NearyNogs Chocolate - "Salt Water Days" - Irish sea salt, cacao nibs & gold dust 60% Ecuador (bar) - Sept. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

NearyNogs Chocolate
"Salt Water Days" - Irish sea salt, cacao nibs & gold dust 60% Ecuador (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 166 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week.

Today's "Salt Water Days" - Irish sea salt, cacao nibs & gold dust 60% Ecuador (bar) (Batch 2604) was from NearyNogs Chocolate (Mourne Coast, Ireland). 

This small batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker is "nestled between the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea." And today's bar is their "ode to sunny beach days." (include parts of their description) the golden sheen off the water. 

The cacao used for this 60% dark chocolate was made using cacao from Hacienda Limon in Ecuador.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (ganache), very faint tart-sweet fruit (citrus, berry, dried fig), and faint roasted and caramel notes found in mocha lattes.

There were two different flavor zones in this bar: 1.) the base dark chocolate (ultra-dark, bittersweet chocolate-y tart made with non-alkalized cocoa powder); very faint diffuse fruit (citrus, berry); roasted marshmallow/toffee; and a very slightly earthy, bittersweet tang; and 2.) the bites that also included the crunchy cocoa nibs and sea salt. The latter bites tasted mellower, nuttier, and a bit more well balanced to me. 

Note: salt tends to cut bitterness a little. I liked the bites with salt and nibs a bit better. It was nice to have a wee bit of contrast though. I'm a huge fan of well-executed complexity and layered flavors. 

Someone asked me: Did the gold have a flavor? Not that I could taste. Pure gold is considered an inert substance, and doesn't spark taste sensations per se; but it can (and did today) create pretty visual effects. And appearance is part of the whole tasting experience.

Having walked on the coastal trail near Dublin, the subtle glow of the gold sheen on this bar did indeed bring back happy memories of late afternoon light on the Irish sea when I was there. Thank you to NearyNogs for the temporal transportation today and for being who they are (solar-powered chocolate factory, soulful family stories, thoughtfulness, and nature-inspired, beautiful, compostable packaging).

Maker's Tasting Notes: Caramel, Butter, Toffee, Salt

Ingredients: "60% cacao beans, unrefined cane sugar, Irish sea salt, edible gold dust. (cocoa solids 60% minimum)."

Allergen-related information: None listed on packaging.

*Edible gold has no taste; and it is "inert" so it doesn't react with anything?? and passes through the digestive system.

Nobo Ltd. - Irish Sea Salt (bar) - Sept. 22, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Nobo Ltd.
Irish Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 159 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 2.25 Euros ($2.25 (estim.) USD) for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Loop, Dublin Airport shop

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

Today's Irish Sea Salt (bar) was from Nobo Ltd. (Ranelagh, Ireland). The company produces a variety of gluten free, plant-based treats, confections, bars and spreads.

Aroma and taste notes were a pleasing blend of gentle sweet and salty/savory flavors, that included very faint cashew coconut shortbread cookie; soft fruit (grape/raisin); and sea salt.

This chocolate bar did not break with a snap. Instead the texture was cohesive, smooth and softly creamy--with a distinctive, smooth melt. (Cocoa butter was the number one ingredient.)

A lower cacao percentage chocolate is often very sweet but may still have some detectable (diluted) sour/bitter cacao notes. This 48% cocoa plant-based chocolate bar--made with single origin Colombian cacao--was very smooth and low in bitterness, and it was not (surprisingly) too sweet. 

Nut butters (in this case cashew butter) helped mellow/dilute flavors 

Coconut sugar was the number two ingredient (after cocoa butter). It added an authentic "warm" (brown/coconut sugar) flavor, while being less "buzzy" (lower on the glycemic index) than processed sugars. 

Last, but not least, I loved the Irish sea salt. It created a very satisfying, integrated sense of healthy snack balance. 

Ingredients: Cocoa butter, coconut sugar, cocoa mass, cashew nut butter, coconut, Irish sea salt (0.5%).

