Kind - Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Plant Based Creamy Frozen Dessert - Aug. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC
Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Plant Based Creamy Frozen Dessert
Good +
Weight: 2/3 cup (124 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 290 calories in 1 serving (2/3 cup) 
Cost: $7.99 for 1 Pint container
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Cold Chocolate Theme Week featuring frozen and refrigerated items with chocolate.

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt plant-based creamy frozen dessert was from Kind LLC (NYC, NY). 

Kind's line of frozen pint flavors has mirrored their earlier/original nut and fruit snack bar flavors. And the newer line(s) of plant-based frozen pints and frozen bars are true to these original snack bars in spirit and flavor.

Today's frozen dessert had a smooth texture and a generous helping of crunchy nut pieces (chopped almond). The dark chocolate chunks were relatively flavorful given the chocolate was made with alkalized cocoa (with dark, even slightly earthy notes). The base had a faint fruity note. (The first ingredient was pear juice.) 

My only quibble: the vegetable gums (see below in ingredients list), even if these gums did help ensure a smooth and ice-cream like texture.

Ingredients: Pear juice (from concentrate), water, almonds, sugar, dried tapioca syrup, coconut oil, chocolate processed with alkali, chicory root fiber, cocoa butter, sea salt, gum acacia, natural flavor, soy lecithin, carob bean gum, tara gum, guar gum, salt.

Allergen-related information: "Kind Frozen Pint ingredients do not include gluten. However, Kind Frozen Pints are made on shared equipment with products containing gluten ingredients."

Kind - Coffee Hazelnut plant-based frozen dessert + new-o-politan combo - July 9, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind

Coffee Hazelnut Coffee Plant Based Creamy Frozen Dessert

Good +

Weight: 1/3 cup (62.5 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container

Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 serving

Cost: $7.99 for 1/2 serving

Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Coffee Hazelnut (with cocoa powder and chocolate flavor) plant-based, frozen dessert was from Kind LLC (NY, NY). 

Made with pear juice, almonds, hazelnut and coconut and other Non-GMO ingredients. The result, from this company that has specialized in fruit and nut snacks, was flavorful and almost surprisingly creamy. 

This frozen dessert was a member of an updated Neopolitan-like ice cream trio...that also included Strawberry Ice Cream from Acme (Petaluma, CA), and Blue Jasmine ice cream from Tin Pot Creamery (San Carlos, CA).

The three scoops were topped with nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds) and single origin dark chocolate shavings.

Kind's Coffee Hazelnut flavor was slightly tart, sweet, with the balanced bitter flavor of coffee + nut (hazelnut). Cocoa (powder, flavoring) and sweet coffee added traces of rich mocha to this smooth, yet relatively bold flavor blend.

Ingredients: Pear juice (from concentrate), water, almonds, sugar dried tapioca syrup, hazelnuts, tapioca syrup, coconut oil, coffee, cocoa powder, gum acacia, sea salt, chocolate natural flavor, soy lecithin, carob bean gum, tara gum, guar gum, pectin, salt, sunflower lecithin. 

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds, hazelnuts and soy.

Kind - Dark Chocolate Vanilla Cashew Clusters dipped - May 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC 
Kind Clusters dipped - Dark Chocolate Vanilla Cashew
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 2 servings 
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and VWXYZ Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with origins and flavor inclusions that start with the letters V, W, X, Y and/or Z.

Today's Kind Clusters "dipped" Dark Chocolate Vanilla Cashew snack was from Kind LLC (New York City, NY). The company offers a growing line-up of bars, snacks, cereals and other offerings that include whole food ingredients: nuts, fruits, grains--and many items with dark chocolate.

These clusters offered great textural contrast, ranging from crunchy nuts (cashews and almonds) and quinoa, to a smooth dark chocolate base. (I admit, I have a soft spot for nuts and dark chocolate.) A touch of sea salt helped to balance out the sweetness (supplied by cane sugar and brown rice syrup).

And, once again this week, vanilla played a strong supporting role--adding uplifting, warm floral spice aroma and flavor that complemented nuts, dark chocolate and other ingredients.

