Exquisito Chocolates - Tumaco Milk - 55% Colombia Caramelized Milk and Brown Butter (bar) - Mar. 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates
Tumaco Milk - 55% Colombia Caramelized Milk and Brown Butter (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 (estimate) for 1 bar (part of larger $39 order (3 items + shipping)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

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

Today's Tumaco Milk - 55% Colombia Caramelized Milk and Brown Butter (bar) was handcrafted by the maker(s) at Exquisito Chocolates in Little Havana (Miami, FL). 

The company makes bean-to-bar chocolate(s) and offers a range of bars and confections. I appreciated the definition of a "chocolate maker" printed on the packaging of this bar: "Masochistic chocolatier who also self-produces chocolate from cocoa beans." 

True to its name, this sweet, dark milk bar had rich caramel tones in the aroma and flavor. Because this bar was crafted in Miami and the cacao was grown in Colombia, it's also worth pointing out there are myriad manifestations of caramel*(ized sugar and milk) celebrated in Central and South American desserts/cuisine (looking at you dulce de leche)...all with their own rich histories. 

As it usually the case with milk chocolate, underlying cacao flavors are somewhat muted/obscured.** The cacao notes that did filter through were appreciated and harmonized with the stars of the show: the brown butter and caramelized milk. The melt and texture were smooth and rich as expected.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, unrefined cane sugar, cocoa butter, milk, butter

Allergen-related information: Contained dairy (milk, butter). ("no preservatives or additives")

*The English word "caramel" has origins that stretch back to the 1700s Spanish and Portuguese "caramelo" (with earlier Arabic origins, and I'm guessing SE Asia origins (home of sugar cane) before that). Culinary caramel picked up steam in France, England and in other regions of Europe--and eventually the Americas were filled with children with memories of caramel (in liquid and more solid crunchy, chewy, gooey forms). 

Those who first discovered caramel by over-cooking some sugar (and later incorporated milk or butter), must have been delighted.

**Unfortunately, there were overriding "perfume" notes were likely accidentally introduced somewhere in the making, shipping or storage process. It's possible to get a range of (generally soft) floral notes in dark/single origin chocolates, but, this seemed to lean more toward faint perfume. Sadly, I live 3,000 miles away from Miami, FL, but I will try to re-taste this bar in the future.

Puchero - 55% Uganda Butter (Mountains of the Moon) - Oct. 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Puchero 
55% Uganda Butter (Mountains of the Moon) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 207.9 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 55% Uganda Butter (Mountains of the Moon) (bar) was from/made by Puchero (Tostarix S.L.) (Valladolid, Spain).

This bean-to-bar chocolate made in Spain featured pasiega* cow butter. Aroma notes included: dairy butter and faint, integrated sweet chocolate. This butter was luscious and decadent although it did mute some of the single origin (Uganda) cacao nuances. 

Texture: soft melt and very buttery mouthfeel and texture.

Flavor: Truly buttery chocolate. What high quality whipped butter with chocolate might taste like.

What a unique treat. And it was not too sweet. (Thank you!)

Maker's notes: "The chocolate combines the Ugandan cacao fruity smoothness with creamy Cantabrian cow butter."

Ingredients: cacao, sugar, butter, milk, salt; Cacao 55% minimum

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten"

*Pasiega refers to a breed of red cattle found in the autonomous community of Cantabria in northern Spain. Their milk is used to make cheese and/or butter (usually without extra preservatives or coloring). Pasiega milk also used in quesada pasiega, a regional (Cantabria) cake (similar to a thick pudding or cheesecake) that is often flavored with lemon and cinnamon.

Truffle Basket - Xtra Dark French Chocolates - Sept. 29, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Truffle Basket
Xtra Dark French Chocolates
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 4 pieces
Cost: $4.95 for 1 package of 7 pieces
Purchased from: Draeger's Market, Los Altos, CA

Bienvenue a Day #6 of French Chocolate Week.

Today's Xtra Dark French Chocolates were from Truffle Basket. These truffles were a "Product of France" and imported into the U.S. by Bon Courage Enterprises, Inc. (Four Oaks, NC).

These small, dark truffles had a dark chocolate aroma with notes of citrus and coffee.

The lush, "all-butter recipe" contained plenty of cacao and clarified butter that created a creamy truffle with a very satisfying melt. (The kind of bite that left teeth marks as if I'd bitten into a stick of lovely butter.)

These truffles were GMO free with no tropical oils or trans fats.

The attractive packaging was designed to look a bit like a wicker basket ("used to hold the other kind of truffle (the prized fungi that grows in the ground)").

