Gold Emblem - Kona Coffee Flavored Macadamia Nuts - Dark Chocolate - Aug. 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Gold Emblem

Kona Coffee Flavored Macadamia Nuts - Dark Chocolate

Good + - Good ++ 

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4.5 oz. (127 g.) total package

Calories: 150 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving

Cost: $2.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Missing information

Aloha, and welcome to the last day (Day #11) of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Nut Theme Week.

Today's Gold Emblem Dark Chocolate Kona Coffee Flavored Macadamia Nuts were distributed by CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (Woonsocket, RI).

The aroma for these glossy chocolate covered confections included: aromatically nutty, sweet dark chocolate, and sweetened coffee notes.

These generously-sized rounded pieces offered three layers of texture: 1.) a thin shiny outer coating; 2.) a thick, creamy and substantial chocolate "mantle;" and 3.) a crunchy macadamia nut center at the core.

The chocolate (fudge brownie-like) and authentic macadamia nut flavors harmonized well together. The macadamia pieces were large enough to enjoy the mild, subtle creamy/buttery flavor (with a very faint, fleeting earthy note). The nuts also helped balance the overall sweetness level. 

There were also faint, slightly buttery coffee and vanilla flavor notes. (There was some butter and milk in the dark chocolate, but no added vanilla.) The coffee flavor was relatively smooth and not too acidic.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, butter fat, cocoa [processed with alkali], soy lecithin [emulsifier], salt, natural flavor), macadamia nuts, natural Kona coffee flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Contains macadamia nuts, milk, soy. Made on equipment that is also used for other tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts), wheat, milk and eggs."

Manoa Chocolate - Chocolate Macadamia Spread - Aug. 29, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
Chocolate Macadamia Spread
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total bar
Calories: 185 calories (estimate) for 1 oz. serving
Cost: $15.00 for 1 jar
Purchased from: Manoa Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's jar of Chocolate Macadamia Spread was from Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, O'ahu, HI).

Aroma and flavor notes for this thick and smooth, fudgey dark chocolate spread included: mild nutty coconut graham cracker cookie, thick, rich dark chocolate ganache, very faint sweet green (freshly picked green sugar cane stalks, sweet green seed butter, green floral-vanilla), and very faint, fleeting buttered Boston brown bread (a steamed, moist bread containing molasses, cornmeal and raisins).

This was a skillfully executed blend of ground macadamia nuts (1st ingredient listed)--that gave this spread a very subtle, nuanced nutty background flavor--and ground cocoa nibs (the 2nd ingredient listed) that contributed rich, nuanced dark chocolate ganache-forward flavor. 

The sweetener: organic cane cane sugar yielded more flavor depth than processed sugar. Add coconut oil and a judicious dose of sea salt, and you have a flavorful, high-end chocolate spread that captures the spirit of Hawaii. As the label suggested: "Spread the Aloha."

Enjoy this spread on a croissant, toast, between cake (or dessert parfait) layers. Fold it into a smoothie or ice cream sundae. Make your own chocolate-filled sandwich cookie. Or eat it plain while you're dreaming of your next trip to Hawaii. There are no wrong answers here.

Note: Manoa also offers chocolate covered mac nuts and rum chocolate covered mac nuts.

Ingredients: Hawaiian macadamia nuts, cacao nibs, organic cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa powder, sea salt

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (macadamia nuts). 

Check Manoa website or contact them for allergen-related details. This week's (2022) KoHana Rum 75% Dark Chocolate bar had this label: "Manufactured by Manoa Chocolate Hawaii...(in) Kailua, HI...This facility also processes milk, wheat, peanut, walnut, cashew, pecan, coconut, macadamia (and) hazelnut."

Manoa Chocolate - Kohana Rum 75% Hawaii Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
Kohana Rum 75% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Manoa Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Kohana Rum 75% Hawaii Chocolate (bar), made with Hawaii grown cacao, was created by Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, O'ahu, HI) in collaboration with Hawaii rum distiller, Ko Hana, using Hawaii cacao.

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate (in order of appearance) included: aromatic sweet liquor (rum) and chocolate (dark chocolate, dark ganache). The texture was even, light and creamy. 

Chocolate flavor notes included spiked dark chocolate mousse, faint diffuse sweet fruit and brown sugar, very faint pleasing vanilla-like floral spice, and faint wood tones (similar to the oak casks used to age "sweet" bourbon whiskey).

This Manoa Chocolate Hawaiian chocolate had rich, nuanced liquor and smooth dark chocolate flavors. Going slightly darker with a 75% cacao (vs. 70% cacao) base worked very nicely with the inherently sweet (rum and cacao) flavors. This high-end rum and chocolate pairing in a single bar would also make a nice gift, or special bar to share with friends.

Manoa maker's description: "We collaborated with local rum distiller Ko Hana to create this bar. Ko Hana Agricole Rum is meticulously crafted from farm to bottle. They grow single varietal sugar canes that are hand harvested, pressed to juice and then distilled to perfection--resulting in one of the world's finest pure cane rums."

Ingredients: Rum soaked cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter 

Allergen-related information: "Vegan chocolate" "Manufactured by Manoa Chocolate Hawaii...(in) Kailua, HI...This facility also processes milk, wheat, peanut, walnut, cashew, pecan, coconut, macadamia (and) hazelnut."

Manoa Chocolate - Hawai'i Island Kealakekua 70% (bar) - Aug. 27, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
Hawai'i Island Kealakekua 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Manoa Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Hawai'i Island Kealakekua 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, O'ahu, HI). 

Kona lies on the west side of Hawai'i island, aka the Big Island, that is hotter and drier than the Hilo/east side of the island). The sloped spot has rich volcanic soil and there are several small farms growing coffee and cacao, with the help of irrigation, in this region.

Aroma notes for this Hawai'i dark chocolate (in order of appearance) included: fermentation (fruit vinegar, raisin)--a note that receded after the bar was opened for a few minutes, dark chocolate (ganache), nutty green, faint, sweet wood, and faint, fleeting, fertile ranch earth notes. 

The texture was even, light and creamy with a very, very faint fruit astringency at the end.

Chocolate flavor notes included dark chocolate mousse, honey, tart melon and citrus, light lemon and nut shortbread cookie, pleasing botanical green (sweet green seed, vanilla-like floral spice), and very faint (and balanced) light, garden green earth notes.

This was another Manoa Chocolate Hawaiian chocolate bar this week (the second featured with Hawai'i Island grown cacao), with rich chocolate flavor that had nuanced depth. 

This balanced, bold chocolate with subtle fruit, nut and green notes was well-crafted and approachable, with a friendly array of island plantation notes. Most of these Manoa bars this week ended with a very slight, balanced earth note toward the end--although each of these earth notes had a very slightly different earth "hue."

