Nora Kitchen - Champorado Chocolate Porridge - Aug. 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Nora Kitchen

Champorado Chocolate Porridge 

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 3 oz. (86 g.) in total container

Calories: 310 calories in 1 container

Cost: $1.48 for 1 container

Purchased from: Walmart, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Rice Theme Week, where I'm looking forward to several items featuring this West meets East combination.

Today's Nora's Kitchen Champorado Chocolate Porridge was distributed by Capital Foods Int'l. Inc. (Santa Fe Springs, CA).

The History of Champorado and Champurrado

This story starts in Mexico. Corn (or maize)-based, porridge-like beverages in Mexico have been fortified with chocolate/cacao for centuries*. A hearty cup of champurrado (so named when chocolate is added to cooked corn, or masa harina corn flour) is typically enjoyed hot, and sometimes with churros (fried dough pastry). (Search for "chocolate beverages from Oaxaca, Mexico" to find some of the most authentic recipes.)

Cacao likely arrived in the Philippines from Mexico/Central America by ship centuries ago. Champorado is a popular rice and chocolate porridge in the Philippines--that dates back to an era when large Spanish Galleon** ships traded goods between Mexico and the Philippines in the 1500s-1700s. These cargo ships overlapped with the time when Spain laid claim to both Mexico and the Philippines--before these two countries became independent in 1821 and 1898, respectively. 

Back to the present, with Instant Nora Kitchen Champorado

The aroma for today's easy-to-make, warm Champorado Chocolate Porridge included hot cocoa, chocolate rice cereal, and faint nutty and vanilla (cashew shortbread butter cookies) notes. 

The warm, soft porridge had a soft texture (like a tender oatmeal or cooked cereal with milk), qualifying it as a great chocolate comfort food (or a hot dessert) for a cold day. 

The flavor: hearty and rich, creamy, hot chocolate porridge. The chocolate was balanced and was very low in bitterness and acidity. It took only 5 minutes to make. (Just add hot water, stir and let sit for a few minutes.)

Yes this was sweet, but within the range I expected (sweetened chocolate cereal parameters).

Ingredients: Rice, sugar, natural cocoa powder, food starch modified, rice dextrin, non-fat milk, vanilla, guar gum, Arabic gum, sodium caseinate, salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk.

*The cultivation of corn in Mexico likely began around 10,000 years ago. (Cacao was first domesticated in South America around 5,300 years ago, and was likely spread to/made popular in Mexico by the Olmec people in Southern Mexico around 3,500 years ago. (These dates are estimates based on available research, and could change in the future if more information becomes available.)

**Galleons were large, often armed, cargo-carrying sailing ships (with multiple levels/decks),  used by European sea-faring nations, including Spain, Portugal and England during this period.

Kind Cereal - Dark Chocolate Almond cereal - Mar. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC

Dark Chocolate Almond (cereal)

Good +

Weight: 1.94 oz. (55 g.) / 15 oz. (425 g.) in total box

Calories: 240 calories in 1 serving (2/3 cup)

Cost: $6.98 (estimate) for 1 box

Purchased from: Walmart, Mountain View, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, where we're featuring chocolate items that have flavor inclusions and origins with letters that start with N, O, P and/or Q. Today's cereal with chocolate also contained oats and quinoa.

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond cereal was from Kind LLC (New York City, NY).

This primarily flake-based cereal contained a blend of almonds, cocoa, oats, sorghum, quinoa and amaranth. The golden brown flakes appeared to have a very light cocoa powder coating, giving it a slightly richer color, that was accented with tiny, darker chocolate squares. 

The cereal flakes had a hearty texture and crunch, a slightly nutty cereal flavor, and were not too thick or thin. And the dark, semi-sweet chocolate pieces offered additional bursts of sweet, rich dark chocolate flavor.

The almonds, quinoa and oats contained a fair amount of protein. This gluten-free cereal contained 6 grams of protein in each 2/3 cup serving. 

Ingredients: "Almonds, oats, sorghum, brown rice, semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), cane sugar, red rice, canola oil, quinoa, amaranth, cocoa powder, Natural Flavor, sea salt, Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols for freshness)."

Allergen information: "Contains Almonds and soy. May contain tree nuts and sesame seeds."

