Wild West Chocolate - Most Wanted Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

Wild West Chocolate
Most Wanted Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.55 oz. (44 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar

Calories: 260 calories for 2/3 bar

Cost: $21.25 for 3 dark chocolate bars (approx. $7.08 each)
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Wild West Theme Week, featuring chocolates with tie-ins to cowboys, outlaws, bears and other wildlife in the Great Outdoors.

Today's Most Wanted Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was distributed by Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT).

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: slightly malty, roasted almonds, balanced, smooth dark chocolate; vanilla; and faint salt.

Texture: creamy texture and melt with tiny, crunchy almond bits

I liked that this bar wasn't too sweet. The fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango) that the company uses (instead of cane sugar) gave the sweetness a more subtle, authentic and slightly layered flavor--compatible with naturally occurring fruit notes you might find in some cacaos.

And I appreciated the use of Regenerative Organic Certified* cocoa and Fair Trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Cocoa Liquor++, Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Roasted Almonds+, Sea Salt. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 55% of product.) 

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy."

* USDA Organic certification focuses on how food is grown, and prohibits synthetic pesticides, fertilizer and GMOs. Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) starts with organic certification as a minimum required baseline and adds  requirements around soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness for farmworkers.

Hu Chocolate - Almond Butter Almond Crunch Milk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 13, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Hu Chocolate
Almond Butter Almond Crunch Milk Chocolate (filled bar)
Good++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 360 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift 
Purchased from: N/A - gift; thank you Bill!

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut & Almond Theme Week. 

Today's Almond Butter Almond Crunch Milk Chocolate (filled bar) was made in Italy and distributed by Hu Products LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma and flavor notes for this nut butter filled bar included: sweet, flavorful milk chocolate with warm (brown/coconut sugar); nuts (almond butter, hints of toffee, very faint ground hazelnut butter); and just the right touch of sea salt. (Note: this bar contained almond butter and almonds, but no hazelnut ingredients.)

The texture was a pleasing, hearty blend of creamy 48% cacao dark milk chocolate with thick, creamy + crunchy almond butter and almond bits. 

This was a sweet, delicious, flavorful, nut butter filled milk chocolate bar that was "seasoned" with just the right amounts of coconut sugar and sea salt.

I appreciated the use of organic and fair trade ingredients, and the absence of emulsifiers and the use of a less processed sugar--that added a warm toffee-like flavor that was a great match with the nuts and chocolate ingredients.

Ingredients: organic unrefined coconut sugar*, organic cacao*, organic grass-fed milk, organic cocoa butter*, organic almond butter, organic almond, sea salt. (*Certified Fairtrade ingredients)

Allergen-related information: "Contains almond, coconut, & milk. May contain cashew, hazelnut, & pistachio. Allergen cleans made prior to production, but beware that (this) product is produced using equipment that also processes other tree nuts, soy, & wheat."

Aloha - Coconut Chocolate Almond protein bar - Nov. 16, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Aloha 
Coconut Chocolate Almond (plant-based protein bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.98 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 (estimate) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Mollie Stone's Markets, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Hawaii Week.

Today's Coconut Chocolate Almond (bar) was manufactured for Aloha (an employee-owned, Certified B Corporation based in Littleton, CO). The company sources ingredients like coffee and macadamia nuts from Hawaii-based farms and partners with other Hawaii-based organizations.

Aroma notes included: chocolate, coconut, nut (almond), and very faint vanilla.

The texture was substantial and chewy (but not overly tough). This bar was both moist (cohesive) and slightly dry (mouthfeel)--for a chocolate bar at least--from protein powder (ground rice, seed), ground almonds and coconut shreds, and fiber. 

Flavor notes included: chocolate (cocoa, coconut brownie), coconut, and nut (almond). 

The chocolate-y flavor came from incorporated (I'm assuming melted/softened) chocolate chips as well as added chocolate liquor, cocoa powder and cocoa butter. 

