Hummingbird Chocolate Maker - Candied Ginger Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - Mar. 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Hummingbird Chocolate Maker
Candied Ginger Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA 

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

Today's Candied Ginger Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) was from Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Almonte, Ontario, Canada).

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (rich cocoa, ganache with light fermentation, light fruit acidity), and spice.

Both ingredients in this blend--the smooth dark chocolate and authentic, and the very slightly chewy, candied ginger--were of high quality. 

This bar was blessed with a generous helping of sugared ginger chunks and chips. The ginger flavor was balanced, not too hot and spicy, and didn't overwhelm the nuances of the dark chocolate (shades of Trinitario cacao variety (fruit) and very faint earth. No small feat with two potential flavor powerhouses.

The flavors were well executed and lingered pleasantly in the finish. This was an enjoyable, flavorful, well-crafted 70% (single origin)* chocolate bar, from a small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker self-described as "Industrious, Not Industrial." 

Maker's tasting notes: "Like a warm hug from a sassy friend, candied ginger adds a sweet and spicy zing to our single origin dark chocolate." 

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, candied ginger (ginger, cane sugar).

Allergen-related information: May contain: milk, nuts, peanuts.

Monsoon Chocolate - Ginger Covered in Dark Chocolate - Mar. 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Ginger Covered in Dark Chocolate 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 6.18 oz. (175 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 2 oz. serving
Cost: $10.00 for 1 package (plus shipping)
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Ginger Covered in Dark Chocolate pieces were from Monsoon Chocolate (Tucson, AZ)--a chocolate maker and confectioner that "sources cacao from around the globe and draws  inspiration for flavor inclusions from local ingredients."

Aroma notes for these round, pebble-shaped pieces included: dark chocolate (rich cocoa, faint diffuse fruit and fermented cacao, dark chocolate ganache/mousse) and spicy ginger.

Monsoon's generously-sized, round confections were like eating high-quality versions of giant spicy, ginger jellybeans--coated with a thin layer of 69% cacao dark chocolate and an outer-most dusting of (Ecuador) cocoa powder. The sweet ginger firm jelly-like centers packed an authentic, ginger root heat. Kapow. My eyes were almost watering; but I still wanted more.

Ginger lovers will rejoice. The only downside: all that ginger made it more difficult to taste flavor nuances in the chocolate. But, these were still fun to eat.

Ingredients: Organic crystallized ginger, dark chocolate (cocoa beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic natural cocoa powder

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that handles tree nuts, wheat, milk, eggs and peanuts. May not be suitable for people with allergies to these foods.

 

Hu Chocolate - Gingerbread Dark Chocolate Organic 70% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 25, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Hu Chocolate
Gingerbread Dark Chocolate Organic 70% Cacao (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: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Gingerbread Dark Chocolate Organic 70% Cacao (bar) was from Hu Products LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma: dark chocolate and toasted (well-done) pieces of buttery gingerbread with warm spices (ginger, star anise, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar and molasses). 

This relatively thick, well-tempered 70% dark chocolate broke with a snap and had a slow, even melt with a very slight dryness and stone-ground granularity. It was rich in appealing flavors. The spice blend recalled gingerbread people, ginger-molasses cookies, and, best of all, hot gingerbread right out of the oven. 

Given the lingering cold and stormy weather in California this year, a week of ginger and chocolate winter warmer chocolate bars like today's has been most welcome.

I enjoyed this bar with dark chocolate-dipped gluten free ginger cookies and hot ginger tea (freshly sliced ginger root and honey).

The only bad news: this chocolate may be sold out by the time you read this post. This Holiday Edition ginger and spices chocolate was purchased in December 2022. One can hope that both the holiday Hu Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread Dark Chocolate bars will be available again later in 2023.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic unrefined coconut sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic cinnamon, organic ginger, organic clove. (The organic cacao and cocoa butter were also Certified Fairtrade ingredients.)

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut. May contain traces of almond, cashew and hazelnut. Allergen cleans made prior to production, but beware that product is produced using equipment that also processes tree nuts, soy, peanuts, milk and wheat.

Srsly Chocolate - Candied Ginger 70% dark (bar) - Mar. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Srsly Chocolate
Candied Ginger 70% dark (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar ( plus shipping)
Purchased from: Srsly Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Candied Ginger 70% dark (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Srsly Chocolate (Austin, TX).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (fudge, faint, balanced, slightly acidic earth (peat)); faint green floral, and faint spice. The mild peat note disappeared after leaving this bar open for an hour. And a very faint floral smoke (barely there aromatic vanilla tobacco) took its place.

This well-tempered dark bar had a slight sheen and was made with "low and slow" roasted ("like Texas BBQ"), stone-ground cacao--in a city known for its barbequed (bar-b-qued) meats.

Flavor notes included: hearty, well-balanced dark chocolate with upticks of candied ginger. Ultra-dark chocolate fans will likely appreciate being able to taste the relatively bold dark chocolate base. (It was chocolate forward, rather than candied ginger forward.) 

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, candied ginger (ginger, sugar)

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

The Xocolate Bar - Candied Ginger (bar) - Mar. 23, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

The Xocolate Bar
Candied Ginger (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Phoenix (shop) under Nepenthe, Big Sur, CA 

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

Today's Candied Ginger (bar) was from The Xocolate Bar (Berkeley, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: warm, spicy ginger and dark chocolate.

Thick, smooth and rich 70% cacao dark chocolate surrounded chewy bits of ginger.

Dark chocolate and ginger--both bold flavors--were balanced (not boring) in this bar. And both dark chocolate and ginger were allowed to shine. There was enough harmonious flux (nuances, complexity) to keep the taste interesting and appealing.

The Xocolate Bar tasting notes: "...spicy and sweet with a ginger zing"

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade (70%) dark chocolate (organic cacao, organic sugar, sunflower lecithin), ginger, sugar

Allergen-related information: (Vegan)

 

The Xocolate Bar - Cinnamon Spice (bar) - Mar. 22, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

The Xocolate Bar
Cinnamon Spice (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Phoenix (shop) under Nepenthe, Big Sur, CA 

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

Today's Cinnamon Spice (bar) was from The Xocolate Bar (Berkeley, CA).

Aroma notes for this 70% dark chocolate bar with spice inclusions included: warm spice (cinnamon, ginger, very faint (perhaps imagined) allspice and clove) and dark chocolate (relatively bold but smooth with slight sweet herbal and citrus).

Flavor notes included: joyful holiday spiced fruit cake with tiny upticks in authentic-tasting citrus (candied orange peel), candied ginger, and assorted warm spices (cinnamon). The candied inclusion bits added softly chewy texture and sugared up this festive dark bar. 

Dark chocolate minimalists may prefer fewer spices and less sugar; but this was a fun, upbeat bar to try, and brightened up very blustery and stormy weather we were experiencing in California. 

The Xocolate Bar tasting notes: "...a warming blend of sugar and spice"

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade (70%) dark chocolate (organic cacao, organic sugar, sunflower lecithin), ginger, orange, cane sugar, glucose, cinnamon, citric acid, orange oil.

Allergen-related information: (Vegan)

Palato Chocolate - 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate w/ Caramelized Ginger, Honduras (bar) - Mar. 21, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate
70% Cacao Dark Chocolate w/ Caramelized Ginger, Honduras (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Ginger Theme Week.

Today's 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate w/ Caramelized Ginger, Honduras (bar) was hand-crafted and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa M.DC., Honduras).  

Aroma notes for this bar included: relatively bold, dark chocolate with subtle complexity, with lively spice (ginger) and occasional earth notes.

Flavor notes included: spikes of spicy, authentic, sugared ginger and dark chocolate. There were fleeting bitter and slightly soapy ginger notes (I'm assuming both from the slightly chewy ginger root flecks). 

This was a satisfying dark chocolate spice bar. One small piece provided a good wake-up chocolate breakfast.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, sugar and caramelized ginger (ginger and sugar)

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts

Mutari White Label Chocolate - Honduras La Masica 74% - Mar. , 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Mutari - White Label Chocolate 
Honduras La Masica 74% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate, Santa Cruz, CA

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

Today's White Label Chocolate Honduras La Masica 74% (bar) was made and hand-wrapped in Santa Cruz, CA. (The company has since moved its manufacturing space down to Watsonville, CA.)

The cacao (2015 Harvest, La Masica, Honduras) used to make this bar was thoughtfully sourced from producer FHIA by White Label's chief chocolate maker, who "is honored to (support/be able to work with) small family farmers" and co-ops in equatorial regions.

Fundacion Hondurena de Investagacion Agricola (FHIA) is a non-profit that works to support sustainable agriculture and cacao in Honduras.

Aroma notes for this two-ingredient chocolate included: a very gentle, complex and appealing bouquet of fruit (peach, plum, fig jam, very faint cherry), very faint and diffuse molasses and warm spice, very faint and diffuse floral (apricot blossom, orchid, honey).

