JonnyPops - Chocolate-Dipped Cherries with Fresh Cream (frozen pops) - Aug. 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

JonnyPops
Chocolate-Dipped Cherries with Fresh Cream (bars)
Good ++
Weight: 2.06 oz. (61 g.) / 8.25 fl. oz. (244 mL) in total box of 4 pops
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate-Dipped Cherries (pops) were manufactured and distributed by JohnnyPops, LLC (Elk River, MN).

On the first few bites I really enjoyed the thin, crispy, authentic-tasting, and very slightly earthy, dark chocolate coating on the upper half of this frozen pop. Most chocolate coatings on ice cream bars are considerably sweeter and contain a lower percentage of cacao, that's often been alkalized (treated to remove bitterness).

The frozen cherry interior was less like a conventional ice cream and more like real cherries with added cream/milk. More like a smoothie that is using genuine (not overly processed) frozen fruit.

I liked everything about this frozen pop. I could actually taste real dark chocolate and real frozen cherries. And I appreciated the short list of quality ingredients -- with no (possibly gut-disrupting) additives or gums.

Ingredients: Cherries, Heavy Cream (Heavy Cream, Organic Guar Gum), Cane Sugar, Whole Milk, Purified Water, Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Extract, Soy Lecithin, Whole Milk Powder), Coconut Oil, Vegetable Oil (Soybean), Salt. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Coconut, Soy. May contain cherry pits.

Breyers - CarbSmart Vanilla Bars - Aug. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Breyers 
CarbSmart Vanilla Bars 
Good +
Weight: 3.96 fl. oz. (56 g.) / 18 fl. oz. (532 mL) in total box of 6 bars
Calories: 140 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 box of 6 bars
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Surprise Theme Week.

Today's CarbSmart Vanilla Frozen Dairy Dessert (bars) were from Breyers* (Englewood Cliffs, NJ). The company's frozen "CarbSmart (tm)" line has relatively low net carbs (5 grams) and added fiber.

As with most frozen treats, the aroma for this frozen treat was very faint: a barely detectable whiff of chocolate. 

The bar's thin dark chocolate shell broke with a slight crackle and had an even, creamy melt. It was made with dutched (alkalized) cocoa--resulting in a smooth, uniform chocolate that was lower in acidity and bitterness.

The frozen dairy center had a light ice cream texture and a pleasant, sweet vanilla flavor. It was sweet, but not overly so.

I appreciated the smooth chocolate and vanilla textures and flavors. I didn't care for the long ingredient list with additives and sucralose (artificial) sweetener. But, for others who need to limit sugars and carbs, this might be a good-tasting, relatively low carbohydrate option.

Ingredients: Milk, coconut oil, water, maltitol syrup, sugar, polydextrose, less than 2% of: soybean oil, dutched cocoa (processed with alkali), sodium caseinate, whey, glycerin, calcium carbonate, cream, soluble corn fiber, natural flavor, vegetable gums (guar, carob bean), salt, soy lecithin, sucralose, mono and diglycerides, acesulfame potassium.

Allergen-related information: Contains dairy, soy. "Contains a bioengineered food ingredient." 

*Breyers ice cream was started by William A. Breyer in Philadelphia, PA, in 1866. In 1993, Unilever (Englewood Cliffs, NJ) bought Breyers Ice Cream from Kraft.

 

Koolfi Creamery - Dark Chocolate Dairy-Free Chocolate frozen dessert w/ Organic Coconut milk - Apr. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Koolfi Creamery
Dark Chocolate Dairy-Free Chocolate frozen dessert with Organic Coconut milk
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1/4 container (118.2 mL) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories:  (No information listed)
Cost: $12.99 for total container
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week. 

Today's Dark Chocolate Dairy-Free Chocolate frozen dessert made with Organic Coconut milk was created by Koolfi Creamery (San Leandro, CA).

The company is a local (San Francisco Bay Area), small batch frozen dessert maker (ice creams and vegan/dairy free (coconut milk-based frozen desserts), that offers a variety of India-inspired flavors (mango lassi, kheer rice pudding, cardamom, kulfi, and many more).

