Friday, April 29, 2022

Exquisito Chocolates - Hacienda Victoria Ecuador Direct Trade 63% (bar) - Apr. 29, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates
Hacienda Victoria Ecuador Direct Trade 63% (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar (part of larger order)
Purchased from: Good Foods Marketplace/Exquisito online order

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

Today's Hacienda Victoria Ecuador Direct Trade 63% (bar) was from Exquisito Chocolates (Little Havana, Miami, FL). The company offers a line of confections and bars, including bean-to-bar, single origin chocolates. 

The aroma for today's chocolate: smooth, dark milk chocolate with nut, cream, caramel and true chocolate notes.

The fine-flavor cacao used to make this dark milk 63% bar was from Hacienda Victoria (farm) in Ecuador. The resulting chocolate had a smooth texture and melt, and a true dark milk chocolate flavor with subtle caramel and faint, fleeting cafe latte notes. (There was also a perfumed cardboard note that I believe was picked up during the shipping/handling process.)

The sweetness was balanced and the ingredient list for this single origin bar was relatively short (4 ingredients) for a milk chocolate bar. (Thank you.) I liked the choice of unrefined cane sugar that, along with the milk, imparted a slight toffee/caramel note.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, unrefined cane sugar, cocoa butter, milk

Allergen-related information: Contained milk. (No other information listed on package.)

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Exquisito Chocolates - Almond Gosh! Dark Chocolate with Almonds 73% (bar) - Apr. 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates
Almond Gosh! Dark Chocolate with Almonds 73% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Exquisito Chocolates, online order

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

Today's Almond Gosh! Dark Chocolate with Almonds (bar) was from Exquisito Chocolates (Little Havana, Miami, FL). The company offers a line of confections and bars. They source cacao to make bean-to-bar chocolate from multiple origins (including Ecuador, Haiti, and Colombia).

Aroma notes for this Ecuador bar included dark chocolate with very faint green, nut and very faint, fleeting roasted coffee.

Smooth, rich dark chocolate (pudding/mousse, nut brownie) flavor was interspersed with crunchy, satisfying, malty-nutty almond bits. 

The chocolate also had an appealing finish with more true chocolate, delicate molasses, and roasted and nut notes rounding out the taste experience.

Hats off to the maker. The choice of 73% cacao dark chocolate for this high-end chocolate and nut blend seemed perfect. The chocolate was not too sweet (thank you); and the chocolate was also smooth and chocolate-y, yet rich, enough to appeal to many palettes. (Nothing scary for milk chocolate lovers.)

Ingredients: Cacao beans, unrefined cane sugar, cocoa butter, almond

Allergen-related information: Contained nuts (almonds). (No information listed on package.)

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Moku Chocolate - Dark Milk Camino Verde Ecuador 60% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 27, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moku Chocolate
Dark Milk Camino Verde Ecuador 60% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (22.5 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.75 (approx.) for 1 bar (part of a larger order - $35 for 4 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order  

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

Today's Dark Milk Camino Verde Ecuador 60% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was hand-crafted from bean to bar in Oregon by Moku Chocolate (Philomath, OR).

What and where is Camino Verde (Spanish for green path or road)? Many single origin Ecuador chocolate bars use cacao from this privately owned-cacao fermentary (outside the city of Guayaquil). Camino Verde owner and fermentation expert Vicente Norero coaxes many fine flavors out of the cacao beans he receives from Ecuadorian cacao farms/farmers.

Aroma notes for this bar included (in order of appearance): faint, fleeting green-lemon herb (oxalis, sour grass, sorrel), barely there warm spice/molasses, caramel, and dark milk chocolate.

The well-tempered chocolate broke with a snap (at room temperature, 65 degrees F.), and it had a pleasing, uniformly smooth texture.

This sweet and creamy, relatively flavorful dark milk chocolate had caramel/toffee, very faint, fleeting popcorn, faint nut, faint floral, and delicate, tart-sweet, stone-fruit/honey notes. A faint, barely-there wisp of earth gracefully surfaced for a few seconds in the finish. 

This was a high-end, sweet chocolate. Thankfully the sugar was balanced by a subtle array of 60% cacao, single origin chocolate flavors and rich caramel and milk/cream tones.

Maker's tasting notes: "Chocolate, malt, cream, and toasted almonds."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic A2/A2 milk powder

Allergen-related information: "non-GMO, gluten free"

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Moku Chocolate - Ecuador Camino Verde 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 26, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moku Chocolate
Ecuador Camino Verde 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .8 oz. (22.5 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.75 (approx.) for 1 bar ($35 for 4 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order  

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

Today's Ecuador Camino Verde 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was hand-crafted from bean to bar by Moku Chocolate (Philomath, OR). The maker's description of this chocolate follows:

"Ecuador is home to the heirloom Nacional cacao varietal which is famous for its floral aroma and flavor. The cacao used to make this chocolate comes from Camino Verde, a sustainable farm and fermentary in Ecuador. Camino Verde's expert fermentation techniques help to bring out distinct flavor profiles."

Aroma notes included true chocolate (dark chocolate cake, fudge), light molasses, green floral, and warm floral spice. In the aroma was the implied promise of a pleasing, flavorful dark chocolate experience. 

Flavor notes for this smooth, well-tempered bar included: slightly tart sweet, true chocolate (fudge brownie) and floral. The 70% single origin Ecuador dark chocolate was relatively intense (very faint, well-managed, almost sharp/acidic earth (peat) note) with an appealing complexity.

