with Mayan cacao farmers.)

Today's Maya Mountain Belize 90% Rich Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Tosier Chocolatemaker (Suffolk, U.K.). The cacao (2019 Harvest, Batch 23219) used to craft this micro-batch bar was carefully gathered from farmers.

The complex but relatively subtle aroma notes for this bar included (in order of appearance): molasses, and concentrated fruit (berries, figs). After being open for a few minutes this mellowed and evolved into faint, fleeting vegetable (green squash, baked potato), then back to dark chocolate with faint spice and fruit compote (plum and peach), and faint tart-green (oxalis), followed by faint flicker of green tea.

Flavor notes included rich dark chocolate (fudge) with subtle loamy earth and very faint (barely there) mushroom. There was a slight astringent, dry graininess or chalkiness to the texture. This textural attribute softened into a smoother, more buttery mouthfeel toward the end. 

If I'd eaten the whole bar I might have discovered this perceived dryness was either a fleeting quality, more present in one part of the bar, or it may have shape-shifted away altogether. But, I only sampled two, adjacent, rectangular pieces...

...One hour later, I re-sampled this relatively smooth (low in bitterness, acidity) 90% ultra-dark bar--from the other end of the bar. And while still present, this dry mouthfeel was less noticeable. And, it morphed into a smoother finish more quickly. I'm a fan of re-tasting chocolate if possible. Truth can be fluid when it comes to flavors and taste and one's palette, even after very short periods of time.

Maker's tasting notes: "Redcurrant and stone fruit with a long buttery finish." ("Light roast, 60 hours grinding in stone melanger with refiner.")

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, ethically sourced cocoa butter

*Maya Mountain Cacao (MMC), majority-owned by Uncommon Cacao, is located in the Toledo District, inland from the Caribbean coast. When I visited there it had been in operation for a few years and was already producing fine cacao that had caught the attention of many specialty chocolate makers producing single origin dark chocolate. 

MMC were (and still are) working/trading directly with indigenous Maya farmers and helping to incent and support production of high-quality beans. Most of the approximately 350 farmers are small land-holders. This cacao was "intercropped with hard wood, fruit trees, banana, coconut and mango."

The hilly Maya Mountain area surrounding this organization (and its centralized fermentery) is an undulation of interesting shapes and multi-story building-sized mounds, covered by vegetation. 

From the air, looking down on the area, it's easy to imagine old dwellings/cities/temples built by ancient Maya and related, Central American civilizations that might lie beneath the jungle. In fact, this is partly true. I spoke to someone who remembered growing up in the area and remembers playing among historic ruins. "It was just something we took for granted. It was no big deal," he told me.

 

LetterPress Chocolate - Hacienda Azul, Costa Rica 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 7, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

LetterPress Chocolate

Hacienda Azul, Costa Rica 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar

Calories: 156 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar 

Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar (+ summer shipping)

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Hacienda Azul, Costa Rica 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by LetterPress Chocolate (Los Angeles, CA). 

The cacao used to craft this two-ingredient bar was from a small farm named Hacienda Azul,* "located in the rural town of Turrialba in the province of Cartago a couple hours east of Costa Rica's capital, San Jose."

Aroma notes included (in order of appearance): bread, green tea, subtle bright fruit (light goji berry), faint tart green (oxalis), and very faint sweet white grape/golden raisin.

This well-tempered bar had an even melt and smooth texture and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included Boston brown bread (molasses, raisin); subtle, diffuse tropical fruit, and true chocolate (dark chocolate cake, chocolate torte, dark chocolate pudding) that lingered into the finish.

Maker's tasting notes: "chocolate sunflower seeds"

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy" (Made with certified organic ingredients.) (Parve, Kosher LA)

*Hacienda Azul roughly translates into English as a blue house/dwelling on a plantation or estate. The Hacienda is "managed by the Zeuner family and employs 8 people full time." Also of note is the nearby Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion (CATIE) university of agriculture. CATIE "has provided 5 different clones to the farm. The (cacao) beans are washed prior to drying and we (LetterPress) have found this cacao fascinating by its versatility."

Fresco - O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 272 - Dark Roast, Long Conche (bar) - Oct. 6, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Fresco Artisan Chocolate

O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 272 - Dark Roast, Long Conche (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: Part of a $57 chocolate tasting (that included 5 different bars)

Purchased from: Fresco Artisan Chocolate/Chocolopolis.com

Welcome to Day #5 of Fresco Chocolate Tasting Series (of five different bars), and Day #3 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week.

