Stoked Chocolates - Japanese Whiskey Caramels - Aug. 6, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Stoked Chocolates
Japanese Whiskey Caramels
Good ++ 
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 2 oz. (48 g.) in total box of 6 caramels 
Calories: 73 calories (estimate) in 2 caramels/pieces
Cost: $16.00 + shipping
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week, including bars and chocolate confections flavored with spirits.

Today's Japanese Whiskey Caramels were from Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes for these golden-hued, dome-shaped chocolate confections included smooth, dark chocolate outer shells (chocolate-y, dark ganache) filled with gentle but flavorful whiskey-infused caramel filling. These caramels were well-balanced and subtly, boozy-sweet with a satisfying, warm whiskey and chocolate finish.

Texture: The firm chocolate outer shells had a very creamy dark chocolate melt. And the soft, silken caramel fillings were light, almost delicate; i.e., they weren't too heavy or stiff.

I enjoyed the well-executed flavors and texture; the small size of these chocolate caramels; and the packaging. (The illustration of the octopus on the outside of the box was very nice.) These caramel-filled confections would make a very nice gift.

Ingredients: (No ingredients listed on label); contact company for more information

Allergen-related information: Contact company for more information

Stoked Chocolates - Dark and Milk Chocolate Sand Dollars - July 20, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Stoked Chocolates

Dark Chocolate Sand Dollar - Cocoa Nibs + Sea Salt
Good ++
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) in one packet/sand dollar
Calories: 50 calories in 1 sand dollar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger, multi-item gift set 
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Milk Chocolate Sand Dollar - Rainbow Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds
Good ++

Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) in one packet/sand dollar
Calories: 50 calories in 1 sand dollar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger, multi-item gift set 
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Dark Chocolate Sand Dollar - Raspberry
Good ++
Weight: .32 oz. (9 g.) in one packet/sand dollar
Calories: 45 calories in 1 sand dollar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger, multi-item gift set 
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week(s) -- featuring a variety of chocolates with tie-ins with water, that include cacao origins linked with bodies of water (oceans, lakes, rivers); chocolate fish, fishing and surfing themes; as well as chocolate sea shells and boats.

Today's three Dark and Milk Chocolate Sand Dollars with three different flavor inclusions were the creations of Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA).

Each of today's three, individually-wrapped, packets held a different flavored chocolate Sand Dollar, and they were all quite tasty. If we could forage sand dollars like this, the world might be a happier place.

Aroma, taste and texture for all three were well-balanced and flavorful. The chocolate was chocolate-y. A bit of added vanilla added warmth (to all three).

#1 Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Vanilla), Cacao Nibs, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: Contains: Soy. "Processed in a Facility That Contains Nuts"

#2 Ingredients: "Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Powdered Whole Milk, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds (Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor, Whole Milk, Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier), and Vanilla); Sunflower Kernel; Sugar; Titanium Dioxide (Food Grade); Gum Arabic; Tapioca Dextrin; Carnuba Wax; Natural Food Colorings (Vegetable Juice, Caramel))"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Processed in a Facility That Contains Nuts"

#3 Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Vanilla), Freeze-Dried Raspberries"

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. "Processed in a Facility That Contains Nuts"

Stoked Chocolates - Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 19, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .66 oz. (18.6 g.) / (2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $0 for 1 bar (part of a $50 gift set of 4-bars, already accounted for in last entry)

Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. 

Today's Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (made in Hermosa Beach, CA). 

The company offers several surf-themed chocolates, including at least 4 different "longboard" (surfboard) shaped bars. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's dark chocolate longboard included: smooth dark chocolate; light vanilla and bright red berries (strawberry, red raspberry) -- the latter three being identifiable by its light and crunchy texture, from bits of sweet, ripe, freeze-dried berries.

I enjoyed the packaging* and the longboard (surfboard) design* (complete with a spattering of berry-hued colored decor) of this chocolate bar; the blend of chocolate-y dark chocolate; and fresh-tasting crunchy red (organic) that harmonized very well together. The vanilla added a spark of joy, and the tiny ripple of Pacific sea salt balanced the sweetness. 

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries, Freeze-Dried Raspberries, Sea Salt, Natural Colorants."

Allergen-related information: Contains Lactose (milk sugar). Made in a facility that processes nuts.

