Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate - Dark Chocolate 65% and Dark Milk 60% (squares) - Apr. 2, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate

Dark Chocolate 65% square
Good ++
Weight: .18 oz. (5 g.) / 8.5 oz. (240 g.) in total box of 48 pieces
Calories: 28.3 calories in 1 square
Cost: $58.50 - $65.00 for 1 dark and milk assortment box
Purchased from: Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate, online order

Dark Milk Chocolate 60% square
Good ++
Weight: .18 oz. (5 g.) / 8.5 oz. (240 g.) in total box of 48 pieces
Calories: 30 calories in 1 square
Cost: $58.50 - $65.00 for 1 dark and milk assortment box
Purchased from: Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate 65% and Dark Milk Chocolate 60% squares--manufactured by Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate Inc. (Lahaina, Maui, HI)--were part of an attractively-packaged 48-piece dark chocolate and dark milk assortment of individually-wrapped squares.

Dark Chocolate 65% square

Aroma and flavor notes for this smooth-textured 65% dark chocolate included: dark chocolate (dark ganache/torte, cocoa); slightly acidic but balanced fruit (citrus); and barely detectable balanced, bittersweet, cream, clean mineral and fleeting floral/oolong tea notes.

Dark Milk Chocolate 60% square

Aroma and flavor notes for this creamy, smooth-textured dark milk 60% square included: rich, creamy (hot chocolate/drinking chocolate), nuanced (and very slightly milk-buffered) cacao complexity.

What did I like? The genuine robust, well-balanced and gently complex cacao/dark chocolate flavors in the dark chocolate square; and the rich taste and creaminess (with cacao flavor depth) in the dark milk chocolate 60% version. 

Both these chocolates were good. The former was well-executed, flavorful and not too sweet (thank you!); and the latter is a dark milk chocolate that I think will likely please both dark and milk chocolate lovers.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Cocoa Butter. The Dark Milk 60% version also contained Milk. 

Allergen-related information: The Dark Milk Chocolate 60% square contained Milk. "Soy, nut and gluten free."

Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate - Dark Chocolate & Dark Milk Chocolate Lemongrass (squares) - Mar. 27, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate
1.) Dark Chocolate Lemongrass 65% (square) - Good ++
2.) Dark Milk Chocolate Lemongrass 60% (square) - Good + - Good ++
Weight: .36 oz. (10 g.) in 2 squares / 8.5 oz. (240 g.) in total box of 48 pieces
Calories: 58.3 calories in 2 squares 
Cost: $58.50 for Assorted Dark and Dark Milk 48-piece (16 flavor) box
Purchased from: Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate, online order

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

Today's individually-wrapped, Dark Chocolate Lemongrass 65% and Dark Milk Lemongrass 60% chocolate (squares) was made in Maui by Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate (Lahaina, Maui, HI).

Today's Dark Chocolate Maui Guava 65% Cacao, Costa Esmeraldas, Ecuador (bar)

These two lemongrass infused chocolate squares were part of a larger, 48-piece (dark chocolate and dark milk chocolate) assortment box. Each chocolate square was individually-wrapped.

Aroma and flavor notes for the dark chocolate 65% lemongrass-infused squares included: citrus, (herbal lemonade), lemongrass and relatively robust but smooth, almost creamy dark chocolate. 

The 60% dark milk version was creamier and sweeter; and the milk muted some chocolate and lemongrass flavors. (Think rich, creamy gelato.) Milk chocolate fans will enjoy this creamier taste and texture.

I enjoyed the crisper, purer flavors in the darker (65% cacao) version. 

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, (Dark Milk square contained Milk), Natural Flavors.

Allergen-related information: Today's Dark Milk square contained Milk.  

Intrigue Chocolate - Scotch Whiskey Truffle - Nov. 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Scotch Whiskey Truffle
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .314 oz. (8.9 g.) / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 49 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) different truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Scotch Whiskey Truffle was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).

Intrigue Chocolate's Chef Aaron has created an estimated 400 different chocolate flavors in the past few decades. (A person after my own chocolate-marinated heart.) I found 13 of those flavors (including some with spirits) in this baker's dozen truffle assortment box--as well as several flavors in bar form (ordered online) that I'm looking forward to trying soon.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's, precision-cut, very slightly boozy square truffle included: rich, true dark chocolate and spirits (Scotch whiskey).

Texture: buttery, soft, creamy (yet firm enough not to melt in your hand immediately) with a generous dusting of cocoa powder.

This satisfying, small chocolate was one to savor. It landed squarely in the Goldilocks zone for me: not too sweet or acidic, subtle and authentic flavors. If you like dark chocolate and you like whiskey, especially Scotch Whiskey, try this one.

