Endangered Species - Smooth 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 9, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Endangered Species
Smooth 72% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 255 calories in 1/2 bar (170 in 1/3 bar)
Cost: N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!) 
Purchased from: N/A - received as a gift from family

Welcome to Day #8 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week--a week that ends with primarily U.S. made chocolates and transitions into the first day of a Chocolate and Scandinavia Theme Week. 

(Note: See the next post for a write-up on today's second chocolate, an assortment of Summerbird Chokolade Amber Chocolates from Denmark.)

Today's "Smooth" 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN). 

The company has been supporting wildlife preservation work for many years. And 10% of annual net profits are donated to organizations supporting habitats for wildlife. Each Endangered Species flavor/bar includes information on an endangered species, e.g. today's wrapper included information on the plight of the chimpanzee.

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate included: smooth, sweet, roasted dark chocolate and light, warm spice (vanilla).

This well-tempered dark chocolate broke with a snap in a cool room and the texture was smooth, thick and relatively creamy.

Flavor notes included: smooth, bold, dense dark (Forastero-like cacao variety*) roasted cacao (bold drinking chocolate with faint, warm vanilla); well managed, slight bitterness; and very faint green herb (oxalis).

Maker's description: "Dark, silky and deliciously bold, this chocolate is packed full of pure cocoa flavor, free of all artificial sweeteners or additives..."

Ingredients: "Bittersweet Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla)."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Soy. Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Products Containing Milk, Peanuts and Tree Nuts."

*Forastero is the most common variety of cacao grown worldwide, and this type is associated with relatively bold, robust flavor that can be moderately bitter, acidic, deep and "dense" in flavor, depending on where its grown and how it is processed. 

Endangered Species - Oat Milk Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate
Oat Milk Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.86 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's Oat Milk Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar) was created by Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

The company has donated a portion of their net proceeds* to causes that help preserve wildlife for many years, and continues to do so. (Inside the leopard print-adorned wrapper surrounding today's bar was additional information on the endangered Amur Leopard, and more info. about organizations they support.)

Aroma notes for this oat milk chocolate bar included: dark chocolate (faintly roasted), deep dark Forastero-variety like cacao). Very faint notes included: floral perfume (vanilla), citrus (lemon green (oxalis)), and cookie/biscuit.

This dark chocolate bar broke with a hard snap (in a cold room), and the flavor notes mirrored the dark chocolate aroma notes listed above. 

The oat milk showed up a bit in the finish (as a faint, fine oat particle grittiness); but was not really detectable until this point. 

The oat milk may also have mellowed the 75% dark chocolate flavors (there was relatively low bitterness, acidity for such a dark tasting chocolate); and the sugar taste as well. (It was not overly sweet; thank you.)

The pink Himalayan salt added an extra flavor accent that complemented the dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate, non-dairy and vegan fans who don't care for overly sweet chocolates and like supporting good causes are most likely to appreciate this bar. 

This chocolate bar does not contain milk; but there may be traces of milk in the manufacturing process.

Ingredients: Chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole grain oats, soy lecithin, vanilla), pink Himalayan salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains soy. Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts.

*Ten percent of net proceeds are donated. "Endangered Species Chocolate partners with non-profit wildlife and conservation organizations that are making a measurable and significant difference," such as National Forest Foundation, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, and Wildcats Conservation Alliance.

Endangered Species - Caramel Spiced Apple Natural Flavor + Dark Chocolate 60% (bar) - Feb. 22, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate
Caramel Spiced Apple Natural Flavor + Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar 
Cost: $1.48 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cost Plus World Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week, including several chocolates with caramel and/or toffee. 

Today's Caramel Spiced Apple Natural Flavor + Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (dark chocolate torte), vanilla, light caramel and faint fruit (apple) and warm spice (cinnamon, apple pie spices).

Creamy dark chocolate contained a soft apple-infused caramel filling. 

The dark chocolate tasted darker than 60% (more like 70%) cacao. This richer, darker cacao flavor helped balance the sweetness of the caramel filling. 

Maker's description: "Dark chocolate with organic caramel and spiced apple to evoke a warm fireside."

