Nuance Chocolate Company - Buttermilk Spice 45% Cacao (bar) - May 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Nuance Chocolate Company
Buttermilk Spice 45% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Nuance Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Warm Spices Theme Week.

Today's Buttermilk Spice 45% Cacao bar (Batch ID: 39323) was made by Nuance Chocolate Company (Fort Collins, CO), and was a member of the company's "Flavored Milk Series".

Aroma and flavor notes included: chai- and pumpkin-pie spiced chocolate milkshake. 

The spices were fully integrated into today's 45% cacao chocolate so there was no spice grit (thank you). Said spices were present enough to fully enjoy.* A bit of vanilla added upbeat and soothing warmth.

Texture: smooth and creamy with a satisfying melt.

I enjoyed the rich, smooth texture and flavor; the spices; and the skillful inclusion of buttermilk in this bar. 

Ingredients: "cacao, cane sugar, buttermilk solids, cocoa butter, spices, sunflower lecithin, vanilla beans."

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

* I love cinnamon and warm spice blends; I heavily-spice chocolates and other desserts and ice creams if left to my own devices. Today's chocolate was in the spice Goldilocks zone -- enough to be enjoyable and not overwhelming--it was just right for almost everyone.

ORA Cacao - Vibrant Vitality - Cacao, Maca, Ashwaghanda, Turmeric, Black Pepper (blend) - May 5, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

ORA Cacao
"Vibrant Vitality" - Cacao, Maca, Ashwaghanda, Turmeric, Black Pepper (blend)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total package
Calories: 170.4 calories in 1 package 
Cost: $ N/A - gift from family member (thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a family member

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's "Vibrant Vitality" 100% Cacao from Family Farms; Red, Black, and Yellow Maca from Peru; with Ashwaghanda; Turmeric; and Black Pepper" blend was from ORA Cacao (Graton, CA). 

The company is committed to sustainably sourced cacao and ingredients and to sharing ceremonial cacao (and practices) with others.

Aroma notes included: mild, authentic cocoa, faint and balanced woodsy mushroom; faint, diffuse herb/spice; and very faint caramel popcorn (likely from maca).

Texture: smooth (not gritty) even when small disc-shaped pieces were tasted before making into a beverage. (These chocolate pieces can also be eaten by themselves if desired. The resealable package (single-serving pouch) would allow this to be a nice, portable snack/gentle energy boost over the course of a day.)

Flavor notes: subtle, balanced cocoa, with faint woodsy (forest), herb and spice notes.

I really liked the short list of quality ingredients, the use of organic ingredients; and the fact that this blend was not sweetened with sugar. The flavors were well-balanced with no "off" or overly strong/sharp herbal or earthy root notes. I also appreciated the inclusion of the following information: "28 mg Caffeine & 100 mg Theobromine per serving"

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Maca Powder*, Ashwaghanda*, Cacao Butter*, Turmeric*, Black Pepper*. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that processes tree nuts (Almond, Cashew, Coconut)