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Dairy, Soy.

Beekman 1802 - Goat Poop (Dark Toasted Almonds) - Feb. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Beekman 1802
Goat Poop - (Dark) Toasted Almonds
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total container
Calories: 230 calories in 1 serving 
Cost: $28.00  
Purchased from: Beekman 1802, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Deep Dark Toasted Almonds were part of a six-flavor assortment* of "Goat Poop" chocolate covered confections--from Beekman 1802 (Sharon Springs, NY). These chocolates were housed in a sunny yellow, cylindrical tin decorated with images of the dark and milk chocolate coated rounds/ovals within.

Aroma notes included: subtle chocolate, faint caramel, and very faint nut.

Each Toasted Almond piece had a generous coating of Belgian chocolate that surrounded a crunchy whole toasted almond. Flavor notes included sweet dark chocolate; faint caramel, butterscotch and malt; and authentic almond (nut). Some of the more subtle (caramel/butterscotch-like) notes may have come from other flavors in the tin.

Ingredients: Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Belgium Unsweetened Chocolate, Whole Milk Powder, Skim Milk Powder, Butteroil, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Dry Roasted Almonds.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy, Tree Nuts (Almonds). Other pieces/flavors (all packed together in assortment tin) also contain hazelnuts and wheat. "May contain Sulphites, Eggs, Peanuts"...and Tartrazine, aka FD&C Yellow (color).

* Other flavors included: Roasted Hazelnuts, Maple Malted Milk Balls, While Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Sea Salt Caramels, and Butterscotch Pretzel Poppers.

Marana Craft Chocolate - Passion Fruit and Coconut Chocotejas - Nov. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Marana Craft Chocolate
Chocotejas - Passion Fruit and Coconut Chocolate 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .99 oz. (28 g.) / 17.82 oz. (504 g.) in total box of 18 pieces
Calories: 130 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $52.00 for 1 box of 18 pieces
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Passion Fruit and Coconut Chocolate was part of an 18-piece chocolate confection box from Marana Craft Chocolate (Lima, Peru).

Aroma notes for today's traditional Peruvian-style chocolate confection (chocotejas) included: subtle chocolate (rich, dark chocolate with very faint earth and fig); bright, aromatic tropical fruit (passion fruit); and faint, authentic coconut.

This small bar sized confection was covered with a smooth, dark chocolate shell and the generous center  full of authentic coconut shreds and fruit (passion fruit caramel) offered flavor and chewy texture from start to finish.

Flavor notes were amplified versions of the aroma notes and included rich, bold 70% dark chocolate (that seemed more like 75-80% cacao); bright, tart-sweet, fresh passion fruit (infused into a light milk caramel) and authentic coconut--the subtlest of the three flavors in this chocolate.

I also "heard"* a festive Latin American street music ensemble while I was enjoying this chocolate. (A few celebratory brass instruments, a woman dancing in a bright passion fruit colored dress, percussion (dark chocolate) and a flute/wind or light stringed instrument (coconut palms perhaps)).

I loved the range of layered, authentic flavors in this chocolate.

Ingredients: Passion fruit milk caramel [milk caramel (whole milk, sugar, agar, disodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), passion fruit pulp (passion fruit, ascorbic acid - E300)], 70% dark chocolate (cacao mass, sugar and cocoa butter) and coconut.

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, coconut.

*Sometimes one of our senses will activate another sense in our body. For most people this may be due to activated memories--that include a certain combination of sight, smell and/or touch. In more vivid examples a person might experience something called synesthesia.

A person with synesthesia (an estimated 1% of the population) experiences one sense with, or through, another sense. They may see certain images when they see certain sounds. They may hear music and see shapes or colors. Not surprisingly, there are artists who perceive senses together like this, and this extra ability might even be an asset. 

About 10% of small batch, single origin craft chocolates I eat are "transporting" in some way for me. They conjure up combined sense memories: the feeling of being in a specific type of forest or jungle or climate); the smell and taste of fresh cacao fruit pulp or other fruit or plant; images (the sights of trees, fruits, people, wildlife) and sounds (usually stillness and or wildlife in a forest); and rarely (like today) music and movement/dancing. Combined sensations sometimes feel implied or imagined. 

I might have a mild case of chocolate synesthesia. Or some less processed chocolates may just have magical transporting properties. Maybe after a few thousand more chocolates I'll find out.