Today's O'Payo* Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 272 - Dark Roast, Long Conche (bar) was made by Fresco Artisan Chocolate (Lynden, WA).

The aroma notes of this bar included subtle, balanced bitter, roasted notes with a very faint, fleeting green floral. Any "bitterness" receded quickly--and was cushioned by light, diffuse fruit sweetness, and very faint tart green (oxalis).

The melt and mouthfeel were very satisfying: fudge-y, creamy smooth, almost nut buttery. (This was true for all three Fresco Nicaragua 70% bars in this series.)

Flavor notes included a tart-sweet creaminess, intertwined with flavorful true chocolate (fudge brownie, dark chocolate torte) with accelerating red fruit, jam (strawberry soda with clean mineral water then strawberry milkshake). 

This well-executed, flavorful bar was bright, well-balanced and smooth without being boring or over-roasted. Not every dark roast bar lands in the Goldilocks zone--where flavors are optimally developed without tipping over into the over-roasted zone, where they tend to disappear. For this kind of success you need high-quality cacao, careful fermentation and a skilled and thoughtful chocolate maker.

Fresco's chief chocolate maker, Rob Anderson, described his dark roast profile this way: "...flavor peaks and valleys softened to a melodic harmony."

Maker's general tasting notes for this O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua cacao: "...naturally occurring notes of spice, floral and nuts...incredibly flavorful..." 

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter. organic cocoa butter. ??

Allergen-related information: "Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, soy"

*O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua cacao  is "an organic fine cocoa variety (grown in) the Waslala municipality, within the Basawas Natural Reserve in the northern mountains of Nicaragua." (Fresco maker, Rob Anderson, also mentioned: "O'Payo is a farmer's name.") 

"Profundo" may refer the the relatively long fermentation time for this cacao. (Anderson also worked with producer Ingemann Fine Cocoa in Nicaragua to obtain these single origin cacao beans.)

 

Fresco - O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 271 - Medium Roast, Medium Conche (bar) - Oct. 5, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Fresco Artisan Chocolate

O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 271 - Medium Roast, Medium Conche (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: Part of a $57 chocolate tasting (that included 5 different bars)

Purchased from: Fresco Artisan Chocolate/Chocolopolis.com

Welcome to Day #4 of Fresco Chocolate Tasting Series (of five different bars), and Day #2 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week.

Today's O'Payo* Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 271 - Medium Roast, Medium Conche (bar) was made by Fresco Artisan Chocolate (Lynden, WA). 

This (Recipe 271) bar the second of three O'Payo Nicaragua 70% bars--each with different roast and conche profiles--featured this week. (All three were initially sampled, side-by-side, in a recent online Chocolopolis.com + Fresco chocolate tasting, 3 days ago.)

The subtle aroma notes of this bar included (in order of appearance) very faint balanced savory (lightly smoked sea salt); green (green tea, light seed and mild nut); very light, faint (diffuse) fruit; and faint tart-green notes.

The melt and mouthfeel for this (and, happily, almost all Fresco) chocolate were very satisfying: fudge-y, creamy smooth, almost buttery.

Flavor notes included (in order of appearance): bright, warm, tart-sweetness (tart sweet, uniform blend of peach, nectarine, ripe persimmon, kiwi), cream, intertwined with a strong through current of true dark chocolate (flavorful fudge brownie, dark chocolate torte with a tiny pinch of warm spice and coffee) and with fleeting very faint tart-green.

Maker's general tasting notes for this cacao: "...naturally occurring notes of spice, floral and nuts...incredibly flavorful..."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter. organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, soy"

*O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua cacao  is "an organic fine cocoa variety (grown in) the Waslala municipality, within the Basawas Natural Reserve in the northern mountains of Nicaragua." (Fresco maker, Rob Anderson, also mentioned: "O'Payo is a farmer's name.") 

"Profundo" may refer the the relatively long fermentation time for this cacao. (Anderson also worked with producer Ingemann Fine Cocoa in Nicaragua to obtain these single origin cacao beans.)

 

Fresco - O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 270 - Light Roast, Subtle Conche - Oct. 4, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Fresco Artisan Chocolate

O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 270 - Light Roast, Subtle Conche (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: Part of a $57 chocolate tasting (that included 5 different bars)

Purchased from: Fresco Artisan Chocolate/Chocolopolis.com

Welcome to Day #3 of Fresco Chocolate Tasting Series (of five different bars), and Day #1 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week.

