Intrigue Chocolate - Bourbon & Vanilla Bean Truffle - Nov. 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Bourbon & Vanilla Bean Truffle
Good ++
Weight: .314 oz. (8.9 g.) / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 49 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Bourbon & Vanilla Bean Truffle was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). It was part of a baker's dozen of different flavors. Each truffle was labeled with its flavor name and individually-wrapped.

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth but rich dark chocolate, spirits (Bourbon) and vanilla, with a pleasing, light lingering (very slightly boozy) finish.

Texture: soft, creamy/buttery, very slightly fudgey, with a generous coating of cocoa powder.

I enjoyed this well-balanced, thoughtfully created adult truffle confection. This small truffle was full of flavor, not too sweet (thank you!), and very satisfying. 

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Dairy, Soy. 

Intrigue Chocolate - Scotch Whiskey Truffle - Nov. 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Scotch Whiskey Truffle
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .314 oz. (8.9 g.) / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 49 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) different truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Scotch Whiskey Truffle was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).

Intrigue Chocolate's Chef Aaron has created an estimated 400 different chocolate flavors in the past few decades. (A person after my own chocolate-marinated heart.) I found 13 of those flavors (including some with spirits) in this baker's dozen truffle assortment box--as well as several flavors in bar form (ordered online) that I'm looking forward to trying soon.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's, precision-cut, very slightly boozy square truffle included: rich, true dark chocolate and spirits (Scotch whiskey).

Texture: buttery, soft, creamy (yet firm enough not to melt in your hand immediately) with a generous dusting of cocoa powder.

This satisfying, small chocolate was one to savor. It landed squarely in the Goldilocks zone for me: not too sweet or acidic, subtle and authentic flavors. If you like dark chocolate and you like whiskey, especially Scotch Whiskey, try this one.

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Dairy, Soy.

Intrigue Chocolate - Jamaican Hot Chocolate Truffle - Nov. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Jamaican Hot Chocolate Truffle 
Good ++ 
Weight: .314 oz. (8.9 g.) / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 49 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate this holiday. Chocolate turkeys were handed a pardon this year. Instead, today's holiday chocolate treat was a small, square, spiked chocolate truffle.

Today's Jamaican Hot Chocolate Truffle was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). 

Aroma and flavor notes for this dark rum infused truffle included: subtle, sophisticated, warm, dark chocolate with very subtle rum and warm spices (nutmeg, vanilla). An additional bit of heat came from (what was for me just the right amount of) habanero chili, mid-way through.

Texture: creamy ganache, with a generous coating of cocoa powder.

Bittersweet, and not too sugary, this blend of flavors was a perfect chocolate warmer for a cold day. Enjoyed as a small bite of joy on a Thanksgiving dessert plate, it evoked sunny, subtle Caribbean island warmth and spiced rum flavor you might hope for in a dark truffle.

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Dairy, Soy.

Honoka'a Chocolate - 55% Cacao Drunken Goat Milk Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honoka'a Chocolate
55% Cacao Drunken Goat Milk Chocolate (bar)  
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Honoka'a Chocolate, online order

Aloha and welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's 55% Cacao Drunken Goat Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Honoka'a Chocolate (Honoka'a, HI). Honoka'a is a small town on the green, lush Hamakua coast on the northeast side of the Big Island of Hawaii.

This bar was made with "Kahlua infused Ecuadorian (Camino Verde Fermentary) cacao with a hint of organic cane sugar and goat milk." To make this barrel-aged bar, cacao nibs and Kahlua were "aged in oak barrels for 4 to 5 months before processing into chocolate."

Aroma notes included: rich milk chocolate (mild, with a refreshing clean edge to it). 

Texture: thick and creamy, with a luxuriously thick mouthfeel and clean melt. Very faint, fleeting (barely there) astringency in the finish.

Flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate with very faint caramel. I did sense a super faint plant stalks and muffled wood from the barrel aging process; but these notes were so subtle as to be undetectable. There were no strong acid or bitter notes.

For a 55% chocolate, this was not too sweet (thank you). The relative lack of sugar meant it was easier to taste the subtle nuances of flavor in the chocolate and the milk.

I appreciated the creamy texture; the clean taste of the goat milk; the delicate caramel; the short list of ingredients; and a wee bit of intriguing complexity. 

It felt like taking a quiet walk outside in the fog, with clean, recently rain-washed air. There was no strong weather here; but it was a refreshing, interesting walk well worth taking.

I recommend adding this bar to a dark milk tasting flight (side-by-side tasting with other dark milk chocolate bars). This bar might help show tasters that the type and quality of the milk used in a chocolate bar does matter. And that dark milks don't always have to be very sweet to be enjoyable.

Ingredients: Ecuadorian cacao (Camino Verde Fermentary), organic turbinado cane sugar, organic goat milk.

Allergen-related information: Contains: Dairy

Honoka'a Chocolate - 70% Cacao Barrel Aged Bourbon Bar - Nov. 26, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honoka'a Chocolate
70% Cacao Barrel Aged Bourbon Bar 
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 (estimate) (1 of 3 bar trio for $48.00)
Purchased from: Honoka'a Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's 70% Barrel Aged Bourbon Bar (bar) was from Honoka'a Chocolate (Honoka'a, HI). Honoka'a is a small town on the scenic (and green) Hamakua coast on the northeast side of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate; faint sweet green (tree/maple syrup, very faint banana, citrus (orange), and barely detectable (possibly imagined) Mediterranean green walnuts in sweet green syrup/honey); faint, fleeting herbal (sweet, not quite licorice/fennel--but close); and barely detectable warm spice (vanilla).

Texture: very smooth, with a well-executed melt and mouthfeel. 

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (very tasty dark chocolate ganache with faint caramel/brown sugar, bourbon, and subtle, smooth wood (oak)), and citrus (orange).

