Deux Cranes - Dark Chocolate with Coffee, Cream (bar) - May 17, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Deux Cranes
Dark Chocolate with Coffee, Cream (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 191 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Filoli (gift shop), Woodside, CA

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week, and Day #5 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Coffee, Cream (bar) was made by Deux Cranes LLC (Los Gatos, CA).

Aroma notes included: smooth dark chocolate (sweet green botanical) and subtle coffee

Texture: smooth texture, melt

Flavor notes included: balanced dark chocolate (fudge-y, very faint sweet green (anethole*), very slightly floral and barely detectable, balanced earth) and subtle coffee with a gentle complexity. The generous drizzle of white chocolate ("cream") on one side, did give the effect of drinking a rich mocha beverage with cream floating on top.

I enjoyed the balanced flavors and choice of single origin cacao (75% Ecuador) and single origin coffee (Colombia) that yielded subtle, complex flavors and a slightly richer, more layered aroma than many other coffee chocolate bars.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa liquor from the Ecuadorian Amazon, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), natural vanilla extract) White Chocolate (Ecuadorian sugar, Ecuadorian cocoa butter, Ecuadorian whole milk powder, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), natural vanilla extract, Coffee Beans from Colombia, Vanilla Paste (Cane sugar syrup, vanilla concentrate, powdered vanilla bean, exhausted vanilla seeds, cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. The product may contain traces of nuts, milk, and gluten. Produced and packaged in the same facility as soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame, and milk products.

*Anethole is a naturally occurring, volatile chemical compound in plants (notably anise, fennel and star anise) and can be found in trace amounts in certain varieties of cacao (including certain Forastero varieties in Ecuador, and may be found in cocoa butters). Like cacao mass, anethole is hydro-phobic (does not mix well with water). And if added as a flavoring to chocolate, anethole is typically incorporated into cocoa butter (fat).

Spinnaker Chocolate - 68% Colombia with Coffee Single-Origin Chocolate (bar) - May 16, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Spinnaker Chocolate
68% Colombia with Coffee Single-Origin Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar

Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Spinnaker Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's 68% Colombia with Coffee Single-Origin Chocolate (bar) was from Spinnaker Chocolate, a family owned and operated chocolate maker in Seattle, WA.

This chocolate bar was made "in partnership with Olympia Coffee" (based in Olympia, WA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, naturally sweet/fruity/mild dark chocolate; bright and complex fruit (ripe red dragonfruit, ripe sweet pepper, ripe cherry, citrus, kiwi, coffee cherry, pear), warm spices, black pepper, roasted coffee, and barely detectable tea floral (extremely faint hibiscus/sorrel).

Texture: smooth texture, melt and mouthfeel

I love balanced complex flavors. And I loved the incredibly complex and fruity notes in this single origin bar -- a blend of single origin (Colombia) cacao and single origin (Ethiopian) coffee. Notably, the two areas where these two crops were grown were close to ground zero where they first evolved/were cultivated on Earth.

What a wonderful blend. I hope we don't continue to lose subtle flavors like this as we continue to move from more delicate heritage cacao and coffee varieties (in their original locales) to more sturdy and "productive" varieties.

Ingredients: "Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Ground coffee beans, Roasted"

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that uses milk powder and hazelnuts.

Chocolate Tree - Hazelnut Gianduja 40% Bean to Bar (bar) - May 15, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Tree
Hazelnut Gianduja 40% Bean to Bar (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 191 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Bacio di Latte Gelateria
2 flavors: Giandujotto (Hazelnut & Chocolate) + Caffe & Caramellatte (Coffee & Caramel)
Good+ - ++
Weight: Unknown (1 grande cup with 2 flavors)

Calories: Unknown
Cost: $11.95 for 1 grande (large) cup

Purchased from: Bacio di Latte Gelateria

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate & Colombia Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

I celebrated today with two creamy hazelnut items--a bar crafted with Colombian cacao and two scoops of gelato: a gianduja flavor and a coffee + caramel flavor.

Hazelnut Gianduja 40% Bean to Bar (bar)

This Gianduja 40% bar was from Knowes Farm in Scotland. 

The heirloom cacao used to make this bar was from Colombia. "The roasted hazelnuts were stoneground together with rare ancestral cacao from the Arhuaco indigenous community of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Colombia."

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet, soft chocolate with creamy, fully incorporated hazelnuts. 

The texture was indeed creamy and almost velvety soft. But the chocolate was firm enough to maintain a beautiful interlocking bird pattern on one side of the bar (from the chocolate mould (mold) that shaped it).

I loved the appearance of this bar and subtle flavors in this rich, sweet gianduja confection of a bar. I was surprised it did not contain milk, given the ultra-smooth, creamy texture.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Hazelnuts, Toffee, Sesame. Pair with: Prosecco, Fresh Bread."

Ingredients: Organic Hazelnuts (30%), organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: Contained Hazelnuts. "Dairy is used in our factory." 

Bacio di Latte Gelateria

And to fulfill the "coffee" portion of the overlapping Colombia and Coffee theme weeks today, I visited a newly opened gelateria in Palo Alto, CA. This was the first location in the San Francisco Bay Area for this Brazilian gelato brand.

I tried two of their flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut -- creamy chocolate and gianduja flavors with whole hazelnuts -- and Coffee and Caramel gelato that had pleasing coffee caramel latte flavor. 

Their gelato was sweet (as expected), smooth and balanced with authentic, Italian flavors. 

Karu - Tintico Dark Chocolate with Specialty Coffee 70% Cacao (bar) - May 14, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Karu 
Tintico Dark Chocolate with Specialty Coffee 70% Cacao (bar)

Good ++
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 3 squares of bar (3/4 bar)
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Karu Tintico Dark Chocolate with Specialty Coffee 70% Cacao (bar) was made in Bogota, Colombia. (Karu chocolates are distributed in the USA and Canada by Tropicalia LLC.)

The maker behind Karu is Maria Leja Villarreal, who created her company in Dubai. She specializes in Colombian cacao chocolates. (The coffee in this bar was from Libertario Coffee Roasters and was grown in Huila, Colombia.)

Each square of this 4-square bar had a raised image of a walking jaguar*. And a jaguar (head) was featured on the label/packaging as well.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, with faint, slightly earthy, bitter/sour and barely detectable spice (warm spice, peppers) and fruit (slightly roasted golden berry, tomato, red bell pepper, coffee+berry) notes.

Texture: relatively smooth with a very slight botanical astringency, but otherwise nice melt.

Flavor notes included: fairly mellow dark chocolate with balanced, flavorful and complex coffee.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Cane Sugar, Colombian Coffee

Allergen-related information: Produced in facilities processing milk and nuts 

*Jaguars--powerful symbols and ecological icons--are found largely in the Amazon Basin. (They once roamed from Argentina to the Southern United States.) They are native to and can still be found in several South American countries (primarily in the northern part of the continent), including Colombia. 

Chami Cacao - 70% Cafe de Origen Special Coffee (bar) - May 13, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Chami Cacao
70% Cafe de Origen Special Coffee (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 20 g. serving of bar
Cost: $11.80 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Chami Cacao 70% Cafe de Origen Special Coffee (bar) was made in Colombia. 

Chami* Cacao is based in Mill Valley, CA in the U.S. (Their chocolate bars can be found at Farmers Markets in Marin County, California.) The company also has distribution points in other locales (U.S., France). It was great to be able to find their line of authentic Colombia-made bars. (Thank you to Juliana Grajales P., who is behind this woman-owned enterprise.)

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 70% cacao coffee bar included: satisfying balanced, bold coffee and chocolate aroma and flavors.

Texture: stone-ground, slightly crunchy texture from the particles of ground coffee beans that were incorporated into smooth dark chocolate.

I enjoyed savoring small pieces of this bar; it was enjoyable and satisfying. Some may find the rough (ground coffee) texture a little off-putting initially. (It grows on you.) 

I appreciated the short list of just three ingredients as well as a focus on sustainability (starting with a "chemical free" crop and extending to the cassava starch, biodegradable (inner) packaging).

Ingredients: "Cacao beans, Organic raw cane sugar (panela) & ground coffee"

Allergen-related information: No allergens listed. "Vegan, Nut Free, Soy Free, Gluten Free"

*The name Chami pays tribute to the Embera Chami indigenous people in Colombia. ("It also means 'mountain range' in their language.")

 

Origen Cacao - Ceremonial Cacao - May 12, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao
Ceremonial Cacao 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 8 oz. (225 g.) in total package/box
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $30.00 for 1 package/box
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Ceremonial Cacao was from Origen Cacao (San Roque, Antioquia, Colombia).

