The Organic House - Barbeque Cookout 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) - Aug. 30, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
BBQ Cookout 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 30 g. (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

Chocolate historically has been incorporated into both sweet and savory beverages and foods, e.g. mole sauce in Mexico; chilis in cacao beverages and bars; BBQ spice meat rubs; and the occasional bacon chocolate bar). So chocolate infused with a barbeque spice mix seemed perfectly reasonable to me.

Today's Barbeque Cookout 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). I'm thankful to them for not shying away from savory flavors.

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao from the Philippines; a savory, barbeque spice blend; and coconut flower nectar.

The Bon Bulak cacao* was tasty with balanced complexity, and it partnered well with the savory spices. (See also previous entries for The Organic House's 65% Coffee Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) and Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar.)

Texture: This well-executed chocolate had a smooth texture and a satisfying melt. Flavor additions were well balanced and fully integrated into the chocolate. (There was no spice powder grit, or detectable salt crystals or pepper particles.) 

This was a fun and tasty bar, and could be part of a savory chocolate tasting flight; or (if you're an adventurous chef) this could be part of a sweet and savory chocolate dessert.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "notes of sweet BBQ and mellow earth notes, with a smooth finish"

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter, Paprika, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Sea salt, Chili powder, Black pepper, Cayenne pepper."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. "May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pecans, Pistachios."

*Origin: Kablon Farms, "a 70-acre bio diversified, sustainable farm" in South Cotabato, in Davao, Philippines. (Most cacao from the Philippines in chocolate bars today is grown in the Davao region.)

 

The Organic House - Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) - Aug. 29, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 156 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

If you just think of chocolate as always being sweet, expect to see some unusual combinations over the next two weeks. Chocolate is more versatile than you might imagine; and (disclaimer) I enjoy chocolate with savory flavors.

Today's Cool Dill 70% Cacao Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao and savory dill (seeds), onion and salt, sweetened with Ontario maple sugar. 

The Bon Bulak cacao* was very tasty with balanced complexity, and it partnered well with flavor inclusions in this bar and for a coffee bar last week. (See previous entry for The Organic House's 65% Coffee Phiippines Bon Bulak bar.)

Texture: This well-executed unique chocolate had a smooth texture and a satisfying melt. Flavor additions were well balanced and fully integrated into the chocolate. (There were no pickle particles, maple sugar crystals, onion bits, detectable dill seeds or sea salt crystals.) 

This was a fun and tasty bar. Think high-end dill pickle cucumber chips magically blended with high-quality dark chocolate. It's better than you might think. The (maple sugar) and sea salt/savory dill seasoning balance was just right for me. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "notes of dill weed and mellow earth notes, with a smooth finish."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic cacao butter, Dill seeds, Onion powder, Sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. 

*Origin: Kablon Farms, "a 70-acre bio diversified, sustainable farm" in South Cotabato, in Davao, Philippines. (Most cacao from the Philippines we're seeing in chocolate bars today is grown in the Davao region.)

Askinosie - 62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel (bar) - Aug. 28, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Askinosie Chocolate 
62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 320 calories in 2/3 bar
Cost: $10.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Good Food Awards winner: a 62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel (bar) was from Askinosie Chocolate (Springfield, MO).

This bean-to-bar dark milk chocolate was made using (Trinitario variety) cacao from the Philippines.

Aroma and flavor notes for this well-executed, single origin bar included: satisfying dark milk chocolate with faint caramel (organic cane sugar); very faint (almost undetectable) goat milk; and subtle sea salt. 

Texture: wonderfully smooth, thick and creamy texture with a satisfying, even melt

I enjoyed the lovely texture and the smooth and balanced chocolate-y flavors. And I appreciated Askinosie's long history of highlighting cacao farmers and their stories on their packaging. Today's bar featured an image of cacao farmer Peter Cruz from Davao (in the Philippines).

Ingredients: "Davao, Philippines Cocoa Beans (Trinitario), Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter (Made in our factory with Davao beans--visit askinosie.com for details), Goat's Milk Powder, Sea Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains Goat's Milk.

