Marana - Chocotejas Guindon (Dry Plum), Lucuma y Nuez (Lucuma & Walnut); Sugar Plums - Nov. 25, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Marana Craft Chocolate

1.) Chocotejas - Guindon (Dry Plum)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 17.82 oz. (504 g.) in total box of 18
Calories: 145 calories in 1 piece 
Cost: $52.00 for 1 box of 18 pieces (6 flavors)
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

2.) Chocotejas - Lucuma y Nuez (Lucuma and Walnut)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 17.82 oz. (504 g.) in total box of 18
Calories: 145 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $52.00 for 1 box of 18 pieces (6 flavors)
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order?

3.) Andy's Orchard 
Sugar Plums
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.) (estimate) /9 oz. (estimate) for box of 6
Calories: (No information listed)
Cost: $24.00 for 1 box 
Purchased from: Andy's Orchard, Morgan Hill, CA

4.) Brandy cherries with cinnamon, cocoa
(Small batch - homemade)

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week. Today's four items featured holiday fruit (including cherries) and nut blends with chocolate(s).

Today's bountiful chocolate plate was heaped with two special Peruvian chocotejas confections: (1.) Dry Plum and 2.) Lucuma and Walnut) from Marana Craft Chocolate (Lima, Peru); 3.) "Sugar Plums" (with cherries and walnuts) from Andy's Orchard (Morgan Hill, CA); and 4.) homemade brandied cherries with cinnamon and cocoa.

Marana - Guindon (Dry Plum)
Aroma notes for this large, individually-wrapped, Peruvian bon bon included: dark chocolate and a complex, savory-sweet plum sauce (sweet and lightly salted plum, tomato cream sauce).

This substantial, filled confection's flavor notes included: rich, naturally sweet dark chocolate; and a diffuse blend of very faint salt brown sugar caramel and dried fruit (very lightly salted plum, then a deep dive into moist, delicious prune) that blended with the pieces of melting dark chocolate outer coating.

The moist prunes (dry plums) rocketed me back to childhood memories of Bee Ritchie's chocolate-covered prunes--from the formerly agricultural fruit basket region in the San Francisco Bay Area (South Bay).*  Dark chocolate with dry/dried stone fruit: a robust flavor blend.

Marana - Lucuma y Nuez (Lucuma and Walnut)

Aroma notes for this generously sized confection included: dark chocolate, botanical and rich nut (sweet green walnut, maple-like syrup), and very faint tart green-lemony herb (oxalis, wood sorrel, sour grass).

A creamy, rich, dark chocolate shell surrounded a soft fudge like center with large pieces of soft walnut. Flavor notes included: dark chocolate; brown sugar; faint dried fruit (fig); diffuse, sweet botanical; light caramel; and subtle, authentic walnut.

Andy's Orchard - Sugar Plums

Andy Mariani knows fruit; and his fruit orchard is one of the last of its kind in Santa Clara County. Perhaps best known for their Blenheim Apricots, the company's small orchard-adjacent store also stocks seasonal favorites, like today's wooden box of gold foil-wrapped "Sugar Plums" dried fruit and nut holiday confections.

Moist, tart sweet apricot layered over a plum, was topped with a layer of chopped walnuts and almonds and candied cherry. Sorry cherry, the apricot stole the show.

These Sugar Plums did not contain chocolate but were paired with chocolate(s). 

Homemade Brandied Cherries

Not much to say other than these cherries, soaked in brandy with a pinch of cinnamon and cocoa powder, can be a nice, rich addition to a holiday table or dessert. The alcohol in the brandy evaporates over time and some residual flavor remains.

*In the 1900s, Silicon Valley was known as the Valley of Heart's Delight. Gone are 90%+ of all those apricot, cherry, plum, walnut and almond orchards--replaced by office/technology buildings and homes. Happily Andy's Orchard is one of the few places one can still find chocolate-covered, locally-grown fruits in the South Bay/Santa Clara County.

