The Xocolate Bar - Organic, Fair Trade 70% Bear Hug (bar) - Aug. 31, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

The Xocolate Bar
Bear Hug Organic, Fair Trade 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Phoenix Gift Shop, Big Sur, CA

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

Today's Bear Hug Organic, Fair Trade 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from The Xocolate Bar (Berkeley, CA). 

The fruit flavor was supplied by a sleuth* of berry-flavored gummy bears--embedded in 70% dark chocolate. The description read: "a tender gift for someone who needs a bear hug."

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate and authentic fruit (red raspberry + ripe blackberry + light purple grape) candy or jam. 

The front side of this bar was sober, serious and smooth dark chocolate. The back side was a wild candy party scene--adorned with an abundant field of tiny white sugar sprinkles. Frolicking in this field were the aforementioned berry-hued gummy bears...And the two sides, happily, co-existed harmoniously.

The organic, fair trade 70% dark chocolate kept the sugar in check, so this wasn't overly sweet (thank you!). 

Ingredients: "fair trade dark chocolate*, (cacao,* sugar,*, sunflower lecithin), gummy bears (tapioca syrup,* sugar,* pectin, grape juice,* citric acid, natural color, natural flavor, vitamins C E & A), sprinkles (sugar, cornstarch, carnauba wax) *organic..."

Allergen-related information: "Vegan; organic" 

*A "sleuth" of bears is a term referring to a group of bears observed together in one place.

Utopick Chocolate - Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Rare Citrus (bar) - July 30, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Utopick Chocolate SL
Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Rare Citrus (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Bean to Bar Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Rate Citrus (bar) was from Utopick Chocolate SL (Valencia, Spain). 

Aroma notes included: chocolate with light, fleeting fermentation (alcohol), subtly layered citrus (lemon, orange), very faint warm citrus spice and lemony bittersweet herb.

The flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above, but with richer chocolate-y notes and a slight, balanced tart (sweet sour) bitterness. The small strips of sweetened citron peel on the back of the bar added upticks of lemony flavor.

I enjoyed this sophisticated blend of two relatively bold flavors: citron peel and chocolate. Citron peel, (usually candied) is used in cooking/baking, beverages, cocktails and desserts. It's a popular citrus fruit flavor accent in Europe, but relatively rare to find in the U.S. 

Maker's tasting notes: "Roasted cocoa, orange juice, grandmarnier and vermouth herbs."

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, citron, glucose and dextrose.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, egg and milk protein, soya and gluten, due to the presence in our factory."

Astor Chocolate - Chocolate Cliche - Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar) - July 29, 2023

Chocolate of The Day 

Astor Chocolate 
Chocolate Cliche Zero Flocks Given Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.12 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cost Plus World Market, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Cliche Zero Flocks Given Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar) was from Astor Chocolate (Lakewood, NJ).  The company offers a wide variety of chocolates using "premium Belgian chocolate that is sustainably produced."

Aroma and flavor notes for this milk chocolate bar included: dark milk chocolate, citrus (lemon, lime) and faint vanilla.

The texture of the base milk chocolate was smooth and creamy. Tiny, barely visible, citrus bits emitted tart-sweet lemon/lime sparkles that cooled into a slightly bitter citrus peel in sweet milk chocolate finish. 

Milk chocolate and citrus fans will find this bar an entertaining summer chocolate. (The package features a cartoon flamingo with sunglasses lounging in a pool, with "zero flocks given.") 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, soy lecithin (emsulsifier), and natural vanilla extract), dried lemon peels, dried lime powder, citric acid, natural lemon flavor, and natural citrus flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk and soy. May contain wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts."

The Yes Bar Co. - Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar) - July 28, 2023

Chocolate of The Day

The Yes Bar Co.
Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Westpoint Harbor (shop), Redwood City, CA

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

Today's Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots "snack bar for foodies" was from The Yes Bar Co. (Oakland, CA).

Aroma notes included: coconut, dried fruits (apricot, stone fruit, cherry, red berry) and very faint chocolate and warm spices (cinnamon, vanilla).

This chewy, fresh-tasting fruit and nut bar with chocolate chips had an appealing texture and flavor. 

Flavor notes included: coconut, nuts, tart sweet dried fruits (apricots, stone fruit, red fruit (cherry, berry), faint, fleeting warm spice (cinnamon), and soft bursts of chocolate flavor (chocolate chips). Macadamias have a very mild buttery flavor and are sometimes more difficult to detect in a blend like this; but I was aware of eating bits of nuts.

This vegan, gluten-free bar was full of appealing, authentic flavors and textures. The "chew" was just right--not too stiff, not too crumbly, and loaded with good things. And, best of all, it wasn't too sweet. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Macadamia Nuts, Maple Syrup*, Cashews*, Almonds, Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Liquor*,  Coconut Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Sunflower Seeds*, Pumpkin Seeds*, Coconut Butter*, Pecans, Coconut Nectar*, Dried Tart Cherries (Cherries, Sunflower Oil), Dried Apricots, Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower Oil), Sesame Seed Butter, Ground Flax Seeds*, Cinnamon*, Sea Salt, Vanilla Extract* (Alcohol*, Vanilla Extractives*, Water). *Denotes Organic Ingredients

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Tree Nuts (Almond, Cashew, Pecan, Macadamia, Coconut), Sesame." "Made in a gluten-free facility that handles eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, sesame, and tree nuts."

Weinrich's - Wodka Lemon Vollmilch Schokolade (bar) - July 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Weinrich's 1895 Finest Chocolate
Wodka Lemon Vollmich Schokolade
(Milk Chocolate with Vodka Lemon Truffle Filling)
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 40 g. serving (2/5 of bar)
Cost: $2.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Crossroads Specialty Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Fruits Week, featuring chocolates (mostly bars) with a variety of fruit flavor inclusions. Many of the fruits mirror or complement fruit notes found in cacao fruit pulp.

