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.
