Chocolate of the Day
1.) Mama Ganache
Spicy Orange 70% Cocoa Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 95 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Eric!)
2.) Homemade by Megan
Candied Watermelon strips
Good ++
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) (estimate) for 1 serving
Calories: 83 calories (estimate) in 1 serving
Cost: N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - homemade by Megan
Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week. Today's Spicy Orange 70% Cocoa Chocolate (bar) was from Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates (San Luis Obispo, CA). I enjoyed this chocolate with a side of homemade candied watermelon rind strips. (Thank you Megan!)
Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate and citrus (orange oil, fruit).
Texture: smooth, buttercream-like chocolate with an appealing, creamy melt.
This bar had a bittersweet, smooth dark chocolate flavor, suffused with just the right amount of authentic orange (oil), followed by a spicy (cayenne pepper) uptick that bloomed mid-way through the tasting experience; and the "heat" gradually subsided 10-12 seconds after it peaked.
The sugar/sweetness level was about right; the 70% dark chocolate was very slightly bitter (bittersweet), and that balanced out the sweetness. A small amount of vanilla added a bit of baked goods warmth to the orange and chocolate flavors.
The pale pink candied watermelon rind strips I paired this chocolate with were fruity and chewy with a smooth, refreshing, bright, naturally sweet melon flavor. And they were a perfect complement to today's spicy orange dark chocolate.
Ingredients: Organic bittersweet chocolate (Organic chocolate liquor*, organic sugar*, organic cocoa butter*, organic cocoa powder*, and organic vanilla*), organic orange oil and organic cayenne. (* = Fair Trade)
Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, nuts, wheat and dairy"