Ethereal Chocolate - Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate
Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .848 oz. (24 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 148 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. 

Today's Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Ethereal Chocolate/Confections (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate and roasted coffee, with very faint/diffuse fruit, nut, and very faint green (almost but not quite floral/vanilla) and cookies.

Texture: Smooth, very slightly grainy dark chocolate was accented by a generous helping of crunchy cacao nibs.

Flavor notes included: dark, sweet chocolate and genuine coffee, with medium acidity, and authentic unsweetened cacao nibs. The cacao nibs and coffee balanced the sweetness (sugar).

I liked the aroma; and appreciated that the coffee was present (especially in the aroma), but that I could taste the chocolate (first), and then the coffee. It was well executed from this standpoint. 

In chocolate and coffee blends, these two flavorful beans (seeds) can overpower each other if not balanced. Sometimes I like tasting the coffee first, and sometimes the chocolate. A great maker can anticipate what works best, depending on the types/varieties of cacao and coffee.

Ingredients: Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Coffee Beans, Cocoa Nibs*. (* Organic Ingredient)

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

Ethereal Craft Chocolate - Organic Chocolate Bar - Uganda 70% Cacao - Aug. 22, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Craft Chocolate

Organic Chocolate Bar - Uganda 70% Cacao 
Good ++
Weight: .742 oz. (21 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 110 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Uganda Week.

Today's Organic Chocolate Bar - Uganda 70% Cacao entry was created by Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes for this lovely, fruity, Uganda single origin bar included: chocolate (ganache) and balanced, zesty fruity notes (light sweet citrus, mango, and lightly fermented cacao fruit pulp).

Texture: This chocolate felt simultaneously light and slightly rough/grainy (stoneground). It did melt down to a smoother chocolate in my mouth after a few bites. People who prefer a deeply creamy mouthfeel may be a bit thrown by the stoneground texture; but I enjoyed the progression of the mouthfeel as it melted. (Remember, less grinding and conching time usually means more preservation of flavors and nutrients.)

Flavor notes included: chocolate (torte, ganache) with naturally tangy-sweet fruit (mango, cacao pulp, ripe sweet fig).

I liked the well-balanced, single origin chocolate and cacao pulp/fruity flavors that gave this organic bar a natural sweetness and light to it. (It also was low in bitterness and earth, letting the fruit flavors shine.)

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*. (* Organic Ingredient)

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

Ethereal Confections - Organic Haiti Single Origin Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - April 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Confections 
Organic Haiti Single Origin Dark Chocolate 70% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.125 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Confections, online order 

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

Today's Organic Single Origin Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL) was crafted using cacao from Haiti.

Aroma notes included: subtle, smooth dark chocolate, and very faint brown sugar and spice.

Texture smooth dark chocolate with a very slight astringency toward the finish.

Flavor notes: I enjoyed this well-executed bar with an appealing aroma and smooth dark chocolate flavor with brown sugar and faint raisin toast notes. This would be a good bar to add to a chocolate tasting flight, to show the flavors possible with just two ingredients.

Maker's tasting notes: Single origin dark chocolate with..."vanilla, brown sugar and raisins."

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar* (* Organic Ingredient)

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

Ethereal Chocolate - Organic Chocolate Apricot Honey (bar) - May 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate
Organic Dark Chocolate Apricot Honey (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal, online order

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

Today's Apricot Honey (bar) with Organic Dark Chocolate, Dried Apricots, Marigold Petals, Honey Candy and Bee Pollen (bar) was made by Ethereal Chocolate (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark chocolate, dried stone fruit (apricot, nectarine) and natural sweeteners (brown sugar, honey).

The back of the dark chocolate bar was an attractive, warm-hued, tiny gold mine of flavor additions, including: dried apricot pieces, shredded golden marigold petals, cheery yellow speckles of bee pollen, and honey candy crystals.  

The base dark chocolate was flavorful, but had a slight granular dryness (fruit astringency) (likely from the cacao). Otherwise it was well balanced and well-executed.

Together, the blend of dark chocolate and the added floral and other flavors mentioned above resulted in an interesting, and thoughtfully complex, bar--made with a short list of high-quality, organic ingredients.

This dark chocolate was also not overly sweet (thank you!). 

