Wednesday, August 10, 2022

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.


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