I really liked the luxurious, silken texture and the subtle and intriguing complexity. The aging/soaking of cacao nibs in spirits and/or oak barrels (that have held spirits) can result in some truly beautiful, rich flavors. And each spirit (in this case bourbon) has its own unique flavor to impart. This bar--and yesterday's Kuleana Barrel Aged Rum Bar from the same maker--were both great examples of what's possible using these techniques.

I also really appreciated the very short list of (two) high-quality ingredients, and the use of Hawai'i grown cacao in all the Honoka'a bars I've tried this week.

Ingredients: "100% Hawai'i island cacao, organic turbinado cane sugar. Cacao nibs and bourbon are aged in oak barrels for 4-5 months before processing into chocolate."

Allergen-related information: ("Gluten Free, Fair Trade, Non GMO, Vegan, Dairy Free")  

Honoka'a Chocolate - 70% Kuleana Barrel Aged Rum Bar - Nov. 25, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honoka'a Chocolate
70% Cacao Kuleana Barrel Aged Rum Bar 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 (estimate) (1 of 3 bar trio for $48.00)
Purchased from: Honoka'a Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's 70% Kuleana Barrel Aged Rum Bar (bar) was from Honoka'a Chocolate (Honoka'a, HI). Honoka'a is a small town on the Hamakua coast on the northeast side of Hawai'i. Kuleana Rum Works is also located on the Big Island.

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate; faint sweet green (tree/maple syrup, very faint banana, and even fainter Mediterranean green walnuts in sweet syrup/honey); faint, fleeting herbal (almost, but not quite licorice/fennel) and warm spirits (high-quality rum; maybe a little rum baba without all the sugar) and a little oak.

Texture: silky smooth, with a luxurious, buttery (almost dairy milk/cream) mouthfeel and melt. (Note: there were no milk/dairy ingredients listed.)

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (attractive and tasty dark chocolate ganache with faint sweet green), with flavorful hints of faint rum, caramel and oak.

I really liked the luxurious, silken texture and the subtle and intriguing complexity. 

The aging/soaking of cacao nibs in spirits and in oak barrels often results in some very attractive, full-bodied flavors. Today's Barrel Aged Rum Bar was a great example of how well these techniques can work. 

I also really appreciated the very short list of (in case case, two) high-quality ingredients, and the use of Hawai'i grown cacao, in all the Honoaka'a bars I tried this week.

Ingredients: "100% Hawai'i island cacao, organic turbinado cane sugar. Cacao nibs and rum are aged in oak barrels for 4-5 months before processing into chocolate."

Allergen-related information: ("Gluten Free, Fair Trade, Non GMO, Vegan, Dairy Free") 

Honoka'a Chocolate - 85% Cacao Hawaiian Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 24, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honoka'a Chocolate
85% Cacao Hawaiian Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 (estimate) (3rd of 3-bar trio for $45.00)
Purchased from: Honoka'a Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's 85% Cacao Hawaiian Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Honoka'a Chocolate (Honoka'a, HI).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (dark ganache, dark cocoa); very faint and fleeting milk/cream, marshmallow, brown sugar, and sweet green herb; and very and faint diffuse sweet green nut and floral--the latter disappeared fairly quickly after exposure to air for several minutes.

Texture: silky smooth, with a luxuriously thick mouthfeel and melt--like other bars from Honoka'a. I'm guessing the cacao(s) were naturally high in cocoa butter. (Often the case in Hawaii, located farther than 20 degrees Latitude (from the Equator).*

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate; very faint, diffuse and fleeting fruit (tropical fruit, very faint and buttery avocado); and barely detectable yogurt/earth (faint loam). Overall the flavor was very smooth for an 85%er. I was really leaning in to try to pick up the more subtle notes--not typical for most high-percentage bars with stronger, more intense flavors.

The sweetness level was relatively moderate-high and the bitterness and astringency levels were relatively low for a high-percentage cacao bar like this.

Oddly, there was less earthy flavor in this 85% cacao bar than the 65% and 70% Hawaiian cacao-based bars from this same maker, featured in the past few days. 

The turbinado cane sugar added a bit of brown sugar flavor and possibly a slightly tangy note. (It was hard to tell if this was from the sugar or the cacao.) I plan to share this 85% bar with a few dark milk chocolate fans who are uncomfortable with high-intensity dark chocolates. 

I enjoyed the subtle, natural complexity; the remarkable buttery texture; the use of Hawaiian cacao; and the short list of only two ingredients. 

Ingredients: "100% Hawai'i island cacao, organic turbinado cane sugar."

Allergen-related information: ("dairy free")  

*Hawaii is sometimes referred to as the North Pole for growing cacao. Almost all of the world's cacao is grown closer to (less than 20 degrees from) the Equator. And most of that (probably at least 70-75%) comes from less than 10 degrees from the Equator. 

Honoka'a Chocolate - 70% Cacao Hawaiian Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 23, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honoka'a Chocolate
70% Cacao Hawaiian Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 (estimate) (2nd of 3 bar trio for $45.00)
Purchased from: Honoka'a Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's 70% Cacao Hawaiian Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Honoka'a Chocolate (Honoka'a, HI). Honoka'a is a small town on the Hamakua coast on the northeast side of the Big Island of Hawaii.

The relatively light and fresh aroma notes included: mellow dark chocolate, very light green fig flavored marshmallow, and barely detectable light herbal (licorice/fennel). Note: most of the lighter, and floral-leaning "green" notes were gone after the inner wrapper had been open for a few hours.

Texture: silky smooth, with a luxuriously thick mouthfeel and melt.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark chocolate ganache with very faint milky caramel/brown sugar; earthy dark chocolate milk); very faint milk (Greek yogurt); and barely detectable earth (loam). (Note: the "dairy" notes were very subtle; and there were no milk/dairy ingredients listed on the packaging.)

I liked the luxe--silken, with an almost chewy caramel-like--texture; the very short list of ingredients: just cacao and sugar; and that there was a bit of intriguing complexity.

The very slightly earthy cacao helped balance out the sweetness, and vice versa. Also, the turbinado sugar used was a little less processed than some white sugars, resulting in a slightly more rich (brown sugar) flavor and less sugar buzz.

Ingredients: 100% Hawai'i island cacao, organic turbinado cane sugar. 

Allergen-related information: ("Gluten Free, Fair Trade, Non GMO, Vegan, Dairy Free")

Honoka'a Chocolate - 65% Cacao Hawaiian Chocolate with Coconut Milk (bar) - Nov. 22, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honoka'a Chocolate
65% Cacao Hawaiian Chocolate with Coconut Milk (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 (estimate) (1 of 3 bar trio for $45.00)
Purchased from: Honoka'a Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's 65% Hawaiian Chocolate with Coconut Milk (bar) was from Honoka'a Chocolate (Honoka'a, HI).

Aroma notes included: rich, authentic coconut milk and sweet chocolate.

The texture was velvety smooth. (Frequently you get this lovely silky/creamy texture with coconut milk + cocoa butter.)

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, authentic coconut milk and yogurt/earth (faint loam).

I liked the short list of only three ingredients and the authentic flavors. This was almost too sweet for me but the slightly earthy cacao helped balance out the sweetness, and vice versa. Also, the turbinado sugar used was a little less processed than some sugars, resulting in more flavor and less sugar buzz--which I appreciated.

Ingredients: 100% Hawai'i Island cacao, organic coconut milk, organic turbinado cane sugar. 

Allergen-related information: ("dairy free") 

Javier Confectionery + Sunridge Farms + Rum = Hawaiian Hot Chocolate - Nov. 21, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Javier Confectionery
Shaved Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix with Homemade Marshmallows
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / Approx. 15 oz. (weight unknown) total package
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving
Cost: N/A - gift from a neighbor (Thank you Nallely!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Sunridge Farms
Dark Chocolate Coconut Chews
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 5.5 oz. (156 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 (2-piece) serving
Cost: $5.59 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Aloha, and welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week. 

Today's Hawaiian Hot Chocolate was made with three ingredients (listed below).

The last few days I've recreated a Hawaiian dessert/drink memory with available chocolate items from the chocolate vault. Tomorrow, I'll go back to featuring one (single) chocolate item per day that's either from Hawaii and/or made with cacao grown in Hawaii.

Javier Confectionery - Shaved Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

The base for this Hawaiian-themed hot chocolate was Shaved Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix With Homemade Marshmallow(s) from Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA). 

After adding hot water, and stirring, the dark milk shavings melted into a nice, almost velvety, warm drinking chocolate. Very satisfying--and a good choice for a hot chocolate or as a base for experimentation (if you'd like to add liqueurs, flavorings).

Ingredients: Shaved dark chocolate (that I believe contained some milk) + homemade marshmallows in a separate packet.

Sunridge Farms - Dark Chocolate Coconut Chews

The Dark Chocolate Coconut Chews were manufactured by Sunridge Farms (Royal Oaks, CA). Aroma and flavor notes for these hearty, two-bite sized, dark chocolate covered chews included: dark chocolate, coconut macaroon and very faint vanilla. 

These tasty, chewy, sweet, bite-sized coconut chews would be enjoyable as a sweet snack. Their small size was perfect. I could see these being part of a holiday dessert plate with fruit and other items.

These were like high-end dark chocolate covered coconut macaroon cookies, only with a slightly shorter and healthier list of ingredients.

And two chews mixed into the hot chocolate achieved the rich coconut and chocolate flavor I wanted (in addition to the dark rum) to recreate today's Hawaiian Hot Chocolate memory.

(Note: straining out the small coconut shreds after allowing hot chocolate to sit for a few minutes is optional if hand-stirring ingredients and you're not using a blender.)

Ingredients: Coconut Bar (coconut, brown rice syrup), Dark Chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy or sunflower lecithin [emulsifier], vanilla extract, milk). 

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut, Milk, Soy. "Manufactured on shared equipment with peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and sesame."  

Rum

Last, but not least to be stirred in was the rum. I chose Myers's Original Dark Rum as that most closely replicated what was in the Hawaiian Hot Chocolate I had almost 20 years ago in Honolulu. (An updated version might include a small-batch Hawaiian rum.)

Result 
The resulting combination of the three ingredients was very close to the (memory of the) Hawaiian Hot Chocolate I enjoyed years ago while on vacation in Hawaii.

 

King Arthur - Chocolate Macadamia Cookies with Hawaiian Nibs and Sea Salt - Nov. 20, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

King Arthur Baking Company, Inc.
Gluten Free Ultimate Fudge Chocolate Brownie Mix
(Chocolate Macadamia Cookies with Hawaiian Nibs and Sea Salt)
Good + - Good ++ (See below)
Weight: 1. oz. (45 g.) mix used / 17 oz. (1 Lb., 1 Oz.) total box of mix
Calories: 165 calories for dry mix only)/ 400 calories (estimate) for 2 cookies
Cost: N/A - multiple ingredients
Purchased from: N/A - multiple ingredients, locations

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Hawaii. 

Today's tiny (two cookie) batch of Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies with Guava Smoked Hawaiian Sea Salt were made using (a) Gluten Free Ultimate Fudge Chocolate Brownie Mix from King Arthur Baking Company, Inc. (Norwich, VT).

I added the following ingredients to this mix:

1.) Olive Oil + (Coconut) MCT Oil
2.) Hawaiian Macadamia Nuts (chopped)
3.) Cacao Nibs from Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, Oahu, HI)
4.) 1 tiny banana (mashed)
5.) Cold Brew Coffee and Cream Liqueur
6.) Hawaiian guava smoked sea salt

I liked the combination of flavors. But the texture (when microwaved -- not recommended) was a little off. Following a standard cookie recipe and using a conventional oven (later) yielded better results.

The cocoa used in this mix was made more alkaline (less acidic and bitter) so it was sweet and agreeable. (Think Swiss Miss Cocoa in the U.S.) Happily, the Hawaiian cacao nibs helped restore some fine cacao flavor.

Notes: I used a gluten free brownie mix to make cookies. This King Arthur mix was optimized for brownies; and, if you're vegan (or not), the package specifically discouraged trying to make these brownies without using egg. (I'm not good at following recipes.) The end result: the last half of this micro-batch was folded into a great vanilla ice cream. That worked!

Brownie Mix Ingredients: Cane Sugar, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate), Salt, Natural Vanilla Flavor. 

Allergen-related information: This mix was certified gluten-free by GFCO (GFCO.org) and was "Non-Dairy." "For information on allergens and cross-contact program, visit: KingArthurBaking.com/Allergen-Program"

Ocho Candy - Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Minis - Nov. 19, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ocho Candy

Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Minis
Good ++

Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package of 8 minis

Calories: 280 calories in minis
Cost: $ Missing information 
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week. 

This post is about good memories.

Today's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Minis were from Ocho Candy, Inc. (Oakland, CA). Ocho closed down earlier this year after 14 years in business. (Fortunately, these were in my chocolate vault.)

Ocho Candy's founders were committed to making higher-quality chocolate candy bars--before many companies had even considered Organic and Fair Trade, or gluten-free, chocolate bars, or dropping artificial colors and ingredients. They made some great small candy bars.

And speaking of memories, I chose today's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter mini bars because they reminded me of a chocolate, peanut butter and fresh banana milk shake I fell in love with--at a poolside bar in Maui, many years ago. I made a delicious fresh banana milkshake at home and enjoyed these Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Minis with the shake, and pretended I was back in Hawaii. 

The two-bite bars had a smooth dark chocolate outer layer and a both creamy and very slightly crunchy peanut butter interior. The sugar and salt levels in the peanut butter filling were perfect for my taste. 

These individually-wrapped treats were easy to share and transport; but a smaller bar size didn't help with portion control. I'll just have one more...I thought, three times.

Ingredients: *Dark Chocolate, (*+Cacao Beans, *Evaporated Cane Sugar, *+Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin), *Peanut Butter (*Peanuts), *Cane Sugar, *+Cocoa Butter, *Peanut Flour, *Sugar (*Cane Sugar, *Tapioca Starch) and Sea Salt. (* = Organic; + = Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Peanuts. Made on Shared Equipment That Processes Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, Eggs, and Wheat.

 

Raaka - Coconut Milk 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 18, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate
Coconut Milk 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25.4 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) in total bar
Calories: 127 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ (Missing information)
Purchased from: (Missing information)

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week. 

Today's while today's Coconut Milk 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY) does not come from Hawaii (cacao origin is Uganda, Semuliki Forest), it did spark some fond Hawaii memories.

I enjoyed this Coconut Milk bar by itself, and then with two different Hawaiian coconut milk-based smoothies made with fresh banana, orange, guava and passionfruit. Today's virtual travel to Hawaii via chocolate and island fruits was inspired by the onset of colder, winter weather where I live.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (fudge, cocoa, dark chocolate milk); authentic, aromatic and sweet coconut (milk); and very faint, diffuse fruit (ripe red berry).

The texture was smooth, silken, cream-y. (Most coconut chocolate confections are loaded with sugar-saturated coconut. You won't find dry or over-processed coconut in this bar.) 

Raaka's chocolates tend to be less processed, and feature bars like this one made with unroasted cacao. Why unroasted? The flavor can be milder/smoother as a result. And less processing of high-quality cacao is often associated with preservation of certain desirable flavor characteristics and nutritional properties.

I liked that this chocolate was gluten-free, soy-free, organic, and made with a short list of quality ingredients. For dairy-free and/or vegan chocolate lovers, Raaka offers some good options.

Maker's description: "...silky smooth...with...lush notes of berries and cream."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic coconut, organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut.

Lydgate Farms - 70% Dark Hawaiian Sea Salt + 70% Dark (bars) - Nov. 17, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Lydgate Farms Kaui Chocolate 

1.) 70% Dark Hawaiian Sea Salt (bar) (2024 release)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 157 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 + shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Lydgate Farms, online order

2.) 70% Dark (bar) (2024 release)
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 157 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 + shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Lydgate Farms, online order

3.) Dulcey Coins 35% White
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .18 oz. (5 g.) / 3 oz. (84.9 g.) in total package 
Calories: 28 calories (estimate) in 1 piece/coin
Cost: $8.00 + shipping for 1 package
Purchased from: Lydgate Farms, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week, featuring three chocolates from Lydgate Farms Kauai Chocolate (Kapa'a, HI). 

The cacao grown on the family estate in Kauai has a history that stretches back to the 1860s, when cacao arrived from the Americas (as a gift to the Royal Family of Kamehameha) and was planted in Hawaii.

Today's three chocolates include: 1.) 70% Dark Hawaiian Sea Salt (bar) (2024 release), 2.) 70% Dark (bar) (2024 release), and 3.) Dulcey Coins 35% White Chocolate. The two bars were manufactured for Lydgate by Manoa Chocolate (Kailua, HI); and the white chocolate coins were a product of France. 

70% Dark Hawaiian Sea Salt (bar)

Aroma and notes for this Hawaiian sea salt bar included: dark chocolate; light, sweet green (molasses, green fig, sweet green walnuts in syrup); faint coffee/latte; and faint (very fleeting) warm spice and botanical seasoning (sweet celery salt).

Texture: smooth with a creamy/buttery mouthfeel.

I enjoyed the rich, dark chocolate with multi-layered sweet green notes. It made me feel like I was I a green, tropical jungle/paradise. I would have liked to have tasted a little more salt in this sea salt bar; but others who don't care for salty chocolate may think the amount is just right.

Ingredients: Hawaiian grown cacao beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter, Hawaiian sea salt 

Allergen-related information: (None listed/found on label.) 

70% Dark (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes for this Hawaiian chocolate included: dark chocolate; sweet green (banana, molasses, green fig, sweet green walnuts in syrup, maple syrup); and very faint citrus (fresh lemon, honey) and spice (vanilla, tobacco) and wood (cedar).

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy mouthfeel, luxe, lingering melt.

I loved the hearty, balanced, botanical complexity of the rich, dark chocolate with multi-layered sweet green notes. It was similar to the sea salt version but with more banana, some very faint wood/cedar; and I found it to be more vibrant. Both bars were recently created (2024 releases). 

Both bars tasted similar to releases I'd tried a few years ago. (I remember the lovely sweet green notes.) But, since I no longer have the previous versions, I can't say how they differed. This was one of those rare times when I did "re-taste" a bar; however, if I'm sure it's a different/new harvest/release I will sometimes make an exception. (It's like drinking a wine that may differ slightly with the year/harvest.) 

Ingredients: Hawaiian grown cacao beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter 

Allergen-related information: (None listed/found on label.) 

Dulcey Coins 35% White Chocolate (Dulcey Les Feves) 

Aroma and notes for these white chocolate confections included: strong, sweet and rich caramel; white chocolate; and vanilla.

Texture: smooth with a creamy mouthfeel.

I enjoyed the rich caramel tones in the aroma and taste. These were a bit sweet for me; but you're a white chocolate fan, these are worth trying.

Ingredients: White chocolate (35% cocoa minimum, pure cocoa butter), cocoa butter, sugar, whole milk powder, dried skimmed milk, whey, butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), natural vanilla extract, milk.  

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. May contain nuts, soya. Product of France. (Note: Lydgate Farms repackages some offerings (that could result in) traces of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs & milk protein, gluten and soy."

Aloha - Coconut Chocolate Almond protein bar - Nov. 16, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Aloha 
Coconut Chocolate Almond (plant-based protein bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.98 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 (estimate) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Mollie Stone's Markets, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Hawaii Week.

Today's Coconut Chocolate Almond (bar) was manufactured for Aloha (an employee-owned, Certified B Corporation based in Littleton, CO). The company sources ingredients like coffee and macadamia nuts from Hawaii-based farms and partners with other Hawaii-based organizations.

Aroma notes included: chocolate, coconut, nut (almond), and very faint vanilla.

The texture was substantial and chewy (but not overly tough). This bar was both moist (cohesive) and slightly dry (mouthfeel)--for a chocolate bar at least--from protein powder (ground rice, seed), ground almonds and coconut shreds, and fiber. 

Flavor notes included: chocolate (cocoa, coconut brownie), coconut, and nut (almond). 

The chocolate-y flavor came from incorporated (I'm assuming melted/softened) chocolate chips as well as added chocolate liquor, cocoa powder and cocoa butter. 

While it's unfair to compare a bean-to-bar craft chocolate bar with a protein bar, I liked that this thoughtfully produced chocolate plant protein bar was organic, not too sweet, lacked lecithin and vegetable gums, and contained 14 grams of plant protein as well as a tiny amount of salt. 

And if you're launching into a big day--going outside to watch high surf on a King Tide day on San Francisco Bay in this case--it's nice to have some protein + cacao under your belt.

Ingredients: Protein Blend* (Brown Rice Protein*, Pumpkin Seed Protein*), Tapioca Syrup*, Almonds*, Coconut*, Chocolate Chips* (Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Vanilla Extract*), Vegetable Glycerin*, Tapioca Fiber*, Chocolate Liquor*, Cocoa Powder*, Cocoa Butter*, Evaporated Coconut Water*, Natural Flavor*, Sea Salt, Vanilla Extract*, Monk Fruit*

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds and Coconut)" "Manufactured In A Facility That Also Processes Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, and Wheat."

Lydgate Farms - 55% Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts - Nov. 15, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Lydgate Farms Chocolate 
55% Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts  
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package 
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 1/2 container
Cost: $20.00 + shipping for 1 package
Purchased from: Lydgate Farms, online order

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

Today's 55% Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts from Lydgate Farms (Kapa'a, HI) were manufactured for Lydgate by Feve Chocolates (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma notes included: chocolate (dark ganache) and sweet nut (cashew shortbread cookie).

The texture was a blend of softly crunchy macadamia nuts covered with a smooth, creamy dark chocolate.

The chocolate covering was just thick enough to add flavor, depth and chocolate richness, but not so thick that it prevented the subtler sugar, light caramel, vanilla, salt and macadamia nut flavor notes to shine.

I really enjoyed these well-executed, well-balanced, flavorful and slightly addictive Hawaiian cacao and macadamia nut confections. Definitely a cut above what you'll usually find in stores.

Ingredients: Hawaiian macadamia nuts, dark chocolate (Hawaiian cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, vanilla beans), sugar, salt, cocoa butter, cocoa powder 

Allergen-related information:  Contains tree nuts (macadamia). 

Valley Isle Chocolate - 70% Oahu North Shore 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 14, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Valley Isle Chocolate 
70% Oahu North Shore 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's 70% Oahu North Shore 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valley Isle Chocolate (Kahului, HI). This family-owned, small batch chocolate maker is located in Maui.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (dark ganache); very faint tropical fruit (pineapple, mango); butter; and honey/honey caramel.

Texture: creamy, cocoa buttery

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark ganache, torte), earth (loam), sweet green (fig, floral vanilla).

The sweetness level was relatively high; the complexity was interesting. 

All four of the Valley Isle chocolates I tried this week had three things in common--most notably a natural/ganache sweetness, creamy/buttery texture, and earth (loam) notes. (All four bars were made with a three-ingredient, 70% cacao chocolate.)

Maker's tasting notes: Raisin, Caramel, Nutty

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar*, Organic Cocoa Butter* 

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts"  

Valley Isle Chocolate - Ua Hanai Orchards Hilo Hawaii 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 13, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Valley Isle Chocolate 
Ua Hanai Orchards Hilo Hawaii 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Ua Hanai Orchards Hilo, Hawaii 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valley Isle Chocolate (Kahului, HI). This small-batch chocolate maker is located in Maui.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (dark ganache; dark, silky fudge), sweet green floral (orchid, vanilla), and very faint cream and soil (loam).

Texture: nice and creamy/cocoa buttery smooth

Maker's tasting notes: Hazelnuts, Cherry and Maple Syrup

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar*, Organic Cocoa Butter* 

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts"    

Valley Isle Chocolate - Kona Hawaii 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 12, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Valley Isle Chocolate 
Kona Hawaii 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Kona Hawaii 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valley Isle Chocolate (Kahului, HI). The company is a bean-to-bar, small-batch chocolate maker located in Maui.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (dark ganache, fudge brownie); faint malt; diffuse, ripe (almost fermenting) fruit (sweet red berry); faint and balanced earth (loam); and a strong sense of natural sweetness--that I sometimes taste with certain less processed (organic) sugars; honey; or other sweet fruit and/or green botanical notes.

Texture: Smooth, with a very, very faint light astringency.

The sweetness for this 70% dark chocolate was relatively (naturally) high, but the organic cane sugar did not diminish the pleasingly subtle and balanced complexity.

Maker's tasting notes: "Raspberry, Malt, Winey"

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar*, Organic Cocoa Butter* 

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts"   

Chocolove - Hawaiian Sea Salt in Strong Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 11, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolove 
Hawaiian Sea Salt in Strong Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Hawaiian Sea Salt in Strong Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa (bar) was from Chocolove (Boulder, CO). 

Timothy Moley founded Chocolove in 1995. Chocolove chocolates and flavors inclusions have evolved over the years; but since I started Chocolate Banquet in 2006: they've continued to make bars using Belgian chocolate and there have been love poems* of different sorts printed on the inside of their wrappers.

Texture: smooth, creamy (in part due to a bit of added cocoa butter (not dairy)) dark chocolate interspersed with small, almost crunchy crystals of salt.

Aroma and flavor notes included: very smooth, uniform dark chocolate (cocoa, ganache, brownie with vanilla and very faint raspberry jam) and substantial sparkles of embedded Hawaiian sea salt. (Don't worry, there wasn't strong acidity or bitterness in this "strong" dark chocolate.) A touch of vanilla helped evoke that smooth chocolate baked goods taste and/or cocoa flavor.

Ingredients: Cocoa Liquor, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin And/Or Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Cocoa Butter, Hawaiian Salt. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Soy. Made in a Facility That Also Processes Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, and Tree Nuts." 

*Today's love poem was from "I Will Tell Thee What It Is To Love" by Charles Swain.

Valley Isle Chocolate - Ecuador 70% Dark Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts & Sea Salt (bar) - Nov. 10, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Valley Isle Chocolate 
Ecuador 70% Dark Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts and Sea Salt (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Ecuador 70% Dark Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts and Sea Salt was from Valley Isle Chocolate (Kahului, Maui, HI). The cacao was sources from Costa Esmeraldas--a family-owned cacao farm in the Esmeraldas Province of NW Ecuador.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate and very nut, faint vanilla, floral, sweet green and tobacco. 

Texture(s) varied from smooth dark chocolate to softly crunchy nut pieces and salt crystals to cocoa buttery melt/mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, sweet green (floral honey, faint green coconut, vanilla).

I enjoyed the subtly complex "green" (botanical) flavors in this single origin, small-batch chocolate bar.

Ingredients: "Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar*, Organic Cocoa Butter*, Macadamia Nuts, Hawaiian Sea Salt" 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Macadamia). Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts"

Maverick Chocolate - Hawaiian Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 9, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Maverick Chocolate Co. 
Hawaiian Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .918 oz. (26 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 4 squares of bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Maverick Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Special Reserve Hawaiian Coffee Dark Chocolate Dark Chocolate was from Maverick Chocolate Co. (Cincinnati, OH). This bar was a collaboration between Maverick Chocolate and Made Like Iron Coffee (Pahala, HI).

Aroma notes for this bar included: complex dark chocolate with very slightly savory, diffuse fruit and coffee.

Texture: I liked that the coffee was completely incorporated in this bar, resulting in a smooth dark chocolate; i.e. there were no crunchy coffee bits/grounds. I like layered flavors; but in this case the total integration worked very well.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark brownie with sea salt*); freshly roasted coffee; fleeting, fruity, buttery green olive; brown/less processed sugar; and faint botanical/floral; and a very faint aromatic tobacco note. 

I enjoyed the deeply complex, nicely balanced, and interesting flavor notes; and the barely detectable savory taste. (Note: I'm a fan of savory and umami chocolates.) I'm not sure whether the light fruit (sweet citrus) came from the Belize cacao Maverick used to make this bar, or the Hawaiian coffee -- or whether it was a product of both; but the fruit and other flavors complemented each other well in this bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Rich, dark chocolate with a smooth quintessential Hawaiian coffee flavor enhanced with brown-sugary sweetness and hints of citrus and flower notes."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic Hawaiian coffee beans. 

Allergen-related information:  "Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Peanuts, Almonds, Coconut, and Hazelnuts. Soy Free. Vegan."

*Note: There was no sea salt. I write down what I'm sensing, which doesn't always correlate 100% with the actual ingredients. In this case there was a savory/umami quality that reminded me of certain chocolates or foods with salt.

Lonohana Estate Chocolate - Blueberry Lavender Chocolate Medallions - Nov. 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Lonohana Estate Chocolate, Inc.
Blueberry Lavender Chocolate Medallions
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.65 oz. (53.3 g.) / 4.94 oz. (160 g.) (per label) in total package of 3 
Calories: 291 calories (rough estimate) in 1 medallion
Cost: $25.00 for 1 package of 3
Purchased from: Lonohana Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Blueberry Lavender Chocolate Medallions were from Lonohana Estate Chocolate, LLC (Honolulu, HI). The company uses cacao grown on their estate in Oahu (and cacao grown on neighboring islands). Their bars and occasional confections are "grown and made in Hawaii." 

Aroma notes for this generously-sized chocolate medallion included: aromatic fruit (blueberry), warm spice (vanilla and cinnamon) and lavender. (And, yes, lavender is part of the large, extensive mint family.)

The medallion's round shape and thickness (relatively thin, and tapered down around the edges to be a little thinner) provided excellent mouth and palette access to great flavors.

Flavor notes for this special chocolate included: smooth, almost velvety, dark milk chocolate and the warmth of a spiced, blueberry compote style jam on buttered toast-laced with just enough floral lavender and vanilla to transport one to an extra level of bliss. 

Yes, it was sweet, but this chocolate was very well-balanced and thoughtfully executed so that the sugar (while it was the number one ingredient) and milk didn't mask or dampen the bouquet of high-quality flavors in this medallion. 

Sadly, this addictive and flavorful beauty (and virtual vacation to Hawaii this morning) was part of a limited run; and these medallions are no longer listed on the Lonohana website (online store) to order. 

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, Hawaiian cacao, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder, Hawaiian vanilla, lavender essential oil, organic blueberry powder.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. "Soy and gluten free. Made in a peanut-free environment."

Aloha - Chocolate Mint Organic Protein Bar - Nov. 7, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Aloha  
Chocolate Mint Organic Protein Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.96 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar 
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Mint Organic Protein Bar was manufactured for Aloha (Littleton, CO). Aloha is a plant-based protein company (B Corp) that was founded in 2013 by three Hawaii-based partners.

Today's offering contained 14 grams of plant protein; but it had enough dark chocolate that it qualified as being a chocolate bar.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, mint (peppermint), and very faint nut and seed cookie.

The texture was relatively firm but pliable; and it had some crushed seed/nut heft and a faint crunchiness to it. The dark chocolate helped tie the ingredients together; added some pleasant mouth feel and rich flavor; and helped prevent the feeling of dryness that some protein bars can have.

I liked that this monk fruit-sweetened bar wasn't too sweet; that it was organic and gluten free; and the flavors seemed authentic and well-balanced for a more functionally-oriented chocolate protein bar. The 14 grams of protein (rice, pumpkin seed, cashew) helped make it feel satisfying.

Ingredients: Protein Blend* (Brown Rice Protein*, Pumpkin Seed Protein*), Tapioca Fiber*, Dark Chocolate* (Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Cashew Butter* (Roasted Cashews*, Sunflower Oil*), Tapioca Syrup*, Vegetable Glycerin*, Cocoa Powder*, Sunflower Seed Butter* (Roasted Sunflower Seeds*, Sunflower Oil*), Sunflower Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin*, Peppermint*, Monk Fruit*

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Cashews). Manufactured in a Facility That Also Processes Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, and Wheat." 

Equal Exchange - 67% Cacao Mint Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 6, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Equal Exchange
67% Cacao Mint Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 226.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order

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

Today's 67% Cacao Mint Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) was produced in Switzerland and distributed by Equal Exchange (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma notes for this 67% Peruvian cacao-based bar included: dark chocolate and peppermint. 

The texture was smooth, with a relatively creamy base chocolate and some sparkles of mint.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate and peppermint. I liked that the peppermint wasn't totally overwhelming. And the chocolate was relatively bold, but well executed. Overall, it tasted a little better than I expected. (It wasn't a mint bomb.)

Happily, the sweetness level and the mint flavoring were both just about right.

Ingredients: "*Organic Chocolate Liquor, *Organic Raw Cane Sugar, *Organic Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Crisps 10% (*Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Peppermint Oil), *Organic Unrefined Whole Cane Sugar, *Organic Ground Vanilla Beans." (* = Fairly Traded Ingredient) 

Allergen-related information: "May Contain Milk, Peanuts, Hazelnuts, Almonds & Coconut"

Seattle Chocolate - Mint Chip truffle (bar) - Nov. 5, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Seattle Chocolate
Mint Chip - green mint chip chocolate truffle bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.)/ 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and the Mint Family Week. 

Today's Mint Chip - green mint chip chocolate truffle bar was from Seattle Chocolate Company (Seattle, WA).

This relatively soft-textured (almost velvety) truffle bar was filled with a creamy green mint center.

The mint aroma and flavor was refreshing without being too overpowering; and this bar was, surprisingly, not overly sweet either. 

I also liked that this bar was gluten free; and (in reading the label) was reminded about Equal Exchange's transparency*--and work they've done with many small cacao farmer co-ops (across the cacao-growing world) over the years. (There was a picture of one of the Peruvian farmers on the packaging.)

Ingredients: white chocolate (cane sugar, cocoa butter*, milk, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), dark chocolate (cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter, organic soy lecithin, natural vanilla), chocolate chips (cocoa mass*, cane sugar, cocoa butter*, natural vanilla), coconut oil, alfalfa extract (color), pure peppermint oil.

Allergen-related Information: "Contains milk, soy, and coconut. This product is manufactured in a plant that processes milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and wheat products." "Gluten Free"

*Equal Exchange has remained committed to building partnerships that "are economically just and environmentally sound" in cacao-growing countries. They are a large co-op organization--one of the largest "Alternative Trade Organizations" in the world, that has long been involved with Fair Trade. 

The cacao used to make this bar was from farmer co-operatives the Dominican Republic and Peru. The sugar came from Paraguay; and the vanilla hailed from Madagascar.

Sweet Loren's - Chocolate Mint Cookies - Nov. 4, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Sweet Loren's 
Chocolate Mint Cookies
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (46 g.) / 9.6 oz. (272 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package of 12 cookies
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and the Mint Family Theme Week.

Today's gluten-free, dairy-free Chocolate Mint Cookie dough was manufactured for Sweet Loren's, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA). 

Aroma notes included: peppermint and chocolate (cookie). And as with any "freshly baked" cookies, these small, pre-formed cookies (that came from a package of refrigerated dough) smelled good right out of the oven.

The baked Chocolate Mint cookies had a relatively soft texture, with slightly more crispy edges. And yes, as the name Sweet Loren's suggests, the number one ingredient was sugar.

For those wanting something sweet, but needing strictly allergen-free, companies like Sweet Loren's offer some convenient and attractive options. The cocoa powder, molasses and chocolate chunks added flavor depth that I appreciated.

