Harbor Sweets - Barque Sarah Milk Chocolate and Whole Toasted Almonds - July 21, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Harbor Sweets 
Barque Sarah - Milk Chocolate and Whole Toasted Almonds
Good +
Weight: .388 oz. (11 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) for 1 piece 
Cost: N/A - Part of a $18.50 Nautical Chocolate Gift Box assortment (see previous entries)
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. Today's water connection was with the sea--more specifically with the Port of Salem. 

Today's tall ship-themed, medallion-shaped Barque* Sarah chocolate was part of a Nautical Chocolate Gift Box assortment from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA), that included shells and periwinkles and "sloops" as well.

Aroma notes for today's Barque Sarah included: milk chocolate with faint vanilla tobacco and very faint nut.

Texture: smooth, uniform, relatively soft milk chocolate punched up by crunchy whole almonds

Flavor: very sweet milk chocolate and whole, authentically nutty almonds.

I liked the elegant-looking, three-masted tall ship on this medallion shaped chocolate; and the whole, roasted almonds that helped moderate the very sweet milk chocolate.

Ingredients: "milk chocolate (sugar, milk, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, soy lecithin, vanilla), and dry roasted almonds"

Allergen-related information: Contains "milk, soy, and almonds"

*A barque, or bark, is a three-masted (or more) tall ship. The Barque Sarah chocolate was created by Harbor Sweets to commemorate the Port of Salem's seafaring history.

 

Weiser Classic Candy Grizzly Bear Paw & Sjaak's California State Bear Dark (bar) - June 12, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Weiser Classic Candy
Grizzly Paw Soft Caramel 
Good ++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.75 g.) / 5 oz. (141.5 g.) in total package/box
Calories: 387 calories (estimate) in 1/2 serving
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package/large bear paw (+ other bonus items)
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
California State Bear Dark Chocolate Almonds (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Bears Theme Week, featuring two bear-themed chocolates.

Grizzly Paw Soft Caramel with Cashew "Claws"

This chocolate coated Grizzly (bear) paw was from Weiser Classic Candy (Weiser, ID).

Weiser Classic Candy is a family-run store (and deli) serving: fudge, caramel (and chocolate) confections, and ice cream. The small-batch chocolatier also produces chocolate confections that are carried in several other small businesses. (They use local ingredients including sugar from local sugar beets and dairy from local cows.)

This bear paw caramel-filled confection was big enough to share with two other people. It was filled with a soft, gentle sea of caramel. The sweetness of the caramel was vast, but balanced by the impressive claws (whole, salted cashews).

I enjoyed the salty claws (whole, salted, jumbo cashews) on this generously-sized grizzly claw. I also was tickled to find two bonus items...

...Under the chocolate caramel claw were a smattering of chocolate-covered raisins (chocolate bear scat) and a small bell (a reference to bear bells often used to let bears know you may be in their area and/or that you're headed their way).

A short printed bear story included information about bears being reintroduced in Idaho (and suggestions about possible human-bear interactions).

Ingredients: Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk, Soya Lecithin, Vanillin (an artificial flavor), natural & artificial flavorings, butter corn syrup, evaporated milk, tenox, sucovert, paramount crystals, cashews

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy, Nuts (Cashews). "These products are produced in a facility that uses major allergens: peanuts, soy beans, milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, and wheat"

California State Bear Dark Chocolate (bar)

Today's California State Bear Dark Chocolate Almonds bar was from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates.

This bear bar was a marvel. It was six years old, and looked and tasted brand new. The well-tempered dark chocolate (no cacao % listed on the label) was smooth-textured and smooth-flavored with a balanced chocolate-y taste. Tiny almond bits added a bit of texture and authentic nut (almond) flavor.

Sadly, the chocolate maker is no longer in business. (Sjaak's Organic Chocolates was based in Petaluma, in Northern California and closed up shop in November 2023 after an almost 20-year run.)

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (organic cocoa paste), organic sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla), organic almonds. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Sjaak's Organic Chocolates is a vegan facility. Equipment shared with peanuts/tree nuts. Ingredients suppliers may share equipment that could result in trace amounts of dairy protein."

