Sted Chocolate - 1.) Classic Milk 45% Milk Chocolate + 2.) Lingonberry Bliss 49% Fruit Chocolate - Nov. 11, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Sted Chocolate

Classic Milk - 45% Milk Chocolate
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 83 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: ZombieRunner Coffee, Palo Alto, CA

Lingonberry Bliss - 49% Fruit Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: ZombieRunner Coffee, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #21 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week. 

Today's two Sted Foods bars were manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Classic Milk

Surprisingly complex, flavorful and delicious 45% milk chocolate with chocolate, caramel, very faint, diffuse fruit (red fruit, red licorice), and butter cookie notes.

I enjoyed this organic bar, made with a short list of just 4 quality ingredients. There were no emulsifiers (thank you).

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

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

Lingonberry Bliss 

Maker's description: "A dairy free, fruit chocolate bursting with (the) zingy flavor of lingonberry..."

I loved the pretty berry pink-mauve color, and the fresh sweet-tart aroma and flavor. 

The authentic cocoa butter provided a rich melt and mouth feel and a good foil for the clear, authentic tart-sweet berry (lingonberry with red raspberry notes). A lovely combination. This bar was nearly as  refreshing as a fresh berry sorbet on a summer day.

Ingredients: organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic freeze dried lingonberry powder

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

 

Goodio - Fennel 49% Cacao (bar) - Aug. 14, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Goodio 
Fennel 49% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Goodio "Fennel" 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Oy (Vantaa, Finland). The company offers a variety of bars, and some include Nordic flavor inclusions -- made "by a team of magical artists." (To which I would add the term "hearts and crafts": ones who create with their hearts and who are skilled in their craft.)

Today's bar was crafted using "Peruvian fine cacao."

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweeter/mellower (Criollo-like) dark chocolate, coconut, faint (diffuse) fruit, and faint, sweet, almost floral, herb (fennel extract/pollen).

Texture: relatively smooth, sweet (very faintly granular/sugary) fudge softness in the texture, with slight textural richness from flavor inclusions (perhaps the coconut flakes and the fennel).

The tiny upticks of fennel flavor were relatively gentle. The coconut harmonized with the Peruvian cacao-based chocolate and the fennel. The result was a balanced, naturally sweet blend. 

I continue to appreciate Goodio's choice to use a short list of thoughtfully sourced, high-quality, organic ingredients in their chocolates.

Maker's description: "A delicate touch of licorice from fennel combined with Peruvian fine cacao for (a) balanced flavor combination..."

Ingredients: "Cacao beans*, Coconut palm sugar*, Cacao butter*, Coconut flakes*, Birch sugar (Xylitol), Fennel*. (*Organic)."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts (cashew)." "Dairy, gluten & soy free" 

Goodio - Red Berries 49% Cacao (bar) - Aug. 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Goodio 
Red Berries 49% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Goodio "Red Berries 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Oy (Vantaa, Finland). The company offers a variety of bars, and some include Nordic flavor inclusions -- made "by a team of magical artists." (Hearts and crafts: a team with heart that also know their craft.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweeter/mellower (Criollo-like) dark chocolate, coconut and fruity (red berries: raspberry, strawberry).

Texture: relatively smooth, fudge-y softness in the texture, with slight textural richness from flavor inclusions.

I liked the way the coconut harmonized with the chocolate and red berries and was not too overwhelming. I also appreciated Goodio's thoughtful use of a short list of quality, organic ingredients.

Maker's description: "One more chocolate for the road. Premium craft chocolate sprinkled with organic raspberries and strawberries."

Ingredients: "Cacao beans*, Coconut palm sugar*, Cacao butter*, Coconut flakes*, Strawberry*, Raspberry*. (*Organic)."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts (cashew)." "Dairy, gluten & soy free" 

Goodio - Lavender 49% Cacao (bar) - Oct. 5, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodio Craft Chocolate x Ivana Helsiniki, Paula Suhonen
Lavender 49% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's Market, online order

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

Today's Goodio Craft Chocolate Lavender 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Oy (Vantaa, Finland).

Aroma and flavor notes for this vegan chocolate included: sweet chocolate and coconut (coconut fudge), faint floral; and very faint, ripe, diffuse, sweet fruit. 

I could taste the lavender more than I could smell it. (Floral and vanilla inclusions are often more detectable in the aroma.) Lavender can be strong (and soap-ish) for some; but I enjoy flower and herb flavors and I would've liked a little more lavender and less sugar. 

The coconut sugar added some authentic flavor depth and warmth. And small, ultra-thin coconut flakes added coconut flavor and natural sweetness. 

Was it a bit too sweet for me? Yes. But I live in sunny California, and not Scandinavia--where bright and sweet candy and colorful flowers might help extend summer and brighten an overcast day. (And I did end up eating the whole bar.)

