Kakoa - 76% Cacao Pichucalco, Chiapas, Mexico (bar) - Mar. 31, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
76% Cacao Pichucalco, 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 #15 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 76% Cacao Pichucalco, Chiapas (bar) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate with a very slight botanical or fruit sharpness and bitterness--think cranberry, pomegranate, some dark berries, black currant--but with green and tropical fruit top notes (red dragon fruit), and barely detectable plant/wood.

The flavors were relatively bold, but well balanced, and resolved into an appealing and unique dark chocolate that was relatively smooth with a satisfying finish.

Texture: smooth with faint astringency (although not as much as I would have thought given the initial aroma).

I enjoyed these unique fruit flavors and the long fruit finish. 

And I appreciated the short list of (just two) quality ingredients, including single origin Mexican cacao from Chiapas--and the information about the cacao farm(ers) who cared for this cacao--the Vila Contreras family. The following is a brief translated description: 

The biodiversity of the hacienda with howler monkeys, ocelots, coatis and other animals plays an important role in supporting the equilibrium of the ecosystem, converting it into the ideal environment for the organic production of cacao.

Rafael and his family have been producing cacao for more than 35 years in Hacienda Napana, located in Pichucalco, Chiapas  (near the border with Tabasco, in southeastern Mexico).

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.)

 

Juan Choconat - Chocolate Oscuro 76% Cacao Sin Tostar (Unroasted) (bar) - Jan. 16, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Juan Choconat
Chocolate Oscuro 76% Cacao Sin Tostar (Unroasted) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 138 calories in 1/2 bar (per label)
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Elebar Snacks, online order

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

Today's Chocolate Oscuro (Dark Chocolate) 76% Cacao Sin Tostar (Unroasted) (bar) was made by Juan Choconat SAS (Ibague, Tolima, Colombia) and imported by Elebar Snacks LLC (with locations in Illinois and Clearwater, FL).

The bar came with an illustration of the cacao farmer (Alirio Restrepo) complete with a scannable code about his story. (Each bar in this shipment provided similar information for different cacao farmers in Colombia.) 

Today's bar (and others in this order from the same company) also came with an additional backstory, and footnotes at the end.

Spoiler alert: I ordered several Jaun Choconat bars online that were made in Colombia (via an importer) in Aug. 2025 -- when new U.S. tariffs on many imported goods became effective. Not a good time to order chocolate made outside the U.S. They arrived months later.

Aroma and flavor notes for this 76% ("creole" hybrid Colombian) cacao bar included: surprisingly gentle, chocolate-y, dark chocolate with appealing, soft, diffuse fruit (stone fruits, pear and barely detectable banana) and some fainter notes (maybe light lemon or citrus, faint green bean, faint wood) that I could barely taste.

The gentle flavors with criollo cacao-based chocolates. It was absolutely more balanced and less bitter (or acidic) because of the cacao; and the makers used unroasted cacao (to preserve nutrients and more delicate flavors present in heritage, criollo cacaos). There were also no harsh/burnt notes that can sometimes result from over-roasting.

Texture: Broke with a snap and had a fairly creamy melt and smooth texture. 

This order was held up due to newly enacted tariffs* and associated paperwork last August, and was likely allowed to sit in a warm place -- based on the mottled, bloomed appearance. This can happen very quickly if chocolates sit in the hot sun on a loading dock somewhere too long. Delays during the transportation process (loading/unloading/storing) can really impact product quality.

However, I was surprised and delighted that today's bar still broke with a snap and had a very nice smooth melt and mouthfeel. And the flavors were wonderful. (The packaging for each individual bar had remained sealed.)

The makers used only two ingredients (no added cocoa butter) to coax out these lovely, authentic cacao flavors.

Ingredients: Unroasted cacao nibs and unrefined cane sugar (panela).

Allergen-related information: "May Contain Traces of Fruit, Milk or Nuts."

*New U.S. tariffs went into effect in April and August 2025 that affected imported goods from other countries.  

Importers and shippers were struggling to adhere to new requirements--about the time I ordered several Juan Choconat bars in August 2025 (peak transition/confusion time). The chocolate bars arrived -- months later.

Fortunately, lawmakers realized that the U.S. grows less than 0.0001% of all the world's cacao-approximately 179 acres in Hawaii and 100 acres in Puerto Rico. We import most of our cacao from other countries so U.S. chocolatiers and chocolate makers can make chocolate; U.S. workers can keep their jobs; and customers can find their favorite chocolates on shelves or online.

