French Broad - Dark Chocolate Montmorency Cherries + Sted Foods Salty Licorice 38% (bar) - Dec. 11, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

French Broad Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Montmorency Cherries
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $17.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Sted Foods
Salty Licorice 38% White Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order 

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week(s)--where salutes to movie snack bars and concession stand memories are piling up. Here are a few more.

Today's two chocolates are collectively honoring memories of cherry slushie/ICEE drinks, chocolate covered snacks, and licorice candy (including cherry licorice candy) enjoyed in childhood. 

I'm upgrading these flavor memories significantly with chocolates from two U.S.-based bean-to-bar makers.

Dark Chocolate Montmorency Cherries

Today's cherry-filled chocolates were handcrafted by French Broad Chocolate (Asheville, NC). 

Make sure to savor these confections slowly, to fully appreciate the bean-to-bar dark chocolate and the high-quality Montmorency* cherries. Dark chocolate and cherries are a natural match, but these two ingredients had a special sense of resonance with each other.

Aroma and flavor notes included: flavorful dark chocolate; and authentic, concentrated sweet-tart (whole, dried) cherries with a concentrated, rich flavor that lingered into the finish. 

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cacao, sugar*, cacao butter), dried cherries (red tart montmorency cherries (red tart montmorency cherries, sugar, sunflower oil). (*organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles tree nuts, wheat, gluten, milk, eggs, sesame & peanuts. May not be suitable for people with allergies to these foods."

*The Montmorency cherry (Prunus cerasus) is named for an area in France, and is a popular cherry in the U.S. and Canada.

Salty Licorice White Chocolate 

This Sted Foods Salty Licorice 38% White Chocolate (bar) (a "Scandi treat") was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN)

Aroma and flavor notes for this golden-hued bar included: caramel (brown sugar, faint maple candy) with   upticks in salt. (The tiny salt crystals on the back looked like fresh-fallen flakes of snow.) 

There was licorice flavor (powder) incorporated into the white chocolate; but, I did not taste it. So I paired this bar with a black salted licorice caramel from Holland. That added the licorice oomph my adult-self was looking for and it helped balance the milky sweetness in this bar.

Ingredients: "organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic whole milk powder, organic licorice powder, sea salt"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk. Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk."

Cherry & Licorice Movie & Music Video Pairings...

I "paired" these two chocolates with a short animated video fairy tale: "Princess Chang and (the) Cherry Tree"; and a music video of KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (2005).

I also watched the movie "Licorice Pizza" (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson) (2021). Many people missed this one (I did), as it coincided with Covid-19, when people felt uncomfortable in movie theaters. (Note to parents: this movie is Rated R.)

Sted Foods - Caramel Crack - 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - Dec. 10, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Sted Foods 
Caramel Crack - 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order  

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week. 

What might an elevated version of Hershey's Milk Duds look like? 

Many Milk Duds melted in my mouth in dark movie theaters as a child. These lumpy chocolate rounds filled with chewy caramel were a popular item at concession stands.

The chocolate below was an up-leveled version of this (chocolate + milk + caramel) favorite--in bar form.

Today's Sted Foods Caramel Crack - 50% Dark Milk Chocolate was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Aroma and flavor notes for this more-ish milk chocolate included: dark milk chocolate and caramel/toffee.

Smooth, almost velvety, sweet dark milk chocolate suffused with light and appealing caramel notes. The chocolate was punctuated with a tiny riot of crunchy toffee bits. 

Texture: The rich, creamy texture was attenuated a bit as this bar was also quite thin. Thinner means more surface to mass -- and more surface area means more area to access flavors when the chocolate is in your mouth, which is especially important when you have dark chocolates with nuanced flavors. 

This bar might have been even more hearty and delicious (maybe even more addicting) if it was a wee bit thicker. But, it warmed me up and made me happy on this cold December day. (Part of that warming feeling came from the addition of maple sugar and real butter in the toffee.)

I "paired" this bar with two Minnesota-related shows: a "Fargo" episode, and a few episodes of Rocky (Rocket J. Squirrel) and Bullwinkle (the Moose) cartoons who lived in the fictional Frostbite Falls, a take-off on International Falls, MN--that is indeed very cold in the winter.

I enjoyed this chocolate and these shows...and with a homemade, frosty Cherry & Elderberry beverage (an upgraded version of an icy, cherry/elderberry drug store fountain drink from many decades ago).

Sted chocolate makers's tasting notes: "Burnt + Sumptuous + Minnesota Sugar Shack"

Ingredients: organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder, organic MN Maple Toffee (organic cane sugar, organic butter, organic maple syrup, sea salt)

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk. Made in a facility that uses coconut, almonds, pecans, and milk."

YumEarth - Choco Yums Chocolate Candies; Chocolove Almond Butter Dark 55% Cacao (bites) - Dec. 9, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

YumEarth
Choco Yums Chocolate Candies
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99.2 g.) in 1 package of 5 snack packs
Calories: 300 calories in 3 snack packs
Cost: $6.49 for 1 package of 5 snack packs 
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order

Chocolove
Dark Chocolate 55% Cacao Almond Butter Bites
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 170 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $4.49 for 1 package of 10 (estimate) bites
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week(s), and to movie snacks and music videos that share a "Choco" reference/name in common.

Choco Yums Chocolate Candies

Choco Yums(TM) is a trademark of YummyEarth Inc. (Stamford, CT). I appreciated that the company provides snacks that are free from common allergens, and uses plant-based colors (like spirulina, carrot and turmeric), and uses Fair Trade certified and organic ingredients.

The minute I opened the package I could smell authentic dark chocolate. These round chocolate candies were inside individually-wrapped snack packs. 

These disc-shaped, candy-coated dark chocolate pieces were covered in thin, crispy-crunchy shells, and were similar to (plain) Mars M&Ms*, but they had beautiful, naturally colored shells, and more authentic (less processed) dark chocolate centers.

I "paired" these two "Choco" items with two other "Choco" related foods/experiences. (I ate the rest of the "Choco Cherry" ice cream that went into ice cream sandwiches earlier this week; and sampled Choco Musk perfume--a wearable, but not edible treat with cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon notes. 

Ingredients: Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Cane Sugar, Chocolate Liquor*, Cocoa Butter*, Sunflower Lecithin, and Vanilla Extract), Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter*, Organic Powdered Sugar, Organic Spirulina (Color), Organic Turmeric Extract (Color), Acacia Gum, Colored with Concentrate (Carrot, Radish, Blackcurrant, Sweet Potato), Corn Protein, Organic Carnuba Wax. (*Fair Trade Certified(tm) by Fair Trade USA, 46% Fair Trade Certified Ingredients"

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility free from peanuts and tree nuts." Allergen Friendly: free of egg, gluten, shellfish, fish, peanut, tree nut, soy, dairy, sesame. 

*Mars, Incorporated has owned the M&Ms trademark since 1940.

Chocolove Salted Almond Butter Bites

These Almond Butter bites were made in Boulder, CO, with Belgian chocolate. 

I enjoyed these Chocolove bites. The chocolate-y outer covering was filled with a satisfying, almond butter filling that wasn't ultra-sweet.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Liquor**, Sugar, Cocoa Butter**, Soy Lecithin and/or Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Almond Butter (Dry Roasted Unblanched Almonds), Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter**, Milk, Cocoa Liquor**, Soy Lecithin and/or Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Organic Butter Oil, Sea Salt, Sunflower Lecithin. (** Rainforest Alliance Certified. Find out more at RA.ORG.)"

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

Sadly the "Choco Taco" (discontinued in 2022 by Klondike, but there are variations on this product out there)--and the Ritter Sport "Choco Cubes" I bought--were a no go, as they contained wheat.

Choco-related entertainment today included 2 music videos:

• Chocolate (Choco Choco) song - Does anyone else remember this ear worm from 2004, from German duo Soul Control? (It was a Eurodance pop hit in Europe and the Philippines.)
• Choco Choco Choco song - Gummibar (The Gummy Bear/Gummy Bear International Inc.) This song is an adaptation of the Chocolate song from 2004 (and it too became a hit). See their YouTube channel.

Woodstock - Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins + Deux Cranes - Matcha Strawberry (bar) - Dec. 8, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Woodstock
Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.25 oz. (92 g.) / 8.5 oz. (241 g.) in total package
Calories: 450 calories in 1/2 package (3 servings)
Cost: $9.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week, with a Japanese twist.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins were from Woodstock (Edison, NJ), and distributed by UNFI (Providence, RI)* -- a day that also featured Japanese movies and snacks that included an elegant white chocolate Strawberry Matcha bar from Deux Cranes (Los Gatos, CA); Matcha, Sardine Cracker and Curry Popcorn(s);...and mentions of two treats that got away.

These raisins were paired with a virtual trip to an imaginary Tokyo theater (my living room). I had fun making Japanese popcorn flavors (Matcha, Sardine Cracker and Curry). These were joined by sweet rice crackers and sesame crackers. This snack buffet on a lacquered tray was a good match with classic Japanese films. 