*The outer packaging artwork was by Amanda Davidson; and the longboard bars were "shaped by Barahona Surfboards" (another, revered, hand-crafted business in Hermosa Beach, CA). 

Chocolate and surfing both have a long history in California. Longboard surfing from Hawaii was first demonstrated in Southern California around 1907. (Prior to that in the late 1800s, three Hawaiian princes had surfed in Northern California, in Santa Cruz, on custom redwood boards.) By the mid-1900s, the art of hand-crafting surfboards in the Golden State was well underway. And Barahona Surfboards has 85 years of experience in this business.

The first major chocolate business in California was arguably The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in Northern California during the Gold Rush, and Guittard not long after, followed by See's, and many other chocolate makers and chocolatiers over the years. 

Stoked Chocolates - Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 18, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .66 oz. (18.6 g.) / (2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $50.00 for 4-bar Gift Set

Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. 

Today's Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA). The company offers several surf-themed chocolates, including at least 4 different "longboard" (surfboard) shaped bars. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; light vanilla and sea salt; chocolate-y cacao nibs, puffed quinoa and popping candy -- the latter three being identifiable by their festive textures.

I enjoyed the packaging*, the longboard shape* of this chocolate bar and the blend of chocolate-y and crunchy ingredients that harmonized very nicely together. The sea salt balanced the sweetness. 

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Puffed Quinoa, Lactose (milk), Corn syrup, Carbon Dioxide, Cacao Nibs, Sea Salt, Natural Colorants."

Allergen-related information: Contains Lactose (milk sugar). Made in a facility that processes nuts.

*The packaging artwork was by Amanda Davidson, and the longboard bars were "shaped by Barahona Surfboards" (a crafted-by-hand local maker--and repairer--of longboards) in Hermosa Beach, CA)

Choco Del Mar - Hazelnut Noir 65% Cocoa (bar) - July 11, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Choco Del Mar
Hazelnut Noir 65% Cocoa (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 3/5 bar - 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 168 calories in 3/5 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Choco Del Mar, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week.

Today's Hazelnut Noir 65% Cocoa (bar) was from Choco Del Mar (Los Altos, CA). 

Where's the "water" connection? The company's name contains a reference to the sea (del mar = of/on the sea); the company's mascot is a chocolate-loving sea otter named Cleo; and the packaging was adorned with an image of a dolphin leaping out of the water with (if I'm not mistaken) a cacao pod balanced on its nose.

Inspired by classic Italian gianduja, this 65% chocolate tasted dark--a bit darker than 65%--but smooth. The fully ground (and seamlessly incorporated) hazelnuts added a relatively subtle nutty flavor without muting the dark chocolate.

There seemed to be less sugar/less sweet hazelnut paste in this chocolate than you might find in most gianduja confections and bars. (Either that, or the single origin cacao(s) used had an inherently stronger, darker flavor; or both these comments could be true.) Either way, as a dark chocolate lover, I found that refreshing.

Texture: smooth, rich dark chocolate 

I also appreciated the short list of just three ingredients. (Thank you.)

Ingredients: Cocoa Nibs, Cane Sugar, Hazelnuts

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Hazelnuts) "Made in a facility that processes milk, nuts, and other common allergens."

Sama Delights Truffles - Lavender and Cardamom truffles - Apr. 16, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sama Delights Truffles
Lavender truffles
Good++
Weight: .918 oz. (26 g.) for two truffles

Calories: 145 calories (estimate) for 2 truffles
Cost: $3.69 each x 2 = $7.38 total for two truffles

Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Lavender truffles were created by Sama Delights Truffles (Pacific Grove, CA). 

I found these at the Xocolatl Garden in Carmel, California -- a shop one enters via an arched pathway facing onto a secret garden--in a beautiful seaside community blocks away from a white sand beach on the Pacific Ocean, not far from where these truffles were created.

Aroma and flavor notes included: authentic lavender and chocolate and very faint coconut butter. 

Texture: outside was a humble truffle that you might find in the woods (slightly oblong with a dusting of cocoa); and the inside was very luxurious and perfectly creamy chocolate ganache, with a dreamy melt.

This was a true truffle. I loved the authentic and balanced lavender and the creamy texture.

Ingredients: No ingredients list or allergen list was included. These were sold by the piece in a small display case.

