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 Pumpkin Spice & Pecan 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters - June 11, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Pumpkin Spice & Pecan 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38.25 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76.5 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $6.75 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Pumpkin Spice & Pecan 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of two adorable bear cubs.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: chocolate; diffuse warm spice and pumpkin-like (flavor extract); pumpkin cookie; faint vanilla; and faint nut and oat. 

Texture: The base chocolate was relatively smooth (a little oat-y in the texture, but not too much). The pecan pieces added a nice soft crunch.

The complex blend of flavors yielded interesting results. The warm spices were very subtle and seemed a little muted by the oatmilk; and the very subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--used to sweeten this chocolate instead of sugar--seemed to add a very slight berry/fruit tanginess (think berry and pumpkin pie oat milk smoothie). 

The fruit blend worked very nicely with all other Wild West bars and bear claw flavors I tasted this past week; but the jury is still out on this one.*

I liked the individually-wrapped "claws"; the packaging made these practical for sharing with others (and portion control).

Another plus: all Wild West chocolates are 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++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Roasted Pecans+ (Pecans, Salt), Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves, Pumpkin Extract. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 39% of Product.)

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

*Disclaimer: I wasn't able to fairly judge today's gentle claws. I've fully converted to bold-as-a-bear spice blends--closer to chai tea spices with punchier/spicier Saigon cinnamon, fresh ginger and steeped spices. As a result traditional pumpkin pie spice blends (based on mild Ceylon cinnamon) seem bland to me. 

Instead of traditional American pie and cookies, I've migrated to dark chocolate and fresh fruits sprinkled with attention grabbing spices. Apparently I've virtually moved to the tropics.

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.

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws - Huckleberry & Cashew 50% Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters - June 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Huckleberry & Cashew 50% Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) / 2.96 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 320 calories in 4 pieces
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Huckleberry & Cashew Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of an impressive brown bear standing in tall grass with snow-capped mountains in the background.*

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: chocolate; dark sweet berries; faint vanilla; and very faint nut and oat. 

Texture: The base chocolate was relatively smooth, with a slight oatmilk-y texture. The cashew chunks added an attractive, soft crunch.

I liked the huckleberry (and blueberry) flavor additions (extracts); the very subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--used to sweeten this chocolate instead of sugar; and the small, rich, roasted cashew pieces. The individually-wrapped "claws" made them practical for sharing with others.

One last big plus with all the chocolates from Wild West Chocolate: 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++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Roasted Cashews+ (Cashews, Salt), Huckleberry Extract+, Blueberry Extract+. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 39% of Product.)

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

*The photo of this powerful-looking bear made me think: this is not the bear I'd want to meet while hiking or camping in the wilderness; but it sure looks great in nature. One early morning, years ago, a Black Bear (near Yosemite National Park in California) walked into my tent when I was still in my sleeping bag. This nose-to-nose encounter was enough for me. (You know you're too close to a bear when you can smell what it just ate for breakfast.)

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters Raspberry & Hazelnut - June 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Raspberry & Hazelnut Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters
Weight: 2.46 oz. (70 g.) / 2.96 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories in 5 pieces
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Raspberry & Hazelnut Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of a mother bear and two cubs.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: chocolate, (red) raspberry, faint vanilla and very faint nut. 

Texture: These bear claws broke with a well-tempered snap. The base chocolate was smooth, with barely detectable oat/fruit astringency. The small hazelnut chunks added a satisfying crunch.

I liked the raspberry flavor (powder and extract) as well as the subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--used to sweeten this chocolate, and the small nutty chunks of hazelnut. Also the individually-wrapped pieces made them practical for hiking snacks and sharing with others.

Interesting side note: I liked these bear claws better than the similarly flavored Raspberry & Hazelnut bar earlier this week. Not sure why. Both were good. I'm pretty sure both people and bears would/will approve of these bear claw shaped chocolate nut clusters.

One last big plus with all the chocolates from Wild West Chocolate: 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++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Hazelnuts+, Freeze-Dried Raspberry+, Raspberry Extract+. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 37% of Product.)

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

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws - Mint & Cacao Nib (clusters) - June 6, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Mint & Cacao Nib (clusters)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38.25 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76.5 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 3 pieces (servings)
Cost: $6.75 for 1 package
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Wild West Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Bears Theme Week.

Today's individually-wrapped Mint & Cacao Nib Bear Claws (clusters) were distributed by Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT).

Aroma and flavor notes included: balanced, aromatic mint; dark chocolate; and faint vanilla.

Texture: smooth (almost velvety) base chocolate was studded with a generous helping of crunchy cacao bean nibs. For those not familiar with cacao beans, these tiny roasted cacao bean shards (nibs) may be puzzling. They are what chocolate is made from. And they add bits of authentic cacao flavor to dark chocolate.

The "festive crunch of the cacao nibs and the cool peppermint flavor" were designed for the holidays, but this dark chocolate + mint offering could be enjoyed any time of year. 

I liked: that the mint in these bear claws was balanced (not too overwhelming); the substitution of sugar with a mixed fruit powder blend (that added subtle and balanced flavor complexity); and the use of Organic, Regenerative Organic Certified and Fair Trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Cacao Nibs+, Natural Creme de Menthe Extract. (+ Organic; ++ Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 77% of Product.)

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

ChocolateBet: May 16, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Northern Delights
1.) Alaskan Black Bear Paw
(1/2 piece) - Good +
Weight: .63 oz. (17.6 g.) /1.25 oz. (35.4 g.)  total package
Calories: 97 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.50 for 1 bear paw/package
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in Anchorage, Alaska

2.) Alaska Gold Nuggets
2 small pieces/nuggets - Good
Weight: .1 oz. (2.8 g.) / .5 oz. (14 g.) total package
Calories: 15 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.95 total package
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in Anchorage, Alaska

The Cabin Fever shop in downtown Anchorage was chocked full of interesting items from Alaska, not the least of which was several chocolates that were new to me. Two of these (above) were from Northern Delights (based in Eagle River, Alaska I believe).

I didn't get to pan for gold or see a bear on my trip to Alaska. So eating realistic, chocolate facsimiles (chocsimiles) of both was the next best thing. There were three types of Northern Delights bear paws available: black bear, brown bear and polar bear. I chose the black bear paw -- a dark chocolate, realistic looking paw with roasted almonds for claws, that was filled with caramel. I enjoyed splitting this was Edith, who I met on a day cruise today and who was visiting Alaska also (from Mexico). The second Northern Delights item was a small metal miner's pan, filled with chocolate facsimiles (chocsimiles) of gold nuggets nestled inside. This clever packaging called to mind the various gold rushes that helped lure many to the Western U.S. in the past.