There were two small disappointments: 1.) I couldn't find the Japanese gummy eels (candy) in time for this entry. 2.) Nor was I able to find the Japanese Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis), with fruits that taste like raisins. Both seemed perfect for the occasion. (These two might appear in a future Japan-themed chocolate week.)

Some of you are asking, where are the Raisinets? A doff of the hat to our U.S. classic chocolate covered raisin brand: Raisinets.

I featured Nestle Raisinets** here on Chocolate Banquet (10/14/2009). I don't feature the same chocolate twice unless there's a new version/ingredients change. Raisinets are now owned by a different company, but they're still going strong at movie concession stands, nearly 99 years after they were invented in 1927.

I was happy to find Woodstock's organic version of the popular American movie treat, that I had not tried yet.

Woodstock Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins

Aroma and flavor notes for these glazed chocolate raisins included: smooth chocolate-y, dark chocolate  and faint dried fruit (raisin). The dark chocolate coating surrounded whole dried raisins.

I appreciated the company's long-time commitment to the use of organic and Non-GMO ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin [An Emulsifier]), Organic Natural Flavor, Organic Sunflower Lecithin [An Emulsifier], Organic Raisins (Raisins, Sunflower Oil), Confectioner's Glaze, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Sugar. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Soy. Manufactured in a plant that processes peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, sesame, eggs and milk products." 

Japanese Films

I "paired" today's dark chocolate raisins with a classic Japanese film: "Rashomon" (1950); a more modern classic film "Spirited Away" (2001); and 7 episodes from the vintage animated series "Speed Racer". Popular in the 1960s-1970s in the U.S., this series featured a talented young racer driving a "Mach 5" car in a racing world full by intrigue. It was part of the local Saturday cartoon line-up where I grew up. Go, Speed Racer, Go!

*Woodstock is owned by United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) based in Providence, Rhode Island. The company sources organic and Non-GMO ingredients from farms in 25 countries. Today's organic dark chocolate raisins were produced in the U.S. with domestic and imported ingredients.

**Ferrero acquired Nestle's U.S. confectionery business in 2018, which had previously bought the brand from the Bluementhal Brothers in 1984. The Blumenthal Brothers Chocolate Company "invented" Raisinets in 1927.

Schar - Double Chocolate Cookies + Rick's Choco Cherry Ice Cream - Dec. 7, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Schar 
Double Chocolate Soft Baked Cookies 
Good ++
Weight: 2.4 oz. (70 g.) / 7.4 oz. (210 g.) in total box of 6 cookies
Calories: 320 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: N/A - gift from family member
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Rick's Ice Cream
Choco Cherry Ice Cream
Good ++
Weight: 1/2 cup serving / 1 Quart total container
Calories: unknown
Cost: $19.50 for 1 quart of ice cream
Purchased from: Rick's Ice Cream, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week, featuring an excellent two-product pairing--that resulted in a delicious ice cream sandwich.

I loved ice cream sandwiches as a child--outdoors in warm weather, indoors in the winter. It was dark and cold today, so I tucked into this tasty chocolate and cherry sandwich while watching the Job Switching (1952) episode from the "I Love Lucy" (TV) show--where Lucy and Ethel (in their newly found jobs at a candy factory) were bested by a rapidly moving chocolate conveyor belt. One of the top classic chocolate comedic moments on film.

Also enjoyed: a variety of cartoon shorts from the Ice Cream Sandwich (YouTube) channel. 

Double Chocolate Soft Baked Cookies

These gluten-free, chocolate cookies with chocolate chips came individually wrapped in a box of six. They were good by themselves. And the cookies' texture and relatively mild, smooth chocolate flavor made them perfect for ice cream sandwiches. 

Texture: soft and perfectly cohesive (not too crumbly, dry or starchy) with a pleasing chew.

I don't know how they would fare over time in frozen form; but they were just right when used fresh.

Ingredients: "Corn starch, Chocolate chips (sugar, cocoa mass**, cocoa butter**, soy lecithin, natural flavor), Brown sugar, Rice flour, Blend of vegetable fats and oils (coconut fat, sunflower oil), Butter (milk), Chocolate (Cocoa mass**, sugar, cocoa butter**, soy lecithin), Corn syrup, Sorbitol syrup, Eggs, Fructose, Cocoa powder**, Dextrose, Xanthan gum, Baking soda, Ammonium bicarbonate, Salt, Soy lecithin, Natural flavor."

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy, Egg, Milk, Tree nuts (coconut). May contain: Tree nuts."

Choco Cherry Ice Cream (and sandwich filling)

Aroma and flavor notes for this Chocolate Cherry ice cream included: Light colored, Burgandy cherry-style ice cream aroma and flavor with flecks of dark chocolate.

Texture: Light and creamy in texture, easy to scoop, and enjoyable to eat. Also perfect for ice cream sandwich making. A denser ice cream would have been more challenging to scoop/shape.

Ingredients: (Not listed on container)

Allergen-related information: (Not listed on container.) Contained Milk.

Hu - Vanilla Crunch Organic 70% Dark Chocolate (Bar) + Built - Puff Coconut with Dark Chocolaty Coating (protein bar) - Dec. 6, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Hu
Vanilla Crunch - Organic 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Built Brands, LLC 
Puff Coconut with Dark Chocolaty Coating (protein bar) 
Good +
Weight: 3.25 oz. (92 g.) / 1.23 lbs. (560 g.) in total package/box
Calories: 140 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $19.99 for a box of 14 bars (2 different flavors)
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate, Movies and Entertainment Theme Week, featuring two bars--used to re-create a "Charlie Chaplin" chocolate (chocolate, marshmallow, coconut and cashews) made popular in Buffalo, New York, over a century ago. 

Buffalo was a candy hot spot in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Confectioners created promotions around their products, including an event when they invited Charlie Chaplin to open his film "The Adventurer" (1917) there. 

Chaplin was said to like marshmallow, chocolate, coconut and cashews. Buffalo responded with chocolates containing these ingredients for the occasion.

I was born in upstate New York and watched Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton films as a child. I felt moved to create a version of this confection with these four flavors. I did. And I enjoyed the results very much while watching Chaplin's "The Adventurer" (1917) and "The Circus" (1928).

Today's two bars were:

• Vanilla Crunch - Organic 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) with coconut sugar from Hu Products LLC (Austin, TX).
• Built Puff Coconut with Dark Chocolaty Coating (protein bar) from Built Brands, LLC (American Fork, UT). 

Hu Vanilla Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

This bar provided satisfying dark chocolate flavor (flavorful but smooth). Organic vanilla beans (fully ground into the cacao) provided sunny baked goods warmth--perfect for long, snowy winters in Buffalo--and anywhere else.

This Vanilla Crunch bar was sweetened with just the right amount of organic, unrefined coconut sugar. Tiny crunchy bits of quinoa added a little texture. And the small dose of sea salt was very satisfying. 

I appreciate the makers' thoughtful sourcing and the short list of quality, organic ingredients.

Ingredients: "organic cacao*, organic unrefined coconut sugar*, organic cocoa butter*, organic quinoa*, organic vanilla bean*, sea salt" (* = Certified Fairtrade ingredients)

Allergen-related ingredients: "Contains coconut. May contain almond, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio, & dairy. Allergen cleans made prior to production, but beware that product is produced using equipment that also processes tree nuts, soy, dairy & wheat."

Built Puff Coconut Bar

This protein bar provided the marshmallow-like (and coconut flavored) filling (with a thin dark coating) that paired well with the Hu Vanilla Crunch bar and the roasted cashews in olive oil and sea salt.

The pillowy, chewy "puff" (marshmallow-like) center was infused with a gentle coconut aroma and flavor.  

Texture: fairly light and fluffy, slightly whipped, gelatin with a thin coating of smooth dark chocolate ("chocolatey coating"). 

I appreciated the 17 grams of protein. But, I prefer a bit more dark chocolate and less sweetness. But, as one of three ingredients in the Charlie Chaplin chocolate, this flavored protein bar complemented the Hu dark chocolate bar and the cashews very nicely 

I also appreciated that this bar was gluten free, and despite the fairly long list of ingredients, there were no potentially gut-disrupting vegetable gums, or artificial sweeteners. (Not wild about Natural Flavors or cultured dextrose; but there are trade-offs in life.)

Ingredients: Premium Collagen Protein Blend (Partially Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate, Collagen), Glycerin, Sugar, Water, Palm and Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Gelatin, Natural Flavors, Cultured Dextrose, Nonfat Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. May Contain: Peanuts and Tree Nuts

Filoli - World's Best Hot Chocolate with Rumple Minze - Dec. 5, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Filoli 
"World's Best Hot Chocolate" with Rumple Minze
Good ++
Weight: 10 fl. oz. (296 mL) (estimate) in 1 cup
Calories: calories in 1 cup (unknown)
Cost: $10.00 + spike $10
Purchased from: Filoli beverage trailer

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week. Movies have been hogging the spotlight so far this week, so today the focus was on chocolate enjoyed at a holiday-related event at the Filoli Estate (Woodside, CA).