Allergen-related information: Contains cashews, coconut. Made on equipment that handles milk, soya, peanuts and other nuts. (Made in the EU.)

Butlers Chocolates - Drumshanbo with Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Irish Gin flavoured Truffles - Sept. 21, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Butlers Chocolates
Drumshanbo with Sardinian Citrus
Gunpowder Irish Gin flavoured Chocolate Truffles
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total box of 8 pieces
Calories: 249 calories in 4 pieces (498 kcals in 100 g.)
Cost: 9.00 Euros or $9.00 (estimated USD) for 1 box
Purchased from: The Loop Dublin Airport (shop), Collinstown (Dublin), Ireland

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Ireland Series.

Today's Dumshanbo with Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Irish Gin flavoured Chocolate Truffles was from Butlers Chocolates UC (Dublin, Ireland). 

Butlers was founded in 1932 by Marion Bailey-Butler. It subsequently was acquired; and in the 1980s the company name became Butlers Irish Chocolates.

. It subsequently was acquired; and in the 1980s the company name became Butlers Irish Chocolates.

The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Sardinian Citrus used to animate these chocolates was "slow distilled at The Shed Distillery--located in the village of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. Founded in 2014 by PJ Rigney, this producer of gin (including Gunpowder Irish Gin), whiskey and vodka was the first distillery in this area in over 100 years. 

Aroma notes for these filled confections included: sweet milk chocolate and faint citrus (lemon, various other citrus) and spirits (gin, botanicals).

The thick, Butlers Chocolates 32% milk chocolate* outer shell was thick, creamy and sweet. But, things got a lot more flavorful inside, after the first bite.

Botanical inclusions in the gin (that flavored the centers) included the traditional juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom and star anise. But the flavor notes were even more multi-layered and complex, and included citrus (lemon, lemon peel, sweet grapefruit), botanicals (herbal, floral (meadowsweet), gunpowder tea, and balanced juniper in the finish)...and very faint cedar.

The citrus, tea and herbal notes really helped to counter the inherent sweetness of these milk chocolates. 

Ingredients: Sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, Drumshanbo Irish Gin with Sardinian Citrus(R) (6.9%), sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar), invert sugar syrup, glucose syrup, lemon compound (lemon 47%), sugar, nature flavouring, acidity regulator: sodium citrate, anti-oxidant: ascorbic acid), emulsifier: soya lecithin, glycerol, citric acid, natural flavouring. (Milk chocolate contains: 32% cocoa solids minimum, 20% milk solids minimum. White chocolate contains: 26% cocoa solids minimum, 20% milk solids minimum). Alcohol by volume: 3.15%

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy. "This product may contain nut traces."

*The cacao origin listed: "West Africa."

Teeling Distillery - Whiskey Chocolate Truffles - Sept. 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Teeling Distillery
Teeling Whiskey Truffles - Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: Missing information
Calories: Missing information
Cost: 6.00 Euros ($6.00 (estim.) USD) for 1 box of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Teeling Distillery, Dublin, Ireland

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

Today's Teeling Whiskey Dark Chocolate Truffles were purchased at Teelings Distillery, in The Liberties (Dublin, Ireland). These chocolates were made for Teeling by Skelligs Chocolate (St. Finian's Bay, County Kerry, Ireland). 

Teeling Distillery offers a lively tour and tasting on-site; and the chocolates in the gift shop were a fun find/take-away. 

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, and faint spirits (whiskey).

A firm, outer dark chocolate shell surrounded a flavorful, sweet dark chocolate ganache (center) that was infused with attractive whiskey notes.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, Emulsifier (Soya lecithin), natural vanilla flavouring), Dark Chocolate Compound Vegetable Fat, sugar, fat-reduced cocoa powder; Whey powder, Emulsifier (Soya lecithin), creme, Teeling Irish Whiskey. 

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a factory that handles nuts."