Flavor notes included: true chocolate (brownie, dark chocolate ganache, cookie), cream**, diffuse fruit (stone fruit), very faint warm spice, and faint (balanced) earth.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, Organic sugar

Allergen-related information: (No allergens listed in ingredients; no additional facility/allergen-related information listed on packaging.)

**There was no cream or dairy ingredients in this chocolate.

Palato Chocolate - Almendras Cubiertos de Chocolate Oscuro - Mar. 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Chocolate

Almendras Cubiertos de Chocolate Oscuro

(Almonds Covered in Dark Chocolate) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total bar
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 2 oz. (57 g.) serving
Cost: $15.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Missing information

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

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate, Almonds Covered in Dark Chocolate were manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

Aroma notes for these dark chocolate covered almonds included: subtle fudge brownie batter. (Most glazed chocolate confections have very little aroma that comes through before you bite into them.)

The dark chocolate and almond flavors were rich and satisfying. Authentic tasting cacao flavor included dark chocolate with fruit (soft, tart sweet cherry) and very faint balanced earth notes. The inside was bursting with fresh-tasting, crunchy roasted whole almond flavor.

These dark chocolate covered almonds were much better than most you'll find. They had nuanced and very complementary chocolate and nut flavors. (The almonds almost stole the show.) These were just plain good, and not too sweet. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Almonds, dark chocolate, sugar and gum arabic (agente de glaseado). Producto 100% artesanal elaborado en Honduras.

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts and could contain traces of milk.

 

 

Palato Chocolate - 80% Cacao Dark Chocolate (Honduras) (bar) - Mar. 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate
80% Cacao Dark Chocolate, Honduras (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate 80% Cacao Dark Chocolate, Honduras (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

Aroma notes for this two-ingredient chocolate included: subtle but flavorful dark chocolate; diffuse fruit (dried pear, white wine grape, golden raisin, almost undetectable sweet pineapple and mango); and very faint savory earth and fermentation notes (when the sealed, inner package was first opened).

This 80% chocolate broke with a snap, initially had a smooth melt and texture, and then there was an uptick in fruit astringency. This granular dryness was enough to tickle the throat, although it diminished in the finish.

The relatively fruity ultra-dark chocolate had a very slight, fleeting fermentation funk (wine, cheese)--that dissipated (along with some of the fruit notes) after leaving the freshly opened chocolate on a plate to breathe for a few hours. In its wake a tamer, very faint dark chocolate coconut cookie note joined the fruit notes that remained.

The flavors described above were balanced, and fairly mild for an 80% dark chocolate. Low in bitterness, this bar was generous in its subtle, complex fruit notes, but not too sweet. 

This two-ingredient bar would be interesting to try for dark chocolate fans, and one to include on a dessert (fruit and cheese) plate.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs and sugar

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts.

Palato Chocolate - 65% Cacao Dark Chocolate w/ Bhutlah Pepper, Honduras (bar) - Mar. 17, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate

65% Cacao Dark Chocolate w/ Bhutlah Pepper, Honduras (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate 65% Cacao Dark Chocolate w/ Bhutlah Pepper, Honduras (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

Aroma notes for this two-ingredient chocolate included: sweet, relatively subtle dark chocolate with slight fermentation and faint vegetable (lightly smoked chili pepper) notes.

Flavor notes included: warm chocolate, lightly sweetened iced tea, and hot pepper. About halfway through tasting a piece, there was an uptick in heat (from the spicy Bhutlah pepper).

This chocolate had interesting, subtle complexity, and the balanced spiciness added interest. The hot pepper flavor was rich and nicely balanced; it tickled the throat but didn't overwhelm the other, more subtle, flavors.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, sugar, cacao fat and dehydrated bhutlah pepper

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts

 

Palato Chocolate - White Chocolate with Cacao Nibs (bar) - Mar. 16, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Chocolate
White Chocolate with Cacao Nibs (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate White Chocolate with Cacao Nibs (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

Founded in 2017 by Chef Monica Pedemonte, Palato Chocolate creates high-end cuisine, baked goods and bean-to-bar chocolate. The Honduran cacao used to make their chocolates comes from several regions, including some very remote locations.

The initial aroma notes (immediately after opening the sealed inner packaging) included: fruit (melon candy, red grape), very faint salad with white cheese (goat roquefort), and barely detectable cacao nibs. 

After being opened for 12 hours, the fermentation (cheese)* notes had all but disappeared; the ripe fruit notes had receded; and sweet, Boston brown bread and honey notes revealed themselves.

Flavor notes for this white chocolate with cocoa nibs bar echoed the (initial and subsequent) aroma notes described above, first with a bit of cheese salad, subtle sweet fruit (melon, pear, peach) and faint caramel; and occasional crunchy cacao nibs. The crunchy dark nibs and the savory notes helped balance out the sweetness of the white chocolate.

The finish was mellow, almost mild: soft and sweet (more like wine grapes than cheese salad).

*I thought if I re-tasted this chocolate later, the fermentation notes might dissipate. They did. These notes did fade, but some of the unique fruit fermentation fun may have also diminished a bit.

I appreciated the daring complexity of this chocolate. (Full disclosure: I love complex umami flavors.) It was difficult to know how to "rate" this chocolate. Not everyone will appreciate it's uniqueness. I recommend inhaling the aroma when you open this chocolate, but then let it sit open for a few hours before eating it.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, sugar and cacao fat

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts.  

Palato Chocolate - 60% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate (Honduras) (bar) - Mar. 15, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate
60% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate 60% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

The company was established by (Chef) Monica Pedemonte in 2007. She specializes in Honduran cacao, and the cacao beans/nibs used to make their chocolates come from several areas of the country.

Subtle, complex aroma notes for today's bar included: dark milk chocolate, muted fruit, very faint vegetable (potato, sweet chili), faint molasses and date, and faint caramel.

The texture of this well-tempered bar was relatively creamy and smooth with a rapidly dissolving melt. 

Given the complex aroma (above), this dark milk chocolate had more muted flavors than expected. Flavor notes included some initial cocoa (with very faint molasses and diffuse fruit), milk (an actual glass of milk), and a milky chocolate (ganache -- only with less sugar). 

The chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!). Too much sugar can overwhelm flavors. Although, the milk (while authentic and wonderful) seemed to dilute what may have been a subtle, more nuanced cacao.

Those wanting a milder, yet sophisticated (less strong, less sugary) milk chocolate will like this subtle bar. It had an interesting aroma and was low in acidity and very low in bitterness.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, sugar, milk powder and cacao fat

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts. 

Palato Chocolate - 65% Cacao Dark Chocolate (Honduras) (bar) - Mar. 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Chocolate
65% Cacao 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: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week. Happily, I found enough chocolates from Honduras (or made with cacao from Honduras) for a complete week.

The history of cacao cultivation in Central America is long. Archeological evidence points to humans enjoying cacao 1,000s of years ago (2,000 BCE) in Honduras. However, it has been challenging to find bars made with Honduran cacao in the U.S.  

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate 65% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

Palato Chocolate is a high-end cuisine/baked goods (and subsequently bean-to-bar chocolate) brand established by (Chef) Monica Pedemonte in 2007. The Honduran cacao used to make their chocolates comes from several regions, including remote locations such as Wampusurpi, Gracias a Dios.

Aroma notes included: hearty, nuanced and fruity dark chocolate with faint fruit (soft, sweet white wine grape), green floral, earthy (slightly savory, clay) brownie.

This dark chocolate had skillfully balanced, true cacao (dark chocolate torte) flavor with a very faint dried golden fruit (dried pear, white grape, very faint, fleeting pomegranate) note. It had a balanced fruit (and very faint roasted coffee) acidity and was not too sweet. 

The finish was also chocolate-y with very faint fruit (sweet white grape) and fleeting sweet warm spice (cinnamon) notes. These was a faint, fleeting fruit astringency (very slight dryness, graininess), but only in one bite; otherwise both texture and taste were quite smooth.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, sugar and cacao fat

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts. 

Palato - 65% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Orange and Almonds (bar) - Mar. 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Chocolate
65% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Orange and Almonds (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Fruits Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week. 

I am excited to feature a full week of Honduras chocolates, including a variety of bars and confections from Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate located in Honduras.

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate 65% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Orange and Almonds (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

The citrus (sophisticated candied orange peel) aroma for this dark chocolate bar was worth calling out. I felt was enjoying a slice of chocolate orange peel almond cake or a cocktail (Old Fashioned, Manhattan with orange peel and bitters), with all the rich flavor, but without the alcohol. 

All this aroma and flavor was packed into a smooth, well-tempered 65% dark chocolate. This chocolate was not too sweet. (That aromatic sweet orange peel perfume (orange oil) provided plenty of sweet fruit essence.) The uniform, flavorful dark chocolate, and the almond bits, contained all this sweet citrus taste in the most delightful, complementary way.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, sugar, cacao fat, almonds and orange oil

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almonds). Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts. 