The featured "World's Best Hot Chocolate" with Rumple Minze (think Peppermint Schnapps) was obtained after a short walk into the redwoods and while admiring a several model trains chugging around an excellent set-up of tracks among towering redwood trees. Trimmings included: several tiny little forest houses and strings of lights, and one giant wooden troll figure--who recently took up residency in the woods at Filoli. 

And more new chocolates were found at the "Train Depot" (gift shop in a cabin) on the way out. What could be better?

The toasty warm, creamy and rich hot chocolate was topped with a very generous dollop of whipped cream and a shot of Rumple Minze. It was a delicious hot chocolate in a magical forest setting. 

This outdoor winter holiday event was entertaining in the best possible way.

Ingredients: Unknown

Allergen-related information: Unknown. Contained Milk, Whipped Cream

Compartes Chocolatier - The Drive In 44% Cacao (bar) - Dec. 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
The Drive In 44% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 360 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week.

Today's "The Drive In" 44% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA).

Compartes offers a wide selection of chocolates with different flavor inclusions, including several bars with references to Hollywood, movies and/or entertainment. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's Hollywood-themed bar included: sweet milk chocolate interspersed with embedded pieces of lightly salted, buttered popcorn.

Texture: Thick, creamy and rich milk chocolate bar with very soft, lightly crunchy popcorn pieces.

I enjoyed the popcorn and chocolate blend, and the bar's packaging--with an image of a drive-in with rows of parked cars facing a very large, elevated screen. 

This bar brought up a blend of childhood memories of being at drive-in theaters and eating snacks in the car--some homemade and some bought at concession stands). At one time in the U.S. there were more than 4,000 drive-in movie theaters (including three within a few miles of  where I grew up). Now there may be fewer than 200. 

The multi-screen Century theater that I frequent now was a former drive-in theater until the 1980s. Popcorn snacks, chocolates and other candies and soft drinks along with new additions like nachos are still available for sale.

Today's popcorn bar inspired me to re-watch an animated short film from the 1950s, with dancing refreshments reminding movie-goers (in theaters and drive-ins) to visit the snack bar. ("Let's All Go to The Lobby...").* The film is still shown at some independent theaters, and has spawned take-offs by other animators and filmmakers. I can still hear this song in my head.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin as an emulsifier, Vanilla), Smoked Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles Dairy, Peanuts, Wheat, Egg, Soy, Tress Nuts"

*Over time this theater became surrounded by a succession of technology companies (many of which have come and gone). Those companies have included: Adobe, Silicon Graphics, Google, Microsoft and other tech companies involved in commercial media and entertainment. YouTube movies anyone? Wait, I'll "Google" what's playing at the theater.

**The ad/trailer/short film features four singing and dancing refreshment items getting snacks in the lobby -- including popcorn and chocolate characters. It was Directed by Dave Fleisher for the Filmack Studios. The film has inspired a few different versions (one with Covid masks) and at least one short live action horror film with the same title in 2020.

 

Woodstock - Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds - Dec. 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Woodstock
Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.25 oz. (92 g.) / 6.5 oz. (184 g.) in total package
Calories: 450 calories in 1/2 package (3 servings)
Cost: $9.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds were from Woodstock (Edison, NJ), and distributed by UNFI (Providence, RI).* The Edison location caught my eye. (See below for an explanation.)

Aroma and flavor notes for these glossy, jumbo-sized dark almonds included: a generous coating of glazed, smooth, chocolate-y, dark chocolate with faint, slightly roasted cacao and dark berry and earth notes. And at the center of each piece was an authentic, crunchy, whole roasted almond.

I appreciated the more flavorful dark chocolate and the company's long-time commitment to the use of organic and Non-GMO ingredients.

Thank you Thomas Edison...

I "paired" today's almonds with 3 historic short films from the 1890s that had roots near Woodstock Foods in Edison Township, NJ--an area where famous inventor Thomas Edison's Menlo Park "idea factory" was located--where light bulbs, phonographs and a motion picture camera took shape.

Thomas Edison later open a laboratory complex (and the Black Maria film production studio) further north in West Orange, NJ--where very short moving pictures were developed that included: "Blacksmith(ing) Scene" (1893), "Washing the Baby" (1893), and "Fred Ott's Sneeze" (1894). The last one was over in a matter of seconds. Hardly enough time to tuck into a bucket of popcorn or take even a sip of an iced cherry cola.

Chocolate pre-dated even the earliest of films,** but modern chocolate/snacks were still toddlers in the 1890s.

The very first film venues likely lacked dedicated concession stands. As films became longer, viewers might have brought dried fruits or nuts or their own candies. Hershey's chocolate bars were in their infancy in the 1890s. (They were being developed for sale in Pennsylvania.)

Chocolate almonds were being made in Virginia** as early as in the 1700s (often following European recipes), but modern concession stand chocolates like Goobers (1925) and Raisinets (1927) didn't appear until more than thirty years after the three early Black Maria short films debuted.

Happily movies and snacks of all kinds are firmly intertwined in the 21st Century...to the horror of movie viewers who cringe at the sounds of chewing and slurping next to them inside a theater.

I wonder what Thomas Edison would have thought about nachos and gummy worms? I guess we'll never know.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin [An Emulsifier]), Organic Roasted Almonds, Confectioner's Glaze, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Sugar. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nut (Almond), Soy. Manufactured in a plant that processes peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, sesame, eggs and milk products." 

*Woodstock is owned by United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) based in Providence, Rhode Island. The company sources organic and Non-GMO ingredients from farms in 25 countries. Today's organic dark chocolate almonds were produced in the U.S. with domestic and imported ingredients.

** There are records of Virginians making chocolate in Colonial Williamsburg in the U.S. in the 1700s, primarily grinding cacao beans to make a hot chocolate beverage, often spiced. George Washington and his wife Martha, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are all said to have enjoyed drinking hot chocolate. 

Compartes Chocolatier - Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows (pink and white striped bar) - Dec. 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
The Beverly Hills Hotel Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel 73% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet. 

Today's "The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel 73% Cacao" (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA). 

Compartes offers a creative line of chocolate bars with different flavor inclusions, including several with references to Hollywood, movies and/or entertainment -- and at least two bars that pay homage specifically to the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's Beverly Hills Hotel-themed dark chocolate, caramel and salt bar included: pleasingly smooth chocolate-y dark chocolate and light, almost buttery caramel. 

Texture: well-tempered, smooth and relatively creamy dark chocolate with slightly crunchy sparkles of sea salt.

I enjoyed the satisfying dose of sea salt and the subtle almost smokey, warm caramel notes.

Warning: This chocolate is addictive ("more-ish") if you're hungry. Indeed, this bar quickly faded to black--as have many Hollywood stars who've enjoyed Beverly Hills Hotel since it opened in 1912.

The illustrated pattern for this bar's packaging--a pink and white pin striped pattern--is part of the Hotel's overall pink* and green color palette.

The hotel may carry Compartes Chocolatier bars like this one in their gift shop. (And if you're still interested in chocolate, head to the Polo Lounge for a chocolate souffle.)

I "paired" this chocolate with the 1978 film: "California Suite" that featured a star-studded cast with drama unfolding at/inside the famed hotel involving five separate couples. I also enjoyed watching "The History of Beverly Hills," (Hilton & Hyland President) Jeff Hyland's insider account of the city's history, ties with Hollywood films, film stars...and their estates. 

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin as an emulsifier, Vanilla), Cane Sugar, Butter, Cream, Vanilla, Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Gluten Free"

*The choice of pink was inspired by the colors in southern California sunsets.

Fujiya Co., LTD. - PekoPopo Chocolate (pops) - Dec. 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fujiya Co., LTD. 
PekoPopo Chocolate (pops)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .84 oz. (24 g.) in 1 package of 2 pops
Calories: 140 calories (estimate) in 2 pops
Cost: $3.25 for 1 package of 2 pops
Purchased from: de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA

Irasshaimase (welcome) to Day #8 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week. 

How about edible cartoon characters from Japan, courtesy of a Manga exhibit in San Francisco?

Today's PekoPopo Chocolate (pops) were from Fujiya Co., LTD. (a large confectionery business based in Bunkyo-ku, Japan*). The company was founded in 1910. 

In 1950, a cute cartoon of a six-year old girl named "Peko" became the mascot for Fujiya's Milky milk candy brand. Peko-chan was later joined by a young boy named Popo-chan when the sweets (and Peko-chan) proved popular. Seventy-five years later, the smiling faces of these two famous, forever-young characters can still be seen across Japan (and beyond).

Aroma notes included: biscuit/cookie; freshly toasted bread with jelly; and milky, sweet hot chocolate. 

Texture: light, creamy, milky

Flavor notes included: sweet, mild and creamy milk chocolate--with no bitterness or acidity one might encounter with darker chocolates.

It's probably not polite to say I enjoyed eating adorable children, but these two milky chocolate cartoon kiddos were sweet and tasty (despite containing a lot of additives).