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate, chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla, organic caramel, organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, organic nonfat milk, organic heavy cream, organic buttermilk, salt, pectin, sodium citrate, organic vanilla extract, 2 fold organic soy lecithin, Vitamin E mixed tocopherols to preserve freshness, natural apple flavor, cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy. "Produced on equipment that also processes products containing peanuts and tree nuts."

Endangered Species - Oat Milk Mixed Berries + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar) - Jan. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate
Oat Milk Mixed Berries + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $4.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to the last day (Day #12) of Chocolate, Berries and Vanilla Theme Week. 

Today's Oat Milk Mixed Berries + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN). 

The company produces a wide variety of dark and milk chocolate bars with flavor inclusions; and more recently, oat milk chocolate bars as well. (Endangered Species Chocolate also donates 10 percent of net profits to save wildlife.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, fruit (diffuse dark berries), light vanilla cookie, and oat cracker.

The ebony-toned 75% dark chocolate had smooth, deep dark flavor. (It was neither too bitter nor was it too sweet (thank you). 

The berry flavors: "darker" blueberry and occasional upticks of brighter raspberry were complementary and well-balanced with the dark chocolate and very subtle oat flavors. And vanilla added a faint, floral spice, baked cookie-like warmth.

I liked this bar better than other oat milk chocolates I've tried. The faint oat flavor was closer to a toasted whole grain cracker. Some other oat milk chocolates can have (worst case) a slightly mealy, or pulpy cardboard texture/flavor. The higher percent (75%) dark chocolate (and amounts of other fats) that were used as well as the type/treatment of the oats, and conching/grinding times could also have been factors. 

Ingredients: Chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole grain oats, soy lecithin, vanilla), infused dried blueberries (cane sugar, blueberries, sunflower oil), dried raspberries, coconut oil.

Allergen-related information: Contains soy. Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts.

Endangered Species Chocolate - Fudgy Peanut Butter + Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar) - Sept. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC

Fudgy Peanut Butter + Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar)

Good ++

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

Calories: 255 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: New Leaf Community Markets, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week, featuring a variety of chocolate and nut blends. Today's milk chocolate was paired with peanut butter.* 

Today also marks the 16th anniversary of Chocolate Banquet, where I've written about eating a different chocolate every day, for 16 years now. Thank you all for being along for the ride.

And speaking of worthy occasions, today's Fudgy Peanut Butter + Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN). 

Aroma notes for this filled bar included: rich, authentic dark chocolate fudge brownie and peanut butter.

Soft, silky and fudgey chocolate squares--fused together to form the bar--held pockets of smooth, substantial peanut butter + white chocolate filling. 

These naturally complementary chocolate and peanut flavors blended nicely. The choice of darker cacao and a focus on concentrated, authentic peanut flavors (vs. what could have been more sugar), resulted in a filled bar that was flavorful, satisfying and not too sugary sweet (thank you!)

Last, but not least, the caribou was the animal of concern featured on the packaging of today's bar. Endangered Species Chocolate has a long tradition of highlighting animals that are endangered or threatened on their chocolate bars; and the company has donated part of their net profits (currently 10%) to non-profit and conservation organizations involved in saving and protecting wildlife. 

Among the facts shared about this amazing, large deer: "Caribou migrate over 3,000 miles per year--more than any other land mammal." That's a long way to travel around in arctic weather for one's daily 10 pounds of lichen (the caribou food of choice). If I'm fortunate, I may get to see some caribou later this year along with some Northern Lights (and chocolates).

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (chocolate liquor, milk, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), white chocolate (organic cane sugar, fair trade certified organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder), dry roasted blanched peanuts, organic peanut flour, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, peanut, soy. Produced on equipment that also processes products containing tree nuts.

*Yes, I realize peanuts are legumes and not true nuts. (For that matter cacao "beans" are really seeds; almonds, pistachios and cashews are drupes; and I'm not a true nut, even though I've been accused of leaning that direction.) 

Endangered Species - Luscious Blueberries + Dark Chocolate 72% (bar) - June 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species
Luscious Blueberries + Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: New Leaf Community Markets, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate and Fruit(s) Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Tea Theme Week, that includes chocolate + tea pairings.