The cacao tariffs were lifted a few months later, in Nov. 2025. (Although certain tariffs remained on West African cacao (where most of the world's cacao is grown.)

Throughout this period of volatility, I wondered how the 2025 changes affected cacao farmers outside the U.S. I don't know. (As of today, every Juan Choconat bar that I ordered in August 2025 was "sold out" online.) 

"Sold out" can mean many things. A company is struggling to meet demand for high-quality products that are in short supply; a company is taking a break from making chocolate; a company is thinking about whether to continue to make chocolate; etc. Fingers crossed.

Pump Street Chocolate - "The Fermentation Project" Tulloch Estates, Jamaica 76% Limited Edition - June 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Pump Street Chocolate

"The Fermentation Project" Tulloch Estates, Jamaica Ltd. Ed. (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 197 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $10.50 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Limited Edition 76% "The Fermentation Project" bar--created using cacao beans from Tulloch Estates (farm) in Jamaica--was crafted by the bakers and chocolate makers at Pump Street Chocolate (Suffolk, UK).

This chocolate had a very attractive, complex botanical aroma, with notes that included: tea (iced green tea with maple syrup), very faint, light aromatic (pipe) tobacco, very faint fresh baked bread, very faint wood (and woody nut) notes, and naturally sweet plants, roots and fruits (maple, maca lucuma, sweet carrot/yam, vanilla bean, purple grapes/raisins, mangosteen).

The relatively thick bar had a hearty, smooth texture with a very slight fruit/tea/clean mineral astringency; but this "dryness" or granular/puckery mouthfeel (as you might encounter in pomegranates, persimmons and certain berries) did not interfere with the enjoyment of this unique and special chocolate. 

The 76% dark chocolate also had a trace of light, balanced dark bitterness (think chocolate stouts), which came to forefront more the second day after it had been opened, perhaps after some of the more volatile aroma bouquet notes mentioned earlier had faded.

What makes this chocolate unique? A "sourdough-style starter" was added to newly harvested cacao beans to "kick-start and equilibrate" the fermentation process. (Not surprisingly to hear that the Pump Street chocolate makers (who are bakers and bread makers as well) looked into this.) Given the interesting results, perhaps we'll see more special fermentation projects in the future.

I love botanical flavors and I thank the farmers, fermenters and makers for their attention to detail and for enabling, highlighting and preserving so many subtle chocolate flavors in this bar.  

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans, cane sugar and organic cocoa butter (minimum cocoa solids 76%)."

Allergen-related information: "We also handle dairy, gluten, nuts and seeds on the premises."

 

Madhu Chocolate - Vanilla Fennel 76% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Madhu Chocolate
Vanilla Fennel 76% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in total bar
Calories: 169 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.29 (estimate) for 1 bar (Paid $65.00 for a 7-bar order)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of India Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Vanilla Fennel 76% Cacao Chocolate (bar) was from Madhu Chocolate (Austin, TX). The flavors in this small batch, bean-to-bar dark chocolate were India-inspired. And the cacao was sourced by the owners (Elliott and Harshit) from the Tumaco region of Colombia. (The company also sources cacao from India.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, vanilla and licorice spice.

The well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and the texture and melt were pleasing and smooth.

Flavor notes included undulating waves of sweet vanilla and licorice that tapered down to expose a smooth dark chocolate stretch, followed by a clean finish. 

The dark chocolate was bold and fruity enough to be interesting and to stand up and sing with the flavor additions. (It was not obscured by sugar and spices.) However, there was enough harmonizing going on that it was difficult to pick out which notes belonged to the underlying cacao.

There were some fainter, more delicate green and floral notes in the background. It was difficult to know if these flavors were part of the Colombian cacao or the Madagascar vanilla, or both.

The maker's choice of 76% cacao for the dark chocolate base seemed just right to me. Anything less than 70% would have seemed too sweet I think, given the natural sweetness of the vanilla and fennel.* And this choice allowed the chocolate to really come through.

This flavorful, complex blend of flavors helped wake me up this morning. Ready to start the day now! 

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic fennel seed, organic Madagascar vanilla

Allergen-related information: (Vegan. Gluten free.) "Prepared in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy."

*Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) a much loved plant in other cultures, is considered an invasive weed where I live in California. It loves the Mediterranean climate here. But it's invasive with benefits...Every part of this naturally sweet, licorice-flavored plant is edible: seeds, pollen, fronds (feathery "leaves"), stems and roots (bulb). Candy-coated fennel seeds are used as a digestive or as a flavor addition to cookies/sweets as well as savory dishes. Birds, ladybugs and swallowtail butterflies love it too. Unlike other aggressively spreading plants, like ivy or bamboo, I can also enjoy this plant in a variety of foods, beverages...and chocolate.

 

Raven Rising - 76% Tanzanie Dark Chocolate and Red Plum (bar) - Dec. 6, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Raven Rising
76% Tanzanie Dark Chocolate and Red Plum (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.71 oz. (105 g.) (estimate) in total bar
Calories: 280 calories in 50 g. piece of bar (approx. 1/2 bar)
Cost: $13.75 (+ shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raven Rising, via invoice 

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Weeks.

Today's 76% Tanzanie Dark Chocolate and Red Plum (bar) was from Raven Rising (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada). Chief chocolatier, Chef Tammy Maki, uses chocolate(s) from Barry Callebaut for her creations. 

This beautiful dark bar was adorned with colorful (deep purple shading into magenta), thick, luscious (freeze-dried) plum slices. Aroma notes for this thick chocolate bar included very subtle dark chocolate and fragrant, spiced plum notes. 

Flavor notes included: hearty, smooth, dark chocolate and delicious, tart-sweet, ripe plum. 

Ingredients: "Tanzania 75% (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, natural vanilla flavor), Freeze-dried plum (black doris plums)."

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy."

Askinosie Chocolate - The Zeke Bar - 76% Chinchipe Ecuador (bar) - June 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Askinosie Chocolate
The Zeke Bar - 76% Chinchipe, Ecuador Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 2/3 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Askinosie.com, online order

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

Today's "The Zeke Bar" 76% Chinchipe, Ecuador dark chocolate (bar) was from Askinosie Chocolate (Springfield, MO).

Aroma: dark chocolate (fudge brownie), roasted coffee and faint green (orchid) notes.

The melt and texture were thick and smooth.

The flavor notes were very similar to the aroma and included dark chocolate (fudge brownie), and light roasted coffee and green notes. Well-executed, hearty, satisfying dark chocolate flavor. 

The smooth boldness was almost surprising for the cocoa variety listed (Criollo)--that is often thought to be limited to shy and delicate flavors.

"The Zeke Bar" origins

Askinosie founder and CEO, Shawn Askinosie, explained the bar's origin this way: "We partnered with Zeke Emanuel, chocolate aficionado and healthcare policy expert (and guest chocolate maker), to create this dynamic limited edition criollo chocolate bar." (The cocoa farmer was a 70-year old woman named Leonor.)

Askinosie founder and CEO, Shawn Askinosie, has been doing business with farmers in countries of origin (including Ecuador) for many years. Images of these cacao farmers on packaging and mentions of farmer(s) by name have been the rule, not the exception.

The cacao used to make this bar was grown in southeastern Ecuador.

Ingredients: Chinchipe (Ecuador) cocoa beans (Criollo), cocoa butter (made in our factory with single origin cocoa beans), Organic cane sugar, Organic Sucanat cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also processes milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat." 

 

Blanxart - Organic Dark 76% Brazil bar - Oct. 24, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Blanxart
Organic Dark Chocolate 76% Brazil bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31.25 g.) / 4.4 oz. (125 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $8.95 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Village Market store, Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of South American Chocolate Theme Weeks.

Today's Blanxart (BB Chocolate Grup, S.A) Organic Dark Chocolate Brazil bar was made in Spain.

The cacao used to make this 76% cacao dark bar came from a plantation in the Amazon rainforest in the Brazilian state of Para.

Most will find this bar quite agreeable, with even, smooth true chocolate flavor and a hint of vanilla.

The chocolate was described as having "a flavor of roasted hazelnuts, with hints of licorice, vanilla and lemon." The vanilla and sugar mellowed the citrus note into a light lemon chiffon. The roasted hazelnut* flavor wasn't readily apparent; but, oddly, I did detect a very faint hint of roasted licorice.

*Ingredients: This single origin, organic 76% dark chocolate bar was made with four ingredients: cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla. There were no hazelnuts or nut ingredients listed.