 

The Fumbally - Hot Chocolate and Gluten Free Chocolate Cake - Sept. 19, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

The Fumbally

Hot Chocolate
Good ++
1 Cup
Calories: Unknown
Cost: 4.10 Euros ($4.10 (estim.) USD) for 1 cup
Purchased from: The Fumbally, Dublin, Ireland

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
Good ++ 
1 Slice
Calories: Unknown
Cost: 4.90 Euros ($4.90 (estim.) USD) for 1 slice
Purchased from: The Fumbally, Dublin, Ireland

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Ireland Theme Week. Sometimes the best way to explore chocolate is to sit in a cafe.

Today's two chocolate items were from The Fumbally, located in The Liberties area of Dublin, Ireland.

This community cafe was a wonderful place to have breakfast, and watch the world go by. As the weather shifted from light showers to dry pavement and back again, I enjoyed eating fresh eggs and sipping a cup of hot chocolate. I also tried the Fumbally gluten-free chocolate cake. 

The cocoa was warm, sweet, chocolate-y and inviting, with a decorative dash of cocoa powder across the top.

The gluten free chocolate cake was silky smooth, authentic and chocolate-y with a very thin flaky layer on top (like you'd find on a brownie or tort).

Both items were a bit on the sweet side; but portions were enjoyable (not too big/heavy, or too small), and were very satisfying as a dual dose of chocolate on a rainy day. 

I don't have a list of ingredients or potential allergens for these two gluten-free chocolate offerings, but The Fumbally's food tasted healthy and made from scratch to me.

Lir Chocolates - Guinness Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lir Chocolates
Guinness Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.18 g. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 175.5 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: 3.00 Euros ($3.00 (estim.) USD) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Guinness Storehouse, St. James's Gate, Dublin, Ireland

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

Today's Guinness Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Lir Chocolates (Johnstown, Navan, County Meath, Ireland)--"with chocolate from multiple countries." In addition to producing their own chocolates, Lir partners with famous Irish product brands like Guinness to produce novelty chocolate offerings. (Lir also makes a box of small Guinness chocolate ("glasses"), and a Guinness Chocolate Rugby Ball.)

Aroma notes for today's Irish stout-forward chocolate included sweet dark chocolate and sharp, sweet malted barley--just like the aroma in the Guinness facility where I bought these.

The bar's texture was silky smooth, buttery and slightly oily (butter oil).

Flavor notes included: smooth dark (52%) chocolate and bold brew notes (roasted, malted barley, hops, stout, dark beer).

Tasting notes: "Intense dark chocolate flavoured with the complex notes of Guinness (TM)."

Ingredients: Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Butter Oil (Milk), Flavourings, Emulsifier: Lecithins (Soya), Guinness (TM) Beer (contains Barley and Gluten). Dark Chocolate contains Cocoa Solids 52% minimum. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Soya, Barley, Gluten. May contain traces of Nuts and Peanuts. This product contains alcohol (0.2%). Not suitable for children. 

Bombus Natural Energy - Raw Energy Orange and Cocoa - Sept. 17, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Bombus Natural Energy
Orange and Cocoa Beans Raw Energy (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 183.8 calories in 1 bar (367.6 kcals per 100 g.)
Cost: $1.89 (estimate) USD for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Wicklow Gaol (shop), Wicklow, Ireland

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Ireland Week. 

Today's Orange and Cocoa Beans Raw Energy (bar) was from Bombus Natural Energy (Krnov, Moravskoslezky kraj, Czech Republic). The company offers a variety of health-oriented, gluten free bars created at lower temperatures (to preserve nutritional properties), and without extra sugar or preservatives.

This chocolate may have been from somewhere else in Europe, but it was bought during a stop at the Wicklow Gaol*, an historic spot in Wicklow, Ireland. 

Aroma notes for today's energy bar included: cocoa, orange and dried fruit (dates).

The texture was substantial, soft, "date-y" and chewy.

Flavor notes included: authentic cocoa/cacao, natural orange, dried fruit (date), and faint coconut.

