Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Limited Release Dark Chocolate Demon Seed Whiskey 77% Cacao (bar) - Dec. 6, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Limited Release Dark Chocolate Demon Seed Whiskey 77% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $35.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Goodnow Farms Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Limited Release Dark Chocolate Demon Seed Whiskey with Maple Sugar 77% Cacao was made by Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA) in collaboration with Boston Harbor Distillery (Dorchester, MA). The cacao bean origin was Colombia (Boyaca).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (dark cocoa, ganache), and very faint spirits (whiskey) and maple sugar. 

When I bought this bar, I didn't know it contained scorpion pepper, one of the world's hotter peppers. (The name Demon Seed Whiskey should have clued me in.) If you don't detect a chili/pepper smell to this bar, you might be surprised by the bit of heat that kicks in a bit later. So, for the heat-sensitive, I'd advise taking a small bite first.

Texture: relatively smooth (all ingredients were fully incorporated), with a tiny bit of (possibly imagined) astringency toward the end.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (bittersweet chocolate), warm maple sugar, and very faint whiskey, chili spice and earth notes. The whiskey added flavor depth without being obvious.

Given the relatively bold flavor elements, this was a very balanced and well-executed chocolate. There were no pyrotechnics or rushes to grab a glass of water because of the scorpion pepper. Yes, the pepper had some heat, but it wasn't overwhelming (thank you). The ginger was barely detectable, but it likely added some warm spice that melded flavors together nicely.

The 77% cacao (single origin Colombia, Boyaca) seemed relatively smooth for a higher percentage chocolate, and the sweetness level seemed to be just right. The maple and ginger were subtle but added some warmth that makes it appealing for colder/winter days. And this is a fun bar to share with others.

Maker's tasting notes: "...Heat from scorpion peppers dances with ginger and melds with flavors of rich, maple fudge. A warm caramel syrup sensation lingers..."

Ingredients: Single Origin Cacao Beans, Maple Sugar, Single Origin Cocoa Butter, Whiskey, Scorpion Pepper, Ginger

Allergen-related information: "Soy Free, Gluten Free"

Zotter Chocolates - Rum Coconut 70% filled bar - Dec. 5, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter Chocolates
Rum Coconut 70% filled bar
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.19 + shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotter, online order 

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

Today's Rum Coconut 70% filled with coconut ganache and rum cream (bar) was made in Austria by Zotter Chocolates and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Zotter's filled (or "hand-scooped") bars contain ultra-thin layers or fillings, sometimes two or three. In this case there were authentic coconut and rum layers inside a thin coating of 70% dark chocolate. 

Aroma notes for this slightly boozy*, filled bar included: rum, tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, lemon), dark chocolate and subtle coconut. The smooth, dark chocolate became more prominent when I bit into it, and the fruit notes receded.

Texture: mostly smooth and creamy with a few tiny coconut shreds.

I liked the layering of flavors, the use of organic and fair trade ingredients, and the fact that this was an authentic winter warmer, in almost every respect. The rum clearly raised the temperature in my room. Neat trick. 

Maker's description: "A tropical dream..."Brown rum adds...flavor to a rich dark chocolate ganache...accompanied by a light coconut layer made from almond praline, coconut couverture, coconut milk, and a hint of pineapple juice, and crunchy coconut flakes..." The whole treat is then coated with a layer of 70% dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Cocoa Mass**, Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Butter**, Rum** (6%), Invert Sugar Syrup*, Toasted Coconut**(4%), Rice Drink Powder (Rice*, Sunflower Oil*, Salt), Coconut Milk* (3%), Coconuts*, Water, Thickener: Guar Gum*), Almonds*, Pineapple Concentrate*, Glucose Syrup*, Coconut Powder* (1%: Coconut Paste*, Coconut Milk*, Coconut Flour*), Dark Brown Cane Sugar**, Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder**, Lemon Powder* (Lemon Juice Concentrate*, Corn Starch*, Sugar*), Emulsifier: Lecithin (Soy)*, Emulsifier: Lecithin (Sunflower)*, Ginger* (* = Organic (100% Organic) (** = Organic and Fair Traded). Fair Trade Content in Total: 83%

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Coconut, Almonds, Soy" "Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Milk, Eggs, Sesame and Gluten." 

*No Chocolate and Spirits Week would be complete without a filled chocolate from Europe that contains a bit of real alcohol. Zotter Chocolates offers organic and fair trade chocolates with a variety of spirits, for those who are looking to upgrade in this category.