Pure Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning (bar) & White Chocolate Banana, Plantain, Sweet Potato (bar) - Oct. 14, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Pure Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Pure Chocolate
White Chocolate with Banana, Plantain Chips & Sweet Potato Chips (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week, featuring two bars from Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies)--both made with Jamaican cacao and local flavor inclusions.

70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning

Aroma and flavor notes for this 70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning (bar) included: smooth-flavored dark chocolate, spices, mild pepper(s), herbs (fresh/authentic thyme), brown/coconut sugar, faint salt, and barely there (green) onion sauteed in butter/oil.

There was a little heat--enough to add a pinch of flavor without being noticeably spicy. (I'm guessing fresh jerk spices and herbs might have been infused into the cocoa butter, then blended with the cocoa mass.)

Texture: relatively smooth dark chocolate with as slight astringency in the finish. There was no spice "grit" (thank you!).

I really liked the well-balanced and subtle and authentic flavors in this bar. It wasn't too spicy, salty or sweet; it was transporting. And it had me leaning in to taste the nuanced and layered jerk seasoning components. This was a very gentle "savory" and sweet bar that even those unsure about such things might enjoy tasting.

I appreciated the chef's gentle touch in creating this authentic seasoning blend and the way it was incorporated into the dark chocolate.

Ingredients: "Jamaican cocoa beans, unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, scallions, salt, pepper (capsicum), onion, pimento, vinegar, black pepper, garlic, thyme, spices." 

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

White Chocolate with Banana, Plantain, Sweet Potato 

This light caramel-hued White Chocolate (bar) with banana and plantain and sweet potato chips was also handmade by Pure Chocolate.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: fresh banana pudding, faint cocoa and vanilla; sweet potato chips and plantain chips; and light brown/coconut sugar.

Texture: relatively smooth white chocolate with a banana pudding mouthfeel; a smooth, rich cocoa butter melt--accented with softly crunchy bits of plantain and sweet potato chips, and cacao nibs.

I liked the well-balanced and authentic banana, plantain and sweet potato chip flavors and textures. And I appreciated that this white chocolate was naturally sweet without being overly so, and that the bar was crafted using a relatively short list of quality and local ingredients from Jamaica.

Ingredients: Unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, dehydrated banana, plantain chips (plantain, sunflower oil and/or palm oil and/or coconut oil, salt), sweet potato chips (sweet potato chips (sweet potato, vegetable oil, salt), Slow roasted cocoa nibs, vanilla bean, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

Pure Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate with Lemongrass (bar) - Oct. 13, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate with Lemongrass (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate with Lemongrass (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

The company, founded in 2017 by two pastry chefs, offers a variety of attractively packaged* bars created with Jamaican cacao, including several chocolates with locally grown flavor additions--such as today's Lemongrass** bar. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate; light and bright citrus (lemon, lemongrass); sweet, refreshing herb; and very faint milk chocolate molasses cookie. (There were no milk ingredient(s) in this bar.)

Texture: smooth texture with a satisfying, even melt--with a very faint (not unpleasant) astringency in the finish.

I liked the smooth, dark chocolate flavor and blend with the lemongrass. Nothing was too overpowering in this well-balanced chocolate. I kept "leaning in" to taste the chocolate and gentle lemongrass flavors.

I also appreciated the short list of quality and single origin ingredients.

Ingredients: "Jamaican cocoa beans, unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, lemongrass"

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten."

*The striking illustration on today's packaging was from Taj Francis.

**Lemongrass (originally from South Asia, and known as "fever grass" in Jamaica) likely first arrived on the Island via colonial trans-Atlantic trading ships/routes in approximately 1799. Today it's common to see it growing wild and cultivated in gardens. It's used in teas and as a cooking/culinary and medicinal herb.

Pure Chocolate - Milk Chocolate with Ginger & Speculaas (bar) - Oct. 12, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
Milk Chocolate with Ginger & Speculaas (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's Pure Chocolate Milk Chocolate with Ginger & Speculaas (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

The company offers several "farm to bar, single origin, direct trade" chocolate bars. Today's chocolate also included candied ginger, vanilla bean and a European cookie spice (speculaas) blend.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: smooth chocolate (warm cocoa), warm spices (ginger) and spice cookie (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pepper)--infused with gentle sweet vanilla.

Texture: relatively smooth dark milk chocolate base with tiny, chewy bits of authentic candied ginger and spices (and perhaps cocoa nibs and vanilla bean pieces). The ginger had a soft, gentle chew, as did the other elements. (No tough bits or spice grit. Thank you!)

I enjoyed the balanced, thoughtful, authentic flavors (perfect for fall--and for any season); and I liked that this chocolate wasn't overly sweet. The cookie, vanilla and candied ginger and spices added just the right amount of sweetness and created a warm, welcoming and gently complex tasting experience,

I appreciated the short list of quality ingredients and single origin (Jamaican) cacao.

Ingredients: Premium quality Jamaican cocoa beans, cane sugar, Milk powder, Jamaican cocoa butter, candied ginger, Speculaas spice blend, vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten."

Pure Chocolate - 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Bacon (bar) - Oct. 11, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
70% Smoked Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Bacon (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Bacon (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies). 

Disclosure: I've always been a fan of chocolate + umami (flavor additions). Other professional chocolate tasters often give me disapproving looks. But to those who only like sweet chocolates I say: you are missing out. I was looking forward to trying this Caribbean-inspired umami chocolate feast. And I was not disappointed. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this Special Roast Edition chocolate bar included: attractive smoky aroma (wood/hickory), dark chocolate, smoked and salted meat (bacon).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with softly crunchy bits of bacon

I liked the authentic smoked, barbeque and bacon flavors and the balance of savory-sweet notes in this bar. This chocolate wasn't overly sweet (thank you); and the very light caramelization (and texture) of the bacon pieces blended well with the dark chocolate. Nicely balanced, especially if you like umami and/or smoke notes.

I also appreciated the short list of just four ingredients.

Ingredients: "smoked Jamaican cocoa beans, cane sugar, unrefined cocoa butter, caramelized bacon." 

Allergen-related information: (CONTAINS PORK) "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

Pure Chocolate - 65% Dark Chocolate with Jamaican Worthy Park Rum Special Edition (bar) - Oct. 10, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
65% Dark Chocolate with Jamaican Worthy Park Select Rum Special Edition (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 65% Dark Chocolate with Jamaican Worthy Park Rum Special Edition (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate; faint honey, maple and sweet rum;  light wood; brown sugar and faint dried fruits (diffuse golden tropical fruits, very faint golden raisin).

Texture: smooth texture and melt, with a slight fruit astringency in the finish.

I enjoyed the warm, authentic balanced blend of flavors and the overall nuanced, complex sweetness. I also appreciated the short list of quality and single origin ingredients.

Ingredients: "Premium quality Jamaican cocoa beans, Unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, Worthy Park cane sugar, Worthy Park select rum." 

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten."

Pure Chocolate - 75% Dark Chocolate, Single Origin (bar) - Oct. 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
75% Dark Chocolate, Single Origin (bar)
Good++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 bar (per label)
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's 75% Dark Chocolate Farm to Bar, Single Origin (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes for this two-ingredient bar included: relatively smooth dark chocolate with faint and balanced cream/yogurt, earth and an attractive fruit sweetness (red and tropical fruits), with a slight (fruit) acidic astringency in the finish.

Texture: smooth with a slight astringency in the finish

I'm normally not a huge fan of yogurt and earth notes; but I enjoyed the well-balanced complexity of flavors in this attractively packaged bar*. I kept coming back for more. 

Ingredients: Jamaican cocoa beans, cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten"

*Pure Chocolate works with local Jamaican artists Taj Francis and Kokab Zohoori-Dossa to create striking, colorful portrait style images that appear on their packaging.

Likkle More Chocolate - Signature Terroir Dark 70% Cocoa (bar) - Oct. 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Likkle More Chocolate
Signature Terroir Dark 70% Cocoa Single Origin Jamaica, West Indies (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

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

Today's Signature Terroir Dark 70% Cocoa, Single Origin, Jamaica, West Indies (bar) was from Likkle More Chocolate (Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, dark chocolate (chocolate ganache; pleasant, warm cocoa) with very faint red and tropical fruits; and very faint fruit acidity at the end of the finish.

Texture: well-tempered bar that broke with a snap; smooth texture and melt

I appreciated this balanced, single origin dark chocolate made with a short list of just three ingredients.

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter. All-natural colors derived from plants, fruits & vegetables. 

Allergen-related information: "Made in a kitchen that handles milk, seeds & nuts."