Lolli & Pops - Chocolate Tiles, Caramel Cappuccino - Oct. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lolli and Pops
Chocolate Tiles - Caramel Cappuccino Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8.4 oz. (240 g.) in total package of 16 Tiles
Calories: 160 calories in 2 tiles 
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend 

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

Today's Caramel Cappuccino Dark Chocolate Tiles were manufactured for Lolli and Pops (San Francisco, CA).

The two individually wrapped tiles (squares) represented one of 8 flavors contained in a larger package of 16 Tiles (2 of each flavor).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, caramel, mocha and very faint vanilla.

Texture: A thin dark chocolate shell surrounded an even thinner caramel filling layer. There was just enough separation between the two elements to create pleasingly layered flavors--that were also very compatible with each other.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, caramel, mocha latte, and faint vanilla.

Ingredients: Note: because these two squares were part of an 8 flavor assortment pack, and the very long list of ingredients was a summary of all the flavors, I was unable to separate ingredients that applied just to this flavor. (Dark chocolate used contained chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla flavor).

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk and Soy, and may contain Wheat, Peanuts and Tree Nuts. Please visit www.lolliandpops.com. 

Hotel Chocolat - Serious Dark Fix Collection - Sept. 23, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Hotel Chocolat
Serious Dark Fix "H-Box" Collection (assortment box)
Good + - Good ++ (varied with piece)
Weight: 3.53 oz. (100 g.) / 5.46 oz. (155 g.) in total box of 14 pieces
Calories: 583 calories in 100 g. serving (tastes of all flavors)
Cost: 18.50 Euros / ($18.50 (estimate) USD) for 1 box
Purchased from: The Loop (shop), Dublin Airport (Collinstown, Ireland)

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

Today's Serious Dark Fix "H-Box" collection was from Hotel Chocolat (London). In 2017, the company opened its first shop in Dublin, Ireland.

This assortment included: Gin, Dark Rum, Praline 80%, Dizzy Praline 70%, Chilli, Honduras Pistachio Praline, Colombia Almond Praline, 70% Dark Macaron, Simple Dark, Hazelnut and Ginger, 70% Dark Baton, and Gianduja Bombe.

Below are some brief notes on this dark chocolate collection:

• Gin - boozy, bright citrus and authentic juniper, botanical and light floral notes
• Dark Rum - dark chocolate with authentically boozy, dark rum notes
• Dizzy Praline 70% - dark chocolate filled with a thick, creamy, lightly nutty center
• Chilli - very smooth with a slow burn that kicks in gradually
• Honduras Pistachio Praline - flavorful single origin dark exterior, filled with a nutty, slightly caramelized filling.
• Colombia Almond Praline - Smooth, flavorful dark chocolate with a soft, nutty (finely chopped almond) center
• Hazelnut and Ginger - authentic hazelnut and ginger (crunchy whole nuts, spicy sweet ginger pieces, dark chocolate)
• Dark Chocolate Baton - Sweet, smooth, dark, chocolate-y
• Gianduja Bombe - (round) dark chocolate + gianduja (hazelnut) paste - fully incorporated/blended in a rich, delicious thick center

My three favorites were: Gin, Hazelnut and Ginger, and Gianduja Bombe. The English and Irish know how to do chocolates infused with Gin and other spirits.

And yes, I could tell the difference(s) when single origin chocolates were used. These chocolates were a bit more flavorful. The Honduras chocolate was a bit more "dark"/intense with balanced earth notes. The Colombian cacao-based chocolate was smoother--with a bit more flavor range than the standard dark couverture/blends.

Ingredients: Cocoa solids (cocoa mass, cocoa butter), sugar, HAZELNUT paste, sweetened hazelnut paste (HAZELNUTS, sugar, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin)), butter oil (from MILK), full cream MILK powder, roasted HAZELNUTS, stabilisers (sorbitol, gycerol), ALMOND NUTS paste, glucose syrup, ginger pieces (dextrose, ginger, glucose syrup, sugar), pistachio nuts paste (PISTACHIO NUTS, rapeseed oil), rum, whipping cream (cream from MILK), stabiliser (carageenan)), skimmed MILK powder, vegetable fats (coconut, shea, sunflower), nibbed HAZELNUTS, gin, emulsifiers (SOYA lecithin, sunflower lecithin), cream (from MILK), dextrose, cocoa powder, flavourings, concentrated whey (from MILK), neutral alcohol, lactose (from MILK), natural colours (beetroot, annatto, carotene), MILK protein, Habanero chili powder. Dark chocolate contains minimum 70% cocoa solids. 

Allergen-related information: "For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in BOLD. All chocolates in this box may contain tree nuts, peanuts, milk, soya, gluten, wheat, egg, sesame. Suitable for vegetarians. Contains alcohol. No artificial flavours. Caution: Although every care has been taken to remove nut shells, some may still remain."

