Mama Ganache - Aztec Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) - June 26, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mama Ganache
Aztec Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A gift from a friend
Purchased from: Gift from a friend 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Floral Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week. Like yesterday's Aztec bar, vanilla added sweet, warm and mellow floral notes to today's chocolate.

Today's Aztec Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) with vanilla and spices was from Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates Inc. (San Luis Obispo, CA)--and was made with "ethically sourced ingredients." 

Aroma notes for this bar included: subtle dark chocolate and vanilla.

Texture: smooth, buttery/creamy texture, with tiny softly crunchy bits (likely chili pepper, vanilla bean or cocoa nibs) that weren't at all objectionable.

Flavor notes included: smooth, satisfying dark chocolate with subtle vanilla--and sporadic, authentic chili heat.

I enjoyed the almost silken chocolate and the comforting chocolate and vanilla blend that reminded me of drinking chocolate/rich cocoa. 

The spicy chili pepper heat that kicked in about 5 seconds after most bites livened things up considerably. I felt a tiny burn in my throat. But, I felt compelled to take another bite each time...until the bar was gone.

This chocolate might be a little spicy for some; but the flavorful spicy kick was less fire-breather and more consistent with the ancient Aztec practice of adding warm, floral vanilla and hot chili peppers to chocolate beverages. Only this chocolate was in a slightly addicting 70% cacao chocolate bar format.

Ingredients: Organic bittersweet chocolate (Organic chocolate liquor*, organic sugar*, organic cocoa butter*, & organic vanilla*), organic spices & flavors. (* Fair Trade)

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, nuts, wheat & dairy."

Mama Ganache - Spicy Orange 70% Cocoa Chocolate (bar) - May 31, 2024 + Candied Watermelon - May 31, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

1.) Mama Ganache 
Spicy Orange 70% Cocoa Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 95 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Eric!)

2.) Homemade by Megan
Candied Watermelon strips
Good ++
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) (estimate) for 1 serving
Calories: 83 calories (estimate) in 1 serving
Cost: N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - homemade by Megan

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week. Today's Spicy Orange 70% Cocoa Chocolate (bar) was from Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates (San Luis Obispo, CA). I enjoyed this chocolate with a side of homemade candied watermelon rind strips. (Thank you Megan!)

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate and citrus (orange oil, fruit).

Texture: smooth, buttercream-like chocolate with an appealing, creamy melt.

This bar had a bittersweet, smooth dark chocolate flavor, suffused with just the right amount of authentic orange (oil), followed by a spicy (cayenne pepper) uptick that bloomed mid-way through the tasting experience; and the "heat" gradually subsided 10-12 seconds after it peaked.

The sugar/sweetness level was about right; the 70% dark chocolate was very slightly bitter (bittersweet), and that balanced out the sweetness. A small amount of vanilla added a bit of baked goods warmth to the orange and chocolate flavors.

The pale pink candied watermelon rind strips I paired this chocolate with were fruity and chewy with a smooth, refreshing, bright, naturally sweet melon flavor. And they were a perfect complement to today's spicy orange dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Organic bittersweet chocolate (Organic chocolate liquor*, organic sugar*, organic cocoa butter*, organic cocoa powder*, and organic vanilla*), organic orange oil and organic cayenne. (* = Fair Trade)

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, nuts, wheat and dairy"

Mama Ganache - Cherry Almond Bark - May 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Mama Ganache
Cherry Almond Bark
Good ++

Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 oz.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 310 calories in 1/2 package 
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Eric!)

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

Today's Cherry Almond Bark was from Mama Ganache, a Stafford's Chocolates Company (San Luis Obispo, CA).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (chocolate-y with very subtle loamy earth and oxalis*), and faint fruit (cherry) and nut.

Texture: smooth, relatively thick and creamy, chocolate bark with embedded pieces of dried cherries and almonds.

Dark chocolate and authentic Bing cherries are a reliably tasty blend. And roasted almonds are an excellent complement to chocolate and cherries. I enjoyed this combination.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fairtrade Chocolate, Chocolate Liquor, Organic Fairtrade Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Fairtrade Vanilla Extract), Bing Cherries, Almonds

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (almonds). "Manufactured in a factory that handles tree nuts."