To have a relatively bold, slightly acidic, chocolate like this with floral notes still intact was a pleasure. The floral notes and a natural, almost honeyed, sweetness were balanced by the boldness of the dark chocolate.

Maker's tasting notes: "Floral, honey, fudge."

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

Allergen-related information: "vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free"

Monday, April 25, 2022

Dandelion Chocolate - 100% Camino Verde, Ecuador (bar) - Apr. 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dandelion Chocolate
100% Camino Verde, Ecuador
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's single origin, single ingredient 100% Camino Verde, Ecuador (bar) was made by Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA). 

Rich, layered aroma with tart sweet fruit (apple, stone fruit - peach, very faint cherry), subtle molasses, warm spice, very faint green floral notes. and faint brown fruit (date, dried persimmon, very faint fruit vinegar).

This 100% bar had a thick, substantial texture at room temperature (65 degrees F. / 18 degrees C.).

Though the overall taste will strike some as bitter, or even a tad sour, this ultra-dark chocolate offered rich and complex dark flavor depth, like a fine stout or porter.* 

Do savor a small square of this chocolate slowly to taste this full ebony-dark palette untainted and un-brightened by sugar. There was a dark roast quality to this chocolate without it actually tasting roasted. (A unilateral dark roast would likely have destroyed some of the more nuanced botanical and green notes.)

Flavor notes, in order of appearance, included: earth, mellow green seed/nut and other very faint green floral/botanical notes, subtle baked biscuit (yeast bread), clean mineral, green waxy plant, hops and malt, and other elusive elements (possibly a barely there glimmer of dark/sour fruit acidity, and relatively pleasing edible leaves (artichoke). 

The chocolate had a long finish that lasted for at least four minutes, and conjured up imaginary notions of an Edam/Cheddar cheese plate with unsalted nuts, dried fruit--with an ultra-dark beer, with a porter-spiked, 100% chocolate, barely sweetened, beer fruit cake for dessert. Quite a fantasy meal from just the first few bites of chocolate.

The cacao beans (harvested in 2019) used to make this 100% bar "were grown by producers all around Ecuador and were fermented by Vicente Norero near Guayaquil."

Dandelion makers' tasting notes: "...Eric visited Camino Verde (translation: green road) in 2016, and was impressed by the unique fermentation process. In this bar we taste notes of creme fraiche, black coffee, and roasted peanuts."

Ingredients: Cocoa beans

Allergen-related information: "Contains no dairy, gluten, nuts, or soy." "May contain trace amounts of sugar."

*Think 1 part stout with "chocolate" malt, 1 part porter, with a dash of lambic perhaps.


Sunday, April 24, 2022

Laderach - 70% Ecuador grand cru noir (tablet) - Apr. 24, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Laderach Chocolatier Suisse
70% Ecuador grand cru noir
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32 g.) / 2.3 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 186 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.90 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Laderach retail store, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

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

Ecuador produces a variety of cacao varieties (Forastero, Amelonado, Trinitario, Criollo, and more) for chocolate makers to work with, so this Ecuador-themed chocolate week spans a variety of chocolate aromas and flavors.

Today's 70% Ecuador grand cru noir (tablet/bar) was from Laderach Chocolatier Suisse (Ennenda, Switzerland). 

This attractively packaged, single origin bar--made with cacao from "northern Ecuador"--was purchased in a local Lauderach chocolate shop in northern California. 

Aroma notes included: subtle, sweet dark chocolate, with very faint warm spice and green-lemon herb (oxalis/sour grass, wood sorrel).

This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap and had a very smooth, almost creamy melt and mouthfeel.

The overall/initial flavor was very chocolatey (brownie batter/fresh-baked, moist brownies) with faint, fleeting green-lemon herb (oxalis), warm floral spice (vanilla) and light earth notes. (I'm guessing this 70% dark chocolate was made using a Forastero/Amelonado cacao variety(ies).)

The cacao flavors were balanced with a moderate, well-managed complexity. 

Ingredients: Cocoa paste, sugar, cocoa butter, Natural Flavors.

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


Saturday, April 23, 2022

Kaitxo - Txokolate Con Leche - Regaliz y Violetas - Apr. 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Kaitxo
Txokolate Con Leche - Regaliz y Violetas
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 2.4 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Txokolate Con Leche Regaliz y Violetas (Milk Chocolate Liquorice and Violets) bar was made in Spain by Kaitxo Kraft Basque Txokolate (Balmaseda, Spain).

Chocolate almost always has an international story to tell. This bar included ingredients from at least two different continents. European licorice is some of the best--made from licorice root from Europe and Asia. Edible violets/viola flowers can be found in Europe, North America and elsewhere. And the cacao used to make this bar was grown in Peru, according to the packaging.

The chocolate smelled at its best and most intriguing after being open for a few minutes. (Like some fine wines, some higher-end, craft and single origin chocolates can benefit from being allowed to "breathe" a bit after first being opened.) Aroma notes included: chocolate (clay soil, light nut and wood, chocolate-y), light floral (violet, vanilla) and very faint herbal (root) notes. 

Smooth, creamy milk chocolate was punctuated by crunchy, sugary violet flower (candied violet) bits.

This milk chocolate bar had a pleasing, harmonic complexity. Skillfully made, the sweet slightly earthy, nutty chocolate was balanced by the somewhat "darker" licorice (liquorice) root flavor and brightened by the subtle floral notes from the candied violets. A faint hint of uplifting vanilla added warmth. 