Summerbird Chokolade - Amber Organic Chocolate Miniature (Assortment) - Sept. 8, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Summerbird Chokolade
Amber Organic Chocolate Miniature (Assortment)
1.) Mint Noir - Amber Noir Chocolate, Mint, Caramel - Good - Good +
2.) Liquorice - Amber Classic Chocolate + Liquorice - Good +
3.) Fleur D' Orange Praline - Amber Classic Chocolate - Good +
4.) Vanilla - Amber Blond Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (45 g.) box of 8 small filled chocolates (4 flavors x 2)
Calories: 246 calories for 1 box of 8 pieces
Cost: $ N/A - free gift with hotel stay

Today's Summerbird Chokolade (Denmark) Organic mixed chocolates were from Denmark. Note: This petite assortment was the second chocolate item of two featured today. (See the previous post for the first item: a Smooth 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate (bar) from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

Aroma notes varied according to the flavor, and included sweet chocolate with faint caramel notes, and notes that corresponded to each of the flavor additions: mint, liquorice, orange and vanilla/caramel, respectively.

The outer couverature chocolate layers were smooth in texture, and the inner ganache (fillings) had sweet soft caramel and/or ganache layers inside.

Flavor notes included: sweet light chocolate (slightly caramelized white chocolate) and darker sweet chocolate, plus four different flavor additions: 1.) mint extract or natural flavor, 2.) sweet liquorice, 3.) pleasant, sweet and slightly floral orange, and 4.) sweet caramel and vanilla. 

These pretty little "amber"* chocolate confections tasted like caramel-infused, milky white chocolates. Sugar was the number one ingredient (and they also contained other processed sugars/syrups). They were low in cocoa solids; but real cocoa butter was a plus. (There were no added vegetable oils.)

These confections were too sweet for me; but they may appeal to those with a sweet tooth. Given the relatively high sugar levels, the small pieces were just the right size for tasting.

Ingredients: "*sugar, *cocoa butter (23%), *invert sugar syrup, *milk powder (14%), *cocoa mass (8%), *hazelnuts, *glucose syrup, *butter, water, emulsifier (*soy lecithin), *liquorice powder, *vanilla, *lemon juice, Maldon Seasalt, *blood orange oil, Laeso Salt, *orange blossom water, *peppermint oil"

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, hazelnut, soy. (Glucose source not identified.)

*Amber chocolate is a light caramel-hued, Nordic chocolate with a milky texture and sweet, faint fruit flavor that is "not dark, milk or white chocolate."

Patricia's Chocolate - The Tea Collection 2.) Heartwarming Cinnamon, 3.) Peaceful Peninsulas - Jan. 27, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Patricia's Chocolate

The Tea Collection 
2.) Heartwarming Cinnamon tea chocolate - Good + - Good ++

3.) Peaceful Peninsulas tea chocolate - Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total box of 6 pieces
Calories: 156 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $16.50 for 1 box of 6 (different) pieces
Purchased from: Patricia's Chocolate, online order

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

Today I sampled two more flavors in the Tea Collection (assortment) created by Patricia at Patricia's Chocolate (Grand Haven, Michigan), in collaboration with Michigan blended Light of Day certified organic teas and tisanes.

Heartwarming Cinnamon tea chocolate

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractive, generously-sized, filled chocolate included: dark chocolate and balanced herbal/botanical spices (cinnamon bark, rooibos (herbal tea), faint star anise and clove).

Peaceful Peninsulas tea chocolate

Aroma and flavor notes for this Michigan-inspired tea chocolate included an intriguing blend of complex fruit (cherry, berry, elderberry, and apple toward the finish), faintly herbal warm spice, faint fluxing floral, and very faint green tea.

This unique and subtle blend conjured up images of sitting in a garden, surrounded by soft scents of ripe lush fruits and flowers. 

Both chocolates were well-crafted, thoughtfully-balanced tea chocolates. Each element contributed satisfying bouquets of aroma and flavor. 

The dark chocolate couverture (outer covering) for these two palet-style pieces was thin, almost softly crispy (in a cold room at 65 degrees F. (18.3 degrees C.)). The chocolate was thick enough to impart flavor, but not thick enough to overpower the more delicate tea, fruit and floral infusions in the smooth, velvety ganache fillings that were creamy and fresh tasting.

The choice of a dark(er) chocolate also helped prevent these two filled confections from being too sweet (thank you).

Maker's notes: "...artisan chocolates...handcrafted in the French tradition from the finest non-GMO fair trade couverture cocoas." Made without preservatives, artificial flavorings, or additives.