Pure Chocolate - Jamaica 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee (bar) - Oct. 7, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
Jamaica 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (sounds low) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cacao, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's Jamaica 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee (bar) was from Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively smooth, dark chocolate (creamy drinking chocolate) with faint, balanced coffee (not too bitter or acidic).

Texture: smooth melt and relatively creamy cocoa texture

I appreciated the balanced cocoa flavors; the short list of only four ingredients (at least three of the four were from/grown in Jamaica); the sweetness that wasn't too sweet; and the subtlety of the coffee. 

Ingredients: Jamaican cocoa beans, unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, Jamaican coffee

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

Likkle More Artisan Chocolate - Blue Mountain Coffee Jamaica, West Indies 68% Cocoa (bar) - Oct. 6, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Likkle More Artisan Chocolate
Blue Mountain Coffee Jamaica, West Indies 68% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week. This is the second coffee bar featured today. (See previous entry.) Both bars were notable for their subtle, nuanced coffee notes.

Today's Blue Mountain Coffee Jamaica, West Indies 68% Cocoa (bar) was from Likkle More Chocolate (Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes for this single origin bar included: relatively bold dark chocolate with rich (but not overpowering) coffee; subtly sweet, with balanced acidity, earth.

Texture: well-tempered; broke with a snap; smooth melt

I appreciated the relatively bold, balanced dark chocolate and the deep forest-y Blue Mountain coffee notes. It was bolder and darker than most 68% cacao dark chocolates, but not too bitter or acidic. 

Once last thought: I suggest leaving this bar open to "breathe" for about 15-20 minutes after opening the inner packaging and before tasting. You'll get a slightly smoother, more even flavor.

Ingredients: "Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter, ground Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. All-natural colors derived from plants, fruits & vegetables."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a kitchen that handles milk, seeds & nuts."

Endorfin Foods - Turkish Coffee 60% Cacao with coconut (bar) - Oct. 6, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Endorfin Foods 
Turkish Coffee 60% Cacao with coconut (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar

Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA 

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

Today's Endorfin Foods Turkish Coffee 60% Cacao with coconut (bar) was manufactured by Coracao Confections (Richmond, CA).

Aroma notes included: smooth dark chocolate (slightly fudge-y); brown sugar; faint dried fruit (date, jujube, red fruit) and coconut cookie; and very faint cardamom coffee.

Texture: relatively smooth texture with a pleasant melt

Flavor notes included: smooth "milk" chocolate with complex and subtle dried fruits; mild brown/coconut sugar and "caramelized" coconut butter; and very faint, gently spiced coffee.

I enjoyed the subtle flavors in this bar; the short list of organic and fair trade ingredients; the lack of gluten and refined sugars; and the lightness of the coffee--that allowed the chocolate-y notes shine.

Note: This bar was similar (but not identical) to a similar bar from Endorfin Foods 10 years ago (so likely a different harvest/batch of cacao as well). But, just in case, I'm featuring a second coffee chocolate bar today (see next entry) from Jamaica.

Ingredients: Cacao+*, Coconut Sugar*, Caramelized Coconut Butter*, Cacao Butter+*, Coffee*, Cardamom* (*Organic (Certified Organic by COOF);+Fair Trade Certified (TM))

Allergen-related information: No Dairy, No Soy, No Refined Sugar, No Gluten, No GMO, No Sugar Alcohols

Valley Isle Chocolate - Kona Coconut Mocha (bar) - Oct. 5, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Valley Isle Chocolate
Kona Coconut Mocha (bar)

Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.40 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Village Market, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Kona Coconut Mocha (bar) was from Valley Isle Chocolate (Kahului, Maui, HI). The company offers a variety of bars with Hawaiian-grown ingredients. They started as a Hawaii home kitchen operation in 2021 and expanded into a commercial space.

This bar was made using Kona (Big Island) grown cacao, and coffee from Maui 'Oma Coffee Roasting Co. (Kahului, HI) in Maui.

Aroma and flavor notes included: coffee, coconut, cocoa and light caramel.

The texture was a study in contrasts: very smooth and creamy coconut milk chocolate on the one hand,  with a coating (on one side) of crunchy coffee bean shards on the other. The unsweetened coffee beans  helped balance the coconut milk sweetness.

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Milk Powder, Coffee 

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut. Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts

Sted Foods - Coffee + Cream 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 4, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Sted Foods
Coffee + Cream 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 79 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $3.33 for 1 small bar (1 bar from a $10.00 3-bar set)
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Sted Coffee + Cream 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Aroma and flavor notes included: comforting dark milk chocolate and mocha latte

Texture: smooth and creamy, as advertised

I really enjoyed the balanced and gently complex flavors, and the creamy texture. And I appreciated the  list of organic, high-quality and authentic-tasting ingredients. 

Could I see this as my "morning ritual"? Yes. Yes, I could.

Maker's tasting notes: Bright Ethiopian coffee balanced with our creamy dark milk chocolate

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

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

Venchi - Tiramisu - Mascarpone Flavoured Triple Layer with Coffee (bar) - Oct. 3, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Venchi 
Tiramisu - Mascarpone Flavoured Triple Layer with Coffee (bar)
Good ++  
Weight: 1.55 oz. (44 g.) / 3.88 oz. (110 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 2/5 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift 
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends (thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla!)

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

Today's Tiramisu - Mascarpone Flavoured Triple Layer with Coffee (bar) was manufactured by Venchi S.P.A. (Castelletto Stura (CN), Italy).

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractively layered bar included: fragrant coffee, bittersweet chocolate and light vanilla. 

Texture: creamy smooth layers that yielded a rich, satisfying chocolate dessert.

I enjoyed the blend of creamy textures (cocoa butter, butter, olive oil) and tiramisu flavors. This was quite a sweet chocolate dessert but the layered coffee, chocolate and vanilla flavors helped break up the sweetness, and I found myself enjoying this as a dessert rather than a bar. (I also appreciated this was gluten free.)

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor, Concentrated Milk Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Coffee Paste (Coffee 62%, Cocoa Butter) 6.0%, Whey Powder (From Milk), Olive Oil, Emulsifier: Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavouring, Natural Vanilla Flavor.

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

Venchi - Latte Milk (bar) + Pralus Coffee (bar) - Oct. 2, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Venchi 
Latte Milk - Creamy, Indulgent (bar)
Good + 
Weight: .918 oz. (26 g.) / 2.75 oz. (78 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift 
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends (thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla!)

Pralus
Carre de Cafe - Cafe Noir a Croquer Pur Arabica Du Bresil (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.)/ 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 131.7 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's first bar -- a Latte Milk chocolate was manufactured by Venchi S.P.A. (Castelletto Stura (CN), Italy). This milk chocolate ("Latte" bar) did not contain coffee.

The second bar, from French maker Francois Pralus (Roanne, France), was a Carre de Cafe coffee bar made with Arabica coffee--with little to no cocoa solids. Together, chose these two European bars to represent cacao and coffee.

Latte Milk (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet, creamy milk chocolate with faint vanilla.

Texture: creamy and indulgent, as advertised. 

I appreciated the creamy, whole milk melt and mouthfeel. The sweetness level was a little too high for me; but this will likely appeal to those with a sweet tooth who enjoy creamy vanilla and chocolate desserts.

Ingredients: Sugar, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Unsweetened Chocolate, Anhydrous Milk Fat. Emulsifier: Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor. 

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

Carre de Cafe (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: beautifully aromatic coffee, creamy coffee flavor with a hint of smooth chocolate. 

Texture: smooth, creamy and satisfying

I loved the authentic coffee and cream aroma, the single origin (Brazil) Arabica coffee flavors and creamy texture. If you like coffee, I'd highly recommend trying this bar. It looks like a chocolate bar, and it may even fool you into thinking you're eating one too. 

Ingredients: Sugar, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Unsweetened Chocolate, Anhydrous Milk Fat. Emulsifier: Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor. 

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

Antidote - Nina Naked 84 Dark High on Cacao less sugar (bar) - Oct. 1, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Antidote 
Nina - Naked - 84 Dark High on Cacao less sugar (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Antidote, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week. See previous entry for the "coffee" half of today's entry--that was made with coffee-flavored white chocolate. 

This Nina* Naked 84 Dark High on Cacao less sugar (bar) from Antidote Chocolate represents the cacao half of the chocolate and coffee equation today. (The bar was made in Ecuador.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: ultra-dark chocolate with dried fruit (dried plum/prune, sour cherry, apricot) and slightly toasted malt and earth.

