Dr. Bronner's - Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - Jan. 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Dr. Bronner's is perhaps better known in the U.S. for their line of environmentally and socially conscious soaps. But, they've caught the "Cocoa Magic" bug, and have extended a passion for regenerative organic agriculture into chocolate.* 

The company is sourcing organic, fairly traded cocoa from Ghana and Ivory Coast and partnering with Swiss maker(s) to offer a line of 70% dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this Organic and Fair Trade Certified bar included: true chocolate (brownie, chocolate cake), green citrus herb (oxalis, sorrel) and faint lightly earthy, faintly smokey, vanilla bean spice.

Flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes (above) with a deeper, richer immersion into the chocolate flavors that were accented with authentic vanilla and an occasional uptick of salt--that, along with the lightly roasted almonds, helped balance the sweetness provided by coconut sugar. 

The green citrus note (likely from oxalic acid) and a very faint fruit and/or citrus quality yielded a balanced chocolate acidity that lingered lightly in the finish.

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, organic almonds, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

*I first discovered Dr. Bronner's bars in local stores in December 2020. Already being a fan of their soaps, I was delighted to try this new line of dark chocolates. A bright spot of good news in challenging times (recent passing of a parent and ongoing Covid-19 related limitations on travel, work and social get-togethers.) Thankfully there is still much to feel very grateful about. 

Moka Origins - Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Ghana (bar) - Jan. 29, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moka Origins
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Ghana (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Ghana (bar) was made, from bean-to-bar, by Moka Origins (Honesdale, PA). The company specializes in single origin, small batch chocolates (and coffees).

The balanced bouquet of aroma notes of this chocolate included: dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate torte), fruit (berry, and later, faint ripe kiwi), a fleeting, pleasant botanical floral spice (green tea + vanilla, white pepper), and a very faint, fleeting salt and black pepper potato (chip) note.

Flavor notes included: flavorful dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate torte), fruit (red berry, currant), sea salt, and very faint, green, floral black pepper and earth.

The well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and it had a smooth melt and creamy texture with micro crystals of sea salt.

Similar to yesterday's Ghana-grown cacao 58% dark milk chocolate (Moka Origins sibling), today's Ghana 72% dark chocolate sea salt bar was crafted using a blend of Amelonado and Trinitario cacao beans, from ABOCFA--an Organic and Fair Trade certified cacao co-operative that maintains "complete traceability for its cacao and their farmers." (Sourcing partner: Uncommon Cacao.)*

Maker's description: "Dark chocolate finished with hand-harvested sea salt"

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, Kosher flake sea salt. (Over 67% Fair Trade Certified Ingredients) USDA Organic certified; Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA

Allergen-related information: "Gluten free, vegan, soy free." "Made in a facility that handles dairy, gluten, coconut, and tree nuts."

*Historically, most of the cacao exported from West African countries like Ghana has not been fair trade certified (or organic certified) and has been "mostly untraceable." 

The ABOCFA cooperative in Suhum, Ghana, is one of only four certified Organic cacao providers in Ghana, and it supplies cacao from 13 local farming communities ("hamlets"). The co-op trains farmers on best practices to optimize quality (harvesting, fermentation, drying), to help ensure farmers receive a fair (higher) price for their cacao.

The organization can also provide more information to potential cacao buyers in other countries such as the U.S., which in turn can be supplied to customers. 

For example, we can read on the packaging that the cacao used to make this Moka Origins bar was from "Suhum, Ghana. Located in the Eastern Region of South Ghana, West Africa, with coordinates: 6.0413 degrees N., 0.4550 degrees W..." Cacao was grown at approximately "610 feet above sea level." And we also know that cocoa trees were likely "intercropped" (i.e. grown with) "palm trees, plantains, coconut and cassava plants."

It also should be noted that Moka Origins founders have spent time in Africa, and in fact have a farm in Cameroon (west-central Africa). They are dedicated to "ethically sourcing coffee and cacao" and supporting farmers and the environment.

Moka Origins - Dark Milk Chocolate 58% Cacao Ghana (bar) - Jan. 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moka Origins
Dark Milk Chocolate 58% Cacao Ghana (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Milk Chocolate 58% Cacao Ghana (bar) was made, from bean-to-bar, by Moka Origins (Honesdale, PA). The company specializes in single origin, small batch chocolates (and coffees).

The aroma of this chocolate was one of subtle, sweet dark milk chocolate, with a very faint clean mineral note.

The well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and it had a smooth melt and creamy texture.

The flavor had notes of slightly tart (faint, diffuse fruit) and milk chocolate flavor with faint molasses spice notes. The Ghana-grown cacao used to make this bar was a blend of Amelonado and Trinitario. 

This well-executed bar was refreshingly flavorful and relatively complex for a milk chocolate bar.

Maker's description: "Creamy dark chocolate made with organic A2/A2 milk from Alexandre Family Farm."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic milk powder, organic cocoa butter. (Over 40% Fair Trade certified ingredients. Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.)

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk.) "Gluten free, soy free" "Made in a facility that handles dairy, gluten, coconut, and tree nuts."

Ritter Sport - Cacao Selection - 81% Cacao Extra Intense Dark Chocolate (Ghana) (bar) - Jan. 27, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport
Cacao Selection 81% Cacao Extra Intense Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.16 oz. (32 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 8 pieces (32 g.) of bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Ritter Sport Cacao Selection 81% Cacao Extra Intense Dark Chocolate (bar) from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany) was made with cocoa beans from Ghana.

Like other square-shaped Ritter bars, this ultra-dark chocolate (introduced in 2020) was easily divided into tinier squares for eating or sharing with others.

Aroma notes for this chocolate included bold true chocolate (deep dark brownie) with balanced tannic* earth (faint wood bark tannin, peat bog) that I associate more with Forastero cacao.

The 81% dark chocolate had a smooth, uniform melt and texture, and uniform flavor.

This chocolate had a deep dark chocolate flavor--true chocolate (deep, dark brownie), very faint dark caramel, and a sustained tannic forest earth (wood, peat bog) note. 

Tannic acids in green plants and fruits can be acidic and astringent (e.g. red wines, black tea, unripe pomegranate or persimmon); however, this tannin note conjured up visions of deep, ancient woods/earth, with a very subtle aged black walnut note. 

This did not taste acidic. In fact, while related, tannins are not the same as tannic acid.* And while I was expecting (from the aroma) to run into acid or astringency (or bitterness) in the flavor, this didn't really happen. 

The "peat" flavor was more organic and less acidic. And it was also less smokey/carbon-y than, say, peat bog water and/or peat bog fire smoke associated with drying barley used to make Scotch Islay whiskey (ies); but it did invite this comparison, as I was fishing around for how to describe this chocolate.

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor (made from cocoa beans from Ghana), sugar, cocoa butter. 

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

*Tannins are plant (polyphenolic) compounds found in roots, barks and leaves of plants and trees. (Cocoa beans contain tannins. More robust, bold Forastero varieties of cacao grown in West African countries like Ghana can contain higher amounts of tannins than some other, more "delicate" fine-flavored cacao varieties.)