Chocolove - Filled Passion Fruit Ruby Chocolate 34% (bar) - Mar. 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolove
Filled Passion Fruit Ruby Chocolate 34% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.2 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A gift from family member 

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

Today's Passion Fruit Filled Ruby Chocolate 34% Cocoa (bar) was from Chocolove (Boulder, CO).

Aroma notes for this bar: sweet fruits (passion fruit, red berry lemonade), and berry candy.

The creamy ruby chocolate exterior had red raspberry milk tea and sweet berry white chocolate flavor notes, punctuated by pockets of soft, golden, tart-sweet, passion fruit filling.

Yes, it may a bit too sweet for dark chocolate lovers. But, what was enjoyable was the complementary candy-like blend of ruby (berry) + white (vanilla) chocolate and passion fruit filling. The two flavors and textures worked well together. 

And speaking of sweet, Chocolove has continued their tradition of including a love poem on the inside of its chocolate bar wrappers. This one was from "Astrophil and Stella" by Sir Philip Sidney. The last line includes a reference to chocolate.

Ingredients: Ruby chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, milk, cocoa liquor, soy lecithin, citric acid, vanilla), white chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, milk, soy lecithin, vanilla), cane sugar, passion fruit concentrate, passion fruit puree (passion fruit, sugar), organic cream (milk, gellan gum), organic glycerin, tapioca syrup, organic palm fruit oil, invert sugar.

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

Tru Fru - Dark Chocolate Nature's Blueberries (frozen) - Mar. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Tru Fru
Dark Chocolate Nature's Blueberries (frozen)
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) / 5 oz. (141.5 g.) in total container
Calories: 225 calories in 1/2 container
Cost: $2.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Nature's Blueberries were from Tru Fru (Salt Lake City, UT). The company specializes in chilled and dried "fresh fruit in chocolate" snacks.

These frozen blueberries were immersed in both white and dark chocolate. As with most frozen items, the aroma was subtle. The blueberry centers had authentic frozen berry texture and the outer chocolate layers were smooth, with a nice melt.

Flavor notes included: slightly earthy bold dark chocolate (dark chocolate frosting, ganache) as well as sweet white chocolate surrounding a frozen blueberry fruit center, with a faint, earthy finish.

These chocolate covered blueberries were flavorful and felt less filling than heavier chocolate and fruit confections.

Ingredients: Blueberries, dark chocolate (cane sugar, chocolate liquor (processed with alkali), cocoa butter, milkfat, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla), white chocolate (cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), natural vanilla flavor).

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soy.

Bitchin' Inc. - Chocolate Sweet Sauce & Kasama Chocolate - Blackberry White Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Bitchin' Inc.
Chocolate Sweet Sauce
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total container
Calories: 110 calories in 1 serving (2 TB) 
Cost: $3.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Kasama Chocolate
Blackberry White Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar

Calories: 164.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week, featuring fruits ranging from Apple to Yuzu--and chocolate and fruit pairings like today's chocolate sauce and blackberry white chocolate duo.

I don't count white chocolates (even when they're made with 100% real cocoa butter); but a few times a year, I made an exception and pair dark or milk chocolate with a white chocolate (with a flavor inclusion). Today's double feature is one of those days.

Bitchin' Inc. - Chocolate Sweet Sauce

This was not your grandparents' chocolate sauce. This refrigerated, lightly malty, nutty chocolate sauce was less sweet and more flavorful than traditional jarred chocolate sauces (made with sugar(s) and corn syrup). 

Most chocolate sauces found in a glass jar also don't contain things like finely ground almonds, coconut aminos, or nutritional yeast. 

Family owned and operated Bitchin' Inc. (based in Carlsbad, CA) is best known for their variety of gluten free and vegan savory and sweet sauces, made with a short list of high-quality ingredients. (My favorite savory sauce is their artichoke and spinach dip/sauce.) 

Today's relatively thick, and very faintly granular (almonds) chocolate sauce had a satisfying sweet chocolate and malty almond flavor and complemented pieces of fresh fruits, including: apples, stone fruits, bananas, berries (and today's blackberry white chocolate bar) very nicely.

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, water, organic sunflower oil, almonds, cocoa, organic coconut aminos, nutritional yeast, vanilla, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds, coconut (tree nuts)."

Kasama Chocolate 

In a few days the 95th Academy Awards ceremony will honor the best performances in numerous categories. If there was a category called Best imitation of a dark chocolate bar by a white chocolate bar, Kasama Chocolate's Blackberry White Chocolate bar would surely win a statuette.

When I opened up the silver inner wrapper. I thought I was looking at a dark chocolate bar. This white chocolate was that berry-dark in appearance. It was bursting with an estimated 20 blackberries (fully incorporated) in each bar.

The aroma for this bar was cocoa butter and berry forward and there was a small explosion of fresh, tart sweet blackberry flavor in every bite. The sweetness was balanced a bit by dipping squares of this bar into the Sweet Chocolate Sauce (which was not as sweet as the blackberry white chocolate).

Ingredients: Organic cacao butter, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic BC (British Columbia) Blackberries

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

Chocolate Naive - Durian Fruit Chocolate 61% (bar) - Mar. 9, 2023

 Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Naive
Durian Fruit Chocolate 61% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 158.48 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Durian Fruit Chocolate 61% (bar) was made by Chocolate Naive (Vilnius, Lithuania).

The aroma aspects of this chocolate included: fruit (yellow-orange tropical fruits, very slightly earthy pineapple custard); chocolate; lemon-herb (oxalis); very faint nut (Brazil, hickory, pine); and faint wine grape and cheese fermentation notes.

This well-tempered bar broke with a snap and had a smooth, creamy, appealing texture and melt. It was a dark milk chocolate bar, but the fruit flavor was clear and bright, and seemed un-dulled by the judicious amount of grass-fed milk powder added.

Flavor notes included: mild, sweet yellow/orange tropical fruit (with very little of the fabled durian funk).* The fruit flavor carried on into the finish -- where there was one, very brief, mildly earthy cheese note.* 

This unique fruit infused chocolate was not too sweet and had nicely balanced tropical fruit flavor(s). The maker succeeded in capturing the sunnier side of this slightly tart-sweet fruit--a friendly mango-pineapple-cacao fruit rather than a scary monster (like the demon-style mask featured on the bar's packaging).

Ingredients: Specialty cacao*, cane sugar*, pure cacao butter*, grass-fed milk powder*, durian* (6%). *Wild or all natural farming

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk.) May contain traces of treenuts, peanuts and wheat

* I once bought durian ice cream, to go. I drove away intending to eat it at a nearby park. But, soon the odor inside the car was overwhelming. I had to pull over and discard this new treasure into an outdoor trash can.

What's the technical explanation for the smell?

Durian fruit produces ethanethiol--a chemical compound credited for causing "the smell." In large quantities this compound can be toxic. And as the fruit ripens, the level of ethionine (the ethyl analog to the amino acid methionine, and a precursor to ethanethiol) increases and so does the offending odor. 

The sometimes smelly (especially if overly ripe) durian fruit is banned in some public spaces in Malaysia and Singapore. However, if you're able to enjoy the mild (rather than the wild) side of this fruit, it's quite good.

Puchero - Chocolate with Pistachios & Strawberries 50% (bar) - Mar. 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Puchero
Chocolate with Pistachios and Strawberries 50% (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 177 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Chocolate with Pistachios and Strawberries 50% (bar) was from Puchero (Valladolid, Spain), and made with local ingredients from Spain: "Pistacyl" pistachios from Valladolid and strawberries from Segovia.

The subtle aroma notes included: sweet red berry (strawberry), milk chocolate, and caramel.

This bar had a unique texture. It had a thick (in a cold room), high-fat, creamy melt and mouthfeel. There was no dairy or dairy fat in this bar. The relatively high fat content muted the chocolate and other flavors a little, and provided a buttery tasting experience.

The rich texture was accomplished via (I'm guessing) cocoa butter and very finely ground pistachio nuts (as I did not detect any pistachio nut pieces, just subtle nut flavor). 

The flavors were mild and balanced. The cacao flavors were extremely subtle, with no detectable acidity, bitterness or dark chocolate flavors one typically finds with the presence "darker" half of the cocoa bean (solids). 

This chocolate belongs on a 50% cacao bar tasting flight, to show what is possible using a lower percentage of cacao solids.* (It would also be a nice addition to a dessert plate.)

Almost all 50% cacao chocolates are very sweet. It was a happy surprise to discover this one  (refreshingly) was not. Sugar was the third ingredient listed. 

There was no "more-ish" sugar craving (to wolf down more of this chocolate) in this quieter bar. I enjoyed savoring each bite slowly, and was content with less.

Ingredients: "Cacao beans, pistachio (25%), organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, dehydrate strawberry (4%), salt."

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

*Percentages may surprise you, tasting both darker and milder than one might expect. Some "lower" percentage chocolates may taste higher than indicated, and vice versa. The origin and variety of cacao (not always identified on the packaging) makes a difference. And, in today's case, a lower percentage bar doesn't have to mean more sugar.