I did enjoy the Manga exhibit at the de Young Museum; and I appreciated the museum's decision to offer these Japanese chocolate pops for sale in their cafe. (And, yes, there are numerous examples of "fan-created manga" featuring Peko-chan.)

Ingredients: Sugar, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm, Shea, Sunflower), Unsweetened Chocolate, Whole Milk Powder, Lactose, Powdered Skim Milk, Cocoa Butter, Hydrogenated Modified Oil and Fat (Sunflower, Rapeseed), Polyglycerol, Polyricinoleate, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor, Red Beet Juice.

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk and Soybeans. May Contain Wheat, Egg and Peanuts. Contains bioengineered ingredients

*This chocolate was imported by JFC International Inc. (Los Angeles, CA).

The Organic House - Movie Night Caramel Corn 60% Cacao Nicaragua (bar) - Nov.30, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Movie Night 60% Cacao Nicaragua O'Payo (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 293 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Week.

Today's Movie Night 60% Cacao Nicaragua O'Payo (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). 

The bar was hand-crafted with care--as was the animated film "The Man Who Planted Trees" (1987) by Frederic Back* that I "paired" with this chocolate. 

The film features the story of a man who planted Oak, Birch, Linden (and possibly Maple) trees, across miles of land, over decades, completely transforming a once barren landscape. 

This hand-crafted story seemed like a good match with today's "Proudly Canadian" chocolate bean-to-bar chocolate, sweetened with sugar from maple trees. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's bar included: dark chocolate; caramel and caramel corn; faint fruit (berry, faint date); and uplifting warm spice and maple sugar.

The caramel corn (made from scratch) was ground into the O'Payo** Nicaragua cacao beans -- resulting in a smooth, relatively creamy chocolate with no detectable popcorn texture. (A faint, pleasant popcorn flavor did surface in some bites.)

I enjoyed the dark, satisfying caramel flavors and gentle fruit and maple complexity. Some of these notes certainly came from the use of a single origin cacao. Many thanks to the creative Canadian animators and chocolate makers who made tonight's special "Movie Night" possible.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic popcorn, Organic cacao butter, Organic maple sugar, Organic almond butter, Sea salt, Organic coconut oil. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds. May contain: Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios"

*The "Man Who Planted Trees" is an award-winning, 30-minute long, animated film created from more than 20,000 drawings. It was adapted from a French story, created and directed by Frederic Back, and narrated by actor Christopher Plummer. The team also included Academy Award winning Canadian sound editor + composer Normand Roger and several other talented folks who worked to complete this film over a five-year period. The story was (and still remains) an inspiring tale of how one person can make a difference.

**The O'Payo Nicaragua cacao used in this bar was from Ingemann, a family-owned company in Nicaragua.

 

Compartes - Old Hollywood with Smoked Salt (bar) - Nov. 29, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Old Hollywood Dark Chocolate Smoked Salt 75% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week.

Today's Old Hollywood Dark Chocolate Smoked Salt 75% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA)--a company with chocolate roots in L.A. that began in 1950.

Compartes offers a wide selection of chocolates with different flavor inclusions, including several with references to Hollywood, movies and/or entertainment. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's Hollywood-themed bar included: smooth, rich and relatively sweet dark chocolate; very faint, diffuse fruit (berry) and even fainter wood and smoked salt. The salt was not obvious in the aroma, but it complemented (and helped balance) the relatively sweet 75% dark chocolate.

I liked the slightly darker chocolate with a smooth, barely there bitterness and the use of smoked salt. The very faint, dark berry note rounded out the flavor profile.

I enjoyed the bar's attractive packaging--with a dark ebony wood (or marble) background adorned with slightly faded, gold, bird-like art deco shapes. A good fit with today's Old Hollywood theme + smoked salt. (While you'd be hard-pressed to find as many smokers in Hollywood venues today, I'm sure there were many smoky bars and Hollywood hang-outs back in the day.)

I "paired" this chocolate with two movies: "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) and "The Artist" (2011) as well as an animated short "Hollywood Steps Out" (1941) from Leon Schlesinger Productions (pre Warner Bros.); and Disney's "Once Upon a Studio" (2023)--a short reunion of the studio's historic range of animated characters. 

A balanced, albeit eclectic, 4-course classic movie meal to enjoy with today's Old Hollywood chocolate.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin as an emulsifier, Vanilla), Smoked Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles Dairy, Peanuts, Wheat, Egg, Soy, Tress Nuts"

  

Unreal - Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds - Nov. 28, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Unreal
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds 
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.5 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 300 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.89 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Movies and Entertainment Theme Week. Some of my most favorite confections in movie theaters were candy-coated almonds (Jordan Almonds); chocolate-covered almonds; or chocolate candy with almonds (Almond Roca).

Today's Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds were made in the USA for Unreal Brands, Inc. (Boston, MA).

Unreal founders started the company to create snacks "made with simple, real ingredients" that everyone might enjoy.

Aroma notes for these almonds included: warm, authentic cocoa; faint warm spice (vanilla); and very faint nut (almond).

What I liked: the authentic dark chocolate coating that was just thick enough to add balanced, chocolate-y flavor, but the coasting wasn't so thick that I couldn't taste the perfectly toasted/crunchy, whole California almonds inside. Despite my first guess that they'd been rolled in dark cocoa powder, my hands were left completely clean (in cool weather at least) after holding and eating them.

I also appreciated the thoughtful execution/creation behind this brand and their short list of fair trade and Non-GMO ingredients. When the founders first unveiled their products years ago, this was a novel and refreshing concept. So glad they're still delivering simple, tasty and arguably much healthier, snacks at a relatively reasonable price.

Ingredients: Almonds, Dark Chocolate (chocolate liquor*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, vanilla) (* = Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Made in a facility that handles other tree nuts, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat. Made on equipment that processes milk chocolate."

Compartes - The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows Deep Milk Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 27, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows Deep Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet. Also, Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating and feeling grateful today.

Today's The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows Deep Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA). 

Compartes offers a wide selection of chocolates with different flavor inclusions, including several with references to Hollywood, movies and/or entertainment. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's Beverly Hills Hotel-themed bar included: sweet milk chocolate. 

This sweet, creamy and rich 46% cacao milk chocolate was also addictive. It was gone all too quickly--just like the Hollywood stars who've visited The Beverly Hills Hotel since it opened in 1912.

I enjoyed the bar's attractive packaging--with lush greenery and flowers inspired by the hotel grounds (and the wallpaper inside) this pink- and green-tinged Beverly Hills resort. (The hotel may even carry Compartes Chocolatier Beverly Hills Hotel-themed bars. After stopping at the gift shop to check, I'd head to the Polo Lounge for a chocolate souffle.)

I "paired" this chocolate with a classic film: "Designing Woman" (1957) starring Lauren Bacall and Gregory Peck. (Their characters in this film met at the famed hotel.) I also enjoyed a documentary called "The Beverly Hills Hotel: A Red Carpet Glamour House" -- a fitting tribute to the Pink Palace.*

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk, Soy Lecithin as an emulsifier, Vanilla)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Gluten Free"

*The choice of pink was allegedly inspired by the colors in southern California sunsets.

 

Droste - Milk-Dark Pastilles - Nov. 26, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Droste
Milk-Dark Pastilles
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) (9 pastilles) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 255 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $N/A - gift from a family
Purchased from: N/A - gift; thank you friends!

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Week.

Today's Milk-Dark Pastilles were from Droste BV (The Netherlands). The company was founded in 1863 in Haarlem, Netherlands. They began selling their famous chocolate pastilles in 1890, five years before movies began to be widely shown in theaters. (Movie houses opened in 1895 in Paris and Berlin, soon followed by movie theaters in the U.S.)

Today's pastilles reminded me of an old art house movie theater in California that stocked European chocolates behind their shiny chrome and glass-covered snack case.

That theater is long gone, but the memories of the independent films, slightly squeaky theater seats, and the special European chocolates they sold--that seemed pretty exotic at the time--live on. And one of those chocolate brands was Droste.

Today's well-tempered, milk-dark chocolate discs broke with a hard snap (in a cold room). The milk chocolate half and the dark chocolate half (of each pastille) were merged neatly together, right down the middle.

Was it better to eat the milk chocolate or the dark chocolate first? (Spoiler alert: the results were smooth, chocolate-y and delicious either way. But, eating the sweeter, creamier milk chocolate side first, followed by the slightly darker side squeaked out the win. 

These smooth chocolate pastilles had enough warm vanilla and milk to serve as comfort food while watching an old film classic at home.

Ingredients: sugar, chocolate liquor processed with alkali, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, milk fat, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Soy. "May contain traces of hazelnuts."

Raaka Chocolate - Popcorn Unroasted Dark Chocolate 64% Cacao (bar) - Nov. 25, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate
Popcorn Unroasted Dark Chocolate 64% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 275 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week--where chocolates intersect with film, animation and other forms of entertainment.

Following on the heels of yesterday's Cherry Licorice bar, we're enjoying another movie snack bar item reimagined with chocolate. 