Today's Milk Chocolate with Vodka-Lemon-Truffle-Filling (bar) from Ludwig Weinrich GmbH & Co. KG (Herford, Germany) was made in Germany.

Aroma notes included: chocolate, very faint alcohol (vodka), citrus (lemon) and a slight bitterness consistent with dark chocolate, lemon peel and vodka.

This 40% milk chocolate had a creamy, buttery texture and melt. The milk chocolate was infused with sweet citrus flavor (lemon chiffon pie with a nut crust). A 36% milk chocolate filling with hazelnut paste providing subtle, layered flavors.

I enjoyed this creamy, lemon milk chocolate confection--part dessert and part sweet cocktail. But, it may be too sweet and buttery for some dark chocolate fans. Any alcohol flavor (vodka) likely dissipated 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, butterfat (milk), whey powder (milk), hazelnut paste, emulsifier: soy lecithin; flavour: vanilla extract. Filling: sugar, milk chocolate [sugar, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, whey powder (milk)], 12% Vodka 60% vol., butterfat (milk), glucose syrup, cocoa powder, lemonoil (sic), humectant: invertase. Cocoa: 30% minimum. Milk solids: 15%. 

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

Fjak Sjokolade - 70% - Dark Reindeer Moss & Lingonberry (bar) - July 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
70% Dark Reindeer Moss & Lingonberry (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / ~1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 in 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Madagascar Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Organic 70% Dark Reindeer Moss and Lingonberry bar was made with cacao from Akesson's Bejofo Estate, and handcrafted in Hardangerfjord, Norway, by Fjak Sjokolade.

Reindeer moss is a lichen (Cladonia) that grows in Scandinavia and other parts of the world, and is eaten by reindeer and other animals--and occasionally by people.*

Aroma notes for this single origin Madagascar chocolate included: dark chocolate (rich cocoa) and fruit (grape, raisin and dark berry). 

This dark chocolate had a uniform, creamy taste and texture. The flavor inclusions were well incorporated.

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes and included a rich, fruity dark cocoa with naturally sweet dark berry notes. Small, dark (visible) lingonberries offered concentrated, rich dark red/purple berry flavor that blended seamlessly with the 70% chocolate. The flavor inclusions were well incorporated.*

The constellations of tiny dried lichen bits were small enough that it was hard to detect any extra texture or flavor.

Maker's tasting notes: "Rich dark chocolate with notes of black cherry and tart wild berries"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, lingonberry* and reindeer moss* (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: (Organic, vegan, gluten free)

*Lichens have at times been considered a "starvation" plant--consumed more during times of little available food. Native peoples in North America ate and use(d) this lichen as a medicinal plant. I'd not tried this lichen before, described as having a crunchy texture, before today. It was difficult to detect its flavor as it was a small quantity.

Fjak Sjokolade - Single Origin 60% Milk Madagascar (Akesson Bejofo Estate) - July 25, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
Single Origin 60% Milk Madagascar - Akesson Bejofo Estate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / ~1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 in 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 100% Organic Single Origin 60% Melk Madagaskar (Milk Madagascar) bar--made with cacao from Akesson's Bejofo Estate, was handcrafted in Scandinavia by Fjak Sjokolade (Hardangerfjord, Norway).

Aroma notes for this single origin 60% bar included: milk chocolate, fruit (raisin) and very faint vegetable (potato vegetable soup). Like most chocolates, any savory vegetable notes generally "disappear" or recede after a few minutes of opening. 

This dark milk chocolate had a uniform, creamy taste and texture, with a slight granular astringency.

Flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate, subtle cream caramel, and lovely fruit (fresh, ripe, sweet, white wine grape; white raisin and very faint sweet tangerine).

Maker's tasting notes: "Round creamy chocolate with hints of citrus and caramel"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, milk powder* and cocoa butter* (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains milk.

Nibble Chocolate - Mango 70% Madagascar Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Nibble Chocolate
Mango 70% Madagascar Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar (4 servings)
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Mango 70% Madagascar Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Nibble Chocolate, LLC (San Diego, CA).

Aroma notes for this 70% cocoa chocolate included: dark chocolate (drinking chocolate/cocoa), fruit (mango) and vanilla.

The texture was smooth, and relatively thick and creamy (in a cool room).

Flavor notes included: rich, bold dark chocolate with balanced fruit acidity, and authentic fruit (tart sweet mango, very faint orange), vanilla and faint spice.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic whole unrefined cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, mango, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: Processed in shared equipment with products containing nuts.

 

Nibble Chocolate - 85% Cocoa Organic Extra Dark Chocolate Madagascar Single Origin Trinitario (bar) - July 23, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Nibble Chocolate
85% Cocoa Organic Extra Dark Chocolate Madagascar Single Origin Trinitario (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar (4 servings)
Cost: $5.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's 85% Cocoa Organic Extra Dark Chocolate Madagascar Single Origin Trinitario (bar) was from Nibble Chocolate, LLC (San Diego, CA).

Nibble offers single origin and blended origin bars, and bars with flavor inclusions. Their square bars are scored into an 8x8 grid of 64 much smaller squares. The idea is to invite people to savor chocolate more slowly...to "nibble rather than gobble."

Aroma notes for this 85% Madagascar ultra-dark chocolate (crafted from Trinitario* variety cacao grown in Madagascar) included: bold dark chocolate; faint sweet tart green-lemon herb; very faint nut, spice, and freshly baked bread; and, last but not least, diffuse, tart/sour/acidic dried fruit notes. Madagascar cacao is known for having fruit notes (often citrus and tart berry).

The texture was smooth, almost creamy.

Given the relatively bold, acidic aroma, I was pleasantly surprised that the taste was more appealing/friendly than I imagined it might be.

Flavor notes included: rich, bold dark chocolate with moderate-to-high fruit acidity. The complex, sweet-tart to mildly sour fruit (dried stone fruit (plum), tart-sweet/sour citrus (pink grapefruit with berries) notes were frisky yet well-balanced. And the deep chocolate-y (extra dark fudge brownie, tart) taste was very appealing in the best possible way--very flavorful and not that sweet. 