Today's Luscious Blueberries + Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN). 

Aroma notes for this bar included dark chocolate; authentic, smoky floral vanilla bean; and dark berry jam cake.

The 72% cocoa dark chocolate had a thick, creamy texture with a satisfying, relatively slow, even melt. The chocolate flavor was deep, dense and mellow (almost nutty). 

The sweetness level was balanced by dark, rich chocolate and (more subtle) dark berry/blueberry flavors. 

I paired this bar with a black tea flavored with fresh, strained blueberry juice and a lemon slice.

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), cane sugar, dried blueberries, sunflower oil. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy." "Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts."

 

Endangered Species - Oat Milk + Dark Chocolate 55% (bar) - Mar. 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species
ONE - Oat Milk + Dark Chocolate 55% cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) in total bar
Calories: 125 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $0.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA  

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, where chocolate items with flavor inclusions or origins that start with the letters N, O, P and/or Q are featured.

Today's ONE Oat Milk + Dark Chocolate 55% cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN). The company offers a wide selection of chocolate bars with flavor inclusions; and a portion of net profits from chocolate sales (10% from this bar) are set aside to help "save our wildlife."

Oats and oat milk (and coconut) have become popular non-dairy add-ins/alternatives for chocolate bars in recent years. Oats, rice and other cereal grains can also help tame or mellow certain bitter, or ultra-dark cacao flavor notes.

This relatively thick, well-tempered bar had an aroma with dark chocolate and oat cereal/granola notes. 

Their texture was uniform and relatively smooth, with a very faint, barely detectable graininess/dryness (from the finely ground oats I'm guessing).

The flavor was quite even, with dark, dense (Forastero cacao variety-like) and sweet chocolate notes (enhanced by a touch of vanilla); hints of oat cereal and malt; and a very faint, flicker of nuttiness (roasted hazelnut) in the finish. 

This bar tasted like it was made using a heavily roasted, deep, dark and bold cacao, which made it taste darker than most 55% bars usually taste. (It could easily pass as a 65% or even a 70% chocolate.) Both the bold cacao and higher sugar levels (than, say, a 70%+ chocolate) were somewhat muted by the oats. 

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor,* cane sugar,* cocoa butter,* whole grain oats, soy lecithin, vanilla.* 

Allergen information: "Contains soy. Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts."

*"Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla traded in compliance with Fairtrade Standards." The bar was also Non-GMO Project Verified. 

Endangered Species Chocolate - Organic 52% Milk Chocolate with Key Lime (bar) - March 7, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate
Smooth Organic 52% Milk Chocolate with Key Lime (bar)
Good 
Weight: .466 oz. (13.3 g.) / 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 73.3 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and JKLM Theme Week, where I'm featuring chocolate items with flavor inclusions or origins that start with the letters J, K, L and/or M. 

Every few years I've gone on an alphabetic chocolate treasure hunt. This may be my last year to do so, as there are many other interesting chocolate themes to pursue. 

Today's Smooth Organic 52% Milk Chocolate with Key Lime (bar) from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN) has been waiting for years in my chocolate vault for its turn. What better K + L flavor item than Key Lime?*

Chocolate and citrus pairings typically yield refreshing and delightfully tart-sweet results. And today's smooth, organic dark 52% cocoa milk chocolate suffused with natural key lime flavor was no exception. As billed, the texture was smooth, almost creamy. A hint of vanilla added a bit of floral warmth and paired nicely with the chocolate and the lime.

Ingredients: Organic milk chocolate (organic cane sugar, organic whole milk, organic cocoa butter, organic chocolate liquor, organic soy lecithin (as an emulsifier), and organic vanilla), Key Lime Oil.

*Smaller and more thin-skinned than Tahitian or Persian limes, Key Limes (aka Mexican limes) are often grown in Florida in the U.S. When ripe they can be yellow-green. They are aromatic (almost floral) and tart-sweet, with relatively low bitterness, and make a great flavoring for desserts (Key Lime pie), beverages (cocktails, limeades) and other items, including flavor inclusions in (or part of fillings or ganaches for) chocolate bars and confections.

