Charles Chocolates - Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Charles Chocolates 
Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet.

Today's Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar) was from Charles Chocolates (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, toasted nuts (hazelnut) and tart, sweet citrus (lemon). 

Texture: thick dark chocolate with a slow, relatively creamy melt; crunchy toasted hazelnuts; and softly chewy, candied lemon peel pieces. 

I liked the nutty, chocolate flavors and aftertaste and the overall fruit, nut and chocolate flavor blend. The lemon peel added bright citrus sweetness.

"We deep roast Oregon hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts and combine them with candied lemon peel, sultanas and our rich bittersweet chocolate."

Ingredients: 65% bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), hazelnuts, candied lemon peel (lemons, sugar), pistachios, sultanas, pine nuts.

Allergen-related information: Contains: tree nuts -- hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts. "Manufactured in a facility that also processes products containing tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat and soy."

Zoe's Chocolate Co. - The Gold Bar - Mar. 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day 

Zoe's Chocolate Co.
The Gold Bar - part of The Bar Collection
Good ++
Weight: 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 411 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zoe's Chocolate, online order

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

Today's "The Gold Bar" from Zoe's Chocolate Company (Waynesboro, PA and Frederick, MD) is part of the company's The Bar Collection.

This sweet, smooth--and elegant looking--60% cacao bittersweet chocolate bar was draped with a generous helping of 24 karat gold leaf pieces.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla), 24 karat gold. 

Allergen-related information: "Made in an environment where peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, dairy and eggs are used."

Bonajuto - Bittersweet Chocolate with Orange Zest (bar) - Oct. 18, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Antica Dolceria Bonajuto S.r.l.
Bittersweet Chocolate with Orange Zest 01 (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Il Parco, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Today's Bittersweet Chocolate with Orange Zest 01 (bar) was from Antica Dolceria Bonajuto S.r.l. (Modica, Italy).

Aroma and flavor notes for this Italian chocolate included: bittersweet dark chocolate; faint herbal spice (licorice); subtle citrus (orange); and honeycomb.

The texture in this relatively smooth chocolate with a stoneground-like texture actually seemed to come more from the sugar. 

The very subtle orange zest was very finely ground--perhaps into glistening, visible sugar crystals and incorporated into the bittersweet dark chocolate.

I liked the flavor blend, the interesting complexity, that it didn't seem too sweet, and that there were just three ingredients (thank you).

Ingredients: "cocoa mass, cane sugar, orange zest"

Allergen-related information: "May contain almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and milk"

Ragged Coast Chocolates - Lavender Blossom - Bittersweet Chocolate (bark) - Oct. 10, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ragged Coast Chocolates 
Lavender Blossom - Bittersweet Chocolate (bark) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 package and 290 calories in 1 package
Cost: $5.95 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Ragged Coast Chocolates, online order 

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

Today's Lavender Blossom - Bittersweet Chocolate, Lavender & Vanilla-Dusted Sugar Dust (bark) was from Ragged Coast Chocolates (Westbrook, ME).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (with subtle stone fruit, cream, faint ripe floral berry (pomegranate + lilac + lavender), and vanilla.

Texture for this relatively thick bark/bar: smooth chocolate with barely detectable vanilla shimmer and tiny, soft lavender buds.

Flavor notes included: rich, nuanced dark chocolate (very faint, diffuse fruit; cream; balanced earth/loam). Floral notes included: vanilla, with occasional tiny bursts of lovely Maine lavender (buds).

I enjoyed the fleeting floral and complex chocolate aroma and flavor notes. The bittersweet dark chocolate tasted more nuanced than most, and this was due in part to the blend of floral (vanilla and lavender) inclusions.

Maker's description: "No one anticipates those first buds of the new season more eagerly than a Mainer. Our lavender bark honors our passion for spring by capturing the subtle, citrus notes of delicate lavender blooms." 

I'm saving a few floral and fruity chocolates to enjoy in December. But our winter is short in the San Francisco Bay Area. Camellias, daffodils and California poppies are back in February; and winter months bring welcome rains and green hills. Our coasts are rugged; but unlike the great northeast, the winters are more welcome here.

*Ingredients: Latin American Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), Maine lavender, organic cane sugar, vanilla beans. 

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Soy, Nuts, Milk, and Coconut."

Ragged Coast Chocolates - Almond Sea Salt - Bittersweet Chocolate, Roasted Almonds, Maine Sea Salt bark - Aug. 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ragged Coast Chocolates
Almond Sea Salt - Bittersweet Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Maine Sea Salt Bark
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (58 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: Ragged Coast Chocolates, online order

Ahoy, and welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week.

Today's Almond Sea Salt - Bittersweet* Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Maine Sea Salt Bark was from Ragged Coast Chocolates (Westbrook, ME).