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws - Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters - June 10, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38.25 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76.5 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image three brown bears crossing a stream (or looking for fish perhaps) with a pine forest and snow-capped mountains in the background.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: smooth dark (chocolate-y) chocolate; faint roasted nut (almond); vanilla; and very faint salt.

Texture: The base chocolate had a relatively smooth texture. Almond bits added an attractive, soft crunch.

A very subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--was used to sweeten this chocolate instead of sugar. And that sweetness felt balanced and authentic. 

Bears' favorite foods include berries and nuts; so I'm sure they'd approve of this offering.*

The individually-wrapped "claws"/paws made them practical for sharing chocolate with others.

An additional plus with Wild West Chocolate offerings: they're made with Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Oatmilk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Roasted Almonds+, Sea Salt. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 39% of Product.)

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

*Maybe. We (humans) can process small amounts of slightly bitter alkaloids--defensive compounds that plants produce to deter animals/insects from eating them. These alkaloids include caffeine in coffee and theobromine in cacao. Bears (dogs, cats and other animals) have a more limited capacity to process theobromine; and they can get very sick after eating too much dark chocolate. 

Animals that enjoy the pulpy cacao fruit (that surrounds cacao seeds (aka beans) inside cacao pods) include monkeys, birds...and, yes, bears. Spectacled Bears (aka Andean Bears) in South America may eat as many as 300 different plants in the wild, including many different fruits, and nuts. They have been known to visit/raid cacao plantations/farms for the pulpy fruit inside cacao pods. They spit out the bitter cacao seeds (beans), helping disperse seeds in the wild.

Theo Chocolate - Organic Almond Brittle Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 15, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Organic Almond Brittle Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: Gift from friends - Thank you Evan, Maddy and Isla

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Pistachio, Hazelnut & Almond Theme Week.

Today's Organic Almond Brittle Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made in Canada and distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, subtle vanilla and faint nut and sweet malt.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap--not always the case for a sweeter chocolate with brittle or toffee flavor inclusions.

I liked that this bar wasn't too sweet, and that the relatively subtle chocolate, brittle, nut and vanilla flavors were all balanced, pleasant and complementary.

I also appreciated Theo Chocolate's (historic and continued) use of organic and fair trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*+, Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+, Ground Vanilla Bean*), Almonds*, Brittle* (Sugar*, Rice Syrup*, Coconut Oil*, Sea Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate), Sea Salt. (*Organic, + Fair Trade -- Contains 89% Fair Trade Ingredients.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds). Made on equipment that also processes milk, peanuts, and other tree nuts. May also contain almond shell pieces. 

Theo Chocolate - Organic Cherry Almond 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 12, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Organic Cherry Almond 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut & Almond Theme Week.

Today's Organic Cherry Almond 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made in Canada and distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, slightly roast-y; faint roasted almonds; and fruit (cherry).

Texture: a mix of smooth dark chocolate, crunchy almond pieces, and fleeting cherry (occasional, tiny chewy cherry bits).

Flavor notes included: chocolate-y dark chocolate, faint malt; cherry; and nut (almond) with slightly roasted flavors from the dark chocolate and the almonds.

I liked the mix of smooth, crunchy and chewy textures; and the dark chocolate, almond and cherry were compatible and authentic-tasting.

I appreciated the list of organic and fair trade ingredients and certifications. Theo Chocolate--founded in Seattle in 2005 by Joe Whinney and Debra Music--was one of the first organic, fair trade craft chocolate makers in North America.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*+, Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+), Dried Sour Cherries*, (Unsweetened Cherries*, Rice Flour*, Sunflower Oil*), Almonds*. (*Organic, +Fair Trade)

Allergen-related information: "CONTAINS TREE NUTS (ALMONDS). Made on equipment that also processes milk, peanuts, and other tree nuts. Made with real cherries. In rare cases, may contain a small piece of cherry pit. May contain almond shell pieces...Contains 85% Fair Trade ingredients. Suitable for Vegans."