Kind - Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal - Mar. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC 
Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) / 9 oz. (258 g.) in total box of 6 packets
Calories: 170 calories in 1 packet
Cost: $1.99 for 1 box of 6 packets 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with flavor inclusions or origins that begin with the letters N, O, P and/or Q. (More Oats today.)

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal was from Kind LLC (New York City, NY). Kind has been most well-known up until now for its whole nut and fruit snack bars (with relatively short ingredients lists). Some contain chocolate. They've recently expanded into cereals.

This warm, creamy, smooth oatmeal was full of oaty goodness and two great, complementary flavor inclusions. The gluten-free, whole grain oats were blended with sliced, roasted/toasted almonds and small chunks of semi-sweet dark chocolate. 

The single-serving packets (6 to a box) made this a good choice for a portable and easy-to-make breakfast on the go. I added hot water, waited a minute, and stirred. The melted dark chocolate pieces gave this hot cereal a subtle, uniform, authentic chocolate flavor and a subtle ebony hue.

Each packet of oatmeal contained 5 grams of protein, and was high in fiber, making it filling enough to tide one over until lunch.

Ingredients: "Oats, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), cane sugar, sea salt, natural flavor."

Allergen information: "Contains almonds and soy. May contain tree nuts."

General Mills - Chocolate Cheerios + Blueberry Cheerios - Oct. 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

General Mills
Chocolate Cheerios
Good
Weight: 3/4 cup (27 g.) in 1 serving / 11.25 oz. (318 g.) in total box
Calories: 100 calories in 1 serving + other cereals, nuts, blueberries
Cost: $3.00 for 1 box of Chocolate Cheerios
Purchased from: Safeway, Menlo Park, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Cheerios were from General Mills (Minneapolis, MN).

Cheerios, the classic whole grain oat "o"-shaped cereal is available in other flavors, including Honey Nut, Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate and Blueberry. Today we're featuring the latter two.

Today's bowl of Chocolate Cheerios was sampled with a small handful of Blueberry Cheerios, and some frozen blueberries. The cereal was crunchy and sweet and fairly substantial/satisfying.

While it's fun to try new flavors, I think I might prefer plain Cheerios better, for their (or at least what I remember was their) lower sugar content and flavor.

I grew up on cereals; however, I could not tolerate gluten. And when I stopped eating all gluten-containing foods, my health and quality of life improved a great deal.

Looking back, I marvel at childhood breakfasts* containing sugar-dosed breakfast cereals, toast and pastries. At least most of the cereals were (and continue to be) fortified with vitamins and minerals; and milk helped provide some protein.

That said, I am still grateful that I might occasionally enjoy some gluten-free cereals on the market.

*Today, I generally drink a glass or two of water, eat a daily dose of (usually dark) chocolate, vegetables, fresh fruit, and a piece of cheese (or other protein) in the morning. And I make my own nut and trail mixes with unsweetened cacao nibs and/or no added sugar. Times change, and will continue to do so.

Copyright 2019. Unauthorized use of the text and/or images from this site, www.ChocolateBanquet.com, is a copyright violation.

Nature's Path Foods - Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan Hot Oatmeal - Feb. 9, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nature's Path Foods Inc.
Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan Hot Oatmeal
Good
Weight: 1.94 oz. (58 g.) in 1 container (dry)
Calories: 220 calories in 1 container
Cost: $0.79 (estimate) for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week.

Today's Dark Cinnamon Pecan Hot Oatmeal was from Nature's Path Foods Inc. (Blaine, WA).

Hot oatmeal is a good, hearty cereal for breakfast.* Pecan pieces gave this hot cereal an even more robust and slightly chewy, soft crunchy texture.

The fair trade dark chocolate chunks melted with the addition of hot water, and contributed background cocoa flavor and color. A small handful of pecans we happened to have on hand amped up the nut flavor and texture.

*Most items on Chocolate Banquet are sampled in the morning, and sometimes re-sampled later in the day. 