Today's O'Payo* Profundo Nicaragua 70% Recipe 270 - Light Roast, Subtle Conche (bar) was made by Fresco Artisan Chocolate (Lynden, WA).

The subtle aroma notes of this bar included (in order of appearance) very faint balanced savory/smoke; very light, roasted wood with very faint tannin; and faint tart-green notes.

The melt and mouthfeel were very satisfying: fudge-y, creamy smooth, almost buttery.

Flavor notes included a tart-sweet creaminess, intertwined with true chocolate (fudge brownie, dark chocolate torte) with very faint tart-green.

Maker's general tasting notes for O'Payo Profundo Nicaragua cacao: "...naturally occurring notes of spice, floral and nuts...incredibly flavorful..."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter. organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, soy"

*Regarding the cacao source, O'Payo Profundo (Nicaragua), "O'Payo" is a farmer's name. "Profundo" may refer the the relatively long fermentation time for this cacao. (Fresco also worked with producer Ingemann Fine Cocoa in Nicaragua to obtain these Nicaraguan cacao beans.)

Fresco - Madagascar 70% Recipe 290 Medium Roast, Medium Conche (bar) - Oct. 2, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Fresco Artisan Chocolate

Madagascar 70% Recipe 290 Medium Roast, Medium Conche (bar)

Good  ++ -  Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: (Part of a $57 chocolate tasting for 5 different bars)

Purchased from: Fresco Artisan Chocolate/Chocolopolis tasting, online order

Welcome to Day #2 in a series of five different single origin bars obtained as part of a New Origin Fresco Chocolate Tasting. (Thank you to Rob and Amy at Fresco Chocolate and Lauren Adler at Chocolopolis.com for the great remote tasting experience.)

Today's new Madagascar 70% (Batch 21-454) Medium Roast, Medium Conche* (bar) was made by Fresco Chocolate (Lynden, WA) . The beans used to make this bar were from the (Bertil) Akesson plantation in the Sambirano Valley of Madagascar--a region known for its flavorful cacao.

Aroma notes (in order of appearance) for this chocolate included faint green, floral, green stalks, a faint, flickering bitter dark chocolate note, bread and butter, cooked rice, diffuse faint fruit (peach, persimmon, lemon), brown sugar, and barely there tart green (oxalis). The texture and mouthfeel were very satisfying and buttery smooth.

Flavor notes included rich, sweet dark chocolate (dark chocolate torte), and, most significantly, a blooming of bright, tart fruit: a blend of sweet, round, white wine grape juice and golden raisin mixed with pink grapefruit and red berry. (Other fruit notes present in later re-tastings: cherry, orange, mango and ripe, sweet pineapple.) All these fruit notes presented a jump up from (contrast with) the relatively subdued aroma notes. 

Bright red berry and citrus notes are often associated with chocolate made with Madagascar cacao; but today's Fresco bar presented a festive yet sophisticated variation on this theme.

I enjoyed tasting this newly unveiled, rich, flavorful and well-executed dark chocolate bar from a company that recently celebrated receipt of their 50th International award for their chocolate.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Free from: gluten, dairy, nuts, soy"

*Conching follows the initial cacao grinding process. Fresco describes conching as "heat, motion, aeration and time producing chocolate's final flavor." The maker notes: "adjusting these variables can produce dramatically different flavors."  (Thank you to Rob at Fresco for allowing us to experience this in your chocolate line-up, geared to edify even the most seasoned of chocolate palettes.) 

Fresco Chocolate - Chuao Venezuela 72% dark chocolate (bar) - Oct. 2, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Fresco Artisan Chocolate

Chuao Venezuela 72% Blended Roast, Subtle Conche dark chocolate (bar)

Good  ++ -  Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: (Part of a $57 chocolate tasting for 5 different bars)

Purchased from: Fresco Artisan Chocolate/Chocolopolis tasting, online order

Welcome to Day #1 in a series of five different single origin bars obtained from a New Origin Fresco Chocolate Tasting. (Thank you to Rob and Amy at Fresco Chocolate and Lauren Adler at Chocolopolis.com for the great remote tasting experience.)

Today's new Chuao Venezuela 72% (Batch 21-437) Blended Roast, Subtle Conche* (bar) was made by Fresco Chocolate (Lynden, WA) . The cacao used was from the Empresa Campesina de Chuao (workers co-op) in the remote and storied village of Chuao in northern Venezuela. 