Ceremonial cacao is a term that became popular in the early 2000s in Central America, associated with "pure" cacao that's closer to that used by traditional cultures -- as opposed to more modern, highly processed and sugared chocolate/cocoa used for drinking.

Ancient Mesoamerican cultures considered cacao a gift from the Gods, and included cacao (typically drinking chocolate) in rituals associated with healing, celebration of life milestones and spiritual communion. But they did not (as far as I know) use the term "ceremonial cacao." 

The Arhuaco people (and other groups in) Colombia still incorporate cacao into celebrations and spiritual practices; e.g. it is often part of ceremonies to honor/connect with Pachamama (Mother Earth). 

Today's cacao was unsweetened. I poured about 4 Tablespoons into about 1/3 cup of hot water and gently stirred the chocolate (shavings/pieces) into the hot liquid until it was completely incorporated.

Aroma notes included: aromatic warm dark chocolate (deep, chocolate-y brownie, very faint spice (pepper, warm spice). 

Texture: smooth, rich drinking chocolate

Flavor notes included: rich, smooth, ultra-dark drinking chocolate that went slightly bitter and sour, but then quickly mellowed into rich, smooth and chocolate-y territory with a plump and satisfying finish.

I enjoyed the rich, chocolate-y aroma, flavors and texture. The small shavings/pieces of dark cacao chocolate melted very readily with hot water and a little stirring, and made for a nice, smooth, rich texture. For a thicker texture add less water, or a thinner, hot cocoa type texture, add a bit more water.

And, yes, you could certainly add the milk and sweetener of your choice. But I suggest sipping it in its basic, unsweetened form first.

Ingredients: (Colombian cacao) 

Allergen-related information: N/A

L'Amourette Chocolatier - 100% Trinitario Cacao Colombia (bar) - May 11, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

L'Amourette Chocolatier 
100% Trinitario Cacao Colombia (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Limited Edition 100% Trinitario Cacao Colombia (bar) was made by L'Amourette Chocolat LLC (San Francisco, CA). 

The cacao used to craft this bar was grown in the Huila department in southwest Colombia.

Aroma notes for this 100%er included: dark chocolate, concentrated cacao fruit (syrup), and sweet green botanical (maple, coconut, anethole (fennel), other plant and tree sugars).*

Texture: Smooth, relatively creamy with a bit of (fruit) astringency.

Flavor notes: Rich, balanced, ultra-dark chocolate with complex notes from start to finish. Ultra-dark brownie and bitters; cacao fruit; Sweet green botanical and nut (Brazil nut)...and graham cracker in the long finish. (Note: there were no nut ingredients in this bar.)

I enjoyed the relatively creamy texture, cacao fruit and "nut" notes; the rich, balanced and complex flavors; and the long lingering finish. 

And I appreciated the maker's care in highlighting and balancing all these lovely flavors in this single origin bar--using just one ingredient. (Just Colombian cacao. That's it.) As with other 100% cacao bars without added sugar, a small piece or two can be very satisfying.

Ingredients: Colombia Cacao Beans

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a Facility That Also Processes Nuts."

*There is a bouquet of sweet, green botanical notes that I sometimes taste with certain dark chocolate bars. In the past I've made comparisons to green walnuts in sweet syrup, maple syrup, some coconut sugars, anethole (fennel, anise sugars), and even certain cacao fruit syrups. If you've experienced what I'm describing, I hope you also enjoy these sweet green notes. 

Anethole is a compound (C10H120) associated with fennel, anise and star anise, used to flavor sweet licorice and is also used in foods as an aroma and flavor enhancer.

 

Ywawika (Origen Cacao) - Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta 50% Coconut Milk (bar) - May 10, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Ywawika (Origen Cacao) 
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta 50% Coconut Milk (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 115 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $0 (Part of a $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack)
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

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

Today's Ywawika Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria 50% Coconut Milk (bar) from Origen Cacao (San Roque, Antioquia, Colombia) was made using organic cacao grown in Niwi UmuKin (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, "Birwa zone") in Colombia by the Arhuaco people.

According to legend, Arhuaco (Tayrona) ancestors would use cacao as a sacred beverage to connect with the Creator. Today the Arhuaco people see themselves as guardians of the land at the "heart of the world."

Aroma notes included: rich, sweet chocolate with subtle condensed cacao fruit (syrup), warm spice (and very faint pepper that dissipated after opening).

The texture was very smooth with a silken melt and mouthfeel. (Thank you coconut milk.)

Flavor notes for today's 50% chocolate included: balanced dark coconut milk chocolate, dried cacao fruit, faint warm spice and authentic, sweet coconut milk--all blending into a pleasant finish.

This dark chocolate was sweet and very low in bitterness, and was low in acidity as well.

I enjoyed the rich chocolate, the smooth texture, and the subtle cacao fruit notes. And I appreciated the short list of authentic and organic ingredients in this bar. 

Ingredients: "Organic cane sugar, organic cacao nibs, cocoa butter, organic coconut milk powder"

Allergen-related information: (Contains Coconut.)

Karu - Pure Cacao 100% Cacao Dark Chocolate Single Region Tumaco Colombia (bar) - May 9, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Karu 
Pure Cacao 100% Cacao Dark Chocolate Single Region Tumaco Colombia (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 70 calories in 1 square of bar (1/4 bar)
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

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

Today's Karu Pure Cacao 100% Cacao Dark Chocolate Single Region Tumaco Colombia (bar) was made in Bogota, Colombia and distributed in the USA and Canada by Tropicalia LLC.

The maker behind Karu is Maria Leja Villarreal, who created her company in Dubai. She specializes in Colombian cacao chocolates.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, with faint, slightly fruity/tangy chili peppers (chipotle) and bell pepper.

Texture: relatively smooth with a slight astringency, but relatively creamy melt and mouthfeel

Flavor notes included: bitter then sour then a fainter, creamier bitter + sour and slight chili pepper/savory (mole sauce) that flowed into a balanced, very long, and ultimately clean (and not that bitter) finish. 

I enjoyed the faint, slightly savory chili/bell pepper/mole notes--and could see melting a square of this chocolate into a barbeque or savory chili sauce or marinade. 

When a maker crafts a bar with 100% cacao, there is no sugar or milk or other ingredients to hide behind. So I always respect this choice that allows us to taste the pure original flavor of cacao. No two origins will taste exactly the same. 

Early on in my chocolate journey I tasted some 100% bars with some "off" flavors that might have been covered up if the bar had been 50% sugar. There were no earthy/moldy botanical or other funky notes in this chocolate.

This single-ingredient bar is not for everyone, and you won't be tempted to eat too much. (I felt happy and satisfied with one square.) But I enjoyed the ride, and kept thinking of possible dishes with this chocolate (vegetable, chili beans, chicken) as well as savory-sweet items (chipotle brownies or spiced chocolate ice cream).

I would include this in a 100%er tasting flight to compare with others single ingredient, single origin cacao bars.

Ingredients: Cacao

Allergen-related information: Produced in facilities processing milk and nuts

Chami Cacao - 70% Cardamom Colombia dark chocolate (bar) - May 8, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Chami Cacao
70% Cardamom Colombia - dark chocolate (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.80 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

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

Today's 70% Cardamom Colombia dark chocolate (bar) was from Chami Cacao (Pereira, Risaralda, in central west Colombia, with connections in California (Mill Valley, CA) and Tampa, FL). 

Chami Cacao owner and chocolate maker Juliana Grajales P. chose the name Chami for her company as an homage to the Embera Chami indigenous people in Colombia.

Aroma and flavor notes for this 70% Colombia spice bar included: dark chocolate and aromatic, complex spice (ground cardamom).

Texture: stone-ground dark chocolate and cardamom*

I enjoyed the warm, authentic and complex cardamom (bright, warm spice, tropical fruit bubble gum, light earth) spice and relatively smooth 70% dark chocolate flavors that harmonized well together. I was fine with the slightly rough, stone-ground mouthfeel/texture as I felt I was able to enjoy more flavor nuances than if the chocolate had been more highly processed.

And I appreciated the short list of (just 3) ingredients, as well as the biodegradable cassava starch inner wrapper. (It's nice to have some relief from plastic-clad bars.)

Ingredients: Cacao beans, Organic raw cane sugar & cardamom.

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Soy Free, Nut Free, Gluten Free"

*Originally from Southern India, Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) production began to ramp up in Central America over 100 years ago. Guatemala is now the world's leading grower and exporter of cardamom--referred to as "green gold" in that country. Colombia and Costa Rica have experienced increased production in recent years.

Origen Cacao - Vegan White Chocolate with Nibs (bar) - May 7, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
Vegan White Chocolate with Nibs (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

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

Today's Vegan White Chocolate with Nibs (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia). 