*Oxalis is a slightly tart green plant (also known as common yellow wood sorrel, and sour grass) that contains oxalic acid (aka Oxalates)--naturally occurring compounds in many plants such as leafy greens and seeds (including cacao). These compounds also can impart a faint lemon-green herb and/or citrus note(s) to greens, and to chocolate.

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates - Belize tasting bits - Sept. 16, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates
Belize (bean-to-bar tasting bits)
Good - Good +
Weight: .36 oz. (10.2 g.) (estimate) for 5 bits/ 2.5 oz. (75 g.) in total Bean-to-Bar Tasting Kit
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) in 5 pieces
Cost: $N/A - gift from family (thank you David!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week.

Today's Belize chocolate was part of a (bean-to-bar made) single origin tasting kit from Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates (San Luis Obispo, CA).

The "Mostly Criollo" Tasting Kit contained cocoa bean-shaped bits from Belize, Bali, Bolivia, Peru and Uganda. (The company also offers "Mostly Trinitario," "Mostly Forastero" and "Mixed Selection" tasting kits with bits made from other origins.)

The idea of a tasting kit encourages customers to savor chocolate a bit more slowly. Allowing the bits to gradually melt in the mouth makes it easier to detect flavor notes. In this case, the notes printed on the package invited the taster to look for "blackberry" and "toast."

Mama Ganache is a family-run chocolate business. Chef Tom is behind several creations; and the business has had a focus on high-quality, ethically sourced, organic and direct trade chocolate for some time.

Mama Ganache - Tasting Kit - Bolivia - Apr. 24, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Chocolates
Single Origin Tasting Kit - Bolivia
Good+++ - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) / 2.5 oz. (75 g.) in 1 tasting kit
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) in 5 pieces
Cost: $N/A gift from family member (Thank you David!) ($8.95)
Purchased from: N/A - gift purchased from Mama Ganache, San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Today's single origin chocolate made with Bolivian cacao was part of a single origin tasting kit, that contained chocolate "tasting bits" from five different origins, from Mama Ganache Chocolates (San Luis Obispo, CA).

Inside the tasting kit box were instructions for how to taste chocolates, with a beverage: water, hot tea, hot coffee or wine (including which wines might work best with chocolates).

The bean-shaped, Bolivian chocolate tasting bits (pieces) were made from Bolivian cocoa nibs, organic sugar and organic cocoa butter. Each piece was tasted slowly and carefully with room temperature water, first thing in the morning.

Tasting notes for Bolivia: red plum, caramel

And below are my tasting notes:

• Aroma: dark chocolate, coffee, red fruit
• Melt, texture: buttery melt and relatively smooth, buttery texture
• Taste: dark chocolate malt with chocolate ice cream, light caramel
• Finish: pleasant, smooth

*The Mama Ganache Tasting Kit contained tasting pieces from: Bali, Belize, Bolivia, Peru and Uganda.

Mama Ganache - Tasting Kit - Uganda tasting bits - Mar. 13, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Chocolates
Tasting Kit - Uganda
Good+
Weight: .43 oz. (12.8 g.) approx. for 6 pieces /.5 oz. (15 g. per label) in per origin packet
(Entire tasting kit box was 2.5 oz. (75 g.) (per label) with 5 different single origin packets)
Calories: 72 calories (estimate) in six tasting "bits"
Cost: N/A - gift from family member ($8.95 for 1 tasting kit)
Purchased from: N/A gift from family member (Mama Ganache Chocolates, San Luis Obispo, CA)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and STUVWXYZ Theme Week. This is the last week of the chocolate alphabet series, and today we explore the letter "u," as in Uganda.

Mama Ganache Chocolates (San Luis Obispo, CA) has come up with a great tasting kit containing different single origin chocolate samples.* In addition to the five packets of (mostly organic, fair trade) bean-shaped tasting bits, this box came with instructions on how to taste chocolate, and information about the country(ies) of origin.

Each packet was also labeled with a price, nutritional content and calories—information you don't always receive from craft chocolate makers.