Nibble Chocolate description: "Notes: plum, citrus, raspberry, and spices. Bold with underlying earthiness."

All these flavors from just two ingredients...

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic whole unrefined cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: Processed in shared equipment with products containing nuts.

*The Trinitario cacao is known for fruit notes--as is cacao from Madagascar in general. The theory is that Trinitario cacao is a product/cultivar of bolder Forastero cacao and milder and subtly fruity "heritage" cacao varieties like Criollo, and Nacional. Trinitario likely originated in the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago).

 

Madecasse - Beyond Good Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate - Salted Almond 63% Cocoa (bar) - July 22, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Madecasse - Beyond Good
Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate 
Salted Almond 63% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Beyond Good Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate 65% Cocoa (bar) was produced in Madagascar and distributed by Madecasse LLC (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma notes included salted nut (almond), dark chocolate and faint salted potato chip--that disappeared after the bar was opened for a few minutes.

Texture: Smooth dark chocolate was interspersed with crunchy bits of almonds.

The base dark chocolate was well-balanced, and not too sweet (thank you). This 63% dark bar tasted darker--more like a 72% dark chocolate. 

This Madagascar cacao-based bar had flavor notes that included: chocolate-y (chocolate syrup to dark chocolate brownie), and balanced acidic fruit (bright-tart citrus (tangerine), and dark tart berry (blueberry)) notes.

It had a restrained, balanced bitterness; that is, it was not too bitter, but it was bolder than many other 63% dark chocolates. The salted almonds added complementary mellow, savory flavor.

Maker's tasting notes: "Uniquely delicious notes of red fruits and nuts"

Ingredients: "*Cocoa beans, *Cane Sugar, *Almond Nibs, *Cocoa Butter, *Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Sea Salt." *Organic Ingredient

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk and other tree nuts."

 

Monsoon Chocolate - Bejofo Estate Madagascar 64% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - July 21, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Bejofo Estate Madagascar 64% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 138 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Bejofo Estate Madagascar 64% Dark Milk Chocolate (Batch #7) bar was from Monsoon Chocolate LLC (Tucson, AZ).

Part of the company's Origin Series, this chocolate was crafted using cacao grown on the Bejofo Estate in northwest Madagascar's Sambirano Valley.

This estate is managed by "Bertil Akesson, who has specialized in growing fine cocoa, pepper, and other spices for many years, Bejofo Estate produces 300 tons of cocoa a year. The cocoa has been designated as certified "Heirloom" by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Initiative (HCP)."

The subtle aroma notes included: dark milk chocolate, fruit (tropical fruit, melon, kiwi) and faint cookie. 

The texture was smooth, with a creamy mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate with tart-sweet fruit notes (mango, cacao fruit (pulp), melon, tangerine, very faint sweet green fruit (kiwi)); faint clean mineral water; faint caramel; and faint butter cookie. 

Similar to other chocolates made with (Criollo, Nacional) heirloom cacao varieties, the flavors in today's dark milk chocolate were subtle, pleasant and complex. The milk and unrefined cane sugar softened the tart-sweet fruit flavors and also added a bit of caramel flavor.

This 64% dark milk chocolate bar was smooth, and sweet and very low in bitterness. It will surely please most milk chocolate fans. However, both dark and milk chocolate fans may also appreciate the sophisticated cacao and softly undulating fruit flavors. I certainly did.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Milk Powder* (*Certified Organic)

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

 

Monsoon Chocolate - Bejofo Estate Madagascar 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Bejofo Estate Madagascar 80% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 136.4 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Bejofo Estate Madagascar 80% Dark Chocolate (Batch #15) bar was from Monsoon Chocolate LLC (Tucson, AZ).

The cacao used to make this chocolate was grown on an estate in Madagascar. The "Bejofo Estate is an organic cacao orchard that is part of the larger Akesson Estate in northwest Madagascar's Sambirano Valley. Managed by Bertil Akesson, who has specialized in growing fine cocoa, pepper, and other spices for many years, Bejofo Estate produces 300 tons of cocoa a year. The cocoa has been designated as certified "Heirloom" by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Initiative (HCP)."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate; faint, freshly baked bread, gingerbread; fruit (tart-sweet green grape), and very faint "refreshing" clean mineral.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (ganaches); tart-sweet (acidic) tropical fruit (mango, kiwi, cacao fruit (pulp), pineapple, citrus) that peaked, and then receded. The relatively long finish featured rich cocoa (drinking chocolate) relatively notes.

This flavorful, fruity chocolate's natural fruit sweetness made this chocolate seem more like a 74% cacao than an 80% cacao bar. 

Each year I look forward to featuring "new" Madagascar chocolates for a week and tasting the fruit flavors that they're known for. And, like today's 80%er from Monsoon Chocolate, many (if not most) of the best single origin Madagascar bars I've tasted in the last 20 years have been crafted from cacao grown on the Akesson Estate in the Sambirano Valley. 

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (*Certified Organic)

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

Michel Cluizel - Plantation Mangaro Madagascar 71% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Michel Cluizel (Cluizel Paris)
Plantation Mangaro Madagascar 71% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar  
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Madagascar Theme Week.

Today's Plantation Mangaro Grand Cru Ambohimarina 71% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Michel Cluizel (Paris, France).* 

Aroma and flavor notes for this single origin Madagascar dark chocolate included: dark chocolate/cocoa, gentle but persistent fruit (mango, cacao fruit (pulp)), and faint, balanced, vaguely botanical, fermentation (that faded after opening) and light spice notes. The texture was even and smooth. 

The fruit was sophisticated and subtle, and less overtly tart/acidic/citrus-y than some dark Madagascar chocolates I've tasted in the past. The fruit notes were more similar to heritage cacao bean fruit notes, and/or a cacao flavor that was softened by a bit more single origin, cocoa butter. 