While it's unfair to compare a bean-to-bar craft chocolate bar with a protein bar, I liked that this thoughtfully produced chocolate plant protein bar was organic, not too sweet, lacked lecithin and vegetable gums, and contained 14 grams of plant protein as well as a tiny amount of salt. 

And if you're launching into a big day--going outside to watch high surf on a King Tide day on San Francisco Bay in this case--it's nice to have some protein + cacao under your belt.

Ingredients: Protein Blend* (Brown Rice Protein*, Pumpkin Seed Protein*), Tapioca Syrup*, Almonds*, Coconut*, Chocolate Chips* (Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Vanilla Extract*), Vegetable Glycerin*, Tapioca Fiber*, Chocolate Liquor*, Cocoa Powder*, Cocoa Butter*, Evaporated Coconut Water*, Natural Flavor*, Sea Salt, Vanilla Extract*, Monk Fruit*

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds and Coconut)" "Manufactured In A Facility That Also Processes Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, and Wheat."

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade - Almond Gianduja (bar) - July 26, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade 
Mandula Gianduja
(Almond Gianduja (bar))
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 152 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Almond Gianduja 73% (bar) was from Rozsavolgyi Csokolade (Budapest, Hungary), using Peruvian Nacional cacao.

Notes on appearance...These chocolate makers also have fun with their packaging. "Erik, the Cocoa pod" makes appearances -- and was featured on today's bar enjoying an outdoor wine and bread picnic with an almond. Inside, each of their bars I've tried has been embossed with a beautiful, large swirling, floral-like, traditional Hungarian pattern.*

Aroma notes included: sweet, very slightly acidic/fruity chocolate; and nut/nut butter.

The texture was very pleasing. This chocolate was very smooth, nut buttery and the chocolate and almonds were fully integrated and creamy.

Flavor notes included: smooth, roasted note(s); very slightly bitter/bitter-sweet, dark chocolate; and fully ground nut (almond) butter and dark chocolate. The nuts provided some natural nut mellowness.

I liked that this chocolate wasn't too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: "Dark chocolate with Almond Praline. Ingredients: dark chocolate with 73% min. Cocoa content (cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), almond praline (almond 60%, sugar, vanilla). Almond praline in the chocolate min. 20%.

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds. "Produced in a factory that also handles nuts, sesame seed and milk powder."

*This design, likely inspired by Hungarian folk art, was also very pretty in green -- on the company's matcha green tea, herbs and lemon (white chocolate) bar, sampled recently. I highly recommend trying this flavor if you're fond of higher-end white chocolate, if it is still available.

Fuel4Ever - Chocolate Almond Collagen Protein Bar - Feb. 26. 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Fuel4Ever
Chocolate Almond Collagen Protein Bar
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.9 oz. (54 g.) 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Almond Collagen Protein Bar was manufactured for Fuel4Ever (San Jose, CA).

This dark chocolate-hued protein bar was dense, chewy, and chocolate-y, and flecked with small almond bits. 

Flavor notes included: sweetened cocoa; mild, diffuse and very faint fruit (date)); and subtle, mellow, nut (almond) butter (number one ingredient).

I liked that this Chocolate Almond bar contained 14 grams of protein*--great for someone wanting/needing to boost their protein intake. (Most protein bars contain closer to 9-12 gram of protein.)

The sweetness level was relatively high; although the bar contained only 5 Net Carbs. It was sweetened with Allulose**. I would've preferred a bar with 1/3 of this level of sweetness (and less allulose; but I prefer less sugar(s) in chocolate and dessert items, so others may feel differently.

Ingredients: "Almond Butter, Protein Blend (Bovine Collagen Peptides, Almond Protein Powder), Chicory Root Fiber, Allulose, Cocoa Powder, Almonds, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, MCT Oil (From Coconut), Kale, Spinach, Monk Fruit Extract, Stevia Leaf Extract."

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds, Coconuts). May contain traces of: Peanuts, Eggs, Soy, Milk, Wheat, Sesame, and other Tree Nuts.

