The Organic House - Cup of Coffee (Tasse de Cafe) 65% Cacao Philippines (bar) - Aug. 27, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Cup of Coffee (Tasse de Cafe) 65% Cacao Philippines (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 198 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Cup of Coffee (Tasse de Cafe) 65% Cacao Philippines (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor additions included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao and coffee, sweetened with Ontario maple sugar. I experienced the best of many worlds (single origin ingredients that had great nuanced flavors, with balanced complexity).

Texture: This well-tempered--and overall well-executed--chocolate had a smooth texture and a satisfying melt. Flavor additions were well integrated. (There was no coffee "grit" or granular maple sugar texture.) Note: I like maple sugar, but don't want it to be overwhelming. This was just the right amount and application for me.

I really liked this chocolate. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Strong notes of coffee, maple, porcini, sage, lilac, and petit verdot*. Mellow earthy notes, with a smooth finish."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic cacao butter, Organic coffee.

Allergen-related information: May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios.

* Petit verdot is a red wine grape.

 

Zotter - Cognac + Coffee - Coffee Couverture filled with cognac cream (bar) - Aug. 13, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Zotter
Cognac + Coffee - Coffee Couverture filled with cognac cream (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Apricot Waltz - Milk Chocolate 40% filled with apricot ganache and marzipan (bar) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, coffee and Cognac with faint vanilla and caramel.

Texture: creamy, layered textures chocolate with a velvety couverture and ("hand-scooped") creamy cognac-infused center.

This was a relatively sweet, filled bar, but (happily) the coffee, cognac and chocolate helped balance the sweetness and the sugars were not overwhelming. Dark brown sugar and a bit of butter added pleasing caramel taste and added flavor depth.

The cognac was subtle, well-balanced and not too boozy.

I enjoyed this sophisticated bean-to-bar chocolate bar; and I appreciated the use of organic and fair trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Mass*+, Cocoa Butter,*+, Cognac (10%), Dry Whole Milk, Invert Sugar Syrup*, Butter (Cream), Glucose Syrup*, Ground Coffee Beans*+ (1%), Dry Skim Milk, Dry Sweet Whey, Dark Brown Cane Sugar*+, Lecithin (Soy)*, Coffee Powder*+ (0.1%), Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder*+, Cardamom*.

*=Organic [87% Organic Ingredients]; +=Fair Traded, Fair Trade Content in Total: 72%

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Soy. - Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs, Gluten and Sesame." 

Wild West Chocolate - Cowboy Coffee Dark Chocolate with Ground Espresso 70% Cacao (bar) - May 31, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Wild West Chocolate
Cowboy Coffee - Organic Dark Chocolate with Ground Espresso 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.55 oz. (44 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar

Calories: 260 calories for 2/3 bar

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

Welcome to Day #1 of Wild West Theme Week, featuring chocolates with tie-ins to cowboys, outlaws, bears and other wildlife in the Great Outdoors.

Today's Cowboy Coffee - Organic Dark Chocolate with Ground Espresso 70% Cacao (bar) was distributed by Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT).

Aroma and flavor notes for this Cowboy Coffee bar included: balanced, smooth dark chocolate with very faint coffee; campfire marshmallow and vanilla; very light stone fruit/berry; and barely detectable salt/savory and warm spice.

Texture: creamy texture and melt with very little coffee ground grit (thank you).

I enjoyed this bar. It felt hearty and substantial without being acidic or bitter. The well-integrated coffee complemented the dark chocolate and vice versa.

I appreciated the organic and fair trade cocoa and coffee; the use of fruits to sweeten this dark chocolate; and the relatively short list of ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date+, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Organic Coffee++, Cinnamon+. (+ Organic Ingredients; ++ 69% Fair Trade Ingredients, Fair Trade CertifiedTM)

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

Rhyme & Reason Chocolate Co. - Coffee Toffee Crunch (bar) - May 30, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Rhyme & Reason Chocolate Co.
Coffee Toffee Crunch Milk Chocolate 42% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 350 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Coffee Toffee Crunch Milk Chocolate 42% cacao (bar) was handcrafted in small batches by Rhyme & Reason Chocolate Company LLC (Greensboro, NC).

