Xocolatl LLC - Wam & Cozy Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves & Cardamom 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl LLC
Warm & Cozy Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves & Cardamom 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 202 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate & Warm Spices Theme Week.

Today's Warm & Cozy Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves & Cardamom 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA). (See previous post to read about the Uganda part of today--a single origin Uganda 75% Cacao bar from this same chocolate maker.)

Aroma notes included: appealing, slightly woodsy, and very slightly earthy, dark chocolate with subtle, comforting warm spice(s) (cinnamon, ginger).

Texture: pleasing smooth texture and melt with fully integrated spices (no detectable spice grit).

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, and an integrated blend of warm spices (cinnamon, ginger, and even fainter clove).

I enjoyed the balanced, albeit subdued spice flavors in this bar; the choice to create a darker than average (70% vs. 50-60% cacao) spice-flavored chocolate using a high-quality cacao (no sources specifically identified on packaging/label). I also appreciated the short list of ingredients

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (* organic)"

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes peanuts, soy, wheat & tree nuts (almonds, coconut, hazelnut, pecan)." "Vegan"

  

Xocolatl LLC - Uganda 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) - May 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl LLC
Uganda 75% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 202 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate & Warm Spices Theme Week.

Today's Uganda 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA). (See next post for the warm spices half of the day--a spice bar from this same chocolate maker.)

Aroma notes included: chocolate (cocoa, rich hot chocolate), faint almost fruit (cacao pulp, mango), and almost nut (almond).

Texture: pleasing smooth texture and melt.

Flavor notes included: very tasty dark chocolate with rich, smooth and chocolate-y flavor (with glimmers of earth, tropical fruit (mangosteen, very light citrus), very faint floral spice (cardamom) and light nut/seed.

I loved the attractively complex and balanced flavors in this bar; the choice to create a 75% cacao chocolate using a high-quality cacao (from the Semuliki Forest in Uganda, sourced from Latitude Trade); and the very short list of (only three) ingredients

The well-balanced unique and bolder flavors were managed (but not overly managed) and were allowed to dance with each other a bit; in a pleasing, artful way. E.g., there was a very slight bitterness (that you might taste in a certain edible mushroom and nut combination). It felt like it belonged there, rather than taking you out of the tasting experience. This intriguing chocolate had me leaning forward while tasting. Loved the fleeting fruit and spices as well.

Maker's tasting/profile notes: "Robustly dark, bitter nuts, tart orange, cardamom."

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (* organic)"

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes peanuts, soy, wheat & tree nuts (almonds, coconut, hazelnut, pecan)." "Vegan"

 

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar) - May 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Uganda Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Spices Week.

Today's Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).* (This bar was a collaboration with Viscon Cellars (Seattle, WA).

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzururu; Semuliki Forest; Harvest year: 2022.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, (chocolate-y); warm spice (cinnamon); faint, diffuse tropical fruit (light citrus, passion fruit) and stone fruit (very faint plum jam); and spicy pepper. The Long Pepper was slightly spicier than black peppercorns found in the U.S.; and had a very faint warm spice (ginger-like) note.

Texture: smooth, with a relatively buttery melt.

I enjoyed the well-executed, balanced flavors, the short list of ingredients, and the sweetness level--that added a slight brightness to the spice flavors. (It was sweet without being overly so.)

Maker's tasting notes: "This chocolate has a soft but highly-complex woodsy spice that complements the aromas of sweet tobacco and ripe plum of Viscon's 2022 Paradigm (100% Malbec) wine. 

Successful chocolate and red wine pairings require skill. Fortunately, this bar was designed by a chef and chocolate maker who possessed that skill.

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, cassia cinnamon, long pepper.

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: the company is planning to relocate to Chisholm, MN.