The Organic House - Cup of Coffee (Tasse de Cafe) 65% Cacao Philippines (bar) - Aug. 27, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Cup of Coffee (Tasse de Cafe) 65% Cacao Philippines (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 198 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Cup of Coffee (Tasse de Cafe) 65% Cacao Philippines (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor additions included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao and coffee, sweetened with Ontario maple sugar. I experienced the best of many worlds (single origin ingredients that had great nuanced flavors, with balanced complexity).

Texture: This well-tempered--and overall well-executed--chocolate had a smooth texture and a satisfying melt. Flavor additions were well integrated. (There was no coffee "grit" or granular maple sugar texture.) Note: I like maple sugar, but don't want it to be overwhelming. This was just the right amount and application for me.

I really liked this chocolate. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Strong notes of coffee, maple, porcini, sage, lilac, and petit verdot*. Mellow earthy notes, with a smooth finish."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic cacao butter, Organic coffee.

Allergen-related information: May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios.

* Petit verdot is a red wine grape.

 

Pili Hunters - Pili Bar 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 26, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pili Hunters 
Pili Bar 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Pili Hunters, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Pili Bar 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) from Pili Hunters LLC (Bend, OR) was manufactured by Coracao Confections (Oakland (now Richmond), CA). 

Pili nuts are native to The Philippines; and can be found in tropical forests and volcanic areas of the islands (particularly the Bicol area, in southeastern Luzon (Island)).

The company has created a variety of pili nut offerings (from plain nuts to pili + chocolate and mocha blends), using wild-harvested pili nuts from the Philippines. (See yesterday's featured (whole) pili nuts lightly dusted with raw cacao.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: flavorful dark chocolate with fruit acidity (apple) and warm spice (cinnamon); and light sea salt. The use of coconut sugar helped add a bit of flavor depth and enhanced the almost buttery apple pie notes. (Pili nuts can also have delicate butter and toast notes that may have contributed to this flavor.)

Texture: smooth textured with an even, rich melt

I enjoyed this lightly sweetened 70% dark bar -- described as "the first and only pili-based...dark chocolate" and "suitable for the keto community..." And it was gluten free (thank you). I appreciated the short list of organic and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Paste*, Coconut Sugar*, Wild Pili Nuts, Cacao Butter*, Himalayan Salt, Pacific Flake Salt (*Organic). 

Allergen-related information: Contains Pili Nuts. Made in a facility that processes almonds, cashews, coconut and other tree nuts. 

Pili Hunters - Wild Harvested Nuts with Raw Cacao - Aug. 25, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pili Hunters
Wild Harvested Nuts with Raw Cacao 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 220 calories in 1 serving (1/4 package)
Cost: $13.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Pili Hunters website, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Wild Harvested Nuts with Raw Cacao were a product of The Philippines and distributed by Pili Hunters LLC (Bend, OR).

These cocoa dusted pili nuts looked very much like whole almonds. However, bite into one and you'll experience a pleasant crunch immediately followed by a very satisfying buttery melt. These were much smoother and less fibrous than almonds and many other nuts. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: gentle nut, cacao, and faint sourdough bread/toast. 

It was great to taste pili nuts on their own for the first time--not heavily coated/blended with a lot of chocolate. Their more delicate flavor and unique, smooth texture might have been lost in the mix.

To test this theory, I re-tasted a 65% dark chocolate (from Theo & Philo in the Philippines) with black sesame seeds, cashews and pili nut pieces. Very nice chocolate bar; but, as I thought, it was hard to make out the individual pili nuts with a multi-ingredient blend.

I really appreciated the chance to try these whole nuts (dusted with cacao and a small amount of coconut sugar). Just three ingredients. I was able to fully enjoy their extraordinary buttery and softly crunchy texture as well as their (mild and unexpected) tasty buttered toast notes. 

Tomorrow, I'll feature a 70% Cacao Pili Nut Dark Chocolate from this vendor (Pili Hunters).

Ingredients: Sprouted Pili Nuts, Raw Cacao, Coconut Sugar

Allergen-related information: Contains Pili Nuts

Fossa Chocolate 70% Dark Rehoboth Estate Philippines (bar) - Aug. 24, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Fossa Chocolate 

70% Dark Rehoboth Estate Philippines (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137.25 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 70% Dark Rehoboth Estate Philippines (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate (Singapore).