Manoa maker's description: "...Kealakekua is hot and dry. Normally, cacao trees would be unable to survive the harsh lava field conditions, but with irrigation they thrive." (Notes: fruity, nutty, fudgey, citrusy)

Manoa suggested beverage pairings: Wine: Gamay; Beer: Brown Ale; Liquor: Islay Scotch

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter 

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

Manoa Chocolate - Hawai'i Island Kona 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 26, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
Hawai'i Island Kona 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Manoa Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Hawai'i Island Kona 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, O'ahu, HI). 

Kona lies on the west side of Hawai'i, aka the Big Island. The sloped spot has rich volcanic soil and is dotted with several small farms growing coffee, fruit and cacao.

Aroma notes for this Hawai'i dark chocolate included: clean, sweet green (nut, seed, stalks, floral, sugarcane,), faint green coconut, tart green citrus (lemongrass) and light almond.

The texture was lovely with an even, light, creamy (almost fluffy) mouthfeel. It was both rich and light at the same time, a little bit liked some whipped buttery mousses.

Chocolate flavor notes included dark chocolate mousse, honey, fruit (green melon), light citrus shortbread, and very faint (and balanced) light, loamy green earth notes.

Like the other Manoa Chocolate Hawaii-born chocolate bars this week, this one had rich chocolate flavor with nuanced depth. 

This slightly bolder chocolate with was well-crafted and approachable, with a friendly array of subtle green, island plantation notes. Like the other Manoa bars, it ended with a very slight earth note toward the end (as the others had despite slightly different cacao blends/origins). 

Manoa maker's notes: "The Likau Kula Farm in Kona is one of our oldest sources of Hawaiian cacao. In 2019 at the largest chocolate festival in the world, the Salon Du Chocolat in Paris, these Hawaiian grown beans from Kona won top 15 best flavored cacao in the world." (Notes: nutty, floral, fudgey)

Manoa suggested beverage pairings: Wine: Pinot Noir; Beer: Summer Ales; Liquor: Bourbon

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter 

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

O'ahu Island Waimanalo 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
O'ahu Island Waimanalo 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Manoa Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's O'ahu Island Waimanalo 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, O'ahu, HI). 

The cacao beans used to make this bar were grown on the makers' farm on O'ahu--making this not just single origin, bean-to-bar chocolate, but also single island, tree-to-bar chocolate from Hawaii. It was exciting to taste this. It's quite an accomplishment for those few makers in the U.S. (almost all in Hawaii) who have the work ethic, desire and know-how to pull this off.

Aroma notes included: green (maple), fermentation (fermented, bright fruit - grapes, goji berries, faint pineapple and even fainter sweet tangerine), followed by sweet green dark chocolate again.

The flavor notes resembled the aroma notes listed above. In addition, there were lots of rich, smooth chocolate notes (fudge brownie), more bright, naturally sweet and nuanced layers of fruit, and faintly green/maple, sweet earth notes.

Manoa maker's description: "Waimanalo is a small town just 15 minutes from our Kailua based factory. It is home to our very own cacao farm, a parcel with about 130 mature cacao trees. In 2021 we had three bountiful harvests from this orchard, providing us with enough cacao to make the first Single Origin Waimanalo Bar -- grown and made by us!"

Manoa suggested beverage pairings: Wine: Dry Rose; Beer: Berry Lambics; Liquor: Gin

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter 

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

Manoa Chocolate - Goat Milk 69% Dark Milk Chocolate - Aug. 24, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
Goat Milk 69% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Manoa Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Goat Milk 69% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, O'ahu, HI). 

The initial (just-opened) aroma for this bar was relatively strong with some goat (lightly gamey, waxy, milky) and dark milk chocolate notes. 

For more sensitive palettes, I recommend letting this creamy, buttery chocolate "breathe" a little after unsealing the inner wrapper. (The aroma settled down, mellowing very nicely after about 30 minutes.) 

The texture was luxurious and lovely, and the chocolate flavor had some depth with fun, fleeting fruit notes (some berry, some yellow stone fruit, some tropical), lush true chocolate (brownie, dark ganache) and very faint earth.

What a fun and special bar to try. It was a whisker under 70% cacao, but not too sweet. Thank you Manoa!

Manoa maker's description: "This bar has a unique flavor that reminds us of a dark chocolate cheesecake. With only 20% sugar and 11% goat milk powder, it has both the characteristics of a bold dark chocolate and the rich creaminess of a milk chocolate."

Manoa suggested beverage pairings: Wine: Sauvignon Blanc; Beer: Nitro Stout; Liquor: Rye Whiskey.

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter and goat milk powder.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. "Made in a facility that processes milk powder and nuts."

Maverick Chocolate - Big Island Hawaii Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Maverick Chocolate Co.
Big Island Hawaii Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

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

Today's Big Island Hawaii Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Maverick Chocolate Co. (Cincinnati, OH). 

The aroma notes (in order of appearance) for this Big Island dark bar included: fermentation (very faint fruit/grape vinegar), smooth dark chocolate, fruit (tart sweet berries, stone fruit (subtle honey-ed nectarines and peaches, mango)) and warm spice. 

Note: the fruity fermentation aroma note(s) were balanced and not objectionable, and receded a bit after the inner sealed packaging had been open for several minutes. This aspect added a little extra oomph to a solidly pleasant, uniform, relatively thick and smooth 70% dark chocolate bar.

The flavor notes for this chocolate, that broke with a well-tempered snap, mirrored the aroma notes above (with fewer faint fermentation notes and more rich chocolate notes).

This Good Food Awards winner (2018) provided some fuel for imaginary virtual travel. It was an enjoyable bar to sample, and less expensive than jumping on a plane to visit the Big Island.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans (100% Hawaiian), organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and milk products due to shared equipment. Soy free. Vegan."

Manoa Chocolate - Manako Mango 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 22, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Manoa Chocolate
Manako - Mango 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA 

Aloha and welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Manako (Mango) bar was part of a "Flavors of Hawaii" collection from Manoa Chocolate* (Kailua, O'ahu, HI). Other flavors in this set included Haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding-inspired vegan coconut milk chocolate), Liliko'i (Passion Fruit), Mai'a (Banana), Pa'akai (Sea Salt) and Kope (Coffee) and Nibs.) 

But, let's focus on mangos for a minute. Many delicious fruits grow well in Hawaii's rich volcanic soils, including 100s of mango varieties/cultivars. 

Way too much mango history...