The end result was a subtle undulation of flavors that served as a fitting celebration of spring, temperate rain forests, gardens, and chocolate + botanical blends--all on my list of favorite things. 

This bar would also be a fun gift, especially for those who appreciate flavors like root beer and authentic licorice root. The licorice was important, but relatively subtle and well-managed in this bar.

Ingredients: Sugar, powdered milk, cacao, cacao butter, emulsifier (soya lecithin), vanilla extract, liquorice (2%), and violets (1%).

Allergen-related information: "May contains (sic) traces of peanuts, tree nuts and soy, wheat and milk products."


Friday, April 22, 2022

Homemade - Chocolate Vanilla Rose Milk - Apr. 22, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate
58% Cacao Organic Semisweet Chocolate Baking Bar
Good + 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113.5 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) (2 squares) 
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's homemade chocolate, vanilla and rose milk beverage was based on squares of a 58% Organic Semisweet Chocolate Baking Bar--made for Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate (Madison, WI). 

A few times a year I make/create homemade chocolate items (brownies, confections, desserts, beverages, entrees, side dishes, etc.). Today's beverage blend was one of those days. 

I used this relatively bold 58% Cacao Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate to add rich flavor to a vanilla milk and rosewater beverage (fancy chocolate milk). 

I first gently heated Organic A2/A2 Vanilla Milk (whole milk) from Alexandre Family Farms (Crescent City, CA), and stirred in 2 squares of today's dark chocolate. After cooling and chilling this mixture (with one small, dried tart cherry), I stirred in several drops of rosewater before drinking. Because this was a relatively flavorful dark chocolate, I had to add a bit more milk as I went, so the rosewater would be detectable.

The chocolate (by itself) had faint warm spice (cinnamon) and vanilla-botanical (very faint green and floral botanical) notes and a rich, true chocolate (brownie) flavor. (Cacao source was identified as "small family-owned farms in South America" on packaging.)

This organic baking chocolate made for a good eating chocolate. After tasting this, I felt this would have been great for chocolate brownies with cinnamon. In fact, upon closer examination, the inner packaging included a recipe for "Artisan Kettle Mexican Hot Chocolate Spicy Brownies." This, intuitively, seemed like a great match with/for this chocolate.

Ingredients (in base chocolate used): Organic fair trade certified chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar, organic fair trade certified cocoa butter, organic fair trade certified cocoa butter, organic sunflower lecithin, organic vanilla extract.

Allergen-related information for all four ingredients used to make this homemade beverage. 
  • Artisan Kettle 58% dark chocolate bar: "Manufactured in a peanut and tree nut free facility." (vegan, dairy free, soy free, nut free, gluten free, GMO free)
  • Alexandre Family Farms Organic A2/A2 Vanilla Milk: Contains milk.
  • Surabhi - Gulabjal Fresh Rose Water: (contains "preservative")
  • 1 small dried tart cherry - left to infuse in the beverage blend overnight (contains sunflower oil)


Theo Chocolate - Peach Blossom and Chai Tea pieces - Apr. 21, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Peach Blossom White Tea Ganache - Good ++ - Good +++
Chai Tea Ganache - Good ++
Weight: .84 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total box of 4 pcs.
Calories: 120 calories in 2 pieces 
Cost: $10.99 for 1 box of 4 chocolates 
Purchased from: FarmFresh to You, online order

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

Today's Peach Blossom Tea and Chai Tea Ganache chocolates, 2 pieces from a 4-piece Spring Tea Ganache Collection, were from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

Peach Blossom White Tea Ganache
The aroma for this confection was an uplifting blend of fruit (dried pear and apricot) and floral (fragrant stone fruit blossoms) notes. 

A dark chocolate shell surrounded a soft but substantial (think cold butter), creamy ganache center.

The taste was a celebration of spring flavors, including relatively bold, faintly earthy dark chocolate, with surprisingly un-muted floral (a blend of stone-fruit blossoms and orange blossoms) and tart sweet fruit (apricot, pear, loquat, peach) notes. The relatively small dose of sugar in this confection resulted in clearer, more accessible flavors. 

The delicate white tea was more of a hidden contributor, and seemed the perfect choice and delicate foil for these other flavors.

Chai Tea Ganache

Aroma notes included: chai tea spices (star anise and other warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger) and chocolate.

The dark chocolate veneer gave way to a velvety soft, ebony-colored dark ganache.

As with the other pieces in this Spring Collection assortment the tea-infused ganache was enrobed in the same smooth, yet bold dark covering with a well-managed earth note. This cacao choice* helped balance out the clear, naturally sweet floral and fruit notes--miraculously, not eclipsing them in the process. 

Big thanks to Theo Chocolate for these skillfully orchestrated, Spring-inspired filled chocolates, with a relatively light touch of sugar. The clarity and access to the authentic floral, tea and fruit flavor inclusions was very satisfying. 

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cacao beans; organic, fair trade cane sugar; peach blossom infused cream (organic cream, organic peach blossom tea (organic white tea, organic quince, natural peach flavor, organic peaches, essential orange oil, essential tangerine oil), and possibly organic whole milk powder, organic butter, organic nonfat milk powder, honey, organic lemon juice). For more detailed/specific information, please contact Theo Chocolate. 

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk.) "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, and sesame."

*According to information available on the Theo Chocolate website, the cacao was sourced in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the sugar was sourced in Brazil.