Aroma notes included: bittersweet dark chocolate; faint sweet shortbread nut cookie; roasted nut; and very faint (barely detectable) tart (lemon-green oxalis).

Flavor notes for this relatively thick, smooth dark chocolate made with Latin American cacao included: bittersweet dark chocolate (sweet but earthy--loamy soil with sour milk/yogurt); crunchy (whole and pieces of) roasted almonds that helped balance and mellow the dark chocolate--along with the faint sparkles of sea salt. 

I liked the almonds and the sea salt. In fact I wouldn't have minded tasting a version with even a bit more Maine sea salt. I also enjoyed looking at the tiny twinkles of salt that could be seen against the field of dark brown. 

It's hard to not wax poetic about the sea. Coming from another salt-making, coastal region (the San Francisco Bay in Northern California), I imagined the Maine sea salt crystallizing in the summer sun in the Gulf of Maine as I was eating this chocolate--3,000 miles away. Chocolate is a form of virtual travel.

Maker's description: "The endless ocean drifts through every moment of life on Maine's ragged Coast. It's only natural that we'd harvest its spirit to share with you. This rich, almond-studded bar sparkles with Maine sea salt and the sweet taste that comes from the sun-kissed coast."

Ingredients: Single Origin Latin American Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), Organic Almonds and Maine Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Soy, Nuts, Milk, and Coconut. Contains: Almonds" 

*While no cacao percentage was listed, bittersweet chocolate is typically around 70% cacao; but it can be as high as 80%. (Semisweet chocolate is typically around 60% cacao. Both are used for chocolate bars, confections, and baked goods.)

Ragged Coast - Bittersweet Chocolate & Honeyed Caramel Hazelnuts bark - Aug. 11, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ragged Coast
Honeyed Hazelnut - Bittersweet Chocolate & Honeyed Hazelnuts bark
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (56 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.95 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Ragged Coast, online order

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

Today's Honeyed Hazelnut - Bittersweet Chocolate & Honeyed Hazelnuts bark was from Ragged Coast Chocolates (Westbrook, ME). 

Aroma notes for this bar-shaped bark included: higher-end, single origin dark chocolate (chocolate tart, diffuse fruit), and faint honey-ed nuts.

Smooth, almost creamy, sweet chocolate was topped with a generous helping of honeyed hazelnut pieces. These hazelnuts had rich, nuanced, high-quality nut flavor(s) that lingered into the finish.

The chocolate was fairly sweet; but the tasty hazelnut pieces helped balance the sweetness. And the Latin American chocolate used, albeit sweet, seemed to offer more chocolate depth and flavor than most chocolate confections.

Ingredients: "Single Origin Latin American Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), Roasted Hazelnuts, Honey."

Allergen-related information: Allergens: Soy, Nuts (Hazelnuts), Milk, and Coconut. 

 

Venchi - Crema Scorzette chocolate (bar) - Nov. 2, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Venchi

Crema Scorzette Arancia Cioccolato Fondente 56% (bar)

(56% Bittersweet Chocolate with Candied Orange Peels Filling (bar))

Good + 

Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 260 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $9.00 (plus summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Crema Scorzette Arancia Cioccolato Fondente 56% (bar) was from Venchi S.P.A. (Castelletto Stura (CN), Italy. The company's history stretches back to Turin in 1878. The chocolatier became known for their hazelnut nougatine candies dipped in chocolate.

Aroma notes for this bar included an alluring blend of dark chocolate, orange, sweet orange liqueur and faint nut and candied orange peel cake.

Yes, this filled chocolate bar was sweet. However, the smooth, dark, bittersweet chocolate shell (that tasted a bit darker than 56%) that surrounded a soft, golden brown, orange-flavored filling,  helped to balance the sugars. The sweet center included small flecks of candied orange peel that had an authentic, soft chewy texture.

Milk, butter (and cocoa butter), vanilla and other flavorings in this gluten free bar rounded out the chocolate and orange blend.

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor, sugar, glucose syrup, cocoa butter, concentrated milk butter, candied orange peel (orange peel, glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, acidifier, citric acid. (100 g. of orange peels per 100 g. of candied product), whole milk powder, condensed sweetened whole milk - 9% fat (milk, sugar), cocoa powder, water, emulsifier: soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor, natural flavoring, acidifier: citric acid.

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, soy. May contain: tree nuts.

Godiva - Bittersweet Chocolate Premium Baking Chips (brownies) - June 17, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Godiva 
Bittersweet Chocolate Premium Baking Chips 69% Cacao
Good +
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) / 10 oz. (283 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 4 servings (4 TB)  
Cost: missing information
Purchased from: missing information 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's Bittersweet Chocolate Premium Baking Chips were from Godiva (Belgium).*

I used these 69% cacao Godiva bittersweet chocolate chips to make a last batch of homemade brownies this brownie-themed week (with butter, egg, molasses, a small amount of gluten-free flour, ginger, cinnamon and toasted almonds). 