Salazon Chocolate - 57% Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel bar - May 9, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Salazon Chocolate Co. LLC
57% Organic Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Caramel bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.37 oz. (39 g.) / 2.75 oz. (78 g.) in total bar
Calories: 187 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to the second day of Chocolate and Salted Caramel Theme Week.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Caramel bar was from Salazon Chocolate Co. LLC (Eldersburg, MD).

Salazon crafts their chocolate from organic, single origin, Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade Certified, Hispaniola cacao beans from the Dominican Republic.

The 57% cacao dark chocolate in this bar encased a buttery and slightly salty, liquid caramel filling; so if you're out on the trail, take care when you're breaking this bar open to eat or share.

A relief map of the world was embossed across the top side. And the construction of this bar created a dimensional layering of flavors: chocolate, liquid caramel, and a sprinkle of sea salt on the back.

Today's bar was a Salazon Trail Series bar—meaning, in this case, that at least 2 percent of gross proceeds of this bar will support the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

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

Moonstruck - With Love, Heart chocolates - Feb. 14, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

Chocolate Fudge Buttercream
Good - Good +
Weight: .475 oz. (13.5 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 75 calories for 1 piece
Cost: $2.50 for 1 piece/$9.99 for 4-piece assortment
Purchased from: Andronico's Community Markets, Los Altos, CA

Hazelnut Praline Heart Truffle
Good - Good +
Weight: .475 oz. (13.5 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 75 calories for 1 piece
Cost: $2.50 for 1 piece/$9.99 for 4-piece assortment

Happy Valentines Day to all. If chocolate was part of your celebration, I hope you enjoyed it on this heart-shaped day.

These two Valentines Day Chocolates from Moonstruck Chocolate (Portland, OR) were the remaining two pieces in a 4-piece Valentines assortment.

The Chocolate Fudge Buttercream had a bittersweet dark exterior. Stenciled across the top was a pretty "with love" design in white lettering. Inside was an an almost fluffy, whipped creamy, chocolate buttercream center.

The second piece was a beautiful red heart filled with treasure. Inside the Hazelnut Praline Heart Truffle was a wonderful and complex blend of creamy, crunchy, sweet nutty textures and flavors.

Land O'Lakes - Raspberry cocoa - Feb. 6, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Land O'Lakes
Chocolate and Raspberry Hot Cocoa Mix
Good
Weight: .625 oz. (17.6 g.) / 1.25 oz. (35.3 g.) in total packet
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 packet
Cost: $ N/A - purchases as part of a large carton
Purchased from: N/A - purchased as part of a large carton

There's something very satisfying about sipping hot chocolate on a cold, rainy morning.

Today, the cocoa in question was a Chocolate and Raspberry, Artificially Flavored, Hot Chocolate Mix from Land O'Lakes (Arden Hills, MN).

The raspberry artificial flavor wasn't bad as I thought it might be, but I kept wondering what this cocoa would have tasted like with a creamy pat of butter (what Land O'Lakes is probably most well known for).

1-2-3 Gluten Free - Chocolate Bundt Poundcake - Jan. 9, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

1-2-3 Gluten Free, Inc.
Chocolate Bundt Poundcake Mix
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 1 finished piece (1/12 mix) / 38.08 oz. (2.38 lbs.) (1080 g.) in 1 box of dry cake mix
Calories: 340 calories (estimate) in 1 piece (1/12 of mix)
Cost: $5.99 for 1 box of mix
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate Baked Goods Theme Week.

The original pound cake consisted of 1 pound of flour (3 1/2 - 4 cups), 1 pound of sugar, 1 pound of butter (4 sticks), and 1 pound of eggs (10 large ones). That makes for one sinfully rich and heavy cake.

For today's Chocolate Bundt Poundcake Mix from 1-2-3 Gluten Free, Inc. (Orange, OH), I "only" used five eggs and 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) of butter.

The finished chocolate cake had some classic poundcake characteristics: rich buttery denseness and slightly coarser and heavier texture than yesterday's devil's food cake from the same company. (Both cakes were gluten, nut, corn and soy free; and both were very good.)

The cake was also as moist as any sponge or bundt cake that I remember from decades ago (when I still ate gluten). The piece I enjoyed held together well with no dryness or crumbliness that used to happen with gluten-free baked goods.

I topped one small loaf with dark chocolate chips (optional), and made one without the extra chocolate. I preferred the plain version. In the future I might make a version with molasses and raisins and cook/steam it in a can -- to make something akin to a chocolate version of Boston Brown Bread (something I loved as a child).

Thank you to 1-2-3 Gluten Free founder Kim Ullner -- who has gluten-free family members -- for her successful research and delicious mixes; dedication to gluten- and allergen-free facilities; and for creating "sugar-free" (add your own sweetener) versions of these cake mixes. 