Today's Popcorn Unroasted Dark Chocolate 64% Cacao (bar) was created by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY). The makers "crushed salted popcorn and blended it into our (Semuliki Forest, Uganda cacao) dark chocolate, crafting a thrillingly chunky, buttery, and adventurous treat."

Aroma and flavor notes included: pleasing dark chocolate with faint diffuse fruit (stone fruit, dark berry, green/floral banana) and slightly savory (buttery).

Texture: the base dark chocolate was smooth with a relatively creamy melt. There were bites with very tiny pieces of popcorn hull (but it wasn't overwhelming). Raaka's description for this bar read: "Chunky, Crunchy, Buttery!" I found the tiny ivory-colored clouds (popcorn) floating in the dark chocolate to be pleasantly soft and pillow-like.

A digression about salt and chocolate...

My first impression: "This dark chocolate contained popcorn and salt, but the bar tasted surprisingly sweet, and not salty enough to taste like popcorn." Well, that was incorrect. At one point I added salt; and it did not work. Too much salt obscured the fruity, chocolate-y Ugandan (unroasted) cacao chocolate. 

The makers were right in holding back on the salt. Instead they tickled sweet movie theater memories of multiple concession stand snacks, including: dark, slightly fruity chocolate bars; dark hot chocolate/cocoa; fruit (cherry, red raspberry, banana) drinks and candies (even candied popcorn); and a wee bit of my all time favorite: salted, very lightly buttered popcorn. 

This was a fun and educational bar to taste and retaste, and retaste again. 

Movie and dark chocolate fans will appreciate this balanced, flavorful blend; the short list of authentic and organic ingredients; the gentle, fruity and chocoate-y complexity in the unroasted dark chocolate; the incorporation of popcorn (with minimal hulls); and the fact this elevated movie snack wasn't too sweet.

 A perfect bar to watch with a movie, or to savor slowly all by itself.

Maker's tasting notes: " The makers are using unroasted cacao to "capture the "brighter, bolder, and fruitier" side of cacao."

Ingredients: "organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic popcorn, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic nutritional yeast, salt"

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

 

Raaka Chocolate - Cherry Licorice Unroasted Dark Chocolate 67% Cacao (bar) - Nov. 24, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate
Cherry Licorice Unroasted Dark Chocolate 67% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 275 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week, and the first day of Chocolate & Entertainment Theme Week--where chocolates intersect with film, animation and other forms of entertainment.

Let's start with film...What happens when you elevate movie snack bar items with chocolate? Let's find out.

Today's Cherry Licorice Unroasted Dark Chocolate 67% Cacao (bar) from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY), was "an ode to the twisty, cherry-flavored concession stand favorite...". It was crafted with unroasted cacao from Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania.

Aroma and flavor notes included: deep dark chocolate (faint sweet green botanical), bittersweet cherry/almond and chocolate cookie/cake. 

The bar had a long finish that ended on a mellow, sweet, upbeat cherry and chocolate note. An enjoyable journey with a happy ending -- just like the movies I chose to watch with this chocolate.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a snap and had a smooth melt, and mild astringency in the middle, that tailed off in the finish.

I appreciated this thoughtful homage to cherry licorice (with chocolate); the short list of authentic, organic ingredients; the gentle, dark complexity in the unroasted dark chocolate; and the light touch of star anise.

Maker's tasting notes: "Fruity & Nostalgic...Red fruit-forward with just a hint of anise." The makers are using unroasted cacao to "capture the "brighter, bolder, and fruitier" side of cacao."

Ingredients: "organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic cherries, organic brown rice syrup, organic star anise"

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

Mitica - Choco Cherries dark chocolate candied cherries - Nov. 23, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mitica 
Choco Cherries dark chocolate candied cherries
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 4.94 oz. (140 g.) in total container/box
Calories: 120 calories in 2-piece serving
Cost: $N/A - gift from family member
Purchased from: - N/A - gift from family - Thank you Megan!

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Mitica Choco Cherries dark chocolate candied cherries were made in Spain and imported to the U.S. by Forever Cheese LLC (New York).

Aroma notes included: cherry, chocolate, cherry cordial/liqueur, and warm spices (star anise, faint vanilla).

Texture for these small rounded confections: dark chocolate shells surrounded pale yellow translucent, candied cherries.

Flavor notes included: very smooth dark chocolate, candied cherry and spice (star anise). 

I liked that these flavorful cherries were sweet without being overwhelmingly so. The 59% dark chocolate, liqueur and vanilla helped balance the sweetness. Cherries with dark chocolate, always, please.

Ingredients: Candied Cherries (cherry, glucose and fructose syrup, sugar, liqueur, citric acid, natural anise aroma) and Dark Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, SOY lecithin, natural vanilla flavoring). Cocoa minimum 59%.

Allergen-related information: (Contains Soy.) "May contain traces of sulphites, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and milk.

Endorfin Foods - Cherry Amaretto 70% Cacao (bar) - Nov. 22, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Endorfin Foods
Cherry Amaretto 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.50 + shipping
Purchased from: Endorfin Foods, online order 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Endorfin Foods Organic Cherry Amaretto 70% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Coracao Confections (Richmond, CA).

Tasting notes for this flavorful bar included: dark chocolate, and aromatic cherry/cherry amaretto (bitter almond) liqueur. 

Texture: uniformly smooth, with a rich melt. This bar contained cocoa butter and caramelized coconut butter. (The cherries were fully incorporated into the chocolate.)

The cherry and almond flavors added sweetness. I liked that the makers used coconut sugar, to help prevent a sugar rush. The dark chocolate tasted slightly darker than 70%. But, the very faint sharpness/bitter flavor(s) also may have come from the bitter almond extract used to flavor this bar. (Any lasting aftertaste of sharpness or acidity diminished fairly quickly.)

This chocolate would be tasty in desserts: brownies, cookies and other baked goods--or as chocolate shavings in/over vanilla ice cream or custard. 

This dark chocolate was livelier and less sweet than most marzipan confections. This Ecuadorian cacao bar reminded me of higher-end European marzipan confections covered with fine flavored dark chocolate.

The bitter almond enlivened the tart cherries that had been fully ground (incorporated) into the melted chocolate.

Ingredients: Cacao+*, Coconut Sugar*, Cacao Butter+*, Caramelized Coconut Butter*, Tart Cherry* (Dried Cherries*, Dextrin*), Essential Oil of Bitter Almond (*Organic ingredients; + = Fair Trade Certified)

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut.

 

Ritual Chocolate - Vanilla Chocolate Cherries - Nov. 21, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Ritual Chocolate

Vanilla Chocolate Cherries 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 6 oz. (171 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $16.50 for 1 box
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet. 

Today's Vanilla Chocolate Cherries were from Ritual Chocolate (Heber City, UT).

Aroma notes included: sweet warm vanilla, chocolate (rich cocoa), and stone fruit (cherries). (The cherries were Montmorency cherries sourced from Payson Fruit Growers in Utah.)

Texture: smooth, dark chocolate coating that surrounded chewy, dried cherries.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate and concentrated, tart, dried cherries (from Utah).

The makers tasting notes read: "Vanilla, Dried Cherries, Floral." Also included was a great pairing suggestion: "Best Enjoyed On A Charcuterie Board with Soft Cheeses and Sourdough Bread" 

I liked the relatively short list of quality and organic ingredients; and the sweetness level. (They were not too sweet.) It was a satisfying blend of authentic warm vanilla and chocolate and tart cherries.

Ingredients: "Dried Cherries, Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder, Organic Cocoa Powder"

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also produces soy, tree nuts and wheat." "Vegan"

  

Jouvay Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Pistachio & Cherry 72% Cocoa Content (bar) - Nov. 20, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Jouvay Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Pistachio & Cherry 72% Cocoa Content (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 212 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from work colleague
Purchased from: N/A - gift from work colleague (Thank you Sean!)

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Pistachio & Cherry 72% Cocoa Content (bar) from Jouvay* Chocolate -- a partnership between Grenada's Diamond Chocolate Factory (Grenada, West Indies) and the Burdick family."** 

The dark chocolate used to make this bar: "100% Grenadian Cocoa."

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (smooth with very faint, fleeting earth/smokey peat); authentic, tart-sweet cherry; and and faint nut (pistachio). 

Texture: very smooth, with softly crunchy pistachio nuts and cherry cherries.

I liked the authentic, fresh-tasting flavor inclusions (cherry fruit, pistachio nuts). The 72% dark chocolate was well-executed, balanced, had a pleasing rich texture and was not too sweet.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cane sugar, pistachios, cherries

Allergen-related information: (Contains tree nuts: pistachios)

*Jouvay is "Caribbean Patois for the opening day of Carnival - From the French "jour ouvert" (opening day)"

**Sadly the U.S. distributor wound down this chocolate business in October 2025; and the website showed they were out of stock on this bar and others.