 

Pure Boost - Cocoa Banana Bounty Superfood Blend - Mar. 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Pure Boost Superfood Blends
Cocoa Banana Bounty Superfood Blend
Good +
Weight: 1/3 cup (27 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 70 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Pure Boost Cocoa Banana Bounty Superfood Blend was distributed by IMS (Shelton, CT).

Aroma and flavor notes included: slightly tangy sweetened fruit (berry and banana) with smooth, subtle cocoa -- a cocoa flavor that became richer and closer to chocolate milk once mixed with milk. 

The powder mixed and incorporated fairly readily with the milk of choice and a bit of water. There was no grainy or sedimentary texture once blended.

No added sugar, non-dairy, gluten free, plant based, allergen free

The flavors were attenuated a little--often the case when foods are processed to create a powdered form. But, the flavors of real banana and faint cocoa did come through.

 The sweetness tasted a little too enhanced initially; but then it calmed down to something more natural. The pros of alternative sweeteners (like erythritol and stevia blends) included the absence of a processed sugar buzz or sugar-coated teeth afterwards. The plant/seed-based protein powder also helped balance the sweetness and any fruit acidity.

Today's blend was described as a "...boost to juices, smoothies and baking" and I tried sampling this powdered mix by itself and with (dairy) milk. 

On the back of the package was a smoothie recipe, calling for blending 1/3 cup of this Cocoa Banana Bounty blend with one cup of a milk of choice, 1 fresh banana and two tablespoons of nut butter. I agree this would be quite good.

Ingredients: Plant-based protein blend (pumpkin seed protein, sunflower flour, hemp seed protein, flax meal), banana powder, Pyure organic sweetener blend (organic erythritol, organic soluble tapioca fiber, organic stevia leaf extract, organic natural flavor), natural cocoa powder, natural flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Non dairy, gluten free, allergen free"

Honeymoon Chocolate - Strawberry Milk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 6, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Honeymoon Chocolate
Strawberry Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Z. Cioccolato, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Strawberry Milk Chocolate (bar) from Honeymoon Chocolates (Clayton, MO). was created using a short list of thoughtfully sourced cacao (Belize), cacao butter (Peru), raw honey (local farms), and organic ingredients (cacao, milk, strawberries).*

I usually prefer dark chocolates. And I admit my first reaction when I read "strawberry milk chocolate" was a small sigh. Milk and sugar can dull fresh, sweet-tart fruit flavors. (This can happen with some strawberry ice creams.) However, this skillfully made and nuanced bar (that I suggest savoring slowly) proved otherwise.

Aroma notes included: fermented cacao and tart-sweet red fruit. (Just as some bottles of wine are best left to breathe after opening, some well-sealed chocolates improve with being aired out for a few minutes after opening.)

The initial fermentation notes dissipated in less than 10 minutes leaving room for richer, more attractive, nuanced chocolate and caramel and delicate floral (pollen/honey) notes.

This bar had an interesting texture with a melt that started slow (in a cold tasting room) with an almost gentley waxy creamy mouthfeel that accelerated into a rapid, natural melt. I am assuming this was in part due to the use of raw honey instead of cane sugar.

The attractive bar had a hexonal honeycomb pattern on the front side and an authentic rosey,  duo-toned, naturally red pink strawberry pieces adhered to the back of the bar.

What about the chocolate? The milk chocolate had more of a clear, well-balanced bittersweet chocolate (rather than a muted milk chocolate) flavor, that I liked. 

Raw honey and strawberry fruit bits provided subtle sweetness, without the same sugar buzz** that one often find in milk chocolates. (Thank you!)

*Ingredients: Organic cacao, raw honey, organic cacao butter, organic milk powder, organic strawberry.

Allergen-related information: "Free of refined sugar, soy, or gluten."

** Honey tends to be sweeter than sugar, by weight, which means that a 70% cacao chocolate bar sweetened with honey, might taste different than a 70% chocolate bar sweetened with cane sugar.

Coracao - Cacao Nectar 81% Dark Chocolate & Cacao Fruit (bar) - Mar. 5, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Coracao Chocolate
Cacao Nectar 81% Dark Chocolate and Cacao Fruit (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) total bar
Calories: 320 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Z. Cioccolato, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Cacao Nectar 81% Dark Chocolate and Cacao Fruit (bar) was created by Coracao Chocolate (Richmond, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes for this Organic chocolate bar included: diffuse, mildy tart sweet fruit (cacao fruit, peach, subtle ripe pineapple and soursop), dark chocolate (with faint, fleeting, balanced earth notes), faint caramel and very faint coconut cookie (vanilla) notes.

Sweetened with a judicious amount of coconut sugar, cacao fruit/juice provided satisfying and nuanced natural sweetness. 

Cacao fruit is often described as a blend of several more fruits including a range of melon (e.g. watermelon candy), citrus, and a variety of other tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, banana, soursop, etc.), and sometimes includes more delicate pear, apple and floral notes. (Flavors can vary slightly depending on the cacao fruit variety and processing methods.)

Ingredients: Organic heirloom cacao, organic coconut sugar, organic cacao butter, evaporated cacao fruit juice, Himalayan salt and organic vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that processes almonds, cashews & other tree nuts

Thomas Keller K+M Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Yuzu 70% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Thomas Keller, K+M Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Yuzu 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .95 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.9 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories:  calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Napa Farms Market, SFO, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Yuzu 70% Cacao "bean-to-bar" chocolate was from K+M Chocolate* and made in Napa, CA.

Yuzu, the highlighted fruit today, originated in Asia/SE Asia, as did virtually all citrus. California (and other "warm" states) in the U.S. (as well as many other countries with a Mediterranean climate) have cultivated citrus for centuries. 

When citrus reached countries with access to cacao from the Americas, centuries ago, it was perhaps inevitable that citrus and citrus peel flavored chocolates should follow. (Earl Grey flavored chocolate anyone?)

Today's chocolate maker(s) reside in Napa, at the heart of wine and food country in Northern California--home of great chefs, and specialty wine and food providers, and where one expects to find great chocolate desserts and confections. Sure enough, we find today's skillfully executed bar (and others) from K+ M Chocolate. 

The peel of "Japanese Yuzu fruit" was infused into the cocoa butter (the "fat" portion of chocolate) before being fully incorporated into the cocoa mass/dark chocolate bar. The result: a very smooth and completely incorporated flavor (vs. trying to mix in whole/dried fruit inclusions later in the process).

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate and faint, aromatic citrus aroma.

This 70% cacao dark chocolate (made with Arriba Nacional cacao from Hacienda Victoria estate in Ecuador) was smooth and uniform texture and mouthfeel. (There was no olive oil in this bar as has been in other K+M bars. Olive oil can create a silky texture, but added fats can also partially obscure flavors.)

Flavor notes included: dark, bold but smooth, chocolate; light, tangy citrus (yuzu, sweet tangerine); and very faint spice (white and black pepper). There was a very faint fruit astringency in the finish. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable and sophisticated, special occasion chocolate. Was it worth $18.25 (USD)? You'll have to be the judge.

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, freeze dried yuzu, organic sunflower lecithin

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

*K+M Chocolate is a collaboration between well-known Chef Thomas Keller (chef-owner of the French Laundry restaurant) and Thomas Manni, producer of extra virgin olive oils.

Sigona's Farmers Market - Pineapple Macadamia Milk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 3, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Sigona's Farmers Market
Pineapple Macadamia Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 3 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Pineapple Macadamia Milk Chocolate (bar) was a collaboration between Sigona's Farmers Market (Stanford Shopping Center, in Palo Alto, CA) and local chocolatier, Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA).

Aroma notes for this bar included: fresh, sweet, fruity chocolate with tropical fruit (sweet pineapple) notes.

My favorite aspect of this bar was the chewy, authentic (dried) pineapple pieces (from Sigona's) that were swimming in smooth, thick, creamy milk chocolate--that had light, sweet, caramel overtones. 

This pineapple (that Sigona's market sourced from a family farm in Costa Rica), even though it was dried, somehow still tasted very fresh. It was not overly sweet and it maintained its natural tropical, pineapple fruit flavor, texture and mouthfeel. 

Crunchy, roasted macadamia nuts* rounded out this trio and helped to balance the sweetness. A hint of vanilla added a trace of warm baked goods aroma.

Overall, this was a well executed collaboration, and a great use of ripe, flavorful dried fruit. 

Cacao seeds* (what most people call cacao beans) used to make chocolate offer very rich and versatile flavor (sometimes a little bitter and seedy). The inner core of cacao seeds also picks up flavor from a surrounding layer of cacao fruit pulp.** 

The cacao fruit pulp sugars fuel the fermentation and cacao flavor development process. This ivory-colored cacao fruit pulp dissolves and drains away during the fermentation process, leaving the cacao seeds (aka cacao "beans") behind. 