Ingredients: Cashews, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), cane sugar, quinoa, brown rice syrup, vanilla extract, natural flavor, sea salt, Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols for freshness). 

Allergen-related information: "Contains cashews, almonds and soy. May contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs and sesame seeds."

Kind Cereal - Dark Chocolate Almond cereal - Mar. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC

Dark Chocolate Almond (cereal)

Good +

Weight: 1.94 oz. (55 g.) / 15 oz. (425 g.) in total box

Calories: 240 calories in 1 serving (2/3 cup)

Cost: $6.98 (estimate) for 1 box

Purchased from: Walmart, Mountain View, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, where we're featuring chocolate items that have flavor inclusions and origins with letters that start with N, O, P and/or Q. Today's cereal with chocolate also contained oats and quinoa.

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond cereal was from Kind LLC (New York City, NY).

This primarily flake-based cereal contained a blend of almonds, cocoa, oats, sorghum, quinoa and amaranth. The golden brown flakes appeared to have a very light cocoa powder coating, giving it a slightly richer color, that was accented with tiny, darker chocolate squares. 

The cereal flakes had a hearty texture and crunch, a slightly nutty cereal flavor, and were not too thick or thin. And the dark, semi-sweet chocolate pieces offered additional bursts of sweet, rich dark chocolate flavor.

The almonds, quinoa and oats contained a fair amount of protein. This gluten-free cereal contained 6 grams of protein in each 2/3 cup serving. 

Ingredients: "Almonds, oats, sorghum, brown rice, semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), cane sugar, red rice, canola oil, quinoa, amaranth, cocoa powder, Natural Flavor, sea salt, Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols for freshness)."

Allergen information: "Contains Almonds and soy. May contain tree nuts and sesame seeds."

Kind - Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal - Mar. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC 
Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) / 9 oz. (258 g.) in total box of 6 packets
Calories: 170 calories in 1 packet
Cost: $1.99 for 1 box of 6 packets 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with flavor inclusions or origins that begin with the letters N, O, P and/or Q. (More Oats today.)

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal was from Kind LLC (New York City, NY). Kind has been most well-known up until now for its whole nut and fruit snack bars (with relatively short ingredients lists). Some contain chocolate. They've recently expanded into cereals.

This warm, creamy, smooth oatmeal was full of oaty goodness and two great, complementary flavor inclusions. The gluten-free, whole grain oats were blended with sliced, roasted/toasted almonds and small chunks of semi-sweet dark chocolate. 

The single-serving packets (6 to a box) made this a good choice for a portable and easy-to-make breakfast on the go. I added hot water, waited a minute, and stirred. The melted dark chocolate pieces gave this hot cereal a subtle, uniform, authentic chocolate flavor and a subtle ebony hue.

Each packet of oatmeal contained 5 grams of protein, and was high in fiber, making it filling enough to tide one over until lunch.

Ingredients: "Oats, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), cane sugar, sea salt, natural flavor."

Allergen information: "Contains almonds and soy. May contain tree nuts."

Kind - Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars - Chocolate Peanut Butter - Feb. 1, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind LLC

Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars - Chocolate Peanut Butter

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 5.2 oz. (148 g.) in total box/package of 4 bars 

Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $3.00 (sale) for 1 box/package of 4 bars

Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Oats Theme Week.

Ever sense chocolate and peanut butter collided (thank you Reese's!), candy and snack bar makers have been experimenting with how to best combine these two flavors into best-selling offerings.

In recent decades power, energy and nutrition bar makers have offered chocolate and peanut in their line-ups. However, some have been heavily processed, compressed with pulverized whole grains and or protein powders. While these bars offered convenience, they haven't always resulted in appealing taste and texture.

Demand grew for bars that were easily transportable, were healthier than traditional candy bars and tasted better than early energy bars.

Some Chocolate Banquet viewers may remember write-ups of nut butter filled bars with chocolate from local San Francisco Bay Area-based Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA). Their nut butter bars have been a step in this direction.