Ingredients: Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Dried Apricots*, Honey Pieces* (Cane Sugar*, Brown Rice Syrup*, Honey*), Marigold Petals*, Bee Pollen. (* Organic Ingredient)

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

Ethereal Craft Chocolate - Organic Dark Chocolate w/ Strawberries, Rose Petals, Pink Peppercorns (bar) - May 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate
Organic Dark Chocolate Strawberry, Rose Petal, Pink Peppercorn (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 222 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Happy Girl Kitchen (Pacific Grove, CA)

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

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate with Dried Strawberries, Rose Petals and Pink Peppercorns (bar) was made by Ethereal Chocolate (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark chocolate (cacao, subtle wood (cedar, pepper), very faint nut and fruit); diffuse red fruit (strawberry); little pops of pink peppercorn; and very faint floral. 

A beautiful field of rose-hued flavor additions on the back of this bar included: dried strawberry slices, rose petals and pink peppercorns.  

The dark chocolate had a light creaminess and nice melt, as well as a slight granular dryness (fruit astringency), which could have been caused by flavor inclusions. Hard to tell.

The dark chocolate, strawberry and pink peppercorn flavors were appealing, complex and balanced. Every once in awhile there was an uptick in concentrated, naturally tart-sweet strawberry flavor, or a hint of pink peppercorn. 

The rose petals added visual beauty; their more subtle flavor was a bit subdued in this blend. However, if you savor this thoughtfully crafted chocolate (made from a short list of high-quality, organic ingredients) slowly...you'll be rewarded with a few wonderful, soft encounters with authentic rose flavor. 

Like the flavor levels above, the sweetness was well-balanced too; and this enjoyable dark chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!). 

Ingredients: Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Freeze-Dried Strawberries*, Rose Petals*, Pink Peppercorns*. (* Organic Ingredient)

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

Ethereal Chocolate - Organic Philippines 70% Cacao (bar) - May 3, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Confections
Organic Philippines 70% Cacao (bar)
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.125 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 166.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Confections, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Organic Philippines 70% Cacao craft chocolate bar was made from bean-to-bar by Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL).

Subtly complex aroma notes for this dark chocolate included: dark chocolate, dark/dried fruits, very faint tart sweet green herb (oxalis), and very faint spice (vanilla spice cookie).

This bar had a hearty, stone-ground texture with a smooth, buttery melt and had a slight astringency.

The chocolate flavor notes for this two-ingredient chocolate included: pleasant, chocolate-y, warm cocoa (drinking chocolate) and diffuse fruit (fleeting, attractive stone fruit (apricot)). 

The flavors were likable and balanced. It was sweet, without being overly so and was relatively low in bitterness. I enjoyed the subtle complexity (fruit) and warm chocolate-y taste. There were no off notes. The texture was a bit granular, but within the range of what stone-ground chocolates taste like.

Maker's tasting notes: Single origin dark chocolate with tasting notes of deep chocolate fudge and malt.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar. 

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

Ethereal Confections - Coffee Infused Chocolate Topped with Cacao Nibs and Coffee Beans (bar) - Apr. 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Craft Chocolate
Coffee Infused Chocolate Topped With Cacao Nibs and Coffee Beans (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .83 oz. (23.6 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 148 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Flax Art and Design, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Coffee Infused Chocolate Topped with Cacao Nibs and Coffee Beans (bar) was from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL). The company offers a variety of bean-to-bar chocolate bars and chocolate confections.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, cacao (nibs), and roasted coffee.

Smooth dark chocolate was interspersed with crunchy cacao nibs and tiny pieces of coffee bean.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (ganache, fudge brownie) faint earth and nut, authentic cacao (nib) and coffee. 

This 66% cacao dark chocolate wasn't too sweet (thank you). It tasted a bit darker than 66%--more like 70% dark chocolate--thanks to the presence of coffee, cacao nibs and coffee bean pieces that added texture and balanced out the sugar. 

The flavors were nicely balanced, complementary; and there were no "off" notes (that can occasionally happen with the odd cacao bean nib. Not here.

Ingredients: Organic chocolate (organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic coffee beans, organic cocoa nibs

Allergen-related information: Made on shared equipment with peanuts and tree nuts. (Vegan.)