Alter Eco - Dark Brown Butter bar - Aug. 28, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alter Eco
Dark Salted Brown Butter bar
Good +
Weight: .564 oz. (16 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 91 calories in 1/5 bar
Cost: $4.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week.

This Dark Chocolate Salted Brown Butter bar from Alter Eco (San Francisco, CA*) was made with 70% organic, Fair Trade certified (Nacional Forastero) Ecuadorian cacao beans and sweet pastured butter.

It had a slight candy caramel corn aroma. It was, as expected, buttery and silky smooth, and a touch of fleur de sel de Guerande gave this chocolate helped balance the sweetness. I might even try this bar with some additional salt next time, in the form of toasted, savory (garlic rosemary or smoked salt) nuts.

The bar was soy free, gluten free, "No GMO" and contained no artificial flavors, and no emulsifiers.

*Made in Switzerland, Distributed by Alter Eco (Americas) 

Moonstruck - Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee bar - June 8, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.
Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week. I added a bonus day to this week, due to the variety of chocolate items that contain butter.

One of the reasons I like toffee, caramel, and chocolate-covered caramel turtle/terrapin items -- all of which have been featured this past week -- is the butter. It adds a certain richness and balance, and a hint of salt helps to accentuate certain flavors in chocolate -- as long as there is not too much sugar and salt.

The Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee bar from Moonstruck Chocolate Co. (Portland, OR) was made with 31% milk chocolate, so it was relatively sweet. Tiny bits of embedded toffee gave the bar a slight, soft crunch. Despite the toffee, sea salt, almonds, sugar and other ingredients, I could, happily, still make out a faint hint of butter, my favorite part. The bar was stamped with the message: "Share if you dare."

I also paired pieces of this bar with Jeni's Browned Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream, and topped this sundae with fresh pecan halves. This combination was a bit rich for a hot day outside, but the sundae was in a very small glass. Small-sized and shotglass desserts are always easier to justify, if you feel you need to do so.

Lula's Chocolates - Milk Chocolate Turtles - June 7, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lula's Chocolates
Milk Chocolate Turtles
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 package of 2 turtles
Calories: 450 calories (estimate) in total package, 2 turtles
Cost: $5.75 for 1 package
Purchased from: More Than Caviar, Monterey, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

Sometimes even a small amount of butter can make a big difference in flavor or texture. This was certainly the case for these rich-tasting milk chocolate covered caramel and pecan turtles from Lula's Chocolates (Monterey, CA).

The turtles also tasted quite fresh -- likely due to my buying them at "More Than Caviar" (Monterey, CA), a small shop located a short distance, across town, from where Lula's produces their line of caramels and chocolates, including butter cremes, turtles, toffees and rocky road chocolates.

Thank you to the folks at More Than Caviar for their helpful information about Lula's Chocolates, and Russian chocolates.

Alprose - Chocolate fondue - June 6, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alprose
Swiss Baking Chocolate bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 10.5 oz. (300 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving of fondue
Cost: $4.99 (estimate, sale price)
Purchased from: Safeway, Menlo Park, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

I melted half of this large (10.5 oz., 300 g.) baking chocolate bar from Alprose (Castano-Lugano, Switzerland) with a generous hunk of butter, and 1 tablespoon of cacao-infused olive oil to make a creamy dark fondue.


This fondue traveled well in a glass jar (with screw-top lid) for a trip to Monterey. We picked up some local fresh strawberries, and when dipped into this chocolate, the combination made for a simple, but elegant and flavorful dessert classic.

Kohler - Original Buttery Terrapins - June 5, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kohler Co.
Original Buttery Terrapins
Very Good
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) / 3.4 oz. (96 g.) in total box of 4 pieces
Calories: 260 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $11.99 for a box of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Kohler Co. (online)

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

These rich, buttery terrapins from Kohler Co. (Kohler, WI) did not disappoint. Layers of fresh* tasting, quality ingredients -- chocolate, pecans and buttery caramel were visible with each bite.

Kohler produces a line of terrapins (chocolate turtles) that includes today's Original Buttery, as well as Blackstrap, Java and Cranberry flavors.

*Fresh is key when it comes to caramels.

Lucerne Foods - Gluten Free Brownies - June 4, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Lucerne Foods Inc.
Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Mix
OK + - Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) total box of mix
Calories: 130 calories for 1 brownie
Cost: $3.99 for 1 box of mix
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

These Eating Right Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies from Lucerne Foods, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA) were relatively chocolatey and attractive looking. Made from a mix, I added fresh eggs and butter (a little extra butter actually).

Early versions of commercially available gluten-free cakes and brownies ran the risk of being slightly dry and crumbly. These brownies hung together well -- almost unnaturally well, while still retaining a somewhat moist, slightly spongy texture. It may have been the touch of xanthan gum, a binder used in gluten-free baked goods.