Living Intentions - Cacao Crunch, Banana Hemp cereals - May 1, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Living Intentions

• 1/4 cup Cacao Crunch Activated Superfood Cereal - Good + 
• 1/4 cup Banana Hemp Activated Superfood Cereal - Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1/2 cup (45 g.) for two cereals / 9 oz. (255 g.) total for each package
Calories: 184.5 calories in 1/2 cup serving (mix of 2 cereals)
Cost: $5.69 each x 2 (for 2 different packages of cereal)
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Berkeley, CA

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

I occasionally mix cereals together to create new flavor combinations. Happily, Living Intentions (Point Richmond, CA) offered both a Cacao and a Banana cereal as part of their Activated Superfood* line, that I thought might be suitable for mixing.

Today I tried both the Cacao Crunch Activated Superfood Cereal and the Banana Hemp Superfood Cereal from Living Intentions.

Both were organic, probiotic, buckwheat-based and gluten-free cereal alternatives with several inclusions. The list of added herbs (+ cacao) and/or greens making these cereals "super" was so impressive I thought I might explode from healthiness...or transform into a super hero. I wasn't sure which.

Fortunately, I had nothing to fear. Each of these flavors was very lightly sweetened (not overly sweet—thank you!) and had a pleasant taste and texture. These had just the right amount of crunch (not too firm, not too crumbly) and were enjoyable plain, or with milk of choice.

The Cacao Crunch was cocoa colored and had a mild cacao almost malty flavor and a satisfying crunch. The Banana Hemp had a light beige-green tinge, contained naturally sweet raisins (sultanas) and had a very subtle banana flavor. And the two blended very nicely together in one bowl.

*Superfoods are generally edible items that contain beneficial nutritional properties, such as high levels of anti-oxidants and/or vitamins/minerals. "Activated" was defined by the company as food that is at "its highest nutritional potential." For example, a combination or organic, sprouted ingredients and added "CFUs (colony forming units) of friendly probiotic cultures (that support friendly bacteria and yeasts)"..."to support immune health and start your day off right."

The Cacao Crunch cereal contained maca root, astragulus, reishi and live probiotics. The Banana Hemp cereal contained spirulina, chlorella, dandelion and live probiotics.

Nourish Snacks - Monkey Love and Miss Popular snacks - Mar. 10, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nourish Snacks, Inc.

Monkey Love Chocolate-Banana Granola Bites
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (39 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 package
Cost: $2.00 for 1 package ($4.00 for 2 packages)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Miss Popular Half Popped Corn Kernels
Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (33 g.) in total package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 package
Cost: $2.00 for 1 package ($4.00 for 2 packages)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to the final day (Day #8) of Chocolate and Breakfast Cereal Theme Week.

Today I'm featuring two breakfast-worthy, cereal-like offerings from Nourish Snacks, Inc. (Port Chester, NY): 1.) Monkey Love Chocolate-Banana Granola Bites, and 2.) Miss Popular Dark Chocolate Half-popped Corn Kernels.

The company, founded by Joy Bauer of NBC's Today Show, offers several different individually-wrapped, single-serving sweet and savory snacks for under 200 calories.

The Monkey Love and Miss Popular flavors had chocolate chips and chocolate morsels in them, respectively. Both were gluten free and made with Non GMO ingredients.

Monkey Love was a "gluten-free spin on the classic chocolate banana dessert combo..." Small round balls of granola (oats, banana, chocolate chips and a hint of crisp brown rice and coconut).

Miss Popular was a gluten free, dairy free, vegan sweet and salty snack. The dark chocolate pieces provided the sweet; and the half-popped, Non GMO crunchy corn kernels provided the salty—in quantities that were not overwhelming. I could see eating this snack for breakfast too.

MOM Brands - DreamWorks Penguins of Madagascar Operation Chocolate Mix cereal - Mar. 9, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

MOM Brands
DreamWorks Penguins of Madagascar - Operation Chocolate Mix
Good - Good +
Weight: 3/4 cup (29 g.) / 14.5 oz. (411 g.) total box
Calories: 110 calories in 1 serving + milk
Cost: $missing information for 1 box
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate Breakfast Cereal Theme Week.

Today's box of DreamWorks Penguins of Madagascar - Operation Chocolate Mix cereal was distributed by MOM Brands* (Lakeville, MN).

The eponymous cartoon penguins were created by artists and animators and appeared in the Madagascar series of films from DreamWorks Animation (Glendale, CA).