Chocofin Chocolatier - Dark Almond Bark 66% Couverture Chocolate - Mar. 11, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Chocofin Chocolatier
Dark Almond Bark 66% Couverture Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99.05 g.) in total bar
Calories: 265 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.75 for 1 bar
Purchased from: AJ's Fine Foods market, Scottsdale, AZ

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut and Almond Theme Week.

Today's second chocolate for today was found while on a trip to Arizona: a Dark Chocolate Almond Bark bar--with 66% couverture chocolate blended with fresh roasted almonds--was from Chocofin Chocolatier (Fountain Hills, AZ).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively smooth dark chocolate with a slight, balanced bitterness and nut (almonds) from a generous helping of roasted almonds.

Texture: Smooth textured dark chocolate with softly crunchy almonds.

Ingredients: dark chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, natural vanilla, soy lecithin), whole natural almonds.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: nuts & soy; made in a facility that Handles peanuts"

Loon Chocolate - Almond 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 14, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate 
Almond 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 500 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Loon Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Loon Chocolate Almond 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was Manufactured with White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, nuts, and faint toffee.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, with lightly crispy and chewy, fresh-tasting, thinly-sliced almonds.

Flavor notes: roast-y, dark chocolate with balanced, faint bitterness. The almonds added texture but the almond flavors were very light, and the judicious pinch of salt was very faint.

I appreciated the thoughtful, short list of authentic and organic ingredients and the textural blend. This bar also paired well with several items, including ginger, some cheeses and certain wines.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Roasted Almond, Salt. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. Produced in a Facility That Uses Almonds, Milk and Wheat. "Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan"

L'Amourette Chocolatier - Chocolat Noir English Toffee 72% Dark Chocolate with almonds (bar) - Mar. 10, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

L'Amourette Chocolatier
Chocolat Noir English Toffee 72% Dark Chocolate with almonds (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: L'Amourette, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut & Almond Theme Week.

Today's English Toffee 72% Dark Chocolate with almonds (bar) was from L'Amourette Chocolat LLC (San Francisco, CA).

Most toffee chocolates are quite sweet and are made with somewhat flat (boring) chocolate. Thankfully, this was not true for today's bar.

Aroma notes included: flavorful, very slightly fruity, dark chocolate, sweet green botanical (green walnuts in syrup), faint toffee, nut and vanilla. (Hurray, some complex, layered flavors/dark chocolate ahead.)

Texture: smooth, substantial dark chocolate, with layered, crunchy toffee and almonds. The embedded  warm-tasting hunks of buttery toffee were just right, i.e. not too hard, and not too soft. 

Flavor notes included: hearty, balanced dark chocolate with faint fleeting diffuse, tart-sweet fruit (citrus, dried plum, berry), balanced earth, and botanical (vanilla, sweet green walnuts in syrup). 

The buttery, sweet toffee, bold, flavorful dark chocolate and vanilla beans not only balanced and complemented each other nicely, but resulted in a bar that had the addictive quality of a toffee confection and the deeply satisfying, complex and hearty flavor of a single origin/single variety 72% dark chocolate. (The almonds and sea salt played a background role, but mellowed and rounded out this trio very nicely.)

This is a well-executed toffee chocolate I would recommend to dark chocolate lovers.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans (Trinitario), Cocoa Butter, Cane Sugar (Vegan), Toffee (Butter (Milk), Sugar, Almonds, Vanilla Paste & Sea Salt), Vanilla Beans.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Almonds. Soy & Gluten-free"

Sibo - Costa Rica Extra Dark 82% Cacao (bar) + Jean-Marie Auboine Caramelized Almond 65% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 18, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Sibo Chocolate
Costa Rica Extra Dark 82% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.50 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Missing information 

Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier
Caramelized Almond 65% Dark Chocolate Gourmet (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) / 3.18 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 246 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring a Sibo Chocolate Costa Rica Extra Dark 82% Cacao bar made by Chocoindustria Cinco, S.A. (in Costa Rica)--and a second "bonus" dark chocolate bar from Las Vegas (a gift from a friend).

Sibo Chocolate Costa Rica Extra Dark 82% Cacao (bar)

Aroma notes included: naturally sweet dark chocolate (cocoa, drinking chocolate, dark ganache); with light (and multiple shades of) vanilla--including vanilla marshmallow and barely detectable vanilla tobacco--even though there was no added vanilla listed in the ingredients; and sweet green. 

