Sted Foods - Lakeside Blend 71% Dark Chocolate (small bar) - July 12, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Sted Foods
Lakeside Blend 71% Dark Chocolate (small bar)
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / This bar was part one flavor in a 3-bar pack
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $10.00 for 3 mini bars (3 different flavors)
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week.

Today's Sted Foods Lakeside Blend 71% Dark Chocolate (small bar) was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN), and was part of a three-bar, lake-themed collection.

Today's "Lakeside Blend" was part of the company's Lakeside Collection of three small bars that also included "The Bobber" (with cacao nibs) and "Coffee + Cream" chocolates.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 71% dark chocolate included: ultra-dark chocolate with flickers of ultra-dark fudge, and faint fruit (dark red, blue/purple fruits). 

I enjoyed the balanced, earthy and deep, dark flavors of the cacao(s) (Haiti and Dominican Republic)--a boldness that still left room for complex berry and other subtle flavors.

Maker's Tasting notes: "Bright, Intense, Reflective"

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

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk"

Kize - Peanut Butter Chocolate (bar) - July 31, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Kize
Peanut Butter Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

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

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate (bar) was from KiZE Concepts (Oklahoma City, OK). 

The company offers a series of different flavored bars (most contain chocolates), including one that is just peanut butter + honey.

Aroma notes included: hearty and authentic and nutty peanut butter, faint chocolate, and very faint honey.

Texture: soft, chewy texture (think rich, soft baked peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie drizzled with honey).

I really enjoyed the short list of only 8 ingredients; specifically, the blend of genuine peanut butter, chocolate chips and nuanced, sweet, honey flavors. It tasted like something made fresh from a kitchen, with nothing artificial. 

Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Honey, Chocolate Chips (cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder), Egg White Protein, Dates, Gluten Free, Rolled Oats, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts, Egg, and Tree Nuts (Coconut). Made in a facility that produces peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs

 

Zotter Chocolate - Opus 5 - Cuvee 72% Dark Chocolate (2023 Edition) - May 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter Chocolate
Opus 5 - Cuvee 72% Dark Chocolate (2023 Edition) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 2 bars
Purchased from: Zotter, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Virtual Caribbean Cruise Week.

Today's Opus 5 - Cuvee 72% Dark Chocolate (2023 Edition) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

This "island hopping" bar was made using a blend of five cacaos from Madagascar, Sao Tome, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Belize. Zotter describes this cuvee as having "Caribbean flair...and a harmonious, and at the same time incredibly exciting aroma profile." 

Each cacao variety was individually roasted (with their own roast profile), and then combined together, and the chocolate was conched for 20 hours.

Aroma notes for this 72% chocolate included: bittersweet chocolate; faint, fleeting molasses; diffuse fruit (cherry, faint salted lime). 

Texture: smooth texture with a very faint, barely detectable astringency/fruit tannic acidity toward the finish.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (with very, very faint aromatic wood) and  a complex and delicious fruit blend (dark, ripe-sweet berry; sapote; dried tropical fruits; elderberry juice/sangria with a little squeeze of citrus, and warm spice).

Maker's tasting notes: "...The intense fragrance and flavor of speculoos, spices, and citrus fruit take center stage. In the nose, you'll experience especially festive accents of spiced shortbread and almond marzipan, enhanced by strong notes of orange and lime. On the palate, you'll initially perceive a mildly roasted flavor or biscuits, almonds, and cream, which eventually culminates in a spritz citrus fruit aroma (oranges, limes, and grapefruit) with herbal and mildly spicy characteristics. The finish gracefully fades into subtly roast accents and gentle notes of wood.

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

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, gluten, soy and sesame."

Bixby Chocolate - Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate Bar - May 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Bixby Chocolate
Organic Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 + shipping for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Bixby Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Organic Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate Bar was from Bixby Chocolate (Rockland, ME). Made with PISA Cacao.