Tannic acid is a specific form of tannin, that can be found in soils or compost where plants and trees have decomposed near water (swamps). Peat bogs tend to be acidic and high in tannins. Waters with tannic acid are often dark brown in color. 

Ritter Sport - Dark Milk Chocolate 55% Cacao (bar) - Jan. 26, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport
Cacao Selection Dark Milk Chocolate 55% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.16 oz. (32 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 8 pieces (32 g.) of bar
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week. Ghana is one of the largest cacao producers. This West African nation exported an estimated 900,000 tonnes of cocoa in the 2020/2021 season.*

Today's Ritter Sport Cacao Selection Dark Milk Chocolate 55% Cacao (bar) from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany) was made with cocoa mass from Ghana.

Like all square-shaped Ritter bars, this chocolate was easily divisible (easy to break) into tinier squares for eating or sharing with others.

Aroma notes for this chocolate included chocolate mousse, faint diffuse fruit (berry, sweet banana, citrus, tropical fruit), and fleeting, faint, balanced tannic earth (that dissipated rapidly after the package had been opened for a minute or two)

The 55% dark milk chocolate had a smooth, uniform melt and texture. A judicious amount of milk yielded some creaminess, soothed any possible unruly earth notes, and added a hint of caramel; but it was not so much milk that it obscured the cacao notes. (Thank you.)

This chocolate had a sweet dark chocolate flavor--true chocolate (faint chocolate mousse cake, faint brownie), subtle dark caramel, a barely there, diffuse fruit note, and a very faint, balanced tannic forest earth note that kicked in about half-way through with another small uptick in the finish.

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, milk. 

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

*This according to Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), as reported by Confectionery News.

Chocolate Naive - Rough-Ground Rustic Dark Chocolate 75% (bar) - Jan. 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Naive
Rough-Ground Rustic Dark Chocolate 75% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 169.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Sveiki (hello) and welcome to last day (Day #19) of European Chocolate Vacation. 

Today's Rough-Ground Rustic Dark Chocolate 75% (bar) was from Chocolate Naive (Vilnius, Lithuania). 

I imagined strolling along the Neris River near the Vilnius city center in Lithuania, making quick stops in Uzupis Republic and Old Town, and then paying respects to creative, award-winning, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Domantas Uzpalis at Chocolate Naive. 

Since founding the company in 2011, Uzpalis has been producing wonderful original origin and flavored bars (Soursop, Porcini, and BBQ Spices to name a few). If I'm in luck, I'll be able to try some ice cream there too. (Parsley ice cream perhaps?) Even his "plain" chocolate bars often have a unique twist.

Rough-Ground Rustic Dark Chocolate 75% 

The aroma notes for today's dark chocolate bar included: rich dark chocolate, balanced fruit (berry, faint citrus), licorice spice, and faint clean, sweet mineral. Even before taking a bite, I'm already appreciating the complexity of this chocolate.

The custom-shaped bar was a merger of a large and a small circle (molecules, bicycle wheels, cacao beans?) with the company's logo in the middle. The chocolate broke with a well-tempered snap, and included a flawless field of two evenly distributed textures: smooth dark chocolate and crunchy (tiny crystals of sugar perhaps).

The flavor notes included: relatively uniform with true chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate mousse) and fully incorporated, faint fruit blend (berry, tropical fruit, citrus) with medium acidity. Not too sweet (thank you). (Also, barely there: a nutty/malty note that showed up on the re-taste.)

Bumping up the cacao from 70% to 75% seemed like a great choice here. The "roughly" incorporated sugar crystals offered some textural fun, and and allowed the sugar to have enough voice to be interesting without dominating the chocolate.

The cacao origin and variety weren't specified on the package. It had a Trinitario cacao variety like flavor--less dark and dense than a Forastero variety, and with some balanced and bright "fruit" acidity (enhanced with the tiny sparkles of sugar).

Today's chocolate was a well-executed variation on a classic three-ingredient dark chocolate bar with layered aromas, textures flavors. If sophisticated can co-exist with rustic, this would be the place.

Maker's tasting notes: Fruity, nutty, toasty, honey-like; "Initial taste of fresh strawberries and cherries followed by honey and--after a few seconds--some subtle nutty notes."

Ingredients: Specialty cacao*, cane sugar*, pure cacao butter* (Cacao min. 75%) 
*Asterisk indicates: "wild or all-natural farming"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of treenuts, peanuts, wheat or milk." 

Francois Pralus - Barre Infernal Orange - Jan. 24, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Francois Pralus
Barre Infernale Orange (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 5.29 oz. (150 g.) in total bar
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 2 oz. (56.6 g.) of bar
Cost: $24.00 (estimate) for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Bonjour (good day) and welcome to Day #18 of European Chocolate Vacation. 

Today's Francois Pralus Barre Infernale Orange (bar) was from Patiserrie Chocolaterie S.A.S. Pralus (Roanne, France). Roanne is a commune in the Loire Department in central France. 

I took an (imagined) walk along the Loire River, and then headed back to a small auberge (inn) to enjoy this hometown bar. (And what a lovely thing it would be to living near the origin of Francois Pralus chocolates.)

Aroma notes for this chocolate converged into a magical blend of candied citrus (orange peel), roasted nuts, and spiked chocolate fruitcake. The ingredients in this bar were skillfully layered to showcase them in both aroma and flavor.

Flavorful (fruity) dark chocolate formed the outer layer of this of this gold bullion bar-shaped chocolate was filled with a satisfying, softer praline center: ground nuts (almonds, hazelnut), milk chocolate and authentic, ground sweet orange peel, with a touch of orange liqueur. (Think faint Grand Marnier. The spirits added a bit of "infernale" or adult sinfulness.)

Everything about this substantial and flavorful. Happily it was not too sweet (thank you!). Cut a piece of this chocolate as you would slice a loaf of bread. A great bar to bring to a dinner party, or to share with others.

Ingredients: Praline 50% (roasted hazelnuts, sugar, roasted almonds, cocoa butter, milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, cocoa: 45% minimum; emulsifier: sunflower lecithin); black (dark) chocolate (cocoa: 70% minimum, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin); candied oranges 16% (sugar, oranges 57%, glucose, orange alcohol).

Allergen-related information: Contained tree nuts (hazelnuts, almonds), milk. "Contains nuts and may contain traces of milk."

Tony's Chocolonely - Milk Chocolate Honey Almond Nougat - Jan. 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Tony's Chocolonely
Milk Chocolate Honey Almond Nougat bar
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 6.35 oz. (180 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (30 g.) of bar
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 bar (thank you Don!)
Purchased from: New Leaf Markets, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #17 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Milk Chocolate Honey Almond Nougat bar from Tony's Chocolonely Inc. (New York, NY) and was made in Belgium. 

The chocolate company was founded in the Netherlands in 2005 by three journalists with a vision to eliminate illegal child labor/slavery practices* (primarily in the (West African) cacao supply chain, where farmers are often paid very little. In addition to helping to educate consumers, Tony's Chocolonely supports and carefully sources fair trade ingredients.