I enjoyed the subtle, intriguing flavor notes. 

Maker's tasting/aroma notes: "Biscuit, tangy exotic fruits, gingerbread, hot cocoa, notes of citrus and pepper." (Note: Cluizel offers more online tasting information at www.lessensduchocolat.com.)

Ingredients: Cocoa (71% minimum), sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of shelled tree nuts, milk and gluten"

* Michel Cluizel in a bean-to-bar chocolate making company that was founded in the French town of Damville in Normandy in 1948.

 

Stonegrindz - Ucayali River, Peru 70% Cacao (bar) - July 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Stonegrindz
Ucayali River, Peru 70% Cacao (bar) 
Good++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Stonegrindz, online order

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

Today's Ucayali River, Peru 70% Cacao (bar) was crafted by the makers (Kasey McCaslin and Steven Shipler), and team, at Stonegrindz Small-Batch Chocolate (Scottsdale, AZ).

Aroma notes for this award-winning* single origin bar included: dark chocolate, and very faint fruit and spice.

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy texture with a light fruit astringency (dryness) in the finish.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (ganache, sweet earthy mocha-chocolate-y tart), moderate tart-sweet fruit acidity (citrus, pomegranate, red cherry plum); very faint warm spice; and fleeting, soft earth and sweet green herbal.

There were additional flickers of fruit and botanicals (very faint sweet green herb - barely detectable mint, licorice) in the finish. The fruit notes--somewhere between peach, mango, pineapple, cherry and something else I couldn't quite grasp (possibly cacao fruit pulp)--were fun, and elusive/difficult to pin down.

I enjoyed the subtle complexity of this chocolate. Savor slowly to find the "hidden treasures" in this Peruvian cacao.

Maker's tasting notes: Notes of mocha, cedar, dark cherry, anise

Ingredients: Cacao*, cacao butter*, cane sugar* (*Organically farmed)

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

*Gold 2019 - International Chocolate Awards (Tasters) in Italy

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade - Peru Gran Nativo Blanco 72% (bar) - July 17, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Rozsavolgyi Csololade 
Peru Gran Nativo Blanco 72% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162.4 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $20.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Peru Gran Nativo Blanco 72% (bar) was from Rozsavolgyi Csokolade (Budapest, Hungary).

Aroma notes for this Peruvian* cacao-based chocolate included a pleasing blend of integrated subtle notes: dark chocolate (mousse), diffuse fruit and very faint spice.

Flavor notes for this smooth, creamy and naturally sweet chocolate included: chocolate-y (dark chocolate mousse, creamy dark ganache), diffuse and subtle fruit (berry jam, sweet plum), and barely detectable, fleeting earth, very faint bitterness, and floral spice. This 72% chocolate tasted more like a 68% bar. (Thank you to the maker for their choice of 72% vs. 70%.)

I enjoyed this smooth, sophisticated chocolate with many attributes of Criollo/Nacional* cacao beans including gentle and complex flavors found in heritage cacao varieties. Chocolates made from these relatively rare heritage cacao varieties are more expensive (e.g. today's $20 USD bar); but my hope is that more chocolate lovers have the opportunity to get to know and taste these very special varieties.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, cacao content 72%

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, oat and milk powder"

*The maker offered these background and tasting notes: "Gran Nativo Blanco cocoa is grown by smallholder members of the Norandino cooperative in the Piura region, North of Peru. The majority of the beans in this ancient/criollo cacao varietal are completely white, with an intense aroma of gooseberries and lime, balanced with the sweetness of panela with lots of floral notes. Luckily, via careful processing, we managed to preserve most of this in the chocolate."

Chocolarder - 100% Pure Dark Amazon Rainforest choc. - July 16, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolarder
100% Pure Dark Amazon Rainforest choc.
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimated) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 100% Pure Dark Amazon Rainforest Peru (bar) was made by Chocolarder Craft Chocolate Makers (Falmouth, Cornwall, UK).

Attractive aroma notes for this single ingredient (cocoa beans) bar included: dark chocolate, soft fruit (very subtle stone fruit (peach), berry and banana), and very light floral and nut.

This 100% Peru chocolate had a thick, creamy, stiff nut butter-like texture, a very faint astringency (dryness), and a relatively bold (at least unsweetened) dark chocolate flavor with soft sour (citrus/pink grapefruit) and fleeting nut notes.

100% cacao chocolates scare many people, even dark chocolate fans. They can be bitter, sour--and challenging for our brains to process. There is a temporary sense of surprise--the "Where's the expected hit of sugar/sweetness?" moment. 

The best 100%ers have a wonderfully complex aroma (this Chocolarder bar did); and the uncloaked-by-sugar bitterness and/or sourness doesn't eclipse subtle/complex flavor and finish notes. (They didn't.) Part of its success was the lovely Peru cacao beans the chocolate maker acquired, and the rest was great execution.*

Maker's tasting notes: "A slow build to intense roasted Brazil nut with accents of grapefruit and plantain"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans

Allergen-related information: "Made in a factory that also handles tree nuts"

*Truly great cacao can make a truly great chocolate. However, in the many steps that follow after harvesting the cacao, there are many opportunities for things to go wrong (a mistake in fermentation or drying, over-roasted or unevenly roasted cacao, too much or too little of many things...). And, there is no set recipe over time; the steps and settings are slightly different with different varieties or batches of cacao beans.

Fortunato Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds - July 15, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fortunato Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds 
Good ++
Weight: 2.04 oz. (58 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 340 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Fortunato Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds were from Fortunato Chocolate (Issaquah, WA).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint spice, roasted nut (almond) and very faint clean mineral.

Dark smooth chocolate was interspersed with crunchy roasted almonds.

Flavor notes included: dark, flavorful and smooth dark chocolate lightly covering authentic, crunchy whole roasted almonds. 

I enjoyed the relatively soft dark chocolate and roasted nut complexity--and not too much sugar (thank you!).