Aroma notes included: bold dark chocolate with relatively subtle balanced earth.

Texture: even, almost stone-ground-creamy texture to start. And the creaminess increased, during each bite that was tasted. 

Flavor notes included: deep chocolate-y flavor, with very balanced (loam-like) earth. 

The sweetness level was a bit high (though right in the range of a 70% dark chocolate), and the bitterness was relatively lower than I expected--based on what the (bolder) aroma signaled.

Overall I enjoyed this bar. The chocolate was bold and balanced with satisfying texture, especially for a two-ingredient bar. And it was Organic.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that processes: milk, peanuts, soy, and tree nut ingredients." ("Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free")

Marabou Products - Choco Kreyol - May 1, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Marabou Products
Choco Kreyol
OK ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 25 calories (estimate) in two sips
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Marabou Products, online order (Etsy)

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Haiti Week.

Today's 100% Bio Choco Kreyol (Haiti) drinking chocolate was distributed by Marabou Products LLC, (Miami, FL). 

This chocolate came with a recipe printed on the back of the package; and I prepared this chocolate with boiling water, according to the directions. The chocolate dissolved very nicely in hot water with minimal stirring and the resulting drinking chocolate had a rich cocoa color and texture.

Aroma notes included: rich, ultra-dark chocolate with earth, loam notes.

Texture: nice drinking chocolate texture, melt and mouthfeel. 

It was relatively smooth in texture (even with no milk added). And if you're like most people, you will want to add milk and sugar. I did not.*

Flavor notes included: bold dark chocolate with very earthy aspects (dark loam, compost, roasted/burned organic fibrous matter, very faint tree bark/rubber).  

I liked the appearance (color), texture and hearty, earthy aroma; and the fact that it was made with organic cacao from Haiti. However, the earthier flavor note(s) were too strong, and a bit off. I'm not sure it was due to the fermentation process or other/subsequent steps in product manufacturing.

Ingredients: (Haitian cacao)

Allergen-related information: (No information for this product.)

*Note: I sampled this chocolate (melted in hot water)--without adding milk or sugar, so I could really taste the cacao. These ingredients would have likely offset/helped balance the stronger cacao flavor(s).

Markham & Fitz - 75% Dark Chocolate Pisa, Haiti (bar) - Apr. 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Markham & Fitz Chocolate Makers
75% Dark Chocolate Pisa, Haiti (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

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

Today's 75% Dark Chocolate PISA*, Haiti (bar) was from Markham & Fitz (Bentonville, Arkansas).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark, chocolate-y; warm spice (cinnamon, five spice blend); and fruit (grape, raisin, citrus).

Texture: smooth, with a very slight astringency.

This relatively flavorful dark chocolate had an authentic, lightly acidic (raisin, citrus and spice), sweetness and complexity to it that I enjoyed tasting.

Maker's tasting notes: "Cinnamon raisin and brownie cover the palate swaying from side to side. Orange peel quickly spins, and dried fig follows up to dip you for a lingering finish."

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also processes dairy and nuts."

*Produits des Iles SA (PISA) works with 100s of cacao farmers in Haiti to produce high-end, fermented and dried cacao (beans) for specialty markets--and smaller-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate makers. Their facilities are centrally located for farmers (between five growing regions) in a relatively mountainous area. 

Honeymoon Chocolates - Coffee Dark Chocolate with Honey and Haiti Cacao (bar) - April 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Honeymoon Chocolates
Coffee Dark Chocolate with Honey and Haiti Cacao
Good ++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Z. Cioccolato, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Haiti (Caribbean) Theme Week.

Today's Coffee Dark Chocolate bar was from Honeymoon Chocolates (St. Louis, MO).  sweetened with raw honey.

The company practices ethical sourcing and transparency. This chocolate (Bar #76452) was a blend of ingredients sourced from around the globe, including Haitian Cacao, Raw Honey (Missouri), Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Coffee from Reconstruction Coffee Roasters, and Peruvian Cacao Butter.