Cachet - Dark Chocolate Cherry (bar) - Nov. 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Cachet 
Dark Chocolate Cherry (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 4 squares of bar
Cost: $7.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: New Leaf Market, Santa Cruz, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Cachet 57% Dark Chocolate Cherry (bar) was manufactured by Kim's Chocolates (Tienen, Belgium).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively smooth, dark chocolate (dark chocolate cake/black forest chocolate cherry cake) and sweet, slightly tart, cherry.

Texture: smooth, dark chocolate. (The cherry elements were fully incorporated into the dark chocolate.)

Sweet, flavorful and addictive if you're hungry.

Ingredients: "Chocolate Liquor, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Sour Cherry, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Cherry Flavor"

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy. May Contain: Wheat, Egg, Tree Nuts, Milk."

Rawmio - Chocolate Covered Sweet Cherries 70% Dark Raw Chocolate - Nov. 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Rawmio
Chocolate Covered Sweet Cherries 70% Dark Raw Chocolate  
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.7 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 package 
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Rawmio Chocolate Covered Sweet Cherries 70% Dark Raw Chocolate (pieces) were made by Windy City Organics, LLC (Northbrook, IL).

Aroma notes included: rich, lightly fermented, authentic fruit (cherry, cacao pulp) and chocolate.

Texture: whole, dried (but moist) cherries were dusted with 70% "cacao powder" 

Flavor notes included: authentic cherry texture and balanced, tart-sweet stone fruit (cherry) flavor. The 70% cacao dark chocolate was a smooth and satisfying background flavor.

I liked that these real cherries were "glaze-free"--not over-sweetened (thank you)--and were allowed to shine while the dark chocolate added flavor depth. I could really appreciate the true flavors, and that was a very good thing.

Ingredients: Raw Chocolate (Raw Cacao Nibs*, Coconut Sugar*, Raw Cacao Butter*), Cherries*, Raw Cacao Powder*.

Allergen-related information: "Crafted in a GMP facility which processes Tree Nuts and Sesame, but no peanuts, soy, or gluten." (* Organic)

Friis-Holm Chokolade - Filled Chocolate Cherry - Nov. 17, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Friis-Holm Chokolade
Filled Chocolate Cherry bonbons 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.83 oz. (80 g.) in total box
Calories: 189 calories (estimate) in 4 pieces
Cost: $32.00 for 1 box
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Filled Chocolate Cherry confections were from Friis-Holm Chokolade (Roskilde, Denmark).

The cacao used to make this chocolate was from Nicaragua. Danish sour cherries, and cherry brandy from Frederiksdal*, were also featured in these filled chocolates.

Aroma notes included: very subtle chocolate, and very faint sweet fruit, nutty caramel. (These bonbons did not contain nuts.)

The glossy, outer 70% chocolate shell was perfectly executed (smooth, shiny and flawless; broke gently) to reveal a rich, flowing, sweet cherry center--a liquid cherry juice (cherry brandy syrup) that surrounded an authentic, whole, sour cherry (stvensbaer) -- dried for concentrated cherry flavor, but plump and moist in the flowing cherry creme filling).

Flavor notes included: sweet cherry juice/light syrup, cherry fruit, and very smooth chocolate. Despite containing cherry wine/brandy, there was little to no alcohol flavor.

I appreciated the use of single origin Nicaragua chocolate, the thoughtful incorporation of cherries, and Friis-Holm's skillfully executed take on a classic Danish sour cherry + Frederiksdal* cherry brandy creme-filled confections.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate, cacao beans, sugar, cacao butter, Frederiksdal cherries, kirsebaer, fondant, dried whole sour cherry, cherry juice, citric acid, 

Allergen-related information: (None found on label.)

*Frederiksdal's cherry wine is part of a fruit wine tradition that dates back to the 1700s in Denmark. During World War II, when the grape supply dwindled, fortified cherry wines became more popular. Their fortified cherry wine (brandy) used in today's chocolates was (I believe) made from sour cherries/cherry juice, using traditional wine-making techniques. In today's chocolate, it had a sweet, cherry flavor--similar to a high-end cherry liqueur (with a barely detectable level of alcohol).

Compartes - Wild Cherry Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar) - Nov. 16, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Wild Cherry Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes, online order

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

Today's Wild Cherry Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma notes included: smooth, subtle dark chocolate, clean mineral notes, and light stone fruit (cherry) and cherry soda.

Texture: smooth, creamy dark chocolate, chewy dried fresh cherries, and a much softer chew from translucent candied cherries. 

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (fudge with faint vanilla) and two different cherry flavors: dried tart-sweet, authentic cherry flavor and candied cherry.

I enjoyed the creamy texture of the dark 73% cacao chocolate and the range of cherry flavors was fun to try.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla), Cherries (Cherries, Sugar, Citric Acid, Red #3)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles dairy, peanuts, wheat, egg, soy, tree nuts. "Vegan, Gluten Free"

Loon Chocolate - Dried Cherry 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 15, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate
Dried Cherry 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.125 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 450 calories in 1 bar (per label)
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #25 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week. We continue with fruit-themed chocolates; and finishing with a "just cherries" and chocolate week.*

Today's Loon Chocolate Dried Cherry 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH). Loon Chocolate is a small batch, chocolate producer.**

Six whole, large, dried cherries rested on the back of this bar in a well-organized grid pattern. (On the front of the bar were loons (birds) silently and invisibly treading water on a lake, presumably in the northeast U.S.)

Each cherry had a satisfying, concentrated cherry tart-sweetness and pleasantly chewy texture. The dark chocolate was uniformly smooth and a bit somber--serving as an excellent foil for the sweeter, more flavorful cherries.

I paired this bar with a small cup of ginger tea. All three flavors harmonized very well together. A rousing trifecta for a cool, rainy fall day.

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Dried Cherries" 

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a facility that uses Almonds and Milk." ("Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan")

*I couldn't find enough fresh cherries to eat this past season; so, after feeling deprived, I gave cherries their own week on Chocolate Banquet--a 19-year long, chocolate-tasting adventure divided into themes and theme weeks, to better organize the delicious chocolate chaos.

**Loon Chocolate is a registered trademark of White Birch Living LLC. They "import cacao beans from small farm growers."

Dorrel Sweets - Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Prunes - Nov. 14, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Dorrel Sweets
Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Prunes
Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 8.8 oz. (250 g.) total package
Calories: 180 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $13.09 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order

Welcome to Day #24 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week(s).

Today's Dorrel Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Prunes were produced and distributed by PrimaveraSweets LLC  (Los Angeles, CA).

Plum and prune harmonize well with chocolate; but there aren't many options out there. (I grew up in what used to have lots of fruit orchards. Chocolate covered apricots and prunes were prized seasonal treats.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, rich dark chocolate and concentrated, rich dried plum (prune) fruit. Chocolate covered plums/prunes 

Texture: Smooth dark chocolate covered moist, whole, chewy prune.

I liked the authentic prune fruit flavor and moist, plump texture of the fruit--as well as the smooth, dark chocolate used to cover each prune. (I also appreciated that these were Non-GMO.)

Ingredients: Dried Prunes (Potassium Sorbate added as a preservative), Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor).

Allergen-related information: This product is manufactured in a facility that processes other products which contains (sic) peanut or tree nut products.

ChocXO - Raspberry Creme Cups - Nov. 13, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

ChocXO Chocolatier
58% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Raspberry Creme Cups
Good + - Good++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 2 pieces/cups / 14.8 oz. (420 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #23 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week.

Today's package of individually-wrapped 58% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Raspberry Creme Cups were from ChocXO Chocolatier (Dallas, TX). 

Aroma and flavor notes for these filled chocolate cups included: a smooth, dark milk chocolate exterior with a relatively subtle, raspberry-infused white chocolate filling with very faint vanilla.

Texture: the smooth texture of most filled chocolate cups.

I appreciated the list of organic ingredients; authentic raspberry and dark milk chocolate flavors (vs. sweeter milk chocolate and synthetic berry flavors); and the company's goal to offer chocolate confections that have a slightly lower sweetness level--closer to a natural fruit sweetness, without artificial sweeteners. 

Ingredients: Dark Milk Chocolate* (chocolate liquor*, sugar*, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder*, cane sugar* fat reduced cocoa powder*, natural fat reduced cocoa powder*, vanilla*, vanilla extract*, and sunflower lecithin*), White Chocolate* (sugar*, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder*, sunflower lecithin* and vanilla*), Coconut Oil*, Raspberry Powder*, Raspberry Flavor*, (sunflower oil*, natural flavorings), Double Fold Vanilla Extract* (water, alcohol*, vanilla bean extractives*), Balsamic Vinegar Powder (molasses, balsamic vinegar, sugar, silicon dioxide). * Organic

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk and Sulphites. Produced on equipment that also processes Soy, Peanuts and Tree nuts.

Xocolatl - "Ripple Effect" Applewood Smoked Nibs & Raspberry 60% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl
"Ripple Effect" Applewood Smoked Nibs & Raspberry 60% Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 360 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #22 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week(s). 

Today's "Ripple Effect" Applewood Smoked Nibs & Raspberry 60% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA). The company collaborated with at least two local companies for these flavor inclusions, e.g. orange-infused olive olive from Streppaggio, and smoked nibs from Pine Street Market, an artisan meat market with a smoker.).