Ingredients: (Ingredients listed on box, were for all six (different) chocolates. So it was difficult to determine the exact list for each individual chocolate.)

Allergen-related information: Ganache fillings contain dairy (heavy cream, unsalted butter). Some flavors may contain traces of nuts. Contact Patricia's Chocolates for more detailed information.

 

Patricia's Chocolate - The Tea Collection (assortment box) - 1.) Earl Grey Tea - Jan. 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Patricia's Chocolate
Earl Grey Tea chocolate
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total box of 6 pieces
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $16.50 for 1 box of 6 (different) pieces
Purchased from: Patricia's Chocolate, online order

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

Today I sampled the first flavor in a Tea Collection assortment -- an Earl Grey Tea chocolate -- created by Patricia's Chocolate (Grand Haven, Michigan).

Aroma notes for this attractive, generously-sized, filled chocolate included: dark chocolate (balanced cocoa, very faint earth and oxalis (tart lemon-green herb) and very faint tea.

The dark chocolate outer shell was flavorful (bold but well balanced dark cocoa) and had a "just right" thickness (relatively thin, but thick enough to securely contain a creamy, velvety ganache (filling)--with a very pleasing Earl Grey/Lady Grey* tea infused chocolate taste.

This was a well-crafted, well-balanced tea chocolate. Each element contributed great flavor. The dark chocolate was, happily, more complex than the rather bland dark chocolate(s) that are often used for confections. 

And the tea components (which included some very light floral ingredients) still had a chance to shine. There was also a light, lingering Earl Grey tea finish. The more bold/darker chocolate also helped prevent this chocolate from being too sweet.

Maker's notes: "Our original Earl Grey ganache has blossomed into an exquisite confection with cream suffused with black tea, blue cornflowers, lavender, calendula petals, vanilla, and of course, oil of bergamot."

Ingredients: (Ingredients listed on box, were for all six (different) chocolates. So it was difficult to determine the exact list for each individual chocolate.)

Allergen-related information: Allergen-related information: Ganache fillings contain dairy (heavy cream, unsalted butter). Some flavors may contain traces of nuts. Contact Patricia's Chocolates for more detailed information.

*Lady Grey tea (named after Mary Elizabeth Grey, was introduced (and trademarked) by Twinings Tea in England in the early 1990s). This black tea contains the traditional Earl Grey bergamot (oil) flavor (derived from the aromatic bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia) citrus peel) as well as other lighter citrus (lemon, orange peel) elements. 

The bergamot citrus fruit is a cross between a bitter orange and a lemon. Other similar bergamot oil infused tea blends may also contain citrus peel(s) as well as calendula (pot marigold) flower petals and lavender buds. 

In 2016, Twinings further extended their bergamot-flavored tea portfolio, and began offering new versions of Earl Grey tea (including one with lavender).

Vosges - Collection + The Dalmore 14 Truffle with Pecan - Dec. 30, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Vosges

The Dalmore + Vosges Haut-Chocolat 9-piece box (3 flavors)

1.) Chiba Hateruma - Good ++

2.) Naga - Good +++

3.) The Dalmore 14 - Good +++

Weight: 1.22 oz. (34.66 g.) / 3.66 oz. (104 g.) in 9-piece box

Calories: 140 calories in 3 pieces

Purchased from: Vosges, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

This Dalmore 14 Truffle with Pecan is the second of two whisky-related chocolate posts today from Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL). 

(See previous post for a write-up on The Dalmore 14 Collection -- featuring three different whiskey-infused chocolate flavors.) Both collections sampled today were housed in an attractive black, 9-piece box, with three flavors each, and with tasting tips and information to enhance a tasting experience.

Note: Today's Chiba Hateruma and Naga chocolates, the other two flavors in this Vosges box did not contain Dalmore Scotch Whisky, but were appealing, exotic tasting partners in today's spirit-infused chocolate tasting flight.

Chiba Heruma

This very beautiful (matte forest green) chocolate was topped with finely chopped Japanese Chiba* peanuts. 

Aroma notes for this 62% cacao dark chocolate included: faint spice, and faint chocolate and tart green citrus herb (oxalis). Bursting forth from inside was a very soft, flowing, lightly salted, sweet caramel filling with very faint herbal notes.

Naga 

The Naga chocolate contained "housemade and toasted curry masala + coconut puree + 45% cacao deep milk chocolate."

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet brown sugar, spices (very faint curry blend) and chocolate. 

The firmer, outer chocolate shell was topped with (curry) spices that harmonized very nicely with a much lighter (whipped cream/mousse) creamy chocolate center that had very light coconut notes. The layered flavors were very satisfying.