Operation Chocolate Mix cereal consisted of sweetened rice cereal with cocoa and marshmallows, contained natural and artificial flavors and, like many cereals, was vitamin fortified.

I enjoyed a bowl of these crispy, crunchy chocolate rice pieces with milk. The marshmallows were tiny versions of the real thing, and helped amp up the overall sweet level.

*MOM Brands merged with Post Foods, and the resulting company was Post Consumer Brands. The new consolidated company became the third largest cereal company in the U.S.

Note: While this cereal listed no wheat ingredients, it did not claim to be a gluten-free cereal.

Kellogg's - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - Chocolatey Almond cereal - Mar. 8, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kellogg's
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Chocolatey Almond cereal
Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (27 g.) / 11.5 oz. (326 g.) in total box
Calories: 110 calories in 1/2 serving (dry cereal)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Breakfast Cereal Theme Week.

Today's Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Chocolatey Almond cereal from Kellogg's was a collaboration between two brands: the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (Durango, CO)—a retail chain of chocolate shops in the U.S.—and Kellogg's, a leading U.S. cereal provider.

Today's "sweetened corn cereal (flakes) with chocolatey pieces and sliced almonds" was made in Mexico and distributed by Kellogg Sales Co. (Battle Creek, MI).

Think of frosted flakes with chocolate and almonds. It was slightly (and thankfully) a bit less sweet than it sounds. And the flakes and almonds in the cereal had a nice light feel and crunchy texture.

There was cocoa in this cereal and chocolatey pieces, but ingredients also included artificial colors and added flavorings.

Chocolatey
The word "chocolately" can be confusing. It can refer to an item that is like chocolate in smell, taste or color; an edible item that tastes very much like classic chocolate (think double chocolate brownies or a 70% dark chocolate bar); or a term that manufacturers use for a food, even if it may not be whole or "real" chocolate made with a certain percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. (See also the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s pages of regulations about this if you're still curious.)

Note: While there were wheat ingredients listed in the ingredients, this was not labeled as a gluten-free cereal.

Love Grown Foods - Chocolate Joy, Mighty Flakes - Mar. 7, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Love Grown Foods, LLC
Mighty Flakes - Chocolate Joy
Good - Good+
Weight: 1/2 cup (30 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total box
Calories: 100 calories in 1 (1/2 cup) serving
Cost: $1.99 for 1 box
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Breakfast Cereal Theme Week.

Looking for a grain-free alternative to wheat and corn flakes? How about a bean-based breakfast cereal? Yep, chocolate bean flakes.

Today's Chocolate Joy Mighty Flakes—distributed by Love Grown Foods, LLC (Denver, CO)—were made from a blend of navy beans, lentils and garbanzo beans. And, of course, chocolate (supplied by cocoa and "natural chocolate flavoring").

I don't know about the chocolate flavoring source, but the ingredients list* looked pretty healthy, with no artificial/synthetic ingredients or colors that I could see. And the chocolate flavor tasted authentic.

The dark, substantial flakes were crunchy and not overly sweet. (And this cereal did not taste like beans.) These Chocolate Joy Mighty Flakes were also better tasting than other bean-based cereals I'd tried in the past.

Gluten-free cereals are often low in fiber. I imagine the bean blend in these Chocolate Joy flakes added some fiber to the rice ingredients. (Fiber content is listed as 2 grams per serving.)

Love Grown Foods was founded by Alex Hasulak and Maddy D'Amato in 2008; and they're committed to providing healthy food and cereal alternatives to as many people as possible. They also offer other cereals, including a similar (bean-based) chocolate cereal called Power O's (O shapes instead of flakes).

*Ingredients: Bean blend (navy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans), dried cane syrup, brown rice, white rice, cocoa, coconut, natural chocolate flavor, coconut oil, salt, Vitamin E (to maintain freshness).

**Note: This cereal contained no wheat or corn ingredients; however, there was no claim that it was a gluten free cereal. It was made in a facility that "...uses milk, soy, wheat and tree nuts."

Manischewitz - Magic Max's Cocoa Magic Loops cereal - Mar. 6, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

The Manischewitz Company
Magic Max's Cocoa Magic Loops
Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (28 g.) / 5.5 oz. (156 g.) in total box
Calories: 117.5 calories in 1/2 serving
Cost: $4.99 (sale) for 1 box
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate Breakfast Cereal.