Ingredients: Dates (67.5%), Coconut (15%), Cocoa (8%), Cocoa Beans (8%), Orange Concentrate (1.2%), Orange Oil (0.3%).

Allergen-related information: (Gluten Free and Lactose Free); "Possible allergens: nuts, sesame"

*Wicklow Gaol is an ancient Irish jail with a lot of interesting history--most of it sad (as you might have already guessed). 

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NearyNogs Chocolate Makers - Old Fashioned (bar) - June 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

NearyNogs Chocolate Makers
Old Fashioned (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Old Fashioned 70% Dominican Republic (Zorzal) bar was crafted by NearyNogs Chocolate Makers* (Mourne Coast, Ireland), and was part of the company's Irish Collection--itself a nod to traditional Irish "songs and stories, on walks, in homes, pubs and now in a chocolate factory."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint orange and even fainter sweet whiskey.

This bar had a smooth and satisfying texture and melt. The tiny crystals of burnt sugar embedded in the 70% dark chocolate were a fun and tasty touch.**

The flavors were thoughtfully balanced. The orange bitters (dried orange, bitters) and Irish Whiskey flavors were quite subtle, and seamlessly integrated with a smooth, but flavorful, (70%) dark chocolate base (that had true chocolate notes: dark fudge brownie with ground, roasted nibs). 

I suggest savoring this bar first, by itself, to appreciate the more subtle flavor nuances. Savory snacks (Irish cheddar, blue cheese, chips and savory nuts) followed today's chocolate.

Ingredients: "70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate (70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate (70% cacao beans and sugar), burnt sugar, dried orange, bitters, irish whiskey, cacao nibs"

Allergen-related information: None listed on packaging. (No common allergens listed in ingredients list.)

*"Neary" comes from a family name and "Nogs" is from Gaelic roots; and roughly translates into English as "the land of the youth, or the eternal land."

**"The old fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters, adding whiskey and garnishing with a twist of orange rind. It is traditionally served in an old fashioned glass, which predated the cocktail."

NearyNogs - Wild Irish Dulaman Gorse Flower & Irish Seaweed (bar) - May 25, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

NearyNogs
Wild Irish Dulaman Gorse Flower & Irish Seaweed (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .705 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Flowers Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

Today's Wild Irish Dulaman Gorse Flower and Irish Seaweed (bar) was from NearyNogs Chocolate Makers (in their Mourne Coast facility/Newry, Northern Ireland -- with views of the Mourne mountains and the Irish Sea). The company produces a line of small batch, bean-to-bar, stoneground chocolates, some with locally-inspired flavors. 

The two Irish flavor inclusions: 1.) Edible Gorse flowers (Aiteann gallda) seen as small, dried yellow petals) Some species have a faint coconut scent., and 2.) Irish seaweed that added a light salty/umami note. Together, these two unique flavor inclusions were skillfully harmonized with each other-- and with the fruit (red fruit) flavors in the dark chocolate. 

Aroma notes for this well-tempered 70% dark chocolate included: dark chocolate, diffuse red fruit (red grape), evasive floral and very faint salt/savory notes

Flavor and finish notes were subtly complex, with an appealing, smooth but hearty, dark chocolate base (made with single estate cacao from Zorzal, in the Dominican Republic) with natural, balanced ripe fruit sweetness, sweet floral, very faint salt/savory and light caramel tones. 

I enjoyed this bar, with rich, pleasing flavors that included a light touch of endemic Irish floral and marine elements.

Maker's description: "Local foraged Irish channel wrack seaweed, just like the ancients foraged, paired with gorse ("whin") flowers, Irish bean to bar, craft chocolate"

Ingredients: 70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate, (70% cacao beans and sugar) seaweed and dried gorse flowers.

Allergen-related information: (None listed on packaging.) 