Aroma notes included: light, well-balanced cacao, wildflower honey and coffee.

Texture: smooth, relatively light and creamy texture, with an even, unhurried melt.

Flavor notes included: cacao, honey and high-end coffee, with very faint (barely detectable) fruit and floral.

I enjoyed the well-balanced flavors and the use of honey. This bar landed squarely into the Goldilocks zone. It had rich, nuanced flavors, but wasn't overly bold. The smoothness (in part due to raw chocolate) allowed the nuanced semi-floral honey notes to shine through. It had subtle sophisticated and smooth flavors and was gentle and approachable. It had natural honey sweetness, without being too sweet (thank you). In short, it was just right.

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao, Raw Honey, Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Coffee" 

Allergen-related information: "Free of Refined Sugar, Soy, Dairy, and Gluten"   

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. 

Zotter Chocolate - 72% Dark Chocolate Haiti (bar) - April 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter Chocolate
72% Dark Chocolate Haiti (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total package of 2 bars 
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar (of 2)
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: zotter, online order

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

Today's 72% Dark Chocolate Haiti (bar) was from Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL). The cacao used to make this chocolate was from PISA*.

Aroma notes included: balanced, complex, deep dark chocolate with subtle earth followed by fruit (tropical fruits: cacao, mangosteen and very faint passion fruit and mango). 

Texture: soft, smooth, rich, substantial with slow, thick creamy chocolate caramel-like melt.

Flavor notes included: a rich bouquet of well-integrated cacao flavors: true chocolate; with light tropical fruits and dried fruit (date, faint fig); and faint, smooth roasted cacao/coffee.

This well-executed chocolate was smooth, with cacao butter-y richness. I really enjoyed the subtle dark complexity--especially the fruit spectrum in the aroma and flavor.

Ingredients: Cocoa Mass**, Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Butter** (** = Organic (100%, Fair Traded (100%)

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured On Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Milk, Soy and Sesame."

*PISA works with many small cacao growers in Haiti to create high-quality cacao for specialty markets/ smaller-batch chocolate makers--such as Zotter. Almost all the Haiti chocolates featured this week have been made with PISA cacao. 

Taza Chocolate - Organic Chocolate Covered Nuts - April 26, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate 
Organic Chocolate Covered Nuts
Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 16 oz. (453 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Haiti Theme Week.

Today's Organic Chocolate Covered Nuts were from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). 

While the cacao origin wasn't explicitly stated on the package, there was an image of a woman cacao farmer in Haiti; and the company sources cacao from the Dominican Republic, Ghana and Haiti (PISA* in the Acul du Nord District).

Aroma notes included: bold chocolate-y chocolate (extra dark brownies); faint roasted nuts; (almonds); very subtle and balanced earth; very faint vanilla; and very faint sweet/tart green-citrus (oxalis) and red fruit.

Texture: smooth, chocolate coating over softly crunchy (whole) nuts.

Flavor notes included: deep, dark bold chocolate (with a very slight, well-balanced earthiness); authentic, whole nut (almond, cashew and hazelnut) centers; and a faint trace of vanilla.

Maker's notes (for Haiti cacao): Dried fig, tart cherry, roasted nuts.

Ingredients:  Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Almonds, Organic Cashews, Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Beans, Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds, Cashews and Hazelnuts. May Contain Traces of Other Tree Nuts and Sesame.

*Taza has been working with Produits Des Iles SA, or PISA, since 2015. PISA represents over 1,300 cacao farmers and works with farmers to develop high-quality cacao that can be sold to specialty markets, including bean-to-bar chocolate makers, such as Taza Chocolate. Most of the cacao in this week's Haiti bars come from PISA.

Fjak Sjokolade - 45% Milk & Brown Cheese (bar) - June 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
45% - Milk and Brown Cheese (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 143.3 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 45% Milk and Brown Cheese (from Undredal, Norway) (bar) was from small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway). 

