Moksha - Cordyceps & Lion's Mane 80% Dark Chocolate + Chocolita - Morning Matcha with Lion's Mane White Chocolate (bar) - June 29, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Moksha
Cordyceps & Lion's Mane 80% Dark Chocolate 
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (15 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 90 calories in 1 package
Cost: $6.00 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Far West Fungi, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Chocolita
Morning Matcha - Raw White Chocolate with Matcha & Herbs 59% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .416 oz. (11.6 g.) / 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 83.3 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $7.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

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

Moksha Chocolate - Cordyceps & Lion's Mane 80% Dark Vegan Chocolate

Today's main attraction was a Cordyceps & Lion's Mane Functional Mushrooms in 80% Dark Vegan Chocolate (square) manufactured (from cacao bean nib-to-bar) by Moksha Chocolate (Boulder, CO). 

Aroma notes included: smooth, sweet cacao chocolate with warm spices (cinnamon), lucuma (butterscotch, vanilla).

Texture: hearty, yet smooth texture and mouthfeel, with a satisfying melt.

Flavor notes included: intense and chocolate-y (balanced, ultra-dark, fudge brownie); diffuse warm sugar and spices (from the cacao and coconut sugar); and mushroom (very faint earth, wood, umami).

This 80%er was full of authentic, quality flavors, with medium acidity and relatively moderate bitterness for an ultra-dark chocolate.

I appreciated the bold, balanced and well-executed flavors, and the short list of ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Nibs, Coconut Sugar, Dried Mushrooms (Cordyceps & Lion's Mane)

Allergen-related information: (None found on label of small package.)

Chocolita - Matcha White Chocolate with Lion's Mane (bar)

Today's second mushroom bar--the "Morning Matcha" Raw White Chocolate with Matcha, Herbs (& Lion's Mane) (bar) from Chocolita (Sedona, AZ)--was a mushroom chocolate pairing with Moksha Chocolate's 80%er. 

Both offerings contained lion's mane mushrooms and both companies are focused on plant-based chocolates; but the two bars were, otherwise, quite different. 

Moksha's ultra-dark 80% dark chocolate (above) had a hearty intensity; and this sweeter white chocolate was infused with gentle matcha tea, a touch of vanilla, and other flavor inclusions.

But, instead of a light ivory hue, today's bonus "white" chocolate bar was a rich, dark green-khaki color.

Aroma and flavor notes included: gentle green tea notes, subtle vanilla--and a background blend of herbal (and Lion's Mane) flavor additions. (I could not really taste the mushrooms.)

Texture: relatively smooth; the added tea, herbs, flavorings and mushroom(s) were fully incorporated

I appreciated the use of coconut sugar, that made this sweet bar seem less sweet and "buzzy" (than a white cane sugar version might have been).

Ingredients: *Cacao Paste, *Lucuma, *Coconut Sugar, *Matcha, *Maca, *Cinnamon, *Lion's Mane, Sea Salt, *Vanilla. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut. "Made In A Facility That Processes Tree Nuts."

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.

Mashpi Chocolate - Chocolate Bar 80% Cacao (bar) - Oct. 7, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mashpi Chocolate 
Chocolate Bar 80% Cacao
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Choiba Agroforestry Products, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Bar 80% Cacao (bar) was made by Mashpi Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador); and imported and distributed by Andean Ecocrafts, LLC (Reno, NV).

The Ecuadorian Nacional Cacao variety used to make this bar was "Cacao Nacional Fino de Aroma" grown in Ecuador.

Aroma and flavor notes for this 80% cacao chocolate included: rich, dark, (chocolate-y) chocolate with  sweet green (botanical, almost floral), diffuse tropical fruit (cacao fruit pulp) and balanced, slightly woody/nutty, toasty cacao nibs. It had a pleasant, clean finish with a very faint, doubly dark chocolate cookie/brownie--made with brown sugar--taste.

Texture: smooth, chocolate-y texture. 

Relatively low in bitterness and acidity, this dark chocolate was full of balanced cacao flavor(s) and gentle complexity. 

I enjoyed tasting both yesterday's Mashpi 80% bar with unroasted cacao (which had more nuanced sweet green, maybe a little clay and less nutty/toasty notes) as well as today's 80% bar made with (roasted) cacao. 