Texture: very smooth, pleasant melt and mouthfeel

I appreciated the short list of ingredients in this bar and the complex dark flavors in this bold but balanced bar. It also helped me suppress a coughing fit as I was recovering from a bad cold today.**  

Ingredients: 84% cacao Arriba Nacional cacao beans, whole cane sugar, cacao butter, sunflower lecithin

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that handles milk, soy & nuts.

*Antidote founder Red Thalhammer ("New York/Miami-based with Austrian roots") has invented stories and personas around her chocolate bars. In today's case, "Nina rides a motorbike in leather shorts year round. Brash with a killer stare, she has nothing to lose by baring it all. There is no need for your added spice in her life, not your sweet nothings, she is rock solid and full of flare all on her own. Her art lies in keeping it simple, wearing it well and sinking into the deep, dark flavors of life. Hang with her once and see if you ever recover your previous superficiality."

**Theobromine in ultra-dark chocolate bars can act as a cough suppressant and bronchodilator. I have had this experience before with high-percentage dark bars that helped me breathe and settled down coughs. Doses in bars and individual experiences may vary. Please do consult a physician if you have serious cold or flu symptoms before trying this at home. 

 

Zotter Chocolate - Zotter Coffee White Chocolate flavored with coffee (bar) - Oct. 1, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Zotter Chocolate
Labooko Zotter Coffee White Chocolate flavored with coffee (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Labooko Zotter Coffee White Chocolate flavored with coffee (bar) was made in Austria (and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet coffee latte + light caramel

Texture: Smooth texture with a creamy, whole milk melt.

I liked the smooth texture of this bar. (There was no ground coffee "grit"), and appreciated the use of single origin Arabica coffees from Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

There was only one thing missing in this bar: more cocoa solids. (While the ingredients list does indicate some Cocoa mass, I'm pairing today's bar with another, higher-percentage (84%) chocolate (also with Austrian roots), from Antidote Chocolate. (See next entry.)

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+, Dry Whole Milk, Ground Coffee Beans*+ (3%), Dry Sweet Whey, Cocoa Mass*+, Dark Brown Cane Sugar*+, Coffee Powder*+ (0.4%), Lecithin (Soy)*, Vanilla Bean Powder*+, Salt, Cardamom*. *Organic (78% Organic); + Fair Traded, Fair Trade Content in Total: 77%

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Soy. Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Tree Nuts, Peanuts and Sesame."

Stoked Chocolates - Cove Coffee Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - Sept. 30, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Stoked Chocolates
Cove Coffee Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Cove Coffee Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark fudge, chocolate torte), subtle coffee, hazelnut, sea salt, butter, and vanilla.

Texture: thick, smooth dark chocolate, and crunchy hazelnut pieces

I enjoyed the touch of sea salt, that tied all these flavors together and balanced the sweetness.

Ingredients: Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Hazelnuts (Raw, No Shell), Coffee Beans, Butter (cream, salt), Natural Colorants.

Allergen-related information: Contains Hazelnuts, Butter; Made in a facility that processes nuts.

Crow & Moss - Black Coffee 67% Dark Chocolate (Anamalai) (bar) - Sept. 29, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Crow & Moss 
Black Coffee 67% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++  
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 2.4 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Crow & Moss, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & India Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Black Coffee 67% Dark Chocolate Batch No. 617 (bar) was from Crow & Moss (Petoskey, MI).

This bar was a blend of cacao from Anamalai, India and coffee from Brazil.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark, balanced and chocolate-y) and coffee with balanced, slightly sweet, mild earth; mildly acidic coffee; and warm spices.

Texture: relatively smooth, appealing fudge-y like melt.

Maker's description: "Hailing from the Santos Region of Southern Brazil, the coffee beans we use in this deeply earthy chocolate blend are dried within the coffee cherry, infusing a sweet, fruity aroma that pairs well with the rich, fudgy character of the chocolate."

I enjoyed the balanced, complex flavors, and the short list of single origin ingredients. 

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Brazilian Santos Coffee Beans

Allergen-related information: "Dairy Free, Gluten Free"

Bixby Chocolate - Masala Chai 35% Milk Chocolate Bar - Sept. 28, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Bixby Chocolate
Masala Chai - 35% Milk Chocolate Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's Bixby Chocolate Masala Chai Milk Chocolate Bar was manufactured by Bixby & Co. (Rockland, ME).

Aroma and flavor notes for today's bar included: smooth, sweet, dark milk chocolate; warm spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger); and brown sugar spice cookie.

Texture: smooth and relatively hearty (spices were fully incorporated).

I enjoyed the authentic spice flavors and the maker's choice of a relatively short ingredients list, and organic cacao and organic cane sugar.

Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Beans, Whole Milk Powder, Cacao Butter, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmeg, Pepper, Star Anise, Ginger, Fennel. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk." "Manufactured in a facility that processes: milk, peanuts, soy, and tree nut ingredients." "Gluten Free"

BOHO Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate + Spicy Chai (bar) - Sept. 27, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

BOHO Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate + Spicy Chai (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

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

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate + Spicy Chai (bar) was from BOHO Chocolate (Florence, MA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; fragrant star anise; and a touch of cayenne pepper heat. 

The star anise (essential oil) dominated this chocolate. If you like star anise, you're in luck. If you'd prefer tasting more of a blend of traditional chai spices (that includes ginger, cardamom, cinnamon), you may feel like you've missed out.*

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap, and had a hearty, smooth melt and mouthfeel.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic cardamom, organic cinnamon, organic anise star essential oil, organic ginger, organic cayenne pepper, organic black pepper."

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts and milk on shared equipment."

*I enjoy the judicious use of star anise in many dishes; but a little goes a long way for me.

Terroir Chocolate - Chai Milk Chocolate India Pink Peppercorn (bar) - Sept. 26, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Terroir Chocolate
Chai Milk Chocolate India Pink Peppercorn (bar)

Good ++ 
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 325 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and India Theme Week.

Today's Terroir Chocolate Chai Milk Chocolate India Pink Peppercorn (bar) was made using cacao grown in Anamalai, India.*

The cacao was grown on a cocoa, coconut and nutmeg farm where "intercropped biodiversity" helps produce superior agricultural products, and "creates sustainable cash flow for farmers and high quality goods year round."

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: creamy milk chocolate, suffused with very gentle chai and pink peppercorn 

Texture: thick, creamy texture with very tiny flecks of barely detectable pink peppercorn.

Maker's tasting notes for the Anamalai Estate cacao: "Guava, Nutmeg, Caramelized Banana"

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Milk Powder, Chai Tea Blends, Pink Peppercorn

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk

*"Terroir is a project by Oynx Coffee Lab ("crafted at Onyx HQ" in Rogers, AR). 

Paul and Mike Co. - Dark Chocolate with Madurai Jasmine (bar) - Sept. 25, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Paul and Mike Co. 
Dark Chocolate with Madurai Jasmine (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .95 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends; thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Madurai Jasmine (bar) from Paul and Mike Co. Farmers and Fermenters (Kochi, Kerala, India) was manufactured and marketed by Synthite Industries Pvt. Ltd (Synthite Valley, Kolenchery, Kerala, India).

Aroma and flavor notes included: included dark chocolate with a balanced bitterness, and lightly aromatic jasmine floral.

Texture: well-tempered dark chocolate that broke with a hard snap; smooth texture.

Ingredients: Fine Flavour Cocoa Beans, Brown Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Jasmine Grandiflorum Absolute, Emulsifier Sunflower Lecithin (E322)

Allergen-related information: Processed at a Facility That Processes Nuts & Milk

Paul and Mike Co. - Dark Chocolate Roasted Almonds and Himalayan Pink Salt (bar) - Sept. 24, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Paul and Mike Co. 
Fine Dark Chocolate Roasted Almonds and Himalayan Pink Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .95 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends; thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla!

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Roasted Almonds and Himalayan Pink Salt (bar) from Farmers and Fermenters Paul and Mike Co. (Kochi, Kerala, India) was manufactured and marketed by Synthite Industries Pvt. Ltd (Synthite Valley, Kolenchery, Kerala, India).

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, flavorful dark chocolate with light, balanced bitterness, nutty almonds bits and salt. The salt balanced the bitterness and sweetness very nicely. 

Texture: well-tempered, smooth texture with a smooth melt

I liked the interplay between the chocolate, salt and almonds.