Ingredients: "Cacao beans*, Coconut palm sugar*, Cacao butter*, Coconut flakes*, Birch sugar (Xylitol), Lavender*. (*Organic)."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts (cashew). Dairy, gluten and soy free."

Goodio - Candied Chamomile 49% Cacao (bar) - Oct. 4, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodio x Ivana Helsiniki, Paula Suhonen
Candied Chamomile 49% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's Market, online order

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

Today's Goodio Craft Chocolate Candied Chamomile 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Oy (Vantaa, Finland).

Aroma and flavor notes for this vegan chocolate included: sweet chocolate; light, nuanced floral; sweet green (coconut sugar, maple), and faint fruit (candied pineapple, gentle green apple+ honey); subtle coconut; and a very faint, fleeting herbal (aromatic, fine peppercorn).

This bar had a relatively smooth, texture, with a slightly stone-ground mouthfeel. (It was not particularly rough or grainy; and it might have had more flavor because the cacao + inclusions were less processed.*)

The tiny fragments of candied chamomile flowers on the back of the bar were charming and sweet, and imparted faint, fleeting and flavorful, candied floral notes. 

I enjoyed the blend of sweet, nuanced and balanced Northern European (as well as tropical) flavors, and the fact that this was from (made in) Finland. 

The white packaging decorated with enlarged, white-petaled and yellow-centered chamomile flowers showcased these blossoms (likely especially welcome in countries with long winters). The maker's description was poetic: "candies & flowers & hazy summer hours"...It would be fitting to enjoy this in the sunny months; but it would be a cheerful bar in any season.

Was this 49% cacao organic, vegan chocolate sweet? Yes, it was. However, it was supposed to be bright and fresh like summer candy and flowers. 

The coconut sugar and maple syrup sweeteners added some flavor depth and warmth--and didn't push me all the way into the sugar buzz zone (thank you).

Ingredients: "Cacao beans*, Coconut palm sugar*, Cacao butter*, Coconut flakes*, Maple syrup*, Chamomile*. (*Organic)."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts (cashew). Dairy, gluten and soy free."

*Shorter grinding/conching time(s), can preserve more cacao aroma and flavor notes; but longer processing times may result in a creamier, smoother chocolate. Makers have to weigh these potential trade-offs. They take into account the variety, source/origin, flavor profile and other qualities (or even shortcomings) of cacao when making these and other decisions.

Goodio Craft Chocolate - Winter Glow - Dec. 31, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Goodio Craft Chocolate
Winter Glow 49% Chocolate Topped with Mulled Wine Crystals (bar)
Good
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in 1/2 bar
Calories: 117 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #10 of Holiday Tea and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Winter Glow Chocolate Topped with Mulled Wine Crystals 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Ltd for Goodio Craft Chocolate, from bean-to-bar, in Helsinki, Finland.

The Finns know more about winter than most of us around the globe do. And gathering in the dark months to enjoy some hot, sweet, mulled wine is a Scandinavian tradition. Goodio shares that tradition with us with this vegan, sweet chocolate bar that was lightly spiced* and had opaque magenta-colored mulled wine crystals on one side—giving it a faint but pleasant sweet red fruit (red grape, berry) flavor.

*Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic coconut palm sugar, organic cacao butter, organic coconut flakes, birch sugar, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, bitter orange peel, organic cranberry powder, organic ginger, organic carnation.

Fine and Raw Chocolate - Espresso (bar) and Hazelnut Butter (bar) - July 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Fine and Raw Chocolate
Espresso 70% cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 171 calories (per label) in 1 bar
Cost: $25.00 for 5 bar set
Purchased from: Fine and Raw Chocolate, online order


Fine and Raw Chocolate
Hazelnut Butter 49% cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 159 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $25.00 for 5 bar set
Purchased from: Fine and Raw Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cowgirl Theme Week.

Today's Espresso 70% cacao and Hazelnut Butter 49% cacao bars, from Fine and Raw Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY), were both great bars to sample after getting up in the middle of the night to catch a plane to New Mexico where cowboys and cowgirls still exist. Some caffeine and theobromine will help to stay awake and to drive across this beautiful state.*

If cowboy coffee is made with a pot on hot coals, then perhaps cowgirl espresso is a bit more refined...something like today's Espresso bar. Coffee has been part of ranch and cattle drive culture for some time. (Yesterday we talked about mesquite coffee, which also has a long tradition in the Southwest U.S.)

These two bars were part of the company's Brooklyn Bonnie collection, and were adorned with drawings of girls from the wild west, many of them endowed with a cowgirl spirit.

Both were sweetened with coconut sugar and were made with 50% raw and 50% roasted cacao and had pleasing espresso and hazelnut aromas, respectively. Both bars had a creamy melt and had balanced (and complementary) flavors. (Eating them together was like enjoying a hazelnut latte.)

The Espresso bar contained small chewy bits of coffee. And the Hazelnut Butter bar had tiny bits of ground nuts, but were otherwise quite smooth.

Both had a pleasing finish as well.