Aroma and flavor notes for this Dark Chocolate vegan frozen dessert included: dark cocoa (powder), and it had both a smooth texture and a very slight graininess.* 

Ingredients: Organic coconut milk (coconut, water), organic brown rice syrup, sugar, maltodextrin, Dutch processed cocoa powder, chocolate (cacao beans, sugar, sunflower lecithin, vanilla), dextrose, tapioca flour, xanthan gum, Himalayan pink salt

Allergen-related information: "Coconut. Product is made on equipment that processes milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy"

*It was not clear whether this batch may have acquired this slight graininess from the ingredients (cocoa powder?), or whether it was process, storage or transport related, e.g. a slight melting and re-freezing again before I bought it. The other (five) ice cream flavors I've tried from this same company (all very good, none with cocoa powder/chocolate) were creamy and smooth and did not have this textural characteristic.

Bliss Unlimited - Cosmic Bliss, Chocolate Euphoria ice cream - Apr. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Bliss Unlimited
Cosmic Bliss - Chocolate Euphoria
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2/3 cup (129 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) total container
Calories: 320 calories in 2/3 cup (1 serving)
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week. No chocolate coconut eggs or coconut macaroons this (Easter, Passover, Ramadan) weekend; but, after a winter full of storms, the sunny spring day outside is cause enough for celebration.

Today's Cosmic Bliss Chocolate Euphoria Organic Grass-Fed Dairy ice cream, was distributed by Bliss Unlimited LLC (Eugene, OR). (Cosmic Bliss is a HumanCo brand.)

Cosmic Bliss (formerly Coconut Bliss) became known for its coconut milk-based, non-dairy frozen desserts. However, in 2022, after 17 years of being solely plant-based, grass-fed, organic dairy-based flavors were added to expand their line up as part of a re-branding.

Today's Chocolate Euphoria flavor's dairy milk and cream were paired with coconut syrup and a healthy dose of cocoa. This ice cream had a welcoming texture--a velvety melt and mouthfeel--and a strong, serious cocoa powder aroma and flavor. A subtle trace of vanilla extract added a little welcome uplift.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade whole milk; organic, fair trade heavy cream; organic, fair trade coconut syrup; organic, fair trade cocoa (processed with alkali); organic, fair trade non-fat milk; organic, fair trade egg yolk; organic, fair trade guar gum; organic, fair trade vanilla extract.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, egg, coconut.

Tru Fru - Dark Chocolate Nature's Blueberries (frozen) - Mar. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Tru Fru
Dark Chocolate Nature's Blueberries (frozen)
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) / 5 oz. (141.5 g.) in total container
Calories: 225 calories in 1/2 container
Cost: $2.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Nature's Blueberries were from Tru Fru (Salt Lake City, UT). The company specializes in chilled and dried "fresh fruit in chocolate" snacks.

These frozen blueberries were immersed in both white and dark chocolate. As with most frozen items, the aroma was subtle. The blueberry centers had authentic frozen berry texture and the outer chocolate layers were smooth, with a nice melt.

Flavor notes included: slightly earthy bold dark chocolate (dark chocolate frosting, ganache) as well as sweet white chocolate surrounding a frozen blueberry fruit center, with a faint, earthy finish.

These chocolate covered blueberries were flavorful and felt less filling than heavier chocolate and fruit confections.

Ingredients: Blueberries, dark chocolate (cane sugar, chocolate liquor (processed with alkali), cocoa butter, milkfat, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla), white chocolate (cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), natural vanilla flavor).

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soy.

Chloe - Coconut Dipped Pops (frozen) - Oct. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Chloe

Coconut Dipped Pops (frozen)

Good +

Weight: 2.5 fl. oz. (74 ml) / 10 fl. oz. (295 ml) in total package of 4 bars

Calories: 180 calories (per label) in 1 bar

Cost: $2.99 for 1 package/box of 4 bars

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's frozen Coconut Dipped Pops were manufactured for Chloe's (New York, NY).

As with most frozen items, the aroma for the Coconut Dipped Pops was fairly faint. Cold, dry air slows down molecules and volatiles.

The texture for this frozen pop was above average for a frozen treat. It felt cohesive (and creamy even in its icy, compact form) and had a satisfying melt. 

The chocolate coating (that covered the top part (approximately half) of the pop) provided a complementary texture and chocolatey flavor that meshed well with the coconut.

Ingredients: 

Coconut pop: Coconut cream, water, cane sugar, tapioca syrup, natural coconut flavor, coconut. Contains less than 0.5% of: sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum.

Chocolate Coating: Cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, chocolate liquor, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla flavor. 

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut. 