Ingredients: Fine Flavour Cocoa Beans, Brown Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Roasted Almonds, Himalayan Pink Salt, Emulsifier Sunflower Lecithin (E322)

Allergen-related information: Processed at a Facility That Processes Nuts & Milk

Godavari Chocolate - Bon-fiction Tree-to-Bar A Marvellous Mint Life 64% dark chocolate and peppermint (bar) - Sept. 23, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Godavari Chocolate
Bon-fiction Tree-to-Bar A Marvellous Mint Life 64% dark chocolate and peppermint (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

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

Today's Bon-fiction Tree-to-Bar A Marvellous Mint Life 64% dark chocolate and peppermint (bar) was manufactured in India by GACS Foods, India, and imported and distributed by Godavari Chocolate Inc. (Folsom, CA).

The company works with local farmers and ferments, dries and stone-grinds cacao at their estate in the Godavari region of Southern India.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (hearty/bold chocolate-y; balanced earth); fresh/authentic peppermint; and a very faint and slightly musky, maple-y, malt note toward the finish.

Texture: creamy, smooth with a satisfying melt and mouthfeel

I appreciated the short list of ingredients; the smooth texture and melt; and the fact that the peppermint was present without being too overwhelming.

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Extract."

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Almond, Cashew, Walnut, Coconut, Hazelnut, Pistachio."

Tres Gallos - 70% Dark Bourbon (Beans from: India) (bar) - Sept. 22, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Tres Gallos Chocolate
70% Dark Bourbon (Beans from India) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's 70% Dark Bourbon India (bar) was from Tres Gallos Chocolate (San Jose, CA and Pescadero Baja Sur, Mexico). Tres Gallos is a woman-owned and family-run company has been making micro-batch, single origin chocolates since 2018.

Aroma and flavor notes included dark chocolate (full-bodied, with a balanced astringency), sweet green, wood-aged spirits, with some malt in the finish.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap and had a relatively smooth melt and mouthfeel.

I liked the complexity of flavors and the hard snap. And I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, cocoa butter, trace amounts of bourbon.

Allergen-related information: None listed 

Tres Gallos Chocolate - 50% Milk Rum (Beans from India) (bar) - Sept. 21, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Tres Gallos Chocolate
50% Milk Rum (Beans from India) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

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

Today's 50% Milk Rum India (bar) was from Tres Gallos Chocolate (San Jose, CA and Pescadero Baja Sur, Mexico). The woman-owned and family-run company has been making micro-batch, single origin chocolates since 2018.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, wood (cedar, oak), toasted caramel, sweet green, faint vanilla and a whisp of spirits (rum ).

I liked the complexity coaxed from the relatively short list of ingredients; and I appreciated the maker's choice of organic cacao beans (India) and organic sugar.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, trace amounts of Smith & Cross rum.

Allergen-related information: None listed 

Tres Gallos Chocolate - 70% Dark Mezcalita (Beans from India) (bar) - Sept. 20, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Tres Gallos Chocolate
70% Dark Mezcalita (Beans from India) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's 70% Dark Mezcalita India (bar) was from Tres Gallos Chocolate (San Jose, CA and Pescadero Baja Sur, Mexico). The woman-owned and family-run company has been making micro-batch, single origin chocolates since 2018.

Aroma and flavor notes included dark chocolate (balanced, ultra-dark chocolate-y flavor), zesty citrus (lime), and subtle mezcal and salt.

I appreciated the relatively short list of ingredients and choice of organic cacao beans and sugar.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, cocoa butter, trace amounts of mezcal, lime zest, Oaxacan salt.

Allergen-related information: None listed

Dandelion Chocolate - 70% Rio Samaria, Mexico 2026 Harvest (bar) + 70% Anamalai, India 2022 Harvest (bar) - Sept. 19, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Dandelion Chocolate

70% Rio Samaria, Mexico 2026 Harvest (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Dandelion Chocolate, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 

70% Anamalai, India, 2022 Harvest (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: N/A - part of Maker's Set gift from friends (Thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla!)

Welcome to the last day of Chocolate Banquet 20th Anniversary Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & India Theme Week. 

Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA) makes small-batch, bean-to-bar, single origin chocolate bars using just two ingredients: cocoa beans and cane sugar--as well as drinking chocolates and confections. Dandelion was one of the first San Francisco Bay Area local makers I met and visited. Over the years, they expanded to multiple locations in San Francisco, and have cafe/retail spaces in Las Vegas and Japan; but they've still have maintained their small batch roots, and focus on flavors.

70% Rio Samaria, Mexico (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes for one of the newest single origin chocolates in Dandelion's line included: dark chocolate with enjoyable plum fruit and malt, with a mild astringency. Loved the plum flavor.

Maker's tasting notes: "We taste plum jam, champurrado, and tobacco leaf."

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans & Cane Sugar

Allergen-related information: None listed.

70% Anamalai, India (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, sweet citrus (kumquat, tangerine) and green tea latte. Nice vibrant but balanced flavor ride.

Maker's tasting notes: "We taste notes of kumquat and Hojicha milk tea."

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans & Cane Sugar

Allergen-related information: None listed.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company - Premium Baking Non Dairy 52% Cacao Dark Chocolate Chips - Sept. 18, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Premium Baking Non-Dairy 52% Cacao Dark Chocolate Chips
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 10 oz. (283 g.) in total package 
Calories: 140 calories in 2 servings (30 g.)
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Safeway, Menlo Park, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate Banquet 20th Birthday Celebration Theme Week, featuring several chocolates that have been enabling this chocolate journey for a very long time.

Ghirardelli Chocolate was one of the revered chocolate "elders" when I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. It had its own "building" (with roots that extended back to the 1850s) that served ice cream and chocolate by the San Francisco Bay.* I have sweet memories of being treated to towering chocolate ice cream sundaes on an upper floor of Ghirardelli Square overlooking the Bay, within easy walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf.

The first Ghirardelli chocolate featured on this Chocolate Banquet site was in November 2006; but I'd been enjoying their chocolate long before then in stealth form (as part of other people's baked goods, or in ice cream sundaes).

Today, I ate some of these chocolate chips fresh out of the package; and they also were melted and made into chocolate cups (that will be filled with ice cream, fruits and other dessert items).

Aroma and flavor notes for today's Ghirardelli Premium Baking Non-Dairy 52% Cacao Dark Chocolate Chips included: sweet dark chocolate with very faint brown sugar and vanilla, that lingered into a clean, sweet, almost bright and fruity, chocolate-y finish--a sweetness consistent with those vanilla and chocolate ice cream sundaes with lots of chocolate sauce, probably topped with a cherry or two.

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract

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

*Domenico Ghirardelli (1817-1894) came to San Francisco (via South America) during the California Gold Rush. He was from Italy (where he had some early exposure to chocolate and trained as a confectioner). He first worked in South America (and changed his name to Domingo) before heading up to the gold fields and opening a general store in Stockton, followed by business locations in San Francisco.

Ghirardelli saw (and helped create) a market for chocolate when he arrived in San Francisco, as would Etienne Guittard a few years later.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (San Leandro, CA) is now owned by Lindt. The original family hasn't owned the company since the 1960s; but it's nice to see the business is still thriving in the Bay Area.

Guittard - 72% Cacao Coconut Sugar Sante Mini Dark Chocolate Chips - Sept. 17, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Guittard
72% Cacao Coconut Sugar Sante - Mini Dark Chocolate Chips
Good ++ - Good+++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $8.99 (sale) for 1 package
Purchased from: Safeway, Menlo Park, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate Banquet 20th Year Anniversary Celebration Week, featuring several local San Francisco Bay Area chocolate makers who've made this adventure possible over the long haul.

The latest wave of bean-to-bar makers in the Bay Area is discussed a lot. But two of the oldest chocolate makers in the Bay Area date back to the 1800s: Guittard* and Ghirardelli--both makers and suppliers of premium chocolate. 

Today's 72% Cacao Coconut Sugar Santee Mini Dark Chocolate Chips were from Guittard Chocolate Co. (Burlingame, CA). 

Guittard formulates high-end chocolate for professionals as well as home bakers, with many uses, including: couverture chocolate(s) used by chocolatiers and chefs; as well as chocolate bars and chocolate chips. 

The first Guittard chocolate listed on Chocolate Banquet was an Ambanja Bittersweet 65% Madagascar bar in June 2007. However, chocolates made by others (using Guittard chocolate) appeared within weeks of when this blog started in 2006. (Some chocolatiers kept this secret; others were very proud to tell you they used Guittard.)

All Guittard chocolates (for me) over the past 20 years have been tasty a la carte, right out of the package. For dark chocolate fans, there's no need to wait to bake a chocolate cake to try these.