*Protein sources: Bovine collagen protein and almond protein

**Allulose is a naturally occurring (lower calorie) sugar that occurs in very small amounts in plants (figs, raisins, wheat, molasses, maple syrup). It can be commercially produced from corn or sucrose.

Madecasse - Beyond Good Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate - Salted Almond 63% Cocoa (bar) - July 22, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Madecasse - Beyond Good
Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate 
Salted Almond 63% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Beyond Good Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate 65% Cocoa (bar) was produced in Madagascar and distributed by Madecasse LLC (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma notes included salted nut (almond), dark chocolate and faint salted potato chip--that disappeared after the bar was opened for a few minutes.

Texture: Smooth dark chocolate was interspersed with crunchy bits of almonds.

The base dark chocolate was well-balanced, and not too sweet (thank you). This 63% dark bar tasted darker--more like a 72% dark chocolate. 

This Madagascar cacao-based bar had flavor notes that included: chocolate-y (chocolate syrup to dark chocolate brownie), and balanced acidic fruit (bright-tart citrus (tangerine), and dark tart berry (blueberry)) notes.

It had a restrained, balanced bitterness; that is, it was not too bitter, but it was bolder than many other 63% dark chocolates. The salted almonds added complementary mellow, savory flavor.

Maker's tasting notes: "Uniquely delicious notes of red fruits and nuts"

Ingredients: "*Cocoa beans, *Cane Sugar, *Almond Nibs, *Cocoa Butter, *Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Sea Salt." *Organic Ingredient

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk and other tree nuts."

 

Srsly Chocolate - Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar) - Feb. 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Srsly Chocolate 
Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar) was from Srsly Chocolate (Austin, TX). The makers used cacao from the Dominican Republic to create this chocolate.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate with sweet wood, nut/seed and botanical (sweet green, sweet lemon) and fruit (cherry).

This relatively thick, well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap (in a cold, 59 degree F. / 15 degrees C. room). 

The deep dark chocolate had hearty cocoa/drinking chocolate flavor, with medium, balanced acidity--flavor that was welcome on a cold morning. I felt like I was sipping a warm mug of flavorful dark chocolate.

The combined sea salt and smattering of almond bits on the back of the bar added a counterweight to the dark chocolate and fruit flavors and the taste mirrored, and delivered on, the rich, complex aroma notes.

This balanced, well-executed dark chocolate had satisfying, substantial single origin cacao flavor and aroma, depth and breadth.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic almonds, salt.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that also processes milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and wheat"

Shekoh Confections - Lemon Almond - June 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Lemon Almond 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 (estimate) 
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Lemon Almond chocolate was created by Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA). Chef Shekoh Moossavi creates a variety of high-end chocolate confections. If you live in the area, consider visiting her shop.

Lemon Almond chocolate

Today's Lemon Almond chocolate had beautiful overall taste and texture(s): natural lemon, crispy almond praline and light (almost mousse-like), creamy milk chocolate ganache, surrounded by a darker chocolate shell. 

This chocolate evoked memories of thin, buttery lemon wafer cookies with crushed almonds, half-dipped in chocolate.* 

Another balanced, layered fresh flavor experience in a small package from Shekoh Confections.

It's become more convenient to order chocolates on-line; but nothing beats being able to buy chocolates in person, and thank a highly trained and skilled chocolate creator face-to-face. In case I didn't get that point across during our meeting wearing a (Covid) mask, thank you Chef Shekoh!

Description: "Valrhona milk chocolate, almond praline, lemon oil."

Ingredients: Not listed on small assortment box

Allergen-related information: Not listed on small assortment box

*Pirouettes, aka barquillos

 

Ritter - Dark Chocolate with Almond and Orange (bar) - Jan. 22, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter
Dark Chocolate with Almond and Orange (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (31 g.) of bar
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Santa Venetia Market, San Rafael, CA

Welcome to Day #16 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate Almond and Orange (bar) was from Afred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany). After an imagined visit to Museum Ritter in Waldenbuch, I took a virtual walk around the area. Despite foggy cool weather today in Germany, I was able to enjoy a refreshing (chocolate-powered) walk--only it was in Northern California. 