In today's case, the added pineapple evoked some of that native tropical fruit flavor I associate with making chocolate from the whole cacao fruit, close to the Equator. And the mac nuts and vanilla also reminded me of tropical vacations visiting cacao farms. These warm memories were appreciated, in the middle of a cold winter, looking outside at snow in the hills.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cane sugar, cocoa butter, full cream milk, cocoa beans, vanilla beans), dried pineapple, macadamia nuts.

Allergen-related information: (Contains dairy/milk.) "Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat."

* Yes, cacao beans are really seeds. And macadamia nuts can be considered seeds as well.

** Cacao fruit pulp has a flavor that can be difficult to pin down. Generally it is sweet and a little tart. Depending on the cacao variety (there are many), the fruit tastes like citrus, melon, and/or even a little like mixed tropical fruits, including pineapple or mango.

Marinka Dobnik - 70% Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds (bar) - Mar. 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Cokoladni Atelje Dobnik (Marinka Dobnik, s.p. - EY)
Blejski otok, Slovenija (Bled Island, Slovenia)
70% Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 168 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Toni!)*
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Seeds Series. 

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds (bar) hailed from Marinka Dobnik, a large chocolate supplier in Slovenia (Blejski Otok, Slovenija (Bled Island, Slovenia)). 

Thank you to traveling friend, Toni Deser, for bringing this chocolate back from a trip to Europe.

Aroma and flavor notes included dark, dense chocolate (with Forastero cacao variety-like cacao flavor + very faint vanilla) that tasted slightly darker than 70% cacao. 

This bar had uniform dark chocolate taste and texture. My only quibble: the relatively bold dark chocolate made it difficult to detect the caramelized pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients: Cacao mass (blend), sugar (26.4%), soy lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla aroma, pumpkin seeds (7%).

Allergen-related information: May contain: eggs, dairy, lactose, nuts, soy and peanuts. 

*Thank you to traveling friend, Toni Deser, for bringing this chocolate (and others) back from a trip to Europe, and for sharing chocolates from around the globe with Chocolate Banquet.

**Note: the Ingredient and allergen-related information above was translated from Slovenian into English by me, a non-Slavic language speaker. So my apologies in advance for any translation errors.)

Munk Pack - Keto Nut and Seed - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Munk Pack
Keto Nut and Seed - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Keto Nut and Seed Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured for Munk Pack (Greenwich, CT). The company offers a variety of low/no sugar granolas and snack bars.

Aroma notes for this bar included: peanuts, chocolate, vanilla cookie and faint seed(s).

This gluten free bar had a satisfying texture, with crunchy peanuts, crispy (rice), softly chewy seeds, and smooth rich dark chocolate and peanut butter elements.

The balanced flavors for this plant-based, gluten-free bar included: subtle pumpkin and sunflower seed. But it was the blend of peanut butter and dark chocolate--a classic flavor duo--took center stage.

This snack bar was sweetened with allulose and monk fruit.

Ingredients: Peanuts, allulose, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, soluable tapioca fiber and/or Non-GMO corn fiber, peanut butter, palm kernel oil ("responsibly sourced"), rice flour, alkalized cocoa powder, sea salt, unsweetened chocolate, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) for freshness, coconut oil, monk fruit extract

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, almonds, coconut, macadamia, traces of milk and other tree nuts. Made on equipment that processes soy, egg, sesame. May contain nut shell fragments.

*Note from Munk Pack: "Allulose is a sweetener found naturally in small amounts in maple syrup, figs and raisins. Our source is produced from non-bioengineered corn. Allulose has virtually no impact on blood sugar and insulin."

 

Zego LLC - Chocolate Chip Mix-Ins (Nut Free Trail Mix) - Feb. 28, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Zego LLC
Chocolate Chip Mix-Ins (Nut Free Trail Mix)
Good + 
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 7 oz. (196 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $11.09 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Seeds Series.

Today's Chocolate Chip Mix-Ins (Nut Free Trail Mix) were distributed by Zego Foods (Zego LLC), based in San Francisco, CA.

Aroma and flavor notes for this Organic, Certified Gluten Free trail mix with a soft, seedy crunch included: faint oatmeal cookie, dates, and even fainter seed, chocolate and vanilla. 

Tiny chocolate chips provided subtle, dark chocolate flavor depth. Dates provided natural sweetness. 

This trail mix was a good "mix in" with yogurt and fruit; and would be a nice addition in cereals and/or baking mixes. 

Zego also offered a "purity verified" designation -- verified for "Glyphosate and over 400 other toxins, allergens and gluten...with traceable test results." (Ingredients were sourced from "glyphosate free farms.")

Ingredients: Organic pumpkin seeds, organic dates (organic dates, gluten free oat flour), chocolate chips 

Allergen-related information: "Our facility is free from gluten and the top 14 allergens. No peanuts, no tree nuts, no soy, no milk, no eggs, no sulfites, no sea creatures, no lupin, no sesame, no mustard. Corn free equipment and packaging." "Purity Verified for Glyphosate and over 400 other toxins, allergens and gluten." 

 

Love + Chew - The Superfood Cookie - Chocolate Chia - Feb. 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Love + Chew 
The Superfood Cookie - Chocolate Chia
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total cookie
Calories: 270 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Seeds Series.

Today's Love + Chew "The Superfood Cookie" Chocolate Chia treat was created by Lauren Chew at CompletEats, LLC, San Francisco, CA. (The company offers a family of plant-based protein cookies.)

Aroma notes included: faint date fruitcake, seed, melon, and pumpkin.

This low-sugar cookie was designed with health in mind. It had a satisfying soft chew and cohesive texture (no crumbs in lap), thanks in part to dates and almond butter.

Flavor notes included: mild dried fruit (date), cocoa and vanilla spice cake with a very faint Omega 3 (seed) finish. The flavors were balanced, the cookie was not overly sweet (thank you!). I enjoyed the subtle complexity, and the lack of a sugar rush.

Ingredients: Blanched almonds, date paste, almond butter, dark chocolate chips (organic cane sugar, organic cocoa liquor, organic cocoa butter), water, chia seeds, vegetable glycerin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), pure vanilla extract, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds. Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts, peanuts, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, sesame seeds." (May contain date pit fragments.)

Lula's Chocolates - Dark Macadamia Turtles - Feb. 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lula Lund's Chocolates, LLC
Dark Macadamia Turtles 
Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 445 calories (estimate) in 1 turtle
Cost: $7.95 (estimate) for 1 package/turtle
Purchased from: Lula's, The Crossroads (shopping center), Carmel, CA

Today's Dark Macadamia Turtle was from Lula Lund's Chocolates, LLC (Monterey, CA).

Aroma notes for his luxurious take on a milk chocolate, caramel and pecan classic confection included: buttery caramel, sea salt, roasted nuts (macadamia), and dark chocolate.

This turtle offered a thick textural feast and satisfying flavor with softly crunchy jumbo mac nuts; soft, thick and chewy caramel; and smooth dark chocolate. Occasional sparkles of sea salt.

Warning: the sweet-salt and creamy caramel, nuts and chocolate combination can be addictive.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cocoa mass (chocolate liquor processed with alkali, cocoa butter), sugar, milk fat, soy lecithin, natural flavors); macadamia; caramel (non-GMO corn syrup, pure cane sugar, heavy cream, butter, soy lecithin, salt, vanilla); sea salt. 

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that processes peanuts and other nuts. Contains milk, soy and tree nuts. "Always gluten free."

Javier Confectionery - Vegan Brittle, Dark Chocolate - Feb. 25, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Javier Confectionery
Vegan Brittle - All Natural Vegan Dark Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 220 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $7.50 for 1 package
Purchased from: Sweet Shop, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Seed Series.

Today's Vegan Brittle (with) All Natural Vegan Dark Chocolate was from Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA). 

Aroma notes for this brittle included seeds, caramel/toffee and subtle dark chocolate.

Flavor notes included sweet sesame brittle, roasted pumpkin seeds, other seed notes (pine nuts), dark chocolate, and very faint earth (clay) and caramel popcorn.

These thin shards were perfect for taking crunchy, very slightly chewy bites of brittle without losing a filling. 

The 63% dark chocolate on the back (and the seeds) helped to balance the sweetness. Popular sesame brittle candy flavor was accented with pumpkin seeds. And the addition of pine nuts was a nice touch; they added a bit of their own faint, but distinctive flavor.

Ingredients: Vegan dark chocolate (63% unsweetened cocoa, sugar, sunflower lecithin, vanilla), pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, sesame seeds.

Allergen-related information: Contains sesame. "Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

Keto Foods - Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars - Feb. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Keto Foods
Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars
Good ++
Weight: 3 fl. oz. (65 g.) / 12 fl. oz. oz. (356 mL) in total box of 4 bars
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week--a week that has included chocolates with caramel, toffee...and at least one item with real gold (leaf).

