Chocolate of the Day
Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Basil Truffle Bar
Good ++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 388 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 truffle bar + shipping
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order
Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Mint Family Theme Week. The extensive mint family* includes not only peppermint and spearmint, but also rosemary, basil, sage, oregano, thyme, lavender, lemon balm and others.
Today's Basil Truffle Bar was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). The company offers a variety of chocolates (bars and confections) with interesting flavor inclusions.
Aroma and flavor notes for today's basil-infused chocolate included: dark chocolate (chocolate torte, ganache), subtle and savory basil, and very faint vanilla cookie.
This truffle bar had a smooth, creamy, buttery, truffle-like texture.
Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (rich, creamy dark chocolate truffle ganache) and subtle basil (a plant my brain associates more with savory dishes (pasta dishes and pizzas), and that lacks the (sometimes overly) sweet toothpaste-like sparkle that mint confections/candy can have).
This cocoa-hued truffle bar was about the size of a small stick of butter; it was dusted in cocoa powder and had authentic soft/creamy truffle texture and flavor.
The price ($14 USD) may seem high, but this small but mighty bar was the equivalent of 4-5 large, high-quality truffles; and if you eat the whole bar you may feel quite full.
This bar can easily be sliced into (thin or thick) chocolate truffle slices (with a knife or a butter or cheese slicer) and shared with others as a dessert by itself, or as part of a chocolate tasting, flight or pairing (with wine, spirits or cheese). It contains real cream and refrigeration and timely consumption is encouraged.
Note: I enjoy trying chocolates that are on the savory side, and Intrigue Chocolate also makes a Parmesan (cheese) truffle that would make for an interesting pairing with this basil Truffle bar. (A tomato truffle if you can find or make one might make an interesting trio.)
I appreciated the authentic basil flavor in today's chocolate, and it wasn't overly sweet (thank you!).
Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (basil)
Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy.
*The mint family (Lamiaceae) contains approximately 7,000 species across more than 230 genera.
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