I'd tasted a similar Vosges Naga chocolate many years ago. At the time the southeast Asian-inspired spice blend with chocolate was considered very exotic. It may still be. It was deliciously novel and inspired, now as then. And today's Naga chocolate was possibly even better than I remember the first one being.

The Dalmore 14 

Last but not least in this trio of filled chocolates....The Dalmore 14 with Pecan. 

Aroma notes for this 62% dark chocolate topped with a "candied whisky soaked pecan" included: very faint honey-ed whisky, chocolate and faint lightly woodsy nut (pecan). 

The flavors: a sweet, rich and harmoniously layered blend of smooth dark chocolate ganache, whisky, caramel and softly crunchy, pecan. Very nice winter warmer and companion pairing with a sip of Scotch.

Collective ingredients (for all three chocolate flavors in this box): Milk chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, ground vanilla beans), heavy cream, brown rice syrup, bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, ground vanilla beans), Okinawa black sugar, Hateruma brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut puree (coconut milk, invert sugar syrup), grass-fed butter, Dalmore 14 Year Scotch, cocoa butter, white chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, Chiba peanuts, turmeric, Madagascar vanilla beans, blue color (spirulina extract, fruit juice), water, invert sugar syrup, pecans sea salt, nutmeg, ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel seed, clove, fenugreek seed, sunflower lecithin, white pepper, black pepper. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains peanuts, coconut, pecans, milk, soy."..."Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, sesame and tree nuts."

*Chiba prefecture in Japan is the largest producer of peanuts in the country, and is known for flavored peanuts (sugared, salted, spiced, matcha/green tea, other).

Läderach - Praline Chocolate Assortment - Mother's Day - May 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Läderach Chocolatier Suisse
Praline Assortment 
1.) Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts - Good ++ 
2.) Dark Chocolate round - Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .763 oz. (21.8 g.) / 4.2 oz. (120 g.) in total assortment box
Calories: 120 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: N/A - gift from Läderach ($24.90 USD on website)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from Läderach (picked up at Palo Alto, CA store)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Mother's Day Series, featuring one sweet and one darker chocolate (two chocolates) each day--reflecting my mother's preference for sweet confections and my love for darker chocolate. 

Today's chocolate praline assortment was distributed by Läderach Chocolatier Suisse ("UK Lmted.") and was produced in Switzerland. 

Läderach premium chocolates are made from bean-to-bar in Switzerland; and the company has retail shop locations in U.S. cities, including one in Stanford Shopping Center, in Palo Alto, CA.

Today's attractively packaged assortment was one of four heart-shaped Mother's Day items from Läderach featured this week. (Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 8, 2022, in the U.S.)

This ivory and gold gift box was secured with a mauve-pink ribbon (and clear adhesive tabs), and contained 11 praline chocolates. Milk, white and darker chocolates were all represented. Collectively, these praline chocolates had a welcoming sweet, creamy hot cocoa with vanilla aroma.

The first of two chocolates sampled was a sweet, hazelnut milk chocolate praline. Three whole hazelnuts were enrobed in (and sat atop a triangle of) ultra-creamy, sweet milk chocolate. 

The second piece was a darker, round chocolate. A relatively thick, spherical ebony-colored, textured shell contained a creamy chocolate filling with rich, sweet cocoa notes and very faint red/stone fruit (cherry) and floral notes. 

The assortment looked high-end and beautiful; and the range of flavors will likely satisfy a range of chocolate fans. Vanilla warmth, creamy hot chocolate sweetness, well-executed blends of flavors and chocolate types, and buttery smooth fillings made these pralines very approachable.

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa paste, whole milk powder, hazelnuts, almonds, vegetable oils (palm kernel, palm, rapeseed), glucose syrup, cream (milk), butter (milk), walnuts, sorbitol, skimmed milk powder, wheat flour, invert sugar syrup, caramel, soy lecithin, whey, vegetable fats (sunflower, rapeseed), glucose syrup, Natural Flavor, artificial flavors, clarified butter (milk), skim milk, Natural Flavors, salt (fleur de sel), lactose, gum arabic, shellac, sunflower lecithin, salt, milk protein, dextrose, cocoa powder, sodium carbonates, Tocopherol-Rich Extract, barley malt, ground vanilla, invertase, mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids.

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk, nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts), gluten (wheat, barley malt), soy ingredients.) "May contain egg, other gluten (inclu. wheat), other nuts." 

*The word "praline" can indicate a filled chocolate confection, or it can be a chocolate with nuts (e.g. candied hazelnuts or almonds) prepared in a certain style.