I debated whether to add some buttercream frosting to this batch of brownies, and decided against it. Too much sugar. However, spreading a little salted butter across the top was not out of the question.

Nut 'n Bean - Chocolate Chip Cookie Almond Butter - June 3, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nut 'n Bean
Chocolate Chip Cookie Almond Butter
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3) g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total jar
Calories: 190 calories (estimate) in approx. 2 TB serving
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 jar
Purchased from: Nut 'n Bean table at Palo Alto Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

There are many kinds of butters. The nut butter selection has expanded considerably in the past several years where I live. So, one can buy not just almond butter, but many different kinds of almond butter now.

Today's Chocolate Chip Cookie Almond Butter from Nut 'n Bean (Hayward, CA), purchased at a local farmers market, did capture the flavors of a chocolate chip cookie with a hint of coconut. It was good spread on bread or toast (or, in my case, gluten free bread).

If you like these buttery cookie and coconut flavors, you can take this cookie on toast concept one step further by garnishing your toast with chopped organic coconut butter toffee and almonds. Too much? Perhaps. This isn't an episode of "pimp my toast" after all; however buttery flavors are seductive.

Patric Chocolate - Browned Butter Bar - June 2, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Patric Chocolate
Browned Butter Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .766 oz. (11.6 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in 1/3 bar
Calories: 115 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

Butter has become more popular in recent years, as reports have surfaced that margarine isn't as healthy as it was once thought to be, and fats were deemed to be perhaps not quite the death knell that they were made out to be either. But, then again, a good solid majority of Americans continued their love affair with butter, without paying much attention to grim warnings.

Butter lovers now have something else to celebrate -- some new butter and craft chocolate combinations, such as today's glossy Browned Butter Bar from Patric Chocolate (Columbia, MO).

Dark chocolate with browned butter, brown sugar and sea salt. That's it. This bar was well balanced with fruit acid and tangy flavors from the chocolate and brown sugar and rich brown butter notes.

Kohler Chocolates - Peanut Butter bar - June 1, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter bar
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week.

This smooth (55% cacao) Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter bar from Kohler Co. (Kohler, WI) uniformly melded deep milk chocolate, peanut butter, sea salt and butter in every bite.

Flour Craft - Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - Nov. 30, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Flour Craft Bakery
Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Good - Good +
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bag of 2 cookies
Purchased from: Flour Craft Bakery, Marin Civic Center Farmers Market, San Rafael, CA

Today was Day #1 Chocolate and Caramel Theme Week, and I enjoyed a Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, from gluten free Flour Craft Bakery (San Anselmo, CA), with a cup of caramel tea. The cookie also had a hint of caramel flavor.

It is hard to go wrong with a mixture of salted caramel + chocolate.

Fig and Lemon bombons - March 7, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Productos La Higuera, S.L.
6 Rabitos Royale bombon de higo
Very Good
Weight: .558 oz. (15.8 g.) / 3.35 oz. (95 g.) total package of 6
Calories: 55.8 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $N/A - sample
Purchased from: Green Gecko Coffee, Hawaii

Today's chocolate fig bon bons (from Almoharin, Spain), were carefully crafted and then individually wrapped. Each dried Mediterranean fig (higo) was filled with a creamy truffle and Brandy liquor filling, and covered in 54% cocoa chocolate. These figs arrived courtesy of Green Gecko Coffee Farm's website.

As a companion to these chocolate fig jewels, I picked a Meyer lemon from my yard, and made some candied Meyer lemon slices -- which I dipped in dark chocolate with a touch of butter.

The figs were the star of the show, but they paired nicely with the candied and cooked lemon flavors.

Fruit Butter Chocolate Cups

The emphasis on butter(s) this week also inspired me to create a series of three different dark chocolate cups filled with three different fruit butters.

These butters included: 1.) Traditional English Lemon Curd (London) topped with lemon peel; 2.) Liliko'i (passion fruit) Butter (from Happy Honu Farm, Hawaii) topped with thin slices of kumquat; and 3.) Coconut Butter (Honomu Jams, Hawaii) topped with fresh, green lemon mint leaves.

Fruit butters are made by slowly cooking and stirring sugar, egg, and butter with fruit together in a pan on stove. Lemon's tart and sassy sweet flavor gets richer and mellower when cooked with the egg and butter. 

The Liliko'i (passion fruit) butter was delicious. All three paired well with chocolate. Messy eating, but very good.

Nothing like virtual travel from my backyard garden in California to Spain, Paris, London, and then Hawaii -- all via the wonderful power of chocolate, and a smidgeon of imagination. 

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Butter Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Lemon Theme Week.