Ethereal Confections - Whiskey and Nibs (bar) - May 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Confections
Whiskey Infused Chocolate Bar topped with Whiskey Cocoa Nibs
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 207 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic (now closed), Mill Valley, CA 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and VWXYZ Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with origins and flavor inclusions that begin with the letters V, W, X, Y and/or Z.

Today's Whiskey Infused Chocolate Bar topped with Whiskey Cocoa Nibs was made by Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL). The company offers a variety of bean-to-bar chocolates and hosts on-site classes and events in their space.

Whiskey and chocolate are a great match. The Whiskey in this 66% cacao dark chocolate provided a fragrant, boozy aroma, and rich, well-rounded, barrel-aged flavor. The spirits harmonized quite well with the chocolate. 

Whiskey-soaked cacao nibs added concentrated cocoa flavor with a flavor kick. (Whiskey-infused nibs are a wonderful garnish for, or inclusion in, sweet/dessert items as well as savory dishes (roasted meat rubs, vegetable marinades, salads).

Ingredients: Organic Chocolate (Whiskey Infused Organic Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter); Whiskey Infused Cocoa Nibs. 

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

Ethereal - 66% Dark Chocolate Blueberries, Lavender, Almonds bar - May 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ethereal Bean-to-Bar Craft Chocolate
66% Dark Chocolate Topped with Blueberries, Lavender, Almonds bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 234 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

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

Combining chocolate with edible flowers and floral flavors is one of our favorite pastimes, so we were looking forward to this week for months.

Today's 66% Dark Chocolate Topped with Blueberries, Lavender and Almonds bar was created by Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL).

The chocolate had a deeper, darker, slightly fruit-acidic chocolate aroma and flavor than other 66% cacao bars, and less sugar sweetness than expected (thank you!). Whether there was actually less sugar or not, we're not sure, but this would have helped explain why the authentic chocolate, blueberries, lavender and almond flavors seemed to shine through.

Freeze-dried blueberries provided some down to earthy fruit-acid flavor and finely sliced almonds provided some balance and slightly nutty texture/soft crunch. Lavender flower buds contributed a distinctive, calming, floral flavor that lingered in the finish.

Ethereal Confections - French Vanilla and Salted Almond - Olive Oil Ganache bar - May 21, 2019

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Ethereal Confections
French Vanilla and Salted Almond - Olive Oil Ganache bar
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla Theme Week.

The filling for this Dark Chocolate bar from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL) contained olive oil and a hint of balsamic vinegar.

The coffee potion of today's entry was supplied by an affogato—a shot of coffee* poured over a small bowl of Mocha Difference and Vanilla ice creams from Three Twins Ice Cream (Petaluma, CA).

*A shot of coffee containing chaga and reishi mushroom no less. I don't think there is any way to mess up affogato. Coffee + vanilla, chocolate or coffee ice creams were made for each other.

Lindt - Pineapple bar, Ambrosia - Aug. 14, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Lindt
Pineapple bar
Good
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 105 calories in 1/5 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Chocolate, Fruit and Botanicals Month.

I was intrigued by my first taste of ambrosia fruit salad, by the combination of pineapple pieces, mandarin oranges, coconut flakes, diced marshmallows, sour cream and occasionally pecans or cherries.

Today's dark (47%) chocolate Pineapple bar from Lindt and Sprungli AG (Kilchberg, Switzerland), had a fruity aroma and contained small pieces of pineapple and flecks of hazelnut. (Pairing suggestion on the label for this bar: a Chardonnay white wine.)

I felt inspired to combine some different chocolates to approximate an ambrosia fruit salad. A small sampler plate soon also held: a Blood Orange Olive Oil Meltaway cube of silken chocolate goodness from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL); a piece of Roasted White Chocolate (bar) from SOMA Chocolatemaker (Toronto, Canada); and a bite of Coconut Crisp bar from TCHO (Berkeley, CA).

I enjoyed alternating bites of complementary fruit flavors. Bon appetit to all.

Ethereal Confections - 66 percent bar with berries, cherries - June 6, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Ethereal Confections

66 percent bar with blackberries, blueberries and cherries

Good + - Good++

Weight: 1.49 oz. (43 g.) / 2.25 oz. (65 g.) in total bar

Calories: 223 calories (estimate) in 2/3 bar

Cost: $7.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

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

The back side of today's 66 percent bar with organic blackberries, blueberries and cherries from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL) was a great fiesta of berry and cherry bits.