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, dark chocolate with balanced dried/fermented red fruits: fermented grapes (port/red wine) and plum/prune. Subtle, high-quality, well-executed flavors with depth, that closed  with a clean finish.

Texture: This bar was well-tempered with a smooth texture, melt and mouthfeel. 

I enjoyed the sophisticated fruit and the single origin (Philippines) dark chocolate complexity; the balanced boldness and dark fudge-y rich qualities that stopped just short of bitterness; and last, but not least, the impressive flavors coaxed from just two high-quality ingredients.

Make sure to slow down and smell, taste and enjoy all that this chocolate has to offer.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Tawny port, Prunes, Red dates"

Ingredients: "Cacao, cane sugar"

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy."

Kasama - Tanned Chocolate Philippine Muscovado and Roasted Cacao Nibs - Aug. 23, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Kasama 
Tanned Chocolate Philippine Muscovado and Roasted Cacao Nibs (bar)

Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .985 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.97 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 172 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kasama, online order 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Tanned Chocolate Philippine Muscovado and Roasted Cacao Nibs (bar) was from Kasama Chocolate (Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes for this caramel-hued bar included: sweet, smooth cocoa butter and milk infused with brown sugar, interspersed with cacao bean pieces (nibs).

Texture: very smooth and creamy bar with crunchy cacao nib pieces

I liked the idea of highlighting the muscovado sugar flavors, the idea of a "tanned chocolate" that was neither white chocolate nor dark; the use of cacao and muscovado sugar from the Philippines; and the short list of ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Philippine Muscovado Sugar, Philippine Cacao Beans

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

 

Kasama - 75% Tupi South Cotabato, Philippines Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 22, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Kasama 
75% Tupi South Cotabato, Philippines Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .985 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.97 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 166 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kasama, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Tupi South Cotabato, Philippines Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Kasama Chocolate (Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractively packaged bar included: sweet dark chocolate with faint sweet green, coconut, brown sugar/caramel and very faint cream (yogurt) in the finish.

Texture: very smooth, well-tempered

I liked the complex, balanced aroma and bold flavor in this dark chocolate; the use of cacao beans from the Philippines; and the short list of just three, organic ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "For this 75% dark chocolate, we used cacao beans grown by Kablon Farms, which have notes of honeysuckle, toasted coconut, and dulce de leche."

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter* (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

Oodaalolly - Trinitario Cacao 40% Salty Toffee Milk Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 21, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Oodaalolly Chocolate
Trinitario Cacao 40% Salty Toffee Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Malaya Botanicals, Alameda, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Trinitario Cacao 40% Salty Toffee Milk Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by Oodaalolly Chocolate using Trinitario variety cacao and Ilocano salt--both from the Philippines.

Aroma and Flavor notes included: sweet, smooth milk chocolate with chocolate-y (dark milk chocolate ganache) and very faint (barely detectable) fruit and butter toffee--with a tasty, slightly salty chocolate and toffee finish. 

This 40% milk chocolate bar was quite sweet; however the salt and the higher quality cacao helped balance the sweetness.

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy texture and melt with intermittent tiny crunchy bits of salt and toffee. 

I really appreciated the maker's use of single origin cacao and salt; the short list of quality and organic ingredients; and the sweet and salty balance.

Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Milk Powder, Ilocano Sea Salt, Toffee. Manufactured by Oodaalolly, a H&G Chocolate Distribution Company* (in Richmond, CA). 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Manufactured in a Facility That Also Processes: Milk, Almond, Coconut"

*Note: Oodaalolly Chocolate merged operations with H&G Chocolate Distribution Company in 2024.

Oodaalolly Chocolate - Trinitario (Philippine) Cacao 40% Swiss-Style Milk Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 20, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Oodaalolly Chocolate
Trinitario Cacao 40% Swiss-Style Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Malaya Botanicals, Alameda, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Trinitario Cacao 40% Swiss-Style Milk Chocolate (bar) was created by Oodaalolly Chocolate founder Hernan Lauber, using Trinitario variety cacao from the Philippines and Swiss chocolate making techniques learned from his father. 

