Ethereal Chocolate - Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate
Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .848 oz. (24 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 148 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. 

Today's Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Ethereal Chocolate/Confections (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate and roasted coffee, with very faint/diffuse fruit, nut, and very faint green (almost but not quite floral/vanilla) and cookies.

Texture: Smooth, very slightly grainy dark chocolate was accented by a generous helping of crunchy cacao nibs.

Flavor notes included: dark, sweet chocolate and genuine coffee, with medium acidity, and authentic unsweetened cacao nibs. The cacao nibs and coffee balanced the sweetness (sugar).

I liked the aroma; and appreciated that the coffee was present (especially in the aroma), but that I could taste the chocolate (first), and then the coffee. It was well executed from this standpoint. 

In chocolate and coffee blends, these two flavorful beans (seeds) can overpower each other if not balanced. Sometimes I like tasting the coffee first, and sometimes the chocolate. A great maker can anticipate what works best, depending on the types/varieties of cacao and coffee.

Ingredients: Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Coffee Beans, Cocoa Nibs*. (* Organic Ingredient)

Allergen-related information: "Made on shared equipment with peanuts & tree nuts."

Honey Mama's - Mocha Crunch (bar) + Java Junction Mocha Smoothie - Oct. 2, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Honey Mama's 
Mocha Crunch (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Java Junction
Smooth Express (Espresso) Freeze
Good ++
Weight: 24 fl. oz. (estimate)
Calories: 475 calories (estimate)
Cost: $9.75 for 1 smoothie
Purchased from: Java Junction, Santa Cruz, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Coffee Week.

Today's hot weather led to overindulgence--in the form of three, cold mocha chocolate items. Two of these are included below. (The third item was a cup of ice cream with high-end upgrades to traditional mocha almond fudge and coffee ice creams. Delicious; and will re-taste and write about these at a later date.)

Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch 

The Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch (bar) was "Made in Portland, Oregon, While Dancing to Great Music."

Aroma notes included: mocha coconut nut cookie, date, and faint vanilla.

This (refrigerated*) bar had a cold coconut oil-based, fudge-y, melt-in-your-mouth texture, luxe melt and mouthfeel. Coconut oil and cocoa butter gave this bar a rich, appealing taste and texture.

Flavor notes for this "Truffle Treat" of a bar included: chocolate-y (smooth dark chocolate, low in bitterness and acidity), coconut fudge, faint nuts (almost fully incorporated hazelnuts), authentic vanilla, and sea salt.

I liked the relatively short list of authentic flavors (made with no preservatives, no added natural flavors); the taste of the authentic honey, sea salt, vanilla, and coffee that were pleasing accent flavors to cocoa and coconut. The only ingredient (from what I could tell) that had been slightly altered/further processed was the cocoa powder. It had been alkalized, resulting in a mellower, attractive hot cocoa flavor.

Ingredients: "Organic Raw Honey, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut, Hazelnuts, Organic Coconut Flour, Organic Roasted Coffee, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Pink Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains: Coconut and Hazelnuts. "Made in a facility that also processes peanuts." "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age." ("Gluten Free, Free of Refined Sugars, Dairy and Soy Free"

*"This treat melts above 75 degrees (F.)"

Java Junction - Smooth Express (Espresso) Smoothie

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate/mocha; fresh, ripe banana; and coffee. 

This mocha and banana flavored, espresso "freeze" was tasty, refreshing and satisfying. It was enjoyed at the beach in Santa Cruz, CA, where it was a sizzling 88 degrees (F)/ 31.1 degrees (C)...in October. 

I enjoyed the authentic fresh banana and rich, chilled mocha flavors in this smoothie-style drink. And I appreciated that the low sugar level and decaf coffee resulted in no jarring sugar or caffeine buzz (thank you!).

Ingredients: "Espresso, banana, non-fat milk, non-fat frozen yogurt, chocolate (likely Ghirardelli)" 

Allergen-related information: Contained dairy (milk, yogurt)