Endangered Species Chocolate - Oat Milk Sea Salt and Almond + Dark Chocolate 55% (bar) - Sept. 26, 2020

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC
Oat Milk Sea Salt and Almond + Dark Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 480 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Oat Milk Sea Salt & Almonds + Dark Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

This bar captured the essence of dark chocolate with almonds and sea salt, a winning combination. And oats and oat milk added the something "more" in this bar yielding an oat-y goodness in the aroma and flavor.

This bar reflected the trend of using alternatives to traditional cow's milk. In the past decade, I have sampled chocolate blended with plant "milks" such as rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk and hazelnut milk--as well as goat milk, donkey milk, water buffalo and camel milk. (Next week I'll feature some variations on traditional dairy cow's milk chocolate, such as A2 milk.)

The dark chocolate was hearty, but smooth and satisfying and it was textured with oat and nut pieces. Just the right amount of sea salt helped temper the sweetness, making this bar taste more like a 65% cocoa bar rather than the 55% cocoa chocolate that it was. A win in my book. And the faint hint of vanilla added a baked cookie floral warmth.

Ingredients: Chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter), whole grain oats, soy lecithin, vanilla, almonds, pink Himalayan sea salt.

Endangered Species - Pumpkin Spice Almonds bar; Second Nature - Dark Chocolate Medley - Oct. 13, 2018

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Endangered Species
Natural Dark Chocolate with Pumpkin Spice with Almonds 72% bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: ??? calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $3.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week. Today I celebrated this day with two chocolate items.

It's October, officially the month to celebrate pumpkins and pumpkin spice, and today's Natural Dark Chocolate with Pumpkin Spice and Almonds 72% bar from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN) seemed like a great choice. The dark chocolate was dark but smooth and the touch of spice was light and balanced. Almond pieces gave the bar a bit of texture.

The locally famous, annual Pumpkin Festival was under way today in Half Moon Bay, CA. And traffic was backed up for miles as city folk made their way over to this community nestled by the Pacific Ocean to view fields of pumpkins, purchase pumpkin-related items and enjoy pumpkin-related fun.

Thank goodness we have some open spaces left for local wildlife in the mountains that separate the cities and coast. Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of their net profits to conservation-related partners/causes. Each bar or chocolate item the company makes features an animal (or area) that may be threatened or endangered. (Today's bar was graced with an image of an Arctic Fox.)

One of the best things a chocolate consumer who care about such things can do is to be curious about supply chains and best practices when it comes to food and chocolate.

Second Nature Snacks Company
Dark Chocolate Medley
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. serving
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Medley was from Second Nature (Madison Heights, MI). (It was one of several chocolate and nut and fruit and nut medley mixes the company offers.)

This blend contained small dark chocolate squares mixed with almonds, pecans and cashews.

It was an appealing, natural mix: not too sweet, and not too salty.
(It was also marketed as Gluten Free and Low in Sodium.)

Surprise. An hour after I wrote this, I discovered that I'd already had this mix several months ago, so I sampled a second chocolate today (above).

After 4,500 chocolates, it's sometimes difficult to remember which chocolates I have tried. (Thank goodness for giant Google spreadsheets, where I keep track of each and every one.)

Endangered Species - Dark Chocolate with Salted Peanuts bar - June 12, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC
Smooth Dark Chocolate with Salted Peanuts bar
Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 2/5 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Smooth Dark Chocolate with Salted Peanuts bar was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

The company donates 10% of its annual profits to GiveBack partners who are involved with conservation efforts.* Each bar includes information about a threatened or endangered species.

Today's bar featured an image of an African Elephant on the outside wrapper, with a small arrow on the back ("Look Inside for Info on the Elephant"). The arrow invited people to read the printed story on the inside about challenges and opportunities involved with saving this species, including information about the Elephant Crisis Fund.

The smooth, sweet dark chocolate (60% cocoa with a faint smokey note) provided a nice contrast to the small chunks of embedded peanuts and Himalayan salt.

This bar was Certified Gluten Free and Vegan.