Aroma notes included: attractive, aromatic mocha and brown sugar and butter toffee

Texture: relatively smooth blend of dark milk chocolate, coffee and almost fully incorporated tiny, buttery toffee bits

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate and relatively rich, smooth specialty coffee, accented with authentic buttery toffee bits. This bar had a sweet, politely robust coffee and dark milk chocolate finish.

Many toffee bars teeter on the edge of candy; this one (happily for me, a dark chocolate lover) did not. This had the flavor complexity and depth I dream of in a chocolate toffee offering. 

I appreciated the short list of quality ingredients and lack of additives. And the fact that cocoa beans were the number one ingredient (and not sugar). Thank you to Elizabeth Tully, founder and chief chocolate maker at Rhyme & Reason for a bar that both dark and milk chocolate lovers can appreciate.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Full Cream Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Coffee Beans, Toffee (cane sugar, butter)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Made in a facility which also handles peanuts and tree nuts

 

Compartes Chocolatier - Espresso Martini - Dark Chocolate Espresso Martini 67% Cacao (bar) - May 29, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Espresso Martini - Dark Chocolate Espresso Martini 67% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes, online order

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Espresso Martini - Dark Chocolate Espresso Martini 67% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma notes included: slightly roasted coffee and dark chocolate; vanilla; faint spirits/alcohol (vodka); and faint marshmallow/whipped cream.

Texture: smooth with an even melt and mouthfeel (no coffee or cacao grit).

I enjoyed the satisfying dark chocolate and light espresso blend. It was a sweet chocolate version of an espresso-mocha martini. The vodka flavor was very subtle, but it was enough to "sell" the martini concept.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Soy Lecithin as An Emulsifier, Vanilla), Coffee, Vodka

Allergen-related information: "Made in a Facility That Handles Dairy, Peanuts, Wheat, Egg, Soy, Tree Nuts." "Vegan, Gluten Free"

Compartes Chocolatier - Pumpkin Spiced Latte 44% Cacao Milk Chocolate (bar) - May 28, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Pumpkin Spiced Latte 44% Cacao Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes, online order 

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Pumpkin Spiced Latte 44% Cacao Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet, pumpkin-spiced mocha latte. This bar had the rich texture and flavor of a chocolate bar, with the sweet and light hot cocoa + pumpkin-spiced latte, and a subtle coffee/mocha finish.

Texture: smooth with a pleasing melt

This was a tasty milk chocolate rendition of a pumpkin spiced latte.

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla), Coffee, Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy (Lecithin). "Made in a facility that handles dairy, peanuts, wheat, egg, soy, tree nuts." "Gluten Free"

Xocolatl - 60% Dark Chocolate Commuter East Pole Coffee with Coconut Milk (bar) - May 27, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl
60% Dark Chocolate Commuter East Pole Coffee with Coconut Milk (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order 

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's 60% Dark Chocolate Commuter East Pole Coffee with Coconut Milk (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate and coffee with a balanced coconut milk finish.

Texture: smooth texture, mouthfeel and melt--largely due to the coconut milk.

I liked the flavor and texture smoothing the authentic-tasting coconut milk added, reducing the level of harshness (acidity and bitterness) that might have been present with the cacao and coffee. 

There is a balance with using sugars and milks -- you can enjoy creamier/silkier chocolate texture but you may also experience muffle subtler cacao (and in this case coffee) aroma and flavor notes. There was still a coffee flavor that came through with this bar, but it was more subtle.

I also appreciated the relatively short list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Coconut Milk*, Cocoa Butter*, Coffee (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan).