Ingredients: "68% Fortunato dark chocolate (organically grown cacao and cocoa butter 68%, organic cane sugar 32%), dry roasted almonds and sea salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Tree Nuts. May contain traces of milk (including lactose), hazelnut."

Fortunato Chocolate - Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters - July 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fortunato Chocolate
Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Good ++
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 650 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Fortunato Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters were from Fortunato Chocolate (Issaquah, WA).

Aroma notes included: milk chocolate, roasted peanuts, and peanut brittle.

Texture: creamy milk chocolate chock full of crunchy roasted peanuts.

Flavor notes included: sweet, creamy milk chocolate and salted, roasted peanuts. These clusters were creamy, crunchy, and had enough sugar and salt to land in the tasty, addictive snack zone. (Caution: do not start eating these if you're overly hungry. It's easy to mow through multiple servings.)

The higher sugar 36+% (and milk 27%) content made it difficult to detect cacao flavor nuances. However, the salt helped balance the sweetness a bit.

Ingredients: Roasted Peanuts, 36% Fortunato Milk Chocolate (Organically grown cacao and cocoa butter 36.2%, whole/skim milk and cream 27.02%, cane sugar 36.69%, soy lecithin 0.07%, vanilla 0.02%), sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, milk, soy. May contain traces of almonds and hazelnuts.

Patricia's Chocolate - Fortunato No. 4 - 68% Peruvian Grand Cru Dark Chocolate - July 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Patricia's Chocolate 
Fortunato No. 4 - 68% Peruvian Grand Cru Dark Chocolate
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .56 oz. (16 g.) in a 2-piece tasting sample package
Calories: 87 calories (estimate) in a 2-piece package
Cost: $3.80 (estimate) for a 2-piece package 
Purchased from: Patricia's Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Fortunato No. 4 - 68% Peruvian Grand Cru Dark Chocolate was from Patricia's Chocolate (Grand Haven, MI).

Aroma notes for this Pure Nacional* cacao-based chocolate included: smooth dark chocolate, light fruit and floral, and very faint tart sweet green herb (oxalis) and light, aromatic tea.

The 68% dark chocolate had a very smooth, creamy melt and texture.

Attractively complex flavor notes included: smooth, sophisticated dark chocolate, diffuse fruit (sweet, refreshing red berry), and very faint caramel and refreshing (light, floral) sweet green tea.

Ingredients: (None listed on small package.)

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

*As chocolate lovers become more familiar with the variety of cacao(s) grown, (like grape varieties in wine) there has been more discussion about aroma and flavor associated with different varieties. The main three varieties often mentioned are Forastero, Trinitario and Criollo. But, it's more complicated than that.

The relatively rare and precious Fortunato Nacional (Pure Porcelana) heritage cacao beans used in today's chocolates were from Peru. This Nacional cacao was thought to have disappeared (due to disease and habitat changes), but in 2011 it was "rediscovered" in a Maranon River Canyon in Peru. (Fortunato is the name of the farmer on whose land these trees grow.)

Porcelana cacao (white beans/seeds when cut open) originated in South America and is associated with Criollo cacao/cultivars. Piura Porcelana can be found in northern Peru and is often associated with Nacional cacao. Confused yet? Nacional heritage cacao (associated with Ecuador and Peru) shares some properties Criollo variety heritage cacao. Both have soft, layered complex flavors that can include mild floral, fruit and nut.

Bottom line: Criollo and Porcelana cacaos are highly prized, but can be more delicate and prone to diseases. Only a small percentage of chocolates sold are made with fine Criollo/Porcelana cacaos. The majority of chocolate sold worldwide is made with the bolder Forestero and/or Trinitario cacao varieties as well as hybrids and cultivars of all the varieties listed above.

Patricia's Chocolate - Fortunato No. 4 - 47% Peruvian Grand Cru Dark Milk Chocolate - July 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Patricia's Chocolate 
Fortunato No. 4 - 47% Peruvian Grand Cru Dark Milk Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: .56 oz. (16 g.) in a 2-piece tasting sample package
Calories: 87 calories (estimate) in a 2-piece package
Cost: $3.80 (estimate) for a 2-piece package 
Purchased from: Patricia's Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Fortunato* No. 4 - 47% Peruvian Grand Cru Dark Milk Chocolate was from Patricia's Chocolate (Grand Haven, MI).

Aroma and flavor notes for these Peruvian Pure Nacional (Porcelana) cacao based chocolates included: milk chocolate and caramel. There was a very faint sweet warm spice and sweet herb (licorice) notes in the late finish.

The texture was creamy and relatively light.

While the relatively high sugar content in this 47% dark milk chocolate (and the presence of milk) may have suppressed some subtle (fruit, floral, nutty) Nacional cacao flavors, these small ingot-shaped chocolates were still quite good.

Ingredients: (Not listed on small package)

Allergen-related information: (Not listed on small package)

*The name "Fortunato" comes from the name of the farmer who owns the land on which the prized cacao trees grow.

Fortunato Chocolate - Cacao Nibs and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 84% Squares - July 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fortunato Chocolate
Cacao Nibs and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 84% Squares
Good ++
Weight: 2.05 oz. (58 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 360 calories in 2 servings (squares)
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Fortunato Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Peru Week.

Today's Cacao Nibs and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 84% Squares were from Fortunato Chocolate (Issaquah, WA). The company became known for their 68% dark chocolate offerings, and later added higher percentage cacao offerings, including today's squares with additional (100%) cacao nibs.

These generously sized squares were made with "Organically Grown Pure Nacional* Cacao."

Subtly complex aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint savory (salt/brine), very faint diffuse fruit and fermenting fruit, and very faint green, floral and spice.

Each dark chocolate square had a smooth, creamy, almost light/whipped texture. The added Fortunato cacao nibs increased the overall/average cacao percentage and were incorporated into the base chocolate.

The attractively complex and well-balanced flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes listed above, with more chocolate (chocolate-y, dark chocolate torte/ganache) and a judicious hint of sea salt.  