Today's Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel ice cream bars were "manufactured for UpStar Nutrition Inc." (Clackamas, OR)* and are part of a line of Keto Certified low-sugar offerings from Keto Foods (Scottsdale, AZ).*

Keto Pint* took the (thick and gooey sweet) caramel concept in a different direction, offering a Sea Salt Caramel ice cream bar with "no added sugars" (2 G. Net Carbs). Is it possible to create satisfying caramel flavor with erythritol, stevia and monk fruit? 

Aroma notes for this Keto Certified, Kosher ice cream bar included: dark chocolate, vanilla (cookie), faint caramel/butterscotch, and very faint mellow nut and wood. 

A thin, crispy keto dark chocolate shell enclosed a relatively light, flavorful ice cream center. The texture and melt were appealing. Like many chocolate coated ice cream bars, you may want to eat this one over a plate to prevent an errant shard of chocolate from dropping in your lap.

The dark chocolate tasted like real chocolate. And the authentic, creamy center had surprisingly good vanilla and caramel and rich ice cream flavor. (Real cream being the number one ingredient didn't hurt.) 

The flavors were well balanced; and this ice cream bar wasn't too sweet. (Thank you!) I would definitely buy these again in the future. The overall taste was far better than most "diet" or sugar free chocolate items. 

There was no sense of compromise in terms of flavor and texture. And yes it is possible to enjoy caramel flavor without a lot of gooey, sweet caramel (sugar).

Ingredients: Cream, water, chocolate coating (unsweetened chocolate, coconut oil, erythritol, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, MCT oil, steviol glycosides, vanilla extract), egg yolk, erythritol, chicory root fiber, milk protein concentrate, tapioca fiber, natural flavor, vegetable glycerin, sea salt, guar gum, steviol glycosides, annatto extract, monkfruit extract, xanthan gum, gum acacia.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, egg (and coconut (oil)). "This product has been processed on equipment that processes milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

*The Keto Pint ice cream brand was "created (in 2018) by two brothers with a vision to help accelerate the transition to lower sugar foods." (Keto Pint Ice Cream was formerly known as UpStar Ice Cream.) In 2021 Keto Pint transitioned to Keto Foods. The company's main office is based in Scottsdale, AZ.

Lake Champlain Chocolates - Filled Maple Caramel 57% Cocoa - Dark (bar) - Feb. 23, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lake Champlain Chocolates
Filled Maple Caramel 57% Cocoa - Dark (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 3.25 oz. (92 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 3 squares of bar
Cost: $6.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week.

Today's Organic Filled Maple Caramel 57% Cocoa Dark bar was from Lake Champlain Chocolates (Burlington, VT).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included faint caramel and bold, dark chocolate.

The 57% cacao dark chocolate tasted significantly darker than this...more like a 75% Forastero-like (deep, dense) dark with faint green-lemon herb (oxalis) and fleeting (loamy) earth notes. 

Inside the dark chocolate was a soft, flavorful, sweet caramel filling with faint maple sugar notes. The darkness of the cacao/chocolate helped balance the sweetness of the caramel.

Ingredients: Organic dark chocolate (organic sugar, organic chocolate liquor, organic cocoa butter, organic cocoa powder [processed with alkali], and organic vanilla powder, organic heavy cream, organic Vermont maple syrup, organic rice syrup, water, organic invert sugar, sea salt and organic soybean lecithin.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soybean. May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat.

Endangered Species - Caramel Spiced Apple Natural Flavor + Dark Chocolate 60% (bar) - Feb. 22, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate
Caramel Spiced Apple Natural Flavor + Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar 
Cost: $1.48 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cost Plus World Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week, including several chocolates with caramel and/or toffee. 

Today's Caramel Spiced Apple Natural Flavor + Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (dark chocolate torte), vanilla, light caramel and faint fruit (apple) and warm spice (cinnamon, apple pie spices).

Creamy dark chocolate contained a soft apple-infused caramel filling. 

The dark chocolate tasted darker than 60% (more like 70%) cacao. This richer, darker cacao flavor helped balance the sweetness of the caramel filling. 

Maker's description: "Dark chocolate with organic caramel and spiced apple to evoke a warm fireside."

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate, chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla, organic caramel, organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, organic nonfat milk, organic heavy cream, organic buttermilk, salt, pectin, sodium citrate, organic vanilla extract, 2 fold organic soy lecithin, Vitamin E mixed tocopherols to preserve freshness, natural apple flavor, cinnamon.

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

Gnaw Handcrafted Chocolate - Bee Happy Milk Chocolate with Honeycomb & Crunchy Caramel (bar) - Feb. 21, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Gnaw Handcrafted Chocolate
Bee Happy - Milk Chocolate with Honeycomb and Crunchy Caramel (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.725 oz. (49 g.) / 3.45 oz. (98 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift (Cost Plus/World Market store)

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week.

Today's Bee Happy 34% Milk Chocolate with Honeycomb and Crunchy Caramel (bar) was from Gnaw Handcrafted Chocolate (Norwich, U.K.).

Aroma notes for this bar included: sweet milk chocolate (chocolate candy bar), caramel and faint nuts (faint peanut caramel, very faint toffee almond nougat). Note: there were no peanuts or nut ingredients in this bar.

The texture was a blend of smooth, sweet milk chocolate and softly crunchy caramel (honeycomb toffee) bits and sweet caramelized sugars.

This 34% cacao (candy bar sweet) milk chocolate had prominent caramelized sugar flavors, consistent with the aroma notes mentioned above, including sweet milk chocolate, crunchy and smooth caramel and toffee bit(s) flavor; very faint/implied hints of honey-ed nuts; and very faint sweetened breakfast cereal. (Again there were no nut ingredients listed.)

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa liquor, honeycomb (sugar, glucose syrup, baking soda, rice flour), caramel pieces (glucose syrup, sugar, sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar), salted butter (milk, water, salt), soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavoring.

Allergen-related information:  Contains dairy/milk (milk powder, butter). (No other printed information found on label.)

Fu Wan Chocolate - Taiwan #3 Ping Tung Black Sugar Chocolate 70% Dark (bar) - Feb. ??, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fu Wan Chocolate
Taiwan #3 Ping Tung Black Sugar Chocolate 70% Dark (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 248 calories in 1 bar 
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week.

Today's Taiwan #3 Ping Tung Black Sugar Chocolate 70% Dark (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Taiwan, R.O.C.).

The cacao (harvested in 2019) used to make this "tree to bar" chocolate was grown in (southern) Taiwan.

The rich aroma notes for this 70% dark chocolate included: flavorful deep dark sugars (molasses), thoroughly toasted marshmallow (well done, slightly beyond golden to charred territory), dark chocolate, subtle sweet, almost marshy green, dried fruit (dates), brown sugar, and faint, freshly baked yeast bread, and very faint, fleeting red wine. and savory Japanese rice cracker.

The texture of this well-tempered bar was pleasing. The melt and mouthfeel were close to being pillowy and velvety, while at the same time having a very low level of light granular astringency.

Flavor notes mirrored the rich variety of aroma notes mentioned above with dark brown sugar, date, and raisin notes. There was something almost sweet and savory about this chocolate (like small, golden brown, sweet and salty, Japanese rice crackers), and almost herbal (dark, sweet black licorice).

I loved the complexity of this chocolate and the dark, almost smoky-sweet "black sugar" flavor. This would make a great ganache, and would pair well with coffee--adding flavor depth as well as sweetness. 

In fact, one can already buy black sugar flavored (boba) teas, black sugar flavored coffee drinks, and frozen desserts with black sugar at Asian markets and other specialty markets/stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, these black sugar sweetened items are rarely paired with rich, single origin dark chocolate.

So why aren't we tasting more chocolates with more flavorful sugars? White cane sugar's relative blandness is why it is often selected by bean-to-bar chocolate makers--over golden (or black) sugars. More flavorful cooked sugars (or less processed sugars) can alter (or diminish) the inherent fruity, nutty, floral and other flavor present in fine, single origin cacao beans.

With today's Ping Tung Black Sugar chocolate, Fu Wan makers have shown us that some concerns about using darker sugars may have been overblown. That is, when skillfully crafted, chocolates can contain a complementary blend of flavorful sugars and flavorful cacao and can be fully enjoyed without the tastier sugars wiping out/distorting the fine cacao flavors and vice versa.

Maker's tasting notes: "Raisin, Licorice, Milk Tea, Brandy, Coffee"

Ingredients: Cacao bean, black sugar, cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts and peanuts."

Woodside Chocolate Company - Caramel chocolate (bar) - Feb. 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Woodside Chocolate Company
Caramel chocolate bar (with gold accents)
Good + 
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) (estimate) total bar 
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in .5 oz. (14.1 g.) piece of bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: The Village Bakery, Woodside, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Week, featuring chocolates with caramel, toffee, honeycomb toffee and other forms cooked sugar(s). 

Today's caramel flavored chocolate (bar) from Woodside Chocolate Company (Woodside, CA) was also decorated with edible gold (pieces of gold leaf sheeting used to decorate high-end desserts). 