Texture: This relatively thin bar broke with a hard snap in a cold room, and had a smooth, buttery, slow satisfying melt and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: pleasing, rich and smooth hot cocoa with flavor notes similar to the aroma notes (mentioned above), along with faint nut (cashew, almond, nut/seed). This well-balanced chocolate was relatively low in bitterness for an 82%er.

As noted above, I was very surprised this did not contain added vanilla, given the lovely warm spice, and light floral and botanical range of notes I'd associate with vanilla.

Note: This Costa Rica chocolate was similar to Single Estate Guacimo Limon Costa Rica 82% bar that I had 8 years ago in 2018 from the same maker. So, I enjoyed a second new chocolate (below) to avoid a possible duplication. 

Ingredients: chocolate (cacao, organic sugar, cacao butter, sunflower lecithin).

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk, almonds and cashew.

Jean-Marie Auboine - Caramelized Almond 65% Dark Chocolate (bar)

This elegantly packaged dark chocolate bar--a gift from a friend--was from Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier (Las Vegas, NV). 

Aroma notes included: fresh/lightly roasted nuts (almonds) and chocolate.

Texture: the base chocolate had a smooth, almost creamy texture with a pleasing melt interspersed with crunchy whole, lightly caramelized almonds. 

Flavor notes included: smooth, sweet dark chocolate (chocolate-y, fudge, dark ganache) and nutty: lightly roasted and caramelized almonds.

I enjoyed this well-executed, balanced (approachable and sophisticated) chocolate and almond bar that was sweet enough to be somewhat addicting, but not overly sugar-y sweet.

Ingredients: "Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Almonds, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts, Soy. May Contain Traces of Milk"

 

Sted Foods - Almond Maple Brittle 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 27, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sted Foods  
Almond Maple Brittle 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Warm Spices & Maple Theme Week.

Today's Sted Foods Organic Almond Maple Brittle 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (fudge-y, chocolate chips, roast-y), warm toffee and maple, and faint fruit (cherry).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a quiet riot of tiny, embedded crunchy-crispy bits (maple toffee).

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate with a faint, balanced and muffled earthiness; smooth, mellow and faint nut (almond); and micro-bursts of warm and slightly buttery brown/maple sugar toffee.  Seasoned, very judiciously, with just the right dose of salt. Warning: this bar was relatively addictive (more-ish).

I really appreciated the thinness of this bar--that enabled easy access to the gently complex dark chocolate flavors, and the multitude of impossibly tiny sparkles of maple toffee embedded into the chocolate. I also liked the choice of quality, organic ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Nutty, Hardy + Lakeside Bonfire"

Ingredients: organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic almonds, organic MN maple toffee (organic cane sugar, organic butter, organic maple syrup, sea salt), organic cocoa butter, sea salt

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds and milk. Made in a facility that uses coconut, macadamia, almonds, pecans, and milk." 

Sted Foods - Maple Toffee with Cacoa Nibs - Jan. 25, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sted Foods  
Maple Toffee with Cacoa Nibs (box)
Good ++ 
Weight: (unknown, not found on box)
Calories: (unknown, not listed)
Cost: $12.00 for 1 box of toffee pieces
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Warm Spices & Maple Theme Week.

Today's Sted Foods Maple Toffee with Cacao Nibs offering was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Aroma and flavor notes for this box of tasty toffee pieces included: buttery toffee brittle, lightly browned maple sugar, cacao (nibs, dark chocolate) and very faint nut (almond) and seed (cacao nibs).

Texture: crunchy-crispy shards of delicious maple toffee, covered with a layer of smooth dark chocolate, topped with a sprinkling of softly crunchy nibs.

I loved this balanced, well-executed brittle. The pieces were just the right size (not too big, not too little). The brittle was just the right thickness (not too thick and hard; not so thin that it shattered on contact; it was just right). It was made with real butter, real maple syrup,  and judiciously seasoned with a faint dose of sea salt.