Ingredients: 68% Fortunato dark chocolate (organically grown cacao and cocoa butter 68%, cane sugar 32%), Fortunato cacao nibs (organically grown cacao nibs), sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: May contain traces of hazelnut and almonds." (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

*Nacional cacao beans were rediscovered in the Peruvian Andes around 2011. (This cacao fell victim to disease in the early 1900s.) The sought-after cacao variety typically has mild and complex flavors, creamy texture and low levels of bitterness.

Ranger Chocolate - Oregon Sea Salt Chocolate Bar - July 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ranger Chocolate Company
Oregon Sea Salt Chocolate Bar
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 349 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Oregon Sea Salt Chocolate Bar (Batch 34) was from Ranger Chocolate Company (Portland, OR).

The bean-to-bar makers described this collaboration bar (and series of bars with salt) as follows: "Our sea salt adventure explores salt harvested from the Pacific Ocean. In Oregon, we teamed up with our neighbors at Jacobsen Salt Co.

"We paired their Pure Flake Finishing Salt with our beloved Salitral cacao beans from Peru. Sea salt is turned into the chocolate to add texture and retain its true flavor."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (chocolate-y, dark chocolate torte), diffuse red fruit (red grape, berry), and savory (barely detectable, salty, fermented fruit and red wine)).

This attractively complex dark chocolate and Oregon salt blend had a smooth, thick creamy texture (at 68 degrees F./20 degrees C.) and melt, smooth, very slightly fruity (berry, red grape) dark chocolate (smooth, rich drinking chocolate) flavor with tiny upticks of sea salt (and, interestingly, black pepper in some bites).

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic sugar, cacao butter, sea salt

Allergen-related information: (None listed on label. Check inside.)

Vine to Bar - Dark Chocolate Chardonnay Marc tasting square - July 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vine to Bar
Chocolate Tasting Squares
Chardonnay Smoked Salt and Cocoa Nibs
Good +
Weight: .777 oz. (22 g.) in 2 squares
Calories: 120 calories in 2 squares
Cost: $2.58 for 2 squares
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate with Chardonnay Marc chocolate tasting square(s) were from Vine to Bar. (There was no HQ location listed on packaging or website.) 

The chardonnay grape marc* used in the company's chocolates was from "coastal vineyards." The company uses pressed wine grapes that might otherwise get discarded to use in chocolates.

Aroma notes included: naturally sweet dark chocolate, soft, diffuse fruit, and slightly floral botanical (including very faint vanilla-like, sweet green) notes.

The chocolate was fairly smooth, with a very slightly granular texture (likely due to chardonnay grape marc). A light sprinkling of cocoa bean pieces (nibs) added a crunchy element.

The flavor was a blend of very light dark chocolate and soft fruity (grape) notes, with a bit of salt. The flavors were relatively gentle, and well balanced.

I also tasted a few other Vine to Bar flavors, including a "plain" Dark Chocolate flavor. It shared some of the same aroma and flavor notes as those mentioned above. Relatively subtle, sweet flavors. It had slightly more dark chocolate oomph to it, but was otherwise very similar.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural flavors)

Allergen-related information: May contain tree nuts, peanut, egg, wheat and milk. Vine to Bar Chocolates "contain no alcohol."

*Chardonnay Marc is a by-product of making wine. It's what's left after wine grape juice has been extracted. (According to the company, this by-product represents "up to 10 billion pounds of waste a year.")

The company describes their process to upcycle this marc as follows: "...After experimenting many times over, we transformed this by-product into WellVine (tm) Chardonnay Marc, a new ingredient full of natural sweetness, flavanols, and beneficial nutrients. It is also alcohol free.

This is one of several relatively new "upcycled" chocolates I've tasted that have become popular in recent years. This trend sounds practical and economical. I'm also interested in how these by-products will be monitored (e.g. how they're tested for pesticides and herbicide residues).

Standout Chocolate - Liquorice & Beech Smoked Sea Salt 67% (bar) - July 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Standout Chocolate
Liquorice & Beech Smoked Sea Salt 67% (bar)

Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.)/1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 144.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Liquorice & Beech Smoked Sea Salt 67% (bar) was from Standout Chocolate (Kallered, Sweden).

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, fruit (red grape, light raisin) and very faint sweet herb. 

The texture was smooth, thick and creamy.

Flavor notes included: rich dark chocolate, hearty black licorice* and diffuse fruit (faint red berry/grape). The salt was very subtle, and well integrated into the licorice. 

Those who enjoy licorice and/or European salted licorice will appreciate this authentic flavor.

Ingredients: Cacao beans*, Cane sugar*, Cacao butter*, Liquorice*, Beech-smoked sea salt. (*Organic)

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

*Licorice is a spelling variant of liquorice in the U.S. and Canada.

Coracao - 81% Dark California Almonds & Sea Salt (bar) - July 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Coracao  
81% Dark California Almonds & Sea Salt
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Z. Cioccolato, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Organic 81% Dark California Almonds & Sea Salt (bar) was from Coracao Chocolate (Oakland, CA). The company has been making great-tasting chocolate bars and filled confections (less sweet, with high-quality, authentic flavors) since 2008.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, light floral citrus (subtle lemon), very faint tart green herb (oxalis), very faint graham cracker and coconut sugar, subtle vanilla spice cake, and barely detectable wood and nut.

This high cacao percentage (81%) dark chocolate was nuanced--more mild than wild. I noticed the absence of sugar (not a bad thing for me). What I'd call a soft landing after the first bite (often present with added cocoa butter). What was "missing" was the range of bold, bitter and acidic elements that often accompany ultra-dark chocolates. 

The use of Heritage variety cacao(s)* and coconut sugar as a sweetener (vs. cane sugar) helped to create this gentle, ebony-hued bar. The sea salt was also relatively subtle. (I was unable to detect the smoked salt flavor in the bites I had.)