Kessho - Black Sesame White Chocolate (bar) + Purple White Tea & TCHO - Dark & Salty 81% Cacao (bar) - Sept. 21, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Kessho Craft Chocolate
Black Sesame White Chocolate - Lightly Roasted Sesame (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .945 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.9 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 169 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: Part of a set ($60 for 4 bars + tea coins)
Purchased from: Kessho, online order 

TCHO
Dark & Salty 81% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight:  1.625 (46 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total pkg. of 3 bars
Calories: 240 calories in 2/3 package
Cost: $5.39 for 1 bar (member discount)
Purchased from: Sports Basement, San Francisco, CA

West China Tea Company
Black Rain Shu P'uer Tea (tea coin)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .25 oz. (7 g.) in 1 tea coin
Calories: 5 calories (estimate) in 1/2 tea coin (1 mug of tea)
Cost: $60.00 for a larger order (set) of 4 bars + 8 tea coins (may no longer be available)
Purchased from: Kessho, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Tea Week.*

Today's two bars were paired with tea from West China Tea Company (Austin, TX).

The sweetness of today's Black Sesame White Chocolate from Kessho Chocolate was complemented very nicely by an inky dark brown (black) p'uer tea--in the form of an individually-wrapped tea "coin" (that was part of a larger gift set of 4 different Kessho chocolate bars + 4 different West China Tea coins/teas. This set was distributed by Kessho, LLC (Austin, TX).

This collaboration was joined by a Dark & Salty 81% Cacao bar from TCHO (Berkeley, CA).

Kessho - Black Sesame White Chocolate (bar) + tea

The black sesame seeds (sourced from India) were ground together with cocoa butter and salt.

Aroma and flavor notes included: black sesame seeds in a creamy base with faint, buttery umami and salt.

Texture: buttery, and relatively smooth.

The suggested pairing with Black Rain Shu P'ureh tea was great. The rich, inky brown tea was excellent, and surprisingly versatile. It provided rich satisfying flavor; and its slightly tannic, balanced bitterness complemented both the sweet white chocolate sesame seed bar and the TCHO Dark & Salty bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Black Sesame, nuts, cream and sea salt"

Ingredients: "Cocoa butter, sugar, whole milk powder, skim milk powder, black sesame seed, salt"

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk and sesame seeds...Made in a facility that processes tree nuts, wheat and eggs" 

TCHO - Dark & Salty 81% (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark, fudge-y chocolate with a very light dose of vanilla and sea salt.

Texture: very smooth; dense and hearty flavor and texture.

I enjoyed this hearty, chocolate-y, dark chocolate with balanced, extra dark flavors. It was an 81% cacao bar that had the rich smoothness of a 72% cacao bar.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans**, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter**, Pink Himalayan Salt, Vanilla Beans* (* Organic; ** Fair Trade Certified)

Allergen-related information: "May contain tree nuts."

Little Green Cyclo - Specialty Vietnamese Coffee Plant-Based Mocha beverage - Oct. 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Little Green Cyclo
Specialty Premium Vietnamese Coffee - Plant-based Mocha (beverage)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 3.75 fl. oz. (111 mL) / 7.5 fl. oz. (222 mL) in total container/can
Calories: 45 calories in 1/2 can
Cost: $3.99 for 1 can
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Vietnam Theme Week. 

Today's Mocha plant-based beverage was from Little Green Cyclo (Brisbane, CA). The company, founded in 2010, has built a following around their Vietnamese food in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 2019, the company started gearing up to add new coffee flavors. Happily for us, they weathered the economic changes the Covid-19 pandemic presented and now offer delicious Vietnamese (plant-based) coffees to enjoy.  

Speaking of weather, today was another in a series of 90+ degrees F. (32.2+ C.) days. So this refrigerated coffee/mocha was extra refreshing.

This Mocha coffee beverage was designed to "serve chilled or over ice." Being colder, the aroma notes were a bit more subtle, but still conveyed an attractive rich coffee, cream, and very faint coconut mocha cream scent.

Flavor notes for this mocha beverage included: Rich aromatic coffee (made with robusta and arabica coffee grown in Vietnam), and mocha-light coconut cream.