Cacao & Cardamom - Coffee & Cardamom 66% Cacao Single Origin (bar) - May 26, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao & Cardamom
Coffee & Cardamom 66% Cacao Single Origin (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 272 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao & Cardamom, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. 

Today's Coffee & Cardamom 66% Cacao Single Origin (bar) was made by Cacao & Cardamom (Houston, TX). Their chief chocolatier is Annie Rupani.

The Caraibe single origin cacao used to make this bar refers to a blend of single origin Trinitario cacao from Valrhona (France).*

Aroma and flavor notes for this warm and flavorful dark chocolate included: aromatic cardamom; dark chocolate (relatively sweet 66% cacao chocolate and authentic "100%" cacao nibs and coffee beans); additional warm spices (cinnamon, vanilla); and mild coffee (beans).

Texture: a blend of smooth, relatively creamy dark chocolate and softly crunchy cacao nibs and "Espresso beans" (no coffee grit, thank you).

I loved the blend of cardamom, chocolate and coffee--all relatively aromatic and bold flavors that work very nicely together. The cinnamon and vanilla added more warmth, depth and come hither flavors to the whole blend.

Ingredients: "66% Caraibe Dark Chocolate (Cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract), Cardamom, Cinnamon, Espresso Beans"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles tree nuts"

*Valrhona's Caraibe chocolate is crafted from a blend of Trinitario cacao beans from four countries: the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Togo.

Cacao Sampaka - Dark Chocolate with Arabica Coffee 86% Cocoa (bar) May 24, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Sampaka
Chocolate Negro con Cafe Arabica 86% (tableta)

Dark Chocolate with Arabica Coffee 86% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. of bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Arabica Coffee 86% Cocoa (bar) was from Cacao Sampaka S.L. (Barcelona, Spain) 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (fudge-y, chocolate-y, roasted cacao); aromatic, roasted coffee; and very faint vanilla and roasted nut. (There were no nut ingredients.)

Texture: Smooth, rich, ultra-dark bar with cocoa butter (no coffee "grit") (Thank you.)

This bar had an interesting texture--with a relatively slow and almost fatty (cold butter) melt. The melt then became more rapid toward the end. (Note: this bar did contain both added cocoa butter and an emulsifier (soy lecithin) and I was tasting this bar in a cool room.)

I enjoyed the lack of sugar. This 86% chocolate had some very well-mannered bitterness, but had a surprisingly pleasant quality and natural sweetness to it. (Note: I like bitter and dark flavors.) 

I also appreciated the maker's decision to infuse the coffee into the chocolate vs. using ground coffee. (Incorporating intact coffee beans* into a chocolate bar can work, or it can leave you chewing on sharp coffee grounds.)

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, coffee (1.9%), emulsifier (soya lecithin), natural vanilla flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Our products may contain traces of nuts, peanuts, lactose, milk and sesame."

*Cocoa beans are (on average) about 50% fat; coffee beans are only around 14% fat. Big difference in terms of texture. Cocoa nibs (minimally ground cacao beans) vs. ground coffee bits. The coffee bean pieces will be drier and more fibrous.

Conexion Chocolate - Mocha Latte Light Roast Coffee Milk Chocolate 40% Cacao (bar) - May 23, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Conexion Chocolate
Mocha Latte - Light Roast Coffee Milk Chocolate 40% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Touring Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Conexion Chocolate Mocha Latte - Light Roast Coffee Milk Chocolate 40% Cacao (bar) was from

Aroma notes included: slightly earthy coffee and dark milk chocolate with a very faint (barely detectable) herbal and light vanilla.

Texture: rich, creamy milk chocolate surrounded a very generous helping of crunchy, ground coffee bits. (Chew well before swallowing due to slightly jagged coffee bean bit edges.)

Flavor notes included: creamy sweet milk chocolate blended with unsweetened, lightly roasted ground coffee, and light vanilla. Together the flavors harmonized well together, but the coffee grit was a little distracting.*

I enjoyed the relatively long, authentic mocha finish. 