I was glad to see these higher-percentage (69 percent) cacao Godiva chocolate chips. They had a uniform, smooth dark flavor. And, for my taste, there was enough sugar in this chocolate for the chocolate chips to serve as the primary sweetener. (I also added a teaspoon or two of molasses.)

This particular recipe yielded a dark fudge, soft cookie-like texture that made them easier to transport and share than softer, gooey-er style brownies. The recipe could easily be adapted to achieve more of the latter qualities (more chocolate chips, less gluten-free flour, use of a deeper glass pan and possibly slightly shorter cooking time).

I enjoyed the very subtle molasses and warm spice flavor and aroma note(s) of this particular recipe. However, it's hard to beat the classic, plain chocolate brownie studded with dark chocolate chips.

Ingredients: Godiva Bittersweet Chocolate Chips: Chocolate (processed with alkali), sugar, cocoa powder, soy lecithin (emulsifier).

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy. May contain milk."

*Distributed by International Gourmet Specialties LLC (Pittsburgh, PA).

Chatfield's - Organic Bittersweet Chocolate 70% Cacao - Premium Baking Bar - Nov. 21, 2020

Chocolate of the Day

Chatfield's 
Organic Bittersweet Chocolate 70% Cacao - Premium Baking Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $0.99 (sale) for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week. 

Today's Chatfield's Organic Bittersweet Chocolate 70% Cacao bar was manufactured for Panos Brands (Rochelle Park, NJ)), in Peru.

The chocolate, designed for baking or eating, satisfied a number of dietary and consumer concerns/preferences. This vegan, fair trade certified chocolate was organic, and certified free of common allergens: "wheat, dairy, peanut, tree nut, egg, soy, fish, shellfish."

The aroma had true chocolate (fudge brownie) notes with hints of earth, green and faint smoke/umami. The melt and texture were smooth, lighter (almost fluffier) in texture than many hand-crafted dark chocolate bars. The finish was fairly balanced, chocolate brownie, without being overly sweet.

Looking at the ingredients list, the bar did have some cocoa powder added. (Sometimes added cocoa powder simply enhances "true" chocolate flavor, or it can be dutched/alkalized to create a milder, smoother chocolate flavor. It was not clear if the cocoa powder in this case was dutched or not.)

This 70% bar seemed like a reasonably priced choice for baking--that could also be eaten, or cut into pieces and enjoyed as an addition to oatmeal or trail mix.

Ingredients: Organic bittersweet chocolate (organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic cocoa powder). 

Venchi - Ecuador Organic 85% Cocoa (bar) - July 25, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Venchi S.p.A.
Ecuador - Organic 85% bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.95 for 1/2 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week.

Today's Organic Ecuador 85% cocoa bar was from Venchi S.p.A. (Castelletto Stura, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy).

The aroma of this 85% cocoa bittersweet chocolate was more gentle than most 85% bars, with subtle fermented fruit, green jungle, light earth, light floral and clean, spring meadow and light green tea notes. There were no harsh, bitter or heavy acid notes.

The texture and melt were creamy smooth, in part due to added cocoa butter.

The flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes mentioned above. This ultra dark bar had a freshness and lightness to it. (It also had a very faint, fleeting hint of herb/spice: caraway.)

The finish was clean and had the same fresh green "feeling" to it as the aroma and flavor. It was as if some imaginary mint ghost left an aura of freshness in its wake, even though one couldn't taste any mint. (More likely than any spooky goings on, invisible flavors are inferred flavors--based on years of tasting experiences and memories of chocolates past.) In my experience, no other country of origin tops Ecuadorian cacao's range green-related and green/floral notes.

Ingredients: Organic chocolate liquor from Ecuador (66.5 percent), organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar.

O Organics - Organic Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks - Jan. 5, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

O Organics
Organic Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 10 oz. (283 g.) in total package
Calories: 150.9 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) serving
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Hit the Trail with Chocolate Theme Week.

I made my own organic trail mix today, combining an ounce of Organic Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks from O Organics (distributed by Lucerne Foods Inc., Pleasanton, CA)* with a handful of O Organics Organic Cranberry Nut Trail Mix.

The dark chocolate helped perk up the trail mix, which provided some quick, concentrated energy for a day outside at the Palo Alto Baylands. The combination of smooth dark chocolate, bright dried fruit and crunchy nuts
was appealing, if for no other reason, because of the bright variety of tastes and textures.