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.)