Today's tasting bits were created with organic cocoa nibs (primarily Trinitario) from Uganda (in eastern Africa); and the chocolate contained just two other ingredients: organic sugar and organic cocoa butter.

The chocolate had smooth, sweet, warm red fruit/wine notes.

*This tasting kit contained tasting bits from Bali, Belize, Bolivia, Peru and Uganda.

Mama Ganache - Coconut Patties - June 29, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache
Coconut Patties
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (39.6 g.) (estimate) in 3 patties
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) in 3 patties
Cost: $4.50 for 3 patties
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

This morning I dreamed I was vacationing on a tropical island covered with coconut palms. Helping to complete this fantasy were three Coconut Patties from Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA). I may have been imagining the island, but not these dark chocolate coconut beauties, individually wrapped in silver.

The coconut fondant or filling was very authentic tasting, with flecks of what tasted like fresh toasted coconut helped capture the full coconut flavor arc. These chocolates were also fair trade and soy lecithin free.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Mama Ganache - Peppermint Creme bar - June 28, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates
Peppermint Creme Chocolate bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 156 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto

Today was the last day (Day #14) of a double-stuffed Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

This certified organic and fair trade Peppermint Creme Chocolate bar was crafted by Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA). A dark chocolate (70% cocoa content) exterior enveloped a white peppermint creme filling; and the flavors were natural tasting and well balanced, with a wave of refreshing mint.

While Mama Ganaches chocolates are tasty, another important part of this company's story revolves around the founders philosophy. Mama Ganache is a bean-to-bar maker that creates bars and filled chocolates with certified organic and fair trade chocolate.

Mama Ganache founders support efforts that help prevent social harm (e.g. the use of child slavery in the production of cocoa) through Fair Trade certification. The company also supports the efforts of the non-profit, Project Hope and Fairness -- to assist West Africa cocoa farmers who are working on organic certification.

Mama Ganache Dark Chocolate Skull - Oct. 31, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates
Fair Trade, Organic Dark Chocolate Skull
Good
Weight: .566 oz. (16 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48.11 g.) (estimate) for 1 skull
Calories: 84.9 calories (estimate) for 1/3 skull
Cost: $2.59 for 1 skull
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Date and/or Fig Theme Week -- and, more important, it was Halloween, an important "date" to celebrate -- eating chocolate.

And what better way to celebrate than an Organic, Dark Chocolate Skull from Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA) that called to mind Halloween as well as the Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos).

Made from rich, slightly earthy tasting, organic 70% dark chocolate, this skull was decorated with white chocolate eyes, and very straight, white chocolate teeth.

Halloween was also a good day for making spooky faces with bits of dried fruit and nuts. Pin these facial features on pumpkins, if you dare. Dates made great eyeballs, or little, fat "fingers." I enjoyed the date eyeballs today, with dried papaya and chocolate chips (for pupils). Piped cream cheese can also be used for the whites of the "eyes." Nothing fancy, just fun. 

Almond Cluster - Aug. 18, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates
Almond Cluster
Weight: .6 oz. (16.9 g.) (estimate) for 1 cup/piece
Calories: 90 calories (estimate) for 1 cup/piece
Cost: $1.50 for 1 Almond Cluster
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Strawberry Village Shopping Center, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week, so this past week I was on the look-out for chocolate and almond items I haven't tried yet. (After eating more than 2,500 different chocolates, this is more challenging than you might think, but certainly not impossible.)

I knew I was in the right place to locate more almond-themed chocolates, when I paid a visit to SweetE Organic (Mill Valley, CA). Elana Turchon has lined her shelves with chocolates and candies that offer alternative choices for those looking for organic, gluten free, nut free, dairy free, or other alternatives. I quickly spotted (with Joy's help) today's Almond Cluster from Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA), that was individually wrapped in copper-colored foil.

Mama Ganache specializes in organic, fair trade confections. I bought two Almond Clusters, and ate one on the drive back home (for research purposes). The dark chocolate was rich in flavor, and embedded in the cup-shaped chocolate was a generous helping of chopped toasted almonds that seemed to have a sweet crunch to them.