Established by two women in 2015, this Norwegian maker offers a variety of single origin chocolates. Some (Nordic Collection) items are also infused local natural flavors--such as Norwegian brown cheese. (Other flavored bars include: apple cider, berries, reindeer moss and lingonberry, and Norwegian gingerbread.)

The cacao used to make today's Norwegian brown goat cheese* milk chocolate bar was from PISA (Haiti).

Aroma notes for this unique cheese bar included flavorful dark milk chocolate, diffuse fruit (sweet red berry) and a slight savory/salt note.

This uniquely Norwegian 45% milk chocolate was, texturally, a blend of smooth and very slightly crunchy (sugar/salt sparkles?)

The creamy dark chocolate with slightly milk-muted flavor tones made for a tasty milk chocolate. It was bold enough to retain smooth dark cocoa, red berry and very faint cedar notes. 

The brown goats cheese was mellow and mild and, along with a touch of sea salt, created a very harmonious blend with the chocolate and a very satisfying tasting experience--especially if you enjoy savory pairings with your chocolate. 

This chocolate was neither too sweet (thank you!) nor too salty.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, milk powder*, brown goats cheese and sea salt (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: (Contains dairy.) Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten.

*Brunost or brown cheese is uniquely Norwegian. It's often eaten in thin slices, with bread or toast. It's made by heating whey (from cheese-making process) and milk, and has a slight caramelized flavor and "brown" hue.

Exquisito Chocolates - Produits Des Iles SA, Haiti 73% bar - May 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates
73% Haiti Organic - Produits Des Iles SA (Haiti) bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Exquisito Chocolates, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week, involving for the most part chocolates with varying forms of sea salt, and sometimes other marine-related elements.

Today's 73% Haiti Organic Produits Des Iles SA (bar) was from Exquisito Chocolates (Little Havana, Miami, FL). The company offers a range of bars and confections and makes bean-to-bar, and single origin chocolate.

This bar was wrapped in a maritime-themed red paper with navy (boat) anchors. The packaging relates to an origin story that is close to the sea. The cacao was grown on a Caribbean Sea island nation (Haiti) and was made--not that far away by chocolate making standards--in southern Florida, close to the Atlantic Ocean/Biscayne Bay.*

The subtle aroma of this bar was one of dark, sweet chocolate. The melt was even and texture was smooth. The taste was uniform with balanced dark flavor. The cacao used to make this bar was from Produits des Iles SA (PISA), a Haiti food products company that supplies cacao to several specialty chocolate makers.

I ate this bar with a Japanese style (savory) "breakfast" that included a small side dish of roasted almonds, nori (seaweed) and sea salt. I found this savory, sea-related pairing brought out a subtle fruitiness in the dark chocolate that was not noticeable when the dark chocolate was tasted alone. (When tasted alone, the chocolate had a faint earth note, but not bright, diffuse sweet-tart fruit--that arguably was a sweet-salt contrast effect.)

Ingredients: Cacao beans, unrefined cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (No information listed on package.)

*Arguably, Exquisito Chocolates (Little Havana, Miami, FL) is one of the closest U.S. bean-to-bar chocolate makers to Caribbean cacao growing nations.

Bixby and Co. - Organic 70% Dark Chocolate - Haitian Cacao (bar) - Nov. 21, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Bixby and Co.

Organic 70% Dark Chocolate - Haitian Cacao (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $11.50 for 1 bar ($46 for 4 bars)

Purchased from: Bixby and Co. via Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to the last day (Day #16) of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, featuring chocolates from the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti. 

It's been great to see (and taste) many high-quality, small batch bars from both these two nations that sharing one island, including a number of organic chocolate bars.

Today's Organic 70% Dark Chocolate bar from small batch artisan chocolate maker Bixby and Co. (Rockland, ME) was crafted from Haitian cacao beans.