I found today's three-ingredient, sante ("health") mini dark chocolate chips sweetened with coconut sugar in the baking section of a local supermarket. There was only one pretty, shiny, silver blue bag left. (I think that's because they were quite good.) I ate some plain, used some in a trail mix; and plan to use leftovers to make a high-end, chocolate dessert in a solar cooker.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's mini chocolate chips included: rich, chocolate-y flavor (that extended into the finish) with subtle coconut sugar/nectar (brown sugar) and faint, pleasant vanilla. 

Texture: smooth, firm texture with a satisfying melt (when eaten out of hand, fresh out of the bag).

These mini dark chocolate chips would add little pops of rich chocolate and warm, toasty brown sugar/toffee flavor to cookies, brownies, and a whole host of chocolate desserts. And, as mentioned, no need to muss up that kitchen with all that baking; they were great by themselves and added to a trail mix.

I also appreciated these were safe for people with allergies and health-related issues. They were "free from 14 allergies and sensitivities," including: soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten. And they were Fair Trade Certified as well as dairy-free and Certified Vegan.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans+, Organic Coconut Sugar* (from the nectar of coconut trees), and Vanilla (+Fair Trade Certified; *Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Free from 14 common allergens" including soy, peanuts, tree nuts and gluten. (Contained coconut sugar; no refined cane sugar.)

*Etienne Guittard arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s and saw the potential demand for fine chocolate. He set up a chocolate shop on Sansome Street in 1868, and was one of the first chocolate makers in San Francisco. 

And the company is still family-owned (and operated), more than 150 years later. No small feat.

 

Recchiuti Confections - No. 9 Box - Assortment of milk and dark truffles - Sept. 16, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Recchiuti Confections
"No. 9 Box" - 9-Piece Chocolate Assortment (box)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 4.1 oz. (115 g.) in 1 box of 9 pieces
Calories: 585 calories (per label) in 9 pieces
Cost: $32.00 for 1 box of 9 pieces
Purchased from: Recchiuti Confections, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate Banquet's 20th Anniversary Celebration Week--featuring chocolates primarily from San Francisco Bay Area companies that helped make this adventure possible early on.

As mentioned previously this week, there were many fewer bean-to-bar craft chocolate makers in 2006. But, thankfully, several trained chocolatiers and chefs also started offering bean-to-bar chocolate confections.

Michael Recchiuti began creating and making chocolates and confections in San Francisco in 1997. (Recchiuti also briefly had a space in Dogpatch called the Chocolate Lab which was great fun--a showcase for creative chocolate and culinary talent. The inside had a classy black and white design/decor. Liquids were often served in chemistry beakers vs. typical glass pitchers.)

The first Recchiuti Confections chocolate featured on this site (a ginger chocolate heart) on September 17, 2006 -- was only six days after Chocolate Banquet started.

No. 9 Box flavor descriptions

In honor of Day #9 of this celebratory theme week, I tried Recchiuti's "No. 9 Box"--a 9-piece dark and milk chocolate assortment box with the following flavors:

1.) Triple Sesame Praline - roasted sesame seeds from Japan folded into milk chocolate hazelnut ganache, finished with a dark chocolate blend

2.) Coconut Marzipan - "...flavors of coconut made into marzipan"...lime zest; a 45% cacao milk signature blend

3.) Framboise Strata - bright, fruity "raspberry gelee atop a creamy dark chocolate ganache..."

4.) Banana Caramel - pureed banana flavor folded into rich caramel

5.) Citrus - kalamansi (citrus) puree in a "blended chocolate ganache"

6.) Rosemary Olive - "lemony, pine-like flavor" of rosemary with "a hint of peppery sage finish" with olives, under a dark chocolate coating

7.) Maple Pecan Praline - sweet caramel-like maple syrup with pecan praline ganache topped with a toasted pecan and more chocolate

8.) Currant Cognac - "Zante currants marinated in Cognac, blended into a dark and milk chocolate ganache...coated with dark chocolate"

10.) Cappuccino - "San Francisco coffee roaster, Linea's, 'Little Wing' blend infused into cream, butter & 45% dark milk chocolate "(lends) a "cappuccino-like richness to this mocha truffle."

When I asked about new/single origin flavors, I was told that the company is now using Valrhona chocolate (vs. single origin cacao chocolates they may have used previously).

I enjoyed the balanced and thoughtful flavors in this collection. The milk, dark and white chocolates used were smooth; and the fruit, herb, nut and other flavors held my interest during this tasty 9-course chocolate meal.

The ingredients list was long, in part due to the fact that there were nine different chocolate recipes nestled in one small box; and in part due to a fairly long list of additives (and a small amount of wheat)--the only downside to this review.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Beans, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Vanilla Extract, Whole Milk Powder, E476 [Emulsifier]), Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Beans, Sunflower Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla Extract), Sugar, Cream, Pecans, White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Sunflower Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla Extract, Coconut, Raspberry Puree (Raspberry), Hazelnuts, Dark Chocolate Hollow Form (Sugar, Cocoa Beans, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla Extract), Glucose Syrup (Wheat, Sulfites), Maple Syrup, Butter (Cream, Natural Flavor), Coconut Puree (Coconut, Invert Sugar), Banana Puree (Banana, Ascorbic Acid), Cocoa Butter, Invert Sugar, Lime Puree (Kalamansi), Dried Currants, Black & Golden & White Sesame Seeds, Cognac, Colored Cocoa Butter (Cocoa Butter, Contains One or More of the Following: Blue 1&2, Red 40, Yellow 5&6, and Natural Colors), Pear Puree (Pears), Water, Dextrose Powder, Green Olives (Olives, Water, Salt, Citric Acid), Coffee Beans, Salt, Tartaric Acid, Pectin (Pectin, Sucrose, Acidity Regulators: E450111, E33211, and E330), Honey, Lime Zest, Fleur de Sel (French Sea Salt), and Rosemary.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Tree Nuts, Wheat, and Sesame. Made on Equipment Shared With Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soy, and Sesame."

Trader Joe's - Sea Salt & Nibs Organic 63% Dark Madagascar (bar) + 60% Dark Chocolate Sticks with Crispy Rice - Sept. 15, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Trader Joe's 
60% Dark Chocolate Sticks with Crispy Rice (Colombian chocolate)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving (about 6 pieces)
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Palo Alto, CA

Trader Joe's

Sea Salt & Nibs Organic 63% Dark Madagascar (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate Banquet Birthday Celebration Theme Week -- featuring chocolates (and many local (West Coast) companies) that allowed me to eat a different chocolate every day for 20 years.

60% Dark Chocolate Sticks with Crispy Rice

Today's Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate baton-style "sticks" were made with Colombian cacao in Colombia, and "Distributed and Sold Exclusively" by Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: bold but balanced dark chocolate (dark, dense chocolate-y, slightly bitter), dried fruit (fig, date), vanilla, and faint, very slightly malty rice.

Texture: The crispy puffed rice embedded in the dark chocolate added textural interest and a satisfying crunch; and--along with the vanilla--the rice helped balance the bitterness in the dark chocolate.

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Puffed Rice (Rice, Sugar, Salt, Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Vanilla Flavor"

Allergen-related information: None found on packaging. (Pareve)

Sea Salt & Nibs Organic 63% Dark Madagascar (bar)

Like the above chocolate, this was made "in country" (in Madagascar, using Madagacar cacao), and distributed and sold exclusively by: Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (cocoa, cacao nibs) with diffuse fruit, light earth and cream/yogurt. (Note: there were no dairy ingredients.)

Texture: creamy and softly crunchy cacao nibs

Ingredients: "Organic Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Cocoa Nibs, Organic Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Sea Salt."

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

Chocolate Sourcing

Twenty years ago (2006), searching for a new chocolate every day was challenging, particularly if you were looking for single origin bars and allergen-free chocolates. 

Transparent cacao supply chains and sourcing were a key part of the new wave of bean-to-bar chocolates. Where did your chocolate come from exactly? 

Chocolate Banquet was also having "sourcing" challenges on the customer side. There were exciting moments trying to find chocolates without having to drive 100 miles to feature every day. The clock was ticking rather loudly on some of those early days. But, I needn't have worried back in 2006. We were entering the golden days of the chocolate renaissance.

Some of the most reliable local chocolate sources in the San Francisco Bay Area included Trader Joe's markets, the few specialty chocolate shops, and the expanding chocolate sections in high-end specialty markets. Hunting for new chocolates (and chocolate field trips) were (and continue to be) part of the fun. 

Happily, starting in 2010, there was also The Chocolate Garage* in Palo Alto, CA, and other chocolate community venues followed as the number of bean-to-bar craft chocolate offerings grew.*** And in the last decade (especially during the Covid years) several online chocolate "shops" opened.