Most white chocolates are made with cocoa butter (the fat from the cocoa bean), but not the darker hued cocoa solids.* 

Today's white chocolate bar did contain some cocoa solids--in the form of pieces of cacao beans (nibs).*

Aroma and flavor notes for today's white chocolate with cacao nibs bar included: oats, vanilla and faint cacao. This mild white oat milk chocolate was very low in bitterness and acidity. It reminded me of a vanilla oatmeal cookie with cocoa nibs; but it wasn't that sweet. (Thank you!). The flavor was more oatmeal porridge than cookie.

Texture: relatively smooth white oat milk chocolate interspersed with small, softly crunchy cacao nibs. 

I liked the oat flavor more than I expected. I liked that I could taste the oats (in a less processed oat milk form), without any detectable oat straw/roughage. 

I enjoyed trying this balanced, well-executed white chocolate. White craft chocolate bars today are diverse and interesting, and worth trying. They're a far cry from the overly sweet white chocolates of decades ago, some of which may have contained hydrogenated vegetable oils and no cacao at all.

I also appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, oat milk, vanilla, sea salt

Allergen-related information: (No information found on packaging)

*A white chocolate (or any chocolate) is only featured on Chocolate Banquet if it contains at least some cocoa solids.

Cocoa butter, the main constituent of white chocolate, has a long history of being used by indigenous peoples Central and South America for culinary, ceremonial, medicinal (e.g. skin balms) purposes. It's used in the U.S. in the manufacturing of chocolates and white chocolates and confections, as well as vegan butters, and skin care products (e.g. in lotions, creams, lip balms).

Origen Cacao 70% San Roque (bar) - May 6, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
70% San Roque dark chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 115 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

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

Today's 70% San Roque dark chocolate (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia). 

San Roque is in Antioquia--a relatively mountainous department in northwestern Colombia. Agricultural crops (coffee, plantains, avocados, cacao) play an important economic role in the region.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 70% dark chocolate included: chocolate, dried cacao fruit and faint warm spice. The chocolate + cacao fruit notes extended into a relatively long, pleasant finish.

This dark chocolate was low in bitterness, with medium acidity. 

Texture: well-tempered chocolate with smooth texture

I enjoyed the rich chocolate and hearty (concentrated) cacao fruit notes. And I appreciated the short list of authentic and organic ingredients in this bar. 

Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter"

Allergen-related information: (None found on packaging)

Origen Cacao - 80% Putumayo (bar) - May 5, 2026

 Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
80% Putumayo dark chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 115 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

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

Today's 80% Putumayo dark chocolate (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia). The company name encompasses nested origin stories.

Putumayo is a department (state) in southwestern Colombia that shares borders with Ecuador and Peru. Rich in forests lowlands, this area is sometimes described as where the "Andes mountains meet the Amazon rainforest"--in a region where cultivation of cacao likely began 1,000s of years ago. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 80% dark chocolate included: mild chocolate (especially for an 80% cacao bar), with subtle fruit (cacao fruit), and faint warm spice, nut and sweet herb. (These notes were created with just cacao and sugar. There were no nut ingredients.)

This gentle dark chocolate was low in bitterness and acidity.

Texture: well-tempered, this bar broke with a snap and had a smooth melt.

I enjoyed the subtle cacao fruit and other notes in the aroma--and the naturally mild cacao that made it easier to pick out these notes. 

And I appreciated the short list of authentic and organic ingredients in this bar. 

Today's bar reminded me of other chocolates made with gentle, aromatic, heritage cacaos (Criollo variety cacaos from Central and South America).* 

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao, organic cane sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter"

Allergen-related information: None found on packaging.

*While this bar did not have floral notes, this mild, aromatic cacao reminded me of many heritage roses that still possess their beautiful, complex and delicate scents. The same could be said for heritage and heirloom varieties of fruits, coffees, hops and other plants. Modern varieties bred for disease resistance and vigor seem to lose many of these notes.

Origen Cacao - 75% Ywawika dark chocolate (bar) - May 4, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
75% Ywawika dark chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 115 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

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

Today's 75% Ywawika dark chocolate (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia). The company name encompasses nested origin stories.

The name of today's bar: Ywawika refers to an indigenous-operated brand that represents the Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta--a mountainous region in northern Colombia that rises steeply from the Caribbean coast. (The Arhuaco were one of at least four indigenous peoples in Colombia prior to the arrival of the Spanish.) Ywawika offers eco-tours and opportunities to see cacao trees in their native habitat.

Cacao cultivation likely began in Colombia further south in the rainforests of the Amazon River basin 1,000s of years ago. However, cacao traveled to many other regions and was traded and treated as a currency. And the coastal regions also have a long history with cacao. 

Aroma and notes for today's 75% dark chocolate included: chocolate, fruit (faint cacao fruit/pulp, tropical fruits), nuts, spices (cinnamon, anise). (Note: There were no nut ingredients listed for this bar.)

This relatively mild dark chocolate, low in bitterness and relatively low in acidity.

Texture: well-tempered bar that felt relatively light (in weight), and broke with a very slightly brittle snap; smooth, dark chocolate with an even melt and mouthfeel.

I enjoyed the mild, aromatic complexity as well as the relatively mild flavor (with low bitterness and acidity). And I appreciated the short list of authentic and organic ingredients in this bar. The cacao origin story was also interesting.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter" 

Allergen-related information: None found on packaging. 

Origen Cacao - 55% Brazil Nuts and Sea Salt San Roque (bar) - May 3, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
55% Brazil Nuts and Sea Salt San Roque (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

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

Today's 55% Brazil Nuts and Sea Salt San Roque (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia).

Aroma and flavor notes included: satisfying, smooth and subtle dark chocolate--made with Colombian-grown cacao(s) that were low in acidity and bitterness. (It was almost similar to eating a milk chocolate bar or chocolate made with a milder, heritage/criollo cacao variety.)

Texture: smooth 55% dark chocolate with softly crunchy pieces of Brazil nuts. 

I enjoyed the salt and the nuts--that also helped prevent this chocolate from being overly sweet. 

Warning: addictive, as many salted dark milk chocolate bars (with nuts) can be. But, again, this bar did not contain milk.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, brazil nuts, sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (Brazil nuts).

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Limited Release Nantucket Fog 65% Cacao (Colombia) Dark Milk Chocolate bar - May 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Limited Release Nantucket Fog 65% Cacao (Colombia) Dark Milk Chocolate bar
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $24.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Limited Release Nantucket Fog 65% Cacao (Colombia) Dark Milk Chocolate bar was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA). 

Aroma notes included: chocolate (cocoa, marshmallow, vanilla) and faint, sweet milky tea.

Texture: relatively smooth texture with a faint tea astringency.

Flavor notes included: smooth, dark milk chocolate; vanilla marshmallow; and sweet tea latte with a faint bergamot flavoring that finally emerged and lingered a bit at the end of the finish.

I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients. And I liked that the makers used both single origin cacao and single origin cocoa butter in this sweet confection of a bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "...creamy vanilla and chocolatey notes from our Boyaca (Colombia) beans weave together with milky black tea and floral bergamot citrus. Rich, balanced and slightly sweet..."

Ingredients: Single Origin Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Single Origin Cocoa Butter, Organic Whole Milk Powder, Organic Earl Grey Tea (Organic Black Tea, Bergamot Oil), Vanilla Bean

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. ("Soy Free, Gluten Free")

Deux Cranes - Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger + Matcha Chocolate with Caramelized Sesame (bar)

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Deux Cranes

Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total package
Calories: 125 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Matcha Chocolate With Caramelized Sesame (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 192 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week. I was happy to find several Asian-made and Asian-inspired tea chocolates near where I live (San Francisco Bay Area).

Today's two chocolate items were from Deux Cranes LLC (Los Gatos, CA). The company makes chocolates with flavors "rooted in Japan" (and) "inspired by France." And, I would add, the results are attractive and delicious.

Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger

I really enjoyed these beautifully spicy, candied ginger pieces that were peeking out of envelopes of tasty dark chocolate. There was just enough ginger revealed to make them very attractive.

Texture: Soft and fresh tasting candied ginger, covered in smooth dark chocolate.

Three pieces, savored slowly, were very satisfying. The spicy kick of ginger is a great complement with dark chocolate (with a bit of vanilla). The two relatively bold flavors harmonized well together.

Ingredients: Ginger (Ginger, Sugar, Sodium Metabisulfite), Dark Chocolate (cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, natural vanilla extract), sunflower lecithin (emulsifier)).

Allergen-related information: (No allergen information on small label.)

Matcha Chocolate with Caramelized Sesame Seeds (bar)

I enjoyed the rich, creamy and authentic matcha tea latte-like aroma and flavors in this green-hued, "white" chocolate bar. 