Mangos originated in India and SE Asia thousands of years ago. The first mangos were brought to Hawaii centuries ago--perhaps by Chinese immigrants in the 1700s, or the British** who were crossing paths with (and expanding) Spanish Galleon trade routes that extended from Acapulco (Mexico) to Manila (Philippines) to ports like Macao in southeastern China. I'm not sure, but having eaten fresh mango in Hawaii, I'm just glad they're there.

Fabulous fruit freeze drying...and more history

Freeze drying has allowed us to infuse chocolate with fruit and other food flavors without vats of melted chocolate "seizing up" (which it does when exposed to watery substances). 

The Incas and a few other cultures were using a primitive form of freeze drying in the 1400s. Even though the Inca enjoyed cacao (sometimes in beverages with fruit, flowers and/or spices), I don't know if any chocolate/cacao might have been involved in these early efforts. 

Fast forwarding to the 1950s, freeze drying of foods (and other substances) became popular in the U.S. More affordable, professional equipment to freeze-dry fruit and foods became more widely available in the decades that followed. 

I'm guessing that freeze-dried and ground mango powder was used in today's bar. This preservation method has only gotten better and more accessible in the past few decades, and using the resulting finely ground fruit powder has been a great way to incorporate authentic, bright flavors into chocolate, with fresh fruit notes still largely intact.

Finally! We get back to today's delicious Mango Chocolate!

Aroma notes for this 70% dark chocolate bar included: authentic sweet, ripe fruit (mango), dark chocolate, fleeting, faint green (green tea) and very faint nutty and warm spice notes.

The flavors were skillfully integrated and flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes mentioned above. This refreshing, fruity dark chocolate was a well-executed blend of mildly-tart sweet mango fruit and rich dark chocolate.

There was a barely detectable granularity in this chocolate that I'm assuming may have been from ground mango powder. It was very subtle and not objectionable.

Manoa suggested beverage pairings: "Wine: German Riesling, Beer: IPA, Liquor: White Rum"

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, mango powder

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

*Manoa is a Hawaiian word. The English translation: thick, solid, vast, depth. This definition conjured up notions of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaiian lava beds, and great chocolate.

**One of the first documented accounts of the mango's arrival in Hawaii mentioned that Captain John Meek (1791 - 1875), an inter-island schooner captain who had come to Hawaii with his father in 1809 via Massachusetts, brought them to the Islands from Manila (Philippines) in 1824. (Meek is also is credited for introducing tortoises from Mexico and turkeys from Chile to Hawaii.)

Bubbies - Chocolate Mochi Coconut-Based Frozen Dessert- Aug. 21, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Bubbies Hawaii

Chocolate - Mochi Coconut-Based Frozen Dessert in Sweet Rice Dough

Good +

Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) / 7.5 oz. (210 g.) in total package/box of 6

Calories: 160 calories in 1 piece

Cost: $ Missing information

Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Mochi Coconut Based Frozen Dessert Wrapped in Sweet Rice Dough were manufactured by Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts Inc. (Phoenix, AZ). The company started making ice cream in Hawaii in the mid 1980s, and their current mochi ice cream line includes flavors like mango, passion fruit, matcha green tea and blood orange.

These chocolate (frozen, non-dairy) mochi pieces had a very subtle (sweet) aroma. The flattened dome shape of these treats (more like a soft brownie-colored cookie than a rice ball) made them easier to hold and eat. 

The sweet rice dough wrapper was relatively dense with a soft chewy texture; and 

these sweet rice dough confections--including the chocolate (coconut-based ice "cream") filling--had a mild, sweet cocoa/chocolate brownie flavor throughout. (Note: the coconut flavor was very subtle.)

Ingredients: Non-dairy frozen chocolate dessert (water, coconut cream (coconut extract, water, xanthan gum, carageenan, guar gum), tapioca syrup solids, cane sugar, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), agave fiber extract (inulin), citrus fiber, stabilizer (locust bean gum, guar gum, standardized with sugar), salt, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin); Mochi Dough (cane sugar, rice flour, water, tapioca syrup (tapioca, water, salt, vanilla), cocoa powder (processed with alkali)).

 

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut (tree nut). Produced in a facility that processes egg, milk, peanut, soy, tree nuts. Certified gluten free. Certified Vegan. Non-dairy, plant-based, 

Bubbies - Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites - Aug. 20, 2022

Chocolate of the Day 

Bubbies

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites 

Good ++

Weight: 2.68 oz. (76 g.) / 8 oz. (228 g.) in total package/box of 6

Calories: 260 calories in 2 pieces

Cost: $3.99 for 1 box of 6 pieces

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

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Rice Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites (frozen dessert bites consisting of vanilla chocolate chip ice cream inside a rice-based cookie dough) were manufactured by Bubbies Hawaii (Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts Inc.). The company is based in Phoenix, AZ, but got its start making ice cream in Hawaii in 1985.

These bites had a satisfyingly complex melt and texture. The outer rice dough was firm yet pliable--a well-executed rich cookie dough with some of the pillowy, springy-chewy mochi texture one finds in frozen mochi desserts.

The cold, creamy vanilla chocolate chip ice cream interior blended well with the cookie dough exterior. The taste resembled a frozen ice cream cookie sandwich, but with a more cohesive and conveniently pliable cookie component--a design that prevented sudden rupture and dribble ice cream confection accidents.

Ingredients: Cookie dough (rice flour, butter, brown sugar, tapioca syrup, chocolate flakes [sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, milkfat, natural vanilla flavor], sweetened condensed milk [milk, cane sugar], cane sugar, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, sunflower oil, natural flavor). Vanilla ice cream (ice cream mix [nonfat milk, cream, cane sugar, locust bean gum, guar gum], chocolate chips [sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose], egg yolk, vanilla extract).

 

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

 

Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream - Double Chocolate Mochi - Aug. 19, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream

Chocolate Chocolate (Double Chocolate) Mochi

Good + 

Weight: 3 oz. (86 g.) / 9.1 oz. (258 g.) in total package of 6 pieces

Calories: 200 calories in 2 pieces

Cost: $3.99 for 1 serving

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

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

Today's "Chocolate Chocolate" Mochi was the second frozen mochi treat (with chocolate) made by Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream (Vernon, CA) featured this week. (The first was filled with mint chip ice cream.)

As with many frozen mochi (aka daifuku) desserts, the aroma was barely detectable. Texturally, this was a blend of refreshing, creamy, cold chocolate chocolate chip ice cream covered with a pillowy soft, lightly springy and chewy sweet rice dough. Both complemented each other well.

The chocolate ice cream, flecked with chocolate (that added some microbursts of authentic dark chocolate flavor), was flavorful and creamy with rich, smooth chocolate-y and cocoa tones. 