*According to the company's reports, more than $1.3 million USD have been donated to GiveBack partners to date in the last three years.

Endangered Species - Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 72% bar - March 12, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Endangered Species Chocolate

Natural Dark Chocolate with Peppermint Crunch 72% cocoa bar

Good ++

Weight: 4 pieces (40 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 220 calories in 4 pieces bar

Cost: $3.19 for 1 bar

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

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. This week features multiple chocolate bars with mint and cacao (or cocoa)* nibs (an echo from last week's chocolate and nibs theme week).

Today's Natural Dark Chocolate with Peppermint Crunch 72% cocoa bar from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN) also contained nibs.

This certified gluten-free, dark chocolate bar smelled like a classic dark chocolate peppermint patty, and will please most palettes. The cocoa nibs added an extra crunch punch and their smooth flavor blended seamlessly into the rest of the chocolate bar.

Ingredients: bittersweet chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), cacao nibs, peppermint oil

Printed on the bar's wrapper was a photo of a baby Emporer penguin; these penguins are from Antarctica. Endangered Species has long committed a portion of proceeds to conservation-related causes. Inside the wrapper (and other Endangered Species bars), the story of a threatened or endangered animal was featured, along with information about what the company is doing (and what we collectively can do) to help mitigate threats to this animal's habitat.

In addition to helping to raise awareness, the company works with and is part of a network of conservation organizations, such as Xerxes (the organization highlighted on today's bar).

*Is is cocoa nibs or cacao nibs? Cacao tends to refer to the less processed cacao fruit and seeds/beans. Cocoa usually refers to cocoa powder or occasionally mass and/or liquor (made from processed ground cacao beans). 

Nibs are cracked pieces of bean—somewhere in between the original plant and processed chocolate.  So, you'll see both terms used. This is terminology influenced by history as well, as cacao made its journey from country of origin (where cacao was grown) to Europe and the U.S. for manufacture into cocoa products.

Endangered Species - Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa - Sept. 29, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC
Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa
Good
Weight: 2 TB (37 g.) / 9.7 oz. (275 g.) in total jar
Calories: 210 calories in 2 TB serving
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 jar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN) had the texture of light, whipped silk; and it was sweet. Sugar and vegetable oil (sunflower, palm) were the first ingredients listed.

Next, followed hazelnuts and cocoa, in terms of order on the ingredients list and flavor. Both nuts and cocoa were very finely ground to enable the light, silky texture and each helped dial down the sweetness (a good thing if you're eating this a la carte).

This Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa would be equally at home as a toast or pastry spread, a frosting, a dip for fresh fruit, or a ripple stirred into ice cream.

The Certified Gluten Free Spread was made with Non-GMO and Fairtrade cocoa, sugar and vanilla. The label on the glass jar was adorned with an image of an African Elephant.

Like other chocolate bar and bark products, Endangered Species features an animal on its products that may need human support to continue to survive. The company donates 10% of net proceeds to partners that engage in wildlife protection and/or conservation-related efforts, such as habitat preservation.

Endangered Species - Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa - Aug. 2, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC
Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa
Good
Weight: 1 TB (18.5 g.) / 9.7 oz. (275 g.) in total jar
Calories: 105 calories in 1/2 serving (1 TB)
Cost: $1.98 for 1 jar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

The company is known for their chocolate bars with pictures of wildlife and support for threatened species habitat preservation. Today's jar of chocolate almond spread was adorned with an image of a regal-looking lion.

Fans of dark chocolate may find this sweet, nutty spread a little too sweet for their taste. The texture and flavor was in between a nut butter and a frosting.

Pairing this with slightly salty or savory crackers or toast seemed to be a good way to balance out the sweetness.

Or, going the other way, it might make an interesting (relatively less sweet) frosting layer on a cake, or a mix-in with ice cream.

Endangered Species - Dark Chocolate Blackberry Sage 60% bar - June 6, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Endangered Species Chocolate
Natural Dark Chocolate with Blackberry Sage 60% Cocoa bar
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Nob Hill Foods, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate with Blackberry Sage 60% Cocoa bar was from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN).

