Wildwood Chocolate - Yuzu with Roasted Brown Rice (bar) - July 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Wildwood Chocolate
Yuzu with Roasted Brown Rice (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Health Spa and Healing Center and Spa, Cavallo Point, Sausalito, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Japan Theme Week. This week features chocolates made: in Japan; by Japanese chefs and chocolatiers; and/or with flavor inclusions inspired by Japanese cuisine.

Today's Yuzu with Roasted Brown Rice (bar) was from Wildwood Chocolate (Portland, OR). 

If you like botanically-themed chocolates, you'll appreciate the beautiful fern and floral patterns on Wildwood bars. (The company name was inspired by a favorite local trail in the Portland area.)*

Aroma notes included a complex, aromatic blend of balanced, very slightly acidic/smokey (peaty), sweet green dark chocolate, citrus and rice.

This attractive bar was a textural feast that included: thick dark and creamy; candied-fruit chewy; and light and crunchy elements.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (fudge-y, very slightly acidic/peaty but otherwise very smooth); candied yuzu fruit with sweet citrus and faint floral notes; and evenly toasted rice with faint roasted, nutty and malty notes.

I enjoyed the choice of rich, complex, darker (70%) chocolate--that was flavorful, yet did not overwhelm the yuzu fruit and roasted rice.

Maker's tasting notes: "Delicate floral candied yuzu pairs beautifully with subtle nutty crunchy roasted brown rice, blending beautiful flavors and textures over rich 70% dark chocolate. Enjoy a cup of genmaicha or your favorite cheese."

Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, sunflower lecithin, vanilla), Candied Yuzu (yuzu, beet sugar, millet jelly (tapioca starch), ascorbic acid), Roasted Brown Rice.

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of the following if not listed above due to shared equipment: soy, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and eggs.

*This may sound a little fanciful. But, Portland is also a city with a high chocolate IQ, with some serious chocolate makers and chocolatiers. 

Deux Cranes - Hojicha Caramel Milk Chocolate (bar) - July 7, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Deux Cranes
Hojicha Caramel Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 191 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Deux Cranes, online order

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

Today's Hojicha Caramel Milk Chocolate (bar) was created by Deux Cranes LLC (Los Gatos, CA). The company's handcrafted chocolates are "rooted in Japan (and) inspired by France." (I previously featured the Deux Cranes Miso Almonds chocolate bar.)

French-trained chocolatier, Michiko Marron-Kibbey, draws on her Japanese heritage and uses Valrhona chocolate(s) from France in their bars and confections.

Aroma and flavor notes for his Hojicha bar included: smooth and creamy dark milk chocolate; lovely, very slightly floral (jasmine/jasmine rice like) green tea; and very faint caramel/brown sugar. 

The milk helped balance the sugar, and buffered any tannic acidity that might have been present in the tea without subduing the chocolate and green tea flavors. The chocolate had a smooth, rich chocolate milk flavor and finish.

I loved the light, refreshing, green tea aroma, and appreciated the well-executed balance between the various ingredients. Yes, it was sweet...and slightly addictive.

Ingredients: Caramelized Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa butter, Caramel (skimmed milk, whey (milk), sugar, butter (milk), flavoring), Whole milk powder, Cocoa beans) sunflower lecithin (Emulsifier), Hojicha Ground Tea, Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk. (This product may contain traces of nuts, milk, and gluten. Produced and packaged in the same facility as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and milk products.