This bar had a naturally sweet dark chocolate aroma and flavor with diffuse fruit acidity (very faint ripe, dark berries, with a barely detectable whisper of citrus and green). 

The two-ingredient bar had a bright sweetness with medium acidity, and was low in bitterness.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: "Prepared in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts and peanut ingredients." Organic, vegan and gluten free.

Honeymoon Chocolates - 80% Haiti + Manuka Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Honeymoon Chocolates

80% Haiti + Manuka (honey) Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar

Calories: 148 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $11.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, including chocolates made from cacao grown in the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti.

Today's 80% Haiti Cacao + Manuka (honey) Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Honeymoon Chocolates (St. Louis, MO).

The aroma notes for this ultra-dark bar included: dark chocolate, light, bright fruit (peach jam, sweet green banana, and very faint ripe berry + spice).

The chocolate had a very smooth texture, with a soft, relatively rapid melt.

Flavor notes included smooth dark chocolate with buttery and floral honey notes--with a relatively mild/friendly flavor profile for an 80% cacao bar, with no harsh or bitter notes and balanced acidity.

Maker's tasting notes: "Apricot, vanilla, green banana, pine"

Ingredients: "Cacao, raw honey, cacao butter"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that prepares products with peanuts and tree nuts." "Free of refined sugar, soy, dairy, and gluten."

 

Honeymoon Chocolates + Kaldi's Coffee - 75% Haiti + Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 19, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Honeymoon Chocolates

(with Kaldi's Coffee Roasting Co.)

75% Haiti Cacao + Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar

Calories: 140 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, including chocolates made from cacao grown in the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti.

Today's 75% Haiti + Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar) was created by Honeymoon Chocolates (Saint Louis, MO) in collaboration with Kaldi's Coffee Roasting Co. (Saint Louis, MO). 

Origin stories

This chocolate was a blend of single origin ingredients (each with their own story), including the Haiti Brew 4 Impact coffee (from Haiti) roasted by Kaldi's Coffee Roasting Co.; and the Haiti-grown cacao was from Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA)--an organization working directly with cacao farmers in Haiti. 

Last, but not least, this dark chocolate bar was sweetened with "Missouri Wildflower and Clover" raw honey. (Honeymoon Chocolates produces several honey-sweetened bars.*)

Aroma

As soon as I opened the sealed wrapper, I was greeted with the hearty, dark roasted aroma of coffee and chocolate. (This was a welcome wake-up breakfast bar this morning after a long hike yesterday.) 

Texture

The 75% cacao chocolate had smooth texture with a rapid, creamy melt.

Flavor

The flavors included rich coffee and dark chocolate flavor notes, as well as some flickers of light floral sweetness, nut butter and very faint, diffuse berry. This chocolate delivered abundant dark flavor(s), but with very balanced, and relatively low bitterness and acidity. The finish was relatively clean with light lingering mocha notes.

Ingredients: Cacao, raw honey, coffee, cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that prepares products with peanuts and tree nuts." "Free of refined sugar, soy, dairy, and gluten." "This product contains raw honey and should not be given to infants under the age of one."

*A portion of the proceeds from this bar go to honeybee research. A unique bar number written on the packaging invites consumers to enter the number at a website to see how their donation is being used.

Triangle Roasters - "Haiti" - 70% Haiti PISA (bar) - Nov. 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Triangle Roasters

"Haiti" - 70% Haiti PISA (bar) 

Good ++

Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar

Calories: 132 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.25 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, featuring chocolates made with cacao grown in the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti.

Today's Haiti 70% (bar) was made from Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA) cacao that was roasted and handcrafted into bars by Triangle Roasters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The aroma contained subtle, sweet dark chocolate--and diffuse, naturally sweet berry (blackberry, blueberry)--notes.

