Chocolove - Chili Mole in Strong Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - June 10, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolove 
Chili Mole in Strong Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 3.2 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $3.49 (estimate) for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Chili Mole in Strong Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was from Chocolove (Boulder, CO). 

Mole sauces from Mexico and Central America are typically made with ground chilies and may contain ground nuts, cacao, bread or crackers, corn, tomatoes or tomatillos, onion and other spices, and sometimes a touch of sugar or fruit. The chilies are a must; but other ingredients can vary widely.

Today's Chili Mole bar was inspired by mole sauce(s) and it contained ancho and chipotle chilies, cacao, vanilla and cinnamon. Other ingredients in this thoughtfully executed chocolate included: coffee, pistachio nuts and dried apricots.*

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate bar included: dark chocolate, spices: cinnamon, (slightly smokey/roasted) chili, coffee and very faint vanilla; and faint/diffuse fruit and nut.

The smooth dark chocolate yielded rich, sweet flavor notes. The chilis added flavor depth and were relatively mild (more flavor than heat). The vanilla and cinnamon gave the chocolate a natural sweet, upbeat (fresh baked goods) flavor. The coffee and chocolate** grounded this blend. And the ground nut flecks and tiny apricot bits provided mellow nut and subtle tart-sweet fruit notes, respectively.

I enjoyed the choice of flavors in this 70% bar to create a mole sauce like taste. I also liked that this dark chocolate bar was not too sweet (thank you). A very light touch of sea salt, chilies, coffee and dark chocolate helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Liquor, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin or Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Pistachios, Dried Apricots (Apricots, Rice Flour), Coffee, Ancho Chilies, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Chipotle Chilies."

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

*Pistachios and apricots originally hail from Central Asia. And coffee had its start in East Africa. However, our food cultures have become very creatively enmeshed.

** Chocolove describes this bar as "Strong Dark Chocolate" 70% Cocoa (Belgian chocolate). But don't let the used of the word"Strong" scare you off. It was quite smooth.

Mezcla - Mexican Hot Chocolate "Puff-Crispy Bar" - June 9, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Mezcla
Mexican Hot Chocolate (bar)
Weight: 1.40 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Fremont, CA

Hola y bienvenidos a mi blog, Chocolate Banquet. Hello and welcome. Today is Day #1 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

When people think about "Mexican chocolate" they often mention cinnamon and vanilla.*

Today's Mezcla Mexican Hot Chocolate "Puff-Crispy Bar" was distributed by Eat Mezcla Inc. (New York, NY).

Aroma notes included: cinnamon + vanilla cake/cookie; faint chocolate; and very faint cinnamon toast.

I enjoyed the soft, crunchy texture of this bar--made with pea protein crisps and organic, smooth dark chocolate. It reminded me of a Mexican-style hot chocolate with cinnamon, vanilla and a subtle touch of relatively mild chipotle pepper.

The extra protein was satisfying; and despite the slightly sweet aroma and taste, the bar was not overly sugared (Thank you!)

Ingredients: "Pea Crisps (pea protein, rice starch), Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Tapioca Syrup, Sunflower Seed Butter, Vegetable Glycerine, Pea Protein, Organic Quinoa Crisps (Organic Quinoa), Prebiotic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Tapioca Syrup Solids, Coconut Oil, Tapioca Fiber, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Vanilla Extract, Chipotle Pepper"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nut (Coconut). Manufactured on Equipment that Processes Dairy, Peanut, Sesame, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Egg"

*Cinnamon, an ancient spice from SE Asia and neighboring areas, likely arrived in the New World at least 500 years ago, in the 1500s--after it was brought to Europe via Arab and African trading routes. (Although there are some individuals who believe that cinnamon might have arrived in the Americas before the Spanish, Spain usually gets the credit for introducing cinnamon.) Regardless, it has become an integral part of most "Mexican chocolate" beverages and desserts here in the U.S.

Vanilla and cacao, on the other hand, originated in Central and South America and were brought to Europe/and other nations.