Today's Gluten Free Magic Max's Cocoa Magic Loops cereal was distributed by The Manischewitz Company (Newark, NJ) and was made in Israel.

These (Kosher for Passover) generously-sized chocolate loops had a chocolatey aroma and crunchy texture. They were also certified gluten free.

My only quibble was with some of the ingredients, such as artificial flavors; and that the cereal seemed to have a faint sugar alcohol flavor. The ingredients list read: "potato starch, sugar, glucose syrup (apparently from a gluten free source), palm oil, tapioca starch, cocoa powder, mono- and diglycerides* (emulsifier), artificial flavors."

Passover is next month (starting April 10, 2017). I doubt eating a few servings of this cereal would be a problem except for those requiring a restricted diet, and having a gluten free option might be most welcome for a few who can't tolerate cereal grains or many starches.

*Monoglycerides and diglycerides are food additives that allow mixing of ingredients with water and fats that wouldn't normally easily combine well. Manufacturers have used them to preserve a food's shelf life. But, some have expressed concern about the resulting partial glycerides similar to those concerns about trans fats—deemed to be a less healthy/desirable form of fat. 

Post Consumer Brands, LLC - Mom's Cocoa Marshmallow Safari - Mar. 5, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Post Consumer Brands, LLC
Mom's Best Cereals
Cocoa Marshmallow Safari
Good - Good+
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 14 oz. (396 g.) in total box
Calories: 60 calories in 1/2 serving
Cost: $1.49 for 1 box of cereal
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate Breakfast Cereal Week.

Get out your machete (and a spoon). We're headed deep into the sugared cereal jungle for the next few days.

Today's gluten-free Cocoa Marshmallow Safari cereal from Mom's Best Cereals, Post Consumer Brands, LLC (Lakeville, MN ) was made of "...sweetened corn puff cereal with real cocoa and marshmallows."

This reasonably-priced cereal was made without synthetic colors or flavors, hydrogenated oils or high-fructose corn syrup*.

And, I liked it. It delivered on its promise; and though it was sweet, in small quantities—I had a bit less than 1/2 cup (1/2 serving)—it was just fine. The marshmallows and cereal were relatively light in texture. Yet the cereal was satisfying with a pleasant cocoa taste.

And it was gluten free. I'm repeating myself here, because those who really need to avoid gluten find it tough to eat a standard American breakfast with cereal, toast, pancakes or waffles. It's nice not to have to worry about a gluten exposure that may slow you down later.

*Cocoa Marshmallow Safari cereal does contain corn syrup, but not high-fructose corn syrup. We're making progress.

Open Nature - Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven - Mar. 4, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Open Nature
Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven
Good
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) total package
Calories: 260 calories in 2 servings (1/2 cup)
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Safeway (missing location information)


Welcome to the second day (Day #2) of Chocolate Breakfast Cereal Week.

There are many ways to enjoy a chocolate breakfast; and granola with chocolate and nuts is certainly a category worth exploring.

Oat-based/muesli cereals were staples for centuries in Europe. Cacao beans from the Americas were first brought to Europe by the Spanish in the early 1500s, and gradually spread to other countries, primarily as drinking chocolate.

Oat cereals and chocolate eventually became available in merged form by the 1800s in Europe and elsewhere. In some cases, early commercial chocolate was diluted with cereal grains, starches or flours. Although I'm sure Europeans with access to hot chocolate might have poured some into their oat cereals earlier than the 1800s. (I think I would have.)

The Maya and Aztec peoples mixed cacao with corn/maize and cereal grains in Central and South America for centuries before Europeans arrived.

Today's Open Nature Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven granola distributed by Lucerne Foods, Inc.* (Pleasanton, CA) was crunchy and surprisingly light in mouthfeel and texture. It was sweet, but slightly less so than other prepared granola cereals (thank you).

When it came to the inclusions, dark chocolate (chips) and hazelnut bits, these were also on the light side, that is they were very subtle accent flavors and not the main attraction. However, it's easy to add a few toasted hazelnuts (I did) or some dark chocolate shavings/chips (I did not) to amp up these flavors if desired.

Note: While no wheat ingredients were listed, it was not advertised as a gluten free cereal. And, as I found out later, it did contain barley malt syrup.

