ChocolateBet: January 7, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Coco-Zen
Chocolate Chai Spice Truffle
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 84 calories (estimate)
Cost: $N/A - sample at a benefit film screening
Purchased from: N/A - Coco-Zen table at a benefit, held at World Centric, Palo Alto, CA

Chocolate is one of those remarkably versatile foods that mixes well with a variety of other flavors. Today is Day #1 of Chocolate and Chai Theme Week. Chai itself is a blend of tea, spices and milk; and I've found wide variations in this beverage in Northern California. Personally, I like a chai that is cardamom-rich and light on the caffeine. However, I look forward to different chai + chocolate combinations this week.

Today's chocolate was a Chocolate Chai Spice truffle from Coco-Zen. Based in Pacifica, California, Coco-Zen makes hand-crafted chocolates with Fair Trade Certified, Organic ingredients.

Thank you also to Cynthia for sharing cardamom, ginger and orange chocolates from Quebec, after a Cuban lunch -- making today a very international food day.

ChocolateBet: December 16, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Coco-Zen
Dark Chocolate Orange Blossom with Almonds
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 72 calories (estimate)
Cost: $N/A - part of a benefit
Purchased from: N/A - chocolates/samples were being served at benefit screening, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Fruit Bowl Theme Week. December is a good month to pick ripe oranges here in California. I don't have a tree/bush in my yard, but I know several people who do. So, the fruit bowl on my kitchen counter almost always has an orange in it.

Today's Coco-Zen Dark Chocolate Orange Blossom truffle is infused with orange and topped with toasted almond pieces. I picked up this Fair Trade Certified chocolate from Coco-Zen founder, Joyce Kushner, at a recent benefit screening of the movie "The Dark Side of Chocolate," at World Centric in Palo Alto, CA. I asked Joyce for a few samples to go. Fortunately, World Centric specializes in biocompostable serving trays and other items. Thank you to Aseem Das for this small clamshell container -- it was perfect for transporting a few chocolate truffles.