 

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Theo Chocolate - Hibiscus Herbal Tea Chocolate - Apr. 20, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Hibiscus Herbal Tea Chocolate
Good +
Weight: .42 oz. (12 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total 4-pc. collection 
Calories: 60 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $10.99 for 1 4-pc. collection
Purchased from: FarmFresh to You, online order

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

Today's Hibiscus Herbal Tea Ganache chocolate was from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). It was part of a 4-piece Spring Tea Ganache Collection. This small box held a flavorful dark assortment that showcased floral tea flavors, including jasmine, hibiscus and peach blossom.

The rectangular, filled dark chocolate (Democratic Republic of Congo cacao*) was adorned with an attractive, fine line of what may have been powdered (freeze-dried, magenta-colored) hibiscus and sugar. 

Aroma notes included: red fruit, faint floral, very light herbal/root, and chocolate notes.

Texturally, the dark chocolate shell/coating was smooth. And the filling inside was a light, almost whipped, light beige-mauve colored ganache.

Tasting notes for this piece included: subtle red fruit (tart cherry); dark, very slightly earthy, relatively bold dark chocolate (that lingered into a relatively long finish for a confection); root/herbal (faint, delicate root beer), faint, tart sweet red floral (hibiscus), and faint honey. 

I enjoyed the complexity in this balanced and flavorful filled chocolate; bold dark chocolate helped balance the sweetness. And a judicious amount of sugar helped to let more delicate floral tea and other flavors shine through.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cacao beans; organic, fair trade cane sugar; hibiscus tea infused cream (organic cream, organic hibiscus tea (organic hibiscus flowers)), organic fair trade cocoa butter, and possibly organic whole milk powder, organic butter and organic nonfat milk. (For an exact list of specific ingredients on this Hibiscus chocolate, please contact Theo Chocolate.)

Allergen-related information: (Contains dairy (cream, milk).) "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, and sesame."

*According to information on the Theo Chocolate website, the cacao used to make the dark chocolate couverture/shells for this Spring Tea 4-piece Ganache Collection was from/sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and the sugar was from/sourced in Brazil.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Theo Chocolate - Spring Tea Collection - Jasmine Tea Ganache - Apr. 19, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Jasmine Tea Ganache 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .42 oz. (12 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total box of 4 pieces
Calories: .42 oz. (12 g.) in 1 piece
Cost: $10.99 for 1 box of 4 pieces
Purchased from: FarmFresh to You, online order

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

Today's Jasmine Tea Ganache chocolate confection was part of a 4-piece Spring Tea Collection (assortment) from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). Each of the four flavors were enrobed in dark chocolate and contained a different tea-infused, ganache filling.

The aroma: rich dark chocolate laced with aromatic jasmine, was exactly as promised.

The silky smooth dark chocolate interior (ganache)--a blend of dark and milk* chocolate--was covered in a firmer dark chocolate shell.

This enjoyably complex, dark confection had a lovely jasmine floral tea flavor from start to finish (thank you)--even though it was surrounded by bold dark chocolate (think Forastero variety cacao) that had balanced earth and dark brownie batter notes--mirroring the image of April flowers springing forth from rich, dark soil outside my window.

A judicious amount of sugar allowed the complementary bittersweet (intense cacao and sweet floral) flavors to shine through. This Jasmine chocolate would be a treat for dark chocolate and botanical/floral fans who normally find confections/filled chocolates too sweet.

According to Theo Chocolate's website: Cacao for this collection was sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and sugar for this collection was sourced in Brazil.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade Cocoa beans; organic, fair trade cane sugar; jasmine tea-infused cream (organic cream, organic jasmine tea (green tea with jasmine))* -- and possibly organic whole milk powder, organic butter, organic nonfat milk powder and honey. (For a complete list of ingredients for each flavor in this collection, contact Theo Chocolate.)

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk.) "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, and sesame."

*Cream in the filling (ganache) served as a "carrier" for the jasmine tea. Flavors are often infused into cream, and then incorporated into chocolates. Cream is much easier to blend with chocolate than water. (Ground cacao beans have a fairly high fat content and are naturally hydrophobic, i.e., they don't easily mix with or dissolve in water. A vat of melted chocolate can "seize up" when water is added.)


Monday, April 18, 2022

Ritter Sport - Raspberry and Rose Limited Edition (bar) - April 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport
Raspberry and Rose Limited Edition (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 209.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Limited Edition Ritter Sport Raspberry and Rose (bar) was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany).

Ritter's description for this bar: "Milk chocolate with a yogurt and raspberry filling and raspberry granules refined with rose oil."

I like cacao varieties that have naturally-occurring floral aroma and flavor notes. However, cacao floral notes can be very faint and fleeting; and these delicate notes are easily lost during the chocolate-making process (when cacao beans are roasted, ground, conched, refined, etc.). 

I've been looking forward to sampling chocolates with added floral flavors this week. 

Today's 4x4 (16 squares) bar contained enough rose oil to impart a floral scent that extended throughout the tasting experience. (Very appropriate given we're experiencing a spring explosion of beautiful roses this week where I live.)

The milk chocolate had a smooth texture with a relatively slow, thick/stiff melt at room temperature (68 degrees F.). (The bar contained added palm fat and cocoa butter.) This smoothness was punctuated with tiny bursts--slightly crunchy granules--of bright, tart-sweet, red raspberry.