*Lucerne Foods, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Safeway.

Van's - Double Chocolate granola clusters - Mar. 3, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Van's International Foods
Double Chocolate soft baked whole grain granola clusters
Good
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) / 11 oz. (311 g.) total package
Calories: 240 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Good morning and welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Breakfast Cereal Week.

For a gluten-free person, breakfast cereals present a challenge. Happily, there are many more gluten free cereals on the market now, including several with chocolate.

I don't eat cereal often. We'll see if I can do so for a whole week without feeling over-sugared.

Today's Double Chocolate soft baked whole grain granola clusters from Van's International Foods (Phoenix, AZ) delivered on their promise.

Their chocolately granola was formed into pliable clumps vs. crispy chunks, with a texture more similar to a whole grain cookie bar. This recipe did not scrimp on the chocolate content. The granola clusters contained both chocolate chips with cocoa butter and cocoa powder.

My human and squirrel testers also approved of this ebony-hued, double chocolate granola, thanks in part to the bits of almonds, pecans and walnuts they contained.

The dense clusters of nuts, oats and a light touch of salt helped prevent runaway sweetness. The bowl of two servings (2/3 cup) I had with milk was a bit sweet, but also quite filling and satisfying.

Van's* has been making gluten-free waffles, blueberry waffles, and pancakes for many years. They were some of the earliest gluten-free offerings I found in local grocery stores in the early 1990s.

*Van's International Foods operates as a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc. This particular granola was manufactured for Van's in a facility in Vernon, CA.

So Delicious - Cashew Milk Dark Chocolate Truffle Frozen Dessert - Apr. 13, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

So Delicious Dairy Free
Cashewmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Dark Chocolate Truffle
Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (85 g.) / 16 oz. (473 g.) in total container
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $4.49 for 1 container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

It was Day #14 of Chocolate and Cashew Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Truffle Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, from So Delicious Dairy Free (Springfield, OR), was made with "cashewmilk," chocolate, and a touch of coconut (oil).

The company has been creating and selling dairy-free products for more than twenty-five years. Offerings include beverages, frozen desserts, yogurt alternatives, non-dairy creamers, etc.

Previously, I'd sampled and featured So Delicious coconut milk frozen desserts. Cashews are a very popular nut; so introducing "cashewmilk" beverages—five different frozen dessert flavors—made sense.

I garnered this chocolate dessert with some roasted, salted cashews.

I've certainly enjoyed a double-week's (14 days) worth of chocolate and cashews. And if you're looking for another excuse to indulge in these comma-shaped nuts...Remember, National Chocolate Cashew Day is next week—on April 21st.

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

Wildway - Java Chip Grain Free Hot Cereal - Mar. 18, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Wildway, LLC
Grain Free Instant Hot Cereal
Good
Weight: unknown (1 sample packet)
Calories: 250 calories (estimate) for 1 serving
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - sample

Today I continued to transition from a Nicaragua special edition (chocolate field trip) week to a Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

This sample packet of Wildway, LLC (San Antonio, TX) Java Chip instant hotel cereal was certified gluten free (made in a dedicated facility) and paleo friendly—good for those who want a breakfast cereal without the carbs or added sugar. This packet was also a perfect travel size for this week's Nicaragua trip.

In addition to walnuts, ground flaxseed, cashews and pecans, dates, cocoa nibs and espresso, this hot cereal (which I also enjoyed cold) contained coconut flour and vanilla bean. Add hot water (or cold coconut milk), and stir.

Enjoying Small Batch Bars in Nicaragua

This past week's chocolate field trip through Nicaragua was filled with visits to cacao farms, chocolate tastings, and discussions with chocolatemakers.

We were also traveling with two North American chocolatemakers on our Nicaragua trip. We enjoyed the fruits of their labor -- in bar form.

The first bar was a Sura Dominican Republic 68% dark bar, (bio and equitable) crafted by Christine Sura (Montreal). Alas, these great bars are only made a few times a year, but keep an eye out for her small batch bars.

The other two bars we enjoyed tasting were Lonohona (Hawaii) bars, made by Seneca Klassen -- who also farms single estate cacao.*

The Lonohana Pina Colada bar with two kinds of fat, cacao butter and coconut oil, and was extra creamy. We also enjoyed a second delicious Lonohana bar with cacao nibs.