Despite the fruit-forward appearance and flavor, I could also taste glimmers of the underlying chocolate. Pleasant, with an occasional smoky and sweet note.

Thank you to Mary and Sara Ervin, the owners and co-founders of Ethereal Chocolate for your craft and creativity, and to Elana T. at SweetE Organic for carrying this line. Most of my chocolates have come from retail outlets with carefully curated selections; and it was delightful to be introduced to this bean-to-bar maker (located northwest of Chicago) a few years ago.

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

Ethereal - Coriander, Orange, Ginger bar - Jan. 18, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ethereal Confections
66% Cacao Topped with Coriander, Candied Orange Peel and Ginger
Good - Good +
Weight: .75 oz. (23 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 112 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: ordered online from Ethereal Confections

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Ginger Theme Week.

This 66% Cacao bar, Topped with Coriander, Candied Orange Peel and Ginger, from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL), was loaded with a luscious and colorful jumble of Candied Orange Peel and Ginger pieces.

I did not see, or taste, much Coriander, but this lovely spicy seed but may have gotten overshadowed a bit by the generous serving of orange peel and ginger.

This bar was Dairy and Gluten Free, with no added preservatives. All the ingredients that I remember reading about on the label were also organic.

Ethereal Confections - Espresso, Hazelnuts and Cherries bar - Jan. 5, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ethereal Confections
66% Cacao - Topped with Espresso Beans, Hazelnuts and Cherries bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.12 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 168 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: online order, from EtherealConfections.com

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Cherry and Nut Theme Week.

This 66% Cacao bar Topped with Espresso Beans, Hazelnuts and Cherries from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL) was a handcrafted inclusion chocolate bar from owners and chocolate makers Mary and Sara Ervin. And when I say hand-crafted, I mean the Ervins started by making the chocolate themselves from scratch.*

Printed on the packaging was this statement: "Our small business in Woodstock, Illinois is centered on reconnecting people with food. We, Mary and Sara Ervin, labor over each individual detail and constantly strive to improve our craft. No big machines or industrial factories here. We envision and then taste, tweak and package everything by hand..."

Getting back to bar specifics: A festive blizzard of toasted hazelnut pieces, dried cherry bits and a hint of espresso crushed espresso beans lay underneath the inner blue foil wrapping. Said blizzard covered the back of this unique bar. I loved the look of it, the crunchy, natural sweet nuttiness of the hazelnuts, and the sparkles of authentic tart sweet cherry flavor.

The espresso flavor was subtle and blended with the other flavors. A very small amount of cinnamon helped integrate and warm the ambitious flavor combination. The 66% dark chocolate base was smooth; and any subtle flavors in the chocolate itself took second fiddle to the inclusions.

The Ervins is also to be commended for what they left out -- this was a  dairy and gluten free bar with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. The company is also committed to using organic ingredients.

*Most chocolate sold in the U.S. (and elsewhere) is made by chocolatiers who buy blocks of "pre-made" chocolate and re-melt (and temper) the chocolate to make confections, truffles and bars. Not to take anything away from anyone who is producing great chocolate treats, but making bean-to-bar chocolate (i.e. "from scratch"), is a much more technically challenging process. And very few women are chief chocolate makers. Brava to the Ervins for being both chocolate makers and creative flavor meisters.

Ethereal - Black Cherry Lemonade bar - Dec. 31, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ethereal Confections
66% Cacao Black Cherry Lemonade bar
Good +
Weight:  1.155 oz. (33 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: online order (from Ethereal Confections)

Happy New Year's Eve to all.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Lemon Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Cherry Theme Week. Flavor additions like cherry and lemon are perfect to perk up the colder, grayer days of winter. (This week I'm hoping that our freezing temperatures don't damage Meyer Lemon and other fruit trees in the area.)

The 66% Cacao "Filled with Black Cherry Lemonade Creamy Center" bar from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL) contained just enough tart fruit flavor to give this bar a subtle lift, without any sugar overload.

The way ingredients were incorporated in this dairy and gluten-free, handcrafted "meltaway" bar showed why Ethereal chocolate makers and chocolatiers, Mary and Sara Ervin, deserve a little extra praise.