As one of the last imaginary European stops via chocolate, I imagined a walk along canals in Amsterdam, a stop at the Van Gogh Museum in the city's Museum Quarter, and a search for a rumor that Tony's Chocoloney chocolate bars can be found in vending machines there. (Yes, it's true, there is a wall-sized, "mega-super" vending machine in Tony's Store in the Westerpark area of Amsterdam.)

Today's ultra-thick bar required some concentration to bite through (a bit like a large, alpine mountain shaped Swiss Toblerone bar.)

The bar had a sweet milk chocolate and nut aroma and sweet, smooth (32%) milk chocolate flavor. Honey nut nougat flecks added crunchy texture. These nougat pieces had a faint, natural honied, layered sweetness (light honied milk tea).

Ingredients: Sugar dry whole milk, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, 10% nougat (cane sugar, glucose syrup (wheat), 2% almonds, potato starch, honey, cocoa butter, egg white), soy lecithin.

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk, wheat, tree nuts (almonds), egg and soy.) "May contain tree nuts and peanut."

*A high percentage of European (and other commercial) chocolates are made using West African cacao. Tony's founders talked about how they were one of the few chocolate companies actively talking about "slave-free" chocolate in the early-mid 2000s. Hence the name Tony's "Chocolonely."

In 2021, Tony's Chocolonely made an acquisition announcement, around plans for an expanded role in an existing (Althaea-De Laet) chocolate factory (Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Circus), on the border between Zaanstad and Amsterdam. They will become more involved in their own manufacturing and continue to pursue their goal of making "100% slave-free chocolate the norm in the industry."

Ritter - Dark Chocolate with Almond and Orange (bar) - Jan. 22, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter
Dark Chocolate with Almond and Orange (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (31 g.) of bar
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Santa Venetia Market, San Rafael, CA

Welcome to Day #16 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate Almond and Orange (bar) was from Afred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany). After an imagined visit to Museum Ritter in Waldenbuch, I took a virtual walk around the area. Despite foggy cool weather today in Germany, I was able to enjoy a refreshing (chocolate-powered) walk--only it was in Northern California. 

Aroma notes for this substantial (thick) Ritter bar included: bold, dark chocolate, nut (almond) and faint citrus.

Bold dark chocolate flavor was intermingled with tiny but flavorful bits of chewy, sweet orange peel(s), and small pieces of crunchy almonds.

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, almonds, orange peel, butterfat (milk), glucose, fructose syrup, soy lecithin, lemon juice concentrate, orange oil, dextrose.

Allergen-related information: (Contained tree nuts (almonds), milk, soy.) "May contain traces of peanuts and other tree nuts, wheat and egg."

Ritter - Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Mousse Filling - Jan. 21, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter
Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Mousse Filling (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 3 squares of bar
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Santa Venetia Market, San Rafael, CA

Welcome to Day #15 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week. Yesterday we were (virtually) in Austria; and we now head northwest into Germany.

Today's Ritter Sport Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Mousse Filling bar was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany).

Waldenbuch is a small city in the Stuttgart region of southeastern Germany. I imagined visiting the Museum Ritter--a modern white building with beautiful, colorful stained glass--to look at the exhibits and to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at the museum cafe.

The aroma notes for today's thick, sweet chocolate bar included: pfeffernusse cookies and chocolate hazelnut butter cookies with chocolate milk. The milk chocolate surrounded a darker chocolate "mousse" filling. 

Ingredients: Sugar, milk, palm fat, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, cocoa, skim milk, butterfat (milk), hazelnut paste, soy lecithin.

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

Zotter - Milk Chocolate Dark Style, no sugar 70% Cocoa/30% Milk (bars) - Jan. 20, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Milk Chocolate Dark Style, no sugar added (bars)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.145 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.29 oz. (65 g.) total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar (of 2)
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 package of 2 bars
Purchased from: Zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week. 

The aroma notes of for this bar included creamy chocolate ice cream, and buttery chocolate cookie (pecan shortbread).

The relatively bold, smooth dark flavor of this bar was blended with a creamy, smooth texture and taste. It was a delicious implementation of a relatively deep, dark chocolate--made without sugar--mellowed by milk that also added enough natural sweetness to be just right. (A judicious touch of vanilla added a little bit of implied baked goods sweetness.)

I would definitely include this bar in a tasting flight (side-by-side chocolate tasting), to introduce people this 70% sugar free dark (with milk) offering with no added sweeteners (artificial or otherwise).

Maker's notes: "...offers an impressive nougat waffle aroma. Intense notes of milk and cream accompanied by a subtle fruitiness..." "...an obvious waffle aroma carried by a mountain of nougat develops after initial notes of lightly salted nuts."

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, dry whole milk, cocoa butter, organic vanilla bean powder.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk." "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, soy, sesame and peanuts." "Fair traded, fair trade content in total: 70%"

Zotter - Labooko - Opus 5 Cuvee 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate bar(s) - Jan. 19, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter

Labooko - Opus 5 Cuvee 72% Dark Chocolate bar(s)

Good +

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week. Having dipped down as far south as Spain and Italy, we've returned to Austria for more Zotter bars.

Today's Opus 5 bar from Zotter was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Cape Coral, FL). The company offers hundreds of different bars--some are filled, and some, like today's, are solid chocolate and part of the company's Labooko line. This group includes many single origin and single origin blend bars.

This Opus 5 Cuvee 72% dark chocolate had a subtle aroma, smooth texture and uniform, deep dark, smooth 72% chocolate flavor with very faint fruit (berry, cranberry), and a barely there waxy fruit (star fruit) note. (I imagined a visit this month (January) to Florida to visit Zotter's US headquarters, and to feast on exotic fruits (including cacao fruit, flown in from the Caribbean.*

The number "5" in the name "Opus 5" refers to the fact that this chocolate was a blend of five cacaos from five different countries of origins: Madagascar, Sao Tome, India, Uganda and Panama. 

Maker's Notes: A "world tour" in a bar. Cacaos were selected (from five origins) for their fruit notes. Each origin was roasted separately; and then they were combined. "Taste profile: Madagascar: berry aroma, caramel; Sao Tome: fruity, red cherries; India: cherries, plum puree, peach; Uganda: red fruit, berries, fudge; Panama: cherries and almonds."

Ingredients: Organic and fair traded cocoa mass; organic and fair traded sugar; organic and fair traded cocoa butter. 

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

Laderach - "Milch" Milk Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Laderach 
Milch - Milk Chocolate (bar)

Good
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32 g) / 2.3 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.90 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Laderach - Chocolatier Suisse, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of European Chocolate Vacation. 

Today's Milch Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Laderbach (Ennenda, Switzerland). 

Creamy and sweet, this bar was a luscious, thick milk chocolate. A bit too sweet for me, but milk chocolate lovers may appreciate this attractively-packaged, classic Swiss-style "Milch" (milk) offering.

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate, Cocoa 36% Min. Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa paste, skimmed milk powder, soy lecithin, Natural Flavor, Natural Flavors.

Allergen-related information: "May contain Egg, Other Gluten (Incl. Wheat), Other Nuts."