And I appreciated the use of Arriba Nacional cacao; the fact this bar was made "in country" (in Ecuador where beans are grown); the mocha flavors in this Ecuador bar; and the makers striving to be the connection (conexion) between small Ecuadorian cacao farmers and end customers across the globe. 

Ingredients: Cacao mass, cane sugar, milk powder, cacao butter, coffee, natural vanilla, sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Produced in a facility that also handles dairy and" "Gluten Free" "Soy Free"

Loon Chocolate - Coffee 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - May 22, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate
Coffee 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Loon Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Loon Chocolate Coffee 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH).

The coffee used to make this bar was from Terra Nova Coffee (Keene, New Hampshire). 

Aroma and flavor notes for this small batch, bean-to-bar chocolate bar included: aromatic coffee and smooth, relatively sweet dark chocolate. 

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy, with a pleasing melt and mouthfeel. The tiny particles of coffee on the back of the bar provided a bit of textural interest. The finely ground coffee beans bits (and likely infusion of coffee into cocoa butter) yielded fresh coffee flavor(s) without being gritty or tough and fibrous. (Thank you!)

I enjoyed the balanced flavors (dark chocolate, coffee, faint nut and very faint warm spice and roasty notes). This bar had satisfying dark chocolate and coffee flavors without being too harsh or bitter. I also appreciated the short list of quality, organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coffee

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

Elements - Araku Valley Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar) - May 21, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Elements
Araku Valley Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Andronico's market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Araku Valley Coffee Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Elements (Union City, NJ).

The cacao used to make this bar was from Ecuador.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark cocoa; (hazelnut/almond) honey and nut butter; coffee (roasted, slightly bitter) and faint cardamom. (Note: there were no nut ingredients.)

Texture: smooth, with a pleasing honey-velvet texture and melt

Cocoa butter (#1 ingredient) helped to smooth over rough edges from the coffee/cacao powder/cardamom.

I enjoyed the honey in this bar that had a bright, almost floral, natural sweetness and helped lighten up what otherwise might have been very dark, bitter or heavily roasted elements. The honey also contributed to a lovely, almost silken texture.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Butter, Raw Honey, Organic Cacao Powder, Coffee, Organic Cardamom

Allergen-related information: "No Dairy, Refined Sugar, Soy, Gluten, Lecithin or Shortcuts"

DAR Chocolate - ART Bar - Caramel Coffee milk chocolate (bar) - May 20, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

DAR Chocolate 
ART BAR Limited Edition - Caramel Coffee milk chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Limited Edition - Caramel Coffee milk chocolate Art Bar was manufactured by DAR Chocolate LLC (Thornton, CO).

Aroma and flavor notes for this very attractively-clad bar included: aromatic dark (fudge-y) milk chocolate with coffee (sweet mocha caramel latte); subtle caramel and very faint vanilla (pipe tobacco).

Texture: relatively smooth and creamy with a barely detectable astringency.

I enjoyed the 60% dark milk chocolate and coffee blend, and the subtle touch of Murray River Salt that helped balance the sweetness. (The salt also made this milk chocolate more addictive.)

Ingredients: cacao beans*, cane sugar*, dried whole milk, coffee beans*, cacao butter*, salt, natural flavors. (* organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Made in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts." 

Cacao Hunters - 53% Tumaco Leche Milk Chocolate Bars - May 19, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Hunters
53% Tumaco Leche Milk Chocolate Bars
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) total box of 2 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 of 2 bars
Cost: $6.29 for 1 package of 2 bars
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week, and Day #7 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week. Colombia is well known for specialty cacao and coffee, thus the considerable overlap of these two themes this month.

Today's Cacao Hunters 53% Tumaco Leche Milk Chocolate Bars (package of 2 bars) were manufactured by Cacao de Colombia (Popayan, Cauca, Colombia). 