Bubbies - Chocolate Mochi Coconut-Based Frozen Dessert- Aug. 21, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Bubbies Hawaii

Chocolate - Mochi Coconut-Based Frozen Dessert in Sweet Rice Dough

Good +

Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) / 7.5 oz. (210 g.) in total package/box of 6

Calories: 160 calories in 1 piece

Cost: $ Missing information

Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Mochi Coconut Based Frozen Dessert Wrapped in Sweet Rice Dough were manufactured by Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts Inc. (Phoenix, AZ). The company started making ice cream in Hawaii in the mid 1980s, and their current mochi ice cream line includes flavors like mango, passion fruit, matcha green tea and blood orange.

These chocolate (frozen, non-dairy) mochi pieces had a very subtle (sweet) aroma. The flattened dome shape of these treats (more like a soft brownie-colored cookie than a rice ball) made them easier to hold and eat. 

The sweet rice dough wrapper was relatively dense with a soft chewy texture; and 

these sweet rice dough confections--including the chocolate (coconut-based ice "cream") filling--had a mild, sweet cocoa/chocolate brownie flavor throughout. (Note: the coconut flavor was very subtle.)

Ingredients: Non-dairy frozen chocolate dessert (water, coconut cream (coconut extract, water, xanthan gum, carageenan, guar gum), tapioca syrup solids, cane sugar, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), agave fiber extract (inulin), citrus fiber, stabilizer (locust bean gum, guar gum, standardized with sugar), salt, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin); Mochi Dough (cane sugar, rice flour, water, tapioca syrup (tapioca, water, salt, vanilla), cocoa powder (processed with alkali)).

 

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut (tree nut). Produced in a facility that processes egg, milk, peanut, soy, tree nuts. Certified gluten free. Certified Vegan. Non-dairy, plant-based, 

Revolution Gelato - Mocha Madness Plant-based Mini Gelato Pie - July 17, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Revolution Gelato
Mocha Madness
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in 1 mini pie
Calories: 260 calories in 1 mini pie
Cost: $2.59 for 1 pie
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Mocha Madness Plant-based Mini Gelato Pie was made for Revolution Gelato (Atlanta, GA). 

This frozen mocha pie had a subtle aroma, and an initial flavor that had a slightly coconutty, wheat-y/starchy, with plant-based taste and texture.* 

This Mocha pie also tasted lower in sugar--normally something I like. Although it made me realize that sugar (and cream/milk) are what I'm expecting when I eat gelato or ice cream desserts (even though I'm always trying to find one with less sugar). This was a helpful reality check.

The thick chocolate cookie-like pie "pastry" crust, was filled with non-dairy coffee gelato, and topped with a crispy frozen dark chocolate layer on top. 

I liked the concept (very nice to have options like this) and the complexity from the layered flavors; however, these flavors tasted plant-based and natural but didn't always feel totally integrated.

*Warning: This was not gluten free. One of the reasons why this pie might have had an odd taste: the pie crust contained wheat (and barley and corn) flours and subtle nut (cashews). Occasionally I fail to read labels correctly, and buy something with wheat/gluten. Even less frequently, I eat something before I realize it's not gluten-free. This was one of those times.

Ingredients: Gelato*: water, organic tapioca syrup, organic cold brew coffee (water, organic coffee), organic cane sugar, organic coconut oil, organic cashews, organic gum arabic, organic coffee, organic guar gum, sea salt, crust: flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), palm oil, sugar, corn flour, cocoa (processed with alkali), water, salt, xanthan gum, topping: organic chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic coconut oil.

Allergen-related information: Contains: wheat, cashew, coconut. "Made in a facility that also processes dairy, eggs, peanuts, and soy" (Keep frozen)

Bindi Gelato - Chocolate and Cream Swirl - Aug. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Bindi Gelato 
Chocolate and Cream Swirl
Good - Good +
Weight: 3.2 oz. (90 g.) in 1 cup
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving/cup
Cost: $2.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Cold Chocolate Theme Week, featuring frozen and refrigerated desserts and bars with chocolate.

Today's Chocolate and Cream Swirl (cup) was made in Italy* distributed by Bindi North America (Kearny, NJ). 

Bindi desserts had their start with the Bindi family in Italy in 1946; and were, at the very beginning, delivered by bicycle. Currently, they offer a line of different, Italian-inspired gelato flavors in single-serving cups. (The Limoncello flavor also looked good; however, I could not find other flavors in my local store.)

Today's sundae style gelato in a cup had a creamy and light (almost whipped) texture and mouthfeel--light contrasting visually with the dark, swirl(s) of dark chocolate. It was a nicely balanced blend and a convenient serving size for an frozen snack.

