Millcreek Cacao Roasters - Whiskey Infused Farm To Bar Dark Chocolate 78% Chuno Matagalpa, Nicaragua (bar) - Sept. 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Millcreek Cacao Roasters
Whiskey Infused Farm to Bar Dark Chocolate 78% Chuno Matagalpa, Nicaragua (bar)

Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 138 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Whiskey Infused Farm to Bar Dark Chocolate 78% Chuno Matagalpa, Nicaragua (bar) was from Millcreek Cacao Roasters (Salt Lake City, UT).

This single origin cacao (Nicaragua) bar comes with a special pairing recommendation for: Whiskey -- from High West Distillery (Park City, UT). The two Utah companies formed a bond over their mutual devotion to high-quality, delicious fermented offerings.

Aroma notes for today's 78% dark chocolate included: appealing rich, smooth dark chocolate, and faint, smokey-smooth oak, whiskey cask wood (almost smoked caramel/brown sugar).

Texture: initially very smooth, followed by some astringency (dryness)/rustic granularity in the middle and end of the taste. (This astringency was not spikey or objectionable to me, but may be noticeable to others.)

The chocolate had smooth, rich and balanced flavors and was relatively low in acidity and bitterness -- for a 78% dark chocolate.

This bar was infused with a subtle whiskey flavor by "aging the chocolate with charred barrel staves..."

I could imagine pairing this dark chocolate with the High West Distillery's Double Rye whiskey would yield an extra dimension of pleasing richness and roundness to this chocolate. (A possible pairing for future chocolate tastings.) However, just this bar all by itself would be a great tasting option for a dessert plate or fine meal.

Ingredients: "Cacao, Pure Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts and milk."

Intrigue Chocolate - Peru Ucayali Valley 78% Cacao (bar) - Aug. 24, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Peru Ucayali Valley 78% Cacao (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week; Day #1 of Chocolate, Beer & Hops Series.

Today's Peru Ucayali Valley 78% Cacao (bar) (Batch #000000090324) was from Intrigue Chocolate (Chisholm, MN).

Aroma notes for this bar included: cocoa, brown sugar, fruit (sweet fig and green apple) and faint malt.

Texture: relatively smooth stone-ground with a slightly astringent finish. 

Flavor notes included: rich dark chocolate, and fruity stout/beer/malt. While the flavors were rich, they were, at 78% cacao, not eclipsed by the higher cacao content.

I enjoyed the contradictions. The flavors were hearty, almost bold, but it was a well-rounded and balanced boldness. The fruit flavors (apple and plum with brown sugar compote) were rich and nuanced, almost fermented. Balanced, satisfying, stout-like flavors without an excess of acidity or bitterness, with just a little floral (green' apple + floral).

This would be an interesting chocolate to include in a flight of Peruvian chocolates and/or paired with beers/stouts. 

Maker's tasting notes: "This chocolate has flavors of tart green apple, fresh apple blossoms, and stout beer served on nitrous. It has low bitterness and astringency, but full-bodied chocolatiness."

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (None listed on label.)

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar) - Apr. 27, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co. 
Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Uganda Week.

Today's Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar) (Batch 000000022124) bar was made by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).*

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzori, Kisinga microlot). Harvest year: 2022.

Aroma and flavor notes included: a relatively faint aroma, but the dark chocolate (true chocolate-y) flavor was rich and satisfying as were the subtly complex secondary notes: mixed citrus (orange, kumquat, Meyer Lemon, candied pink grapefruit) marmalade, toasted nuts (Brazil nut, almond butter), dates; and very faint, very fleeting herbal-floral (almost jasmine).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a satisfying melt, with a very small amount of balanced dryness/astringency toward the finish.

I enjoyed the chocolate-y flavor and relatively subtle complexity in this bar and appreciated the opportunity to try this Kisinga Uganda cacao (micro-batch bar). I found myself leaning forward and going on a tasting treasure hunt through a tropical forest when I tried this chocolate.

The sweetness level (78% cacao) seemed like a good choice for dark lovers. The cacao had natural fruit sweetness (and well-balanced tartness, acidity, and characteristics of a fine Trinitario cacao). Less cacao and more sugar might retain a sense of citrus brightness, but mask some valuable/interesting flavor nuances.

Maker's tasting notes: "This origin yields chocolatey dense/rich flavors of baked dates, candied lemon and grapefruit peels, and almond butter."

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter. 