The thin layer of creamy dark chocolate and the "cacao" bean nibs provided a grounded, authentic cacao flavor that balanced out the sweet brittle. And there were no "off" notes in the nibs (thank you).*

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic almonds, organic MN maple toffee (organic cane sugar, organic butter, organic maple syrup, sea salt)."

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds and milk. Made in a facility that uses coconut, macadamia, almonds, pecans, and milk."

*Nibs from different cacao origins may taste quite different from each other. Some may have a slightly fermented (wine) aroma, others might be slightly earthy or roast-y. Some will have floral, nut or seed notes. Generally the taste will correlate with the chocolate made from the nibs. Roasting times selected by the chocolate maker will also affect flavor and aroma.

Woodstock - Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds - Dec. 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Woodstock
Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.25 oz. (92 g.) / 6.5 oz. (184 g.) in total package
Calories: 450 calories in 1/2 package (3 servings)
Cost: $9.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds were from Woodstock (Edison, NJ), and distributed by UNFI (Providence, RI).* The Edison location caught my eye. (See below for an explanation.)

Aroma and flavor notes for these glossy, jumbo-sized dark almonds included: a generous coating of glazed, smooth, chocolate-y, dark chocolate with faint, slightly roasted cacao and dark berry and earth notes. And at the center of each piece was an authentic, crunchy, whole roasted almond.

I appreciated the more flavorful dark chocolate and the company's long-time commitment to the use of organic and Non-GMO ingredients.

Thank you Thomas Edison...

I "paired" today's almonds with 3 historic short films from the 1890s that had roots near Woodstock Foods in Edison Township, NJ--an area where famous inventor Thomas Edison's Menlo Park "idea factory" was located--where light bulbs, phonographs and a motion picture camera took shape.

Thomas Edison later open a laboratory complex (and the Black Maria film production studio) further north in West Orange, NJ--where very short moving pictures were developed that included: "Blacksmith(ing) Scene" (1893), "Washing the Baby" (1893), and "Fred Ott's Sneeze" (1894). The last one was over in a matter of seconds. Hardly enough time to tuck into a bucket of popcorn or take even a sip of an iced cherry cola.

Chocolate pre-dated even the earliest of films,** but modern chocolate/snacks were still toddlers in the 1890s.

The very first film venues likely lacked dedicated concession stands. As films became longer, viewers might have brought dried fruits or nuts or their own candies. Hershey's chocolate bars were in their infancy in the 1890s. (They were being developed for sale in Pennsylvania.)

Chocolate almonds were being made in Virginia** as early as in the 1700s (often following European recipes), but modern concession stand chocolates like Goobers (1925) and Raisinets (1927) didn't appear until more than thirty years after the three early Black Maria short films debuted.

Happily movies and snacks of all kinds are firmly intertwined in the 21st Century...to the horror of movie viewers who cringe at the sounds of chewing and slurping next to them inside a theater.

I wonder what Thomas Edison would have thought about nachos and gummy worms? I guess we'll never know.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin [An Emulsifier]), Organic Roasted Almonds, Confectioner's Glaze, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Sugar. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nut (Almond), Soy. Manufactured in a plant that processes peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, sesame, eggs and milk products." 

*Woodstock is owned by United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) based in Providence, Rhode Island. The company sources organic and Non-GMO ingredients from farms in 25 countries. Today's organic dark chocolate almonds were produced in the U.S. with domestic and imported ingredients.

** There are records of Virginians making chocolate in Colonial Williamsburg in the U.S. in the 1700s, primarily grinding cacao beans to make a hot chocolate beverage, often spiced. George Washington and his wife Martha, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are all said to have enjoyed drinking hot chocolate. 

Unreal - Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds - Nov. 28, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Unreal
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds 
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.5 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 300 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.89 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Movies and Entertainment Theme Week. Some of my most favorite confections in movie theaters were candy-coated almonds (Jordan Almonds); chocolate-covered almonds; or chocolate candy with almonds (Almond Roca).

Today's Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds were made in the USA for Unreal Brands, Inc. (Boston, MA).

Unreal founders started the company to create snacks "made with simple, real ingredients" that everyone might enjoy.

Aroma notes for these almonds included: warm, authentic cocoa; faint warm spice (vanilla); and very faint nut (almond).