This sweet, milk chocolate confection of a bar was sweet enough that it was difficult to pick out cacao flavor note nuances. All three flavors: (chocolate, rose and raspberry) were represented in a balanced, complementary way, and were authentic-tasting. I could smell and taste light floral (rose) all the way through. As well as red fruit and milk chocolate.

Ingredients: sugar, certified sustainable palm fat, cocoa butter, yogurt powder (cultured nonfat milk), chocolate liquor, milk, lactose (milk), skim milk, cream, butterfat (milk), maltodextrin, glucose syrup, concentrated raspberry juice, raspberries, raspberry puree, soy lecithin, lemon juice concentrate, rose oil.

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

Sunday, April 17, 2022

Shekoh Confections - Raspberry Rose - Apr. 17, 2022

 Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Raspberry Rose
Good ++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) for one piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $4.45 (estimate) for 1 piece (part of a 5-piece box)
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week. Happy Easter to all who celebrate. 

Today's Raspberry Rose filled chocolate confection was created by accomplished Chef Shekoh Moossavi, who recently opened Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

Chef Moossavi offers a line of skillfully-made, attractive, high-end, filled chocolate confections.

Raspberry Rose

This beautiful red, shiny, domed confection held a blend of flavors that included bold dark chocolate, tart-sweet red raspberry and floral rose--all complementary, and echoing naturally occurring notes that can be found in cacao.

The outer dark chocolate shell was smooth in texture and relatively intense with a slight earth note. Inside was a layered ganache (filling) with a red raspberry fruit layer at the base that gently bloomed in my mouth. The touch of authentic rose flavor was lovely.

This balanced confection was not too sweet, allowing flavors to shine. Thank you.

Shekoh does not use preservatives, so enjoy while fresh and store these chocolates in a cool, dark place.

Ingredients: (None listed on small box)

Allergen-related information: (None listed on small box)


 

Shekoh Confections - Persian Rose - Apr. 16, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Persian Rose
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: .39 oz. (11 g.) (estimate) for one piece
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $4.45 (estimate) for 1 piece (part of a 5-piece box)
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Persian Rose filled chocolate confection was created by accomplished Chef Shekoh Moossavi, who recently opened Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

Chef Moossavi offers a line of skillfully-made, attractive, high-end, filled chocolate confections.

Persian Rose

This lovely heart-shaped confection was beautiful, from start to finish, a true gift for the senses. The appearance was elevated with a velvety soft red exterior (finish). (Note: be careful handling or plating these as this delicate finish may rub off easily.) 

This multi-layered chocolate had a faint, pleasing caramel note in the aroma. 

The outer (chocolate) shell surrounded a white chocolate ganache (filling) infused with beautiful and authentic rose flavor, topped with a raspberry-colored pate de fruit/gel layer. It was very good.

Shekoh does not use preservatives, so enjoy while fresh and store these chocolates in a cool, dark place.

Ingredients: (None listed on small box)

Allergen-related information: (None listed on small box)


 

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Ocho Candy - Egg shaped milk chocolate with Peanut Butter filling - Apr. 15, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ocho Candy, Inc.
Egg shaped milk chocolate with Peanut Butter filling
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package of 10 eggs
Calories: 340 calories in 6 eggs (2 servings)
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 package of 10 eggs
Purchased from: FarmFresh To You, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's package of Certified Organic, Egg shaped milk chocolate(s) with (a) Peanut Butter filling were distributed by Ocho Candy, Inc. (Oakland, CA) and made in ("Product of") Trinidad and Tobago.

Tis' the season...Spring and Easter. Cue the chocolate eggs.

These individually-wrapped, chocolate and peanut butter eggs had an appealing chocolate and peanut candy aroma* and flavor.

The chocolate egg "shell" was creamy. The filling contained both creamy and crunchy peanut butter, as well as tiny crunchy sparkles of salt/sugar that added some textural interest.

Yes, they were sweet, but also had nicely balanced flavors and were rather addictive. The Easter/Spring Bunny on the package kept tossing chocolate eggs to me. It would have been rude to say no.

Ingredients: Organic milk chocolate (organic sugar, organic fair trade cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder, organic fair trade chocolate liquor, organic soy lecithin (emulsifier), organic vanilla), organic peanut butter (organic peanuts), organic peanut flour, organic fair trade cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic sugar (organic cane sugar, organic tapioca starch), and sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, milk. Made on shared equipment that processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, and wheat.

*The aroma was almost Butterfinger like. The chocolate-covered Butterfinger candy bar (with a fine flaked, crunchy peanut candy interior) was first created almost 100 years ago (in the 1920s) in the U.S. The brand is now owned by Ferraro.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Exquisito Chocolates - Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - Apr. 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .85 oz. (25.5 g.) / 1.7 oz. (51 g.) in total box/package
Calories: 131 calories (estimate) for 2 peanut butter cups
Cost: $10.00 (estimate) for 1 box/package of 4 peanut butter cups
Purchased from: Exquisito Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups were from Exquisito Chocolates, LLC (Little Havana, Miami, FL). 

These filled peanut butter cup confections had a smooth, and relatively complex, dark chocolate-forward aroma and flavor, that blended well with the sweeter, slow-roasted peanut (smooth peanut butter) flavors in the filling.

Unlike many other chocolatiers, Exquisito does make bean-to-bar chocolate and offers some single origin bars. The cacao used for the outer (73% cacao) dark chocolate cup "shell" may have been made using Tumaco (Colombia) cacao (according to information, as of 4/14/22, on the Exquisito Chocolates website).