Texture: This bar was thick and creamy smooth with a generous layer of tiny caramelized sesame seeds on the back that had just the right texture. (The seeds were uniformly caramelized/toasted, not too hard, not too soft; they were just right.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Earthy, Nutty, Creamy"

Ingredients: White Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, sunflower lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla extract), Candied Sesame Seeds (white sesame, sugar, salt), Matcha Green Tea

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Sesame. May contain traces of soy, nuts, milk, and gluten. Produced and packaged in the same facility as soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame, and milk products."

Fu Wan Chocolate - 62% Peach Red Oolong Tea (bar) - Apr. 30, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fun Wan Chocolate
62% Peach Red Oolong Tea (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 203 calories in 1 bar 

Cost: $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

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

Today's 62% Peach Red Oolong Tea (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Ping-Tung County, Taiwan).

Aroma and Flavor notes for this tea chocolate included: fruit (sweet peach); gentle chocolate; subtle floral, oolong tea; and barely detectable warm spice. 

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with soft, candied peach pieces, and a barely detectable tea astringency in the finish.

I appreciated the relatively short list of quality ingredients and the subtle qualities of this bar. The sweet, honeyed peach bits had the most distinct flavor. The chocolate and tea flavors were quieter. I'd advise eating this chocolate slowly you can enjoy all three flavors.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cacao Butter, Dried Peach (Taiwan Honey Peach, Sugar, Citric Acid), Red Oolong Tea Powder.

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes mango, egg, tree nuts, soy, milk, and milk products. Not recommended for individuals with allergies to these ingredients."

Fu Wan Chocolate - 62% Yuzu Oolong Tea Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 29, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fu Wan Chocolate
62% Yuzu Oolong Chocolate (bar)

Good ++  
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 203 calories in 1 bar
Cost:  $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA   `

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

Today's 62% Yuzu Oolong Chocolate (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Ping-Tung County, Taiwan).

Aroma and Flavor notes for this tea chocolate included: gentle dark chocolate; tiny clumps of sweetened dried citrus fruit (very slightly peppery, yuzu*, sweet citrus peel); and faint floral oolong tea.

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with chewy candied yuzu pieces, and a barely detectable tea astringency in the finish.

I enjoyed the dried, sweet and flavorful citrus/yuzu* bits. And I appreciated the relatively short list of quality ingredients. The candied tart-sweet citrus was stronger than the more subtle chocolate and tea flavors--likely OK as many people prefer subtle chocolate flavors. And this bar was balanced enough (if you eat it slowly) that one could enjoy all three flavors.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cacao Butter, Diced Pomelo* (pomelo peel, sugar, starch syrup, brandy, alcohol flavoring) Oolong Tea Powder

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes mango, egg, tree nuts, soy, milk, and milk products. Not recommended for individuals with allergies to these ingredients."

*Note: Yuzu is different than pomelo. Both are citrus fruits. But, there is some linguistic overlap in terms of these fruit names. Apparently the yuzu and yuja citrus fruits (in Japan and Korea, respectively) has migrated to mean pomelo in modern China.

Fu Wan Chocolate Lychee Tie Guan Yin Tea Chocolate 62% (bar) - Apr. 28, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fu Wan Chocolate
Lychee Tie Guan Yin Tea Chocolate 62% (bar)

Good ++  
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 203 calories in 1 bar
Cost:  $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA   `

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

Today's Lychee Tie Guan Yin Tea Chocolate 62% (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Ping-Tung County, Taiwan).

Aroma and Flavor notes for this fruit-forward chocolate included: gentle chocolate, sweetened dried fruit (authentic lychee) and faint oolong tea.

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with chewy lychee pieces, and a barely detectable tea astringency in the finish.

I enjoyed the dried, sweet and flavorful lychee fruits. And I appreciated the relatively short list of quality ingredients. I would have loved to have tasted a bit more of the chocolate and tea flavors, but I think most people will prefer the blend of sweet, fruity and more subtle/balanced chocolate flavors in this bar.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cacao Butter, Dried Lychee, Tieguanyin Tea Powder

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes mango, egg, tree nuts, soy, milk, and milk products. Not recommended for individuals with allergies to these ingredients."

World Market - Yuzu Lemon Peel Milk Chocolate (bar) & Matcha Green Tea White Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 27, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

World Market 
Yuzu Lemon Peel Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $4.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market, San Jose, CA

World Market 

Matcha Green Tea White Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $4.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market, San Jose, CA

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

Today's two attractively packaged "Chocolates of The World" bars were manufactured for Cost Plus Inc. by Astor Chocolate Corp. (Lakewood, NJ). 

Yuzu Lemon Peel Milk Chocolate

Aroma and flavor notes included: very sweet dark milk chocolate with tart-sweet citrus (lemon).

The initial aroma right after opening the wrapper had a faint artificial citrus flavor note, but it all but disappeared after leaving the package open for 5-10 minutes.

Texture: smooth dark milk chocolate with tiny bits of lemon peel

While this chocolate was a bit sweet for me, I enjoyed tasting it. This would be a fun, upbeat chocolate for those who like bright lemon and tart-sweet flavors. (It was not too bitter or acidic.) 

The concentrated lemon taste might also make this chocolate a great accent flavor in an ice cream chocolate sauce or as an accent flavor in baked goods (lemon brownies anyone?), dessert/ice cream sauces, or as chocolate pieces/chips in lemon cookies.

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor, Whole Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), Dehydrated Lemon Peel, Freeze-Dried Lemon Powder (Organic Lemon, Silica Dioxide), Citric Acid, Yuzu Oil Extract (Natural Flavor, Vegetable Oil), Natural Lemon Flavor.

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

Matcha Green Tea White Chocolate 

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractively green (the color of a whipped, light green tea latte) bar included: sweet white chocolate, green tea, and very faint sweet herbal.

Texture: smooth, milky, with a very slight (tea) astringency in the melt, toward the finish.

There was some interesting, balanced and relatively authentic matcha green tea complexity in this white chocolate. White chocolate (made with the cocoa butter portion of the cacao bean) does allow some floral, tea and fruit flavors to shine (without the stronger cocoa solids present).

This bar was a bit too sweet for me; but those who like lighter, sweet tea and matcha flavors will like this. Also, like its Lemon and Yuzu milk chocolate sibling above, I could see using this bar with (or in) desserts or other culinary purposes.

Ingredients: White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Flavor), Matcha Green Tea Powder, Natural Green Tea Flavor, Green Coloring (Sunflower And/Or Fractionated Coconut Oil, Trehalose, Spirulina Extract, Turmeric, Sunflower Lecithin, Trisodium Citrate). 

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

Lonohana Chocolate - 55% Cacao Jasmine Tea Milk Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 26, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Lonohana Chocolate
55% Cacao Jasmine Tea Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) total bar
Calories: 184 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week and Day #4 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week.

Today's 55% Cacao Jasmine Tea Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Lonohana Chocolate (Honolulu, Oahu, HI).

Lonohana bars and confections are produced at the company's chocolate factory in Honolulu "using cacao that is 100% Hawaii-grown."

Aroma notes included: sweet, dark milk chocolate with dried fruit (ripe, white grape), very faint floral, and faint nut. (Note: there were no nut ingredients listed.) When I re-tasted this chocolate later, I also tasted light caramel and faint tea notes.

Texture: creamy, rich milk chocolate

I liked the creamy texture; subtle, balanced complexity; short list of quality and organic ingredients; and the single origin Hawaii chocolate. A bit on the sweet side, this bar will please those with a sweet tooth who enjoy some authentic cacao flavor but without any rough edges.

Ingredients: Hawaii-grown cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter infused with organic jasmine tea & organic whole milk powder. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Soy and Gluten Free. "Made on equipment that also processes milk and tree nuts. Produced in a facility that handles coconut, eggs, macadamia, peanuts, sesame, soy & wheat."

Eight Treasures - Osmanthus Chocolate 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 25, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Eight Treasures 
Osmanthus Chocolate 72% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week.

Today's Osmanthus Chocolate 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Eight Treasures, LLC (San Francisco, CA).

This chocolate contained osmanthus flowers; oolong tea grown and ground in Taiwan; and "toasted quinoa for added crunch."

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet and smooth dark chocolate, sweet tea cookie/candy and faint fruit-floral.

Texture: smooth chocolate, with a slight crunchiness (quinoa).  

I've long been a fan of osmanthus and oolong tea. There is a hedge of osmanthus flowers in my neighborhood with a beautiful apricot scent--especially appreciated in late summer and early fall (when most blooms are gone). So I was very happy to find this osmanthus and tea chocolate--relatively nearby where I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I appreciated the sweet floral tea concept, and the crunchy quinoa bits worked well. The gentler, ground oolong tea and the osmanthus flavors lingered in the finish and became clearer after the smooth dark chocolate flavors subsided.