The bar's flavor had a naturally sweet dark chocolate taste (almost vanilla, but there was vanilla added). The perceived sweetness also arrived in the form of diffuse fruit (dried grape, ripe (sweet, faintly earthy) dark berries (blueberry, blackberry)) notes. The finish was fairly clean and subtle.

Maker's tasting notes: "Vanilla, blueberry, floral"

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility with nuts and dairy"

Triangle Roasters - Coffee 68% Haiti PISA (bar) - Nov. 17, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Triangle Roasters

"Coffee" - 68% Haiti PISA + Ethiopian Coffee (bar) 

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar

Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.25 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, featuring chocolates made from cacao grown in the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti.

Today's Coffee 68% Haiti (bar) was made using cacao from Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA) in Haiti (and coffee from Ethiopia) that was roasted and handcrafted into bars by Triangle Roasters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The intriguingly complex yet subtle aroma of this chocolate bar included: balanced coffee, faint leather, very faint vanilla tobacco, chocolate and faint, diffuse fruit (berry) notes. 

The well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap and had a smooth, uniform texture.

Flavor notes included uniformly rich yet polite dark chocolate and, most notably, clear blueberry (and faint ripe blackberry) notes. 

Overall this bar was smooth and well-executed, with enjoyable aroma and flavor notes.

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, coffee

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility with nuts and dairy"

 

Tosier Chocolatemaker - PISA Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 16, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Tosier Chocolatemaker
PISA Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164.7 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks. The focus: single origin chocolate bars made from cacao grown in the Dominican Republic (last week) and Haiti (this week)--the two nations that occupy the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Today's PISA Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Tosier Chocolatemaker (Gipping Valley, Suffolk, UK).

To create this bar, the makers used cacao from Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA), an organization that works directly with farmers in Haiti. The bar's packaging included information about how the cacao was grown,* and a beautifully illustrated explanation of steps involved on the journey that starts with sourced cocoa beans and culminates in finished chocolate bars.

Aroma
The aroma included: subtle herbal-berry flavored lozenge; diffuse fruit (dark, ripe berries: black raspberry, sweet elderberry, currant pastille); barely there, faint and fleeting tart green (lemon, oxalis, wood sorrel); and background chocolate (chocolate torte with red raspberry jam) notes.

Flavor
This well-tempered bar had a glossy sheen and broke with a satisfying snap. The texture and flavor were both uniform and pleasing with notes of dark chocolate cookie/cake. There were no harsh or off notes in this chocolate. 

The natural sweetness of this cacao (including bright red fruit/ripe berry notes) made this 70% bar taste slightly brighter and sweeter than the average 70% dark bar. The fruit complexity also seemed to have some nice potential depth to it. (I'm guessing a slightly darker, 75% cacao version of this bar (with more cacao and less sugar) would be good as well.)

There was a very faint trace of astringency (dryness that you might find in some red wines) in the finish after enjoying a few bites; but it was not off-putting.

Maker's tasting notes: "Complex, with hints of fig, sour cherry and red fruit."

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, ethically sourced cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts." "Gluten free, dairy free, palm oil free...plant-based product"

*The cacao was intercropped with yam, avocado, citrus and plantains. After the cacao fruit was harvested the batch(es) of wet cacao (cacao seeds (aka beans) with fruit pulp) were "centrally fermented...in wooden boxes for around seven days..." before being "sun-dried and turned at regular intervals" (to ensure even moisture content (and flavor) and to prevent mold). The maker also notes: the cacao was "certified organic at origin." 

Wm. Chocolate - Haiti KAFUPBO 80% Dark (bar) - Nov. 15, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate

Haiti KAFUPBO 80% Dark (bar)

Good +++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar

Cost: $3.75 (sale) for 1 small bar

Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks--featuring Dominican Republic cacao-based chocolates last week; and chocolates made from cacao grown in the Republic of Haiti this week.

Today's Haiti KAFUPBO 80% Dark (2019 Harvest) (bar) was made from bean to bar by William Marx at Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI).