Maker's tasting notes: "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, unrefined cane sugar, peanuts, cacao butter, powdered sugar (sugar, corn starch), sea salt.

Allergen-related information: (Contained peanuts.) For more information, contact company.




Niagara Chocolates - Peanut Butter Cups - Apr. 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Niagara Chocolates
Peanut Butter Cups
Good +
Weight: .89 oz. (25 g.) / 4.5 oz. (128 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups were manufactured by Niagara Chocolates (Cheektowaga, New York). The company was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1956 and offers a variety of chocolate bars, cups and confections.

Aroma notes for these peanut butter cups included: chocolate green, nut (peanut), and warm floral spice (vanilla).

Texture: Creamy, buttery milk chocolate with a smooth peanut butter filling. 

The milk chocolate cup/shell had a confection level sweetness, while the smooth, uniform peanut butter filling was not overly sweet--the opposite of a dark (less sweet) chocolate shell with a sugary peanut butter interior. The nutty, peanut butter core helped balance the sweeter chocolate exterior to create a tasty overall treat.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter*, skim milk powder, chocolate*, butterfat (milk), soy lecithin, natural flavor), peanut butter (dry roasted peanuts, sucrose, palm oil and sea salt), sugar, palm kernel oil, cocoa powder*, whey powder (milk), nonfat milk powder, soy lecithin, vanilla.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy, peanut. May contain: egg, wheat, tree nuts.

*Rainforest Alliance Certified



Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Oregon Bark - Tom Bumble Smooth Peanut Butter Flake Candy with Chocolate - Apr. 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Oregon Bark 
Tom Bumble Smooth Peanut Butter Flake Candy with Chocolate 
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 186 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Tom Bumble Smooth Peanut Butter Flake Candy with Chocolate (small bar) was from Oregon Bark (Portland, OR), and was made with chocolate from Ranger Chocolate (Portland, OR).

This bar had an appealing candy bar aroma (think high-end Butterfinger* bar).

A thin creamy layer of dark chocolate covered a thick, crunchy peanut candy interior that was sweet (almost honey-ed) and fine flaked.

The classic peanut and chocolate flavors were satisfying, and the smooth dark chocolate had a few more subtle flickers of authentic cacao flavor than you'd find in a retail candy bar.

Ingredients: Organic peanuts, organic cane sugar, salt, vanilla, organic bittersweet chocolate (organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic vanilla beans). 

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts. Made on equipment that also processes tree nuts.

*(The) Butterfinger is a popular chocolate-covered peanut butter candy bar in the U.S. It was created by Otto Schnering in the 1920s and was owned by Curtiss Candy Company (1923 - 1964), then became owned by Nabisco. After a few more ownership changes it joined the Nestle portfolio; and in 2018 was bought by Ferraro).

Core Bar - Peanut Butter Chocolate bar - Apr. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Core Foods
Core Bar - Peanut Butter Chocolate 
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: FarmFresh to You, online order

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

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate Core Bar distributed by Core Foods (Brooklyn, NY) had a satisfying chew and authentic flavors.  

This refrigerated, plant-based nutrition bar had a pleasant nut (peanut and cashew) baked good (cookie) aroma, and a natural date sweetness balanced by nutty flavors, unsweetened chocolate and salt. (The bar contained 31 Total Carbohydrates, and some of that was fiber.)

Ground oats and fiber gave it some heft. (The bar contained 7 g. of protein, 7 g. of fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, Vitamin D and C, zinc.)

Ingredients: Organic gluten free whole grain oats, organic peanuts, organic dates, organic prebiotic starch (IMO), organic unsweetened chocolate, organic fiber (inulin), water, organic natural flavors, organic chia seeds, sea salt, bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086, organic almonds, organic cashews, organic coconut. 

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, cashews, almonds, coconut. Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, soy, egg.


Monday, April 11, 2022

Jonesbar: Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar) - Apr. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day 

Jonesbar
Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.7 oz. (47 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 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 Peanuts Theme Week.

Today's Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter (bar) was from Jonesbar (Manasquan, NJ). The company offers a line or organic, snack bars with, typically, just 4-5 ingredients.

This compressed, chocolate brownie-toned bar had dried fruit (complex, layered, high-quality date), peanut, dark chocolate, fig, mocha, and very faint, balanced earth and warm spice) aroma and flavor notes. (Note: there were no actual fig or coffee ingredients, just authentic nuanced flavors.)

The hand-crafted bar had a soft, chewy, crunchy texture (thanks to moist date, crunchy peanut butter bits, skillfully incorporated chia seeds).

There were no added sugars (thank you). And a trace of sea salt helped temper the natural date sweetness.

Ingredients: Organic dates, organic peanuts, organic 100% cacao chips, organic chia seeds, Himalayan pink sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "gluten free, dairy free, vegan, no added flavors or colors, no added sugar, pareve

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Erin Baker's - homestyle granola - Peanut Butter Chocolate - Apr. 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Erin Baker's 
homestyle granola - Peanut Butter Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package
Calories: 270 calories in 1/2 cup (1 serving) (60 g.)
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate homestyle granola was baked and distributed by Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods (Bellingham, WA).

Aroma and flavor notes for this granola were as expected and included: oats, peanut butter and very faint chocolate notes.

What I liked best about this granola: The baked oat cereal had a hearty, baked crunchy texture without being uncomfortably rough (jagged) on the palette. The peanut butter flavor was authentic and not overwhelming; and the judicious amounts of sea salt and molasses seemed just right. 