I appreciated the maker's choices of a single origin (Carenero Superior Venezuela) cacao and organic ingredients.

Makers Tasting Notes: Peachy Apricot Flowers

Ingredients: Single-origin Carenero Superior cacao from Venezuela, coconut sugar*, oolong tea*, quinoa*, osmanthus* (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: None listed.

 

Ara Chocolat - Almonds & Roses 70% El Salvador (bar) - Apr. 24, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Ara Chocolat
Almonds & Roses 70% El Salvador (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $24.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week.

Today's Almonds & Roses 70% El Salvador (bar) was from Ara Chocolat (Paris, France).

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractive, single origin bar included: relatively bold but balanced dark chocolate (very faint roasted, earth); and redolent rose. 

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, gently textured rose petals, and softly crunchy almond bits 

I was very happy to taste the rose flower notes in this bar. They often get lost, especially when infused into a bolder dark chocolate or a chocolate with a lot of sugar and cocoa butter. The rose was authentic, very slightly astringent (and reminiscent of heritage rose gardens filled with scents). And that rose, happily, lingered into the finish. 

I enjoyed this with a floral (saffron) tea.

Ingredients: "cocoa nibs, sugar, almonds, cocoa butter, roses"

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "May contain traces of nuts."

 

Fine & Raw Chocolate - 4-piece Truffle Giftset + Matcha bar - Apr. 23, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Fine & Raw Chocolate
4-piece Truffle Giftset
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total box of 4
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family

Nanao Artisan Bars
Vegan Matcha Chocolate Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $10.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week, featuring two items. (Both truffles and bar were sweetened without white/cane sugar.)

Fine & Raw - Truffle Giftset

Today's 4-piece Truffle Giftset was made by Fine & Raw LLC (Brooklyn, NY).

I paired two of these chocolate truffles with a beautiful green matcha bar topped with rose petals. And after tasting this duo, I enjoyed  a cup of blue floral tea (damiana, butterfly pea flower, rose, lavender) from Numi Tea.

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, dark chocolate ganache; coconut (meat, oil, sugar); and faint earth.

Texture: smooth, soft and relatively creamy.

I enjoyed the cowgirl logo and the note printed on an inside sheet: "...suitable for truffle aficionados, dabblers, experts, adventurers, dreamers, the intrepid, dancers, vegans and unicorns. enjoy!"

And I appreciated the authentic cacao bean (and coconut) flavors and ingredients, and the lack of a sugar buzz (thank you). 

Ingredients: Cacao bean*, cacao powder*, cacao butter,* coconut oil*, coconut sugar,* agave* (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Made in a factory that processes tree nuts.

Nanao - Vegan Matcha Chocolate Bar

This visually stunning, rose (petals and hips) and almond adorned deep sea green chocolate bar was from Nanao Artisan Bars ("Processed in GoDark Chocolate, Miami, FL"). 

Aroma and flavor notes in this vegan and "sugar free" bar included: matcha green tea, very faint coconut and vanilla, and a strange sweetness.

I liked the rich, creamy and authentic matcha tea flavor. And that this bar wasn't too sweet. (Rather than cane sugar, the makers chose to use allulose and monk fruit to sweeten this bar.)

However, despite this bar's amazingly appealing appearance, there was something a little "off" in the finish for me (likely the sweetener blend but it could also have been due to another ingredient(s)). 

Even though this bar contained cocoa butter (and no cocoa solids), I was happy to pair this piece highly edible art bar with some chocolate truffles and a floral tea flight.

Ingredients: "white chocolate (cacao butter, allulose, organic dry coconut milk, vanilla, salt, monk fruit), almonds, rose hips, wild (northern plains Indiana), matcha green tea." 

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut milk. Manufactured in a facility that uses nuts and milk.

River-Sea Chocolate - Peach IPA dark chocolate 60% (mountain peaches & hops) - Apr. 22, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

River-Sea Chocolate Factory
Peach IPA dark chocolate 60% (mountain peaches & hops) bar
Good ++
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 360 calories in 1 bar
Cost:  $12.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week. 

Hops used to make beer are made using the female flowers of this plant, and I was delighted to find a bar that contained Centennial* hops for this floral-themed week. 

Today's Peach IPA dark chocolate 60% (mountain peaches & hops) was created by River-Sea Chocolate Factory (Chantilly, VA). 

The cacao used to make this bar was from Haiti.

I really enjoyed this creamy, flavorful chocolate. Soft cacao (milk chocolate-y) notes flowed into authentic peach fruit/peach floral notes, followed by very faint flash of berry/pink peppercorn; and finishing with balanced and authentic, balanced hop notes. 

And I appreciated the short list of authentic, quality and organic ingredients.

I eat my daily chocolate for breakfast; and this addicting dark milk bar was gone before lunch. 

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Fragrant Cacao Butter, Organic Whole Cow Milk, Palisade Peaches, Peach Extract, Pure Centennial Hop Oil 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Made in a facility that uses nuts, cow milk, and coconut" "Gluten-Free; Soy Free"

*Centennial (aka Super Cascade) hops have citrus, pine and floral notes and are versatile. They can be used for brewing or for culinary purposes.

Bahen & Co. Chocolate Maker - Honeycomb & Hibiscus Organic Milk (bar) - April 21, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Bahen & Co Chocolate Maker
Honeycomb & Hibiscus Organic Milk (bar)
Good++

Weight: 1.32 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Honeycomb & Hibiscus Organic Milk (bar) was from Bahen & Co. Pty Ltd (made in Margaret River, Western Australia).*

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate with very balanced slight roasted earth; small, slightly crunchy bits of honey comb, and very gentle levels of salt and fruit/floral (hibiscus).

Texture: smooth, creamy dark milk chocolate with small bits of crunchy honeycomb.

I really enjoyed the maker's choices with this bar. It was a well-executed blend of flavors and textures ranging from smokey/umami balanced by the milk in the milk chocolate--that had a balanced, subtle cocoa complexity. 

More subtle elements included the hibiscus and salt. I enjoyed finding the tiny upticks of hibiscus. And the salt was a barely detectable accent element that rounded out the flavor blend.

I really appreciated the fact that this wasn't too sweet (thank you) or salty -- allowing enjoyment of more nuanced, quality flavors (cacao, hibiscus bits, honey) with minimally addictive salt-sugar-fat levels. Some of the best dark milk chocolates teeter on the edge of more-ish.

Maker's description: "Salted honeycomb, a combination of forest honey & ocean salt, paired with organic red hibiscus flowers. A delicious blend, complementing the creamy and rich notes of our organic milk chocolate."

I also appreciated the relatively short list of organic and quality ingredients.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, organic raw sugar, organic milk, organic cacao butter, honey, bicarbonate soda, salt & hibiscus."

Allergen-related information: Contains Honey & Milk. May Contain Traces of Nuts.

*I was delighted to find a bar from Western Australia.

Sirene Chocolate - Limited Edition Rose 65% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 20, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sirene Chocolate
Limited Edition Rose 65% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 192 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Limited Edition Rose 65% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was made by Sirene Chocolate (Vancouver, BC, Canada). 

Sirene, a family-owned business, has been offering bean-to-bar chocolates since 2013. The cacao used to craft this bar was from Vanuatu.

Aroma notes for this small batch bar included: dark milk chocolate; faint, diffuse fruit; warm spice (cinnamon); and subtle floral (rose).

Texture: This relatively thick chocolate bar had a uniform and very smooth mouthfeel and melt.

This flavorful, balanced chocolate gently evolved in my mouth. I enjoyed the unfolding dark milk chocolate, warm spice, cookie, and the floral finish that bloomed and landed on rose geranium rose toward the end.

I appreciated that this chocolate was sweet without being cloying; the maker's choice of a single origin cacao with interesting and gentle complexity; and the short list of quality, organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk, Rose Geranium.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. (Information on the company website read: "All our chocolate is nut free, soy free and gluten free.") The company uses cow's milk in their milk chocolate bars. Milk chocolates are produced on different machinery than their dark chocolates/bars.

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade - Lavender Fields Forever (bar) - Apr. 19, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade 
Lavender Fields Forever (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 172 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $22.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week.

Today's "Lavender Fields Forever" (bar) was from Rozsavolgyi Csokolade (Budapest, Art Quarter, Hungary).*

Aroma and flavor notes for this 73% cacao dark chocolate + lavender oil bar included: relatively bold, but well-balanced dark chocolate (roasted dark chocolate cake) infused with subtle, aromatic lavender floral.

Texture: smooth, with a relatively thick, almost creamy melt (in a cool room).