Cacao Hunters offers several bean-to-bar chocolate bars that highlight regional Colombian/cacao flavors and the company is committed to ethical sourcing and helping small stakeholder farmers. Today's cacao was from Tumaco (located in southwest Colombia, near the Pacific Ocean).

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 53% milk chocolate Tumaco Colombia bar included: rich and nutty cocoa, caramel, faint fruit (stone fruit (peach, plum) and berry jam) and very faint, sweet green/ herbal (anethole).

Texture: smooth and creamy

This bar was surprisingly and wonderfully aromatic and flavorful for a milk chocolate bar--a great choice for someone who doesn't care for the flat affect and of many commercially available milk chocolates. The combination of flavors + (cane) sugar and milk also made it relatively addictive.

I paired this bar with a honey-sweetened, chocolate coated, coffee ice cream bar. Both the chocolate and coffee ice cream bar were very tasty. (A double-barreled shot of high-quality, milky sweets for the day.)

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans, cane sugar, milk powder, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin)."

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. 

Deux Cranes - Dark Chocolate with Coffee, Cream (bar) - May 17, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Deux Cranes
Dark Chocolate with Coffee, Cream (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 191 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Filoli (gift shop), Woodside, CA

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week, and Day #5 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Coffee, Cream (bar) was made by Deux Cranes LLC (Los Gatos, CA).

Aroma notes included: smooth dark chocolate (sweet green botanical) and subtle coffee

Texture: smooth texture, melt

Flavor notes included: balanced dark chocolate (fudge-y, very faint sweet green (anethole*), very slightly floral and barely detectable, balanced earth) and subtle coffee with a gentle complexity. The generous drizzle of white chocolate ("cream") on one side, did give the effect of drinking a rich mocha beverage with cream floating on top.

I enjoyed the balanced flavors and choice of single origin cacao (75% Ecuador) and single origin coffee (Colombia) that yielded subtle, complex flavors and a slightly richer, more layered aroma than many other coffee chocolate bars.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa liquor from the Ecuadorian Amazon, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), natural vanilla extract) White Chocolate (Ecuadorian sugar, Ecuadorian cocoa butter, Ecuadorian whole milk powder, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), natural vanilla extract, Coffee Beans from Colombia, Vanilla Paste (Cane sugar syrup, vanilla concentrate, powdered vanilla bean, exhausted vanilla seeds, cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. The product may contain traces of nuts, milk, and gluten. Produced and packaged in the same facility as soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame, and milk products.

*Anethole is a naturally occurring, volatile chemical compound in plants (notably anise, fennel and star anise) and can be found in trace amounts in certain varieties of cacao (including certain Forastero varieties in Ecuador, and may be found in cocoa butters). Like cacao mass, anethole is hydro-phobic (does not mix well with water). And if added as a flavoring to chocolate, anethole is typically incorporated into cocoa butter (fat).

Spinnaker Chocolate - 68% Colombia with Coffee Single-Origin Chocolate (bar) - May 16, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Spinnaker Chocolate
68% Colombia with Coffee Single-Origin Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar

Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Spinnaker Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's 68% Colombia with Coffee Single-Origin Chocolate (bar) was from Spinnaker Chocolate, a family owned and operated chocolate maker in Seattle, WA.

This chocolate bar was made "in partnership with Olympia Coffee" (based in Olympia, WA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, naturally sweet/fruity/mild dark chocolate; bright and complex fruit (ripe red dragonfruit, ripe sweet pepper, ripe cherry, citrus, kiwi, coffee cherry, pear), warm spices, black pepper, roasted coffee, and barely detectable tea floral (extremely faint hibiscus/sorrel).

Texture: smooth texture, melt and mouthfeel

I love balanced complex flavors. And I loved the incredibly complex and fruity notes in this single origin bar -- a blend of single origin (Colombia) cacao and single origin (Ethiopian) coffee. Notably, the two areas where these two crops were grown were close to ground zero where they first evolved/were cultivated on Earth.