Laderach - FrischSchoggi Milk and Dark Chocolate Hazelnut "bark" pieces - Jan. 17, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Laderach Chocolate

1.) FrischSchoggi Dark Chocolate Hazelnut - Good ++

2.) FrischSchoggi "Milch" Milk Chocolate Hazelnut - Good +

Weight: .75 oz x 2 = 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total pieces/slabs

Calories: 252.5 calories (per website) in 1.5 ounce serving (.75 oz. of each, dark and milk)

Cost: $9.67 for 3 oz. (85 g.) (Sold by weight; $51.60 per lb.)

Purchased from: Laderach chocolatier suisse store, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

Gruezi, and welcome to Day #11 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week(s), with virtual visits to several European countries via chocolate. 

Covid-19 has made travel more challenging; but, thankfully, imaginary travel via food (and a good import and distribution network in the U.S.) is possible. 

Laderach is a family-run Swiss chocolatier based in Ennenda (Glarus), Switzerland. Fortunately, they recently opened a shop nearby. And instead of boarding a plane, I drove to this local Laderach outlet to buy some Swiss-made chocolate--including today's FrischSchoggi ("fresh chocolate") Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut pieces. 

In lieu of a hike in the Swiss Alps, I took a great hike in the nearby California hills (green with recent winter rains) with friend and fellow travel lover, Toni. We were able to enjoy bites of these thick slabs of "fresh chocolate" from this Swiss chocolatier while enjoying mountain views of the Bay Area.

The aromas and flavors of both these chocolates (dark and milk) were infused with sweet cocoa and true hazelnut flavor. Whole hazelnuts played a starring role in both, adding a satisfying, hearty crunchy texture, and helping to off-set the sugar.

As expected, the dark chocolate was richer and deeper with more true cacao flavor (uniform, dark chocolate mousse, brownie, with almost invisible green and cherry notes). 

The "Milch" milk chocolate was quite sweet and creamy, providing a lush, sugary backdrop for the whole (Piedmont) hazelnuts--which tasted like they'd been very lightly roasted and tumbled in a very thin (caramelized) sugar coating. Light sweet finish with hazelnut cocoa (creamy hot chocolate) notes.

Note: Ingredients listed below for these chocolates were taken from Laderach website.

Dark Chocolate (56%) Hazelnut slab Ingredients: Sugar, hazelnuts (30%), cocoa paste, cocoa butter, emulsifier (soya, E322), vegetable oils (rapeseed), natural flavouring substances, cocoa powder, colouring (E100).

Allergen-related information: Contained nuts (hazelnuts) and soy. "May contain egg, milk, other gluten (inclu(ding) wheat), other nuts."

Milk Chocolate (36% min.) Hazelnut slab Ingredients: Hazelnuts (31%), sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa powder, skimmed milk powder, vegetable oils (rapeseed), emulsifier (soya lecithin, E322), natural flavour, natural flavouring substances, cocoa powder.

Allergen-related information: Contained nuts (hazelnuts), milk and soy. "May contain egg, other gluten (inclu. wheat), other nuts."

D. Barbero - Cioccolato Senza Zuccheri Aggiunti and Fondente Cuba (bars) - Jan. 16, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Barbero Davide S.r.l. 

D. Barbero - Cioccolato Senza Zuccheri Aggiunti 70% (bar)
(70% Chocolate without Sugar) 
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 173.2 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mollie Stone's Market, Sausalito, CA

D. Barbero - Fondente Origine Unica Cuba Cacao 70% (bar)
(Dark Single Origin Cuba 70% Cacao (bar))
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 226 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mollie Stone's Market, Sausalito, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week. Yesterday Chocolate Banquet (virtually) visited Milan in northern Italy; and today I (imagined) heading southeast to Asti (Piedmont Region) to enjoy a sip of Asti sparkling wine, Bunet pastry (amaretti, cocoa, eggs, milk, rum), and local Asti chocolates.

Today's two D. Barbero dark chocolate bars were from Barbero Davide S.r.l. (Asti, Italy). Both were 70% cacao single origin bars with smooth, sweet dark chocolate flavor. 

Cioccolato Senza Zuccheri Aggiunti (bar)

The first of today's two bars tasted was a sugar-free/no added sugar offering (made with Ecuador cacao). This dark chocolate had a faint chocolate cookie/biscuit note, and I tasted a very slight temperature flux (menthol note) on my palette (that I often experience with erythritol-sweetened items). However, for those who really need to limit sugar, this offering may be a welcome option.

Ingredients: Ecuador cocoa paste, sweetener: erythritol, cocoa butter, inulin, emulsifier: soya lecithin, natural vanilla flavour.

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of nuts, milk. Contains natural sugars. An excessive consumption may cause laxative effects.

Fondente Origine Unica Cuba Cacao 70% (bar)

The second 70% cacao dark bar--made from Cuba cacao--was a treat, as this Caribbean nation origin is a rare find. It had smooth, true chocolate aroma and flavor (dark chocolate cake with dark chocolate frosting/dark chocolate mousse cake) with a hint of vanilla, and a very faint sweet, fruit blend (light ripe banana, strawberry, peach, light cherry) note in the finish. 

Ingredients: Cuba cocoa paste, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: soya lecithin, natural vanilla flavour. Cacao min. 70%.

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

Zaini - 80% Extra Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 15, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zaini
80% Extra Dark Chocolate (bar)

(80% Cioccolato Fondente Extra)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (30 g.) of bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

Buona giornata (good day) and Welcome to Day #9 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week(s) Today we sample chocolate from, and imagine a virtual visit to northern Italy.

First virtual stop: Milan, for lunch (saffron risotto), chocolate dessert at chocolate cafe CioccolatItaliani, and a walk. This financially prosperous, relatively conservative looking city is full of great art and a few notably flamboyantly gothic buildings. 

I imagined gawking up at the huge Milan Cathedral, aka "Il Duomo." One of the largest cathedrals in Europe, it can hold 40,000 people (most of my home town). 

Next stop, sampling Zaini chocolate. Founder Luigi Zaini established a factory in Milan more than a century ago (in 1913).

Zaini 80% Extra Dark Chocolate

Today's 80% Dark Chocolate (bar), from Luigi Zaini S.p.A. (Milano, Italia), had a soft, sophisticated aroma with a whisper of brandy + bourbon cocktail* in a sea of hearty, smooth and sweet dark chocolate. (There was no alcohol* listed in ingredients.) Other aroma notes (all well-balanced) included: faint green, vanilla (vanilla marshmallow and a barely there trace of vanilla tobacco smoke)) and very faint molasses. I enjoyed this rich bouquet of scents.

The well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap; and the texture was smooth, with an almost milky mouthfeel. The taste was deep, dark and smooth. This 80% chocolate was too dark and dense to compare it with ultra-dark brownie or chocolate mousse, but it radiated a "true" satisfyingly cohesive yet complex, chocolate experience. Suave, well managed forest and earth notes added complexity and depth. 