Theo Chocolate - Honey Bee Confection Collection - part 1 - Apr. 9, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Honey Bee Confection Collection
1.) Honeycomb Chocolate - Good - Good +
2.) Honey Cashew Praline - Good +
Weight: 1.51 oz. (42.8 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total box of 7 pieces
Calories: 226 calories (estimate) in 3 pieces
Cost: $13.99 for 1 box of 7 pieces
Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You, CSA box delivery service, add-in item

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Trees and Bees Theme Week. Bees create honey, and that is a good thing.

Today's 7-piece, "Honey Bee Confection Collection" was from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The company offers a wide variety of fairly traded chocolate bars and confections. 

Confections can be very sweet. Nuts, salt and savory items, and unsweetened chocolate can help balance pure sugar sweetness. Happily, Theo and many other chocolatiers understand this.

I tasted two chocolates (of four) from Theo's Honey Bee assortment today. (The other two will be featured tomorrow.) 

The first "Honeycomb Chocolate" piece was a long rectangle of sweet, crunchy honeycomb candy, blanketed in a thick layer of rich, flavorful dark chocolate--darker and more flavorful than most candy-quality chocolate. This darker, velvety chocolate saved me from sugar overload. Thank you Theo Chocolate meisters.

The second piece was a "Honey Cashew Praline," molded in a honeycomb shape. Multiple steps in the making process insured a tasty treat. "Cashews (were) candied in honey, whipped into decadent praline, (and) enrobed in creamy milk chocolate." Nuts and milk, and likely a little salt, helped balance this second tasty sweet.

Bees and other pollinators offer many benefits to all of us. Theo Chocolate's packaging reminded us to "give a buzz" about bees, and suggested checking out two bee-related organizations: pollinator.org (San Francisco, CA) and survivorbee.com (Seattle, WA). The latter is dedicated to improving the health of bees through local community education.

Ingredients (listed for all four confections): Organic, fair trade cane sugar; organic, fair trade cocoa beans; organic cream; honey; organic cashews; organic, fair trade cocoa butter; organic corn syrup; glucose; organic milk powder; organic orange zest; water; organic butter; organic egg whites; orange blossom water (distilled water, orange blossom); baking soda; salt; bee pollen; gelatin; saffron.

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts (cashews), milk, and eggs. Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, other tree nuts, wheat and sesame."

Trader Joe's - Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box - Hazelnut Leaf - Jan. 11, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box
1.) Chocolate Leaf (hazelnut filling) - Good +
2.) Dark chocolate covered "snail" with milk chocolate feuilletine filling - Good
3.) Filled chocolate truffle - caramel filling - Good
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37.5 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total assortment box
Calories: 210 calories in 3 pieces/truffles
Cost: $ N/A - holiday gift from a friend (Thank you Joy!)
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift (Trader Joe's)

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

Today's three Belgian truffles came from an 8-piece assortment Ballotin Box that I received as a holiday gift from a friend.

The first truffle sampled was shaped like a leaf, that enveloped a tasty hazelnut chocolate ganache/filling. The second "snail" shaped truffle had a milk chocolate filling with what I'm guessing were tiny bits of wafer (feuilletine style).* The third chocolate (pictured at bottom left of photo) was filled with soft, flowing caramel.

*Those who are very sensitive to wheat might want to sample a small bite of each truffle first before taking a larger bite.

Trader Joe's Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box - Hazelnut Heart - Jan. 10, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box
1.) Milk chocolate heart (hazelnut filling)
2.) Dark chocolate filled cocoa pod
3.) White chocolate covered flower
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37.5 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total assortment box
Calories: 210 calories in 3 pieces/truffles
Cost: $ N/A - holiday gift from a friend (Thank you Joy!)
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift (Trader Joe's)

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

There is something decadent and wonderful about chocolate hazelnut filled chocolates. Thank you to Joy for this lovely assortment box of chocolate truffles with hazelnut.

Of the 8 different truffles in this box, some of the fillings had more pronounced hazelnut flavor than others. (The number one ingredient listed on the back was "hazelnut filling."

The chocolate heart in this 8-piece assortment was filled with chocolate hazelnut ganache that was somewhere between an Italian gianduja/gianduia and a Nutella filling. (I have positive memories of both.)

The cocoa pod shaped and textured truffle added an authentic touch. I wonder how many people might recognize this as the "mother" fruit that contains the seeds used to make chocolate?

Note: Some of these chocolates contained tiny bits of wafer or wheat.