Today's bar had a flavor profile similar to Mashpi's dark chocolate bar with cacao nibs, but with a smoother texture. (The nibs were fully ground/incorporated in this version.) I found this Ecuadorian cacao (and this batch/lot) to be very friendly and tasty.

I appreciated the short list of (just two!) authentic and quality ingredients; as well as the company's thoughtful commitment to and practice of regenerative agriculture.

Ingredients: "Cacao mass, raw sugar cane"

Allergen-related information: (None listed on the package that I could see.) 

*The vast majority of the world's chocolates are made with roasted cacao, so you'll rarely see the word "roasted" mentioned on the packaging or list of ingredients (because it's assumed the cacao was roasted). Happily a few makers include information on cacao roast profiles. (Usually said makers have experience roasting coffee, or have customers who appreciate these details).

Mashpi Chocolate - Unroasted Chocolate Bar 80% Cacao - Oct. 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mashpi Chocolate 
Unroasted Chocolate Bar 80% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Choiba Agroforestry Products, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Bar with Unroasted Chocolate Bar 80% Cacao (bar) was made by Mashpi Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador); and imported and distributed by Andean Ecocrafts, LLC (Reno, NV).

The cacao variety used to make this bar was "Cacao Nacional Fino de Aroma" from Ecuador.

Aroma and flavor notes for this 80% unroasted cacao chocolate after first opening the inner wrapper included: smooth dark chocolate with fruit (tropical fruit - mango, cacao fruit, light date), followed by assorted botanical, green notes; and very light marshmallow/mallow and mild nut/seed. These flavors evolved over time. The sweetness, lighter, fruitier and green notes lessened and the classic dark chocolate flavor came to the forefront.

Texture: smooth textured, with a light (fruit/green) astringency toward the finish. This faint astringency turned slightly less astringent slightly more (balanced) light bitterness over the next few hours.

I expect that most 80% dark chocolates will be more intense (harsh, acidic or bitter) in flavor (than 60-70% cacao percent chocolates). However, certain heritage cacao varieties have a milder profile. Today's bar was not too acidic or bitter and, at least initially, was full of botanical complexity and natural sweetness.

Why unroasted? Some find unroasted cacao milder than roasted cacaos. More delicate floral and other notes may be better preserved. Others like the nutritional benefits: higher levels of anti-oxidants (polyphenols, flavanoids) are conserved with less processing/heating.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to taste this 80% unroasted cacao bar. And I look forward to comparing this bar with the company's 80% (roasted) cacao (bar) tomorrow.

I also appreciated: the short list of authentic and quality ingredients; and the company's commitment to sourcing cacao from farmers who practice regenerative agriculture.

Maker's tasting notes: "...many dark chocolates are considered bitter, our 80% Cacao bar is exceptional..."

Ingredients: "Cacao mass, raw sugar cane"

Allergen-related information: (None listed on the package that I could see.)

Xocolatl Chocolate - 80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) - July 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl Chocolate 
80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

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

Today's 80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) was made from bean to bar from Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma notes included: rich (drinking) chocolate, and very faint salt and pepper.

Texture: smooth, almost creamy texture

Flavor notes included: rich drinking chocolate (with faint red berry and vanilla), and subtle salt.

I liked the chocolate-y, subtle richness and balance.

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Sea Salt, Vanilla (* organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan)."

Zotter Chocolates - Labooko Colombia Dark Chocolate 80% (bars) - Sept. 18, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter Chocolates US LLC
Labooko Colombia Dark Chocolate 80% (bars)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in package of two bars
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: zotterusa.com, online order

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

Today's 80% Colombia Dark Chocolate 80% (bar), from Zotter USA (Fort Myers, FL) was made in Austria. 

Zotter offers a wide range of filled (hand-scooped) chocolate bars as well as a Labooko line of single origin chocolate bars--made with fair trade and organic cacao.

Both feature the colorful illustrations of art director Andreas H. Gratze. Images for the Labooko line are often inspired by real people in cacao growing countries; whereas the images on the filled bar line are more whimsical.

Aroma notes for this two-ingredient bar included: robust dark chocolate (strong cocoa, and faint tart citric green (oxalis)).

Texture: smooth with an even, pleasant melt. 

Flavor notes included: bold dark chocolate (earth, roasted cacao) with medium, balanced acidity. The bitterness level was not too high, despite the relatively bold, earth and roasted notes. 