What a wonderful blend. I hope we don't continue to lose subtle flavors like this as we continue to move from more delicate heritage cacao and coffee varieties (in their original locales) to more sturdy and "productive" varieties.

Ingredients: "Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Ground coffee beans, Roasted"

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that uses milk powder and hazelnuts.

Karu - Tintico Dark Chocolate with Specialty Coffee 70% Cacao (bar) - May 14, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Karu 
Tintico Dark Chocolate with Specialty Coffee 70% Cacao (bar)

Good ++
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 3 squares of bar (3/4 bar)
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Karu Tintico Dark Chocolate with Specialty Coffee 70% Cacao (bar) was made in Bogota, Colombia. (Karu chocolates are distributed in the USA and Canada by Tropicalia LLC.)

The maker behind Karu is Maria Leja Villarreal, who created her company in Dubai. She specializes in Colombian cacao chocolates. (The coffee in this bar was from Libertario Coffee Roasters and was grown in Huila, Colombia.)

Each square of this 4-square bar had a raised image of a walking jaguar*. And a jaguar (head) was featured on the label/packaging as well.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, with faint, slightly earthy, bitter/sour and barely detectable spice (warm spice, peppers) and fruit (slightly roasted golden berry, tomato, red bell pepper, coffee+berry) notes.

Texture: relatively smooth with a very slight botanical astringency, but otherwise nice melt.

Flavor notes included: fairly mellow dark chocolate with balanced, flavorful and complex coffee.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Cane Sugar, Colombian Coffee

Allergen-related information: Produced in facilities processing milk and nuts 

*Jaguars--powerful symbols and ecological icons--are found largely in the Amazon Basin. (They once roamed from Argentina to the Southern United States.) They are native to and can still be found in several South American countries (primarily in the northern part of the continent), including Colombia. 

Chami Cacao - 70% Cafe de Origen Special Coffee (bar) - May 13, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Chami Cacao
70% Cafe de Origen Special Coffee (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 20 g. serving of bar
Cost: $11.80 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Chami Cacao 70% Cafe de Origen Special Coffee (bar) was made in Colombia. 

Chami* Cacao is based in Mill Valley, CA in the U.S. (Their chocolate bars can be found at Farmers Markets in Marin County, California.) The company also has distribution points in other locales (U.S., France). It was great to be able to find their line of authentic Colombia-made bars. (Thank you to Juliana Grajales P., who is behind this woman-owned enterprise.)

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 70% cacao coffee bar included: satisfying balanced, bold coffee and chocolate aroma and flavors.

Texture: stone-ground, slightly crunchy texture from the particles of ground coffee beans that were incorporated into smooth dark chocolate.

I enjoyed savoring small pieces of this bar; it was enjoyable and satisfying. Some may find the rough (ground coffee) texture a little off-putting initially. (It grows on you.) 

I appreciated the short list of just three ingredients as well as a focus on sustainability (starting with a "chemical free" crop and extending to the cassava starch, biodegradable (inner) packaging).

Ingredients: "Cacao beans, Organic raw cane sugar (panela) & ground coffee"

Allergen-related information: No allergens listed. "Vegan, Nut Free, Soy Free, Gluten Free"

*The name Chami pays tribute to the Embera Chami indigenous people in Colombia. ("It also means 'mountain range' in their language.")

 

Kakoa - 62% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico - Coffee & Oat Milk (bar) - April 8, 2026

 Chocolate of the Day

Kakoa
62% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico (bar) with Coffee, Oat Milk (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 327 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #23 of Chocolate & Mexico Theme Week(s).

Today's 62% Cacao Tuzantan Chiapas Mexico Coffee & Oat Milk (bar) (Batch #2814) was made by Kakoa (Rio Chico, Mexico City, Mexico). 

Aroma notes for this Special Edition bar included: dark chocolate; very faint, fleeting vegetable (nopales) and vinegar as well as very subtle dark/dried fruit/fruit acidity, coffee, and barely there honey, rice/oat and very faint mineral water.