Whole almonds pressed into the back of the bar gave this chocolate more textural oomph, layered almond and chocolate flavor(s) and moderated/mellowed what natural-tasting sweetness was present. The authentic light touch of vanilla bean also added a trace of background, floral warmth (that my brain frequently associates with baked goods and vanilla ice cream).

This well-executed, Organic and Vegan dark chocolate is perfect for those who enjoy the gentler flavors of Heritage cacao(s)--that offer subtle, attractive complexity. 

Too much sugar and salt would have overwhelmed these wonderful traits. Thank you to the maker for dialing back both sweet and savory levels to achieve a harmonious balance of flavors. For those that prefer the buzz of a bolder, harsher bar, there are plenty of other options out there.

Ingredients: Organic Heirloom Cacao, Organic Almonds, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cacao Butter, Smoked Sea Salt, Himalayan Salt & Organic Vanilla Bean

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

*The cacao source listed on this packaging made reference to Eco Cacao Collaborative, Esmeraldas, Ecuador. (Esmeraldas is a coastal city in NW Ecuador.) Many of the region's residents make a living from agricultural products, including: banana, tobacco, coffee and cacao.

Tony's Chocolonely - Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt & Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt (eggs) - July 6, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Tony's Chocolonely Inc.
1.) Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt - Good ++
2.) Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt - Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 5.3 oz. (150 g.) in a total container of 12 eggs

Calories: 280 calories in 4 eggs
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package of 12 eggs
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt chocolate eggs were part of a 5-flavor assortment. This petite dozen were made in Belgium, packaged in a miniature (compostable) egg crate, and distributed by Tony's Chocolonely Inc. (New York, NY).

Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt

Aroma notes for this solid egg included: milk chocolate, caramel and very faint crisped rice, vanilla and nut. The texture was creamy smooth with crunchy caramel bits.

Flavor notes included: Creamy sweet milk chocolate with sparkles of caramel/butterscotch that lingered into the finish. 

These milk chocolates were nicely executed and were made with a slightly higher percentage cacao (32%) chocolate than most mass market novelty chocolates contain. 

Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt

These dark chocolate eggs had a smooth dark chocolate aroma and texture. The smooth base dark chocolate was interspersed with tiny bits of almond and sea salt. Not too sweet, not too salty.

The flavor was unexpectedly rich and deep with a very faint, fleeting earth note in the finish. Dark fans will enjoy the choice of 51% cacao. (This is darker than usual for a foil-wrapped novelty chocolate confection.) 

Ingredients: 

1.) Sugar, dry whole milk, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, caramel pieces (sugar, glucose syrup (wheat), cream (milk), butter (milk), sea salt, soy lecithin. 

2.) Chocolate liquor, sugar, almond, cocoa butter, sea salt, soy lecithin.

Allergen-related information: 

1.) Contains milk, wheat, soy.

2.) Contains almond, soy.

"In addition, all products may also contain: milk, wheat, egg, peanut and tree nuts."

 

Blejski otok - 70% Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt (bar) - July 5, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Blejski otok
70% Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt 
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: Not applicable - gift from a friend
Purchased from: Bought by a friend who traveled to Slovenia

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

Today's Blejski otok 70% Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt bar was from Slovenia.

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate included: dark chocolate, very faint clean green (stalks, floral, vanilla, nut), and barely detectable savory (salt).

This chocolate was smooth in texture and flavor with tiny, balanced upticks in sea salt. 

Flavor notes for this enjoyable bar included: rich, smooth (64%) dark chocolate, very faint green floral fruit (banana), and very faint vanilla. The chocolate was medium-low acidity and low bitterness.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass 64% (sugar 26.5%, cocoa butter 8.5%), emulsifier: soy lecithin, natural vanilla aroma

Allergen-related information: (Google translation: "This food is not suitable for allergy sufferers. May contain traces of zit (wheat?), egg, milk proteins, lactose, nuts, soy and peanuts")

Ranger Chocolate - Alaska Sea Salt Chocolate Bar - July 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ranger Chocolate Company
Alaska Sea Salt Chocolate Bar
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 349 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week. And Happy 4th of July (Independence Day) to all those from the U.S. The salt sparkles in this week's chocolates have helped celebrate summer.

Today's Alaska Sea Salt Chocolate Bar (Batch 8) was from Ranger Chocolate Company (Portland, OR).

The bean-to-bar makers described this collaboration bar (and series of bars with salt) as follows: "Our sea salt adventure explores salt harvested from the Pacific Ocean. For Alaska, we teamed up with our friends at Bitterman Salt Co." (Portland, OR).

"We paired the pristine Alaska Pure Flake Sea Salt with Ranger's Makers blend of cacao. Sea salt is turned into the chocolate to add texture and retain its true flavor."

Aroma notes included: diffuse fruit (red grape), dark chocolate (dark chocolate torte), faint spice and very faint sweet floral green.

This dark chocolate and Alaska salt blend had a smooth, creamy texture and melt, and embedded tiny crunchy sparkles of sea salt.

Cacao flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes mentioned above, with a deeper dive into the dark chocolate--a flavorful, very balanced and chocolate-y "makers blend" with attractive and very balanced complexity.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic sugar, cacao butter, sea salt

Allergen-related information: (None listed on label. Check inside.)

Lolli & Pops - Sea Salt Caramel Milk Chocolate Tiles - July 3, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lolli & Pops 
Sea Salt Caramel Milk Chocolate Tiles
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8.04 oz. (240 g.) total package of 16 tiles
Calories: 160 calories in 2 tiles (squares)
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend 
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Don)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Sea Salt.

Today's Sea Salt Caramel Milk Chocolate Tiles were manufactured for Lolli & Pops (San Francisco, CA). The company is a candy and confection shop with store locations in the U.S. that "sources ingredients from around the world."

The two individually-wrapped, square-shaped tiles featured today were part of a larger, 16-piece (8 flavors) assortment pack. These milk chocolate tiles had a sea salt caramel filling.

Aroma notes for these tiles included: milk chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, and faint sweet fruit.