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: Intrigue may be relocating to Chisholm, MN soon. But, online orders will still be possible according to the owners.

Seahorse Chocolate - "Left Of The Dial" 78% (bar) - Feb. 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day 

Seahorse Chocolate
"Left Of The Dial" 78% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Seahorse Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Unique Chocolates Theme Week. Part of what made yesterday's and today's Seahorse Chocolate bars unique was the opportunity to experience how tasty well-executed cacao blends can be. That, and the references to music.*

Today's "Left of The Dial" 78% dark chocolate (bar) was created by Seahorse Chocolate (Bend, OR). The bar was made with a blend of cocoa(s) "from The Caribbean and The Americas."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, fruit (citrus, banana bread). Flavor notes brought a deeper dive into rich, creamy dark chocolate with balanced, tart lemon and sour cherry fruit notes.

I enjoyed the rich dark chocolate and tart fruit flavors in this 78% dark offering. The skillfully executed cacao blend with naturally sweet fruit notes (and the organic sugar choice) yielded a hearty sophisticated, dark chocolate, with a vibrant tropical soul--and that tasted more like a 70% chocolate.

Maker's tasting notes: "Reminds Us of: "Tart Cherry, Lemon Zest, Searching The Bins For Records Steeped in Obscure Deliciousness"

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans, Organic Sugar"

Allergen-related information: Vegan, Gluten Free 

*Years ago I featured a Chocolate and Music Theme Week on this blog. Many chocolate makers have more than one creative talent, and several either play (or played) an instrument, are (or were) in a band, or are keen appreciators or music -- often as they make chocolate. Music can deepen one's appreciation for nuances and layers of what can please the palette as well as the soul. 

Intrigue Chocolate - 78% Bolivia dark chocolate (bar) - Oct. 25, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
78% Bolivia Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's 78% Bolivia Dark Chocolate (bar) was made and distributed Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).

The 2021 (wild) harvest certified HCP heirloom cacao used to make this chocolate was from Tranquilidad Natural Forest Estate in the Bolivian Amazon basin. The maker describes these cacao trees as quite "tall and spindly, nestled among the forest giants..." with smaller cacao pods and brands that are nonetheless "packed with flavor."

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (dark ganache, torte), and very faint green floral and light paraffin/beeswax notes. 

Texture: Smooth with a very faint, fleeting astringency in the finish.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark ganache, torte), subtle sweet green, floral honey, and barely detectable wood, nut (coconut, blanched peanut) and cookie. (Note: there were no coconut or peanut ingredients.)

I appreciated the slightly floral notes and the inherent sweetness of the wild Bolivia cacao used to make this bar. The maker's choice of 78% cacao--a slightly higher cacao percentage (and slightly lower percentage of sugar) also made it easier to detect the subtle, attractive aroma and flavor notes that are more likely to be present with heirloom cacao(s).

Makers notes: "...aromas of chocolate sheet cake, clover hay bales, and aged firewood."

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, no dairy, no soy, no gluten."

U. Chocolate Corp. - " Intense Experience" 78% Organic Tree-to-Bar Dark (bar) - Feb. 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

U. Chocolate Corp.
"Intense Experience" 78% Organic Tree-to-Bar (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.58 oz. (45 g.) / 15.8 oz. (450 g.) total variety pack of 5 flavors (10 bars)

Calories: 163 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $29.99 for 1 variety pack of 10 bars (2 each of 5 flavors)
Purchased from: U Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's "Intense Experience" 78% Organic, Premium Tree-to-Bar, Dark Chocolate (bar) was made in Peru and distributed by U. Chocolate Corp. (Orlando, FL). It was part of a larger chocolate variety pack--one of five Peruvian (Amazonia) cacao U. Chocolate bars featured this week.

The bars were made that the company's "...organic farm in the Amazonia with a selection of our fine aroma cocoa varieties..." ("Grown, Harvested and Crafted with 100% plant-based ingredients by El Mejor Cacao del Mundo S.A.C. in our all-in-one facilities at Hacienda Umbelina, in the Peruvian Amazonia.")

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate with faint, fleeting sweet green and cookie notes.

I half expected this "Intense Experience" bar to be a real fire breather from start to finish. It wasn't. But this was made with some very special, nuanced cacao from Peru. So what would it taste like?

The initial texture was creamy smooth, and the taste started with true dark chocolate-y notes...

