Chocolate Naive
"Molecules" - Bioactive 75% Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 85.36 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: Missing information (Currently available at Bar & Cocoa for $15 USD)
Purchased from: Missing information
"Molecules" - Bioactive 75% Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 85.36 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: Missing information (Currently available at Bar & Cocoa for $15 USD)
Purchased from: Missing information
Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Lithuania Theme Week, and Day #1 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.
Today's "Molecules" (tm) Bioactive 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) was created by chocolatier Domantus Uzpalis and team at Chocolate Naive (Vilnius, Lithuania).
Aroma notes include: chocolate (dark milk* chocolate ganache) faint tart fruit (fruit vinegar), faint minerality, very faint (barely detectable) spice (black/white peppercorn).
Flavor notes included: smooth, relatively mild (for 75%) dark chocolate and an uptick in sweetness that had a slight menthol/cool edge (erythritol).** I am not a huge fan of erythritol, but I understand the desire to find a sugar substitute. Thankfully, this chocolate was not overly sweetened with this sugar replacement.**
In fairness to Chocolate Naive, this bar was expired by the time I tasted it. There were no off flavors. But, freshly made chocolate yields the most vibrant, authentic taste experience, with subtle aroma and texture qualities most intact.
Speaking of technical characteristics...It was interesting that research into naturally occurring active components of cacao--and how to best preserve certain cacao components--inspired this Chocolate Naive "Molecules" (tm) chocolate.
I would love to hear more on this subject. Cacao contains chemicals/compounds that are stimulants (theobromine and small amounts of caffeine), polyphenolic antioxidants (flavonoids), as well as "feel good" chemicals (e.g. anandamide), and satisfying mineral content (magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, etc.). Preserving, even optimizing, beneficial compounds would interest those trying to maximize good health.
Ingredients: "Molecules (TM) cacao, erytriol*, pure cacao butter*, zinc. (*organic)"
Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, barley or nuts."
*Note: these are my tasting notes/observations. There are no milk ingredients listed for this chocolate; although it does say it may contain traces of milk.
** Artificial/synthetic sweeteners like Erythritol can cause an upset stomach in some people. It also alters the taste of chocolate(s).