A light pixie dusting of rice flour adorned these pieces, enabling an effortless release of the mochi spheres from their half-dome plastic compartments. 

Ingredients: Ice Cream Ingredients: Milk, cream, cane sugar, chocolaty bits (cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, cocoa, corn starch, salt), cocoa processed with alkali, whey, nonfat dry milk, stabilizer (guar gum, locust bean gum). Mochi Dough Ingredients: Cane sugar, water, sweet rice flour, egg whites, rice flour, purple carrot juice (color), caramel color, enzyme, beet juice concentrate (color), citric acid.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, egg. "May contain peanuts and tree nuts." (Gluten free, no soy ingredients, Kosher dairy)

Arete Chocolate - Expeller Pressed Cocoa Powder - Aug. 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Arete Chocolate

Expeller Pressed Cocoa Powder

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8.8 oz. (250 g.) in total package

Calories: 65 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving

Cost: $ Missing information  

Purchased from: Arete or The Chocolate Garage*

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

Today's homemade chocolate and rice (cake) dessert employed Expeller Pressed Cocoa Powder from Arete Chocolate as a topping and ingredient.

An ultra-dark (82% cacao) chocolate covered rice cake** that I made. It was topped with a large scoop of green tea ice cream and garnished with a healthy dose of Arete Chocolate Cocoa Powder and chopped almonds.

The Arete Chocolate cocoa powder classed up this dessert considerably. I'm hoping they might resume making and selling chocolate one day. (They closed shop in 2020.)

Ingredients: Expeller pressed cocoa solids

 

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

*The Chocolate Garage Retail space in Palo Alto, CA, is no longer open.

**Notes: I used a commercially available (Lundberg Family Farms) rice cake as a form to be chocolate covered. Melting a bar of chocolate on a round rice cake for a single-serving dessert can be done in the microwave; but it is very easy to burn the rice cake if you start with room temperature/cooler chocolate. 

It's best to warm the chocolate up on a microwave-safe plate first (so that it's soft, but not completely melted) and then transfer it (with the help of a spatula if needed) and place on top of the rice cake--and finish the melting over the rice cake for a bit longer--spreading the melted chocolate over an uncovered edge if needed). You can then transfer this to a clean dessert plate if you want a nice clean edge.

The end product is an easy-to-make, attractive perch for ice cream or a fruit dessert.

 

Mikawaya - Mochi Ice Cream, Chocolate Mint - Aug. 17, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream

Chocolate Mint

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 3 oz. (86 g.) / 9.1 oz. (258 g.) in total package of 6 pieces

Calories: 220 calories in 2 pieces

Cost: $3.99 (estimate) for 1 package/box of 6 pieces

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

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

Today's (frozen) Chocolate Mint Chip Mochi was from Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream (Vernon, CA), and was part of a plate of three different mochi-inspired sweets. 

Chocolate Mint Mochi Ice Cream

The best of the three ball-shaped confections on today's plate was this Mikawaya ice cream wrapped in a sweet rice dough. A beautifully springy rice dough enveloped a refreshing mint chocolate chip ice cream center.

Mango Mochi

The second mochi plate confections were miniature-sized Mango mochi from Royal Food Co. that nicely captured an authentic tart, sweet mango fruit flavor. They were relatively sweet, and had a slightly firmer springy/chewy texture. They were sealed in packets (sets of 4) and were not refrigerated. 

Homemade Chocolate Horchata flavored mochi

Last, was my homemade rice ball (soaked and stovetop cooked Jasmine rice dough), that I used to make a mochi-inspired chocolate horchata ball. The cinnamon and cocoa flavors were nice but the texture was not as light and springy. (Pureed, soaked and cooked jasmine long grain rice + finely ground almond flour and a generous dose of cinnamon and cocoa that were slow-cooked and stirred together; but could not be magically transformed into the loftier, sweet, sticky mochi rice dough of today's featured chocolate.

Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream Ingredients: 

Ice Cream Ingredients: Milk, cream, cane sugar, chocolate flavored chips (cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, cocoa, corn starch, salt), whey, nonfat dry milk, natural flavors, stabilizer (guar gum, locust bean gum). Mochi dough ingredients: Cane sugar, water, sweet rice flour, egg whites, rice flour, enzyme. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, egg. "May contain peanuts and tree nuts." (No gluten or soy ingredients.)

Bouchard - Belgian Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Napolitains - Aug. 16, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Bouchard
Belgian Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao "Napolitains"
Good ++   
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 16 oz. (1 pound) (455 g.) in total package of 75 small bars
Calories: 140 calories in 5 small bar(s)
Cost: $9.99 (estimate) for 1 package of 75 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Rice Theme Week, featuring a fine chocolate that was tasted by itself--and also paired with a rice dessert from Puerto Rico.

Today's individually-wrapped, Belgian Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao "Napolitains" were from Bouchard NV (Ghent, Belgium). 

The family-owned Belgian chocolatier has been making chocolate since 1931, and offers at least three different chocolate Napolitains that I'm aware of (today's 72% dark chocolate, a salt caramel variant, and a version with probiotics).

The Napolitains (small, thin bars) have tiny ridges on one side--designed to make the pure chocolate flavors more accessible (when the chocolate is placed, ridged side down, on your tongue).

These dark chocolates were well-suited for multiple purposes including: 1.) a convenient, portable tasting chocolate or snack--easily shareable with a group of people; 2.) an after-dinner chocolate; or 3.) an accompaniment to a bowl of ice cream or dessert. They served as all of the above today.

First things first - tasting this chocolate a la carte

Aroma and flavor notes for this four-ingredient chocolate included: bittersweet chocolate with faint, balanced woodsy earth and light green (tree syrup, maple sugar), and very faint woody nut notes. 

If you sample these snack-sized bars as suggested, and you let them dissolve slowly on your tongue, your patience will be rewarded with a luxe melt, lots of true chocolate (and more subtle) adjunct flavors--all layered within a relatively bold but balanced, dense dark chocolate. (I'm guessing this chocolate was made with Forastero or Amelonado variety cacao beans.) 

The Napolitains really were the perfect size and shape for chocolate tasting. They rested perfectly on my tongue during the tasting experience.

Pairing with Arroz con Dulce dessert

For the chocolate + rice pairing...I made a version of Arroz con Dulce--following a Puerto Rican Coconut Rice Pudding recipe* that called for a generous helping of warm spices (ginger root, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg), rice, coconut milk, brown sugar, raisins and salt.

I stirred in two Bouchard Belgian dark chocolates into a (warm) 1/2 batch version (3 servings) of the original recipe* (that would have made 6 servings) toward the end of the cooking process on the stove. (I also added 1/2 tsp. of almond flour, and 1/4 tsp. of molasses to this recipe early on.)