This elegant-looking chocolate bar was quite sweet and had small, softly crunchy bits (possibly caramel/toffee flecks and/or very thin flecks of almond) incorporated into what tasted like a sweet, dark milk chocolate base.* 

If one took inspiration from the flavor of a Cadbury's Caramello bar from one's childhood...and decided to make the most grown-up, upscale version possible of a caramel chocolate bar, this is what it look and taste like. 

It was a bit too much sugar for this dark fan, but this locally-made bar would make an attractive and impressively gilded chocolate gift for those with a sweet tooth.

*Ingredients: (None listed on package)

Allergen-related information: (None listed on packaging)

Godiva - Caramel Embrace ice cream - Feb. 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Godiva
Caramel Embrace Ice Cream
Good + 
Weight: 2/3 cup (114 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total container
Calories: 280 calories in 1 (2/3 cup) serving 
Cost: $6.49 for 1 container
Purchased from: Safeway, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week.

Today's Godiva Caramel Embrace ice cream was distributed by Boardwalk Frozen Treats, LLC (Lafayette, CA).*

Years ago, I wrote about Godiva's Caramel Embrace chocolate(s). This ice cream cousin was ensconced in a cheery golden and white colored container; and it was part of a line of ice creams inspired by Godiva confections.

Aroma notes for this ice cream included faint caramel, vanilla and cocoa. 

A creamy ice cream base with layered caramel, vanilla and chocolate flavors. Tiny chocolate caramel "cups" almost had a soft crunch in frozen form.

As one might expect, this rich ice cream studded with caramel and chocolate caramel confections was quite sweet. Layering of textures and flavors added enough appeal and unfolding differentiation that this Caramel Embrace didn't feel over-sugared.

Ingredients: Milk, cream, sugar, caramel cups (sugar, coconut oil, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk (whole milk, sugar), nonfat dry milk, whole milk powder, alkalized cocoa, heavy cream, butter, soy lecithin, salt, natural flavors), caramel swirl (nonfat milk, sugar, unsalted butter, agar agar, baking soda, potassium sorbate (preservative)), skim milk, corn syrup, water, sweetened condensed skim milk, egg yolks, chocolate, butter (cream, salt), stabilizer (guar gum, tara gum, locust bean gum), natural flavor, carageenan, baking soda. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, egg, soy.

*Under license from Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. 

TCHO - Toffee Time Creamy Oat Milk Chocolate w/ Plant Based Toffee & Sea Salt - Feb. 17, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

TCHO
Toffee Time - Creamy Oat Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.65 oz. (46.2 g.) small bar / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) total package of 3 bars
Calories: 260 calories in 2 small bars
Cost: $ N/A - free sample from TCHO
Purchased from: N/A - part of tour and tasting

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week, including chocolates containing caramel and/or toffee.

Today's Toffee Time Creamy Oat Milk Chocolate With Bits of Plant Based Toffee and Sea Salt (bar) was from TCHO Ventures Inc. (Berkeley, CA). It was part of a set of 3 smaller individually-wrapped bars, nestled inside the company's traditional square package size.

Aroma and flavor notes for this creamy and mildly crunchy, plant-based, bar included: sweet milk chocolate, faint oat cereal, very faint warm spice and "buttery" toffee. 

This balanced, Organic, 53% cacao, sweet toffee oat milk chocolate bar--made with fair trade ingredients--was worth trying. When TCHO surveyed to their customers in recent years, they found that many were requesting plant-based, dairy free and gluten free chocolates; and today's bar  and others were created to respond to these requests.

TCHO description: "Caramely and Perfectly Salty" 

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cocoa butter, coconut sugar, organic gluten free oat flour (organic whole oat flour, natural Vitamin E [added to maintain freshness]), organic cashew butter, organic toffee (organic cane sugar, organic rice syrup, organic coconut oil, baking soda, sea salt, organic sunflower lecithin), organic cane sugar, sea salt, organic sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: (Contains cashews, coconut.) May contain soy, milk and other tree nuts.

Whimsy Chocolates - Toffee (pieces) - Feb. 16, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Whimsy Chocolates
Toffee (pieces)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .416 oz. (11.8 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70.87 g.) in total package
Calories: 72 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $12.50 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Sweet Shop, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate, Caramel and Golden Sugars Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with caramel, toffee, and other heated or golden-hued/flavored sugars.

Today's chocolate covered Toffee (pieces) were from Whimsy Chocolates (Battle Ground, WA).

These attractive, classic confections were each decorated with a diagonal brush stroke of shiny gold.

Aroma and flavor notes were fairly straight-forward and included: sweet dark chocolate and golden caramel/toffee.

The texture and taste were toffee forward. A relatively thin layer of smooth dark chocolate covered a square of crunchy toffee with fine-grained golden sugars (and butter). 

The buttery crunch of this golden toffee center was well executed. Yes, it was firm and sweet. But not so firm that you feared a broken tooth, nor so sweet that it stuck excessively in teeth. It will please those who like sweets. 

Ingredients: Chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin added as an emulsifier, natural vanilla flavor); butter (milk, natural flavor); sugar; corn syrup (light corn syrup, water, high fructose corn syrup, salt, vanilla); titanium dioxide; iron oxide; carmine and mica.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles peanuts and tree nuts..."

Noi Sirius - Milk Chocolate with Caramelized Almonds - Feb. 15?, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Noi Sirius

Milk Chocolate with Caramelized Almonds and Icelandic Sea Salt (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 283.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information (purchased at store in Iceland)

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Almonds Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate, Caramel and Golden Sugars Week. 

Today's Milk Chocolate with Caramelized Almonds and Icelandic Sea Salt (bar) was produced by Noi Sirius (Reykjavik, Iceland)--a large family-owned chocolate and confection company founded in 1920.

The aroma of this bar was relatively subtle. (I also sampled this in a cold room. Cold chocolates/foods are sometimes less aromatic.)

Aroma and flavor notes included smooth milk chocolate and cream caramel. A generous helping of nut (almond) bits were incorporated into thick, creamy milk chocolate; and the nuts contributed a crispy-crunchy texture.

The sweet-salt balance between sea salt and caramelized sugar was approaching "addictive snack" territory. (Caution: I wouldn't recommend trying this bar if you're overly hungry.) 

One of my favorite things about this bar was the Icelandic milk. The whole milk and skim milk powders and the almonds helped to balance the sweetness in a lower percentage (33%) cacao chocolate, and contributed to a sense of satisfying fullness.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, emulsifier (soya lecithin), bourbon vanilla; cocoa solids: minimum 33%), caramelized almonds (14%) (almonds, sugar), sea salt (1%).

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk, soy, tree nuts (almonds).) "Produced in a factory which works with milk, soya, tree nuts and wheat."

Vosges - Raw Almond Butter 80% Cacao (bar) - Feb. 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges
Raw Almond Butter (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges, online order 

Happy Valentines Day to all who celebrate this holiday. And welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Raw Almond Butter (bar) was from Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL). This 80% cacao chocolate was part of the company's LAB VHC collection of bars that contain "whole cacao" constituents including: "cacao berry (cacao berry fiber, cacao berry flour) and cacao fruit puree."

Aroma notes for this bar included: both deep, dark dense, roasted chocolate, as well as a simultaneous aroma of sweeter, more nuanced chocolate (with faint fruit and sweet nut notes), and a barely there hint of vanilla. 

The ebony-hued chocolate had both smooth and crunchy, integrated particulate elements. There were also occasional light-colored flecks of what could have been either lucuma or almond.

The balanced flavors mirrored the aroma notes mentioned above. Subtle, crunchy sparkles of flavor fruit, berry, nut (almond) and vanilla contributed lightness and flavor depth to a deeper, flatter cacao base--a tamed Forastero-like cacao variety that had been roasted and alkalized (to bring down acidity, harshness) but still had bold, roasted flavor.

I enjoyed the playful fine-grained blend of flavors and textures, and the choice to go light on the sweeteners (judicious amounts of coconut sugar, lucuma, cacao fruit), and a trace of salt.

Ingredients: Cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate (processed with alkali), coconut sugar, organic almond butter, vanilla bean, lucuma powder, Baja Gold salt, cacao berry (cacao berry fiber, cacao berry flour), cacao fruit puree. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Almonds, coconut." "Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts."

Blue Diamond Almonds - Oven Roasted Almonds Dark Chocolate - Feb. 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Blue Diamond Almonds 
Oven Roasted Almonds - Dark Chocolate

Good + - Good ++ 

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 30 oz. (1 lb., 14 oz.) (851 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $11.99 for 1 package

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

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Oven Roasted Almonds were distributed by Blue Diamond Growers (Sacramento, CA). 

Aroma notes for these chocolate coated almonds included: sweet nuts, roasted almonds and sweet dark cocoa/chocolate.

The aroma and flavor focus was on the whole, roasted, California almonds, as it should have been. Blue Diamond Growers (a cooperative formed in 1910) is one of the largest almond processors and marketers of almonds in the world.