Today I'm featuring two "new" chocolates from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) from the Chocolate Vault.** (The dark chocolate sticks are still currently available at the local Trader Joe's; the dark chocolate Madagascar bar is not.)

*Thank you to Sunita de Tourreil for creating The Chocolate Garage in 2010 and for supporting craft chocolate makers and connecting those makers with happy customers. Sunita has continued her chocolate adventures with Happy Chocolate Experiences (Palo Alto, CA).

**The Chocolate Vault is a "cool, dry place" at Chocolate Banquet headquarters.

*** These third spaces were a resurgence of the chocolate houses from centuries ago, places where chocolate lovers and communities could come together, enjoy chocolate and socialize. Dandelion Chocolate's and Ghirardelli's cafes in San Francisco are still going strong as I type this.

Scharffen Berger - 70% Cacao dark chocolate + almonds + toffee + sea salt (bar) & 41% Cacao milk chocolate + toasted coconut + coffee (bar)

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Scharffen Berger

70% Cacao dark chocolate + almonds + toffee + sea salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

41% Cacao milk chocolate + toasted coconut + coffee (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend 

Welcome to Day #7 of the Chocolate Banquet Birthday Celebration Theme Week--celebrating 20 years of sampling a different chocolate every day in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Chocolate makers featured in this celebration week include some of the early bean-to-bar craft chocolate makers in the San Francisco Bay Area (if not the U.S.). Arguably the first of the new wave of chocolate makers in the 1990s was Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, a company once based in South San Francisco, then Berkeley CA.

Founded in 1996 by a sparkling winemaker, John Scharffenberger, and Dr. Robert Steinberg, the company set the stage for chocolate makers to come. They listed the cacao percentage on their packaging, and helped educate customers, chefs (and future chocolate makers) on why such information mattered. They also offered great, educational tours in their Berkeley facility.

Times change in chocolate, as in all things. The pioneering company name survived an acquisition by Hersheys in 2005, the closing of SF Bay Area locations in 2009, a private buy-back in 2020...and (so far) an acquistion by 1-800-Flowers.com in 2024. (There were still selected retail stores selling their chocolates when I wrote this post.)

The first Scharffen Berger chocolate featured on Chocolate Banquet was a chocolate truffle, on Sept. 24, 2006, followed by several different bars over the years. I'm hoping today's two bars won't be the last.

70% dark chocolate + almonds + toffee + sea salt (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (with balanced fudge and light earth), nut, vanilla, sweet toffee, and almond. 

There was enough sea salt to help balance out the sweetness of the toffee and it also complemented the chocolate and almonds. Vanilla added a touch of mellow/warm sweetness.

Texture: This well-tempered bar was a blend of a smooth dark chocolate with a creamy melt and crunchy bits of nuts and toffee. 

I liked the light cacao complexity in this bar; the balance of sweet and salty; the fact that cacao beans were the first ingredient; and the lack of wheat/gluten.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Cane Sugar, Almonds, Toffee (Cane Sugar, Butter [Cream, Salt], Rice Syrup, Soy Lecithin, Salt), Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Vanilla Bean.

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds, Milk, Soy. Produced in a Facility That Also Processes Other Tree Nuts.

41% milk chocolate + toasted coconut + coffee (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, dark milk chocolate with coffee, vanilla and faint brown sugar.

Texture: smooth creamy milk chocolate that was chock full of ground coffee--and that coffee worked surprisingly well. The coffee bean roast and grind choices were just right--not too harsh or gritty.

This chocolate might be a little sweet for dark chocolate lovers; but it worked with the coffee. The generous amount of ground coffee helped balance the inherent sweetness of the sugar, coconut and vanilla.

I liked the creamy texture, delicate and not-to-strong coconut, the ground coffee, and the authentic vanilla (bean) that also wasn't too strong.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Cane Sugar, Milk, Toasted Sweetened Coconut (Coconut Flakes, Sugar, Dextrose, Salt), Cocoa Butter, Skim Milk, Ground Coffee Beans, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla Bean.

Allergen-related information: Contains: Coconut, Milk. Produced in a Facility That Also Processes Other Tree Nuts.

Endorfin Chocolate - Sourdough & Olive Oil 70% Cacao (bar) + Coracao Confections Dubai Chocolate 81% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 13, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Endorfin Chocolate
Sourdough & Olive Oil 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 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Coracao Confections, Richmond, CA

Coracao Confections
Dubai Chocolate 81% Dark Chocolate Shell (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) in total bar

Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar 
Cost: Free sample bar
Purchased from: Coracao Confections, Richmond, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Banquet Birthday Celebration Week, featuring two different chocolates each day this week--from chocolate makers whose bars have appeared on Chocolate Banquet for many years.

Today's chocolate duo: 1.) Endorfin Foods Sourdough & Olive Oil 70% Cacao (bar) manufactured by Coracao Confections (Richmond, CA), and 2.) Dubai Chocolate, a pistachio and quinoa dark chocolate coated confection of a bar, created and manufactured by Coracao Confections.

Sourdough & Olive Oil 70% Cacao (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included sweet dark chocolate, with very faint coconut sugar, and crunchy bits of (gluten free) sourdough bread. 

Texture: I really enjoyed the sourdough and olive oil crumbs.

I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients and the choice of caramelized coconut butter. I was also grateful both of today's bars were gluten-free and made with allergies in mind. (It's rare to find other chocolates with bread and pastry ingredients that are also gluten free.)

Ingredients: Cacao*+, Coconut Sugar*, Cacao Butter*+, Caramelized Coconut Butter*, Extra Virgin Olive Oil* and Gluten Free Sourdough Breadcrumbs {(Sourdough starter [water, organic brown rice flour]), organic sorghum flour, organic millet flour, organic tapioca flour, organic psyllium husk, organic olive oil, organic flax meal, sea salt, organic apple cider vinegar} (*Organic ingredient; +Fair Trade Certified)

Allergen-related information: "No Dairy, No Soy, No Refined Sugar"

Dubai Chocolate 81% Dark Chocolate Shell

Aroma and flavor notes included: ultra-dark chocolate; sweet nutty aroma and flavor; buttery caramelized coconut; and authentic pistachio nuts (the number one ingredient).

The coconut ingredients (toasted coconut, coconut sugar and coconut milk) with caramel/caramelized notes complemented the nutty pistachios, added flavor depth and balanced the slightly bitter 81% dark chocolate and quinoa.

Texture: Relatively hearty, very satisfying chocolate, nutty and crunchy textures.

I enjoyed the texture and flavor blend and the opportunity to try a gluten-free Dubai chocolate.

Ingredients: Pistachios*, Coconut Sugar*, Crisped Quinoa*, Cacao*+, Cacao Butter*+, Toasted Coconut*, Coconut Milk Powder* (Coconut Milk*, Tapioca Maltodextrin*), Himalayan Salt, Vanilla Bean* (*Organic, +Fair Trade Certified(TM))

Allergen-related information: Contains Pistachio. Made in a facility processing other tree nuts. May contain shell fragments.

TCHO - Dark Duo & Holy Fudge (bars) - Sept. 12, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

TCHO
Dark Duo - filled bar; 75% Cacao Shell (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total package of 3 bars
Calories: 100 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

TCHO
Holy Fudge 75% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total package of 3 bars
Calories: 110 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate Banquet's 20th Year Anniversary Theme Week, celebrating a different chocolate every day since September 11, 2006. 

This week features several chocolate makers who are still in business decades after I first met them--including many with connections to the San Francisco Bay Area where Chocolate Banquet got its start. 

The first TCHO chocolate I tasted was a "Nutty" Peru 65% dark chocolate in 2006.

I first visited TCHO in 2006 when the company was in start-up mode on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Years later, in 2014, after successful operations (and great factory tours), the company moved across the Bay to Berkeley, CA. (Thank you to the team for a great factory tour in Berkeley in 2023, when the factory moved to a 100% plant-based line of bars.)* 

Initially, TCHO chocolate "names" were focused on flavor descriptions (fruity, fudgey, nutty, citrus-y, etc.)--flavors inherent in cacao rather than cacao percentage and country of origin. It helped educate people about flavor nuances. 

(TCHO added country of origin to flavor information And, happily, as the craft chocolate movement led to more educated buyers, more chocolate makers soon began including more detailed country of origin and sourcing information in the 2000s.)

Dark Duo

The Dark Duo (filled) bars were made using single origin cacaos from Peru and Ghana. The 75% Cacao shell melted seamlessly with the "center."