This chocolate was made in Italy, using "cocoa from West Africa." (I'm guessing Forastero cacao variety.) The result was well executed deep cocoa flavor. Not too bitter, relatively low in acid (for an 80%er), full flavored, and not too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor (liquor does not mean alcohol here*), sugar, lowfat cocoa powder, soy lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla flavor. 

Allergen-related information: "May contain: milk, almonds and hazelnuts."

Blanxart - 82% Congo Mountains of the Moon single origin (bar) - Jan. 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Blanxart
82% Congo Mountains of the Moon Single Origin, Organic (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1.06 oz. (30 g.) (9 squares) of bar
Cost: $7.49 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA (Thank you Don!)

Buenos dias (good day), and welcome to Day #8 of European Chocolate Holiday Theme Week, where we're experiencing several European countries, via chocolate. 

Today's featured bar enabled virtual travel to Barcelona, Spain. (And, for those in California, scroll down to read about a "real" visit to a local Basque restaurant for additional chocolate fun.)

The 82% Congo (Mountains of the Moon) single origin, organic dark chocolate bar was made from bean to bar in Barcelona by Blanxart (San Joan Despi, BCN, Spain). 

Because of the proximity to African cacao growing countries, many European makers obtain their cacao from Africa. Blanxart chocolate makers crafted this 82% single origin bar using Forastero variety cocoa beans ("selected from small farm cooperatives") from Congo. 

The "Mountains of the Moon" name in the bar's title refers to the Rwenzori Mountains located between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the more temperate foothills surrounding this range, cacao and other crops are grown.

This bar had a dark chocolate aroma with smooth, faint umami (salt caramel, leather and light earth/clay, barely there roasted greens) and clean mineral notes.

The Forastero cacao used yielded bold, deep hearty chocolate flavor (as this variety typically does). However, even at a high cacao percentage (82%),* the flavor profile also had nicely balanced complexity, including true chocolate (toasted brownie) notes and (half-way in) an up-tick of bright fruit, including berry (red raspberry to ripe blackberry/black raspberry, and sweet black currant) and very faint citrus (sour lemon to very sweet pink grapefruit) notes. 

This multi-faceted, sophisticated chocolate was relatively low in bitterness (for an ultra-dark Forastero bar) and had a balanced level of acidity. The bold chocolate flavors tapered down softly (as if to take a bow) into a clean finish.

Blanxart tasting notes for Mountains of the Moon cacao: "...red fruits, citrus..."

Ingredients: "Cocoa 82% minimum. Organic cocoa, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, nuts and soy." (Organic, certified by CCPAE.)

Basque Cuisine and Marquise au Chocolat 
I imagined a (virtual) walk through Barcelona today to taste the flavors of cacao, passing examples of Gaudi's colorful sculptural architecture along the way, and enjoying great food (and chocolate). One could easily spend a week in this one Catalan city alone.

Within many European countries, regions holds delicious secrets. Both the Catalan region in the south of Spain (Mediterranean coast) and Basque region in the north (on the Cantabrian Sea) share a border with France. Early proximity to ports and prosperous cities enabled access to cacao and a variety of culinary influences; and the results can still be enjoyed today.

In the interest of virtually visiting northern Spain, I made a "real" visit to Le Chalet Basque (San Rafael, CA). The small restaurant offered authentic Basque dishes with a heavy French influence. I enjoyed a piece of their Marquis au Chocolat dessert, to go, after a long walk by the San Francisco Bay. If you're not familiar with this chocolate creation, think: a cross between a cognac flavored, chilled chocolate mousse and the best dark chocolate gelato/ice cream you've tasted. It was heaven in a take-out box. 

*Note: Percentages listed on chocolate packaging do not always correlate with flavor in the way that people expect. Variations in flavor can be due to variety of cocoa beans used, amounts of added cocoa butter or cocoa solids/cocoa powder, and other factors. There may also be minor differences in labeling requirements and terminology in different countries.

Bouchard Belgian Chocolate - Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao - Jan. 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Bouchard Belgian Chocolatier
Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao (pieces)
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 16 oz. (455 g.) in total package of 90-93 pieces
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (6 pieces)
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package of (approx. 90-93) pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Hallo (hello) and Welcome to Day #7 of European Chocolate (Virtual) Vacation Theme Week, with a (virtual) stop today in Belgium.

Today's Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao (pieces) were from Belgian chocolatier Bouchard B.V. (Ghent, Belgium). 

Ghent is a city that is steeped in history and has its own culinary specialties. In my imagination, I strolled along canals, admired stone and brick buildings. (The well-preserved gild houses are a reminder of prosperity achieved centuries ago when the area was a hub for manufacturing, trade and finance.) I stopped for a hot bowl of waterzooi (fish soup similar to a chowder), enjoyed cuberdons (raspberry filled candies), and read about Floralien, a large flower celebration/show (April-May 2022). And, of course, I sampled some chocolates.

Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao dark chocolate pieces

These individually-wrapped Belgian chocolate pieces had a subtle dark chocolate aroma. I took a few pieces along for a (real) walk today by the water. They were a perfect, transportable snack and were easy to share with others as well.

The small pieces (finely ridged rectangles with rounded corners) were thin enough to afford quick access to flavor. Each piece broke with a firm snap at room temperature (68 degrees F.).The smooth dark chocolate base contained tiny, crunchy sweet and salty crystals--just the right size to add flavor interest, but not too overwhelming in any given bite.

Flavor notes included: rich, dark chocolate (72% cacao) interspersed with very light malt, salt and caramel and very faint nutty flavors. 

The overall taste was relatively smooth, balanced and satisfying. And these petite dark pieces were not overly sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, glucose syrup, cream, sea salt, butter, low fat milk powder, sunflower lecithin, salt. 

Allergen-related information: "Contain milk." "Produced in a facility that also uses eggs, soy and tree nuts." "Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Kosher Dairy"

Valrhona - Oriado 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

 Chocolate of the Day

Valrhona 
Oriado 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.25 (US) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Bonjour and welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week, including (virtual) visits in France.

Today's Oriado 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valrhona (Tain L'Hermitage, France). Valrhona, founded by a pastry chef in the early 1920s, has continued to produce chocolate in the Rhone Valley in southeastern France since then. (In 1989 they opened a pastry and chocolate school.) 

As part of a virtual visit to the historic village of Tain, I (virtually) enjoyed a nice soup and lunch, a glass of Chauteuneuf-du-Pape,* and a chocolate dessert after a nice long walk past old stone buildings and up a hill with vineyard and river views. 

And how did today's featured Valrhona Oriado bar taste?

The cacao used to make this Valrhona Oriado bar was a blend of cacaos "sourced directly" from Peru and the Dominican Republic. (Fairly traded content: 99.6%.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: balanced tart citrus herbal green (oxalis,** sorrel, sour grass), chocolate cake and cocoa with vanilla marshmallow. (The citrus green note tended to recede a bit following each initial exposure, allowing the cocoa and vanilla notes to become more prominent.) 

This well-tempered chocolate broke with a firm snap. And the melt and texture were even and uniform.

The flavor notes were consistent with the aroma notes (above), with more pronounced rich, sweet chocolate (dark fudge cake) taste--and a pleasant red berry/blackberry note that blossomed about mid-way through. 