One can contained a hefty 200 mg of caffeine. Being sensitive to caffeine, I enjoyed a (smaller) 1/2 can portion, even though I would've been delighted to have more.*

Texture: light and creamy (almost fluffy)**. The coconut milk seemed lighter than dairy cream/condensed milk one might usually find. Vegetable gums also contributed to the texture. Shaking the can before opening is recommended. ("Refrigerate after opening. Some coconut milk separation is natural."). I didn't find this to be an issue.

Flavor notes included: rich and satisfying iced coffee + coconut (milk + cream) + chocolate powder (Guittard) with a smidge of vanilla. This drink was made with high-quality ingredients. I enjoyed the highly complementary and subtly complex flavors--and the fact that this mocha wasn't too sweet. 

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Milk (Coconut Cream, Water), Coffee (Filtered Water, Robusta & Arabica Coffee), Coconut Condensed Milk (Coconut Cream, Filtered Water, Cane Sugar, Guar Gum, Sea Salt), Guittard Chocolate Powder (Cane Sugar, Cocoa, Unsweetened Chocolate, Vanilla), Gum Acacia, Gellan Gum, Himalyan Pink Salt, Nitrogen

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut. Manufactured in a facility that uses dairy and tree nuts. Vegan, Gluten Free

*Vietnamese coffee is typically made with robusta (or mostly with robusta) coffee, which has more caffeine than arabica coffee. As the name suggests, robusta coffee beans also provide robust and intense flavor. I liked the choice to include a blend of robust and aromatic (arabica) coffee beans from Vietnam.

** This can of coffee contained a small amount of Nitrogen (released with a tiny whisp of aerosol when the can was opened) that can create a smoother (textural) tasting experience. Nitrogen can also help preserve flavors (slow down/prevent oxidation process).

Becca's Petites - Chocolat Noir Bouchees (Snack Mix) - Sept. 8, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Becca's Petites
Chocolate Noir Bouchees (Snack Mix)
Good ++
Weight: 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total package
Calories: 460 calories in 1 package
Cost: $7.75 USD for 1 package 
Purchased from: Napa Farms Market, SFO Airport, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week. 

Today's Becca's Petites "Chocolate Noir Bouchees" Snack Mix was manufactured by Gourmecca Kitchen LLC (Marin, CA). 

Note: This is the second of two dark chocolate items featured today. (See previous post for information on Equal Exchange's Organic 92% Cacao Total Eclipse Transcendently dark bar.)

The crunchy texture of these (gluten free, dairy free and vegan) small, granola-like, snack pieces--or bouchees ("mouthfuls")--was interspersed with upticks in creamy dark chocolate and slightly softer, rich nut bits.

This rich, almost crispy-crunchy mix had authentic, chocolate and very light coconut and nut flavors. It was satisfying, and slightly addictive--while only mildly triggering the "more-ish" sugar/salt snack threshold. (It was sweetened with coconut and apple juice; and very lightly seasoned with sea salt.)

Ingredients: Almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate (cane sugar, cacao beans*, cocoa butter*, sunflower lecithin, vanilla), almond butter, coconut chips, apple puree, apple juice concentrate, coconut nectar, cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, sea salt. ("No GMOs.") (* Fair Trade)

"Allergen Warning: Almond, Walnut, Coconut. Made in a facility that handles milk chocolate."

Mutari Chocolate - Venus Spirits Rye Whisky-Brown Butter (truffle) - Dec. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Mutari Chocolate
Venus Spirits Rye Whisky-Brown Butter (truffle)
Good +++
Weight: .49 oz. (14 g.) (estimate) in one truffle
Calories: 73 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 truffle

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

Today's flavorful Venus Spirits Ry Whisky-Brown Butter craft chocolate truffle was created by Mutari Chocolate (Santa Cruz, CA).

During a recent visit, the company's factory + shop (retail) location was offering a dozen different single origin chocolate bars, both traditional (dairy) and vegan confections (craft chocolate truffles); baked goods; and drinking chocolates.

Today's truffle infused with whisky (from Santa Cruz neighbor Venus Spirits) had a subtle but rich and attractive aroma. 

A gold accented, dark chocolate shell was filled with a balanced, boozy, creamy soft chocolate ganache with a light touch of savory (brown butter and salt). Warning, these truffles are mildly addictive.