I topped the resulting cooked coconut rice (+ chocolate) pudding with rum raisin ice cream with two more small, individually wrapped bars of Bouchard Belgian Dark Chocolate on the side. Delicioso.

This rice pudding was very rich and much more flavorful (and interesting to me) than rice puddings (that can be lumpy, starchy and bland) found in the continental U.S. states (a group that does not include Hawaii--or Puerto Rico). 

Notes: The high carbohydrate content of white rice (rice puddings) and the very rich coconut milk in this recipe, as well as the cream and sugar in the rum raisin ice cream, made me drowsy (unlike my normal energized feel after sampling a chocolate). I used jasmine rice for the rice pudding; and some sources have suggested that this rice helps promote sleep in the hours that follow consumption. (Maybe. Or the drowsiness was due to blood sugar fluctuations from a white rice-based pudding.) 

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, low fat cocoa, sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: (No soy or gluten.) "Produced in a facility that uses milk and tree nuts."

*The recipe for Coconut Rice Pudding (Puerto Rico style) was from Salima's Kitchen website.

Trader Joe's - Oat Chocolate Bars - Aug. 15, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Trader Joe's 
Oat Chocolate Bars
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 0.88 oz. (25 g.) / 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total package of 3 bars 
Calories: 140 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package of 3 bars (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: Trader Joe's 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Rice Theme Week, featuring more examples of how foods from different parts of the Globe have found happiness together.

Today's Oat Chocolate Bars were a product of Colombia, but distributed and sold exclusively by Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA). The company has offered a very large range of chocolate bars and confections over the years. This neatly compact package held three individually-wrapped small bars.

Chocolate and Rice as a Sweetener

Rice can serve as a flavor inclusion, or as a chocolate sweetener. While oats feature prominently in today's set of 3 small chocolate bars, the chocolate was sweetened with rice syrup (instead of cane sugar).

The aroma for these bars included: bittersweet chocolate that mellowed a little after opening, allowing subtle caramel and milk notes to shine through.

The texture was relatively thick and quite creamy. (This bar was eaten at room temperature (70 degrees F. (21.1 degrees C.).)

The flavor was uniform and chocolate-y (ganache, fudge) with faint cereal grain/oat notes. The oat flavor(s) may have made any rice syrup flavor less obvious. (Generally rice syrup is mild, with very faint nutty and butterscotch notes, which would be consistent with aroma and flavors of today's chocolate.) Vanilla flavoring added warmth.

Ingredients: Cane sugar, cocoa butter, ground oats, cocoa mass, rice syrup, sunflower lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla flavor.

Allergen-related information: "dairy free, soy free, gluten free, vegan"

Nora Kitchen - Champorado Chocolate Porridge - Aug. 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Nora Kitchen

Champorado Chocolate Porridge 

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 3 oz. (86 g.) in total container

Calories: 310 calories in 1 container

Cost: $1.48 for 1 container

Purchased from: Walmart, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Rice Theme Week, where I'm looking forward to several items featuring this West meets East combination.

Today's Nora's Kitchen Champorado Chocolate Porridge was distributed by Capital Foods Int'l. Inc. (Santa Fe Springs, CA).

The History of Champorado and Champurrado

This story starts in Mexico. Corn (or maize)-based, porridge-like beverages in Mexico have been fortified with chocolate/cacao for centuries*. A hearty cup of champurrado (so named when chocolate is added to cooked corn, or masa harina corn flour) is typically enjoyed hot, and sometimes with churros (fried dough pastry). (Search for "chocolate beverages from Oaxaca, Mexico" to find some of the most authentic recipes.)

Cacao likely arrived in the Philippines from Mexico/Central America by ship centuries ago. Champorado is a popular rice and chocolate porridge in the Philippines--that dates back to an era when large Spanish Galleon** ships traded goods between Mexico and the Philippines in the 1500s-1700s. These cargo ships overlapped with the time when Spain laid claim to both Mexico and the Philippines--before these two countries became independent in 1821 and 1898, respectively. 

Back to the present, with Instant Nora Kitchen Champorado

The aroma for today's easy-to-make, warm Champorado Chocolate Porridge included hot cocoa, chocolate rice cereal, and faint nutty and vanilla (cashew shortbread butter cookies) notes. 

The warm, soft porridge had a soft texture (like a tender oatmeal or cooked cereal with milk), qualifying it as a great chocolate comfort food (or a hot dessert) for a cold day. 

The flavor: hearty and rich, creamy, hot chocolate porridge. The chocolate was balanced and was very low in bitterness and acidity. It took only 5 minutes to make. (Just add hot water, stir and let sit for a few minutes.)

Yes this was sweet, but within the range I expected (sweetened chocolate cereal parameters).

Ingredients: Rice, sugar, natural cocoa powder, food starch modified, rice dextrin, non-fat milk, vanilla, guar gum, Arabic gum, sodium caseinate, salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk.

*The cultivation of corn in Mexico likely began around 10,000 years ago. (Cacao was first domesticated in South America around 5,300 years ago, and was likely spread to/made popular in Mexico by the Olmec people in Southern Mexico around 3,500 years ago. (These dates are estimates based on available research, and could change in the future if more information becomes available.)

**Galleons were large, often armed, cargo-carrying sailing ships (with multiple levels/decks),  used by European sea-faring nations, including Spain, Portugal and England during this period.

Unreal - Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar - Aug. 13, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Unreal Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar

Good +

Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) in total bar

Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.69 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar was from Unreal Brands Inc. (Boston, MA). 

The company offers updated/healthier versions of chocolate covered candy bars, generally with a much shorter list of ingredients. (Today's certified gluten free and vegan bar listed three ingredients: organic coconut, organic cassava syrup and dark chocolate (later spelled out as dark chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla).)

Aroma notes from this filled bar included: chocolate (dark chocolate ganache (truffle filling)) and sweet coconut. 

The dark chocolate provided a smooth, velvety coating, that contrasted with the chewy, lightly moistened, sweet shredded coconut. These coconut shreds continued to supply an authentic, textural chew that lasted into the finish after the chocolate had melted away.

As expected, the flavor was a blend of dark chocolate and coconut, with one complementing the other. Yes, it was sweet, but not quite as sugary or syrupy sweet as candy bars from the late 1900s. The flavors were balanced and uniform, with very faint, fleeting tropical fruit and nut notes, and a warm blanket of vanilla.

Adults wanting a healthier confection for their families, or wanting to take a trip down candy bar memory lane themselves--without all the preservatives, additives, or "natural flavors"--will appreciate this bar. The fact that some of the ingredients were fair trade was an added plus.