KAFUPBO is "a farmer-owned co-op producing world-class organic cacao in northern Haiti." In 2019/2020, Haiti produced only about 5,000 metric tons of cocoa. (The Dominican Republic produced approximately 70,000 metric tons that year.) That's up from the 4,400 tons reported in 2016, but down from the over 20,000 tons from decades earlier--numbers that reflect challenges in this country.

Several organizations, including Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA) and Singing Rooster, have been working with farmers and helping to bring Haiti coffee and cacao to market. I felt grateful to find bars for a Haiti series this week.

Aroma and texture

Today's Wm. Chocolate 80% cacao chocolate had a subtle, complex aroma--a blend of chocolate cookie, with diffuse fruit (red berry, raspberry, very faint sweet lemon, and even fainter lemon herb (oxalis, sour grass, wood sorrel)) notes. The melt and texture were creamy and smooth.

Flavor and tasting ultra-dark bars

As is often the case with ultra-dark (80% and above) chocolates, the flavors are "darker" than the aroma.* Tasting this bar, the initial aroma evoked a sunlit summer tea party with cookies, raspberry jam and lemon slices. 

As I tasted the first piece, it felt like the imaginary tea party had suddenly decided to move into the shaded forest to pick and eat wild blackberries. And I was happy to follow, with an occasional imaginary glance over my shoulder for bears. (Thankfully, no bears or rough or off notes, or earthy spikes; just wonderful, perfectly ripe dark berries and one last cup of tea.)

This bar had a rich dark chocolate flavor that was smooth (well managed) yet complex (rich flavors were allowed to shine). Balanced occasional upticks of earthiness were effectively incorporated into authentic ripe, dark berries: soft undulations of blackberry tea, black currant/elderberry, and black raspberry ice cream notes.

Maker's tasting notes: "Rich and herbal with notes of raspberry, black tea, biscuit"

Ingredients: Certified Organic cacao beans, Certified Organic whole (unrefined) cane sugar, Certified Organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products."

*This rather sudden shift to a darker, more unsweetened cacao taste (vs. a "sweeter" or fruitier initial aroma) found in bars with less than 20% sugar can be a shock--especially for those who are not used to pure cacao flavors or unsweetened chocolate. Our palettes and brains expect chocolates to taste sweet; that's what we're used to. 

However, the best chocolate makers work with farmers, post-harvest fermentation experts, and others to create ultra-dark chocolates with such care and skill that the unique and true flavors of great cacao sing without sugar sparkle; and occasionally (such as with today's maker), seem to add wings for an extra enjoyable ride, where it's possible to experience a form of imaginary culinary transportation.

Honeymoon Chocolates - 85% Haiti Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 4, 2020

Chocolate of the Day

Honeymoon Chocolates
85% Haiti Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 188 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Village Market, Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate, Dominican Republic and Haiti Theme Weeks.

Today's 85% Haiti Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Honeymoon Chocolates (Saint Louis, MO). The company specializes in bean-to-bar craft chocolate sweetened with raw honey.

The bar had a faint dark chocolate aroma and a surprisingly mild and smooth dark chocolate flavor for an ultra-dark chocolate (85%) bar. Missouri raw wildflower and clover honey added a subtle and soft sweetness.

This bar was made using organic cacao from Produits Des Iles SA (PISA), a cacao exporter that works with more than 1,000 cacao farmers in northern Haiti to create high-quality, specialty cacao.

The cacao beans were stone-ground with Madagascan vanilla for 48 hours and the overall bar was "Crafted by Cam." Thank you Cam. (Honeymoon Chocolates founders Cam Loyet and Haley Loyet started the company in 2016, and make their bars in small batches.)

The maker's tasting notes read: "Molasses, Pie Crust, Smoked Wood, Dried Cherry"

Ingredients: Organic cacao, raw honey, cacao butter, and vanilla bean.