Aroma and Flavor notes included: sweet, smooth milk chocolate with chocolate-y (dark milk chocolate ganache) and very faint (barely detectable) fruit notes with a smooth, clean finish.

This bar was fairly sweet, but it was a higher quality 40% cacao chocolate than you'll find in many other places.

Texture: smooth, almost velvety texture and melt

I really appreciated the maker's use of single origin cacao (Philippines); the short list of quality and organic ingredients; and the use of Swiss milk chocolate techniques.

Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Manufactured in a Facility That Also Processes: Milk, Almond, Coconut"

Note: Oodaalolly Chocolate merged operations with H&G Chocolate Distribution Company in 2024.

Theo & Philo Chocolate Factory - 65% Dark Chocolate with Pineapple and Salt (bar) - Aug. 19, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Theo & Philo Chocolate Factory
65% Dark Chocolate with Pineapple and Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.9 oz. (54 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 212 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 65% Dark Chocolate with Pineapple and Salt (bar) was manufactured by Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory (Metro Manila, The Philippines).

Aroma and Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; and subtle tropical fruit with sweet green (pine) (pineapple), balanced sea salt and faint earth.

Texture: Relatively soft, smooth dark chocolate embedded with tiny shreds of pineapple (fruit). 

I really enjoyed the authentic flavors in this bar, the beautiful packaging (with illustrations of Palawan Binturong(s), aka bearcats, and pineapples); and the fact that this bar was crafted in the Philippines using a short list of ingredients.

Maker's notes: "This bar's flavor is as cheeky as a duwende (mythical creature similar to a goblin or gnome) on a sugar rush."

Ingredients: Cacao, Sugar, Dried Pineapple, Cocoa Butter, Salt

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and other dairy products. Contains sulfites.

 

Auro - Don Papa Masskara Rum 60% Dark Chocolate w/ Calamansi, Chili & Honeycomb (bar) - Aug. 18, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Auro 
Don Papa Masskara Rum Infused 60% Dark Chocolate w/ Calamansi, Chili & Honeycomb (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 312 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Don Papa Masskara Rum Infused 60% Dark Chocolate with Calamansi, Chili & Honeycomb (bar) was produced by Filipinas Oro de Cacao, Inc. (dba/aka Auro Chocolate) (Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines).

The cacao used to make this tree-to-bar chocolate was from the Saloy Estate on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Aroma and flavor notes included: a warm blend of chocolate; honeyed spirits (sweet rum, vanilla marshmallow, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, very faint smokey-sweet tobacco); and very light, balanced citrus and chili. 

Texture: smooth chocolate with a satisfying melt + barely detectable very tiny buttery, crunchy toffee bits.

I really enjoyed the harmonious complexity; the orchestra of flavors played very well together. Lots of elements to enjoy, without any one flavor inclusion being too dominant. 

This chocolate was sweet, but the overall sweetness had a lot of attractive depth (muscovado (brown) sugar, honey, citrus, rum) vs. a wall of flat and buzzy white sugar).

Maker's description: "the finest cacao...infused with Don Papa Masskara--a premium, pot-distilled rum infused with honey, calamansi and chili labuyo..."

Ingredients: "Cacao mass, organic muscovado sugar, cacao butter, cane sugar, honey, baking soda, dried calamansi, natural calamansi extract powder, soy lecithin (as emulsifier), dried chili powder, rum"

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. "This product is manufactured in a facility that processes other products which may contain milk, oats, tree nuts and peanuts."

The Organic House - Lavender & Maple 70% Cacao (bar) - June 22, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Lavender & Maple 70% dark chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 198 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Lavender & Maple 70% dark chocolate (bar) was made by The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). The company produces a variety of bean-to-bar chocolates--including many with flavor inclusions and/or maple sugar from Ontario, Canada.

The Bon Bulak cacao (from Kablon Farms) used to make this bar was from the Philippines.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate; maple; and clean, faintly fragrant lavender.

Texture: broke with a well-tempered snap first thing in the morning (65 degrees F.), and was smooth and creamy when warmed to 70 degrees (F.). All flavor inclusions were completely incorporated into the 70% dark chocolate. There was no maple sugar or floral grit, or any off-putting or astringent components.