Lightly sweetened with brown rice syrup, molasses and small chunks of chocolate, these satisfying oats were not overly sugared (thank you). One 1/2 cup serving contained 36 grams of carbohydrate (5 grams were fiber), and 7 grams of protein. 

The small chunks of chocolate played a smaller, supporting role; however few people enjoy the amount of chocolate I normally consume (about 1 oz.) at breakfast time.

Ingredients: Whole grain oats, peanut butter, brown rice syrup, chocolate chunks (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), molasses (sugar, sugarcane molasses), expeller pressed canola oil, oat bran, peanuts, flax seed, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains peanut, soy. Produced in a facility that processes wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, and dairy. 

Friday, April 8, 2022

Dick Taylor - 55% Dark with Peanut Butter (bar) - Apr. 8, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate
55% Dark with Peanut Butter (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace/Dick Taylor, online order

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

Today's 55% (Brazil) Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter bar was from Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (handcrafted in the Dick-Taylor, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in Eureka, CA).

"We combined nutty, Brazilian cacao and delicious peanut butter, made from freshly roasted peanuts. The result is a bar that that is silky smooth, both sweet and savory, and undeniably decadent!"

This bar had a complex aroma with roasted, faint diffuse fruit (red berry), faint tart green (oxalyis), mellow green (nut, seed), and very faint warm spice notes.

This (not-your-father's) peanut butter cup homage was smooth, sophisticated and creamy with a slightly thicker texture and melt.

The blend (Batch #21295) of roasted ground peanut flavors with complex, single origin (Brazil) cacao flavors resulted in a velvety smooth magic bus ride that included the aforementioned peanuts/roasted nut, as well as very faint, diffuse fruit (red raspberry jam), true dark chocolate (mocha), nutty seed, and faint earth notes. 

Most peanut butter chocolates (often milk chocolates) are highly sweetened, making it difficult to taste more nuanced cacao (or peanut) flavors. This dark bar did not contain milk or that much sugar (thank you). 

In fact, this chocolate tasted a few percentage points higher (darker) than 55% cacao. I enjoyed the intricate blend of layered, high-quality flavors that were allowed to shine through. 

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic peanut powder (organic peanut flour, organic sugar, salt), organic cocoa butter. 

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

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Lily's - Peanut Butter Cups Milk Chocolate Style - Apr. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lily's Sweets LLC
Peanut Butter Cups Milk Chocolate Style
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8.7 oz. (245 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package of 15 individually-wrapped cups
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's Milk Chocolate Style Peanut Butter Cups were manufactured for Lily's Sweets LLC (Boulder, CO). The company offers a variety of stevia and erythritol sweetened chocolates.

These individually-wrapped peanut butter cups had an aroma with tart green-lemon herb (oxalis) and cocoa that evolved into cookie and vanilla notes.

The milk chocolate cup coating was creamy and smooth in texture.

Flavor traits included: faint roasted coffee, a very faint, slightly odd perfume-y sweetness, milk chocolate, graham cracker and nutty notes.

The sweetness level was satisfying and balanced, and did not taste artificial. The sweeteners used (erythritol and stevia) "felt" different than sugar, which may have been due to the lack of small sugar "buzz" one gets from most cane sugar-sweetened chocolates.

As with many sugar-free chocolates, I suggest eating a small quantity (single serving of two cups) first if you have digestive sensitivities. (These chocolates also contained chicory fiber.)

Ingredients: Milk chocolate style coating (unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, Non-GMO erythritol, chicory root fiber, Non-GMO dextrin, whole milk powder (rBST free), milk fat (rBST free), sunflower lecithin, stevia extract, vanilla extract); peanut butter (peanuts, sustainably sourced palm kernel oil, Non-GMO erythritol, peanut flour, chicory root fiber, coconut oil, sustainably sourced palm oil, salt, sunflower lecithin, stevia extract).

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and peanuts."Produced on equipment that also processes product containing soy and tree nuts."


Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Shekoh Confections - Peanut Butter (filled chocolate) - April 6, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Peanut Butter (filled chocolate)
Good ++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.86 for 1 piece (part of a 5-piece box)
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Peanut Butter filled chocolate was from Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

The aroma for this confection was relatively complex and sophisticated with faint green, lemon herb (oxalis), spice, nut/seed and cocoa notes.

The smooth dark chocolate, domed shell surrounded a filling with tiny, crunchy sparkles (of sugar I'm assuming) amidst the ground peanuts, creating textural interest. However, this confection was not overly sweet (thank you!). Sometimes tiny bits of sugar and/or salt can create more (layered) flavors than fully incorporated/more processed ingredients. I tend to like and appreciate these choices, as I like tasting individual ingredients even if they're blended together.

Authentic dark chocolate/cacao and peanut flavors lightly lingered into the finish along with a faint flickering earth note at the very end.

Shekoh chocolates sampled thus far have been high-end, skillfully made confections with complex and fresh-tasting, authentic flavors, made without preservatives.

Ingredients: (no information)

Allergen-related information: (contained peanuts)

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Happy Cow - 55% Cacao - Dairy-Digesting Chocolate - Apr. 5, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Happy Cow
55% Cacao - Dairy-Digesting Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: .2 oz. (6 g.) in one piece
Calories: 28 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $ N/A - gift from family member
Purchased from:  N/A - gift from family member (thank you David!)

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week. 