Aroma notes for this substantial (thick) Ritter bar included: bold, dark chocolate, nut (almond) and faint citrus.

Bold dark chocolate flavor was intermingled with tiny but flavorful bits of chewy, sweet orange peel(s), and small pieces of crunchy almonds.

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, almonds, orange peel, butterfat (milk), glucose, fructose syrup, soy lecithin, lemon juice concentrate, orange oil, dextrose.

Allergen-related information: (Contained tree nuts (almonds), milk, soy.) "May contain traces of peanuts and other tree nuts, wheat and egg."

Pascati Chocolate - Rose Almond 60% Organic Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 21, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Pascati Artisan Chocolate
(Pascati Foods India LLP)
Rose Almond Dark - Organic Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa (bar)
Weight: 2.65 oz. (75 g.) total bar
Calories: 396 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

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

Today's Rose Almond Dark - Organic Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa (bar) was from Pascati Artisan Chocolate / Pascati Foods India LLP (Maharashtra, India)--India's first USDA organic and fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate company.*

I expected I might smell a more floral rose scent, but this organic dark chocolate had a very subtle "organic natural flavor" rose aroma and flavor.

The dark chocolate had a smooth, even dark taste and wasn't overly sweet (thank you). In fact, it tasted more like a 70% bar. Organic almond pieces added an occasional bit of satisfying crunchy nut texture and flavor.

This chocolate was made from bean to bar in India (Product of India) using cacao "sourced from select plantations." It was not clear if all of the cacao had been grown in India or not; however, Pascati has said before they use cacao from Kerala's Indukki and Malabar regions in southern India. It's exciting enough that more Indian-made chocolates have become more available, to more chocolate lovers around the globe.

Previously, when I asked friends from India about chocolate there they would frequently mention Cadbury chocolate candy/bars and other British and European brands, often adding that Indians had their own rich history of desserts and confections that didn't usually include chocolate.

Times have changed. This year I'm happy to again have seven "new" Indian chocolates to feature as part of a 2020 Chocolate and India Theme Week. This was not possible when I started Chocolate Banquet 13+ years ago in 2006.

*Pascati was founded in 2015 by Devansh Ashar (who had a background in the hospitality industry and trained as a chocolate maker at Ecole Chocolat). The company name comes from the Sanskrit phrase "pascat parivasya" that means a "sweet meal."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic almonds, organic rose flavour

Endangered Species - Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa - Aug. 2, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC
Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa
Good
Weight: 1 TB (18.5 g.) / 9.7 oz. (275 g.) in total jar
Calories: 105 calories in 1/2 serving (1 TB)
Cost: $1.98 for 1 jar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

The company is known for their chocolate bars with pictures of wildlife and support for threatened species habitat preservation. Today's jar of chocolate almond spread was adorned with an image of a regal-looking lion.

Fans of dark chocolate may find this sweet, nutty spread a little too sweet for their taste. The texture and flavor was in between a nut butter and a frosting.

Pairing this with slightly salty or savory crackers or toast seemed to be a good way to balance out the sweetness.

Or, going the other way, it might make an interesting (relatively less sweet) frosting layer on a cake, or a mix-in with ice cream.

Theo Chocolate - Lemon, Almond Coconut bars - June 1, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate Inc.

Organic + Fair Trade 45% Lemon Milk Chocolate bar
Good - Good+
Weight: .75 oz. (21 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 125 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $4.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, San Francisco, CA

Almond and Coconut bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Powell's City of Books, Portland, OR

Spring is the season for flowers...and chocolate bars with fresh fruit and nut flavors. Specifically, two bars from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

Today's seasonal Holiday (spring) bars, may be sold out soon. (Only lemon was left on the Theo Chocolate website when I checked last week.)

