Honey Mama's - Mocha Crunch (bar) + Java Junction Mocha Smoothie - Oct. 2, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Honey Mama's 
Mocha Crunch (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Java Junction
Smooth Express (Espresso) Freeze
Good ++
Weight: 24 fl. oz. (estimate)
Calories: 475 calories (estimate)
Cost: $9.75 for 1 smoothie
Purchased from: Java Junction, Santa Cruz, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Coffee Week.

Today's hot weather led to overindulgence--in the form of three, cold mocha chocolate items. Two of these are included below. (The third item was a cup of ice cream with high-end upgrades to traditional mocha almond fudge and coffee ice creams. Delicious; and will re-taste and write about these at a later date.)

Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch 

The Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch (bar) was "Made in Portland, Oregon, While Dancing to Great Music."

Aroma notes included: mocha coconut nut cookie, date, and faint vanilla.

This (refrigerated*) bar had a cold coconut oil-based, fudge-y, melt-in-your-mouth texture, luxe melt and mouthfeel. Coconut oil and cocoa butter gave this bar a rich, appealing taste and texture.

Flavor notes for this "Truffle Treat" of a bar included: chocolate-y (smooth dark chocolate, low in bitterness and acidity), coconut fudge, faint nuts (almost fully incorporated hazelnuts), authentic vanilla, and sea salt.

I liked the relatively short list of authentic flavors (made with no preservatives, no added natural flavors); the taste of the authentic honey, sea salt, vanilla, and coffee that were pleasing accent flavors to cocoa and coconut. The only ingredient (from what I could tell) that had been slightly altered/further processed was the cocoa powder. It had been alkalized, resulting in a mellower, attractive hot cocoa flavor.

Ingredients: "Organic Raw Honey, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut, Hazelnuts, Organic Coconut Flour, Organic Roasted Coffee, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Pink Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains: Coconut and Hazelnuts. "Made in a facility that also processes peanuts." "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age." ("Gluten Free, Free of Refined Sugars, Dairy and Soy Free"

*"This treat melts above 75 degrees (F.)"

Java Junction - Smooth Express (Espresso) Smoothie

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate/mocha; fresh, ripe banana; and coffee. 

This mocha and banana flavored, espresso "freeze" was tasty, refreshing and satisfying. It was enjoyed at the beach in Santa Cruz, CA, where it was a sizzling 88 degrees (F)/ 31.1 degrees (C)...in October. 

I enjoyed the authentic fresh banana and rich, chilled mocha flavors in this smoothie-style drink. And I appreciated that the low sugar level and decaf coffee resulted in no jarring sugar or caffeine buzz (thank you!).

Ingredients: "Espresso, banana, non-fat milk, non-fat frozen yogurt, chocolate (likely Ghirardelli)" 

Allergen-related information: Contained dairy (milk, yogurt)

Nectar Foods - Honey Mama's Peanut Butter Cup Cocoa Truffle Bar - Aug. 10, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Nectar Foods, Inc.
Honey Mama's Peanut Butter Cup Cocoa Truffle Bar
Good ++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 390 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

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

Today's Honey Mama's Peanut Butter Cup Cocoa Truffle Bar was from Nectar Foods, Inc. (Portland, OR). The company produces a line of Cocoa Truffle Bars, all sweetened using honey, rather than refined sugar.

Aroma notes for these refrigerated truffle bars included: chocolate nut butter and honey cookie; peanuts.

This hearty soft chewy, fudge-y bar was a cross between a rich, soft chocolate cookie and a chocolate bar. It had smooth cocoa, peanut, and faint soft, sweet (pleasing) green floral (honey, vanilla), and very faint coconut notes.

I liked the natural honey flavor, and that the overall sweetness level wasn't too high (thank you!).

Ingredients: Organic Roasted Peanuts, Organic Raw Honey, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Organic Coconut Flour, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Pink Salt. 

Allergen-related information: Peanuts and Coconut. (Maker's note: Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age.)

Honey Mama's - Cocoa Truffle Bar Pumpkin Spice (bar) - Oct. 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Honey Mama's 
Cocoa Truffle Bar Pumpkin Spice (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 345 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Pumpkin and Warm Spices Week. Most of the bars and confections featured this week are seasonal or limited edition items; so act fast if you want to find/order these fall and winter special treats.

Today's Honey Mama's Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cocoa Truffle Bar was from Nectar Foods, Inc. (Portland, OR).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate (cocoa), botanical (seed, honey, warm spices, citrus (light orange), vanilla, and very faint (barely there), fleeting earthy vegetable (carrot, pumpkin coconut soup). Note: there were no vegetable ingredients.*

This refrigerated Pumpkin Spice bar had a uniform, satisfying chew with a generous helping of softly crunchy pumpkin seeds. Refrigeration helped guard against possible melting; but if you let the bar warm up to room temperature (not in direct sun), you can taste more of the warm spice and other flavors.

I liked that this was honey-sweetened, and that it was not too sweet. The (alkalized) cocoa used to give this Truffle Bar a rich dark color and cocoa flavor depth was smooth and subtle.

Ingredients: Organic Raw Honey, Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Himalayan Pink Salt, Organic Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Allspice, Organic Cloves, Organic Nutmeg, Orange Oil. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts: Coconut"

Ingredients: Organic Raw Honey, Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Himalayan Pink Salt, Organic Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Allspice, Organic Cloves, Organic Nutmeg, Orange Oil.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts: Coconut"

*Occasionally, I taste certain ingredients in chocolate (in this case warm spices + coconut) and I experience a brief flicker of recognition, and a leap to a food or flavor memory. Today, for a brief second or two, I "tasted" a sweet and savory vegetable soup -- similar to a sweet Thai-style pumpkin coconut soup (with a touch of carrot, orange and spices). 