Today's 55% Cacao Dairy-Digesting Chocolate was from Happy Cow (Mar Vista, CA). It was a snack with a purpose; it contained lactase enzyme--that can help those sensitive to dairy digest milk sugar (lactose).

The small square of chocolate had a pleasant, smooth dark chocolate flavor with a bit of vanilla. 

Happily I can eat dairy products; so I wasn't able to evaluate the effectiveness of this chocolate enzymatic supplement. (I had cheese as part of a spring picnic outdoors this afternoon, and I likely would have had no ill effects either way.)

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin and natural vanilla flavor) and lactase enzyme.

Allergy-related information: (None listed on small, individual serving size packet.) 

Base Culture - Chocolate Chip Brookie - Apr. 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Base Culture
Chocolate Chip Brookie
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.99 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week. 

Today's "Chocolate Chip Brookie" was manufactured by Base Culture, LLC (Clearwater, FL). The company offers a variety of gluten-free, grain-free and "pure paleo" products.

This refrigerated, gluten-free, snack (with 5 g. of protein and made with paleo ingredients) was part cookie and part brownie bar--thus the name "brookie".

The square-shaped snack had a baked brownie and chocolate chip cookie aroma when opened, and featured the textures and flavors of both treats. 

The texture of this brookie was satisfying/substantial and relatively soft and moist (given it was bought in the freezer section). 

Overall, this combination snack was clever, tasty and relatively complex--with layered flavors. Some bites had more brownie flavor, and other bites tasted more like chocolate chip (cookie). I also could pick out some cacao flavors (faint earthiness in the dark chocolate, from either the brownie batter portion and/or the chocolate chips). 

And, last but not least, this honey-sweetened snack was not overly sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: Honey, eggs, cashew butter, unsweetened chocolate, coconut flour, coconut oil, soluble tapioca fiber, coconut sugar, almond butter, tapioca flour, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, sea salt, baking soda.

Allergen-related information: "Contains egg, almond, cashew, coconut. Manufactured in a facility that also processes: pecans. May contain nut shells, pieces or bits."



Monday, April 4, 2022

The Healthy Energy Bar - Mexican Coffee House bar (cookie) - Apr. 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

The Healthy Energy Bars
Mexican Coffee - Coffee House bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.75 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Mexican Coffee - Coffee House bar was from The Healthy Energy Bars/The Healthy Baking Co. (Lafayette, CA). 

The aroma of this heart-shaped, bar/cookie was oat-forward, with some plant (botanical, seed, hemp seed), sweet, and warm vanilla spice notes.

This wholesome snack had a thick, oaty chew with faint hints of sweet coconut, seed(s), chocolate (chips), and very faint (almost undetectable, perhaps imagined) almost fruity, coffee notes. 

I appreciated the sweetness level, which is to say it wasn't too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: Brown rice syrup, organic unsweetened, unsulfured coconut, organic whole oats, 
organic hemp seed, rice bran, semi sweet chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose), sunflower lecithin, freshly ground local artisan coffee, vanilla, cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: Contained tree nuts (coconut). No preservatives.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Mami's Crunch - Power Ball - Apr. 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Mami's Crunch
Power Ball
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .61 oz. (17.2 g.) (estimate) for 1 ball
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) for 1 ball
Cost: $2.00 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Mami's Crunch, Thursday Marin Farmers' Market, San Rafael, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Power Ball snack was mindfully created with organic ingredients by Naomi Tomoda and Mami of Mami's Crunch (Novato, CA). 

The colorfully-wrapped ball (seated in an inner, green paper cup) had subtle chocolate, coconut and mild nut aroma notes.

The first bite revealed a satisfying and substantial soft chew, and smooth, authentic cacao and (finely shredded) coconut taste and texture. While you can finish this ball in one bite, I suggest taking a few bites slowing down to enjoy the pure, light, well-integrated flavors. 

Unlike many snacks, this health-conscious Power Ball was not too sweet (thank you!). Date, fig, maca and coconut ingredients provided natural sweetness and/or moistness. 

Ingredients: "Dried date, dried fig, almond better, raw cacao powder, maca, coconut cream, coconut oil, coconut flake."

Allergen-related information: Contained tree nuts (almond, coconut).

 

Friday, April 1, 2022

NibMor - Organic Dark Chocolate Tart Cherry pieces - Apr. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

NibMor
Organic Dark Chocolate Tart Cherry pieces
Good ++
Weight: .92 oz. (26 g.) / 3.26 oz. (92 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Tart Cherry snack-sized pieces were manufactured (made in Canada) for NibMor, Inc. (Kennebunk, ME). The company offers a line of packaged "snackable chocolates."

These organic, gluten-free dark chocolate pieces were two-bite sized snacks, with aroma notes that included: cherry fruit and almond (almond paste, blossom) and cherry chocolate chip ice cream.

Each tiny bar-shaped, smooth, 72% cacao dark chocolate piece was accented with small bits of chewy, dried sweet-tart cherry.

The chocolate had a pleasing warm (vanilla and) chocolate (dark chocolate cake) flavor and finish with "clean"/authentic tart cherry and light floral notes. 

Throw a handful of these pieces into a bag with almonds and/or other nuts and seeds and you'd have a tasty hiking/trail mix. I could also see chopping up these versatile snacks and incorporating them into other desserts (brownies, cakes, puddings, ice creams, etc.).

Ingredients: Organic chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, tart cherries (rice flour, sunflower oil), organic soy lecithin (an emulsifier), organic vanilla, natural cherry flavor.

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


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