The first bar was an Organic, Fair Trade Lemon chocolate bar made with 45% milk chocolate. Happily this gluten free, soy free, kosher bar (like most other Theo chocolates) contained only the basics, and no extra "stuff." (Ingredients: cane sugar, cocoa beans, cocoa butter, milk powder, lemon essential oil, ground vanilla bean.) The authentic lemon gave this bar a very pleasant flavor.

Theo Chocolate was one of the first companies to offer bean-to-bar, organic and fair trade certified chocolate. Founder, Joe Whinney, started working to bring organic beans into the eastern U.S. in the mid-1990s, before he moved west to Seattle.

The second spring holiday bar was an Organic, Fair Trade Almond Coconut bar made with 65% dark chocolate. The dark chocolate had a rich mouthfeel (in part due to added cocoa butter) and a slightly earthy flavor, intermixed with coconut and almond bits.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Mars - Goodness Knows Cranberry Almond Dark Chocolate squares - May 28, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mars, Incorporated
Goodness Knows - Cranberry Almond Dark Chocolate
Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) in 1 package (4 pieces)
Calories: 150 calories in 1 package (4 pieces)
Cost: $0.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Theme Week.

Today's package of Goodness Knows Cranberry Almond Dark Chocolate (4 small squares) was from Mars (Hackettstown, NJ).

Yes, fooled me, this was not a "bar," but rather the bar-shaped package contained 4 neatly segmented crunchy, malty and sweet "snack squares" that made for easier eating and sharing.

Each attractive piece had tart sweet (mostly the latter) ruby-colored, dried cranberry fruit bits and crispy hunks of golden almonds, peanuts, toasted oats + brown rice crisps, with a dark chocolate bottom layer. The dark chocolate was more of an accent flavor.

While not explicitly gluten-free, there were no wheat ingredients listed.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Nature's Path - Qi'a Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond bar - May 27, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nature's Path Foods
Qi'a Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.3 oz. (38 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Theme Week.

Today's Qi'a Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond bar from Nature's Path Foods (Blaine, WA) contained both fruit and nuts.

This Qi'a bar also contained seeds (chia and hemp); the soft chew was balanced by tiny, mildly crunchy chia seeds. The dark chocolate added a very subtle hint of rich chocolate flavor.

And the first ingredient listed (and dominant flavor/texture) came from shreds of coconut—a "fibrous one-seeded drupe," that people have called a fruit, a nut and a seed. So, the coconut's versatility earns it a guest appearance in this week's fruit and nut combination week.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Signature Select - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almond Nougat bar - May 6, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Signature Select
Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Almond Nougat bar
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 4 squares, or 2/5 bar
Cost: $2.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Salt and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Signature Select Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Almond Nougat bar was made in Switzerland and distributed by Better Living Brands LLC (Pleasanton, CA).

Better Living Brands is a private label group affiliated with Safeway—a grocery chain that has also offered/offers chocolates with the Safeway Select brand.

The information available above may make it more difficult to decipher the supply chain, for those who want to know where their chocolate is coming from; but the bar was fairly good.

This relatively thin dark 55% cacao bar had a pleasant cocoa aroma and broke with a satisfying snap. It had balanced flavor and texture, with small crunchy, salty almond nougat pieces throughout the bar.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Kit's Organic - Dark Chocolate Almond Chile bar - May 5, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut Bar - Dark Chocolate Chili Almond
Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $unkown
Purchased from: unknown

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Salt and Almond Theme Week.

Salt can balance sweetness, bitterness, and other aspects of flavor. This magical ability is one reason why salt is used in bars, even where not explicitly mentioned in the bar's name.

For example, Kit's Organic Dark Chocolate Chili Almond bar from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

Ingredients: organic dates, organic almonds, organic unsweetened dark chocolate, sea salt, organic cinnamon, organic vanilla beans, organic cayenne pepper.

The salt in today's bar helped cut the acidic sweetness of dried fruit (dates)—the number one ingredient in this Fruit + Nut Bar —that also contained chopped almonds, and chocolate.