Ingredients: Organic coconut, organic cassava syrup, dark chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut. Made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, wheat and milk. Made on equipment that processes milk chocolate. Please visit getunreal.com to read our allergen information." (Certified vegan, Certified gluten free; no soy ingredients.) 

Rau - Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix - Aug. 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Rau
Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .74 oz. (21 g.) / 7.4 oz. (210 g.) in total box of 10 packets 
Calories: 90 calories in 1 packet/serving
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package/box of 10 packets/servings 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix was from RAU (San Diego, CA). The company offers three flavors of plant-based cacao drink mixes (Cacao +; today's Cacao + Coconut MCT; and Cacao + Espresso).

The two founders (Daren and Brian) were some of the first to explore cognitive energy cacao blend beverages. They use organically farmed cacao, and eschew cane sugar or preservatives.

"Our beans are single origin, organic, fair trade, ethically farmed and hand picked to deliver a bold flavor for seekers of epic nutrition."

The Rau team also chose to include the amounts of theobromine* in each serving (80 mg.) and antioxidants (from polyphenols) (120 mg.)--information I appreciated and that's very rarely provided on any other cacao-related product packaging. (Thank you.)

The aroma was attractive with fruit (mango) and subtle chocolate; after adding warm water, the scent was more cocoa forward, with a trace of the tropical fruit/mango and very faint floral (vanilla).

The texture was smooth (once fully stirred in with warm water), almost creamy.

The flavor was very consistent with the aroma with faint fruit (mango and very light, fresh coconut) and rich, smooth cacao--that was relatively low in bitterness or acidity. The sweetness (coconut palm sugar) was tempered by a judicious dash of Himalayan pink salt.  

Overall, I would rank this a superior offering in the increasingly popular, much-hyped category of drinking cacao beverage mixes. I also found the individual packets convenient and portable and the sizes were the perfect portion for me.

Note: Monk fruit extract also supplied sweetness. This small, round fruit from China (aka Luo Han Guo) has the property of minimizing bitter and sour flavors, making it an interesting pairing with cacao. The sweetener (mogrisides) in monk fruit also is thought to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cacao powder; organic, fair trade coconut palm sugar; organic mct oil powder; organic coconut oil powder; organic vanilla powder; himalayan pink salt, organic monk fruit extract.

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut. Certified Organic, gluten free; keto friendly. 

*Theobromine is a plant alkaloid found in cacao (and to a lesser extent in teas, kola nuts, guarana and other plants) that acts as a stimulant. It is a close cousin to caffeine, another stimulant found in plants--most notably coffee (and to a lesser extent cacao, kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana and other plants). (Coffee contains trace amounts of theophylline but no theobromine.)

Although I've found theobromine to be much less jarring than caffeine, people's individual reactions may vary. Some people are sensitive to cacao (which does contain a very small amount of caffeine as well as theobromine); but they can drink all the coffee they want with seemingly no ill effects. I'm the opposite. I love coffee, but it doesn't love me. (I can't seem to process the caffeine and acids.)

 

Taza Chocolate - Dark Bark 80% Dark Organic Chocolate Thins - Coconut Almond - Aug. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate

Dark Bark 80% Dark Organic Chocolate Thins - Coconut Almond

Good +

Weight: 1/4 package (29 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 cup (1/4 package) serving 

Cost: $3.99 for 1 package

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

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

Today's Organic Dark Bark Coconut Almond 80% Dark Chocolate Thins were from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). The chocolate maker offers a variety of bars, discs and treats that are made with stone-ground, bean-to-bar chocolate. 

These Chocolate Thins (shards of bark topped with tiny coconut and almond bits) had an aroma with dark chocolate, green, maple (tree syrup) and fermentation notes.

The texture was a blend of thick, creamy dark (bold but smooth) stoneground dark chocolate and a slightly crispy and crunchy texture (from tiny bits of almond and puffed quinoa).

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above, with a deeper, richer dark chocolate experience with faint, fleeting olive-earth notes and very faint coconut.

The 80% cacao Organic dark chocolate was bold, balanced and not too sweet, with balanced bitterness and acidity. The chocolate flavor was rich enough that it took center stage; other flavor inclusions played very minor bit parts.

If you're looking for a snack with a less processed, deep dark, dense but satisfying chocolate flavor--and with very little bright, buzzy sugar, and no preservatives, emulsifiers, vegetable gums or other unnecessary ingredients--this might be for you.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic puffed quinoa, organic almonds, organic toasted coconut, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds and coconut. May contain traces of other tree nuts and sesame seeds." Certified Organic and gluten free. Also: "dairy free, soy free, vegan" and Pareve (OU).)

Taza Chocolate - Wicked Dark, 95% Dark with Toasted Coconut Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate

Wicked Dark - 95% Dark with Toasted Coconut Organic Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar

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

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

Today's Wicked Dark - 95% Dark with Toasted Coconut Organic Dark Chocolate was from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). 

The chocolate maker is known for stone-ground, bean-to-bar chocolate, and a commitment to fair and transparent trade. Today's bar was made with Certified Organic and "Taza Chocolate direct trade certified" cocoa. (Country of origin not specific on wrapper.)

The aroma for this three-ingredient bar included: fruity, authentic fresh coconut, dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate brownie, chocolate ganache), and subtle green (tree/maple syrup and green floral botanical) notes.

The texture was uniform and consistent with stone-ground chocolate (larger particle size), with a very slight chewiness--from the visible tiny shreds of embedded, toasted coconut.

The flavor was uniform, dark stone-ground (less processed) chocolate with bold, but smooth, flavor. It was not too bitter and had a well-balanced fruit acidity. This refreshingly un-sweet,* flavorful bar ended with a warm, deep cocoa finish. This "Wicked" bar was also pretty Wonderful, and much more approachable than it sounds--in case you want to share it friends fearful of very dark chocolates.

Maker's notes: "stoneground, bold flavor"

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic coconut, organic cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut and traces of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and pecans." Certified Organic and Gluten Free; dairy free; soy free; vegan; pareve (OU).

*2 grams of added sugar per (1/2 bar) serving 

Carstens - Dark Chocolate Filled with Coconut Cream - Aug. 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Carstens

Dark Chocolate Filled with Coconut Cream (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.18 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar

Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar

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

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Filled with Coconut Cream (bar) was from Erasmi and Carstens GmbH (Lübeck, Germany). And the Carstens brand has roots that extend back to 1845.*

The blend of coconut cream filling and dark chocolate in this bar delivered an above average confection experience. The texture of both filling and outer layer was smooth and well executed, the chocolate was chocolate-y (dark brownie), and the very finely grated coconut tasted like coconut. Was it sweet? Indeed it was quite sugary, and a little addicting in a high-end candy kind of way. But, the dark chocolate helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate liquor, grated coconut, glucose syrup, cocoa butter, water, coconut fat, emulsifier, sunflower lecithin, humectant, invertase. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: coconut. "May contain almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, wheat, soy, milk and egg"

*Early on the German company also manufactured a variety of foods, including canned foods. However, since the early 1900s, the company is best known for its chocolate and (Lübeck(er)) marzipan offerings. 

