Compartes - White Lotus Pineapple Coconut 73% Cacao (bar) - Dec. 13, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
The White Lotus Pineapple Coconut Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 2.7 oz. (77 g.) in total bar
Calories: 460 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes, online order 

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week(s).

Today's The White Lotus Pineapple Coconut Chocolate 73% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA). 

This bar was a nod to the award-winning (HBO) TV show The White Lotus -- Season 1 (Hawaii), a dark comedy centered around the staff and guests at a tropical resort.* 

Aroma notes included: smooth, sweet dark chocolate and subtle, dried fruit (pineapple) and toasted coconut.

The small pieces of candied pineapple weren't overly sweet (thank you). The tiny coconut shreds were more detectable in the flavor than the aroma, and also tasted authentic (not too overwhelming).

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy dark chocolate with tiny bits of softly chewy pineapple and chewy (slightly tougher chew) lightly toasted, golden-hued coconut shreds.

I liked the balanced blend of flavors in this 73% cacao dark chocolate and that the chocolate and tropical flavor inclusions weren't too sweet. 

Maker's description: "Unwrap a delectable infusion of flavors with rich, decadent chocolate, coconut and pineapple for chic Hawaiian vibes, and be transported to "The Pineapple Room" (where drama unfolds). 

*Note: The Pineapple Room featured on "The White Lotus" TV show was modeled after (and apparently filmed in) the 3-bedroom, Lokelani Presidential Suite at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Kihei, Hawaii).

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Soy Lecithin as An Emulsifier, Vanilla), Pineapple, Coconut"

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

Cru - Purple Corn Pinole 60% Drinking Chocolate - Dec. 12. 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Cru Chocolate
Purple Corn Pinole 60% Drinking Chocolate
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total box of 2 "wheels"
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 wheel
Cost: $8.99 for 1 box of 2 pieces
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order

Buenos dias and welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment -- a week that includes food, chocolate, storytelling and lore from various cultures. The chocolate stories coming from Central America where cacao origins run deep are particularly meaningful.*

Today's Purple Corn Pinole 60% Drinking Chocolate was made in Cru Chocolate's kitchen in Roseville, CA. 

Cru Chocolate founder, Karla, grew up in Honduras, a country full of interesting cacao stories--some of which is printed on product packaging and for more, check out the company's website.

Aroma and flavor notes for these drinking chocolate wheels included: cacao and corn (mild cornbread) suffused with warm, appealing spices (cinnamon, allspice).

The ground purple corn mellowed out the cacao -- and both the chocolate and corn harmonized beautifully with the spices.

Prepared with almond milk or dairy milk, this was a lovely winter warmer. And as an eating chocolate I was able to access the undiluted, flavorful and relatively sweet dark chocolate.

Maker's tasting notes: "Intensity: Light. 60% cacao; Style: Mesoamerican; Body: Thick & Hearty; Nose: Warm Spices; Mood: Satisfied and Happy; Suggested liquid: Almond milk.

Ingredients: "Fermented cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic heirloom purple corn, organic cinnamon, organic aniseed, organic allspice"

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts and milk."

Cacao & Corn pairing

This week I'm "pairing" (enjoying) chocolates with selected movies, music videos, animated shorts, and other forms of entertainment. 

I listened to a video of the "Chocolate" song (aka "Bate, Bate (El) Chocolate") on YouTube; and then watched a video about purple corn (maiz morado). Both cacao and corn were considered gifts from the Gods by the Maya and other ancient cultures.

*The Eastern/Caribbean side of Honduras is likely where Christopher Colombus and crew first spotted cacao beans (being transported in canoes by locals), around 1500 A.D. (on one of their later voyages).