I appreciated the (compostable) packaging with creative artwork and the use of a short list of (just four) ingredients.

Ingredients: dark chocolate (cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter - contains min. 73%), lavender oil

Allergen-related information: Produced in a factory that also handles nuts, sesame seed and milk powder.

*The translation of Rozsavolgyi Csokolade into English is: Valley of the Roses (Chocolate); and the name "Rozsavolgyi is a suburban part of Budapest, where the company was born." The company also offers chocolates with floral and many other interesting flavor inclusions.

Mandela Chocolate - Vanilla Orchid Raw Dark Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 18, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Mandala Chocolate
Vanilla Orchid Raw Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.80 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week. This week includes a variety of floral ingredients, including today's vanilla bar. Vanilla is a spice derived from a pod of a Vanilla orchid flower.

Today's Vanilla Orchid Raw Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Mandala Naturals, LLC (Barnardsville, NC).

Aroma and flavor notes for this Organic, Raw 77% dark chocolate bar included: smooth dark chocolate and warm vanilla bean.

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy, dark chocolate with no graininess

I appreciated the warm vanilla (and coconut sugar) flavors in this dark chocolate, as well as Mandala's short list of quality, authentic and organic ingredients used in this bar and their other chocolates.

Ingredients: *Cacao, *Coconut Sugar, *Raw Tahitian Vanilla Bean, Celtic Sea Salt(TM) (* Organic & Raw)

Allergen-related information: (No allergen warnings were found on packaging.)

Mandala Chocolate - Lavender Citrus (bar) - Apr. 17, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Mandala Chocolate
Lavender Citrus
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.80 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

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

Today's Lavender Citrus (bar) was from Mandala Naturals, LLC (Barnardsville, NC).

Aroma notes for this Organic Raw chocolate bar included: smooth dark chocolate, mint, sweet citrus (orange/tangerine) and very faint smokey earthy flavor. 

When I tasted this chocolate (an hour after it had been opened), I tasted a little more lavender, the smokey + umami + slightly earthy (flavor), and very faint vanilla bean. The lovely citrus notes complemented the lavender, vanilla and earth notes. Sadly the orange oil faded (dissipated) a little after the package had been opened for a few hours. But it was still a great blend of flavors.

I'm an outdoors girl who likes forests and gardens. I also enjoy umami flavors. So the slightly smoky flavor notes mentioned above didn't bother me. But for those who prefer a tamer, sweet brownie/chocolate cake flavor profile, this might not be your first choice.

I appreciated the short list of quality, authentic, and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: *Cacao, *Coconut Sugar, *Raw Tahitian Vanilla Bean, *Lavender Oil, *Orange Oil, Celtic Sea Salt(TM) (* = Organic & Raw)

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

Sama Delights Truffles - Lavender and Cardamom truffles - Apr. 16, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sama Delights Truffles
Lavender truffles
Good++
Weight: .918 oz. (26 g.) for two truffles

Calories: 145 calories (estimate) for 2 truffles
Cost: $3.69 each x 2 = $7.38 total for two truffles

Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

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

Today's Lavender truffles were created by Sama Delights Truffles (Pacific Grove, CA). 

I found these at the Xocolatl Garden in Carmel, California -- a shop one enters via an arched pathway facing onto a secret garden--in a beautiful seaside community blocks away from a white sand beach on the Pacific Ocean, not far from where these truffles were created.

Aroma and flavor notes included: authentic lavender and chocolate and very faint coconut butter. 

Texture: outside was a humble truffle that you might find in the woods (slightly oblong with a dusting of cocoa); and the inside was very luxurious and perfectly creamy chocolate ganache, with a dreamy melt.

This was a true truffle. I loved the authentic and balanced lavender and the creamy texture.

Ingredients: No ingredients list or allergen list was included. These were sold by the piece in a small display case.

DAR Chocolate - Hibiscus Art Bar - Hibiscus Dark Chocolate 72% cacao (bar) - Apr. 15, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

DAR Chocolate 
Hibiscus Art Bar - Hibiscus Dark Chocolate 72% cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 132 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

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

Today's DAR Chocolate Hibiscus Art Bar - Hibiscus Dark Chocolate 72% cacao (bar) was manufactured by DAR Chocolate LLC (Thornton, CO). 

The team at DAR honors artists in their packaging; and this Hibiscus bar was a collaboration with The Morgan Adams Foundation ("Funding Kids Cancer Research") that featured the art of Gifford Ewing. 

Hibiscus has become a more popular floral flavor inclusion over the last few decades. This tart-sweet flower adds an uplifting, citrus + red berry-like flavor to chocolate. (Originally from Africa, Spanish galleons (ships) brought hibiscus flowers to the Caribbean and Mexico in the 1500s.)* 

Aroma and flavor notes this this Hibiscus bar included: smooth dark chocolate, blueberry and faint floral (hibiscus).

I enjoyed the refreshing dark berry flavor that was part of this smooth dark chocolate, and appreciated the relatively short list of organic ingredients.

Ingredients: cacao liquor*, cane sugar*, cacao butter*, Hibiscus essence. (*organic)

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that processes milk, peanuts and tree nuts. 

*Hibiscus is related to cacao. Both are in the Malvaceae or mallow family--along with plants as varied as cotton, okra, durian and balsa.

Utopick Chocolate Makers - Saffron - 56% Cocoa Milk Chocolate with Saffron (bar) - Apr. 14, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Utopick Chocolate Makers
Saffron (Azafran) - 56% Cocoa Milk Chocolate with Saffron (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 242 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

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

Cacao and saffron are both versatile edible plants that can go sweet or savory. Love them both. Which is why I was excited about today's bar.

Today's "Saffron 56% Cocoa Milk Chocolate with Saffron" bar was from Utopick Chocolate s.l. (Valencia, Spain).

Aroma and flavor notes included: buttery, warm milk chocolate with clean spice (saffron floral) and light caramel.

Texture: uniformly creamy smooth with a slight caramel "chew" in the early melt (in a cool room), and a very faint astringency toward the finish.

I really enjoyed and appreciated the authentic saffron (saffron crocus stamens were visible on the back of the bar). The subtle, undulating saffron complexity was wonderful. And the fleeting, aromatic buttery saffron notes (that I recognized from eating saffron rice as a child) reinforced the buttery taste in the milk chocolate, enhancing buttery caramel flavor notes.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, whole milk powder, saffron threads from Spain (0.5%).

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. May contain traces of nuts, gluten, egg, sesame, soya. 

Mayana Chocolate - Strawberry Rose - Strawberry Marshmallow, Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Rose (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

Mayana Chocolate
Strawberry Rose
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.49 (estimate)
Purchased from: World Market, San Jose, CA  

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

Today's Strawberry Rose - Strawberry Marshmallow, Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Crystallized Roses (bar) was from Mayana Chocolate (Spooner, WI).

Aroma and flavor notes for this high-end confection of a bar included: faint, tart-sweet, red berry (authentic strawberry), gelatin, caramel, faint vanilla and subtle dark chocolate. (I wasn't able to taste the rose.)

Texture: a generous layer of soft, cloud-like, marshmallow atop another generous layer of soft, slightly chewy caramel -- all covered with a layer of smooth dark chocolate

This bar was a fun blend of flavors, although this high-end, filled chocolate candy bar was a bit too sweet for me. Those who like marshmallow chocolates, or who have a sweet tooth will likely enjoy it. 

I appreciated the use of real strawberry (freeze-dried strawberry powder) rather than an artificial or "natural" flavor. That really made a difference; thank you.

Ingredients: Cocoa butter, sugar, cocoa liquor, soy lecithin, sugar, glucose, heavy cream, butter (cream, salt), vanilla bean, sea salt, marshmallow (sugar, glucose, gelatin, dextrose, vanilla bean), freeze-dried strawberry powder.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy. Made in a facility that processes milk, eggs, wheat, soy, gluten, tree nuts, and peanuts

Zotter - Hibiscus + Mint - Dark Chocolate 70% filled with peppermint cream and white chocolate-hibiscus ganache (filled bar) - April 12, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Hibiscus + Mint - Dark Chocolate 70% filled with peppermint cream and white chocolate-hibiscus ganache (filled bar)
Good + - 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

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

Today's Hibiscus + Mint - Dark Chocolate 70% filled with peppermint cream and white chocolate-hibiscus ganache (filled bar) was from Zotter was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: aromatic mint (peppermint) coupled with a faint tart-sweet and bright flower (hibiscus) and citrus (sweet lemon).

Texture: thin dark dark coating surrounding a soft, two-layer ganache.