There has also been interest in more whole foods with shorter ingredients lists of less processed items. Kind LLC (NY, NY) became successful for their bars that addressed this demand.  Kind has pioneered snack bars with a simple (short) list of relatively whole ingredients. (You can see real nuts and seeds, and many are topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate, rather than a heavy layer.)

Today's Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars from Kind is an evolution of many recent industry trends and developments.

Kind's relatively new line of nut butter filled bars combines their experience with crunchy, chewy, nut, seed and chocolate drizzled bars with whole grains* (oats) and a smooth nutty, creamy peanut butter filling. A tasty combination!

*Kind's description of their bars includes a definition of whole grains, which speaks to another reason why they've been successful: their transparency about ingredients. "A grain is considered "whole" if it contains all three parts of its original seed: the bran, germ and endosperm."

Kind - Pressed by Kind Dark Chocolate Banana bar - Aug. 6, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind

Pressed by Kind Dark Chocolate Banana bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.34 oz. (38 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $1.67 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Safeway, Danville, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Costa Rica Theme Week.

The biggest agricultural exports in Costa Rica have been bananas and pineapples. So, today, we're honoring one of these fruits, the banana, two different ways. 

The first item was a Pressed by Kind Dark Chocolate Banana bar. It was rich and chewy, with concentrated dried banana moistness and sweetness, drizzled and backed with dark chocolate.

The second item was a blend of several left-over, single origin Costa Rican chocolate bars, melted into a fondue and eaten with banana chips (from Bare Snacks). Yum.

KIND - Pressed by Kind - Dark Chocolate Strawberry bar - June 23, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind LLC
Pressed by Kind - Dark Chocolate Strawberry bar
Good
Weight: 1.3 oz. (38 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.67 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Dublin, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Cherry and Berries Theme Week.

This Pressed by Kind - Dark Chocolate Strawberry bar was from Kind LLC (New York, NY).

Naturally fruity and sweet, this gluten free, chewy, pressed bar tasted more like dried apples than strawberry or chocolate. And, as it turns out, "apples" was the first ingredient listed.*

*Ingredients: Apples, strawberries, cherries, chia seeds, palm kernel oil, sugar, chicory root fiber, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, natural flavor, sea salt, cocoa butter

KIND - Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond bar - May 26, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

KIND
Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond bar was part of KIND bar's "nut and spice" group, part of the company's expanding line of nut and fruit bar flavors.

This gluten-free, mahogany-colored bar had a satisfying almond nut crunch and dark chocolate mocha flavor, as promised.

Ingredients: "Almonds, chicory root fiber, palm kernel oil, sugar, honey, glucose syrup, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, rice flour, cocoa nibs, coffee powder, soy lecithin, madagascar vanilla, salt, natural flavor, cocoa butter."

Kind LLC - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Popped Snack Bites - Dec. 7, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind LLC
Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt - Popped Snack Bites
Good
Weight: 1 cup (60 g.) / 6.5 oz. (184 g.) in total package
Calories: 220 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt Popped Snack Bites were from Kind LLC (New York, NY).  This was a lighter, more thoughtful snack than most.

Whole grain snacks often have a heavier feel to them. However, the crunchy, whole grain snack morsels (bites) in this mix contained popped corn and sorghum; and other ingredients were applied with an equally deft touch resulting in an airier taste and feel.

The hybrid bites were considerably lighter than other oat-based granola snack mixes, and other coated popcorn snacks—often swimming in sugar and salt.

This whole grain (oats, brown rice, sorghum, amaranth, millet, quinoa and buckwheat + popcorn) blend did contain tapioca syrup and smidges of molasses and brown rice syrup, but didn't taste that sweet. (Thank you.) Similarly, the sodium (sea salt) level was a kindly 55 mg. per serving.

What about the chocolate? Semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract) was the fifth ingredient listed, but contributed some rich, flavor depth that helped tie together all those grains.

Kind - Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spice bar - Nov. 26, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kind
Nuts and Spices
Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spice bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Redwood City, CA

Welcome to the kick-off day (Day #1) of Chocolate, Almond and Hazelnut Theme Week.