Flavor notes: After letting the bar sit unwrapped for a few minutes, I tasted this bar. Any of the vegetable/vinegar notes that were in the initial aroma had dissipated, and I enjoyed the interplay between the authentic, and nuanced, rich coffee and cacao flavors. And the more I tasted, the more I liked this bar.

Texture: smooth melt with some astringency and tiny flecks of ground beans (coffee and maybe cacao). 

The very tiny pieces of crunchy coffee bean were a bit tough; but more intact pieces can help preserve some of the taste. (Pulverizing coffee to dust can reduce coffee flavor more quickly over time; while the cocoa butter in a tempered chocolate bar does help lock in flavors.)

The ground oats were subtle, and helped mellow and unite flavors; but they didn't have the physical smoothness of milk. (It's very difficult to replicate the creamy texture of dairy milk with just one ingredient.) Happily, I could not taste any oats; their incorporation was skillfully executed. 

I appreciated that this 62% bar wasn't overly sweet, and the short list of four quality ingredients, including single origin Mexican cacao from Tuzantan, Chiapas, Mexico.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Sugar, Oats and Coffee 

Allergen-related information: May contain milk and tree nuts. (Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk and tree nuts.)

 

Juan Choconat - Chocolate Oscuro 70% Cacao Con Cafe Especial (bar) - Jan. 20, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Juan Choconat
Chocolate Oscuro 70% Cacao Con Cafe Especial (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 111 calories in 1/2 bar (per label)
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Elebar Snacks, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week. 

Today's Chocolate Oscuro 70% Cacao Con Cafe Especial (bar) was made by Juan Choconat SAS (Ibague, Tolima, Colombia) and imported by Elebar Snacks LLC (with locations in Illinois and Clearwater, FL).

The packaging featured an illustration of Colombian cacao farmer (Damian Tapiero) next to a scannable code with his story. Damian, after military service, returned to work with his father and is now a leader in the local cacao community. The family supplies cacao beans with pulp (baba) to Juan Choconat and also grows avocados and produces honey from bees on their farm.

This shipment also came with its own backstory. I ordered several Juan Choconat bars online via an importer in Aug. 2025 -- when new U.S. tariffs on many imported goods became effective. The bars arrived, eventually, months later.* (Thankfully, tariffs on cacao were lifted last November; but some chocolate makers and customers and others in the supply chain are still recovering 1-2 months later.)

I was grateful this bar came in a sealed pouch that helped prevent aroma and flavor loss. That said, do try to eat this chocolate quickly after you open it. (If you wait a few days, you'll miss out on lighter, more volatile notes. It will not taste the same.)

Aroma and flavor notes for this 70% cacao + coffee bar included: smooth dark chocolate, aromatic sweet coffee (coffee toffee, caramel mocha, very faint berry and brown sugar), followed by nuanced cacao, then back to (Arabica) coffee notes. The Colombia cacao harmonized very well with the coffee flavors. 

Texture: a slightly blotchy appearance (likely from tariff-related shipping delays back in August*), the flavors were still excellent (a testament to the quality ingredients); although it did have a rustic, stoneground, granular texture.

I appreciated the rich and subtle flavors (that extended into a long and pleasing finish) as well as the short list of only three, high-quality ingredients. Even though the texture might have been affected by unusual conditions in transit, it was still a delicious bar. (I also enjoyed the information and photos of the cacao farm and farmers.)

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, unrefined cane sugar and specialty coffee

Allergen-related information: "May Contain Traces of Fruit, Milk or Nuts." 

*At one point I was called by a Federal Express agent who asked me several pages worth of questions related to the tariff and customs paperwork requirements. (I am not an importer so I was a little confused when I got the call.) At this point I'd already been waiting for this shipment (of several different bars) to arrive for several weeks. (I kept hoping the chocolates weren't melting on a loading dock in the sun or being heated and cooled past their limits--which likely did happen.)