Nina Fine Chocolate - 55% Cacao and Milk (Leche) bar - Jan. 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Nina Fine Chocolate
55% Cacao and Milk (Leche) bar
OK
Weight: .4 oz. (12.5 g.) / .8 oz. (25 g.) in total bar
Calories: 70.7 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.50 for 1 package of 4 bars
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com (online order)

Welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's 55% Cacao and Milk (Leche) bar from Nina Fine Chocolate was part of a 4-bar assortment pack, produced by Proyecto Chazuta (Project Chazuta) located in Chazuta, San Martin, in north central Peru.

This 55% Cacao bar had an aroma of dried fruit (raisins), and a sweet milk chocolate flavor with a very faint solvent note.

Jade Chocolates - 7-piece Assortment - Sept. 14, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Jade Chocolates
Assortment box
1.) Masala Chai - Good ++
2.) Bittersweet with Ajwain (think caraway) Seeds - Good
3.) Coconut Honey Meltaway (dairy free) - Good
4.) Olive Oil Cardamom - Good
5.) Lychee Rose Green Tea - Good
6.) Curry Caramel - Good + - Good ++
7.) Ginger Tumeric (sic) Meltaway - Good ++

Weight: 2.7 oz. (76 g.) (estimate) in 7 pieces
Calories: 405 calories (estimate) in 7 pieces
Cost: $21.95 for 1 package of 7 pieces
Purchased from: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Celebrating 12 Years of Chocolate Series.

I wanted to enjoy a variety of chocolates this week to celebrate eating a different chocolate every day for 12+ years (4,414 days). And this beautiful 7-piece assortment from Jade Chocolates (San Francisco, CA) with creamy centers and exotic flavors was just the ticket.

Jade Chocolates is a small batch chocolatier specializing in chocolates (blended with
teas, spices and tropical fruits) with Asian and Pacific Islands origin stories.

Torn Ranch - 4 pc. Assortment, dark chocolates - May 28, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Torn Ranch

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel - Good ++
Raspberry Truffle - Very Good
Orange Truffle - Good +++

Weight: .9 oz. (24 g) for 3 pcs. / 1.2 oz. (34 g.) in total box of 4
Calories: 135 calories (estimate) in 3 pieces
Cost: $N/A - free with purchase
Purchased from: N/A - free with purchase (Draeger's, Los Altos, CA)

Welcome to Day #7 of Dark Blends Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week.

Dark chocolate blends also find their way into dark confections. Today's Torn Ranch 4-piece chocolate assortment contained blended flavors, textures and, perhaps, cocoa sources.

Torn Ranch's "...gourmet chocolates start with a custom blend of ethically sourced and sustainably farmed cocoa beans."...."All of (our/their) chocolates are created by skilled chocolatiers."

I particularly liked the Raspberry Truffle; and that was fitting, as today was also the first day of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week.

Trader Joe's - Chili Lime, Chili Chocolate Collection - Feb. 15, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
Chili Lime
Chili Chocolate Collection
Good++
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 5.64 oz. (160 g.) total box of 16 pieces
Calories: 50 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $4.99 for 1 box of 16 pieces
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Alameda, CA

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

Today I'm featuring the last of four different chili-flavored chocolates from Trader Joe's Chili Chocolate Collection.* And the Chili Lime flavor may also have been my favorite.

This Chili Lime round was covered with dark chocolate and had a pleasant aroma with citrus fruit and caramel notes.


The product description read: "Dark chocolate with zesty lime oil play well with indulgent caramel flavored with hot chili."

True enough, although the heat was more pleasing and less searing than some other chili flavors in this assortment box. And I liked the authentic lime + chili + a hint of salt blend. There's nothing like a little zing to pep up an overcast, winter day.

Note: The chocolates in this collection contained glucose and likely a small trace of wheat.

Trader Joe's - Milk Chocolate Guajillo; Chili Collection - Feb. 11, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
Chili Chocolate Collection
Milk Chocolate Guajillo
Good
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 5.64 oz. (160 g.) in total package
Calories: 50 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $4.99 for 1 box of 16 pieces
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Alameda, CA

Buenos Dias mis amigos en chocolate. (Good day my friends in chocolate.) Today is Day #2 of Chocolate and Chili Theme Week.

For the next few days I'll be featuring different spicy milk and dark chocolate rounds from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) Chili Chocolate Collection (a 16 piece-assortment box with four different chili flavors).

Today's Milk Chocolate Guajillo round was what you might expect -- a sweet, classic milk chocolate flavor with an up-and-to-the right slow burn from the guajillo chili/chile.

The guajillo is a popular pepper in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, with a tangy, bright flavor and a fruity, medium heat; and it is rated 2,500 - 5,000 SHU* on the Scoville scale that measures spiciness.

*Scoville Heat Units