Ingredients: (Not available on truffle assortment box ID card). Elements identified by name: Venus Spirits Rye Whisky, brown butter

Allergen-related information: (no label; but identified as containing dairy)

Andy's Orchard - Chocolate Apricot - Nov. 27, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Andy's Orchard

Chocolate Apricot

Good ++

Weight: 1.2 oz. (33.96 g.) (estimate) in 1 package

Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 package

Cost: $3.00 for 1 package

Purchased from: Andy's Orchard, Morgan Hill, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Weeks. 

Today's Chocolate Apricot was from Andy's Orchard (Morgan Hill, CA).

This dark chocolate covered Blenheim apricot had aroma notes that included: coffee, earthy dark chocolate and very faint honey sweet-tart fruit and biscuit/cookie.

The plump, moist and sweet Blenheim apricot contributed authentic apricot tart-sweet, stone fruit flavor with rich, faint honey-floral notes. The smooth, dark chocolate couverture complemented the sweetness.

This also evoked childhood memories of eating chocolate covered (California-grown) apricots and prunes. 

Ingredients: Dried Blenheim Apricot (prepared with sulfur dioxide), and dark chocolate 

Allergen-related information: (none listed on small label))

Cove Chocolate - Lemon Lavender 39% Milk Chocolate (bar) - July 5, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cove Chocolate
Lemon Lavender 39% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (75 g.) (per label) in total bar
Calories: 352 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: All About The Chocolate, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Lemon Lavender 39% Milk Chocolate (bar) was created by Matilyn Thompson, founder of Cove Chocolate (Monterey, CA).*  

I normally prefer dark chocolate. But, the balanced, natural lemon citrus and lavender floral flavor inclusions and aromas in this thick, creamy and sweet milk chocolate bar swept us off our feet--as did a California coast day trip that led to finding this relatively new chocolate.

A friend and I found Cove Chocolate bars in a shop (called "All About The Chocolate") in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea last month (June)--after a walk at Point Lobos, a nearby California State Park with trails that take you by wind-swept cypress trees and clumps of wildflowers, and offer views of turquoise waters and ocean coves at the bases of rugged cliffs.

Ingredients: "Cane sugar, cacao beans, whole milk, cocoa butter, non-fat milk, soy lecithin, vanilla beans, natural lemon oil, organic lavender."

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy, milk; traces of nuts possible"

*Thompson transitioned to being a home-based chocolate producer (Certified Cottage Food Operation in Monterey County) in part due to changes during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

We're grateful her decision led to this lovely lemon lavender flavored bar that evoked memories of iced lavender infused lemonade or lemon lavender ice cream. This fruit and floral flavor duo is great for summer, or any time of year.

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - Golden Gate Bridge Dark Chocolate (bar) - April 3, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
Golden Gate San Francisco Organic Dark Chocolate (bar with) Almonds
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

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

Today's Golden Gate San Francisco Organic Dark Chocolate (bar with) Almonds was from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates (Petaluma, CA).

The packaging bore the image of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, located about 39 miles from Sjaak's.

This bar had a nice, smooth texture, slightly slow melt and creamy mouthfeel. The dark chocolate flavor was smooth without being boring, with a fleeting hint of upbeat spice (cinnamon) and vanilla.* Almond bits added some nutty texture.

*Note: This bar contained vanilla, but no cinnamon.

Farm Supply Company - Cowboy Chocolate Bar - Sept. 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Farm Supply Company
Cowboy Chocolate Bar
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4.5 oz. (127 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) of bar
Cost: $3.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Supply Company, San Luis Obispo, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cowboy Country Theme Week.

Today's Cowboy Chocolate bar was made for Farm Supply Company (San Luis Obispo, CA), a farmer-owned cooperative that has catered to Central Coast farm, home and ranch needs for more than six decades.

The Farm Supply Company store in San Luis Obispo (one of several locations on the central coast) was filled with cowboy hats and all kinds of outdoor farm and ranch gear. In the parking lot, we paused to look at some large wagons and windmills. This farm supply store (established in 1950) was the real deal.

I walked out with a sturdy green feed bucket, a sample packet of mealworms (marketed for chickens)* and an orange bandana...and three chocolate items.