Zotter uses a roasting method that employs a fine mist of water (to cool the temperature). This helps make the roast "softer" and "brings out the aroma."

I enjoyed tasting more cacao (80%) and less sugar (20%), and the fact that they used brown sugar as well.

Ingredients: Cocoa Mass**, Dark Brown Cane Sugar**, Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Butter** (** = Organic, Fair Trade)

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on equipment that processes Tree Nuts, Milk, Soy, Peanuts and Sesame."

Castronovo Chocolate - Colombia Arhuacos 80% Ancestral Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 16, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Castronovo Chocolate 
Colombia Arhuacos 80% Ancestral Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Castronovo, online order

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

Today's Colombia Arhuacos 80% Ancestral Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Castronovo Chocolate (Stuart, FL).

The maker included a message (on the packaging) from a spiritual leader of the Arhuacos, Katansama, Colombia. "...listen to the...wind, water and the ancestral cacao from our forest. They ask you to protect Mother Earth and to be mindful" about changes to nature. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate (ganache, mousse); subtle fruit (very faint, soft peach) and caramel; and barely detectable, fleeting chalk/grain (rice, oat straw) and sweet green/green floral. The 80% dark chocolate was relatively smooth, with a subtle astringency (drying effect).

I liked the very gentle, wide ranging complexity in this ultra-dark bar that is found almost exclusively in/with heritage/Criollo variety cacaos (or in this case ancestral cacao).

This 80% cacao chocolate had a mild to medium acidity, was low in bitterness and had the sweetness level of a 70% bar.

Maker's tasting notes: "...subtle flavors of white wine, orange blossom, honey, clover and an elegant rich creaminess."

Ingredients: "cocoa beans, cane sugar*, cocoa butter* (* = organic ingredients)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a nut-free facility that uses milk and wheat."

Qantu - Tresor Cache - Edition Limitee 80% Chocolat Noir Cacao Sauvage - July 25, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Qantu 
Tresor Cache - Edition Limitee - 80% Chocolat Noir Cacao Sauvage (tablette)
(Hidden Treasure - Limited Edition - 80% Dark Chocolate Wild Cacao (bar))
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 135 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $52.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

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

Today's Tresor Cache Limited Edition 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Qantu* Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes for this rare bar included: complex, mild dark chocolate (cocoa) with notes that were buttery** and diffuse and included very faint tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, cacao, white grape); spice (barely there ginger, orchid/saffron floral); clean mineral; and very, very faint green botanical and fruity nut.

This relatively pale, warm brown-hued bar had a soft, buttery, fudge-like texture, melt and mouthfeel. 

The soft, subtle buttery and hidden fruit flavors were particularly remarkable for an 80% dark chocolate bar. These milder flavors and traits are associated with Criollo and heritage/"white" cacao beans--but this was very low in acidity, bitterness and bolder/roasted flavors.

I felt very fortunate to taste this rare Peruvian (Selva Central) wild cacao-based chocolate. I hope that high-priced bars like this one ($52.99 (USD)) encourages buyers to take time to enjoy this bar s-l-o-w-l-y. A big part of the enjoyment for me was detecting new, very subtle flavors in almost every bite.

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter"

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

*Founders Elfi and Maxime named their chocolate company Qantu (pronounced Kantu) -- also the name for the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. We can thank them for sharing rare, wild cacao from Peru with chocolate fans around the globe.

**There were no butter/dairy ingredients in this bar; but I was reminded of unsalted butter in the aroma, flavor and rich, smooth texture. 

Stone Grindz - Almond Butter & Black Lava Salt 80% Cacao (bar) - Feb. 22, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Stone Grindz
Almond Butter & Black Lava Salt 80% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 175 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 + shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Stone Grindz, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Salt Week. Day #3 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week. 

Today's Almond Butter & Black Lava Salt 80% Cacao (bar) was from Stone Grindz (Scottsdale, AZ). This small-batch chocolate maker offers a variety of single origin bars and chocolates with flavor inclusions.

The makers at Stone Grindz have been consistently churning out great small batch, bean-to-bar chocolates (bars and confections), including single origin bars and bars with flavor inclusions. The cacao used to make this bar was from northern Madagascar.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, almond butter and very faint fruit (berry, very faint date).

