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."