This last day of Chocolate and Berries week contained berries in name only. The 60% dark bar was flavored with dried sage and "natural flavor." (What? No real blackberries? Apparently not.) However, the sage was great, the blackberry flavoring was not bad and the dark chocolate was smooth and even.

This dark chocolate bar with inclusions was Non GMO Project Verified, certified gluten free, fairtrade and vegan.

Endangered Species chocolate bars and barks each feature an animal, bird or natural setting on their packaging. Today's bar wrapper had a picture of a Peregrine Falcon—a bird of prey that has resorted in some locations to nesting on top of city skyscrapers as tall trees* disappear. The company donates 10% of net proceeds to supporting habitat and wildlife conservation programs worldwide.

*Birds of prey like eagles, hawks, falcons and owls nest in tall, mature trees. 

Endangered Species Chocolate - Dark squares, bites - April 5, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Endangered Species Chocolate

Natural Dark Chocolate Squares
Good ++
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total package
Calories: 100 calories in 2 squares
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of about 10 squares
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Chocolate Bites - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and Almonds
Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (19.8 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 2 bites/pieces/squares
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of about 12 pieces
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's individually-wrapped Natural Dark Chocolate and Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Almonds squares were both from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indiana, IN), and made with 72 percent cocoa dark chocolate.

The Indiana-based company features wildlife on their packaging (generally an animal or bird) that has been considered threatened or endangered. Endangered Species Chocolate dedicates 10 percent of proceeds toward species conservation, habitat protection and humanitarian efforts. They were also one of the first to adopt traceable, fair trade certification for their cacao.

The Natural Dark Chocolate Squares had smooth texture with a pleasant, velvety melt, and chocolate fudge and brownie pleasing flavor with very faint smoke and earth notes.

The Chocolate Bites were made with the same dark 72 percent cocoa chocolate base and had added sea salt and bits of almonds. Having the same dark chocolate base and shape/thickness, they were very similar in texture and flavor; although the salt and tiny bits of almonds gave these squares a very slightly sweeter, nuttier flavor. And a well balanced light touch of sea salt rounded things out nicely.

This second chocolate featured an image of a small Southern Boobook owl that lives in the forests of Australia and Tasmania and, like most birds of prey, lives and nest in tall trees. So, forest conservation efforts are important to this bird's continued survival.

Endangered Species Chocolate - Dark Sea Salt & Caramel bar - April 3, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and Caramel bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 229.9 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Chocolate Bites - Dark Chocolate Caramel and Sea Salt
Good + - Good++
Weight: .94 oz. (26.6 g.) for 2 pieces/ 4.7 oz. (133 g.) total package
Calories: 150 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of about 10 pieces

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

We're focusing on another chocolate item from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN) and a success story for an endangered species.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt bar and individually-wrapped Chocolate Bites, from Endangered Species Chocolate, featured a bald eagle on their respective packages.

The company has dedicated 10% of their net proceeds to causes that "help support species, habitat and humanity." And, fortunately, due in part to awareness and programs like these, bald eagle populations in North America have recovered and this impressive bird of prey was removed from the Endangered Species list in 2007.

Both bar and bites were composed of the same ingredients, and contained fair trade cocoa and vanilla. (Both products were also certified gluten free and Non-GMO Project Verified.)

Pockets of caramel were built into the centers of both squares of the bar and the individual bites (squares). The 60% Cocoa dark chocolate had pleasant chocolate brownie notes in both; however, the chocolate in the bar seemed a bit more substantial and fudgey (perhaps just thicker) than the square-shaped bites.

These chocolates were certified gluten free, fair trade and Non GMO Project Verified. Mindful of suppliers as well, the company chose to use HimalaSalt pink salt in today's chocolate, a salt with a bit more healthy mineral content than more processed salt.

*The picture of the female bald eagle at the top of this entry is named Sequoia, and she lives at the City of Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. Happy Birthday month Sequoia! This education bird will celebrate her 28th birthday on Earth Day (April 22, 2017).