Flavor notes included: an elegant blend of dark chocolate with a wonderful, balanced flux of lavender floral, maple and refreshing sweet fruit (purple/red grape).

I really liked the complementary flux of high-quality flavors including the culinary lavender and the subtle petit verdot grape note. I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients; and I enjoyed the maker's tagline: "Let your taste buds travel."

Maker's tasting notes: "Porcini, sage, lilac, petit verdot" (Petit verdot is a purple wine grape.)

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic maple sugar, Culinary lavender

Allergen-related information: "May contain: Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios"

Kasama Chocolate - Limited Release - Echague Isabela, Philippines, 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 21, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Kasama Chocolate
Limited Release - Echague Isabela, Philippines, 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162.5 calories in 1/2 bar (325 cals. in 1 bar)
Cost: $17.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kasama, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Limited Release - Echague Isabela, Philippines, 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Kasama Chocolate (Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Aroma notes for this special chocolate included: dark chocolate with subtle fruit, almost floral/botanical, and butter notes.

Texture: smooth, creamy/buttery texture with a thick, luxe melt (in a cold room).

Flavor notes included: dark, buttery chocolate, with subtle, fleeting fruit (something green and very slightly tart-sweet, diffuse red fruit -- maybe apple); fleeting mild, "clean" (white) seed/nut (chestnut); and very faint earth. 

I enjoyed: 1.) the subtle intriguing flavor complexity (it felt like a game of hide and seek in a forest); 2.) the short list of quality, organic ingredients; and 3.) that it wasn't too sweet. 

Maker's tasting notes: "...smooth, creamy chocolate with notes of roasted chestnuts, Black Forest Cake and stout beer."

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, "Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter* (* = Organic) 

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

 

Oodaalolly - 55% Premium Cacao Milk Chocolate with Mango (bar) - Jan. 20, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Oodaalolly
55% Premium Cacao Milk Chocolate with Mango (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oodaalolly, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 55% Premium Cacao Milk Chocolate with Mango (bar) was manufactured by Oodaalolly, A H&G (Richmond, CA), and was made with Philippine cacao.

Aroma notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate, subtle coconut (milk) and ripe fruit (mango).

This 55% coconut milk chocolate had rich, sweet chocolate-y flavor (high-end dark chocolate fudge sauce, ganache), and very slight tangy and earthy notes. 

Tiny clusters of mango pieces on the back of the bar added subtle, authentic tart-sweet mango flavor, and a bit of textural and visual interest. 

Maker's tasting notes "Savor the mellow sweetness of mango blended with our luscious coconut milk...a non-dairy delight."

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Dried Mango, Organic Coconut Milk Powder (Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Organic Gum Acacia"

Allergen-related information: Manufactured In a Facility That Also Processes Milk, Almond, Coconut"  

Oodaalolly - 50% Premium Cacao Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt (bar) - Jan. 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Oodaalolly
50% Premium Cacao Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oodaalolly, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 50% Premium Cacao Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt (bar) was manufactured by Oodaalolly, A H&G (Richmond, CA).

I enjoyed the smooth flavor in this 50% oat milk chocolate. It was rich and chocolate-y (high-end chocolate fudge sauce, ganache), but it wasn't too sweet (thank you). The sea salt and the oat milk (powder) helped balance the sweetness; and both harmonized well with the cacao. 

The oat powder was seamlessly integrated into the chocolate and added a very faint (almost undetectable) maltiness. And the tiny snowflakes of sea salt had a perfect texture and flavor.

Oodaalolly founder and chocolate maker Hernan Lauber has successfully delivered a blend of high-quality cacao (and short list of ingredients) with Swiss-style chocolate making techniques (smaller particle size, creamier texture, and relatively smooth flavors). 

This bar was well-balanced and smooth, yet also more flavorful than other 50% cacao bars and/or other most oat milk chocolates I've tried.

Maker's description: "This lush velvety bar is a love letter to my dual heritage, crafted with the finest  Philippine cacao using the Swiss chocolate making magic I learned from my father...Ilocano sea salt from the Pangasinan region has a unique crystal structure and minerality making it a culinary treasure of the Philippines..."