What happened next reminded me of a rare tropical bird that appears in the sunlight for us to admire. It was that kind of experience. The flavors didn't bloom, they gently but powerfully unfolded; and then slowly disappeared back into the jungle.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (initial light, sweet green, shifting to more bold, with well-mannered, balanced bitter, earth and yogurt, as well as diffuse, softly undulating/blooming fruit (red berry, very faint almost-cherry, fine red wine). And at the very end of a relatively long finish: a little tropical fruit (mango).

What I liked about this chocolate: 1.) the balanced cacao complexity from the beginning to the last note in the finish; 2.) it was part of a variety pack with an authentic and interesting range of single origin cacao flavors from Peru--that allowed me to experience unique Amazonia cacao; and 3.) this organic, gluten-free chocolate offered a sophisticated, nuanced tasting experience with just two ingredients.

Ingredients: "Cacao and coconut blossom sugar."

Allergen-related information: "Made Without Major Food Allergen Ingredients" 

*The packaging for U. Chocolate's Amazonia variety pack (of 5 different bars) was beautiful. Images included tropical birds and rainforest foliage. I love beautiful birds, forests and great chocolate. When a tasting experience can conjure up all three for me, all the better.

   

Bisou Chocolate - Silk Verapaz (Guatemala) 78% (bar) - June 3, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Bisou Chocolate

Silk Verapaz (Guatemala) 78% (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 bar

Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bisou, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Maya Empire Theme Week.

Today's Silk Verapaz (Vera Paz) (Guatemala) 78% (bar) was made by Bisou Chocolate (Oakland, CA). 

Bisou has been making single origin bars and chocolate truffles in Oakland for several years. The company's current offerings are made from cacao beans grown in Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua.

This four-ingredient dark chocolate bar was smooth in aroma, flavor and texture. It had hot chocolate, true chocolate, tart fresh fruit (mild nectarine, berry) and very faint earth and natural vanilla notes with a pleasant lingering dark chocolate finish.

Ingredients: cocoa beans, organic whole cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla

Chocolita - Strawberry Passion 78% raw dark chocolate bar - April 4, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolita

Strawberry Passion 78% Raw Dark Chocolate bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 140 calories (per label) in 1 bar

Cost: $4.59 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Strawberry Passion 78% Raw Dark Chocolate bar was made by Chocolita (Sedona, AZ). 

The company makes a series of raw, dark chocolate bars with herbs. The herbal ingredients in this Strawberry Passion bar were less off-putting than some can be, making for a more enjoyable tasting experience.

The gluten-free, vegan, fair trade, low-glycemic, chocolate was made with Arriba Nacional Ecuadorian Fino de Aroma Cacao and had a light strawberry fruit note. Attractive bits of strawberry could be found on the back of the bar.

Ingredients: cacao paste*, cacao butter*, coconut palm sugar*, strawberry*, maca*, damiana*, ashwaghanda*, passionflower*, vanilla*, sea salt

Chocolita - Moontime Rose 78% - March 28, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolita 

Moontime Rose 78% raw dark chocolate

Good 

Weight: .625 oz. (17.5 g.) / 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $4.59 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Moontime Rose 78% raw dark chocolate was from Chocolita (Sedona, AZ).

The company offers several dark bars that "utilize chocolate as a medium for delivery of herbs."

The blend of ground pink rose petals, chocolate and herbs* in this bar were designed to help balance hormones. Like other Chocolita bars sampled this week, today's raw, dark chocolate bar had a slightly bitter medicinal aroma and flavor.

The rose flavor appeared as a nice aftertaste, but was largely overshadowed in the beginning by chocolate and herbs.

The base dark chocolate was made with organic, fair trade, stoneground, Arriba Nacional Ecuadorian Fino de Aroma Cacao. The gluten-free, vegan bar was sweetened with coconut sugar and also contained a hint of vanilla.

Ingredients: Stone-ground heirloom cacao, coconut sugar, maca, Vitex, valerian, vanilla, cramp bark, sea salt

Chocolita - Lavender Dreamtime 78% - March 27, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolita

Lavender Dreamtime 78% bar

Good +

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar

Calories: 140 calories (per label) in 1 bar

Cost: $4.59 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Lavender Dreamtime 78% raw dark chocolate bar was made by Chocolita (Sedona, AZ). The company specializes in eco-friendly, exotic chocolate products.