Flavors were well balanced, and relatively complex. Vanilla added a bit of mellow warmth (with very faint, fleeting vanilla tobacco smoke, earthy and leather notes) and implied (chocolate baked goods) sweetness. The flavors lingered a bit into a relatively clean finish. 

Overall this was an easy-to-like dark chocolate that was complex enough to be interesting, but well managed--making it well-suited to eating, as well as baking, chocolate confections, dark chocolate frosting/icing, or pastry making in general.

Maker's tasting notes: "Balanced, vanilla, sweet"

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa minimum, pure cocoa butter). Cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract. Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk). 

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

*Wine grapes associated with the Rhone Valley in France (not far from Valrhona HQ) include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier and Roussanne. 

Chateauneuf-du-Pape (translated: "Pope's new castle") is a blended wine unique to a very specific region (Chateauneuf commune area) in southeastern France--about 1.5 hours drive south of Tain L'Hermitage. 

This wine is typically a "blend" of three grape types/colors: black grapes (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and perhaps Cinsault, Counoise, Muscadin, Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Picardin Noir, Picpoul Noir), yellow grapes (Claret, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Buorboulenc, Picpoul and Picardin), and pink grapes (Picardin Gris, Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris and Picpoul Rose). 

**Note: oxalic acid is a natural component of cacao and can contribute to "citrus" notes being attributed to some chocolates.) 

Valrhona - Abinao 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Valrhona 
Abinao 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 (US) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Bonjour and welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week. Today's bar brings us (virtually) to France.

Today's Abinao 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valrhona (Tain L'Hermitage, France). Valrhona was founded by a pastry chef in the early 1920s. The company has continued to produce chocolate in the Rhone Valley near Lyon, in southeastern France since then. (In 1989 they opened a pastry and chocolate school.) 

As part of a virtual visit to the historic village of Tain, I'm enjoying a virtual drive through the wine country, admiring the rolling vine-covered green hills and views of the Rhone River. Also on the menu: an imaginary lunch at a brasserie and a local trail hike, after a stop at Valrhona.

And now on to tasting today's featured Valrhona bar...

Source-related text on the Valrhona Abinao bar packaging read: "100% of our cocoa is traceable from the producer." (While the country of origin was not specified for this Abinao bar, online research turned up the following: a blend of Forastero cacao(s), from Africa.) 

Aroma notes for this bar included: green, earthy, nutty, faint maple/brown sugar, and very faint floral, clean mineral and wood forest notes.

This well-tempered, attractively designed chocolate bar broke with a clean snap. It had an even melt and texture, with a slight tannic astringency beginning about 3/4 way through.

The flavor notes were consistent with the aroma notes above, with more pronounced rich chocolate-y (dark fudge brownie) taste. Flavors were well balanced, well managed and relatively complex and interesting. A moderate amount of smooth bitterness made it interesting and not too sweet (thank you). Vanilla added a bit of floral spice warmth and implied (chocolate baked goods) sweetness. The flavors lingered a bit into a relatively clean finish. 

If I were a pastry chef or chocolatier, and I wanted to rely on a sophisticated ultra-dark chocolate without deep dark surprises, I would likely enjoy working with this Abinao 85% chocolate. It also was pleasant to eat and relatively easy to pair with other foods and beverages.

Maker's tasting notes: "Bittersweet, woody, raw cocoa" "...Powerful and tannic dark chocolate." "Abinao 85% emphasizes a specific bitterness and exceptional long-lasting flavors."  

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa minimum, pure cocoa butter). Cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract. Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk). 

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

Giraudi - Pistacchi Sicilia Latte 36% Milk Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Giraudi S.r.l.
Pistacchi Sicilia - Latte 36% E Pistacchi Sicilia Intere Tostate
Sicilian Pistachio Milk Chocolate 36% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.)/ 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 273 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from family (Thank you David)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family (Andronico's, Los Altos, CA)

Welcome to Day #4 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Sicilian Pistachio - Milk Chocolate (36%) and Whole Toasted Sicilian Pistachio (bar) produced by Giraudi S.r.l. (Castellazzo Bormida (AL), Italy) was made in Italy and imported into the U.S. by Manicaretti (Oakland, CA). 

This chocolate was part of a family of Giraudi milk chocolate (36% cocoa) and dark chocolate (61% cocoa) bars with nuts. (Other flavors include hazelnut and almond versions of these bars.) 

Today's thick, sweet and creamy milk chocolate bar was studded with whole, toasted Sicilian pistachio nuts. Rich sweet chocolate flavor was nicely balanced by a healthy serving (20% of bar content) of these softly crunchy green nuts; and an upbeat touch of vanilla added sweet baked goods-style warmth.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, powdered whole milk, cocoa paste. Emulsifier: soy lecithine, natural vanilla flavour. Cocoa min. 36%), Pistachios from Sicily (20%). 

Allergen-related information: Contained: milk, soy (lecithin), tree nuts (pistachios). "It may contain traces of "other fruit with shell," sesame and peanuts." "Senza glutine - Gluten Free"

Giraudi - Mandorle Italia Latte 36% E Mandorle Italia Intere Tostate (bar) - Jan. 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Giraudi S.r.l.
Mandorle Italia - Latte 36% E Mandorle Italia Intere Tostate
Italy Almond - Milk Chocolate 36% with Whole Toasted Italian Almond (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 577 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from family (Thank you David)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family (Andronico's, Los Altos, CA)

Welcome to Day #3 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Mandorle Italia - Latte 36% E Mandorle Italia Intere Tostate (bar) produced by Giraudi S.r.l. (Castellazzo Bormida (AL), Italia) was made in Italy and imported into the U.S. by Manicaretti (Oakland, CA). 

This chocolate was part of a family of Giraudi milk chocolate (36% cocoa) and dark chocolate (61% cocoa) bars with nuts. (There are also hazelnut and pistachio versions of this bar.) I first became acquainted with Giraudi through their gianduja*/gianduia and gianduiotti (creamy and delicious Italian hazelnut chocolate) confections. 

Today's gluten free, thick, sweet and creamy milk chocolate bar embedded with whole crunchy almonds delivered. Rich sweet chocolate flavor was well balanced by a healthy serving (30% of content) of whole, toasted almonds and an upbeat touch of vanilla.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, powdered whole milk, cocoa paste. Emulsifier: soy lecithine, natural vanilla flavour. Cocoa min. 36%), Italian almonds (30%). 

Allergen-related information: Contained: milk, soy (lecithin), tree nuts (almonds). "It may contain traces of other fruit with shell, sesame and peanuts." "Senza glutine - Gluten Free"

*Gianduja is a northern Italian classic that came about in the 1800s as a result of war-time rationing during the reign of Napolean. (Cocoa was in short supply and was blended with hazelnut.) 

This heavenly chocolate and nut blend is now enjoyed in many parts of Europe and beyond. Turkey may be the world's largest producer of hazelnuts, but Italy can lay claim to creating gianduja--and the first versions of Nutella more than 170 years ago.