Aroma and flavor notes for this truffle bar included: complex, dark chocolate fudge with bright fruit (tropical fruits, red berry); very faint mixed nut butter (almond, cashew, hazelnut); vanilla; and very faint (balanced) earth. (Note: there were no nut ingredients listed.)

The chocolate texture was soft and friendly with a pleasant melt and mouthfeel, and with a slightly softer  center.

Maker's Tasting Notes/Description: "Lush & Fruity Cacao Truffle Filled Fudgy Dark Chocolate" "A Distinguished Cacao Experience"

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*+, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*+, Coconut Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin*, Vanilla Beans* (*Organic; +Fair Trade Certified; Over 69% Fair Trade Certified (tm) (Ingredients))

Allergen-related information: May contain tree nuts. 

Holy Fudge 

Aroma and flavor notes for this 75% Cacao (Single Origin Ghana) Organic & Fair Trade bar included: dark chocolate (rich, dark fudge brownie); vanilla; and very faint, balanced citrus with a pleasant fudge-y finish.

Texture: smooth texture and melt 

I appreciated this enjoyable chocolate by itself; and the fact that it pairs well with other items. It would be great in a dessert or a recipe for fudge sauce/cake/pudding/ice cream dish...and of course fudge brownies. The possibilities are endless. 

Pretty sure this chocolate is used in the company's Lemon Twist dark chocolate bar with olive oil--a real crowd-pleaser this year--that I hope will become part of the company's permanent flavor line-up.

Maker's Tasting Notes/Description: "Notes of Crisp Brownie Edges From Ghana's World-Renowned Cacao Farms"

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*+, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*+, Sunflower Lecithin*, Vanilla Beans* (*Organic; +Fair Trade Certified; Over 75% Fair Trade Certified (tm) Ingredients)

Allergen-related information: May contain tree nuts.

*The TCHO brand was sold to Ezaki Glico (maker of Pocky chocolates) in 2018.

Gnosis Chocolate - 1.) Passion + raspberry (bar) + 2.) Black Diamond 100% Cacao Ocumare, Venezuela (bar) - Sept. 11, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Gnosis Chocolate
Passion + raspberry & aphrodisiacs 70% raw chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (30 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $5.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Gnosis Chocolate, online order 

Gnosis Chocolate
Black Diamond, Ocumare Venezuela 100% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (30 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Gnosis Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of "Chocolate Banquet Birthday Celebration" Theme Week--featuring several chocolate makers that I've been appreciating for 10-20 years.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of this Chocolate Banquet site, where I've recorded my thoughts on a different chocolate each day for 20 years. And, chocolate birthdays are still the best.

This decades-long chocolate adventure was only possible because of the hard work of many great individuals. I continue to be extremely grateful to all the chocolate makers, cacao farmers and fermenters out there in the world. 

I'm happy to feature two bars today from Vanessa Barg who founded Gnosis Chocolate (Astoria, NY). I met Vanessa when she began making chocolate (as an extension of her health practice) and started selling bars in 2008. She and her mom, Aida, have been making chocolate in New York City.

Long-lived endeavors require passion and commitment as well as strength; and the following two bars represent these attributes, along with a little "botanical alchemy."

Passion + raspberry (bar)

Today's thoughtfully executed Passion + raspberry + aphrodisiacs (bar) from Gnosis Chocolate was thoughtfully executed and made with single origin cacao from Ocumare, Venezuela.

Aroma and flavor notes included: authentic, balanced cacao with very faint, deep, still forest and smoke, and gentle tart sweet red berry (red raspberry).

Texture: relatively smooth dark chocolate with a satisfying mouthfeel and melt, with one or two raspberry pips.

I appreciated the thoughtful ingredients, and enjoyed the gentle (date supplied, lower-glycemic) sweetness and authentic raspberry flavor. 

The "aphrodisia" ingredients and reference can also be viewed as inspiring love in a broader, more universal sense, such as an enjoying and appreciating for all life/creatures on earth, and including all things botanical--which indeed will need to be true to continue to enjoy chocolate and other fruits of the forest in the future. (I'm hoping to celebrate 30 years of chocolate in another decade.)

Ingredients: "70% raw chocolate (raw cacao beans*, ground dates*), raspberries*, maca root*, damiana*, rose hips*, horny goat weed*, fo ti*, passionflower*, Love.

Allergen-related information: "Carefully handcrafted in a kitchen that also uses tree nuts and coconut."

Black Diamond (bar)

I associate black diamonds with strength, overcoming challenging circumstances, and being outdoors with chocolate. Having once been a skier, signs with a black diamond shape marked the toughest slopes on a mountain. Skiing down a Black Diamond run was exciting and sometimes resulted in a snow bath. (And these runs were usually followed by hot chocolate or a piece of chocolate.) 

Today's Black Diamond bar seemed perfect to celebrate a 20-year journey made possible by cacao farmers who face many challenges--and many special chocolate makers and entrepreneurs who continue to source great cacao(s) from around the world to craft great chocolate in a changing world.

Like other diamonds, black diamonds are a precious commodity forged in the earth to a particular, lustrous hardness and can be a symbol of strength.

In the Ocumare region(s) of Venezuela, prized heritage Criollo variety cacao beans are sometimes referred to as black diamonds or black gold.

Today's Black Diamond (bar) was crafted using cacao beans from Ocumare, Venezuela. No sweeteners, no additives. Just the essence of cacao (and love).

Aroma notes included: rich, chocolate-y cacao and very faint fruit (tropical fruit, berry) and balanced forest notes.

Flavor notes included: ultra-dark lovely fudge brownie, balanced bitterness (for a 100%er) and faint roasted notes. Like all unsweetened chocolate, your brain reacts to the lack of sweetness for a few seconds, but after a bit of bitter/sour, this chocolate resolved into a very nice clean finish with almost no bitterness at all.

Texture: Buttery, with a rich melt and mouthfeel

I really appreciated the short list of quality ingredients in these two bars; and that these were gluten-free.

Ingredients: "cacao beans from Ocumare, Venezuela, Love."

Allergen-related information: "Carefully handcrafted in a kitchen that also uses tree nuts and coconut."

Zotter - Cheese + Mango Chutney (bar) + Bacon Bits (bar) - Sept. 10, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Zotter 

Cheese + Mango Chutney Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Zotter 

Bacon Bits Dark Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut Praline (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Savory Chocolate Theme Week & Day #3 of Chocolate Banquet Birthday Celebration Week--featuring two chocolates each day. 

I've been featuring "hand-scooped" (filled) and single origin bars from Zotter on Chocolate Banquet since 2009--relatively early on in this site's history. The fact that I'm still featuring new flavors from them in 2026 is a testament to the huge variety of bars this family-owned and operated company (based in Austria) has produced over the years--including savory flavors like today's two bars.

Cheese + Mango Chutney
Today's Cheese + Mango Chutney was a complex blend of sweet, fruity, slightly savory and chocolatey flavors. A thin layer of dark milk 60% chocolate was filled with cheese ganache (light cheese, nut, fruit (citrus, grappa), warm spice, and mango cream, with a mild chili heat.

The makers managed to successfully fit a whole snack/wine and cheese plate into one bar. This filled bar contained nuts (walnuts, cashews). And a bit of citrus added brightness. The very subtle grappa (Italian grape brandy) contributed a trace of pleasing, concentrated fermented grape, flavor.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+, Cocoa Mass*+, Dry Whole Milk, Milk, Invert Sugar Syrup*, Processed Cheese (3% Cheese, Cream, Water, Acid Regulator: Trisodium Citrate), Mango Puree*(3%), Dry Skim Milk Yoghurt, Dried Mangos*(2%), Glucose Syrup*, Muscaris White Wine (Contains Sulfites), Walnuts*, Dry Skim Milk, Cashews*+, Grappa*, Lime Concentrate*, Dry Sweet Whey, Apple Balsamic Vinegar*, Lecithin (Soy)*, Rice Drink Powder* (Rice*, Sunflower Oil*, Salt), Lemon Juice Concentrate*, Lemon Powder* (Lemon Juice Concentrate*, Corn Starch*, Sugar*), Salt, Dark Brown Cane Sugar*+, Vanilla Bean Powder *+, Star Anise*, Cloves*, Cinnamon*, Chilli "Bird's Eye"*

* = Organic, + = Fair Trade

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Walnuts, Cashews, Soy 

"Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs, Sesame and Gluten" 

Bacon Bits 

This Bacon Bits Dark Milk Chocolate with hazelnut praline and bacon/pork cracklings bar was a balanced, basket full of sweet, creamy, savory and crunchy flavors and textures.