The chocolate covering with quite thin (as chocolate coatings go) and added sweetness and mild dark cocoa/chocolate flavor. (Sweetness was supplied by sugar and stevia.)

The roasted aroma and flavor of these thinly coated, whole almonds was seductive. The combined sweet, nutty and barely detectable savory (sea salt) taste gave them a slightly addictive quality.

Ingredients: Almonds, sugar, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), corn maltodextrin, natural flavor (dark chocolate), sea salt and rebiana (stevia extract).

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts (almonds)."

Srsly Chocolate - Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar) - Feb. 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Srsly Chocolate 
Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar) was from Srsly Chocolate (Austin, TX). The makers used cacao from the Dominican Republic to create this chocolate.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate with sweet wood, nut/seed and botanical (sweet green, sweet lemon) and fruit (cherry).

This relatively thick, well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap (in a cold, 59 degree F. / 15 degrees C. room). 

The deep dark chocolate had hearty cocoa/drinking chocolate flavor, with medium, balanced acidity--flavor that was welcome on a cold morning. I felt like I was sipping a warm mug of flavorful dark chocolate.

The combined sea salt and smattering of almond bits on the back of the bar added a counterweight to the dark chocolate and fruit flavors and the taste mirrored, and delivered on, the rich, complex aroma notes.

This balanced, well-executed dark chocolate had satisfying, substantial single origin cacao flavor and aroma, depth and breadth.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic almonds, salt.

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

Omnom Chocolate - Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Roasted Almonds (bar) - Feb. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Omnom Chocolate
Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Roasted Almonds (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 350 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 699 ISK ($4.82 USD) for 1 bar (exchange rate 145 ISK = 1 USD) 
Purchased from: Kr (store) in Vik, Iceland 

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

Today's Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Roasted Almonds (bar) was from Omnom Chocolate (Reykjavik, Iceland).

Aroma notes for this sweet, creamy chocolate included: milk chocolate, butter cream, nuts (lightly salted almonds).

This 45% milk chocolate was a skillful meld of textural, flavor and geographic-source opposites: 1.) buttery smooth and nut-crunchy; 2.) faintly tart sweet fruit (sweet orange, berry) grounded a bit by richer chocolate; and 3.) sweet and salty. 

Iceland has fine dairy products (skyr (think yogurt), butter, and sheep and cow milk/cream)--often the case for countries located far from the Equatorial belt* where cacao grows. 

The judicious use of sea salt (just enough to be addictive) reminded me of the saltworks in Iceland. And the salt helped balance the sugar content in this 45% cocoa solids (i.e. relatively higher sugar %) chocolate. 

A generous helping of chopped (sea salted) almonds from Mediterranean climate(s) added crunchy texture and helped mellow and tie these elements all together.

This milk chocolate was a bit sweet for me, but this fact (observation) did not stop me from "tasting" a whole bar. Warning: don't eat wonderfully rich, sweet and salty bars like this if you're overly hungry. 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (Organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, Icelandic whole milk powder, organic cocoa beans from Madagascar, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), almonds, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Designed and made in Iceland, in a facility that handles nuts, dairy, gluten and sesame seeds..."

*Cacao trees typically grow in warm/temperate rain forest areas (often in coastal areas or great river valleys)--in a geographic "belt" approximately 20 degrees above and/or below the Equator. 

It is possible to grow cacao a few degrees north or south of this limit (e.g. in Hawaii) if you're near the sea/water--that helps moderate temperature extremes. In these cases, the cacao will often adapt with a higher seed (cacao bean) fat (cocoa butter) content, just as we might wear a jacket in cooler weather.

Touched by Nature - Almond Dips - Dark Chocolate Raspberry - Feb. 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Touched by Nature
Almond Dips - Dark Chocolate Raspberry 
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $3.99 for (1) total package (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: Ross Dress for Less (store), Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Touched by Nature Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond Dips were distributed by Thrive Brands LLC (Chicago, IL).

Aroma notes included: authentic, subtle red berry (red raspberry tea); gentle, authentic dark chocolate (chocolate wafer cookie); and mellow nut (almond).

Crunchy, whole roasted almonds were clothed in a thin coat of dark chocolate, and (then rolled in) an even thinner outer layer of raspberry powder, giving them a textured, raspberry red-pink hue.

I love authentic dark chocolate, fruit flavors and nut flavors. However, chocolate covered fruit and nut confections are often loaded with sugar, and/or suffocated by sugar-sweet, glossy chocolate exteriors. 

I felt so grateful today to enjoy the more subtle, natural roasted almond flavor and crunchy almond texture at the heart of these dark chocolate covered nuts. There were no thick, glossy finishes; and the dark chocolate used was smooth and not too sweet. (Thank you!)

For those wanting a more natural chocolate snack, without the sugar buzz, I recommend trying this (or other members of the Touched by Nature line of snacks) for a refreshing change of pace. These raspberry almonds would also make an attractive garnish on a dessert plate.

Ingredients: "Roasted almonds, dark chocolate [cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin (from soy), vanilla extract], freeze dried raspberry powder.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: almonds, soy." ("vegan, gluten free")
 

Rawmio - Sprouted Almond & Sea Salt 70% Peruvian Cacao - Feb. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Rawmio
Sprouted Almond and Sea Salt 70% Peruvian Cacao
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Rawmio Sprouted Almond and Sea Salt 70% Peruvian Cacao (bar-shaped "bark") was made by Windy City Organics, LLC  (Northbrook, IL).

Made with Organic 70% Peruvian cacao the maker describes this chocolate as follows: "Stone Ground Raw Chocolate and topped with crunchy sprouted almonds, a sprinkle of Celtic sea salt, and lightly sweetened cacao nibs..."

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar(k) included: smooth, balanced, unroasted cacao and chocolate; faint warm spice; nut (almond); faint, sweet herbal green/botanical; very faint coconut; and barely there sweet wood.

Crunchy almonds and cocoa nibs made a great foil for the smooth dark chocolate base. As is often the case for higher quality unroasted cacao, the chocolate was quite low in bitterness and acidity. The field of whole almonds further neutralized acidity, balanced sweetness and mellowed the flavors. 

Judiciously seasoned, this Organic chocolate was low in sweetness. (It was lightly sweetened with coconut sugar and yacon.) I preferred this over a sugar buzz; and my teeth felt grateful afterwards. It was also low in salt. (I could barely taste the sea salt.) Since I like savory chocolates, I would have been OK with a bit more; although I enjoyed being able to really taste the raw chocolate and cacao nibs.

The end result: an almond studded, vegan and fairly traded, chocolate with pleasant, mellow and authentic flavors that reminded me what roasting cacao does. Roasting can give you more robust flavors (think espresso), and it can cover up off flavors; but with roasting you can also lose gentle, authentic flavors when you roast/process high-quality cacao.

Ingredients: Organic, raw cacao nibs; organic coconut sugar; organic raw sprouted almonds; organic raw cacao butter; organic yacon sweetened cacao nibs; sea salt

Allergen-related information: Contained almonds. "Produced in a raw, vegan, and certified organic facility which processes tree nuts and seeds, but no aflatoxin peanuts, soy, gluten or dairy." 

Vosges - Grateful Dead Raw Honey Smoked Almond (bar) - Feb. 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges
Grateful Dead Raw Honey Smoked Almond (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges, part of a larger online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Honey Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Grateful Dead Raw Honey Smoked Almond (bar) was created by master chocolatier, Katrina Markoff, and team, at Vosges IP LLC (Chicago, IL). This bar was inspired by music and memories; or in the words of Katrina, "Crafted with Grateful Dead."

Aroma notes included: chocolate, diffuse fruit (jelly), faint honey, nuts, and almond butter.

And this bar had a satisfying creamy + crunchy melt and mouthfeel.

I could make out that the crunchy bits were almonds and possibly "buttery toffee" bits mentioned on the packaging. But the flavors were fairly homogenized, and more mild than I expected.

This was a "mellow" chocolate. The cocoa used to make this chocolate was treated with alkali (a process that reduces acidity and stronger flavors). 

In the past I've really enjoyed smoked almonds with chocolate; but the savory kick I was looking forward to was fairly muted. The hickory smoked almond bits in this chocolate added a very subtle smoked and salt taste, and helped balanced the sweetness. There was also a very faint, sweet brown rice note (likely brown rice syrup) that also may have quieted other flavors a bit. 

Ingredients: "Chocolate processed with alkali, honey, raw, cocoa butter, hickory smoked almonds (almonds, vegetable oil canola, safflower, and/or sunflower oil), salt, corn maltodextrin, torula yeast, sunflower oil, sugar, onion powder, autolyzed yeast, cane molasses, natural smoke flavor (caramel color), sugar, unsalted butter (pasteurized cream, natural flavors), water, brown rice syrup, sea salt, sugar burnt syrup, organic soy lecithin"

Allergen-related information: "Contains: almonds, milk, soy. Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts."