Lonohana Estate Chocolate - Hawaiian Coffee 50% (bar) - Jan. 9, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Lonohana Estate Chocolate
Hawaiian Coffee 50% Dark Milk (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: Part of a $45.00 USD Island Flavors bundle (four different bars)
Purchased from: Lonohana website, online order

Aloha; and welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Hawaiian Coffee 50% Dark Milk (bar) was made by Lonohana Estate Chocolate, LLC (Honolulu, HI). It was cold and rainy in California; but this Hawaii island mocha blend brightened up today's January mood considerably.

Made with estate grown Hawaii cacao and Ka'u coffee--a specialty coffee grown in the Ka'u district of Hawaii's Big Island known for its smooth rich flavor, this 50% dark milk chocolate had a very pleasing aroma with freshly ground coffee, dark mocha latte, and coffee toffee notes.

The coffee in this well-tempered bar was fully ground into the chocolate, making for a smooth, uniform melt and texture, with a fleeting, very mild astringency in the finish. 

Flavor notes included: tasty and smooth, flavorful dark chocolate, dark mocha coffee and whole milk.

I would have been happy with even less sugar; but the 50% dark milk and coffee blend will please a wider audience. There was just enough milk and sugar to lower (what seemed to be already low levels of) bitterness and acidity, but not enough to overwhelm the underlying cacao and coffee flavors. 

Lonohana maker's description:

"This bar celebrates coffee grown in the rich volcanic soils of the Ka'u district on the Big Island of Hawai'i. We stone-grind coffee beans for several days into 50% dark milk chocolate to craft this delicious, rich, creamy and eye-opening bar."

"A gentle roast of the cacao beans ensures that our chocolate is a perfect accompaniment to the coffee from our favorite region in the islands..."

Ingredients: "Hawaii-grown cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder and Ka'u coffee"

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. "Soy and gluten free. Made in a peanut-free environment by Lonohana Estate Chocolate, LLC...")

Lonohana Estate Chocolate - Orange and Vanilla 70% (bar) - Jan. 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Lonohana Estate Chocolate
Orange and Vanilla dark 70% (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: Part of $45.00 USD Island Flavors bundle (set of 4 different bars)
Purchased from: Lonohana website, online order

Aloha; and welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

This Orange and Vanilla dark 70% (bar) was made by Lonohana Estate Chocolate, LLC (Honolulu, HI). 

Aroma notes included: smooth, rich dark chocolate; vanilla; orange; and faint butter.

This well-tempered dark bar had a smooth, creamy texture and melt. (I checked the package again to see if it contained milk. It did not. See maker's notes below.)

Flavor notes included: rich, smooth dark chocolate, authentic, sweet orange oil and warm, creamy vanilla.

I loved that the maker chose to make a 70% dark chocolate version (vs. a sweet milk chocolate) version of this flavor blend. 

Lonohana Maker's Notes                           

"This addictive 70% dark chocolate (combines) "floral island cacao and sweet orange essential oil....reminds us of good times eating a creamsicle* with friends, however there is no dairy!

The creaminess is a result of a gentle roast and careful, extended stone grinding."

Ingredients: Hawaii-grown cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, and sweet orange oil.

Allergen-related information: Vegan. 

*A frozen orange juice/drink and vanilla ice cream treat on a stick said to be invented in 1905 in the U.S. by a young (11-year old) ice cream truck driver, Frank Epperson--who called it an epsicle. Versions of this popular frozen offering were later sold as popsicles and/or creamsicles. These brands are currently owned by Unilever.