Ingredients: Rehydrated skim milk, sugar, water, butter, glucose-fructose syrup, cream glucose syrup, lactose, sorbitol, chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavoring), cocoa processed with alkali, milk proteins, modified starch, mono- and diglycerides, artificial flavorings, locust bean gum.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soy. May contain traces of eggs, wheat and tree nuts. (Note: contains artificial flavors.)

*Italco Food Products, Inc. owns the Bindi brand.

Kind - Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Plant Based Creamy Frozen Dessert - Aug. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC
Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Plant Based Creamy Frozen Dessert
Good +
Weight: 2/3 cup (124 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 290 calories in 1 serving (2/3 cup) 
Cost: $7.99 for 1 Pint container
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Cold Chocolate Theme Week featuring frozen and refrigerated items with chocolate.

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt plant-based creamy frozen dessert was from Kind LLC (NYC, NY). 

Kind's line of frozen pint flavors has mirrored their earlier/original nut and fruit snack bar flavors. And the newer line(s) of plant-based frozen pints and frozen bars are true to these original snack bars in spirit and flavor.

Today's frozen dessert had a smooth texture and a generous helping of crunchy nut pieces (chopped almond). The dark chocolate chunks were relatively flavorful given the chocolate was made with alkalized cocoa (with dark, even slightly earthy notes). The base had a faint fruity note. (The first ingredient was pear juice.) 

My only quibble: the vegetable gums (see below in ingredients list), even if these gums did help ensure a smooth and ice-cream like texture.

Ingredients: Pear juice (from concentrate), water, almonds, sugar, dried tapioca syrup, coconut oil, chocolate processed with alkali, chicory root fiber, cocoa butter, sea salt, gum acacia, natural flavor, soy lecithin, carob bean gum, tara gum, guar gum, salt.

Allergen-related information: "Kind Frozen Pint ingredients do not include gluten. However, Kind Frozen Pints are made on shared equipment with products containing gluten ingredients."

Green Girl Bakeshop - Reishi Chocolate with chocolate chip cookies - Aug. 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Green Girl Bakeshop
Reishi Chocolate with chocolate chip cookies
Good - Good +
Weight: 5 oz. (142 g.) in total package
Calories: 340 calories in 1 package/frozen cookie sandwich 
Cost: $4.49 (sale) for 1 package/frozen cookie sandwich
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #1 of Cold Chocolate Week, featuring frozen and refrigerated treats, snacks and bars with chocolate.

Today's Reishi Chocolate frozen plant-based, cookie sandwich was from Green Girl Bakeshop (San Leandro, CA). 

This chilly organic treat had light green, nut, coconut, and cookie notes, rich chocolate flavor with a fleeting earthy/loamy, slightly bitter note (that I'm assuming came from the reishi mushroom).

It was satisfying and sweet, but not too sweet. (It was sweetened with judicious amounts of coconut palm sugar, applesauce, chocolate chips, evaporated cane sugar in the chocolate chip cookies--and maple syrup in the chocolate frozen filling.) 

Note: Green Girl offers some of the few gluten free ice cream sandwich alternatives available in our area, unless you have time to make your own with gluten free cookies (that you may have to bake first) and your choice of milk/cream filling. So, I felt grateful to find these.

Ingredients: 1.) Cookie: organic cassava flour, organic coconut palm sugar, organic applesauce, organic chocolate chips (organic evaporated cane sugar, organic natural chocolate liquor (non-alcoholic), organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla powder), organic coconut oil, baking soda. 2.) Gelato: Organic coconut milk (organic coconut water, organic guar gum--less than 1%), organic maple syrup, organic cacao powder, organic reishi."

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts (coconut)...produced in a facility that also processes tree nuts, peanuts, dairy, wheat, and soy."

Chloe's Fruit - (Frozen) Banana Dipped Pops - Jan. 19, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Chloe's Fruit 
Frozen Banana Dipped Pops
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.5 fl. oz. (74 mL) (76 g.) / 10 fl. oz. (295 mL) in total box of 4 pops
Calories: 120 calories in 1 pop
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 package of 4 pops
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Banana Theme Week. 

Today's frozen Banana Dipped Pop was from Chloe's Fruit (New York City, NY). 

The company makes a line of 3-ingredient frozen fruit pops, chocolate dipped pops (and oat milk pops), and also offers soft serve fruit. (The pops are dairy free, gluten free, vegan and Kosher.)

And yes, there is a real "Chloe" behind the brand name. Co-founder of the company, Chloe Epstein, used to be an Assistant District Attorney; and she wanted to create simple, healthy frozen treat without artificial ingredients.