This almond butter bar had a very appealing creamy, almost buttery, melt and texture.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate fully blended/integrated with nut (almond) butter; the salt was very subtle. The end result was an enjoyable, mellow, creamy and subtly nutty chocolate that seemed rich and well-behaved for an 80% cacao dark chocolate; i.e. it was low in acidic and/or bitter notes.

The barely detectable, diffuse fruit (berry) notes from the Madagascar cacao also complemented the roasted almonds (butter) nicely.

"Maker's tasting notes and description: "Notes of silky almond butter, sea salt"..."An 80% dark chocolate ground with freshly roasted almonds (and) black lava salt. This bar is so silky and smooth you would never know it's an 80% dark!"

Ingredients: Cacao*, Cacao Butter*, Cane Sugar*, Roasted Almonds*, Sea Salt. (*Organically Farmed)

Allergen-related ingredients: (Contains nuts, almonds) "Soy Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan"

Dick Taylor - Limited Release 80% Dark Peru Piura Blanco (bar) - Feb. 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Dick Taylor
Limited Release 80% Dark Peru Piura Blanco (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Peru Week.

Today's Limited Release 80% Dark Peru Piura Blanco (bar) was made by Dick-Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka, CA). The cacao used to make this single origin bar was from the Puerto Pulache Community Cooperative in northeast Peru.

After tasting raw (100%) cacao White Piura (Piura Blanco) Peru cacao beans earlier this week, I was looking forward to tasting a dark chocolate made from similar cacao. I was expecting relatively delicate, nuanced flavors with red fruit/red apple notes. 

This 80% chocolate Piura Blanco bar went boldly beyond that expectation, and illustrated how significant roasting, conching and other maker choices can be.

Aroma notes included: roasted ultra-dark chocolate with medium fruit acidity and very faint green (nut, tea, wood) notes. 

I highly recommend letting this chocolate breathe a little after you open the inner wrapper, and re-tasting after it's been opened for at least 30 minutes. More subtle notes emerged in aroma and flavor. After this package was open for 30 minutes, the deep chocolate (fudge) note(s) came forward, and the heavy roast aroma seemed to recede a bit. 

And after 45 minutes there were some pleasant, faint gingerbread chocolate and other notes (botanical, sweet green) in the aroma. It's worth the wait to enjoy the complexity. The finish seemed to grow longer (or notes in the finish became more detectable) as well. Not quite a shape-shifter bar, but close!

Flavor notes included: bold 80% cacao ultra-dark (dark roast), deep chocolate-y, followed by a significant blush of tart apple (fruit acidity) and charcoal (at least initially), and ending with a relatively mellow/sweeter (floral, date, caramel) finish with smaller upticks of tart fruit (apple). (Later there were also very faint red wine notes in the finish as well.)

Maker's tasting notes: Aroma: Fudge; Flavor: Crisp Apple; Finish: Dates.

Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar* (*Organic)

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

Gnosis Chocolate - "Eighty Nibs" Limited Edition 80% Dark Raw Chocolate w/ Raw Cacao Nibs (bar) - Jan. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Gnosis Chocolate
"Eighty Nibs" 80% Dark Raw Chocolate w/ Raw Cacao Nibs (Madagascar) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 139 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Gnosis Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Cacao Nibs Theme Week. 

Today's "Eighty Nibs" Limited Edition 80% Dark Raw Chocolate with Raw Cacao Nibs (Madagascar) bar was from Gnosis Chocolate (NYC, NY). The company worked with Francois Pralus (chocolaterie in France) to obtain the only raw cacao nibs available from Madagascar.

Aroma notes included: dark smooth chocolate with very faint dried fruit, light brown sugar, and fleeting smooth aromatic tobacco and sweet green.

Texture: a pleasing blend of creamy and crunchy 

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (chocolate-y, ultra dark fudge brownie) that was relatively mellow (low in acidity and bitterness) for an 80% dark chocolate + cacao nibs--with some of the same nuanced notes as the aroma notes mentioned above. 

Raw chocolate can taste more mellow (less roasted) and less processed--because it is. Some more volatile notes (e.g. easily lost with heat) and some nutrients may be better preserved using raw cacao. 

That said, raw chocolate is the exception in chocolate sales. Some prefer roasting and roasted flavors. Roasting and processing times can vary tremendously in chocolate making; and a maker's choices will depend on a number of factors, including the cacao source, variety, fermentation results, flavors (present and potential/possible), etc. 

What I liked about this bar: 1.) smooth, ultra-dark rich flavor; 2.) thoughtfully made raw chocolate; and 3.) well-balanced blend of cacao flavors and textures.

Ingredients: "80% raw chocolate* (raw cacao beans*, coconut sugar*), raw cacao nibs, Love. *organic"

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

Hawaiian Wildflower Honey Chocolate Dessert Series - #1 - 80% Dark, Coconut, Sweet Lemon, Mangosteen - Jan. 14, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Hawaiian Wildflower Honey Chocolate Dessert #1
80% Dark Chocolate, Sweet Lemon, Mangosteen
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total small dessert
Calories: 245 calories (estimate) for 1 dessert
Cost: N/A - many sources
Purchased from: N/A - multiple sources

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week--into which I'm inserting a series of small (homemade) chocolate desserts floating in Hawaiian Wildflower Honey.*

Today's Hawaii Honey dessert #1: An 80% dark chocolate square with toasted coconut was set in a small pool of Hawaii Honey flavored with sweet lemon (Citrus limetta) rind and mangosteen** fruit (freeze-dried powder).

The Hawaii honey and sweet lemon rind were particularly bright and wonderful flavors, and both complemented the 80% dark chocolate very nicely. The coconut flakes were very subtle, as was the mangosteen powder. (Bits of fresh mangosteen would have been more flavorful, but they're hard to find where I live.)

*In past years I created a series of small, "shot glass" chocolate desserts. Each of them was designed to have memorable, layered flavors and to fit into a (1.5 - 2 oz.) shot glass. 

This week's series highlights small desserts with big flavors, made with Hawaiian Wildflower Honey from Chico Honey (Chico, CA). The company sources honey from their hives in California, Hawaii and Montana. Chocolate and flavor inclusions were layered atop a tiny pool of this delicious Hawaiian honey.

**Mangosteen has been called the "Queen of Fruits." First cultivated in Southeast Asia, this purple hued small fruit with an ivory-colored center tastes like a blend of fruits: lychee, strawberry, peach, mango. Like cacao fruit pulp, it can evoke memories of other tropical fruits while still maintaining its own essence.

Guido Gobino - Indonesia 80% disks - Dec. 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Guido Gobino 
Indonesia 80% pieces/disks 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 4.41 oz. (125 g.) total package of 25 pieces
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 5 pieces
Cost: $18.50 for 1 package of 25 pieces
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Indonesia (single origin) 80% individually-wrapped chocolates were from Guido Gobino (Turin, Italy). 

Happily, this family-owned, bean-to-bar maker offers smaller, high-percentage cacao, single origin, chocolates from different countries--including today's small (5 g.) disks made with Indonesian cacao. (Not all small chocolates are sugary, rather bland confections.)

Aroma notes for these individually-wrapped small disks included: aromatic dark chocolate; fruit (dark cherry); and woodsy earth (very faint, balanced peat/loam).

Texture: well-tempered (broke with a snap); smooth melt and mouthfeel--with a bit of faintly crunchy, ground cacao nib/bean fibers; and an almost invisible astringency in one or two bites (that may show up when you combine this chocolate with other foods).

Flavor notes included: rich, extra dark chocolate; very faint, dark/dried fruit (cherry); very faint, fleeting butter; very faint woodsy earth (peat, loam); and very faint, fleeting lemony-green herb (oxalis).

These chocolates were enjoyably complex, well-executed, robust and dark, and were not too sweet. (Thank you!)

Bar and Cocoa tasting notes: "...fragrant and intense, with notes of dried fruit and cocoa"

Ingredients: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter; Cocoa 80% minimum

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk, hazelnuts, soy

 

Good King - "Love" Fragrant and Warm Spices Snacking Cacao - Oct. 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Good King
"Love" - Fragrant and Warm Spices Snacking Cacao
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $0.00 (free with purchase of other items (Thank you Zak's) 
Purchased from: Zak's Chocolate (online order) 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Pumpkins and Warm Fall Spices.

Today's Good King "Love" Fragrant and Warm Spices Snacking Cacao was manufactured by Cocoa Future SPC (Seattle, WA).