Aroma notes included an intriguing blend of dark chocolate, fresh raspberry; very faint smoked dill salt/salted dill potato chips and light citrus.

Texture: creamy smooth dark chocolate with a little smattering of softly crunchy cacao nibs + authentic raspberry bits (with seeds).

I liked the overall complexity, vibrant and authentic red raspberry notes, and the smooth, creamy-velvety texture and melt. The 60% cacao (Peru) dark chocolate was relatively dark (but smooth).

Maker's tasting notes: "a sweet and smoky dark chocolate bar (with) hints of fruit"

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

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

Sted Chocolate - 1.) Classic Milk 45% Milk Chocolate + 2.) Lingonberry Bliss 49% Fruit Chocolate - Nov. 11, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Sted Chocolate

Classic Milk - 45% Milk Chocolate
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 83 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: ZombieRunner Coffee, Palo Alto, CA

Lingonberry Bliss - 49% Fruit Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: ZombieRunner Coffee, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #21 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week. 

Today's two Sted Foods bars were manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Classic Milk

Surprisingly complex, flavorful and delicious 45% milk chocolate with chocolate, caramel, very faint, diffuse fruit (red fruit, red licorice), and butter cookie notes.

I enjoyed this organic bar, made with a short list of just 4 quality ingredients. There were no emulsifiers (thank you).

Ingredients: "organic cane sugar, organic cocoa beans, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts and milk.

Lingonberry Bliss 

Maker's description: "A dairy free, fruit chocolate bursting with (the) zingy flavor of lingonberry..."

I loved the pretty berry pink-mauve color, and the fresh sweet-tart aroma and flavor. 

The authentic cocoa butter provided a rich melt and mouth feel and a good foil for the clear, authentic tart-sweet berry (lingonberry with red raspberry notes). A lovely combination. This bar was nearly as  refreshing as a fresh berry sorbet on a summer day.

Ingredients: organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic freeze dried lingonberry powder

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk."

 

Chocolate Tree - Cacao Fruit Guatemala 100% (bar) - Nov. 10, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Tree 
Cacao Fruit Guatemala 100% Bean to Bar (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 167 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: B&C, online order

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week, and Happy 7,000th chocolate day on Chocolate Banquet.*

Today's Cacao Fruit Guatemala (bar) was from Chocolate Tree (East Lothian, Scotland). This bar is part of their Bean to Bar collection "crafted from ancestral and rare cacao."

A blend of Criollo hybrids and Arriba Nacional cacao varieties were used to make this chocolate.

I love the attractive chocolate molds Chocolate Tree makers have been using for their bars. Today's pattern: interlocking birds/toucans. This dovetailed with my interest in birds and wildlife (and memories of seeing toucans in the wild in Central America).

Aroma and flavor notes included: deep, rich chocolate, and sweet, aromatic and fruity (fermented cacao pulp).

Texture: The chocolate broke with a subdued but audible snap (in a cool room); and it had a thick, creamy texture with a long, luxurious melt.

This bar yielded an intense, truly authentic 100% cacao experience--with cacao beans and cacao pulp juice. The bitterness of the high-percentage cacao was balanced by the tangy-sweet, freeze-dried cacao juice that added concentrated fruit flavor(s) and complex sweetness to this ultra-dark bar.

The three potent ingredients--pure cacao (cacao beans (solids), cacao pulp/fruit juice, and cacao butter (fat)) resulted in a tremendously satisfying bar. One small piece might be enough for many people. I loved it and ate half a bar; and felt energetic for hours. Maybe not the best chocolate to share with those who are sensitive to bitter/strong flavors. But, ultra-dark chocolate lovers should try this special bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Pear, Lychee, Citrus, Strawberry. Pair with: Non-Peated Whisky, Fresh Fruit" -- and "Tastes of stewed cherries, lime juice & zest, molasses, a hint of pumpernickel bread & woodsy in the long finish."

Ingredients: "Organic cocoa beans, freeze dried cacao fruit juice (30%), organic cocoa butter."

Allergen-related information: "Nuts and dairy are used in our factory."

*This Chocolate Banquet (blog) has featured a different chocolate item every day since September 11, 2006, along with occasional chats with makers and tales of chocolate art and adventures. 

Compartes Chocolatier - Orange Peel & Pink Peppercorn (bar) - Nov. 9, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes
Orange Peel & Pink Peppercorn (bar) 
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 460 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes, online order

Welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week(s). Tomorrow will be the 7,000th day of Chocolate Banquet.*

Today's Orange Peel and Pink Peppercorn bar was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes for this dark chocolate bar included: smooth, chocolate-y dark chocolate with faint fruit (lightly peppery red berry + citrus (orange)).

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a snap in a cool room. The ebony-hued dark chocolate was smooth with an even melt. Atop this dark field were soft and chewy, sunny and bright, candied orange peels--as well as a smattering of petite, hot pink, peppercorn pearls, with delicate papery pink skins.

The pink peppercorns had a unique authentic flavor with slightly musty, mild peppery, citrus fruit, and faint berry and almost floral notes. Pink peppercorns are the dried berries (fruits) from trees from South America (Peru and/or Brazil). They're very compatible with citrus fruits in sweet and savory dishes.

I liked the sweetness level. (It was quite sweet (no cacao percentage listed), but the sugar didn't completely overpower the citrus peel and chocolate. I loved the beautiful, sunny packaging (illustration) for this bar; with floating oranges and green leaves, blossoms and pink peppercorns -- suspended across a rosy pink, sunset-hued background. The design and the bar would be fit for any season, as a winter brightener or reminder of fabled, sunny Southern California weather that lives in our imaginations.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla), Orange Peel (Orange, Glucose, Sugar, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sulphur Dioxide), Pink Peppercorn.

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Gluten Free" "Made in a facility that handles dairy, peanuts, wheat, egg, soy, tree nuts."  

*Chocolate Banquet has featured a different chocolate item every day for over 19 years since Sept. 11, 2006.

Compartes Chocolatier - Dark Chocolate Fruits - Pomegranate, Golden Raisins, Blueberries, Orange Slice & Pear - Nov. 8, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Dark Chocolate Fruit Assortment
Weight: Unknown. Total box estimate: (>1.57 lbs. (715.3 g.)
Calories: 380 calories (estimate) in 5 pieces
Cost: $74.00 for 1 box of 16+ pieces
Purchased from: Compartes, online order

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's eye-catching matte black box of jewel-colored dark chocolate covered/dipped fruits were from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA). The company produces a wide variety of chocolate bars with different flavor inclusions, confections and chocolate gifts.

Three of today's five chocolate + fruit confections were composed of fruit pieces atop dark chocolate cups: 1.) Pomegranate, 2.) Golden Raisins and 3.) Blueberries. 

The last two were larger fruit pieces dipped in dark chocolate: 4.) a chocolate dipped Orange Slice and 5.) a dark chocolate dipped pear "spear." 

These five flavors were part of a larger "medium" sized dark chocolate + fruits assortment box. 

Aroma notes included: smooth, chocolate-y dark chocolate with very faint fruit (red berry). The orange piece had a citrus fragrance. The pear piece was very subtle.

Texture: varied by fruit item. The chocolate cup bases on the first three items were fairly substantial. These smooth, thick dark chocolate cups were topped with authentic, ruby-hued fresh pomegranate seeds, with little white pips at the centers; moist, chewy golden raisins and softly chewy blueberries. 

The orange slice and the pear spear were made of larger pieces of fruit. The fruits were sweet; but authentic. The little bursts of fruit flavor from the pomegranate seeds was pure bright-tart red berry/pomegranate. 

My favorite (and most fruit-flavorful) piece was the dark chocolate dipped orange slice. (Although I did not taste the dark chocolate dipped apricot piece, I'll bet that one was very tasty and tart-sweet too.)

This stylish, mixed dark assortment of chocolate dipped and covered fruit pieces was attractively presented in the black box; the contrast with the black box (and dark chocolate) really made the bright, authentic fruit colors pop and shine--wow factor for a gift box.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla)... May Contain Apricot, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Peach, Raisin, Ginger, Mango, Kiwi, Goji Berries, Cherries, Cranberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Acai, Papaya, Cocoanut, Lemon, Dates, Apple, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sulphur Dioxide.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles Milk, Wheat, Peanuts, Egg, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Sesame."  

Beyond Good - 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate and Rum Raisins (bar) - Nov. 7, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Beyond Good
70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate and Rum Raisins (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.79 (sale price) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Beyond Good 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate and Rum Raisins (bar) (Microbatch No. 4) was produced in Madagascar with Ugandan cacao, and distributed by Madecasse LLC (Brooklyn, NY).

The company makes small-batch bean-to-bar chocolates using cacao from Madagascar and Uganda. For today's bar, the makers sourced Trinitario cocoa from "a dedicated co-op (of cacao farmers) in Uganda."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate and gentle rum raisin.

Texture: pleasing smooth texture with a luxurious, buttery melt.