Subtle aroma notes (in order of appearance) for this chocolate included faint fruit, green (oxalis (sour grass, wood sorrel), succulent), warm spice, brown sugar and molasses. The texture and mouthfeel were satisfying and smooth.

The choice of blending more than one roast profile ("blended roast") seemed to expand the dynamic range/depth in the taste and gave it a bit more punch along with a barely there hint of roasted coffee and nut. Flavor notes included rich, sweet dark chocolate (dark chocolate pudding, chocolate torte), bread, cream, faint fruit and nut, and a sustained course of true dark chocolate (deep, dark chocolate torte). This dark chocolate had a balanced tart, sweet fruit acidity (red berry, cherry) that lingered into a chocolate-y finish. 

This was a rich, flavorful and well-executed dark chocolate from a company that recently celebrated receipt of their 50th International award for their chocolate.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Free from: gluten, dairy, nuts, soy"

*Conching follows the initial cacao grinding process. Fresco describes conching as "heat, motion, aeration and time producing chocolate's final flavor." The maker notes: "adjusting these variables can produce dramatically different flavors."  (Yes, and thank you for allowing us to experience this in your chocolate line-up geared to educate even the most seasoned of chocolate palettes.)

Fresco Chocolate - Ghana 68% Recipe 261 - Dark Roast, Medium Conche - Oct. 1, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Fresco Artisan Chocolate

Ghana 68% Recipe 261 - Dark Roast, Medium Conche dark chocolate (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $9.00 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Ghana Week.

Today'a Ghana 68% (Recipe 261) Dark Roast, Medium Conche (bar) was made by Fresco Chocolate (Lynden, WA).

Fresco lets us discover why roasting, conche and other choices in chocolate-making really matter, by crafting single origin bars with different roast and conche* profiles. 

Why is Fresco different? Chocolate makers almost always document choices they make with each origin and batch of cacao beans, creating recipes in the process. Fresco goes one step further and shares their recipe numbers on their labels, and will offer two or three similar bars, but with slightly different recipes.

Bottom line, Fresco's bars (and their backstories) are designed to be compared relative to each other. And there's no better way to learn what you really like than from side-by-side tastings.

Today, I'm tasting and comparing a second Fresco Ghana 68% dark bar--this one with a darker roast and slightly longer conche time. 

Both yesterday's and today's bar had a subtle aroma. Yesterday's 68% bar had a faint chocolate, faint fruit (lingonberry and persimmon (yesterday)) and fleeting very faint spice notes. And the melt and mouthfeel for all three Fresco Ghana bars this week were very pleasing with a smooth and relatively buttery texture.

Today's (dark roast) chocolate's balanced, faintly bitter aroma (not present in yesterday's light roast sibling) seemed to dissipate slightly over time; and it seemed overall slightly nuttier (roasted nuts and a faint, fleeting raspberry note; although it seemed less sweet (bright/jammy) than yesterday's bar with the lighter roast and subtle conche.*

Flavor notes for this single-ingredient bar included (in order of appearance): rich, sweet dark chocolate (hot cocoa), bread and butter, and sustained of true chocolate (fudge, dark chocolate torte and frosting). This dark chocolate had a mild fruit acidity (sweet, tart red berry (red raspberry) that lingered a bit into a chocolate-y, clean mineral finish. 

Not everyone will prefer the same Fresco Ghana 68% cacao bar over the other. Both were well executed. And I feel sure that precise care was taken to optimize each recipe and each resulting bar. As is the case for most chocolates, try re-tasting (both bars) a few minutes and/or hours later, and you may also experience a subtle shift in which bar (or aspects of each bar) you like.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Free from: gluten, dairy, nuts, soy"

*Conching follows the initial grinding process. Fresco describes conching as "heat, motion, aeration and time producing chocolate's final flavor." And the maker explains: "adjusting these variables can produce dramatically different flavors."  

**Note: I could have placed the two Fresco Ghana 68% bar too close together. If so, there's a small possibility I got the two mixed up with regard to red fruit and nut notes. (Disclosure: I also had a dental health issue that could have influenced the ability to distinguish taste this week.) And, some chocolate flavor shape-shifting likely took place over the course of a day or two--something that has been known to happen either after chocolate has been opened/exposed to air, or over time (as the chocolate or my palette changes, e.g. if I eat or drink something.