Nutella is a popular, sweetened (hazelnut, palm oil and skimmed milk) spread that may contain (depending on the country where it's distributed) less than 10% cocoa solids. It was first introduced in the 1960s by Ferrero S.P.A. (Italy). Giraudi offers their version of a chocolate and hazelnut spread.

Naive - Citrus Licorice Crunch Specialty Dark Chocolate 67% (bar) - Jan. 8, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Naive
(Mulate UAB)
Citrus Licorice Crunch Specialty Dark Chocolate 67% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Citrus/Lemon Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate European Holiday Theme Week--as we virtually tour the EU, via chocolates from makers and chocolatiers in several European countries.

Today's Citrus Licorice Crunch Specialty Dark Chocolate 67% (bar) from Chocolate Naive, produced by Mulate UAB (Vilnius, Lithuania). Chocolate maker and chocolatier Domantas Uzpalis is doing a great job representing artisan chocolates from Lithuania.

The aroma notes for this bar included: slightly earthy herby and citrus notes. The texture was smooth, almost creamy, interspersed with tiny, hard crunchy bits.

Flavor notes included: chocolate (rich, dark milk chocolate and caramel) with authentic, bittersweet licorice spice and mixed citrus (bright fruit and peel. (Note: there was no milk in this chocolate.)

The citrus included a blend of less sweet Lisbon and Eureka lemons*, sweeter (more mandarin orange-like) Meyer lemons, and oranges. 

The results: an integrated, creative, kaleidoscope of three relatively strong flavors--each one capable of capturing (or competing for) the limelight. Happily the ringmaster (chocolate maker) skillfully managed and balanced all three authentic, high-quality flavor elements.

Chocolate Naive tasting notes: "This bar is not for everyone but it leaves no one indifferent. The deep and complex flavors of crunchy licorice combine with multilayered taste of chocolate, while fresh and bright citruses act like a bridge and connects all tempermental aromas into one. Just give it a minute and you will find out for yourself." 

Beverage pairing suggestions: "... gin..." (Also)..."It's characteristic notes contrast well with the complex smoky, firewood and fruity elements of...mescal.")

Ingredients: Specialty cacao*, cane sugar*, pure cacao butter*, licorice extract* (5%), dried lemon* (1%), dried orange* (1%), sea salt. (* wild or all-natural farming) 

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of treenuts, peanuts, wheat or milk."

*Lemons originated in Asia, but by 200 A.D. were already being cultivated in Mediterranean regions. Today there are dozens of varieties of lemon (Citrus limon, citrus x limon), ranging from bitter to sweet, from sour and acidic to mild and floral, from puckery to lightly tangy. Lemons, like cacao, are versatile and can be found in savory and sweet dishes (as well as beverages and sauces) around the globe. 

 

Zotter - In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter

In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good +

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

Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $7.99 (free shipping, part of larger order)

Purchased from: Zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week--and Day #1 of Chocolate European Holiday Theme Week. Covid-19 may prevent travel, but a virtual trip is possible with a selection of European chocolates.*

Today's In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) from Zotter Chocolates was made from bean-to-bar in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates USA LLC (Fort Myers, FL). 

The company offers a very wide variety of bars. This Lemon bar is bar of a series of fruit-infused ("In-Fusion") bars. Fruit flavors in this line amplify natural, complex fruit notes already found in chocolate (including citrus, berry, tropical and/or stone fruits). 

The aroma notes for this chocolate included: citrus and tart, lemony, green herb (sorrel, oxalis, sour grass).

Cocoa butter gave this bar "a tender melt." And when combined with milk, these two ingredients yielded a uniform, creamy texture.

Flavor notes included: relatively mild, milky 60% dark chocolate with complex lemon. Smooth, sweet lemon that blossomed into lemonade, and finally resolved into tart, bittersweet lemon. (Freeze-dried powdered lemons were fully incorporated into the chocolate to create a "lemon couverture" that would impart natural lemon aroma and taste.)

Those who enjoy a smooth chocolate experience with bright, shimmering lemon overtones may enjoy this stylish, circle-shaped bar. 

Ingredients: Organic, fair traded cane sugar; organic, fair traded cocoa mass; organic, fair traded cocoa butter; organic lemon powder: 4% (organic lemon juice concentrate, organic corn starch, organic sugar); dry skim milk; organic soy lecithin; organic vanilla bean powder; salt

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

*Thank you also to all the people, and the international chocolate supply chain, that allow us to obtain chocolates from/made in Europe.

Zotter Tangerine, Matcha, and Coconut dark chocolate (bar) - Jan. 6, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Tangerine, Matcha, and Coconut Dark Chocolate 70% (filled bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotterusa.com, online order

Guten tag (good day) and welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Tangerine, Matcha, and Coconut bar from Zotter (Austria) was made in Austria (from bean-to-bar at their in-house factory) and distributed by Zotter Chocolates USA LLC (Fort Myers, FL). 

The team at Zotter* know how to celebrate chocolate by creatively embracing a parade of flavors that pair well with chocolate. The company offers a wide variety* of intricately layered ("hand-scooped") filled bars that contain two or more layers of festive flavors. (And who doesn't need a bit of citrus fun in January?) Today's bar contained "tangerine jelly," green tea ganache, and coconut praline, and was covered in smooth, 70% dark chocolate.

All the company's bars are adorned with the beautiful graphic illustrations (by artist Andreas H. Gratze) and occasionally (like today's bar) a bit of gold lettering--making Zotter bars make attractive chocolate gifts.

Aroma notes for this filled bar included: coconut macaroon, chocolate (drinking chocolate/hot cocoa) and faint citrus. 

The layering of flavors allowed for full appreciation of each individual filling flavor element, as well as enjoyment of their combined taste. The tart-sweet tangerine and green tea accent flavors were complementary and livened up the coconut and chocolate layers. A dark chocolate exterior helped balance the sweetness.

Helpful tasting tip: Zotter recommends enjoying chocolates at room temperature, as you might with a fine red wine. Dark chocolate at 77 degrees (F.)/25 degrees (C.); milk chocolate at 72 degrees (F.)/22.2 degrees (C.); and white chocolate at 68 degrees (F.)/20 degrees (C.).

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, organic cocoa mass, organic cocoa butter, organic tangerine concentrate, organic glucose syrup, organic toasted coconut, organic rice drink powder (rice, sunflower oil, salt), organic soy powder (organic soybeans, organic maltodextrin, organic corn syrup), organic coconut blossom sugar, organic coconut oil, organic lemon juice concentrate, organic green tea powder, gelling agent: apple pectin, organic vanilla bean powder, salt, organic soy lecithin, organic orange oil, organic star anise, organic cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy." "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, and sesame." "Vegan" "USDA Organic", "Fair Traded 61% (website)"

*Josef Zotter and his daughter Julia Zotter have created literally hundreds of different flavors. They are committed to creating innovative, organic, bean-to-bar and fair trade chocolates.

Honey Mama's - Tahini Tangerine (bar) - Jan. 5, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Honey Mama's
Tahini Tangerine (bar)
(Nectar Foods, Inc.)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Honey Mama's Tahini Tangerine (bar) was from Nectar Foods, Inc. (Portland, OR). Made in Portland, this bar was low in bitterness and acidity and high in flavor(s) and texture.