What I liked: the authentic dark chocolate coating that was just thick enough to add balanced, chocolate-y flavor, but the coasting wasn't so thick that I couldn't taste the perfectly toasted/crunchy, whole California almonds inside. Despite my first guess that they'd been rolled in dark cocoa powder, my hands were left completely clean (in cool weather at least) after holding and eating them.

I also appreciated the thoughtful execution/creation behind this brand and their short list of fair trade and Non-GMO ingredients. When the founders first unveiled their products years ago, this was a novel and refreshing concept. So glad they're still delivering simple, tasty and arguably much healthier, snacks at a relatively reasonable price.

Ingredients: Almonds, Dark Chocolate (chocolate liquor*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, vanilla) (* = Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Made in a facility that handles other tree nuts, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat. Made on equipment that processes milk chocolate."

Javier Confectionery - Cherrylicious Delight (bar) - Aug. 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Javier Confectionery
(Preston's Candy by Javier)
Cherrylicious Delight (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 33 g. of bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Filoli gift shop, Woodside, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Cherrylicious Delight (bar) was from Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA). 

Javier's bars can be found at Preston's Candy by Javier. (Preston's chocolates date back to 1946.) 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, sweet diffuse fruit (with bursts of tart-sweet cherry pieces), subtle nut (almond pieces) and vanilla marshmallow. (Note: there were no marshmallows in this bar.)

Texture: generously-sized, thick, smooth, almost creamy dark, sweet (63% cacao bittersweet) chocolate; chewy dried cherries; and crunchy toasted almond pieces.

I liked the almonds and cherries, and the thoughtful list of components (that included organic and fair trade ingredients).  And the proportions were balanced and compatible.

The sugar and vanilla (baked goods/marshmallow) taste made this quite sweet. I've recently eaten a lot of chocolates flavored with coconut nectar/maple sugar/brown sugars, making today's cane sugar-sweetened bar seem quite sweet and buzzy by comparison.* 

Ingredients: 63% Bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), pure cane sugar. Cane Sugar, Dried Sour Cherries (Sour Cherries, Sunflower), Almonds, Cocoa Butter

Allergen-related information: Contains soy, almonds. "Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

* Many chocolatiers and customers prefer ("white"/processed) cane sugar as it's a more flavor-neutral choice. It doesn't add flavor that might interfere with cacao nuances and other flavor inclusions. (I respect that, but I'm a dark(er) chocolate fan, and I prefer less processed sugars (that are also typically lower on the glycemic scale). So I'm biased and my preference for less sugar follows accordingly.

The Chocolate Therapist - Rx - Super Hero 72% Dark Chocolate, Cherries & Whole Almonds (bar) - July 29, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Chocolate Therapist 
Rx - Super Hero 72% All Natural Dark Chocolate, Cherries & Whole Almonds (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 354 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.00 for 1 bar ($12.00 for 3 bars)
Purchased from: The Chocolate Therapist, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Rx Super Hero - 72% Natural Dark Chocolate, Cherries & Whole Almonds (bar) was designed by The Chocolate Therapist (Littleton, CO). 

Company founder and head, Julie Nygard, is "a long time chocolate enthusiast" with a passion for nutrition as well. (Each square of this bar was stamped with an "Rx"*. Very clever.)

Aroma notes included: smooth, bittersweet dark chocolate, nuts (almonds) and red fruit (cherries).

Texture: appealing blend of smooth dark chocolate, crunchy whole almonds and chewy cherries.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, fresh-tasting almonds, salt and flavorful, tart-sweet, moist and authentic dried cherries.

I liked the blend of flavors and textures; the fact that the bar wasn't too sweet; and the salt that balanced the sweetness and helped integrate the chocolate, almonds and cherries.

Ingredients: Bittersweet Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Tart Dried Cherries (with 1% Sunflower Oil), Whole Almonds.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds. Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Milk Products, Tree Nuts, Peanuts and Soy and May Contain Traces of These Products." 

*Rx is a shorthand term for medical prescriptions. (It is derived from the Latin verb "recipere" (which can mean to receive, to take or to regain--and it's also the root word for recipe). The abbreviated "Rx" likely originated in doctor's notes to pharmacists.