Make no mistake about it, today's milk chocolate bar with toffee and slivered almonds had a pleasant milk chocolate and toffee aroma, and was also very sweet.

*Yes, there are chocolate covered mealworms, but these were not for personal consumption. For those who are curious, these mealworms were used as a visual aid, in a children's science class on micro creatures and bugs. Thank you to Farm Supply for letting me have a small sample packet of these, as a 5-pound bag would have been overkill for this city dweller.

White Label Chocolate - Ecuador Costa Esmeraldas 100% bar - Nov. 11, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

White Label Chocolate
Ecuador Costa Esmeraldas 100% bar
Good
Weight: .57 oz. (16.25 g.) / 2.29 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 86 calories (estimate) in 1/4 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate House and Factory, Santa Cruz, CA

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

Today's White Label Chocolate Ecuador Costa Esmeraldas 100% Cacao bar was purchased at Mutari Chocolate House and Factory (Santa Cruz, CA).

This bar was more savory than sweet. It did have a fleeting fudge note, and relatively balanced bitterness all the way through that alternated with some sharper fruit acidity.

There were also very faint spice (cumin, caraway), buttermilk and salty notes in this chocolate. For those trying to get away from sweet flavors on the chocolate tasting wheel, this may be your bar.

This chocolate might be an interesting ingredient in (or shaved over) other (savory or sweet) items (mole sauce, brownies, salt caramel ice cream, pumpernickel bread and stout).

Fleeting Floral
I have many memories of 65% to 75% Ecuador bars with subtle floral and green notes. However, this week has been filled with ultra-high percentage bean-to-bar chocolate made from cacao grown in Ecuador. (Five of seven bars contained greater than 90% cocoa, including one 102% bar (with nibs)—a new high percentage record for an individual bar.) So, there was only a fleeting aroma or taste of floral or green notes this past week.

Floral notes are also some of the most delicate and volatile, and may disappear during a prolonged conching (grinding of beans into chocolate) process.

The differences in aroma and flavor notes of course are also the result of the farm (terroir), fermentation, roasting, and many decisions made when crafting chocolate from bean to bar.

California Sungold Pistachios - Chocolate Cherries - June 21, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

California Sungold Pistachios
Chocolate Cherries
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 7 oz. (198 g.) in total package
Calories: 190 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 bag/package
Purchased from: CVS/pharmacy, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Cherry and Berries Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Cherries were from California Sungold Pistachios (Oakhurst, CA).

Under the glossy, cherry-colored shell of these confections, white chocolate and milk chocolate surrounded a dried cherry center that maintained some natural cherry flavor and dried cherry texture.

Chuao Chocolatier - Salted Caramel Dreamin' bar - Jan. 8, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Chuao Chocolatier
Salted Caramel Dreamin' bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Salted Caramel Dreamin' bar from Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad, CA) was true to its name.

The milk chocolate bar was a blend of smooth, salty and crunchy— with bits of caramel toffee* and sea salt crystals commanding a good deal of the flavor and texture attention.

I would call this more of a toffee; however, sometimes the boundary between caramel and toffee is a thin one.* I've tasted caramels that ranged from soft and flowing to stiff enough to yank out fillings, and toffees that ranged from shards of crunchy brittles to chewy squares.

This bar was part of the company's California Collective series of milk and dark chocolate bars blended with California-inspired flavor inclusions.

*The caramel toffee bits contained cane sugar, butter (pasteurized cream, salt)

British toffees may be more likely to contain brown sugar or molasses, whereas American toffees are likely to be made with the more flavor-neutral white cane sugar, said to better highlight the buttery flavors. Caramelized sugar is enjoyable in many forms.

Chuao Chocolatier - Sea Salt Surf dark bar - Dec. 2, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chuao Chocolatier

Sea Salt Surf dark chocolate sea salt bar

Good - Good +

Weight: .93 oz. (26.6 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar

Calories: 147 calories in 1/3 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and California Dreaming Theme Week.

The Sea Salt Surf dark chocolate sea salt bar from Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad, CA) was made with Fair Trade Certified cacao and gluten free* ingredients. It was also Kosher Certified.

"Chew, wow, chuao**, giggle, sweet and desire." Those were the six words etched into six squares (1/3 bar). There was one word per square, so you could pick a few and create your own expressions.