Aroma notes for this 80% cacao bean-based snack included: freshly baked (warm) spiced molasses cookie; vanilla; and faint cacao.

Texture: crunchy, gently fibrous, whole cacao beans were coated with sugar, cacao butter and warming spices. This coating added a gently sweet, buttery, gently textured, coating that complemented the bean's cocoa essence.

At the center of this snack were 100% cacao beans from Honduras. These beans were caramelized and coated with warm spices (sugar, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and cacao butter)--bringing the overall cacao percentage for this snack down to 80%.

Flavor notes alternated between these aromatic and engaging warm spices and authentic crunchy cacao beans.

This "Love" Snacking Cacao offered authentic and warm spice flavors, gentle complexity, and an opportunity to taste whole cacao beans--the true source of all chocolate. And, best of all, this snack was not overly sweet. (Thank you!). 

Sadly, this mix is sold out at the moment.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans,* Cane Sugar,* Vanilla Extract* (Vanilla Bean Extractives* In Water, Alcohol*), Cinnamon,* Salt, Nutmeg,* Cloves,* Cardamom,* Cacao Butter.* (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that processes gluten." 

 

Peter Beier - D80GHA Ghana Dark 80% (bar) - Sept. 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Peter Beier 
D80GHA - Ghana Dark 80% (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 1.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.12 (49,50 DKK) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Peter Beier (shop), Copenhagen, Denmark

Welcome to Day #4 of Scandinavian Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's D80GHA Ghana Dark 80% (bar) was from Peter Beier Chokolade A/S (Helsinger, Danmark). 

The cacao bean variety(ies) used to make this ultra-dark chocolate were: "West African Amelonado/Criollo/Trinitario"

Aroma notes included: mellow dark chocolate with very faint green, cookie, and butter notes.

The texture was very creamy, almost silken, and smooth.

Flavor notes included: bitter, sweet roasted chocolate and faint butter. This pronounced bitter note in today's chocolate will not be for everyone; but it was interesting to try.

Maker's Taste Profile (notes): "Intense roasted cocoa, coconut, dusty and a bitter aftertaste."

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (soya lecithin), natural vanilla aroma. 82.6% cacao solids.

Allergen-related information: (Can contain traces of milk or nuts.)

Monsoon Chocolate - Bejofo Estate Madagascar 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Bejofo Estate Madagascar 80% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 136.4 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Bejofo Estate Madagascar 80% Dark Chocolate (Batch #15) bar was from Monsoon Chocolate LLC (Tucson, AZ).

The cacao used to make this chocolate was grown on an estate in Madagascar. The "Bejofo Estate is an organic cacao orchard that is part of the larger Akesson Estate in northwest Madagascar's Sambirano Valley. Managed by Bertil Akesson, who has specialized in growing fine cocoa, pepper, and other spices for many years, Bejofo Estate produces 300 tons of cocoa a year. The cocoa has been designated as certified "Heirloom" by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Initiative (HCP)."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate; faint, freshly baked bread, gingerbread; fruit (tart-sweet green grape), and very faint "refreshing" clean mineral.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (ganaches); tart-sweet (acidic) tropical fruit (mango, kiwi, cacao fruit (pulp), pineapple, citrus) that peaked, and then receded. The relatively long finish featured rich cocoa (drinking chocolate) relatively notes.

This flavorful, fruity chocolate's natural fruit sweetness made this chocolate seem more like a 74% cacao than an 80% cacao bar. 

Each year I look forward to featuring "new" Madagascar chocolates for a week and tasting the fruit flavors that they're known for. And, like today's 80%er from Monsoon Chocolate, many (if not most) of the best single origin Madagascar bars I've tasted in the last 20 years have been crafted from cacao grown on the Akesson Estate in the Sambirano Valley. 

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (*Certified Organic)

Allergen-related information: "There is no gluten or animal product added to this bar; however, it is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, dairy, nuts, and soy"

Karuna Chocolate - Date Sugar Dolcificante Ai Datteri Dark Chocolate 80% (bar) - June 15, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Karuna Chocolate 
Date Sugar Dolcificante Ai Datteri Dark Chocolate 80% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 154 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Date Sugar Dolcificante Ai Datteri Dark Chocolate 80% (bar) was from Karuna Chocolate (Velturno, Belzano/South Tyrol, in northern Italy).  