The black cherry notes came from black cherry balsamic vinegar, and the hint of subtle citrus was from lemon olive oil.

A bit of added coconut oil helped boost the already creamy smoothness of the base chocolate. (The organic chocolate base was made from cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter and soy lecithin. )

3,000 Chocolates - An Ethereal Celebration - Nov. 28, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, was a special day. It had to do with the number 3 -- or more specifically the number 3,000.

And, no, I didn't spend "Black Friday" buying a chocolate diamond ring for $3,000, or ordering the Snoozy Sleeper Chocolate 3000 (a chocolate colored fur rug, for dogs actually). I did not watch a B-movie about chocolate as part of a Mystery Science Theater 3000 re-run. Nor did I have lunch with musical star Andre 3000 (of Outkast) to propose a new chocolate song for him.

I did, however, eat my 3,000th different chocolate today -- a daily habit that began in 2006.
And, in keeping with today's numerical theme, I enjoyed three chocolates, from three different makers/vendors, from three different places, at different times today.

Restaurant 3000
I wanted to incorporate the number 3000 into a chocolate today. But, it's not like I could just find a place like "The 3000 Restaurant," right? Well, after a search, suggestion (Thanks John!), I found the "Restaurant 3000" -- a Bay Area establishment that focuses on fresh and local foods.

And, for breakfast, I enjoyed a rich, creamy and delicious chocolate panna cotta dessert from Restaurant 3000 (Menlo Park, CA).

Restaurant 3000
Chocolate Pot de Creme style dessert (in a mason jar)
Very Good
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $6.00 for 1 dessert/jar
Purchased from: Restaurant 3000, Menlo Park, CA

Restaurant 3000, located in Silicon Valley, specializes in local fare, fresh produce, and has a full menu for lunches as well as catered events.

Ethereal Bar - SweetE Organic
For lunch, I had the pleasure of sharing with family a great three inclusion bar: the Strawberries + Rose Petals + Pink Peppercorn bar from Ethereal Confections (Woodstock, IL). I picked up this bar at SweetE Organic (Mill Valley, CA), and part of Chocolate and Rose Theme Week.

Ethereal Confections
Strawberries + Rose Petals + Pink Peppercorn bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.) / 2.25 oz. (63.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.)
Cost: $6.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

This 66% cacao, bean-to-bar, dark chocolate bar was occupied by a shower of very pretty, pink inclusions; and it had well-balanced hints of strawberry and rose/floral flavor. The pink peppercorn was very subtle, allowing the more subtle flavors to shine. Thank you to Elana at SweetE Organic for pointing out these hand-crafted bars from the Chicago area.

Triple Ginger Bar - The Chocolate Garage
Last, but not least, I stopped by The Chocolate Garage (Palo Alto, CA) -- the home of many favorite chocolates. No, there was no Austin Healey 3000 sports car with a two-tone chocolate paint job in this garage. Just wonderful, great tasting chocolates with a happy supply chain. It was here that I picked up a Limited Edition Triple Ginger Bar from Patric Chocolate to celebrate another of today's "3"-related milestone. (I've already featured the Triple Ginger Bar earlier this month, but it was worth re-tasting and buying a few for gifts.)

I was also introduced to a great trio of chocolates from Franceschi Chocolate (Caracas, Venezuela) by chocolate curator extraordinaire, Sunita de Tourreil. Look forward to featuring these in a future Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week.

Other Flights of Fancy x 3,000
If I'd had time, I might have flown to Paris or, more likely given time constraints, the Paris hotel and casino in Las Vegas, for a chocolate souffle. Or, I might have gone to the Bellagio (Las Vegas, NV) to see three chocolate items: 1.) the floor-to-ceiling chocolate fountain at Jean-Philippe Patisserie, or 2.) their chocolate holiday display -- like the giant gingerbread house (made with 1,000 pounds of (3,000) chocolate logs) that was created in November 2012. Or, 3.) perhaps, in a gluten-free world, I could have had a slice of a beautiful 3,000 calorie chocolate "ribbons and roses" celebration cake.

So many chocolates left to try. Perhaps I'll work in another chocolate fantasy trip for the next major milestone on my chocolate odometer -- my 4,000th chocolate, in August 2017.