It was also quite rich (pork cracklings, butter, whole milk and nuts will do that). The salt was very subtle. And the hazelnut praline, chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla and warm spices helped tip the scales toward sweet rather than savory.

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet, creamy and chocolate-y with crispy-crunchy bacon cracklings and hazelnut praline.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Mass*+, Cocoa Butter*+, Hazelnuts*, Dry Whole Milk, Pork Crackings, Dry Skim Milk, Butter (Cream), Salt, Cinnamon*, Lecithin (Soy)*, Dark Brown Cane Sugar*+, Vanilla Bean Powder*+, Cardamom*, Star Anise*, (* = Organic Ingredient; + = Fair Traded; Fair Trade Content in Total: 67%

Allergen-related information: Contains: Hazelnuts, Milk, Soy. "Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs and Sesame." 

Maeve - Kettle Chips Dark & Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar - Sept. 9, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Maeve 
Kettle Chips Dark & Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week and Day #2 of Chocolate Banquet Birthday Celebration Week, featuring two chocolates each day.

Today's Maeve Kettle Chips Dark & Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar was from Seattle Chocolate Co. (Seattle, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included smooth, creamy dark chocolate and even creamier milk chocolate, as well as some glimmers of salt and potato chip(s).

Texture - a thin dark chocolate coating surrounded by a soft and creamy, milk chocolate truffle filling and a tiny bit of crunchy potato chip bit texture. 

I enjoyed this (second of two potato chip chocolate bars featured today. I enjoyed the layering of dark and milk chocolate in this one, and the (for me) just right touch of salt that helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: milk chocolate (cane sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter*, cocoa mass*, organic soy lecithin, natural vanilla), organic dark chocolate (cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), kettle chips (potatoes, safflower oil and/or sunflower oil, sea salt), coconut oil, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soy.

BOHO Chocolate - Milk Chocolate + Potato Chips (bar) - Sept. 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

BOHO Chocolate
Milk Chocolate + Potato Chips (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.38 oz. (43 g.) /3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 serving (approx. 1/2 bar)
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week--featuring two chocolate bars with potato/kettle chips. (See next entry for the second bar--a Kettle Chips Dark & Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar.)

Today's Milk Chocolate + Potato Chips Chocolate (bar) was from BOHO Chocolate (Florence, MA). The company offers single origin bars as well as some with flavor inclusions.

The dominant flavor in this generously-sized bar was the relatively rich, smooth-flavored, milk chocolate. The potato chips pieces added a crunchy texture and a light touch of salt and starch.

Ingredients: "Organic cane sugar, organic cacao beans, organic cocoa butter, organic milk, non-GMO potatoes, safflower and/or sunflower and/or canola oil, sea salt"

Allergen-related information: Soy Free, Gluten Free, Non-GMO

 

Fossa - Bak Kut Teh 68% Dark (bar) & A Very Special Chocolate Souffle - Sept. 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Fossa Chocolate 

Bak Kut Teh 68% Dark (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137.25 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary

Welcome to Day #11 of Savory Chocolate Theme Week, featuring a main course* and a special chocolate souffle dessert (see below).

Today's Bak Kut Teh* 68% Dark chocolate was from Fossa Chocolate (Singapore). This bar was inspired by a meat soup--seasoned with the same spices that were infused into this chocolate.

Aroma and flavor notes included: fragrant pepper, warm spices (cinnamon, star anise, almost coriander); savory spices (subtle garlic and sea salt); and very smooth dark chocolate (made using fudgy Bolivian cacao from Alto Beni).

All of these flavors showed up in perfect proportions to conjure up the experience of Bak Kut Teh soup.

For those like me who appreciate sweet and savory, I recommend trying this chocolate. This is yet another Fossa Chocolate bar with very balanced, thoughtful and high-quality chocolate and flavor inclusions. 

The company also crafts many single origin chocolates with specialty tea, flower, fruit and sweet dessert flavors. For those who love to be transported by food, Fossa's chocolate and Asian-inspired flavor blends offer a wonderful virtual journey to Singapore and beyond.

Texture: smooth texture with an even and satisfying melt and mouthfeel.

I enjoyed the gently complex and authentic soup flavors; the "just right" balance of sweet and savory; and the short list of quality and single origin ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Comforting and nourishing spices with a garlicky and peppery finish"

Ingredients: "Cacao (Bolivia), cane sugar, cacao butter, Sarawak white pepper, (Indonesian) black pepper, star anise, cinnamon, garlic, Himalayan pink salt" 

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy."

*Bak Kut Teh is an aromatic meat soup that can be found in Malaysia, Singapore and southeastern (Fujian) China. Roughly translated into English the name would be: Pork Rib Soup or Pork Bone Tea Soup. (Ribs are simmered for a long time, in broth and seasoned with the same spices as those included in today's chocolate bar.)

A Very Special Chocolate Souffle 

Chocolate souffles look simple, but they are notoriously difficult to get just right. Slam an over door too hard, and you might deflate the souffle. Fail to butter the sides of a ramekin just so and the souffle may fail to rise evenly. All the more reason to extend special thanks for the chocolate souffle made by friends this evening.

Thank you to Evan, Maddy and Isla for the delicious chocolate souffle prepared in their kitchen to celebrate my birthday, retirement, and the 20th year of Chocolate Banquet this week. 

My heartfelt thanks to the whole family who generously made sure I was well-provisioned with gluten free chocolate cupcakes and this wonderful chocolate souffle--that was accompanied by some impressive sides: chocolate sauce, apricot jam and homemade fennel ice cream. Very special chocolates enjoyed with friends. Thank you!

Kessho - Lamb Skewer Goat Milk 60% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar) - Sept. 7, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Kessho Craft Chocolate 
Lamb Skewer Goat Milk 60% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 116.1 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kessho, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.  

Today's Kessho Craft Chocolate Lamb Skewer* Goat Milk 60% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar) was handcrafted in Austin, TX and distributed by Kessho, LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma notes for this goat milk bar included: goat (milk), cumin, lemon pepper and very faint garlic and chili; and subtle chocolate.

Flavor notes included: smooth, creamy dark milk chocolate (chocolate-y) with savory and spicy, cumin-forward barbecue rub (without the rub; there was no spice grit). Full bodied flavors and a bit of spicy heat lingered and eventually tailed off into a pleasant, clean finish.

Texture: creamy dark milk chocolate. (The seasonings were fully incorporated into the chocolate so there were no detectable spice particles.)

This was a fun, flavorful bar to try. It was well executed and successfully captured the makers' memories* that inspired this bar. 

It was spicy, but not objectionably so; and the overall spice blend with the goat milk and single origin Uganda cacao was very effective. 

I love being transported when I taste chocolate. The goat milk and spices had me thinking I was strolling through a street market in Beijing smelling those lamb skewers. (To complete this virtual travel experience, I paired this bar with a Kessho recommended West China Tea ("Sticky Rice" Pu'er tea) the makers had sold as a pairing item with this bar last year. Very nice.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: "A balanced mix of goat milk, cumin and subtle heat from chili peppers"

Ingredients: "Whole cacao beans, sugar, cocoa butter, goat milk powder, cumin powder, chili powder"

Allergen-related information: "Contains goat milk" "Made in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, wheat, sesame and eggs"

*"...This chocolate was inspired by late nights in Beijing, where you can smell roasting lamb skewers as street vendors fan the flames of long coal grills. We start with Ugandan cacao, grind it with creamy goat milk, and season it, lamb-skewer style, with cumin and chili peppers. This is a bar to remember."

The Organic House - Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar) - Sept. 6, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 30 g. (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

Today's Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). 

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao from Belize (balanced, gentle complexity with very faint fruit notes); dried tomato (late summer sweet, ripe tomato bits). 

The Maya Mountain Cacao beans behind this chocolate enabled a tasty, balanced complexity. And the dark chocolate partnered well with the basil and tomato.

Texture: well-tempered, smooth, base dark chocolate that broke with a snap and had a satisfying melt and mouthfeel--accompanied by chewy bits of dried tomato.

After many spicy savory bars this week, I enjoyed this gently sweet and salty chocolate with subtle, fresh and authentic basil--a mint family member associated with savory dishes.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Fresh basil ground into chocolate, with tiny pieces of sundried tomatoes"

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter, Sun-dried tomatoes, Organic basil, Organic sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. "May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pecans, Pistachios."

* Maya Mountain Cacao is a centralized fermentary located in Southern Belize that works with 350+ certified local cacao farmers and supplies craft chocolate makers like The Organic House with high-quality cacao.