They also offer chocolates with hazelnut and nougat, praline marzipans, fruit flavored chocolates, and the traditional Katzenzungen ("cats tongues")--a name that may mystify outsiders. Don't worry, no malice or real cats involved. It refers to the elongated oval shape of the chocolate pieces. Boxes of/packaging for Katzenzungen are typically adorned with images of adorable cats.

Raaka - Winter Spice Hot Chocolate Unroasted Dark Chocolate - Aug. 8, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka
Winter Spice Hot Chocolate Unroasted Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) (1/4 cup) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 118 calories in 1/4 package (dry mix only)
Cost: $12.00 (sale) for 1 package
Purchased from: Raaka.com, online order 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Tanzania Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Certified Organic Winter Spice Hot Chocolate Unroasted Dark Chocolate mix was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The cacao used to make this blend was from Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania, Africa.

Aroma notes for this blend included: sweet-tart red fruit (red berry) and dark, chocolate-y chocolate. Once blended together with hot milk, the resulting warm beverage had a relatively creamy melt and texture.

The balanced, subtle chocolate and cocoa flavors were accented with gentle warm spice, vanilla and faint coconut notes. A judicious dose of coconut sugar provided mild, balanced and warm sweetness. (Coconut milk powder also may have contributed to a relatively smoother, creamier mouthfeel than some other artisan cocoa mixes.)

Ingredients: organic cacao powder, organic coconut sugar, organic coconut milk powder, organic cacao, organic cacao butter, organic cinnamon, organic vanilla, organic nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: (Contained coconut.)

 

Raaka Chocolate - Pure Cacao & Coconut Swirl 70% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate - Aug. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate 
Pure Cacao and Coconut Swirl Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Tanzania Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Pure Cacao and Coconut Swirl 70% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Raaka Chocolate in Brooklyn, New York.

Most cacao and coconut blends are very sweet chocolate confections. I was attracted to today's bar, because this bar was made with 100% (unsweetened) cacao and was paired  with a lightly (coconut sugar) sweetened component.

The swirling of coconut and dark chocolate flavors to create the finished bar was attractive. The aroma was a bit variable, depending on whether you smelled the ultra-dark portion of the swirled bar or the sweeter ivory-hued swirl. The aroma notes included: varied a slightly waxy (on a cold morning) ultra-dark chocolate, subdued coconut, and unsweetened cocoa + vanilla chocolate. 

The texture was relatively creamy + slightly waxy (again, when tasted at a room temperature of 65 degrees F. (18.3 C.)).

The flavor(s) grew on me. I enjoyed the unsweetened, authentically chocolate-y-candy-bar-cocoa flavor (from Tanzanian cacao) elevated by the lightly sweetened (with coconut sugar) ivory-hued swirl with vanilla and maple-caramel notes. 

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cacao butter, organic coconut sugar, organic toasted coconut, organic sunflower lecithin, sea salt, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: Certified Organic and Kosher. Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free.

Spinnaker Chocolate - 70% Tanzania (bar) - Aug. 6, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Spinnaker Chocolate 
70% Tanzania (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 120 calories (per package info) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Spinnaker Chocolate, online order

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

Today's 70% Tanzania (bar) was created by Spinnaker Chocolate, a small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Seattle, WA. The company offers a variety of single origin chocolate bars, inclusion bars, and other chocolate treats (including drinking chocolate, gianduja spread and cocoa nibs).

Aroma notes for today's Tanzania bar included: light fermentation, fruit (white wine grape/raisin, tart sweet mango, diffuse red berry, dried apricot), very faint, fleeting shortbread cookie, warm spice, fig and clean mineral), and chocolate (ganache/cocoa).

The chocolate had an even texture and melt with a very slight, tart fruit astringency. 

The flavor coaxed out of just two ingredients (cocoa beans and sugar) was impressive and fruit-forward--with mango notes taking the lead after a few bites.* This naturally, bright and sweet chocolate might be good paired with cheese, or as part of a dessert plate. 

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that uses milk powder and nuts."

*It made me wonder if these Tanzanian cacao beans had been co-fermented with mango or tropical fruit(s).

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade - Mababu Tanzania 75% cocoa (bar) - Aug. 5, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade
Mababu Tanzania 75% cocoa (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163.1 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.95 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Zombierunner (coffee), Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Mababu Tanzania 75% cocoa (bar) was from Rozsavolgyi Csokolade (Budapest, Hungary).

The name Mababu refers to "...a tiny village on the slopes of the Livingstone mountain with lush vegetation by the Malawi lake in Tanzania. The Trinitario variety cocoa/cacao used to make today's chocolate was purchased from "a group of only 60 families pioneering quality organic cocoa farming."*

Aroma notes for this bar were relatively subtle and included: faint tart (lemony) green notes, fruit (light mango/tropical fruit and diffuse berry), a faint fleeting earth. This bar attractively patterned bar had smooth creamy texture.

Flavor notes mirrored aroma notes but with richer chocolate and slightly tart fruit (red berry) notes that lingered lightly into the finish. Possibly due to the inherently naturally "sweet" and relatively subtle taste in this Tanzanian cacao, the maker's choice to go slightly darker (75% vs. 70% cacao) produced good results. Less sugar, more taste.

*Maker's tasting notes: "...The fresh air from the lake, banana, rice and aromas of rum can be felt in this chocolate..."

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, Organic cane sugar, Organic cocoa butter (cacao content: 75%).

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a factory that also handles nuts, oat and milk powder."

 

Solstice Chocolate, Inc. - 70% Kilombero Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Solstice Chocolate, Inc.

70% Kilombero Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar

Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $11.00 (estimate) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Zombierunner (coffee), Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's 70% Kilombero (Tanzania) Dark Chocolate (bar) was handcrafted from bean to bar by Solstice Chocolate, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT). 

Subtle aroma notes for this bar included: faint, light fermentation/fermented (fruit, salts, very faint green vegetable) and gentle dark chocolate (true chocolate, very faint brownie).

This dark chocolate had smooth texture and smooth, balanced flavor: dark chocolate with bright, balanced fruit (sweet tart cherry and lemon), and sweet (sugar/honey-floral) notes.