Butlers - Chocolate Caramel Crunch Bar - May 21, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Butlers Chocolates
Chocolate Caramel Crunch Bar
Good 
Weight: 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.75 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

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

Today's Chocolate Caramel Crunch Bar was from Butlers Chocolates (North Dublin, Ireland).

This filled milk chocolate candy bar had a faint sea sal/savory nuttiness note in the aroma. I gently broke off the first segment. And a waterfall of liquid golden sugar burst forth as the milk chocolate shell broke apart. It made me wonder how this bar had survived the shipping and handling process.

The relatively creamy milk chocolate outer layer was overpowered almost immediately by the flowing caramel. As for the hazelnut, I did taste one small bit of hazelnut, but not until the very last bite.

I suggest sharing this bar with a friend. If you do, get a napkin or two first; and divide it on/over a plate, to protect clothing from caramel drips.

Good-bye Caramel Weeks

Most people assume I eat chocolate because I have a sweet tooth. However, if you know me, you know that while I'm a chocolate omnivore, I prefer 100% cacao bars (without any added sugar) over sugary treats. I like the flavors of dark chocolate and am saddened when they're overwhelmed by too much sugar. 

Dark chocolate also fits into my carbohydrate budget and still allows me to eat a few pieces of fresh fruit every day, which I also like. Alas, caramel is high in sugar....because it is sugar. And, after tomorrow, I will still feature an occasional dark chocolate caramel pieces; but this will be my last caramel and/or toffee Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet. It's been fun. 

Candy Math

The following candy math is what drove the point home for me about caramel and toffee.

Today's sweet flowing caramel milk (20%) chocolate (32%) bar contained 44 g. of Total Carb., and 40 g.* of Total Sugars--according to the label. (Note: suggested serving for this bar is 1/2 bar; I ate the whole bar.)

Bottom line: If this is correct, I consumed the equivalent of 9.75 teaspoons of sugar* in less than 10 minutes this morning. The same size (2.65 oz./75 g.) 75% dark chocolate bar** (without milk) contains approximately 18.55 g. of sugars, less than half the amount of sugar. 

*Forty grams of sugar(s) is about the same amount of sugar in one 12 fl. oz. (355 mL) can of Coca Cola (which contains closer to 39 g. of sugar to be precise), i.e. approximately 9.75 teaspoons of sugar in one can.

**For a look at how much sugar you might find in chocolate bars, see this page, with illustrations on Wm. Chocolate website.

Brona Chocolates - Dark Chocolate with Beara Sea Salt bar - July 15, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Brona Chocolates
Beara Sea Salt - Dark Chocolate bar with Beara Sea Salt
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 265 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market, North Scottsdale, AZ

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Sea salt plays a large role in many cultures and has a rich history. It is with some pride that people identify with single origin salts (as well as chocolates), as salt has its own "terroir" equivalent, based on mineral content, and where waters have passed through on the way to the sea.

Today's Beara Salt - Dark Chocolate bar with Beara Sea Salt was created by Brona Chocolates (Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland), in the southwest of Ireland.

Brona specializes in handmade Irish chocolates. Today's bar had a slight malt and salt aroma and flavor. The Irish Altantic Sea Salt in this bar was from the Beara Peninsula in West Cork (County), Ireland, not that far from Brona Chocolates, and where salt has been harvested for many years.* The salt flakes had a lovely texture, quality and flavor.

The 54% dark bar had a pleasant, uniform fudge brownie, dark chocolate flavor. Its smooth texture was complemented with slightly crunchy, very thin flecks of salt. The result: a well balanced, even-handed blend of chocolate, sugar and sea salt.

*Almost ninety-seven percent of water on our planet is considered saline or salty (vs. fresh) water, and most of that is sea or ocean water. These waters are approximately 3.5 percent salt. Creating salt ponds and evaporating the water in these ponds multiple times (leaving successive layers of salt behind) has been a time-honored way to make salt in coastal regions. Salt was especially valuable for food preservation and seasoning in the pre-industrial era; and the first evidence of humans making salt in Europe dates back to almost 7,000 years ago.