The banana pop on a stick was attractive (it matched the photo), and tasted authentic with real banana flavor. The dark chocolate coating was smooth and it added a bit of rich chocolate flavor on the upper half of the pop. 

The overall consistency/texture made it uniformly easy to eat. It had enough cohesion* that there was minimal danger of it falling apart; and it wasn't overly sweet and gooey like some other frozen treats. (Thank you to Chloe's for that, and for making a frozen dessert with no vegetable gums, or other less desirable additives.)

The chocolate in the dark chocolate coating was made from Ecuadorian cacao beans (according to FAQ on the Chloe's Fruit website).

Ingredients: banana puree, water, cane sugar; chocolate coating (cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, chocolate liquor, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla flavor)

*Sugar lowers the freezing point of a frozen fruit pop, allowing them to exist in the frozen treat "Goldilocks"** zone. Just the right amount of sugar is needed for a successful state. Not enough sugar and the pops may be too rock hard (more like fruit ice cubes), and too much will result in a too soft, fall-apart quality. Just the right amount...and you're in the Goldilocks zone.

**For those readers outside the U.S. The Goldilocks term comes from the story of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," a fairy tale with origins in England more than 183 years ago. Goldilocks--who in subsequent re-tellings of the story morphed from an old woman to a little girl--enters a home that belongs to a family of three bears, who are not home. Goldilocks tries out different sized chairs, bowls of porridge and beds, until she finds items that are not too big or too small; not too hot or not too cold...but rather the one(s) that are just right for her.

 

Trader Joe's - Chocolate Chip Banana Bread; Snow Monkeys, Bananas and Chocolate - Sept. 21, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Good++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 large muffin
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 package/bag
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Mountain View/Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Banana Theme Week.

Today's tasty Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) were embedded in a gluten free version  of homemade banana bread—made with mashed bananas, banana flour, spices, nuts and no added sugar.

Other items sampled today included:

• A Cacao Fruit Smoothie from Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA)
• Chocolate Horchata from Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA)
• A gluten-free oatmeal chocolate chip and cranberry cookie
• Snow Monkey Cinnamon Superfood Ice Treat. This dairy-free frozen dessert contained 21 grams of protein; and the first ingredient listed was banana puree. (It did not contain any chocolate.)

And, if you're thinking, that's a lot of sugar. You're right. It was.

Ciao Bella Gelato - South American Dark Chocolate gelato - Nov. 19, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ciao Bella Gelato Company, Inc.
South American Dark Chocolate gelato
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup serving (105 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total container
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $ missing information 
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to the last stop on our 29-day virtual chocolate tour of South America. We've explored many single origin, ultra-dark chocolate bars from countries ranging from Venezuela to Bolivia for the past 3-4 weeks.

This month ends on a completely different note: two scoops of South American Dark Chocolate gelato from Ciao Bella Gelato Company, Inc. in the northeastern U.S.

This frozen dessert was packed with a lot more chocolate flavor than one normally finds in a frozen dessert. It was made with fair trade cacao grown in South America, via a partnership with TCHO Chocolate (Berkeley, CA).

At first whiff, this gelato smelled more like rich chocolate; and it had a richer, more fruit-acidic chocolate flavor. The texture and melt were smooth creamy.

Sprouts - Dark Chocolate Covered Bananas - April 28, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sprouts Farmers Market
Dark Chocolate Covered Bananas
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.51 oz. (43 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 4 pieces
Cost: $missing information for 1 package/box
Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

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

It's spring; and it's getting warmer by the day. After a few hot days, thoughts turn to cold chocolate desserts, such as today's Dark Chocolate Covered Bananas from Sprouts Farmers Market (Phoenix, AZ).

Slices of real, frozen banana were covered in dark chocolate; and the dark chocolate shell had just the right firmness. It wasn't so flimsy that chocolate shards broke off in your lap (or on your new shirt). But it wasn't too thick either.
These refreshing and rich bites could be enjoyed a la carte—or, if you're feeling fancy, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dash of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey and some toasted walnuts.

Neo Cocoa - Dark Chocolate Mustache; Teaspoon - Oct. 19, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Neo Cocoa
Dark Chocolate Mustache with Pistachios
Good +++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31.1 g.) (estimate) for 1 mustache
Calories: 165 calories (estimate) in 1 piece/mustache
Cost: $5.00 for 1 chocolate mustache
Purchased from: Neo Cocoa table/booth (at Palo Alto Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA)

Welcome to Day #7 of And Now for Something Completely Different Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Mustache from Neo Cocoa (Belmont, CA) was studded with green, pistachio nut pieces and was quite delicious.

