Intrigue Chocolate - Juniper Berry & Black Lime 68% Dark (bar) - Aug. 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Juniper Berry & Black Lime 68% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Juniper Berry & Black Lime 68% Dark (bar) was created by Intrigue Chocolate (Seattle, WA).*

Aroma notes for today's bar included: dark chocolate; herbal berry (smooth, rich juniper, faint blueberry); and just the right amount of bright tart-sweet citrus (lime).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with small flecks of what I presumed was with tiny pieces of finely ground juniper berry or freeze-dried lime particles (or both perhaps).

I liked the balanced, well-executed blend of flavors in this 68% dark chocolate. The juniper berries were just right; adding intriguing herbal/berry flavor -- but not too strong. I could say the same for the authentic-tasting black lime. I wouldn't change anything about it.

Thank you to the makers for this unique and tasty bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: Pungent juniper berry balanced by soft blueberry and vanilla notes, contrasted with the darkly mysterious aromatic juiciness of black lime.

Ingredients: "Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [emulsifier], natural vanilla flavoring), juniper berry, black lime"

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility with milk, soy and nuts"

*The company, previously based in Seattle, WA recently relocated to Chisholm, MN.

Tabal Chocolate - Huckleberry 58% Craft Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Tabal Chocolate 
Huckleberry 58% Craft Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 233 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Huckleberry 58% Craft Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Tabal Chocolate (Wauwatosa, WI).

The founders "stone grind their chocolate for three days in small batches from bean to bar to develop exotic flavors and maintain nutrients."

Aroma and flavor notes for today's huckleberry chocolate included: relatively strong, sweet blueberry (with a touch of slightly earthy, ripe wild blackberry); smooth, sweet dark chocolate; and very faint herb (sage).

It was fun to try a huckleberry-flavored chocolate. This berry is native to the Americas and can grow in mountainous areas. The 58% chocolate bar seemed quite sweet, almost too much for me (a committed dark fan). I'd love to try a 70% version of this bar just to compare the two. However, most people will likely find this sweet and even refreshing (like a flavorful frozen berry pop on a hot summer day).

Ingredients: Direct-trade cacao*, cane sugar*, cacao butter*, huckleberry oil (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Soy Free, Gluten Free" (No other allergens listed on packaging.)