Saturday, December 11, 2021

Magicdates, LLC - Hazelnut 100% Dark Chocolate Covered - Dec. 11, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Magicdates, LLC
Hazelnut - 100% Dark Chocolate Covered
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 2 pieces (1 serving)
Cost: $5.29 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Hazelnut 100% Dark Chocolate Covered energy bites were from Magicdates, LLC (Los Angeles, CA). The company offers other flavors (including: salted walnut brownie, coconut cream cake, lush lemon, and chocolate coconut cookie).

The aroma for these, oval-shaped, date-sweetened bites included malty, nutty and very faint coconut and cereal notes. An ultra-dark chocolate shell contained a hearty, chewy center made of compressed dates, hazelnuts and walnuts, coconut, and cocoa nibs--with a very fleeting earth note. They had a satisfying taste and were not too sweet (thank you).

These Hazelnut bites were packaged in a sturdy, resealable pouch, well suited to travel in a purse or bag, or as a snack for an outdoor adventure.

Ingredients: Dates, unsweetened chocolate, walnuts, shredded coconut, hazelnut butter, coconut powder, cacao nibs, coconut cream, coconut oil, hazelnut extract, Himalayan pink salt.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that processes nuts, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, eggs, soybeans and milk." (Contains walnuts, hazelnuts, coconut); Non-GMO Verified, "vegan, gluten free"

 

Exquisito Chocolates - Dark Chocolate "Hazelnut Better" Cups - Dec. 10, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates, LLC
Dark Chocolate "Hazelnut Better" Cups
Good +++
Weight: 1.7 oz. (51 g.) in package of 4 small cups
Calories: 260 calories (estimate) in 4 small cups (1 package)
Cost: $10.00 for 1 package of 4 cups ($39 for a multiple-item order)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace via Exquisito (online order)

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

Today's Dark Chocolate "Hazelnut Better" Cups were from Exquisito Chocolates, LLC (Miami, FL). The company operates a shop and small chocolate factory; and they offer a range of dark chocolate truffles, bars and confections (including at least three Good Food Awards Finalists for 2022) that can also be purchased online.

These dark chocolate cups--three-ingredient confections--were handcrafted in Miami's Historic Little Havana neighborhood. Why is this significant? First, confections typically have more ingredients, sugar and often other additives and are not typically made with fine cacao from scratch. Second, Miami is one of the closest major U.S. cities to Central and South America and the Caribbean where there is great cacao that chocolate makers can source directly.

Today's diminutive, heavenly hazelnut cups had a rich, roasted hazelnut drinking chocolate aroma, and a melt and texture that was a perfect blend of creamy (chocolate and ganache) and crunchy (a generous smattering of tiny hazelnut bits across the top). 
 
Sweet, but not too sweet, these chocolate cups (created by owner and chief chocolate maker Carolina Quijano, and team) landed squarely in my happy zone. I quickly broke my promise to save two cups for a friend. Sorry friend. But I'll be ordering more in the future.

Maker's tasting notes/description: "A handcrafted version of the candy classic, but now made with real ingredients and sustainably sourced cacao. Picture if your favorite childhood treat went off and got its PhD."

Ingredients: "Cacao, organic hazelnuts, unrefined cane sugar"

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (hazelnuts).
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