The cacao used to make this bold dark chocolate was from Oko Caribe in El Cibao Region, Duarte Province, in north central Dominican Republic.

Aroma notes included: bold dark chocolate and very faint dried fruit (date and very faint caramelized dried, green banana), and very faint brown sugar.

The chocolate had a creamy, thick melt and smooth texture.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (deep, dark fudge, subtle earth, roasted cacao), faint dried fruit, and very faint sparkles of clean mineral water and barely there dark, bitter stout and dark roasted nuts. Instead of being sweetened with cane sugar, the maker(s) chose to use date powder, giving it a very faint date/brown sugar flavor. 

This made "without added sugar" ultra-dark bar had a balanced bitterness, and a relatively subtle fruit acidity.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, date powder*, cocoa butter*; Cocoa min. 80% (* certified organic)

Allergen-related information:  "It may contain traces of nuts."

Karuna Chocolate - Dominican Republic Dark Chocolate 80% (bar) - June 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Karuna Chocolate 
Dominican Republic Dark Chocolate 80% (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 157 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Dominican Republic Dark Chocolate 80% (bar) was from Karuna Chocolate (Velturno, BZ/South Tyrol, in northern Italy).  

Aroma notes included: pleasing dark chocolate (dark rich cocoa), subtle dried fruit (plum) and faint brown sugar.

This 80% bar, made with cacao grown in the Dominican Republic, had a creamy smooth melt and texture.

Flavor notes included: deep, rich dark chocolate (cocoa, fudge brownie), balanced stone fruit (plum, nectarine) acidity, very light sweet green, brown sugar, and very faint ale/porter, soft earth and fleeting warm spice, nut, and clean mineral water.

I really enjoyed this satisfyingly complex ultra-dark chocolate. It had very balanced, mild bitterness, and a wonderfully nuanced bouquet of single origin cacao and raw sugar notes.

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans*, raw cane sugar*, cocoa butter* (Cocoa min. 80%) (*certified organic)"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts" 

Ethereal Chocolate - Organic 80% Dominican Republic (bar) - May 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate 
Organic 80% Dominican Republic (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.13 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 167.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

Today's Organic 80% Dominican Republic (bar) was from Ethereal Chocolate (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma and flavor notes for this 80% cacao bar were almost the same and included: dark chocolate, red fruit (berry, cherry, red apple), wood (cedar) and faint nut.

The single origin, two-ingredient chocolate had an enjoyable aroma and flavor, and a relatively granular texture/astringency over the last two-thirds of each bite.

This ultra-dark chocolate was well-balanced, with relatively low bitterness and a sophisticated, natural fruit sweetness/brightness for an 80%er. The fruit acidity was not too strong, and the sweetness level was good (not too sweet, not too bitter).

Maker's tasting notes: ..."cherry, fig, and citrus"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar* (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made on shared equipment with peanuts and tree nuts."

Palato Chocolate - 80% Cacao Dark Chocolate (Honduras) (bar) - Mar. 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate
80% Cacao Dark Chocolate, Honduras (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Palato Hand Crafted Chocolate 80% Cacao Dark Chocolate, Honduras (bar) was manufactured and distributed by Palato S. de R.L. (Tegucigalpa, M.DC., Honduras).

Aroma notes for this two-ingredient chocolate included: subtle but flavorful dark chocolate; diffuse fruit (dried pear, white wine grape, golden raisin, almost undetectable sweet pineapple and mango); and very faint savory earth and fermentation notes (when the sealed, inner package was first opened).

This 80% chocolate broke with a snap, initially had a smooth melt and texture, and then there was an uptick in fruit astringency. This granular dryness was enough to tickle the throat, although it diminished in the finish.

The relatively fruity ultra-dark chocolate had a very slight, fleeting fermentation funk (wine, cheese)--that dissipated (along with some of the fruit notes) after leaving the freshly opened chocolate on a plate to breathe for a few hours. In its wake a tamer, very faint dark chocolate coconut cookie note joined the fruit notes that remained.

The flavors described above were balanced, and fairly mild for an 80% dark chocolate. Low in bitterness, this bar was generous in its subtle, complex fruit notes, but not too sweet. 

This two-ingredient bar would be interesting to try for dark chocolate fans, and one to include on a dessert (fruit and cheese) plate.

Ingredients: Cacao nibs and sugar

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