I imagine the Minister of Silly Walks, and others who love fun and chocolate might also approve.

hank you very much dear readers for accompanying us on this week filled with unique and unusual chocolates. We will be returning to more conventional programming tomorrow with a series of sesame chocolates.

In other green + chocolate news...

Later today, I also tried a California Snow Ice special with avocado snow, almonds, mochi, condensed milk and a drizzle of chocolate sauce at Teaspoon (Los Altos, CA location). The large "Husky" cup serving size looked quite large, but this shaved snow style frozen dessert was lighter and less overly sweet than it looked, and was a refreshing late afternoon treat.

"Serving the most unique bubble tea and snow ice desserts" is the Teaspoon (company) motto. And I couldn't I resist one last unique item this week.

Nada Moo! - Lotta Mint Chip Frozen Dessert - Mar. 25, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nada Moo (aka Nada Moo!)
Lotta Mint Chip Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup (37.5 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 70 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Lotta Mint Chip non-dairy frozen dessert was from Nada Moo (Austin, TX). The company's name roughly translates into nothing from a cow.

This organic, creamy, minty rendition of an ice cream classic was made with coconut milk. And the results were quite good. Cold flecks of chocolate balanced the creaminess with a slightly sharper, darker, and chewier accent flavor.

The contribution of coconut milk also contributed to this dessert's rich mouth feel and taste, making up for any lack of butter fat. At only 140 calories per 1/2 cup single serving, the coconut milk helped this frozen dessert taste a lot richer than I expected.

If you want to amp up the chocolate, I found it was good with homemade chocolate mint sauce too.

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

NadaMoo - Banana for PB and Chocolate - Jan. 15, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

NadaMoo!
Banana for PB and Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (71 g.) /1 Pint (473 mL) for 1 container
Calories: 120 calories for 1/2 cup
Cost: $2.00 (estimate) for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Bananas for PB and Chocolate from NadaMoo! (Austin, TX) was a non-dairy, frozen dessert made with organic coconut milk and agave nectar vs. traditional cream/milk and sugar.

The coconut milk helped give today's dessert a nice creamy melt and texture (giving it a richer taste than its 120 calories for 1/2 cup would suggest). Small pieces of real, frozen banana surfaced every few bites in a sea of chocolate. The peanut butter flavor was subtle.

One could easily make a "milkshake" with this NadaMoo dessert, by just adding a fresh banana and a splash of water in a blender.

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

Foxy's Pash - Wild Berry and Chocolate, with Basil - Aug. 22, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Foxy's Pash
Sneaky Pash - Wild Berry and Chocolate Flakes frozen yogurt
Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (67 g.) / 1 pint (473 mL) in 1 container
Calories: 110 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $2.49 for 1 pint container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

The Lamiaceae family encompasses a large family of flowering, aromatic mint plants, including spearmint and peppermint, as well as herbs like basil, rosemary, sage and lavender.

Basil is found more in savory dishes than sweet desserts; however it can provide a great flavor accent in (or atop) sorbets and fruit-flavored ice creams. And, like most members of the mint family, it harmonizes well with chocolate. A few tiny, fresh basil leaves helped balanced out the sweetness of today's frozen Wild Berry frozen yogurt.

This Sneaky Pash Wild Berry and Chocolate Flakes frozen yogurt was from Foxy's Pash (Ventura, CA). Foxy's packaging featured fun -- black and white photos of cheery people, reminiscent of 1950's product advertisements. And these happy, slightly frisky snaps were framed with pleasing pastel colored graphics.

NadaMoo - Gotta Do Chocolate - Aug. 15, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

NadaMoo
Gotta Do Chocolate - Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup (35.5 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL)
Calories: 60 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: $2.00 (estimate) for 1 Pint container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to the first day (Day #1) of Chocolate and Frozen Desserts Theme Week.

This week will be focused on ice cream and other frozen desserts that incorporate chocolate.

Today's "Gotta Do Chocolate" flavor of Organic, non-dairy ice cream from NadaMoo (Austin, TX) was made with coconut milk instead of milk and cream. This was nothing like the more granular or uncertain, icy melts sometimes present in other non-dairy options. Each chocolate mouthful of NadaMoo melted with a silken creaminess.

NadaMoo is a family business that started after making their coconut milk-based frozen dessert for locals. Now there are several certified organic, gluten free, vegan and kosher flavors more widely available in the U.S.