Flavor notes included: roast-y, smooth dark chocolate with authentic rum-flavored raisins.

I enjoyed the subtle flavors in this 70% cacao bar--that could have been an overpowering chocolate, but was thoughtfully assembled and executed. I also liked the sweetness level. The raisins were sweet, without being overly so. The rum flavoring was enough to add interest and warmth, but it didn't obscure other flavors.

And, who could I turn down a chocolate that "saves lemurs" in Madagascar?

Maker's description: "A new twist on an old classic. Raisins are marinated in rum for 24 hours, then added to the chocolate. This keeps the raisins plump and full of flavor. The sweetness of the raisins complements the richness of the chocolate."

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Dried Raisins (Raisins, Sunflower Oil), Cocoa Butter*, Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Rum Flavor. (* Organic Ingredient)"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts, milk and sesame."

Luisa Abram Chocolates - Cupuacu Dragees Covered with 70% Cacao Chocolate - Nov. 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Luisa Abram Chocolates
Cupuacu Dragees Covered with 70% Cacao Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) / 4.23 oz. (120 g.) in total package
Calories: 266.4 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $25.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week(s), featuring chocolates with wide variety of fruit flavor inclusions.

Today's Cupuacu Dragees Covered with 70% Cacao Chocolate were from Luisa Abram Chocolates (Sao Paolo, Brazil).

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, tart-sweet, tropical fruit (fragrant, slightly fermented cacao pulp* syrup; pineapple; mango, rum raisin, mangosteen) and dark chocolate (dark cocoa and fruit).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate coating with a nice, slow melt and chewy bits of fruit.

I loved the tart-sweet vibrancy of the cupuacu fruit--the star of the show. And the dark chocolate (dark, smooth cocoa) coating that covered the fruit pieces was a great, complementary match. I enjoyed savoring each piece slowly.

Ingredients: "Cupuacu, Cacao, Organic Sugar, Cacao Butter and Cocoa Powder" 

Allergen-related information: (Translated by me into English; apologies if there are errors.) "May Contain Traces of Milk, Brazil Nuts, Portuguese Peanut (Amendoim), Hazelnuts, Almonds, Cashew Nuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachio Nuts, and Chestnuts." "Gluten Free. Made in a Facility That Handles Milk and Nuts."

*Cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum) is a relative of cacao (Theobroma cacao). Both originated in northern South America (Amazon River basin). These species originated over 12 million years ago; and were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.

Crow & Moss Chocolatery - Apple Crumble 38% Oat Mylk Crumble - Nov. 5, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Crow & Moss Chocolatery 
Apple Crumble 38% Oat Mylk Crumble (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.4 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 380 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Crow & Moss, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week(s). As is often the case on Chocolate Banquet, a 7-day theme "week" often spills over into multiple weeks. Apple, Banana, Cupuacu...there are so many great chocolate and fruit combinations.

Today's Apple Crumble 38% Oat Mylk Crumble (bar) (Batch No. 610) was made by Crow & Moss Chocolate (Petoskey, MI). The company is a chocolate maker + bakery ("chocolatery").

When I see "38% cacao" on a bar, my expectations are not high. Chocolates that below 40% cacao can taste bland and overly sweet. Not so today. The company produces a variety of chocolates and baked goods, and both (chocolate making and baking) skills were on display with today's bar.

Aroma notes included: raisin cinnamon bread toast and baked apple/fresh apple crumble.

Texture: smooth oat mylk chocolate was studded with tiny honey-sweetened topping of apple bits and small oat pieces. Some bits had a delicate crunch; and all seemed to be in the Goldilocks zone (just right). There were no bits that were too tough/hard, nor were there any soggy bland bits. 

Flavor notes for this dairy-free and gluten-free bar included: very light "milk" chocolate; pieces of bright, tart-sweet apple and oat bits in every bite; and a light touch of cinnamon.

I enjoyed this gently complex, blend of authentic flavors in this bar--that could serve as an a la carte dessert, or served with other desserts.

Ingredients: Chocolate: Cacao Blend, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (Pisco, Peru), Oat Flour*, Apple*, Granola Topping: Quick Oats*, Coconut Oil*, Honey, Salt, Cinnamon*. (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Dairy Free.

Fruition Chocolate Works - Passion Fruit Pop Dark Milk with Elderflower 66% (bar) - Nov. 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fruition Chocolate Works
Passion Fruit Pop Dark Milk with Elderflower 66% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Village Market, S.F. Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Passion Fruit Pop Dark Milk with Elderflower 66% (bar) was crafted at the Fruition Chocolate Works (workshop) in Shokan, New York.

Cacao beans for this bar were from D.R. (Duarte) & Bolivia (Itenez).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively subtle/smooth dark chocolate, tart sweet fruit (berry, passion fruit) slightly earthy berry floral.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, subtly punctuated by popping candy. 

The very slight crackle and fizz of the popping candy uplifted the tart sweet passion fruit flavor, added a little pizzazz to the whole bar.

I liked the interplay between the relatively dark 66% cacao dark chocolate; the touch of tart-sweet passion fruit--that made its presence known without dominating the other flavors; and the slightly earthy-berry floral richness of the elderflower liqueur infusion. I appreciated the authentic flavors. And the popping candy made me smile.

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Whole Milk Powder, Dried Passion Fruit, Elderflower Liqueur, Popping Candy (Sugar, CO2), Sunflower Lecithin" (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk. May Contain Traces of Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Soy, Sesame."

 

Chocolate Tree - Nordic Berries Peru 50% Milk (bar) - Nov. 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Tree 
Nordic Berries Peru 50% Milk (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 184.45 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Nordic Berries Peru 50% Milk (bar) was from Chocolate Tree (East Lothian, Scotland).

The cacao used to make this bar was from Peru.*

Aroma and flavor notes included: satisfying (and slightly addictive) dark milk chocolate with integrated, authentic, pleasing, mixed berry notes.

Texture: smooth, very creamy texture. (The berries were fully incorporated into the bar, so there were no seed particles or berry pulp pieces.)

I loved the flavor, textures...and the pattern on this bar (interlocking flying birds). 

What I did not care for: This well-executed bar was addictive and it disappeared completely before I could even finish writing this review. Do not open this bar if you're very hungry. 

But, seriously, this was a very nice bar and would be suitable as a gift or for sharing with others. 

It's got enough dark chocolate flavor to satisfy dark fans, but enough smoothness and creaminess to appeal to (dark) milk chocolate fans. It would pair well with high-end desserts/dessert assortment plates. 

Maker's tasting notes: "Berry Bouquet"; Pairing Suggestion: Champagne, Cheesecake.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa butter, organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, organic Milk powder, organic raspberries (4%), organic wild blackberries (3%), organic wild blueberries (3%).

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. 

*Peruvian cacao genetic description: "Colleccion Yoplac Pucallpillo (CYP)"

Raaka Chocolate - Blueberry Lemon 60% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate
Blueberry Lemon 60% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 129 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Blueberry Lemon 60% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY).

Cacao source: Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania. (Kokoa Kaimili "purchases freshly harvested cacao from over 4,000 farmers in the Kilombero Valley of Tanzania." And Raaka sources cacao from them.*) 

Aroma and flavor notes included: deep, dense dark chocolate; earthy dark berry (blueberry, dark cherry); and bright citrus (lemon). 

Texture: well-tempered (broke with a hard snap in a cold room); relatively smooth and creamy.

I liked that the whole dark, this chocolate wasn't too bitter. The blueberry and lemon (powders) tasted authentic and were thoroughly integrated with the dark chocolate. The lemon was indeed "bright and refreshing" and served to balance out the darker cacao and blueberry elements in this bar.

I also appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic blueberry powder, organic lemon powder

Allergen-related information: ("organic, vegan, allergy friendly...nut free")

*Raaka Chocolate has been good about sharing cacao sourcing information. E.g., they paid on average of $5.12/kg to Kokoa Kamili from 2020 to 2023. This was higher than the fair trade commodity price of $2.85/kg.) This information was printed on the inner wrapper of today's bar. The cost of cacao and chocolate market prices have risen significantly since 2023; and I respect makers who are hanging in there--and still sharing information about what farmers are being paid during these challenging times.

Charles Chocolates - Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Charles Chocolates 
Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet.

Today's Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar) was from Charles Chocolates (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, toasted nuts (hazelnut) and tart, sweet citrus (lemon). 

Texture: thick dark chocolate with a slow, relatively creamy melt; crunchy toasted hazelnuts; and softly chewy, candied lemon peel pieces. 

I liked the nutty, chocolate flavors and aftertaste and the overall fruit, nut and chocolate flavor blend. The lemon peel added bright citrus sweetness.

"We deep roast Oregon hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts and combine them with candied lemon peel, sultanas and our rich bittersweet chocolate."

Ingredients: 65% bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), hazelnuts, candied lemon peel (lemons, sugar), pistachios, sultanas, pine nuts.

Allergen-related information: Contains: tree nuts -- hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts. "Manufactured in a facility that also processes products containing tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat and soy."