This gluten-free, paleo bar was made with heirloom fair trade cacao, and had a slightly bitter medicinal aroma atop a dollop of lavender fragrance. The chocolate had a buttery melt and true lavender and smooth dark chocolate flavor.

Some people find lavender to be both relaxing and invigorating. We're told today that "you'd never know there is also gotu kola and mugwort added to assist is more vivid and memorable dreams. Let lavender carry you towards relaxation and restful slumber."

I did sleep well after eating this bar.

Ingredients: cacao*, coconut palm sugar*, vanilla*, sea salt, lavender*, mugwort*, gotu kola*
*certified organic

Chocolita - Blueberry Lotus 78% bar - March 26, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolita 

Blueberry Lotus 78% bar

Good 

Weight: .625 oz. (17.5 g.) / 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar

Calories: 70 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $4.59 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA  

Welcome to Day #4 Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Blueberry Lotus 78% bar was handcrafted by Chocolita (Sedona, AZ). The company, founded by Sarah Ann Lesslie, offers an interesting line of raw chocolate bars, some with exotic, botanical or floral ingredients.

This attractively packaged, gluten free and vegan dark chocolate bar was made with heirloom Arriba Nacional, fair trade cacao from Ecuador and other organic ingredients* including kava and blue lotus essential oil.

Chocolita bars are made with sweeteners, such as coconut sugar, that score lower on the glycemic index than processed, white (cane/beet) sugar. This chocolate had a slight medicinal aroma. However, the thin bar had a relatively pleasant coconut sugar and chocolate flavor. It had a smooth melt, and an almost soft, crunchy chew. (Note: there was some signs of "bloom" on this bar. This is not unusual when a bar is shipped across the U.S. and occasionally goes through different storage and temperature conditions; it did not seem to affect the flavor.)

The pleasant coconut sugar + chocolate flavor lasted most of the tasting experience. (There was a hint of earthy blueberry and a delayed herb/very slightly bitter plant aftertaste that kicked in several seconds after. That is the trade-off with some novelty inclusions. Fortunately, chocolate blends well with most mix-ins.

If you're interested in chocolate history and about the gods and goddesses who were often associated with cacao in the Americas, visit Chocolita's website. Scroll down on Chocolita's "About" page for a nice summary.

Ingredients: cacao paste*, cacao butter*, coconut sugar*, lucuma*, blueberries*, vanilla*, kava*, passionflower*, Himalayan pink salt, Blue Lotus essential oil. (A "*" denotes an organic ingredient.)

Zokoko - Guadalcanel Solomon Islands bar - Feb. 22, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Zokoko Artisan Chocolate

Guadalcanal - Solomon Islands bar

Good ++

Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 223.8 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $16.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Village Market, Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Enchanted Islands and Pirates Theme Week.

Today we're on a virtual journey, paying a visit to the South Seas to sample a Guadalcanal - Solomon Islands* 78 percent cacao dark bar from Zokoko Artisan Chocolate (Emu Heights, Australia).

This luxuriously packaged bar was made of four ingredients: cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter and sunflower lecithin.

The chocolate had a rich fragrance and dark chocolate flavor, with roasted coffee and cream notes.

*The Solomon Islands, located east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu, consist of six major islands, including Guadalcanal—and hundreds of smaller islands.

Dick-Taylor - 78% Vietnam Tien Giang bar - Mar. 26, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dick-Taylor
78 percent Vietnam Tien Giang bar
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

Cacao growing regions in Vietnam lie to the south, in the Meking River Delta area. The cacao beans for today's single origin bar were grown in the Tien Giang Province, just north of the Mekong.

The Limited Release 78 percent Vietnam Tien Giang 78 percent dark bar from Dick Taylor was a 2017 Good Food Awards Finalist; and it contained a well-balanced, delicious mix of flavors.

Adam Dick (Owner and Head Chocolate Maker) described this bar has having a "complex blend of spice and nuts notes. " Tasting Notes printed on the packaging listed: spice cake, apricot and almond butter.

I also smelled and tasted spice cake—the kind of rich buttery spice cake that had been baked until it was caramelized around the edges. There was a mix of bright, tart, sweet-sour fruit (apricots, golden raisins, sour cherry yogurt and orange marmalade). I also noted a very faint hint of well-balanced earthiness and a faint, pleasant green note.

This bar was delightfully complex and very well executed with a pleasing, lingering finish.

With all these flavors, it may surprise some to read that there were only two ingredients in this bar: cacao and organic cane sugar.