This mint + floral blend was quite unique. Hibiscus (a cacao relative) flowers lean toward citrus, and hibiscus and lemon added a bright tangy citrus element to the peppermint and dark chocolate. Peppermint tends to dominate most chocolates. This blend worked better than I thought it would.

I enjoy and look forward to Zotter's new flavors and latest flavor blends and appreciate their use of organic and fair trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar+*, Cocoa Mass+*, Cocoa Butter+*, Milk, Dry Whole Milk, Dry Skim Milk, Invert Sugar Syrup+, Glucose Syrup+, Almonds+, Dry Sweet Whey, Hibiscus+(1%), Lemon Juice Concentrate+, Dark Brown Cane Sugar+*, Emulsifier: Lecithin (Soy), Vanilla Bean Powder+*, Salt, Mint Oil+(0.01%), Cinnamon+*, Lemon Powder+ (Lemon Juice Concentrate+, Corn Starch+, Sugar+), Rose Petals+ (+ = Organic; * = Fair Traded, Fair Trade Content in Total: 69%

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

 

Sted - Honey Lavender 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 11, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sted Foods 
Honey Lavender 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $ N/A for 1 bar - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Wendy!)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Sted Foods Organic Honey Lavender 50% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Aroma and floral notes for this 50% dark milk chocolate included: sweet, creamy dark chocolate (chocolate-y with faint nut and even fainter fruit) infused with aromatic floral (lavender).

Texture: creamy smooth melt and mouthfeel.

If you enjoy lavender flowers and scent (guilty), and you're OK with dairy, do try this chocolate. The almost herbal, seductive lavender and dark chocolate are balanced very nicely with the milk, sugar and honey. This small bar was sweet and flavorful enough to be addicting, without being fully into candy territory.

I also appreciated the short list of organic and quality ingredients, the small bar size, and the compostable outer packaging.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Floral + Blissful + Summer Picnic"

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, Organic cane sugar, Organic cocoa butter, Organic whole milk powder, honey, Organic lavender essential oil

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Made in a facility that uses peanuts, macadamia, almonds, pecans, and milk.

Dandelion Chocolate - Lemon Lavender & Yuzu Lychee - Apr. 10, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Dandelion Chocolate
Petrova Chocolates Garden Party Collection (assortment box)
1.) Lemon Lavender - Good ++
2.) Yuzu Lychee - Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.67 oz. (47.4 g.) / 6.7 oz. (193 g.) in total box of 16 chocolates
Calories: 270 calories (estimate) in 4 chocolates 
Cost: $79 (estimate) for 1 box
Purchased from: Dandelion Chocolate, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Petrova Chocolates Garden Party Collection from Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA) was a collaboration with Betty Petrova, of Petrova Chocolates (Boston, MA). 

The collection featured 8 different flavors (2 pieces each), covered in 70% House Blend dark chocolate from Dandelion (cocoa beans, organic cane sugar). Below are the two* lovelies I selected today.

Lemon Lavender

Aroma notes: gentle sweet citrus (lemon) and lilting lavender floral 

Texture: firm dark chocolate silky soft and smooth centers 

Flavor notes: balanced, tangy lemon and gentle lavender 

I enjoyed the authentic lemon and lavender flavors and the overall balance with the chocolate. The lavender used was organic Bulgarian lavender. I also liked the subtle complexity and the fact this filled chocolate didn't seem overly sweet.

Yuzu Lychee

Aroma and flavor notes included: very subtle, jammy, tart sweet citrus (yuzu) and slightly floral, fruit (lychee). These two fruit flavors harmonized perfectly and the bright, floral notes in the lychee made the whole blend sing.

Texture: Thin firm, dark chocolate shell contained silky, soft ganache filling.

I enjoyed this chocolate a lot. And I appreciated the quality of the Dandelion chocolate and other ingredients in this spring collection.

*I was unable to try the Pistachio Rose; Blood Orange & Black Sesame; Concord Grape Tart flavors in this assortment as they contained wheat/praline/. (Thankfully that limitation saved me from eating too many.)

Allergen-related information: The overall assortment contained at least some pieces with wheat or sesame.

Fossa Chocolate -54% Dark Milk Full Bloom (bar) - Apr. 9, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fossa Chocolate
54% Dark Milk Full Bloom (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week. 

Today's 54% Dark Milk Full Bloom (bar) was crafted by Fossa Chocolate (Singapore), in collaboration with Lim Joo Huat Enterprise (wholesale produce distributor).

The makers used "fruity Filipino cacao" to make this flower bar.

Aroma and flavor notes included: subtle, well-balanced, dark milk chocolate (warm fruit (very faint rum raisin)) and aromatic but gentle and authentic floral (geranium, violet, rose). 

Texture: This well-tempered dark milk chocolate broke with a snap, and had a wonderfully creamy, lush melt and mouthfeel. 

I enjoyed the sophisticated, warm floral and cacao immersion experience in this chocolate and the delicate and tender (real) flowers on the back of the bar. They were in perfect shape (without being heavily sugared/candied) -- a rare thing to find.

I admit I am biased. I love well-executed floral chocolates and tea chocolates with gentle floral notes. And Fossa Chocolate offers some of the best versions of tea and floral chocolates on the planet right now.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Creamy, floral chocolate with edible flowers"

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, edible flowers, geranium oil

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

Kakoa - 62% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico - Coffee & Oat Milk (bar) - April 8, 2026

 Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
62% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico (bar) with Coffee, Oat Milk (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #23 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 62% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico Coffee & Oat Milk (bar) (Batch #2814) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma notes for this Special Edition bar included: dark chocolate; very faint, fleeting vegetable (nopales) and vinegar as well as very subtle dark/dried fruit/fruit acidity, coffee, and barely there honey, rice/oat and very faint mineral water.

Flavor notes: After letting the bar sit unwrapped for a few minutes, I tasted this bar. Any of the vegetable/vinegar notes that were in the initial aroma had dissipated, and I enjoyed the interplay between the authentic, and nuanced, rich coffee and cacao flavors. And the more I tasted, the more I liked this bar.

Texture: smooth melt with some astringency and tiny flecks of ground beans (coffee and maybe cacao). 

The very tiny pieces of crunchy coffee bean were a bit tough; but more intact pieces can help preserve some of the taste. (Pulverizing coffee to dust can reduce coffee flavor more quickly over time; while the cocoa butter in a tempered chocolate bar does help lock in flavors.)

The ground oats were subtle, and helped mellow and unite flavors; but they didn't have the physical smoothness of milk. (It's very difficult to replicate the creamy texture of dairy milk with just one ingredient.) Happily, I could not taste any oats; their incorporation was skillfully executed. 

I appreciated that this 62% bar wasn't overly sweet, and the short list of four quality ingredients, including single origin Mexican cacao from Tuzantan, Chiapas, Mexico.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Sugar, Oats and Coffee 

Allergen-related information: May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

 

Hijita - Marranito Spice - 70% Dark Chocolate Filled with Ginger & Spice Infused Almond Butter (bar) - April 7, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita
Marranito Spice - 70% Dark Chocolate Filled with Ginger & Spice Infused Almond Butter (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Hijita, online order 

Welcome to Day #22 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's Marranito Spice - 70% Dark Chocolate Filled with Ginger & Spice Almond Butter (bar) was manufactured by Hijita, LLC (in Austin, TX). 

The company collaborates with "farm and artisan partners in Mexico" and focuses on "preserving and showcasing Mexican Heirloom and Regenerative Cacao."

Today's bar was inspired by "Ashley's* favorite Mexican pan dulce"--the marranito (or puerquito)--"a classic pig-shaped gingerbread cookie."

Aroma and flavor notes for this single origin cacao, nut butter filled bar included: dark chocolate (deep, chocolate-y, slightly roasted), nut (almond butter) and warm spices (cinnamon, light ginger, vanilla).

As with other Hijita offerings, this was chocolate "art" in the form of a geometric, multidimensional, faceted sculpture. It was not your average, rectangular, flat chocolate bar (tableta, tablette).

Texture: smooth, well-tempered chocolate and authentic nut (almond) butter 

I appreciated the maker's choice to have the dark chocolate still be the star here. (This filled chocolate wasn't overly sweet or spicy.) 

I also liked the short list of quality, locally-sourced ingredients including single origin cacao from Mexico. The judicious use of less refined cane sugar added subdued, warm sweetness and allowed me to further enjoy the cacao and subtle warm spice and almond flavors.

Ingredients: Mexican Cacao*, Almonds*, Cacao Butter*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Diaspora Co. Basiya Ginger, Mexican Cinnamon, Mexican Allspice, Mexican Vanilla Bean, Mexican Sea Salt; Less than 1%: Cocoa Butter Coloring (Cocoa Butter, Natural Colors) (* = Certified Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almond. Made in a Facility That Processes Peanuts & Tree Nuts

*Ashley Ugarte founded Hijita. (Ashley also formerly served as a chocolatier at bean-to-bar maker Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA.)