I enjoyed today's Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spice "Limited Batch" Nuts and Spices bar from Kind LLC (New York, NY). Most of Kind's gluten-free snack bars* are guaranteed to be packed with crunchy nuts, and not too much sodium or sugar. A dark chocolate backing and drizzle (and a dash of cocoa nibs in today's case) added chocolatey rich flavor.

This Hazelnut Spice bar contained (no surprise) hazelnuts—as well as almonds, cashews and peanuts. The hint of holiday spice was provided by nutmeg and vanilla.

*Particularly Kind's Fruits and Nuts and Nuts and Spices bars.

KIND - Dark Chocolate Cranberry Clusters - March 25, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

KIND, LLC
Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Clusters
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g.) / 11 oz. (312 g.) total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1/3 cup serving
Cost: $6.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Cranberry Theme Week.

Until relatively recently, it's been difficult for me to find a gluten-free version of crunchy, granola-type cereal. Part of the challenge lay in finding gluten-free oats.

Fortunately, today's Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Clusters, from KIND, LLC (New York, NY), was not only gluten-free, but also great tasting as either a snack or cereal with milk. I enjoyed the latter.

A great beach walk today was powered by this cereal. Beach not included.

Kind - Dark Chocolate Chili Almond bar - Feb. 22, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

KIND, LLC
Dark Chocolate Chili Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, San Mateo, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Chili Theme Week.

Dark chocolate and chili are good partners. Both can stand up to each other without wiping each other out. My favorite products apply a less combustible application of chili. This Dark Chocolate Chili Almond bar from Kind, LLC (New York, NY) employed such an approach. The blend of cascabel, ancho and habanero chilis was well balanced, with pleasant, slightly smokey, chili flavor notes.

I've enjoyed the gluten-free, dried fruit and nut bars from this company. They're crunchy and naturally sweet, and taste more satisfyingly substantial to me than others in this category. I also love nuts, and Kind bars I've tasted have contained large chunks of nuts -- in this case almonds, peanuts and cashews, with rice crisps adding a bit of extra crunch.

Kind - Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew bar - Feb. 13, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Kind, LLC
Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

The Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew bar from Kind, LLC (New York, NY) was a perfect choice for Valentines Day Eve. It was a healthy amalgam of dark chocolate, sweet/tart dried cherries, crunchy nuts (almonds, cashews and peanuts), and all good. The gluten free, low sodium bar was also a welcome break from solid chocolate and candy hearts.

Sugar, a touch of honey, glucose, and a few raisins and dried cranberries sweetened up this bar, and yet, surprisingly, it didn't seem overly so. The nuts and fiber helped balance the sweetness level.

Not all the Kind bars are drizzled with dark chocolate, but I've relished all the company's fruit and nut bars I've tasted so far. These gluten-free, Non-GMO bars were easy to tuck into a pocket, or pocketbook, for a snack on the go.

ChocolateBet: August 27, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
PeaceWorks Inc.
Sesame and Peanuts with Chocolate bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 grams) in one bar
Calories: 230 calories in one bar
Cost: $2.99 + ~8.8% NYC sales tax = $3.25 total
Purchased from: Cibo Market, JFK Airport, New York

This gluten-free and Non-GMO, KIND Sesame and Peanuts bar (topped with diagonal chocolate stripes) looks like it was made by a group with an international design and marketing perspective. (The bar itself was made in Australia, by a company based in New York City.) Peanuts, puffed rice and sesame seeds and gave this bar some nice crunchy texture.

As mentioned previously, airports are often good places to buy local chocolates. I bought four different bars with chocolate in them at JFK airport on the way back from a short vacation trip to Manhattan/New York City earlier this month -- along with a big apple that I ate on the plane.

Someone recently asked me: "Do you have a chocolate stash at home so you don't run out of chocolates to try?" The answer is: Yes, I generally have a week's worth of new chocolates in my stockpile. And, if you have suggestions for chocolates you think I have not tried, please let me know.