SunRidge Farms - Mexican Style Chocolate Almonds - July 22, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

SunRidge Farms
Mexican Style Chocolate Almonds
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) (1/4 cup) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (1/4 cup)
Cost: $6.99 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Nuts Theme Week.

Today's Mexican Style Chocolate Almonds with Cinnamon, Cayenne & Vanilla were manufactured by SunRidge Farms (Royal Oaks, CA).*

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet, dark milk chocolate and spices (Ceylon cinnamon, vanilla, cayenne pepper). I admit I prefer Cassia (Saigon) cinnamon from Vietnam rather than Ceylon cinnamon. 

Texture: smooth chocolate coating surrounded crunchy whole almonds.

I liked the textural balance between smooth and crunchy; and the idea of Mexican chocolate. Somehow the combination of spices reminded me of cinnamon toast or apple turnover with some mild heat. That's not a bad thing; but I'm a big fan of the "other" cinnamon--the bolder, (some say more bitter) Cassia cinnamon from Vietnam. Everything else about these almonds seemed just fine.

Ingredients: "Mexican Style Chocolate Coating (cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, milk, cinnamon, soy or sunflower lecithin [an emulsifier], cayenne pepper, vanilla extract), Dry Roasted Almonds, Pure Food Glaze."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds, Milk, Soy. Manufactured on shared equipment with peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and sesame."

*The company gets extra points in my book as their facility uses renewable energy (solar and wind) to run their operations. And that includes "3000+ solar panels."

L'Amourette -- "Almonds" Dark Chocolate with Salted Almonds 72% Cacao (bar) - July 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

L'Amourette Chocolat LLC  
"Almonds" - Chocolat Noir Aux Amandes Salees 72% Cacao (tablette)

(Dark Chocolate with Salted Almonds (bar))
Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 40 g. of 1 bar
Cost: $8.63 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Salt Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Nuts Theme Week.

Today's "Almonds" - Dark Chocolate with Salted Almonds 72% Cacao (bar) was manufactured and distributed by L'Amourette Chocolat LLC (San Francisco, CA).

The company's line of bars (including many single origin chocolates) are "handcrafted by Andre V*, who is an experienced European chocolatier. 

The cacao used in today's chocolate was: a "hand selected blend of Rio Caribe and Carenero Superior beans from Venezuela." (I've continued to be impressed that Andre has found ways to continue to feature chocolates made with Venezuelan cacao, given the ups and downs in that country in the last decade.)

Aroma notes included: fudge-y, chocolate-y, dark chocolate with subtle vanilla and faint/diffuse fruit (red fruit, dark blackberry/currant).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with occasional (whole) almonds.

Flavor notes included: slightly roast-y, rich chocolate with extra dark fudge-brownie; and very faint fruit (dark berry, currant) and earth. the almonds added an authentically nutty accent flavor. The salt on the almonds was relatively subdued (not overdone, thank you), yet there was enough that it balanced the darker aspects of the dark chocolate nicely. 

I liked the rich and satisfying extra dark flavor in this 72% cacao bar. The chocolate was well managed and well-executed. 

Maker's tasting/aroma notes: "...luxuriant fruit-filled aroma with a hint of black currant..."

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans (Trinitario), Cocoa Butter, Cane Sugar (Vegan), Bourbon Vanilla Beans, Salted California Almonds

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds; Manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts. Soy and Gluten Free product. Vegan.

*Andre and his wife and business partner Roxanne started L'Amourette in 2011.

Nirvana Belgian Chocolates - Organic 72% Dark Spicy Aztec Chocolate (bar) - June 25, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Nirvana Belgian Chocolates
Organic 72% Dark Spicy Aztec Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Wide Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Floral Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

Today's Organic 72% Dark Spicy Aztec Chocolate (bar) was made in Belgium for Belgium's Chocolate Source (Milton, MA). The company produces several Organic and Fair Trade Belgian chocolates (bars) under the Nirvana brand name.