Both Sea Salt Caramel Tiles had a relatively smooth, creamy milk chocolate texture. 

Flavor notes included: very sweet milk chocolate with a soft, almost flowing, sweet, salted caramel filling, and very faint vanilla flavoring. These confections were candy-sweet.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, whole milk powder, soy lecithin, vanilla flavor) + salt and caramel-related ingredients. (Each flavor's ingredients were not separately identified.) This assortment pack "contains bioengineered ingredients." (It was not clear which components this referred to.)

Allergen-related information: This advisory was listed on the package for all 8 flavors: "Contains: milk, soy and wheat. May contain peanuts and tree nuts." 

Lolli & Pops - Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Tiles - July 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lolli & Pops 
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8.04 oz. (240 g.) total package of 16 tiles
Calories: 160 calories in 2 squares/tiles 
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend 
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Don)

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Sea Salt.

Today's Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Tiles were manufactured for Lolli & Pops (San Francisco, CA). The company is a candy and confection shop with store locations in the U.S. that "sources ingredients from around the world."

The two individually-wrapped, 54% Belgian dark chocolate square-shaped tiles featured today were part of a larger, 16-piece (8 flavors) assortment pack. 

Aroma notes for these tiles included: dark chocolate with peat (earth) notes when the small sealed package was first opened. (The peat aroma receded after a few minutes.) The second piece was sweeter and lacked the same earth/peat aroma. Instead it had faint fruit (berry, cherry) notes.

Both Sea Salt Chocolate Tiles had a relatively smooth, creamy texture.

Flavor notes included faintly earthy (peat) dark chocolate (that tasted bolder than 54%)--with a granulated salt finish. 

As with the aroma notes mentioned above, the second of the two squares was different from the first. It lacked the same earthy/peaty flavor; and had a more sweet, subtle dark chocolate flavor with a very faint (barely detectable, fleeting) wet cardboard note. It also had a salty finish, but it was more harmonious all the way around than the first, identically labeled, square.

Complexity: yes, but there were some mild "off" notes. 

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla flavor) + salt and possibly other ingredients. (Each flavor's ingredients were not separately identified.) This assortment pack "contains bioengineered ingredients." (I appreciated the labeling transparency. It was not clear whether this referred to the cacao/chocolate, or the different/some flavor inclusions, or both.)

Allergen-related information: This advisory was listed on the package for all 8 flavors: "Contains: milk, soy and wheat. May contain peanuts and tree nuts."

Amano Artisan Chocolate - Japanese Sea Salt & Cocoa Nibs Milk Chocolate (bar) - July 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Amano Artisan Chocolate
Japanese Sea Salt & Cocoa Nibs Milk Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 207 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week.

Today's Japanese Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Milk Chocolate (bar) was handcrafted by Amano Chocolate Company (Orem, UT).

Amano chief chocolate maker, Art Pollard, consulted with salt expert and author, Mark Bitterman, at Bitterman Salt Co. (Portland, OR) when creating today's chocolate. The resulting choice was a nuanced and tasty Japanese Sea Salt.

Aroma notes included: dark milk chocolate (chocolate malt), and faint salt, savory (umami).

This bar had thick, creamy chocolate-y texture interspersed with tiny bits of crunchy cocoa nibs. (The milk chocolate was made with cacao from Ocumare, Venezuela; and the cocoa nibs were from Ecuador.)

Flavor notes included a somewhat addictive rich, creamy "malted" dark milk chocolate. Imagine an old fashion malt with 2 scoops of dark chocolate and half a scoop of vanilla, blended together, with a small shake of sea salt. 

The sea salt contributed an authentic, very faint umami note (and even fainter nori--that complemented and helped balance the sweetness). The finish was pleasant dark milk chocolate and very faint caramel and vanilla bean, with a fleeting whisper of earth (buckwheat pancake). (Very faint fruit and "clean" nut/mineral notes showed up in a re-tasting.) 

I enjoyed the balanced, very subtle complexity in this fine sea salt and chocolate blend.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, pure cane sugar, whole milk, cocoa butter, whole vanilla beans, Japanese sea salt.

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

Valrhona - Araguani Pur Venezuela 100% Cacao (bar) - June 30, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Valrhona
Araguani Pur Venezuela 100% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 211.7 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Araguani Pur Venezuela 100% Cacao (bar) was from Valrhona (Tain l'Hermitage, France).

Aroma notes for this ultra-dark bar included: an aromatic, attractive dark chocolate with a small bouquet of subtle fruits (including sweet berries), nut (almond butter) and barely detectable spice (aromatic, floral ground pepper, warm spices), sweet green, and very faint, freshly sawed wood.

The texture was thick and buttery smooth.

The strong 100% cacao chocolate had a balanced bitterness (porter, ale) throughout. It also had mellow faint wood and almond butter notes; faint acidic dried fruit notes, followed by a very faint refreshing, clean mineral water taste in the finish.

If you're not put off by bitter, deep flavors (or the 100% absence of added sugar), then this pure Venezuelan cacao would be a good ultra-dark bar to try, by itself or as part of a 100%er flight. The aroma was rich and pleasing, the texture was buttery smooth, and while it did stray into unsweetened baking chocolate territory*, the taste of this un-sugared chocolate wasn't too far off the rails. 

Note: what you eat (before or during this tasting) may also make a difference in what you're tasting with this bar more than others. Eating lightly toasted fresh bread with grated melted cheese; roasted savory almonds; baked, stuffed potatoes; or a cheese plate may create interesting pairings. (Think of foods you might pair with a bitter ale.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Chocolatey (chocolatee) woody (boisees), full-bodied (corsees)

Ingredients: Cocoa beans from Venezuela. "Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk)."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses milk. This product may contain: gluten, nuts, soya.

*For chocolate lovers who, as children, opened a bar of baking chocolate found in a kitchen cupboard, and expected a sweet treat--and were shocked to find otherwise--you'll know what I mean here.