To buy Lonohana bars like this, you may need to be a member of the company's Lonohana Chocolate Club (similar to a CSA). Or, visit the website to see what's available (or the factory if you're in Oahu).

*Vertical integration like this is relatively unusual, and involves a lot of work. Hats off to Seneca and team.

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

Bear River Valley - Cocoa Campsite Crunch cereal - Oct. 16, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bear River Valley
Cocoa Campsite Crunch
Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 22 oz. (1 lb., 6 oz.) (623 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 120 calories in 3/4 cup serving
Cost: $ 2.99 (estimate)
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

This summer I featured five weeks worth of different single origin dark bars—chocolate in its purest and most wonderful form. Now I'm headed back into less serious territory. Last week I highlighted chocolate items with grains and grasses. Today marks a transition from cereal grains to the Great Outdoors.

So, welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and the Great Outdoors Theme Week!

Today's generously-sized, resealable bag of Cocoa Campsite Crunch cereal from Bear River Valley* (distributed by MOM Brands* (Lakeville, MN)) would probably be great for large group camping trips, or at least the ones I remember from childhood.

I remember stumbling out of a tent into the cold morning air, slightly dampened with dew, with my hair sticking up in every direction and adorned with a few white downy feathers that had escaped a down jacket or a sleeping bag. The smell of a campfire meant breakfast, hot cocoa, oatmeal with chocolate chips, or cold cereal like this.

So, I tried my best to re-create this experience. I got up very early on a damp morning, poured myself a bowl of Cocoa Campsite Crunch cereal, and ate it with a purple camping "spork" in the backyard. These cocoa-colored puffed corn balls were light and crunchy, sweet and chocolatey, and gluten free.

*This Bear River Valley cereal was distributed by MOM Brands (Lakeville, MN). I'm assuming "MOM" was derived from Malt-O-Meal, which was bought by Post.

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

Earnest Eats - Mayan Blend cereal - July 18, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Earnest Eats
hot and fit cereal earnest eats
Mayan Blend (cocoa and cashews + pepitas)
Good +
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) / 12.6 oz. (357 g.) in total package
Calories: 190 calories in 1 (1/2 cup) serving
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate, Grains and Grasses Theme Week.

What did I like best about today's hot and fit cereal earnest eats - Mayan Blend from Earnest Eats (Solana Beach, CA)? It wasn't too sweet. Most granolas seem loaded with sugar. This was not. And there was enough cocoa to really taste some authentic, darker cacao flavor.

Billed as a vegan, wheat-free "Superfood Hot Cereal," made with oats, quinoa and amaranth, this blend was flavored with cocoa, cashews and pepitas (pumpkin seeds).

KIND - Dark Chocolate Cranberry Clusters - March 25, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

KIND, LLC
Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Clusters
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g.) / 11 oz. (312 g.) total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1/3 cup serving
Cost: $6.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Until relatively recently, it's been difficult for me to find a gluten-free version of crunchy, granola-type cereal. Part of the challenge lay in finding gluten-free oats.

Fortunately, today's Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Clusters, from KIND, LLC (New York, NY), was not only gluten-free, but also great tasting as either a snack or cereal with milk. I enjoyed the latter.

A great beach walk today was powered by this cereal. Beach not included.

Vigilant Eats Maca Double Chocolate cereal - Oct. 18, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Vigilant Eats
Maca Double Chocolate Superfood Oat-based cereal
Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (85 oz.) in 1 container
Calories: 310 calories in 1 container
Cost: $4.19 for 1 container
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

This morning I enjoyed another organic, vegan chocolate breakfast cereal (Maca Double Chocolate Superfood) from Vigilant Eats (Bloomington, IN), made with gluten-free oats and hemp powder.

I added a few walnuts, some toasted hemp seeds, and a little hemp milk, and I had a satisfying, filling breakfast guaranteed to power my activities until lunch.

Similar to the company's Goji Cacao flavor of oat-based cereal I ate earlier this week, this single-serving container was conveniently packaged with a foldable black plastic spoon. All I needed to do was to pour in some liquid (cold or warm water, milk, or alternative milk), and stir.