Maker's tasting notes: "Wine, lemon, tart cherries, honeysuckle"

Ingredients: Cacao bean, Organic cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a tree nut, peanut, gluten, dairy and soybean free facility."

Monsoon Chocolate - Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania 77% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania 77% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Kokoa Kamili Tanzania 77% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Monsoon Chocolate (Tucson, AZ) and is part of the company's Origin Series--made possible by direct collaborations with (and purchases from) farmers and fermenteries in cacao-growing countries.

Aroma notes included sweet-tart red fruit (red berry) and dark chocolate. Other, much more subtle notes included: fleeting, barely detectable, balanced fermentation notes (faint raisin, fruit vinegar, salts) and green (mildly tart-bright succulents, wood sorrel) notes. 

This chocolate had a creamy melt and texture.

Flavor notes for this well-crafted, very balanced 77% Tanzania cacao bar included the aforementioned tart-sweet red berry--that shaded into bittersweet, ripe red cherry and lingered lightly in the finish along with smooth dark chocolate (not quite as chocolate-y as soft dark fudge but getting there).

There were no off flavors; just smooth dark chocolate goodness with just enough complexity to be interesting. It was fruity without being too jammy-sweet or too acidic. (Thank you to the makers for not adding too much sugar. The selection of 77% cacao (and "only" 23% sugar) seemed like a great choice for these beans and this bar.)

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

Allergen-related information: "There is no gluten or animal product added to this bar, however it is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, dairy, nuts and soy."

Raaka Chocolate - Ginger Snap Unroasted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) - Aug. 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate

Ginger Snap Unroasted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) in total bar

Calories: 117 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $5.00 (sale) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Organic Ginger Snap Unroasted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

Raaka makers craft their line of chocolate bars and offerings using unroasted cacao that "captures the brighter, bolder, and fruitier side of cacao." 

Kokoa Kamili

The Tanzania cacao used to make today's spice-infused bar was from Kokoa Kamili (located in the Kilombero Valley)--a several hour drive from Tanzania's largest city, Dar es Salaam on the East Coast of Africa on the Indian Ocean. This important post-harvest processing facility purchases freshly harvested ("wet") cacao from many small farmers and ultimately sells to many smaller batch chocolate makers like Raaka around the globe, after they carefully ferment and dry the cacao. (The cacao variety they offer is: primarily Trinitario variety (Amelonado x Criollo) "with the slight presence of Neo-Nacional.")

Ginger Snap bar

The Raaka description for this bar: "Ginger-steamed Tanzanian cacao mixed with winter spice-infused cacao butter and decorated with sparkling brown sugar. The perfect companion for holiday spirits." This may have been designed to be a holiday bar enjoyed in the cold weather months; but it's August here in California, and this chocolate was just as delicious in summer.

Aroma notes for this "Limited Batch" bar included: faint ginger molasses cookie, chocolate, sweet potato pie, diffuse red fruit (berry, apple), spice (light star anise and warm baking spices) and green floral (mallow) notes.

Texturally speaking, the smooth dark chocolate base was accented with crunchy sparkles of brown sugar. 

The relatively mild unroasted cacao may have lacked that bolder, "roastier" flavor notes of traditional roasted cacao based chocolates, but it made up for that with smooth dark chocolate flavor with natural sweetness and bright subtle mixed fruit and floral notes--i.e. the presence of flavors that may have been attenuated during a roasting process.

This Ginger Snap bar was not overly sweet (thank you!). The gentle blend of warm spices (ginger, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg) added natural sweetness and flavor depth, as did the maple sugar.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic maple sugar, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic light brown sugar, organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic allspice, organic nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: Vegan, gluten free, soy free, nut free. "Certified Organic and Kosher by NFC."

Lumineux Chocolate - Tanzania - 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lumineux Chocolate
Tanzania - 75% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar ($40.00 USD for 5 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

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

Today's Tanzania 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Lumineux Chocolate (Greenville, SC).

This chocolate had a smooth, rich and complex aroma that included chocolate truffles (chocolate ganache, dark chocolate ice cream), sweet green (tree/maple syrup), very faint roasted earth, dark chocolate, and faint, diffuse dried fruit (mild red berry (goji, raspberry) and date/raisin). 

The texture was smooth and the aroma and flavor notes were similar--one transitioning smoothly into the other during the tasting; but, as is almost always the case, there was a deeper dive into richer, bolder chocolate notes after taking a bite, and as it melted.

This chocolate was quite smooth, but had a pleasing complexity as well. I enjoyed the choice the chocolate maker made to go with the slightly darker 75% cacao (vs. 70% or even 72% cacao solids) as this chocolate (Batch 243) seemed to have an inherent, relatively bright, sweetness and warmth to it. 

If you're open to a breakfast or afternoon tea chocolate, this bar might make a nice pairing with a piece of buttered toast or croissant.

Maker's tasting notes: "Raspberry, raisin, cinnamon"

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (No information about potential allergens found on packaging. Suggest checking with Lumineux if you have questions.)

Monsoon Chocolate - Semuliki Forest Uganda 74% Dark Chocolate - July 31, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Semuliki Forest Uganda 74% Dark Chocolate
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week.

Today's Organic Semuliki Forest Uganda 74% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Monsoon Chocolate (Tucson, AZ). 

The company offers a variety of bean-to-bar chocolates and confections. This Semuliki Forest (western Uganda) bar is a collaboration with Uganda-based Latitude Trade Company* and is part of Monsoon's (single) Origin Series.

Aroma notes for this creamy smooth dark bar included very faint fermentation (mineral salts, slightly tangy (very faint) berry/fruit pickle vinegar), faint dark chocolate, and a faint flicker of pleasing green floral (green tea).

The flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes above, except the taste had a sustained, enjoyable deep(er) chocolate-y flavor (chocolate ganache)--with very faint fleeting earth, and diffuse fruit and warm sugar-spice notes.

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

Allergen-related information: "There is no gluten or animal products to this bar; however, it is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, dairy, nuts, and soy."

*The Semuliki Forest area in western Uganda is close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The lowland tropical rain forest climate is relatively rare for eastern Africa; and it is well suited for growing cacao.

Even more fortunate, nearby, Latitude Trade Company, an Ugandan registered social enterprise, owned and managed by Jeff Steinberg, is working directly with 100s of local small farmholders in several communities in the district of Bundibugyo (in foothills of the Rwenzori mountains) in western Uganda. 

Latitude buys "wet" (freshly harvested) cacao beans from farmers. The cacao then passes through a high-grade fermentation facility that ultimately produces high-quality cacao for chocolate makers around the globe--including Monsoon Chocolate and others in the U.S. featured this week.