Endangered Species - Milk Chocolate squares - April 2, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC
All Natural Smooth Milk Chocolate (squares)
Good - Good +
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in package of 10 pieces
Calories: 105 calories in 2 squares
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome. This week I'll be featuring several different chocolates from Indiana.

Perhaps the most well-known chocolates from Indiana that we see in the San Francisco Bay Area come from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN).

The company's bars and confections are adorned with images of wildlife—mammals, birds and the occasional reptile—that is endangered or facing challenges.*

Today's All Natural Smooth Milk Chocolate 48 percent cocoa from Endangered Species came in the form of individually-wrapped squares. (Five years ago, I featured the company's All Natural Smooth Milk Chocolate bar.) The milk chocolate was just as advertised, smooth milk chocolate that was a bit better than most commercially available milk chocolate, with a slight caramel flavor note.

Both bar and individually wrapped piece packaging featured a sea otter—an animal we enjoy watching on the Pacific coast (Photo of sea otter on a beach was taken at Moss Landing, north of Monterey, CA.)

*Ten percent of the company's net proceeds go to helping to preserve habitat for endangered species.

Endangered Species - Dark Lemon Poppy Seed bar - Dec. 9, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species
Dark Chocolate with Lemon Poppy Seed bar
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $missing information
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Cupertino, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of the Chocolate and Seeds Series.

Today's bar was a Dark Chocolate with Lemon Poppy Seed bar from Endangered Species (Indianapolis, IN).

This 60% Cocoa bar was flavored with lemon zest, organic poppy seeds and "natural flavors." The lemon flavor kicked in a few seconds after the first bite. And the bittersweet chocolate seemed to get progressively sweeter during the tasting experience.

The finish was accompanied by a very subtle crunch from the tiny poppy seeds and some acidity.

Endangered Species - Dark Cinnamon, Cayenne, Cherries bar - June 5, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Endangered Species Chocolate
Dark Chocolate with Cinnamon, Cayenne and Cherries bar
Good
Weight: .375 oz. (10.6 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 60 calories in 1/8 bar
Cost: $3.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Stevens Creek, Cupertino, CA

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

When I saw a bumper sticker this morning that read "Feel the Bern" (referring to presidential candidate Bernie Sanders), I was reminded of today's Dark Chocolate with Cinnamon, Cayenne and Cherries bar from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN).

And by that I mean, I was still feeling the burn from this spicy hot, dark chocolate bar. And, while it did say cayenne clearly on the label, I was unprepared for just how red hot it would be.

Before taking a bite, I could detect a pleasant, sweet, slightly spicy aroma. After I took a bite, fire alarms went off in my mouth and I couldn't taste anything.

Was this bittersweet 60% cocoa chocolate bar just lacking uniformity in flavor? I don't know. I was afraid to take another bite to try to find a cherry to help cool things down or at least balance the burn. But, if you're an adventurous soul, or love hot-spicy food, this might be just the ticket for you.

For the rest of us, perhaps a bit of this bar could be grated and sprinkled over hot chocolate or vanilla ice cream; or incorporated into chili or a barbecue sauce, to distribute the heat. (Wine and food pairings suggested on the company's website: red blends or merlot wine, walnuts, sharp white cheese.)

About four minutes after I bit into this chocolate (not an exaggeration) my mouth seemed to finally recover enough that I caught an aftertaste of cherry and cinnamon, and detected a slight grittiness that could have been the cinnamon.

This bar was certified gluten free, vegan, kosher, Non GMO verified—and contained 92% Fairtrade ingredients if I read the small print on the wrapper correctly.

Chocolate with a Cause: Endangered Species

Now, on to the animal of the day, a monkey. There was a photo of a Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin (monkey) on the label of today's bar. This Tamarin lives in the canopy forests of Brazil and is decreasing in numbers, due to habitat destruction, "human interference" and poaching.

For many years, Endangered Species Chocolate products (made with cacao "from small farmers and co-ops in West Africa") have featured photos of different animals and birds that are under threat. In addition to helping to increase awareness with product packaging, the company contributes 10% of their net proceeds to organizations (via their 10% GiveBack Partners program), such as The African Wildlife Foundation and The Xerces Society that is dedicated to conservation.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.