Vanilla (from the Vanilla planifolia orchid plant) is probably the most popular floral flavor in chocolates. Vanilla and cacao are both native to the Americas; and evidence suggests that humans have been enjoying vanilla in cacao beverages for many centuries.*

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (with very faint, fleeting managed earth); subtle warm spices (cinnamon), vanilla and faint nut (almond). A barely detectable chili flavor note added complementary warmth. 

This was a pleasant and appealing dark chocolate bar made with Trinitario cacao. I enjoyed the dark nutty flavor blend with authentic, subtle vanilla, cinnamon and chili (and nutmeg). The almonds and vanilla added a mellowness to the dark chocolate.

Only vanilla and chili would have been available to the early Maya and Aztec peoples, centuries ago, in what is now Mexico. Cinnamon arrived later (via Spain/Spanish trade routes), and (along with vanilla and chili) is now heavily associated with Mexican chocolate bars, beverages and confections.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate* (unsweetened chocolate, raw cane sugar, reduced fat cocoa powder, soy lecithin as an emulsifier), Almonds*, and Spice*."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds, Soy (lecithin). (* = Organic). Manufactured on shared equipment in a facility that handles milk and other tree nuts." "Suitable for vegetarians. Gluten free."

*Vanilla is native to Mesoamerica. The Aztecs are thought to have picked up the practice of blending vanilla with their chocolate beverages from the Totonacs. (The Aztecs conquered in the 1400s). I don't know how long the Totonacs were enjoying these two items together, but it's safe to say that people have been enjoying cacao and vanilla together for at least 600 years in Central America.

 

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - Puffed Quinoa (bar) - June 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
Puffed Quinoa Melk (R) Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.87 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Puffed Quinoa Melk (R) Chocolate Bar was from Sjaak's Chocolates (Petaluma, CA).*

The company was one of the first producers of organic and alternative milk (rice milk) chocolates that I became aware of two decades ago--when I started Chocolate Banquet.

Aroma notes included: subtle cocoa, faint vanilla and faint nut/seed/rice.  

Texture: creamy and crunchy

I liked the gentle flavors; this rice, almond and quinoa likely softened the cacao flavor. The smaller bar size was nice too. And the sweetness level was about right--it was sweet, but somehow not overly so.

Ingredients: Melk Chocolate* (Cocoa Butter*, Rice Milk Powder*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Liquor*, Almonds*, Vanilla Bean Powder*), Puffed Quinoa*. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds

*Sjaak's chocolate shop origins dates back to 1988 with a fine chocolate shop in Eureka, CA. Although founder-owner Jacques Holten's interest in chocolate extends back much further, to his European roots.

In 2004, Jacques and his daughter founded Sjaak's Organic Chocolates with a focus on vegan and Organic chocolates. Sjaak's closed down in their Petaluma location over a year ago; and this chocolate was expired by the time I tasted it. But it still tasted ok to me.

DAT Chocolate - Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate + Quinoa 63% Cacao (bar) - May 31, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

DAT Chocolate
Organic Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate + Quinoa 63% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger order; $56.00 for an 8-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Nutsola, online order 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week. Like cacao, quinoa has its origins in South America. Quinoa has long been a cultivated food staple, particularly with indigenous peoples in the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia.

Today's DAT Chocolate Organic Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate + Quinoa (bar) was distributed by Nutsola LLC (Livingston, NJ)). This father and son run company offers several date-sweetened chocolates made without any other added sugars or artificial sweeteners/sugar alcohols.

Aroma notes for this 63% dark chocolate bar included: dark chocolate with nut (almond) and malt and subtle dark, sweet fruit (dates).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with crunchy pieces of roasted almonds and quinoa. The dates were completely incorporated into the chocolate.

Flavor notes included: dark, dense, balanced, roasted cacao (well-managed, Forastero cacao variety), mild date sweetness, and gentle nut (almond) and quinoa. This chocolate was also accented with just the right amount (not very much) sea salt.

I enjoyed the level of natural sweetness. It wasn't too sweet. (It was less sugary sweet than most other 63% cacao dark chocolate bars.). I also appreciated the short list of organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Date, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Roasted Almonds, Organic Quinoa, Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds. May contain occasional pits. Shares equipment with products containing Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, Egg, and Wheat."