The aroma notes for this chilled* bar included balanced, authentic citrus (tangerine), nutty, rich chocolate honey cake/cookie.

The aromatic tangerine note was more detectable in the aroma than in the flavor. This is usually (but not always the case) for authentic flavor inclusions, and as the chocolate takes more of a front seat in the taste that follows.

Tasting this bar revealed stronger chocolate notes (honey-sweetened fudge brownie) with wee, crunchy sparkles of sea salt, chewy cocoa nibs, faint undercurrents of nutty sesame (tahini), and citrus (tangerine). All these flavors were well balanced and harmonized nicely.

Ingredients: Organic, raw honey, organic sesame seeds, organic unrefined coconut oil, organic alkalized cocoa powder, organic cacao nibs, Himalayan pink salt, vanilla, tangerine oil.

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts: coconut"..."Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age." "No preservatives"..."Keep it Cool. This nourishing treat melts at 72 degrees F" (Farenheit) / 22.2 degrees C (Celsius). Note: this also contained sesame.

*Due largely to a relatively low melting point (of coconut oil), Honey Mama's series of honey-sweetened bars that I've purchased have all been chilled. I've found them in/near dairy/produce sections (refrigerated shelves) in stores. 

Raaka - Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate 
Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY). 

The company offers a bounty of bean-to-bar chocolates using unroasted (single origin) cacao. Today's bar was made using cacao from Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania.

This Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed chocolate had pleasant, sweet, slightly fruity (berry) cake/muffin aroma notes; and it was uniform and smooth in texture. 

The flavors did indeed mirror a blueberry lemon poppy seed scone or muffin. And the ingredients* list was plain and simple. Flavors were subtle and authentic, and not too sweet (thank you!).

Tasting notes: "We grind wild blueberries into Tanzanian cacao, then swirl in a lemon, vanilla, and poppy seed strewn vegan white chocolate. An ode the lemon poppy seed scone."

*Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic blueberries, organic coconut, organic lemon, organic poppy seeds, organic sunflower lecithin, organic vanilla bean"

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free"

Raaka - Lemon Coconut Meringue Unroasted Dark Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar) - Jan. 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka 
Lemon Coconut Meringue Unroasted Dark Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week. 

Today's Lemon Coconut Meringue Unroasted Dark Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY). The company offers an impressive array of chocolate bars with flavor inclusions, made with single origin, unroasted cacao.

The cacao for this bar came from Zorzal Cacao, Dominican Republic. From what I could detect (from the mix of flavor notes), this was a smooth, deep dark chocolate base. The second ingredient of this bar was organic cane sugar, but the chocolate was remarkably un-sweet for a 56% bar. (A combination of buckwheat flour and coconut milk powder may have helped dampen the sugar.)

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: an aroma with slightly earthy coconut cookie/pie crust with faint dark chocolate and lemon/citrus. The flavors did evoke a less sweet pie--a bit of bright, authentic lemon meringue filling + subtle but pervasive coconut and coconut pie crust. Very small amounts of vanilla and cinnamon added warmth and very subtle pie flavors.

Tasting notes/description: "Citrus Coconut Pie" ".....Earthy buckwheat reminds us of the gluten free pie crust."

Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic coconut milk powder (coconut milk, tapioca maltodextrin), organic cacao butter, organic buckwheat flour, organic lemon, organic vanilla bean, organic cinnamon."

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free"

Oodaalolly - 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Calamansi (bar) - Jan. 2, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Oodaalolly 

70% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Calamansi (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 228 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Oodaalolly, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week.

Today's 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Calamansi (bar) was crafted using cacao from the Philippines and "Swiss technique." Oodaalolly (El Cerrito, CA) specializes in small batch chocolate(s) made with cacao from the Philippines.

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: sweet, subtly aromatic dark chocolate with faint notes of sweet citrus, very faint vanilla spice tobacco.

The texture and melt were smooth, and relatively creamy for a non-dairy bar.

This well-tempered, three-ingredient chocolate had flavor notes that included: sweet, smooth relatively dark chocolate with tart and tangy citrus and very faint vanilla tobacco notes. The base chocolate was fairly low in acid and bitterness, making the addition of a citrus element more pleasing and part of a well balanced whole.

Maker's tasting notes: "Smooth with a tangy finish"

Ingredients: Cacao beans, unrefined cane sugar, powdered calamansi (calamansi and maltodextrin)

Allergen-related information: (None found on packaging.)

*Calamansi (Citrus x microcarpa) is a hybrid citrus fruit cultivated primarily in the Philippines. (It's also found in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Southern China and East Asia.) The calamansi, also known as calamondin, Philippine lime, or Philippine lemon, may be a cross between a kumquat and a mandarin orange. The fruit (that looks like a small lime) is often used in cooking and in sauces/marinades and preserves.

Jasper + Myrtle - Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Milk Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Jasper + Myrtle
Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: "441 kj" in 1/2 bar (per label)
Cost: $9.75 + summer shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

G'day. Happy New Year. And welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week. 

Today's Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Milk Chocolate (bar) was created by Jasper + Myrtle (Fyshwick, Canberra, Australia). 

The two co-owners (Li Peng and Peter) of this family business source their cacao beans from Bougainville, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Bars with added flavors (inclusions like today's) feature items that are grown/found in Australia.

The aroma notes for this bar included: lemon herb (a combination of lemon, lemongrass and lemon-lime), and sweet, nutty milk chocolate.

Flavor notes in this smooth, dark, milk chocolate included, most notably, the lemon myrtle, which was similar to lemon-forward herbs/plants* such as lemon balm (a member of the mint family), and lemongrass. This mild, aromatic lemon flavor was pleasantly present, but without being too overwhelming. 

The macadamia was very subtle, and well integrated, adding a mild, nutty quality to the milk chocolate. (Two tiny nut pieces confirmed the presence of these nuts. I'm assuming the nuts were finely ground, possibly into a nut butter, or were mechanically incorporated into warm, pre-tempered chocolate--further reducing particle size and melding the two flavors.)

While all these very complementary flavors were well balanced and blended, it was difficult to pick out the nuances of the PNG cacao. (Happily, Jasper + Myrtle also offer PNG single origin chocolates/bars without flavor inclusions. I look forward to trying those too in the future.)

Maker's tasting notes: "An indulgent combination of classic Australian flavours; subtle, silky and fragrant"

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans, cocoa butter, milk powder, lemon myrtle leaves, macadamia, sugar"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of sesame. Allergen advice: contains milk and macadamia nuts."

*Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is a shrub/tree found in coastal, subtropical rainforests in Australia (Queensland, NSW). Indigenous people first used lemon myrtle as a food and a medicinal plant. The leaves have lemon, lemongrass, lemon-lime notes, and are used to flavor savory dishes as well as sweet desserts.

What made the lemon myrtle seem immediately familiar was: Citral, a naturally-occurring compound in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, lemon balm, as well as lemon and orange peels. Citral gives these plants a similar lemony-citrus (almost floral) green herb flavor.