Ingredients: "Sugar, Flour Blend (oat, tapioca, potato starch), Palm Oil**, White Confectionary Chips (sugar, palm kernel** and palm oil**, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, salt), Filtered Water, Cocoa Powder, Molasses, Chocolate Chunks (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, vanilla, salt), Sea Salt, Baking Soda, Peppermint Oil."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a dedicated room free of gluten, wheat, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. Manufactured on shared equipment with products containing egg and soy. Strict allergen cleaning controls and testing are in place to ensure allergen control standards are met."

 

Intrigue Chocolate - Lavender, Coffee, Long Pepper (bar) - Nov. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Lavender, Coffee, Long Pepper 64% Dark (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5) / 2.5 (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and the Mint Family Theme Week--featuring several days of chocolates flavored with different members of the very large mint family: peppermint, yerba buena, basil, rosemary, lavender and more.

Today's Lavender, Coffee, Long Pepper 64% Dark (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA), a small-batch maker offering bars and confections--most with at least one local, Pacific Northwest flavor inclusion. 

Origin story: The cacao ("mostly Trinitario and Amelonado") used to make this chocolate was from Uganda, Rwenzururu, Semuliki Forest. And the lavender was from B&B Family Lavender Farm (Sequim, WA).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, slightly woodsy, distinctive floral (lavender) with light menthol (mint), sweet green, and very faint and harmonious savory (pepper). I could not smell the coffee, but I think it added a richness and a grounded quality, and somehow tied together these 4+ flavors in an unexpectedly successful way.

Texture: smooth, well-tempered dark chocolate with both a very slight crunchiness (likely coffee), and a relatively creamy texture and melt.  

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (chocolate-y, dark ganache), with a blend of authentic lavender, faint fruit (blueberry), and very faint savory (pepper) and barely detectable (in most bites) coffee.

This 64% cacao bar was sweet without being overly so--allowing one to really appreciate a skillfully executed blend of complex, bold flavors--that could've been pulled in many directions; but instead the finished blend was almost smoother and greater than the sum of its parts. 

Makers tasting notes: "Medium-roast coffee draws together the perfume of the lavender and the musky bite of the long pepper."

Ingredients: "Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [emulsifier], natural vanilla flavoring), lavender, coffee, long pepper"

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility with milk, soy and nuts."

    

Intrigue Chocolate - Lavender 60% Cacao (bar) - Nov. 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Lavender 60% Cacao (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and the Mint Family Theme Week--featuring several days of chocolates flavored with different members of the very large mint family: peppermint, yerba buena, basil, rosemary, lavender and more.

Today's Lavender 60% Cacao (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). 

Origin story: The cacao ("mostly Trinitario and Amelonado") used to make this chocolate was from Uganda, Rwenzururu, Semuliki Forest. And the lavender was from B&B Family Lavender Farm (Sequim, WA).

Aroma notes included: chocolate and woodsy, distinctive floral (lavender) with light menthol (mint).

Texture: smooth, well-tempered dark chocolate  

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (chocolate-y, dark ganache), authentic lavender. 

I liked the slightly smaller tasting size package, and that it was sweet without being overly so--allowing one to taste the underlying chocolate and authentic lavender flavors. Lavender did dominate a bit, but if you like lavender, that is not a bad thing.

Makers tasting notes: "Made with hand-harvested Angustifolia (English) lavender flowers, this bar has complex floral aromatics, deep chocolatiness, a surprise blueberry note, and hints of Scotch whisky."

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, lavender flowers. 

Allergen-related information: Vegan, no dairy, no soy, no gluten. 

   

Moonstruck Chocolate - Black Cat Bar - Dark Chocolate + Dark Chocolate Strawberry & Basil (bars) - Nov. 1, 2024

Chocolate(s) of The Day 

Moonstruck Chocolate

Black Cat Bar - Dark Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.1 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in (approx.) 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Dark Chocolate Strawberry & Basil 
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 3.25 oz. (92 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in (approx.) 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week, featuring chocolates that contain a member of the very large mint family--that includes basil.

And in honor of Halloween Week (and the fact I tried a similar Strawberry & Basil bar from the same company many years ago), I added the Black Cat Bar to try along with its lightly basil-flavored chocolate sibling. 

Both were Moonstruck Chocolate bars from Portland, OR. (The Black Cat Bar was manufactured by CW Moonstruck LLC (Portland, OR); and the Strawberry and Basil bar was manufactured by Moonstruck Chocolate Co. in Portland, OR). Both were made with UTZ Certified Cocoa.*

Black Cat Bar - Dark Chocolate

Aroma and flavor notes for this smooth, attractive, (and I assume) seasonal chocolate included: roasted, smooth and chocolate-y dark chocolate (pudding, mousse), vanilla, and faint marshmallow.

I loved the simple but striking appearance of a dark (black) cat silhouetted against a full moon (white chocolate), and the light sparkling of stars (vanilla sugar crystals) in the dark chocolate sky and reflected in dark ground below.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Nonfat Dry Milk, Butterfat, Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier), Vanilla Extract), Vanilla Sugar (Cane Sugar, Vanilla Powder), Natural Toasted Marshmallow Flavor Extract (Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavor)."

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Milk, Soy."

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Basil bar

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, warm spices (clove, cinnamon), and refreshing, tart-sweet fruit (red berry). 

The basil was fleeting and faint, but the tiny green pieces were an attractive, colorful complement to the red strawberry bits on the dark chocolate. I was a little confused by the faint warm spices; but 'tis the season.

Ingredients: "Semisweet Chocolate (Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, vanilla extract.) Basil Herb Sugar (sugar crystals, basil), Freeze Dried Strawberries."

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on shared equipment. May contain traces of milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, sesame and tree nuts"

*The UTZ Certification program is now part of Rainforest Alliance. Both stress values such as sustainability, fair wages for farmers and training for farmers, and require that certain standards are met for certification. Farms and companies are audited by independent organizations.