The chocolate had a relatively complex, but balanced flavor profile, with subtle green, salty leather, sweet dark chocolate and nutty aroma and flavor notes.

The bar broke into pieces with a good snap, mostly along the scored lines; and the chocolate had a creamy even melt and a relatively mellow finish with a light trace of salt.

Chuao Master Chocolatier and Chef Michael Antonorsi is living the California dream. Originally from Venezuela, he fell in love with California in college and, after culinary school in Paris, returned to the state and made it his home. "From paddle boarding with my daughters to enjoying the sunset and a glass of wine with my wife, the spirit of the golden state is all around me," he notes.

*There were no gluten free ingredients in this bar; however, the chocolate was manufactured in a facility "that uses milk, soy, tree nuts and wheat on shared equipment."

**The town of Chuao is located near the northern coast of Venezuela. Chocolate lovers will recognize it as an area that is famous for its fine flavored cacao. If you meld the two English words "chew + wow" together, the result is close to the Spanish pronunciation of the word "chuao."

Chocolino - Double Dark Chocolate 55% bar - Dec. 1, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

"Artfully Crafted for Chocolino"
Double Dark Chocolate 55% Cacao bar
Good - Good+
Weight: 2.14 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 330 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.15 for 1 bar
Purchased from: CVS Pharmacy, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and California Dreaming Theme Week.

Today we head south to the Central Valley (Fresno, CA) where today's Chocolino* La Dolce Vita Double Dark Chocolate 55% Cacao bar had its origins.

While not mentioned on the packaging (and despite the somewhat confusing "Artfully Crafted for Chocolino" tagline), I believe G. Debbas Chocolatier, a private label manufacturer with a shop in Fresno, produced this bar.

California's Central Valley is a tremendous source of agricultural food exports for the Golden State. Beautiful fruit posters drew immigrants with dreams of the good life in the past. Food is grown on a massive scale in the Valley. Not cacao perhaps. But, it is a region where food and beverages are appreciated.

The "Double Chocolate" designation refers to a blend of two dark chocolates, one perhaps a bit more flavorful. There was a trace of green (the relatively light, forest-like blend of green tea, green stalks and green floral) notes—and lots of popular, sweet dark chocolate flavor.

The overall aroma and flavor was consistent and a small step above most bulk, commercial chocolates. The chocolate broke with a snap, and had an even melt. The incorporation of whole milk powder made it slightly smoother.

The bar contained a standard disclaimer** that often appears on packaging for chocolates produced in a larger/shared facility with multiple-ingredient product lines.

*Chocolino showed up as a registered wordmark of SSI G. Debbas Chocolatier, LLC (Fresno, CA) (or at least the application showed up to be one in a google search -- filing date was March 2016)
Business was listed as chocolates, confections, chocolate bars, etc.

A Chocolino Facebook page for them showed a phone number with an 818 area code. 

**May contain peanuts, tree nuts, wheat.

Dick Taylor - 70% Lanquin Guatemala bar - Nov. 30, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate
70% Lanquin, Guatemala bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and California Dreaming Theme Week.

There are dozens of chocolate makers and hundreds of chocolatiers in the Golden State. So, it's unlikely we can do a California-themed chocolate week justice in just eight* days.

However, before heading south from the San Francisco Bay Area, we're heading north, to the less crowded half of California, where artisans labor over high-quality foods, furniture and boats, and bean-to-bar chocolate, and where most locals don't mind the relative lack of traffic and crowds.

If you're Adam Dick and Justin Taylor, your dreams come true might involve crafts mentioned above. The duo behind Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka, CA) started out as boat-makers and seem to be serial craftsmen.

Producing great, award-winning chocolate bars from scratch may be their latest endeavor, but likely not their last.

The cacao used to make this two-ingredient dark bar (cacao and organic cane sugar) was grown in Guatemala (Origin: "Single Estate - Lanquin A.V.") in the Alta Verapaz region, an area with a rich cacao history.

This 70% dark bar had roasted coffee/espresso and fruit/berry notes. Dick Taylor tasting notes (aroma/flavor/finish): "plumeria (tropical flower), blackberry peach cobbler, espresso"

*Chocolate weeks are often longer than conventional calendar weeks on Chocolate Banquet.com.