Hijita - 70% Agua Escondida Trinitario (bar) - Apr. 6, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita
70% Agua Escondida Trinitario (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Hijita, online order 

Welcome to Day #21 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 70% Agua Escondida Trinitario (bar) was from Hijita, LLC (Austin, TX).

The cacao used to make this bar came from a single estate: Agua Escondida in Comalcalco, Tabasco, MX. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, satisfying, relatively dark chocolate with a balanced boldness; some dark berry--and mild-to-moderate fruit acidity--and a faint roasted (almond, wood) taste toward the finish.

As with other Hijita offerings, this was chocolate "art" in the form of a geometric, multidimensional sculpture. It was not your average, rectangular, flat chocolate bar (tableta, tablette).

Texture: smooth, well-tempered chocolate

I enjoyed this rich dark 70% chocolate with a faint undercurrent of dark fruit (sweet black currant, ripe blackberry, blueberry).

And I appreciated the short list of (just three) quality, locally-sourced ingredients. The use of piloncillo (think brown sugar) added a subtle, attractive warmth and depth to the sweetness and still let the cacao flavors shine through.

Maker's Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Molasses, Almond

Ingredients: Cacao*, Piloncillo,* Cacao Butter (* = Sourced Direct from Agroforestry Farms in Mexico)

Chocolatl - Chocolate con Leche Milk Chocolate 65% Cacao (bar) - April 5, 2026

 Chocolate of the Day

Chocolatl 
Chocolate con Leche Milk Chocolate 65% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 183 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from colleague
Purchased from: N/A - gift from colleague; thank you Sean!

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's Chocolatl Chocolate con Leche Milk Chocolate (bar) was made in Mexico and distributed by Chocolatl (Magdalena Apasco, Oaxaca, Mexico).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate (balanced, sweet, chocolate-y, pleasant hot cocoa) 

Texture: well-tempered (broke with a snap in a cool room), smooth, slightly creamy, with an even, melt.

Nothing scary in this bar; it was low in bitterness, acidity and astringency. And there seemed to be a natural sweetness to the cacao as well.

I appreciated the short list of just four ingredients, and the ingredients from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Ingredients: Cacao, Cacao Butter, Sugar, Milk.  

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Manufactured in a Facility That Also Processes Milk and Almonds.

 

Kokoa - 75% Cacao Criollo Cacahoatan Chiapas Mexico (bar) - Apr. 4, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
75% Cacao Criollo Cacahoatan, Chiapas, Mexico (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 75% Cacao Criollo Cacahoatan, Chiapas, Mexico (bar) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, citrus fruit (sweet, ripe orange; sweet tangerine), faint brown sugar/spice and very faint nut/wood.

Texture: relatively smooth dark chocolate with a satisfying melt

I really enjoyed the aromatic and authentic orange notes and the subtle brown sugar. The 75% cacao chocolate was relatively dark but the sweet citrus notes conjured up an upbeat, slightly tart-sweet refreshing orange fruitiness. 

I appreciated the short list of (just two) quality ingredients, and the single origin Mexican cacao from Finca La Rioja, Cacahoatan, Chiapas in southeastern Mexico. This farm has been producing cacao for five generations, and has cultivated a special strain of (White) Porcelana cacao.

Maker's Tasting Notes: Fruity with notes of orange (Afrutado con notas a naranja)

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans and Brown Sugar

Allergen-related information: May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

  

Kokoa - 70% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico (bar) - April 3, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
70% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 70% Cacao Tuzantan, Chiapas, Mexico (bar), Batch #2518, was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma notes included: relatively bold dark chocolate with concentrated, subtly aromatic fruit (like a dark syrup made from cacao fruit pulp).

Texture: well-tempered (broke with a snap); smooth texture and melt with mild-moderate fruit astringency

Flavor notes included: balanced dark, smooth cacao + subtle cacao fruit flavor--and very faint dark fudge and dark fruit spiced caramel.

I really enjoyed the cacao (and cacao fruit) flavors in this 70% bar -- and from other Kokoa bars. It's hard to describe cacao fruit(s) to someone who's never tasted freshly harvested cacao. It's easier when you can still taste hints of it in finished chocolates.

I also appreciated the short list of (just two) quality ingredients, and the single origin Mexican cacao from Finca El Vado in Tuzantan, Chiapas, in southeastern Mexico. 

Kokoa features illustrations of animal species on the packaging of their bars. Today's bar pictured an iguana -- a reference to the large lizards on/near cacao farms (often in trees) that catch insects and ants, helping to maintain balance in the ecosystem.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Caramelo con un toque a especies" (Caramel with a touch of spices)

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans and Sugar

Allergen-related information: May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

 

Kakoa - 82% Cacao Criollo Dark Chocolate, Criollo Pichucalco, Chiapas (bar) - April 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
82% Cacao Criollo Dark Chocolate, Criollo Pichucalco, Chiapas (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.03 oz. (30 g.) /2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 82% Cacao Criollo Dark Chocolate, Criollo Pichucalco, Chiapas (Batch #2216) (bar) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively intense dark chocolate with complex fruit (concentrated cacao fruit; cacao fruit pulp syrup); nut (dark, slow-roasted almonds); and faint dark chocolate fudge cake.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a snap. It had a smooth texture and melt with occasional very tiny crunchy (likely cacao nib) fragments--and a faint, fruit astringency in the finish.

This chocolate had a relatively bold aromatic (lightly roasted) cacao--as well as condensed cacao fruit--flavors. However, despite the deep, dark intensity, the bitterness and acidity levels were quite low. All of the taste, without the harshness in the flavor or finish, thanks to the single origin criollo variety cacao in this well-executed bar. 

This bar belongs in a criollo chocolate flight, or a chocolate tasting that features cacao fruit notes. Kakao has captured authentic cacao fruit pulp in their chocolates; and I'm very grateful. Today's 82% cacao bar yielded a deep, dark, whole cacao tasting experience that I found satisfying and inspiring (where was the farm? what did the raw cacao taste like?). No dancing, light, fruity notes; but a more profound, condensed essence of total cacao.

I appreciated the short list of (just two) quality ingredients, including single origin Mexican cacao from Hacienda Napana in Pichucalco in Chiapas, Mexico. 

Of Coatis and Cacao in Chiapas

This bar's packaging was adorned with an illustration of a coati, a small mammal (related to raccoons) that lives in Chiapas in cacao-growing areas. The Aztec name for coatis in the Chiapaneca jungles/forests is Pitzotl. Pitzotlcalco in the nahuatl language means "place of the pitzoltl"...and thus the name Pichucalco--where the cacao for this bar was grown. (And yes, coatis do sometimes eat cacao pulp, melons and other fruits.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Nuts and almonds with a touch of fruit"

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans and Sugar

Allergen-related information: (Contains: Milk.) May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

Kakoa - 60% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Arroyo Alcocer, Chiapas (bar) - Apr. 1, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
60% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Arroyo Alcocer, Chiapas (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 60% Cacao Dark Milk Chocolate Arroyo Alcocer, Chiapas, Mexico (bar), Batch #2318, was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate and tropical fruit (authentic, flavorful cacao pulp syrup). 

Cacao fruit, the ivory-colored pulp that surrounds cacao seeds (beans), plays an important role in the fermentation of cacao and the flavor of finished chocolate. 

The cacao fruit flavors will vary depending on the origin, cacao variety, ripeness and other factors. In today's bar, these flavors included: melon, pineapple, mango and sweet citrus (orange) and very faint warm spice (cinnamon).

I found this chocolate to be sweet, fruity and delicious, with minimal bitterness. The fruit flavors reminded me of tasting fresh cacao on a farm, or in a forest. Longer fermentation, drying, processing and roasting times generally mean less fruity or floral flavors in chocolate. So, having an opportunity to try this bar was a treat.

This bar would be a great bar to include in a chocolate tasting to remind people what less processed chocolate might taste like. However, the sheer fruitiness will surprise some who are not used to it.

Texture: relatively smooth with a slight fruit astringency. Satisfying melt.

This bar would be a great bar to include in a chocolate tasting to remind people what less processed, quality chocolate might taste like. However, the sheer fruitiness will likely surprise some who are not used to it.

Thank you to the maker for the short list of quality ingredients, and the beautifully fruity single origin Mexican cacao from Arroyo Alcocer, Chiapas in southeastern Mexico.

Maker's Tasting Notes: Fruity with citrus notes with a hint of spice(s).

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Sugar, Milk and Cocoa Butter  

Allergen-related information: (Contains: Milk.) May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)