 

Honey Mama's - Tahini Tangerine (bar) - Jan. 5, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Honey Mama's
Tahini Tangerine (bar)
(Nectar Foods, Inc.)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Honey Mama's Tahini Tangerine (bar) was from Nectar Foods, Inc. (Portland, OR). Made in Portland, this bar was low in bitterness and acidity and high in flavor(s) and texture.

The aroma notes for this chilled* bar included balanced, authentic citrus (tangerine), nutty, rich chocolate honey cake/cookie.

The aromatic tangerine note was more detectable in the aroma than in the flavor. This is usually (but not always the case) for authentic flavor inclusions, and as the chocolate takes more of a front seat in the taste that follows.

Tasting this bar revealed stronger chocolate notes (honey-sweetened fudge brownie) with wee, crunchy sparkles of sea salt, chewy cocoa nibs, faint undercurrents of nutty sesame (tahini), and citrus (tangerine). All these flavors were well balanced and harmonized nicely.

Ingredients: Organic, raw honey, organic sesame seeds, organic unrefined coconut oil, organic alkalized cocoa powder, organic cacao nibs, Himalayan pink salt, vanilla, tangerine oil.

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts: coconut"..."Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age." "No preservatives"..."Keep it Cool. This nourishing treat melts at 72 degrees F" (Farenheit) / 22.2 degrees C (Celsius). Note: this also contained sesame.

*Due largely to a relatively low melting point (of coconut oil), Honey Mama's series of honey-sweetened bars that I've purchased have all been chilled. I've found them in/near dairy/produce sections (refrigerated shelves) in stores. 

Honey's Mama's - Ginger Cardamom Cacao Nectar Bar - Jan. 16, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Honey Mama's 

Ginger Cardamom Cacao Nectar Bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.75 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 351 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $6.99 (estimate) for 1 bar

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

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

Iced ginger ale and iced ginger beverages offer bracing refreshment in the summer. However, ginger is also a welcome, warming spice in winter.

Today's Honey Mama's Ginger Cardamom Cacao Nectar Bar was from Portland, Oregon. This gluten-free vegan bar had a light chocolate and ginger spice cookie aroma, and a velvety melt and texture (coconut oil and honey).

If refrigerated or left in a cold room it might develop a soft, slight chew (a situation where you might notice the shredded coconut surrounded by relatively mild/smooth alkalized Organic cocoa.

A balanced hint of Himalayan pink salt rounded out the flavor arc in this bar.

Cachet - Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa bar - March 7, 2018

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Honey Mama's

Nibs and Coffee Cacao-Nectar Bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.4 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70.8 g.) total bar

Calories: 175.5 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $6.29 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Nibs, Coffee and Coconut Nectar cocoa treat was from Honey Mama's (Portland, OR). This raw honey-sweetened chocolate confection was softer and more textured than a conventionally tempered chocolate bar. It did not break with a hard snap; but it was full of natural flavors.

If you like coconut, you'll like the natural shredded "coconut meat" flavor and virgin coconut oil in today's chocolate. Coffee and cocoa nibs provided additional taste and texture.

*Ingredients: raw, local honey; shredded Organic coconut; unrefined Organic coconut oil; Organic Dutch alkalized cocoa powder; Organic roasted cocoa nibs; single estate ground coffee; vanilla; and Himalayan pink salt.

Honey Mama's bars are free from gluten, soy, eggs, dairy and grains.

Honey Mama's - Peruvian Raw Cacao-Nectar Bar - Nov. 17, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Honey Mama's
Peruvian Raw Cacao-Nectar Bar
Good++
Weight: .833 oz. (23.6 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70.8 g.) in total package
Calories: 117 calories in 1/3 package
Cost: $6.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to the last day (Day #7) of Raw Chocolate Theme Week and the first day of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peruvian Raw Cacao-Nectar Bar was from Honey Mama's (Portland, OR).

"Made with sprouted (Organic) almonds, raw Peruvian cacao and raw local honey," the raw cacao provided "an extra dose of anti-oxidants," (due to lack of processing).

Rather than added cocoa butter, Honey Mama's bars contained unrefined Organic coconut oil -- which also meant a lower melting temperature than conventional tempered dark chocolate bars. These bars should be kept refrigerated until ready to eat.

This honey-sweetened, Peruvian Cacao-Nectar bar had a coconut cookie aroma, and an even, smooth dark chocolatey melt—a healthy cookie-chocolate bar hybrid. The well-crafted, rustic bar had a satisfying, almost crunchy, coconut (and almond bit) texture—with an occasional sparkle of salt—and a chocolate coconut cookie finish.

The handmade in Portland, paleo bar was labeled as containing "no gluten, soy, dairy or grain."

*Retention of nutritive properties and a desire for less-processed food, are generally reasons behind the preference for raw chocolate.

Honey Mama's - Oregon Peppermint bar - Nov. 16, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Honey Mama's
Oregon Peppermint Cacao-Nectar Bar
Good++
Weight: .833 oz. (23.6 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70.8 g.) in total package
Calories: 117 calories in 1/3 package
Cost: $6.95 for 1 package (3 pieces)
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Raw Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Oregon Peppermint Cacao-Nectar Bar from Honey Mama's (Portland, OR) was a great blend of coconut, peppermint, salt and chocolate flavors.* The fact that it was slightly cool (from refrigeration) seemed to highlight the natural mint flavor a bit.

This raw, paleo, gluten-free bar was slightly soft and chewy (from the coconut).

Honey Mama's offers a line of several different raw Cacao-Nectar bars. (I'm featuring four of them this week.) All of them have coconut in them and were labeled as paleo and gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free.

*Ingredients included: coconut meat, dark cocoa, peppermint oil and raw local (Oregon) honey.