The salt was just right. And the chili gave the bar a uniform spicy kick that lasted from first bite to last; and chili, salt and almonds (and chocolate) also blended well together. Add any more salt, and you'd start to have a hint of the same dark richness you might find in a mole sauce.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

NibMor - 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Almonds bar - Feb. 24, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

NibMor Inc.
72% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Almonds bar
Good+
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Loop store, at Shell gas station, Pocket Road, Sacramento, CA

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

Today's 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Almonds bar was manufactured for NibMor Inc. (Great Neck, NY).

This bar had a malty, smooth dark chocolate taste, and a soft crunchy nut texture (from bits of almond).

Self-described "do-gooders," NibMor contributes to causes, such as disease prevention and fighting childhood obesity. The packaging for this "organic and ethically traded" bar was printed with the following certification-related symbols:

• USDA Organic
• Non-GMO Project Certified
• Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa
• Certified-Gluten Free
• Kosher (U)D
• Certified Vegan

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Bobo's Oat Bars - Gluten Free Chocolate Almond - Feb. 22, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bobo's Oat Bars
Gluten Free Chocolate Almond bar
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 380 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's first entrant in this nut-themed chocolate week was a generously sized snack bar from Bobo's Oat Bars (Boulder, CO).

This relatively soft, chewy bar was made from gluten free oats, organic dark chocolate chips, and dry roasted almonds. (The almond flavor was amped up a bit with a hint of almond extract.)

The company offers a line of individually-wrapped "Regular Bars." They also offer several "Gluten Free Bars" in different flavors*, such as their only chocolate entry: today's Chocolate Almond bar. These bars are "gluten free, vegan, kosher and non-GMO."

They'd be a good snack for a hike or bike ride.

Bobo's Oat Bars was founded by Beryl Stafford in 2005 in Boulder. (Bobo was/is an affectionate nickname for her eldest daughter.)

*Bobo's Oat Bars Gluten Free flavors listed on their site included: Peach, Maple Pecan, Lemon Poppyseed, Chocolate Almond, Apple Pie and Peanut Butter and Jelly.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Clif Bar - Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond - Aug. 11, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, San Carlos, CA

In 1990, the Clif Bar, from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA) was a relatively early entrant into the world of trail mix or energy-type bars for active, outdoor folk.

However, they weren't always gluten-free. The organic and fruit and nut trail mix bars were introduced a few years ago; and happily, I found two gluten-free fruit and nut Clif bars. One even had chocolate.

Both trail mix Clif Bars were individually wrapped. The first one, a Wild Blueberry Almond Mojo Fruit and Nut bar (part of a box of bars I bought) contained no chocolate. The second, individual bar was a Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Organic Trail Mix Bar. (Today was a transition day from blueberries to cherries as a "featured" fruit this week.)

Both bars were pleasantly chewy and substantial with an even distribution of crunchy nut and sweet fruit flavor. They were medium sweet, i.e. not overly sweet (and slightly lower on the glycemic index than many cereal or trail mix bars). The Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond bar contained both almonds and cashews, and contained organic, dried cherry pieces. And small chunks of dark chocolate "richened" up the flavor.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate, Fruits and Nuts Theme Weeks, although I have several more items that combine these three items, so expect a few more in the next few days.

Baron Chocolatier - Dark Chocolate with Orange bar - Jan. 28, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Baron Chocolatier (European Chocolate Milano)
Dark Chocolate with Orange and Almond bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1/5 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Michael's, Mountain View, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week. Chocolate with orange and almond flavors and textures blend nicely in bars, confections and desserts, and this was also the third item this week with all three flavors.

Today's smooth, 50% cocoa Baron Chocolatier (European Chocolate Milano, a division of The Milano Group*) was similar to yesterday's orange and almond bar, but with a bit more dark chocolate flavor. The bar broke with a hard snap (a sign of a good temper). Almond pieces appeared throughout the bar. And the subtle orange flavor added a hint of sweet citrus.

This bar was GMO Free and Kosher.

*The Milano Group business started in Poland 30 years ago, and grew into a larger company, with  off-shoots/different divisions, and a U.S. location in Buffalo Grove, IL.