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Oat Powder, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: Manufactured In a Facility That Also Processes Milk, Almond, Coconut" 

Oodaalolly - 70% Premium Cacao Dark Chocolate with Coconut Sugar (bar) - Jan. 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Oodaalolly, A H&G
70% Premium Cacao Dark Chocolate with Coconut Sugar (bar)
Good ++  
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 380 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oodaalolly, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 70% Premium Cacao Dark Chocolate with Coconut Sugar (bar) was made by Oodaalolly, A H&G (Richmond, CA).

The sugar lent great, rich, nuanced sweetness. The taste wasn't maple sugar; it wasn't brown sugar...It was in its own class. And it harmonized very nicely with the 70% cacao dark chocolate.

I loved the sugar flavor; the balance of dark chocolate and sugar; and the short list of quality, organic ingredients. (I also found this bar to be mildly addictive.)

Maker's description: "Delicious 70% dark chocolate infused with the golden sweetness of coconut sugar from the Philippines..."

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter"

Allergen-related information: Manufactured In a Facility That Also Processes Milk, Almond, Coconut"

 

The Organic House - Philippines 100% Cacao, Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) - Jan. 17, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Philippines 100% Cacao, Philippines Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and the Philippines Week.

Today's Philippines 100% Cacao, Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, Ontario, Canada). 

Bon Bulak ("floral") refers to a micro-lot (of cacao) from Kablon Farms in South Cotabato, Davao, in the Philippines; and chocolates using this cacao origin have been created by several craft chocolate makers in the past year or so. Yesterday I featured a 70% cacao version of this cacao from the same maker.

Today's 100% bar included much fainter versions of the same aroma and flavor notes (that appeared in yesterday's 70% version): dark chocolate with faint fruit and floral, very subtle light molasses/brown sugar, and warm spice. Flavor notes also included deep, appealing chocolate-y notes and warm buttery umami (slightly sweet mushrooms in butter and green herbs (savory, mint family). 

The texture was very cocoa-buttery and smooth, with a pleasant creamy melt and mouthful. 

The difference was with no sugar, this chocolate was more bitter, and some of the bright/sweet fruit and buttery mushroom notes dropped out quite a bit--as did some of the flavors in the coconut blossom sugar. The (relatively earthier) mint herb notes were still intact. (Today's 100%er would be a great educational bar to pair with its 70% sibling as part of a tasting flight.)

Maker's tasting notes: "Porcini, sage, lilac, petit verdot (small red wine grape (slow to ripen), primarily from Bordeaux). Mellow earthy notes, with a smooth finish."

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic cacao butter"

Allergen-related information: "May contain Almonds, Cashews, hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios"  

The Organic House - Philippines 70% Cacao, Bon Bulak (bar) - Jan. 16, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Philippines 70% Cacao, Philippines Bon Bulak (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 392 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and the Philippines Week.

Today's Philippines 70% Cacao, Philippines Bon Bulak (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, Ontario, Canada). 

Bon Bulak ("floral") refers to a micro-lot (of cacao) from Kablon Farms in South Cotabato, Davao, in the Philippines. Kablon Farms, a bio (organic) grower, is producing some very tasty cacao--based on both yesterday's (Ritual Chocolate) and today's (The Organic House) bean-to-bar chocolates made with cacao grown there.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 70% bar included: dark chocolate with faint fruit and floral, very subtle light molasses/brown sugar, and warm spice. Flavor notes also included deep, appealing chocolate-y notes and warm buttery umami (slightly sweet mushrooms in butter and green herbs (savory, mint family). 

Note: I like chocolates with umami flavors and/or coconut (flower nectar) sugar, so those flavors in today's balanced and subtlety complex chocolate was a bit of heaven for me.

Texture: smooth chocolate, and a pleasant creamy melt and mouthful. 

Maker's tasting notes: "Porcini, sage, lilac, petit verdot (small red wine grape (slow to ripen), primarily from Bordeaux). Mellow earthy notes, with a smooth finish."

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter"

Allergen-related information: "May contain Almonds, Cashews, hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios"