Next by Nature - Dark Chocolate Quinoa - Sept. 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Tropical Valley Foods
Next by Nature - Dark Chocolate Quinoa 
Good - Good + 
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 210 calories in 1 serving (6 pieces)
Cost: $6.00 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Land's End gift shop, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week. 

Today's Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Quinoa pieces were produced by Tropical Valley Foods (Plattsburgh, NY). The company offers a line of chocolate covered fruit and nuts, some organic, some not, but generally without any additives or preservatives.

Today's chocolate offering served as a quick, pre-work morning snack. The resealable package contained two servings (six pieces per serving). 

The aroma notes of these crunchy snack nuggets included light grain, sourdough bread, and  chocolate notes. And each sweet* dark chocolate (with milk) piece was chock full of tiny, very crunchy, puffed quinoa orbs. 

Quinoa, a seed (usually referred to as a grain) is native to South America. (Countries of origin for the quinoa used for this offering included: Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.) It's become popular in the U.S. as a gluten-free grain option in recent decades in part due to its relatively high level of plant protein. (It contains some amount of all nine essential amino acids.)

*Ingredients: Dark chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, anhydrous milk fat, soy lecithin (emulsifier), vanilla), puffed quinoa.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, soy. Made in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, soy and dairy products."

Tropical Valley Foods - Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger - Apr. 2, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Tropical Valley Foods
Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Ginger (round pieces) were created and distributed by Tropical Valley Foods (Pittsburgh, NY).

These dark glossy rounds were flavorful and refreshing. A relatively thick dark chocolate coating surrounded a slightly chewy, golden, sassy-flavored, natural ginger center.

The bright, spicy flavor of ginger will wake you right up, making these good for a pick-me up snack any time of the day—even breakfast.

No gluten-containing items appeared on the ingredients list.

Next by Nature - Dark Chocolate Goji Berries - Aug. 26, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Next by Nature
(Tropical Valley Foods)
Dark Chocolate Goji Berries
Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 190 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $1.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today I "tasted" the lack of certain ingredients in these chocolates; and that was a good thing. What was missing? Ingredients (and processing) that can mask or dampen authentic flavors, or seem to seek 100% uniformity as a goal.

When eating fruits and other plant-based foods (like chocolate), it's important to have a minimum level of quality and freshness. However, beyond that, slight variations in (and natural unfolding of) flavors are what make many foods more interesting and delicious.

Welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate, Fruit and Botanicals Month.

Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Goji Berries were "produced by Tropical Valley Foods" (Plattsburgh, NY).

Today's small, elongated red berries had hints of mild dried berry fruit, molasses, faint earthiness and almost floral sweetness, and all the true goji flavor and texture that I would have hoped for. I could taste the real fruit and the dark chocolate in this gluten free and well balanced snack (with no additives or preservatives).

ChocolateBet: April 18, 2012

 Chocolate of the Day:

Tropical Valley Foods
Next Organics
Dark Chocolate Coconut
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) total package
Calories: 125 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.99 total package
Purchased from: Gluten Free Grocery, in San Francisco, CA

These thick strips of coconut (from Haiti), covered in (70% cacao) dark chocolate, from Tropical Valley Foods (Plattsburgh, NY), maintained a strong sense of original coconut flavor, shape and chewy texture.

These organic, smile-shaped treats were made with no additives or preservatives, although the chocolate did have some soy lecithin -- likely used to give the chocolate a smooth texture.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.