 

The Yes Bar Co. - Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar) - July 28, 2023

Chocolate of The Day

The Yes Bar Co.
Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Westpoint Harbor (shop), Redwood City, CA

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

Today's Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots "snack bar for foodies" was from The Yes Bar Co. (Oakland, CA).

Aroma notes included: coconut, dried fruits (apricot, stone fruit, cherry, red berry) and very faint chocolate and warm spices (cinnamon, vanilla).

This chewy, fresh-tasting fruit and nut bar with chocolate chips had an appealing texture and flavor. 

Flavor notes included: coconut, nuts, tart sweet dried fruits (apricots, stone fruit, red fruit (cherry, berry), faint, fleeting warm spice (cinnamon), and soft bursts of chocolate flavor (chocolate chips). Macadamias have a very mild buttery flavor and are sometimes more difficult to detect in a blend like this; but I was aware of eating bits of nuts.

This vegan, gluten-free bar was full of appealing, authentic flavors and textures. The "chew" was just right--not too stiff, not too crumbly, and loaded with good things. And, best of all, it wasn't too sweet. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Macadamia Nuts, Maple Syrup*, Cashews*, Almonds, Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Liquor*,  Coconut Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Sunflower Seeds*, Pumpkin Seeds*, Coconut Butter*, Pecans, Coconut Nectar*, Dried Tart Cherries (Cherries, Sunflower Oil), Dried Apricots, Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower Oil), Sesame Seed Butter, Ground Flax Seeds*, Cinnamon*, Sea Salt, Vanilla Extract* (Alcohol*, Vanilla Extractives*, Water). *Denotes Organic Ingredients

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Tree Nuts (Almond, Cashew, Pecan, Macadamia, Coconut), Sesame." "Made in a gluten-free facility that handles eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, sesame, and tree nuts."

Sigona's Farmers Market - Pineapple Macadamia Milk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 3, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Sigona's Farmers Market
Pineapple Macadamia Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 3 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Pineapple Macadamia Milk Chocolate (bar) was a collaboration between Sigona's Farmers Market (Stanford Shopping Center, in Palo Alto, CA) and local chocolatier, Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA).

Aroma notes for this bar included: fresh, sweet, fruity chocolate with tropical fruit (sweet pineapple) notes.

My favorite aspect of this bar was the chewy, authentic (dried) pineapple pieces (from Sigona's) that were swimming in smooth, thick, creamy milk chocolate--that had light, sweet, caramel overtones. 

This pineapple (that Sigona's market sourced from a family farm in Costa Rica), even though it was dried, somehow still tasted very fresh. It was not overly sweet and it maintained its natural tropical, pineapple fruit flavor, texture and mouthfeel. 

Crunchy, roasted macadamia nuts* rounded out this trio and helped to balance the sweetness. A hint of vanilla added a trace of warm baked goods aroma.

Overall, this was a well executed collaboration, and a great use of ripe, flavorful dried fruit. 

Cacao seeds* (what most people call cacao beans) used to make chocolate offer very rich and versatile flavor (sometimes a little bitter and seedy). The inner core of cacao seeds also picks up flavor from a surrounding layer of cacao fruit pulp.** 

The cacao fruit pulp sugars fuel the fermentation and cacao flavor development process. This ivory-colored cacao fruit pulp dissolves and drains away during the fermentation process, leaving the cacao seeds (aka cacao "beans") behind. 

In today's case, the added pineapple evoked some of that native tropical fruit flavor I associate with making chocolate from the whole cacao fruit, close to the Equator. And the mac nuts and vanilla also reminded me of tropical vacations visiting cacao farms. These warm memories were appreciated, in the middle of a cold winter, looking outside at snow in the hills.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cane sugar, cocoa butter, full cream milk, cocoa beans, vanilla beans), dried pineapple, macadamia nuts.

Allergen-related information: (Contains dairy/milk.) "Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat."

* Yes, cacao beans are really seeds. And macadamia nuts can be considered seeds as well.

** Cacao fruit pulp has a flavor that can be difficult to pin down. Generally it is sweet and a little tart. Depending on the cacao variety (there are many), the fruit tastes like citrus, melon, and/or even a little like mixed tropical fruits, including pineapple or mango.

Woodside Chocolate Company - Dark chocolate with almonds, cherries - Jan. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Woodside Chocolate Company
Dark chocolate with almonds, cherries (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g. ) (estimate) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) (estimate) in total bar
Calories: 273 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00+ (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Village Bakery, Woodside, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Cherries Week.

Today's dark chocolate with almonds and cherries (bar) was from Woodside Chocolate Company in California.

The aroma notes for this relatively thick bar included: dark chocolate (bittersweet, very faint smokey vanilla), toasted almonds and dried cherries.

I enjoyed this blend of balanced, complex and harmonious flavors: hearty dark chocolate, crunchy almonds, bursts of chewy, tart-sweet cherries, and tiny sparkles of salt.

Ingredients: (none listed on packaging) Dark chocolate (chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla flavor), freeze-dried tart cherries, citric acid, natural cherry flavor.

Allergen-related information: (none listed on packaging)

 

Noi Sirius - Milk Chocolate with Raisins and Hazelnuts (bar) - Dec. 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Noi Sirius 
Milk Chocolate with Raisins and Hazelnuts (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 274.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: (retail store in Iceland) 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Iceland Theme Week. 

Today's Milk Chocolate with Raisins and Hazelnuts (bar) was produced by Noi Sirius (Reykjavik, Iceland).

Aroma and flavor notes for this well-tempered milk chocolate bar included: thick, sweet milk chocolate; light, buttery caramel; fleeting, faint clean mineral/light clay; crunchy hazelnuts; densely sweet, chewy dried grape (raisins); and very faint, fleeting warm spice.

This milk chocolate nut and fruit confection was rich and sweet. The fruit and nut elements added flavor and textural interest.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, emulsifier (soya lecithin), bourbon vanilla. Cocoa dry solids min. 33%), hazelnuts and raisins (min. 10%), sunflower oil. 

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy and tree nuts (hazelnuts). "Produced in a factory which works with milk, soya, tree nuts and wheat."

Note: This post was delayed due to international travel in Iceland and elsewhere.

Larabar - Banana Chocolate Chip bar - Jan. 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Larabar 

(Distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc.)

Banana Chocolate Chip bar

Good - Good + 

Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total box of 5 bars

Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.99 for 1 box of 5 bars

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

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

Today's Larabar Banana Chocolate Chip bar was distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc.--a division of General Mills, (Minneapolis, MN). Larabar fruit and nut snack bars were created by Denver, CO, native Lara Merriken. 

These bars had a soft chewy texture with natural-tasting fruit (date, banana) and nuts (almonds). Chocolate chips contributed subtle chocolate flavor, and helped round out this blend. There was no need for added sugars and, thankfully, none were added. Dates and bananas both have plenty of concentrated sweetness.

Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten free, vegan and dairy-free, this bar had no preservatives* and "just four ingredients." Not bad for a mass-produced snack bar, especially when compared with similar packaged snack bar offerings a few decades ago.

*Ingredients: dates, almonds, unsweetened bananas, semisweet chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla extract).

Mindo Chocolate Makers - 77% Chocolate with Tropical Fruits & Nuts (bar) - June 7 ,2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mindo Chocolate Makers
Pure 77% Chocolate with Tropical Fruits and Nuts (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 268 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mindo Chocolate Makers, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Ginger and Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Pure 77% Chocolate with Tropical Fruits and Nuts (bar) was made in Ecuador with cacao grown in Ecuador, and distributed by Mindo Chocolate Makers (Dexter, MI).*

The organic, shade-grown Nacional cacao used formed a uniformly smooth dark chocolate, allowing the fruit, nut and spice inclusion items to shine. High-quality pieces of bright, fresh-tasting fruits (pineapple, mango, dried orange peel) were incorporated into the bar. One could still taste the subtle flavor of the fresh macadamia nuts (thank you). And bits of candied ginger added a balanced sparkle to this blend.

The choice of a 77% smooth dark chocolate meant this bar was not overly sweet and that it lacked bold or bitter notes that would have overpowered the other flavors.

"Ingredients: Cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, macadamia, dried pineapple, dried mango, dried candied ginger, dried orange peel."

*Founders Jose Meza and Barbara Wilson of Mindo Chocolate Makers have facilities in both Mindo, Ecuador and in Michigan. (Mindo is a small town in a subtropical cloud forest area on the western slope of the Andes Mountains, about 2 hours from Quito, Ecuador.) 

The founders work with farmers in Ecuador to source fine flavor Nacional cacao. They have fermentation, drying and other facilities on-site in Ecuador, and this facility (as well as their Michigan location) can accommodate small groups for tasting and tours). And because of their presence in a cacao-growing region, they can offer jars of miel de cacao, cacao nibs, Ecuadorian vanilla beans and other interesting cacao-related products on their website.

Open Nature - Dark Chocolate Cherry fruit and and nut bar - May 2, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Open Nature
Dark Chocolate Cherry - fruit and nut bar
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Open Nature Dark Chocolate Cherry fruit and nut bar was distributed by Lucerne Foods, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA).

The flavorful bar was chewy, sweet and fruity (dried cherry and cranberry bits) blended with chocolate and nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts).

The label called out that the bar contained: "Vitamins A, C and E."

Off The Farm - Chocolate Fudge - July 17, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Off the Farm
Dark Chocolate Fudge
Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 290 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.35 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market, Pebble Beach, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Fudge bar was from Off the Farm (Palo Cedro, CA), a company created by a group of family and friends interested in producing a line of healthy bars and offerings that would be good for the planet.

This nutrition bar was packed with fruit (dates and apples), nuts (almonds and cashews), and four different kinds of seeds: sesame, pumpkin, sunflower and chia.

The dark chocolate in this gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO bar came from chocolate chunks and cocoa powder; and slightly chewy fudge bar contained 7 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber.

Larabar - Limited Edition Strawberry Chocolate Chip bar - April 7, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Small Planet Foods, Inc.
Limited Edition Larabar Strawberry Chocolate Chip bar
Good+
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total box of 5 bars
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 (estimate) for 1 box of 5 bars
Purchased from: Target Stores, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Larabar Limited Edition Strawberry Chocolate Chip bar from Small Planet Foods, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) was constructed with a relatively short list of ingredients: Dates, Almonds, Semisweet Chocolate Chips, Strawberries, Apples, Cocoa Powder and Sea Salt.

The original Larabar fruit and nut bar line was launched in May 2000 by founder Lara Merriken.

Natural tasting, not too sweet and very satisfying, this gluten-free, dairy-free, Non-GMO and vegan bar had balanced, rich dried fruit, cocoa and strawberry flavor.

NeoCocoa - Tart Cranberry truffles - Dec. 19, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

NeoCocoa
Tart Cranberry
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: .8 oz. (23 g.) / 2.4 oz. (69 g.) total box of 6 pieces
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $13.00 for 1 box of 6 pieces
Purchased from: La Cocina, San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nuts Theme Week.

How does one blend the delicious, slightly tart flavor of cranberry and orange during the holidays into chocolate? This combination can be found in relish, sauce, salads, energy bars and confections, but is harder to find in chocolates.

Fortunately, the busy elves at local San Francisco Bay Area chocolate company, NeoCocoa, made Tart Cranberry flavored truffles this season. These had well-balanced cranberry and bittersweet chocolate flavor with a hint of orange. The company's cube-shaped "hearts of truffles" were velvety soft truffle insides without the usual hard, glossy outer chocolate shells.

These chocolates shared a holiday snack plate with two festively-flavored snack fruit and nut bars: a Sahale Snacks Cranberry Almond with Black Pepper and Orange Zest bar, and a Sahale Tangerine Cashew with Vanilla and Mango bar. The black pepper added a little extra holiday accent sparkle.

Yves Thuries - 70% Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Oranges bar - Dec. 15, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Yves Thuries

70% Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Oranges

Good

Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 180 calories in  4 squares, or 1/3 bar

Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 bar

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

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nuts Theme Week. 

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Oranges was produced by Yves Thuries (Product of France, and distributed by SALPA Inc., Greenwich, CT).

This bar follows hot on the heels of yesterday's dark chocolate, blood orange pairing with slice almonds.

The cacao used for most Yves Thuries bars, including this one, is grown on their San Fernando plantation in the Guayaquil region of southern Ecuador.

Cacao originated in Central and South America. Oranges are from Asia, and almonds got their start in the Middle East, India and North Africa. Despite their different origins, they blend very naturally together. This happy fusion may have first surfaced in southern Europe or the Mediterranean, before spreading across the globe.

This bar was a nice mix of 70% dark chocolate, and natural tasting bits of caramelized almonds and orange bits (orange pulp, sucrose, apple, pineapple and orange natural flavor).

Godiva - Dark Chocolate Blood Orange bar - Dec. 14, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Godiva
Dark Chocolate Blood Orange bar
(Chocolat Noir A L'Orange Sanguine) bar
Good
Weight: 1.03 oz. (30 g.) / 3.1 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 147 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nuts Theme Week.

Some chocolate and fruit combinations seem to beg for the addition of nuts, and vice versa some chocolate and nut blends are great with fruit(s).

I felt compelled to pair today's Dark Chocolate Blood Orange bar from Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (New York, NY) with a small handful of sliced California almonds.

The 50% cacao bar had a smooth and even sweet dark chocolate flavor.* And tiny bits of Italian blood orange yielded a rich, high-end Creamsicle** aroma and provided a sweet, slightly tangy citrus sparkle in each bite.

The almonds, orange and chocolate were tres good together. The nuts helped balance out the relatively high level of sugar.

*The bar was made with cocoa processed with alkali (which tends to result in a smoother, less acidic chocolate).

**A Creamsicle was a frozen Popsicle-like treat with an orange ice covering over vanilla ice cream. Now owned by Unilever.

Sahale Snacks - Banana Pecan with Cocoa Nibs & Cinnamon bar - Dec. 13, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Distributed by Sahale Snacks
Banana Pecan with Cocoa Nibs and Cinnamon Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar / 5.6 oz. (160 g.) in box of 4 bars
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $?.?? for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nuts Theme Week.

Today's box of 4 individually-wrapped Banana Pecan with Cocoa Nibs and Cinnamon Bars were distributed by Sahale Snacks (Seattle, WA).

These bars were natural tasting and well-balanced, with a hint of banana bread and nuts. They had a pleasing chew to them (not too soft or too stiff). They had a rich flavor; the first ingredient listed was cashew butter (dry roasted cashews, date paste, brown rice protein).

Despite the sweet ingredients (bananas, dates) and tapioca syrup, caramelized sugar, they were refreshingly restrained in terms of sweetness. The dark chocolate flavor was supplied by cocoa nibs. Again, not too sweet, but flavorful. Light hints of cinnamon and vanilla gave the bar a slight warmth—a nice touch in the cooler months.

The Banana Pecan snack bar contained 5 grams of protein; and it was a satisfying bar for breakfast and as an any-time-of-day snack.

Cadbury - Fruit and Nut small bars - Oct. 3, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mondelez U.K.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut bar
Good
Weight: 1.27 oz. (36 g.) / 5.5 oz. (153 g.) in total package of 12
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving (3 packets)
Cost: $3.50 for 1 package (2 for $7.00)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Cadbury Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's package contained individually-wrapped small Cadbury Fruit and Nut milk chocolates (from Mondelez International/U.K.*).

The small 2-square, segmented rectangular pieces, stamped with the Cadbury logo, contained bits of raisins and almonds. (Early recipes apparently also contained Brasil nuts.)

These chocolates were a variation on the classic Fruit and Nut milk chocolate bar that was first introduced in the 1926 as Cadbury's Fruit and Nut bar. (In 2003 the company added the "Dairy Milk" designation.)

It's hard to write about long-lived, large companies like Cadbury without delving into history. Like many purveyors of cocoa in the early 1800s, John Cadbury and his brother started with tea, coffee and drinking chocolate.

Chocolate bars came later. And today's milk chocolate bar as we know it was not perfected yet; although the Swiss, French, British and others (including, later, Milton S. Hershey in the U.S.) were all vying for the a milk chocolate formula that would result in a viable milk chocolate bar.

Cadbury announced their first milk chocolate bar in 1897 (one of the first in the U.K.) and the Dairy Milk chocolate brand followed in 1905.)

Interestingly, today's product was distributed in the U.S. by The Hershey Company (Hershey, PA), under license from Cadbury UK Ltd. Hershey founder, Milton S. Hershey, traveled to Europe and the U.K. and would have seen what the Cadburys were doing. Hershey's development of a "model town", and boys school in Hershey, PA was likely modeled, at least in part, after Cadbury worker housing and other community projects for less well-to-do citizens.

*Mondelez International (formerly known as Kraft/Kraft Foods) has owned the British confectionery company since 2010. 

Sahale Snacks - Dark Chocolate Peanut + Berry Macaroon - Aug. 19, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sahale Snacks
Dark Chocolate Peanut - Layered Nut Bar
Good+
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate, Fruit and Botanicals Theme Week.

I enjoyed today's Dark Chocolate Peanut - Layered Nut Bar from Sahale Snacks (Seattle, WA), and a companion package of Berry Almond Macaroon Almond Mix (also from Sahale).

The word "natural" really meant something with these snacks. The company used higher-quality whole nuts, and preservative-free, dried fruit in their single-serving sized snack mixes. And their Dark Chocolate Peanut bar was satisfying without being too sweet.

Kit's Organic - Dark Chocolate Peanut bar - Aug. 7, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Clif Bar and Company
Kit's Organic
Fruit + Nut Bar - Dark Chocolate Peanut
Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information in 1 bar
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Today's Kit's* Organic Fruit + Nut Bar - Dark Chocolate Peanut bar was made in Canada and distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA).

This bar was moist and dense and had a naturally-sweet (but not too sweet) chewy, fruity and nutty brownie texture and taste.

I also enjoyed trying a few Chimes Peanut Butter Ginger Chews today. These small, individually-wrapped candies (available in original ginger and other flavors) had only four ingredients: cane sugar, ginger, tapioca starch and peanut butter. Simple, flavorful and, along with the Kit's bar, a good trail/walking snack.

*Kit Crawford is the real person (and co-owner of Clif Bar and Company) behind the line of Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut bars.

Mars - Goodness Knows - Peach and Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate - June 3, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mars
Goodness Knows - Peach and Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 package of 4 snack squares
Cost: $0.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Goodness Knows Peach and Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate snack squares were distributed by Mars Chocolate North America, LLC (Hackettstown, NJ).

Recently I sampled two other Goodness Knows snack square (chocolate) flavors.* Today's was my favorite of the three.

While all three had a sweet, malty flavor and crunchy, slightly chewy, nutty texture, the bright bits of peach and cherry offered the best fruit experience of the three. The fruit was mixed with chunks of almonds, peanuts and oats; and that mix sat on a base of dark chocolate.

This product was not labeled (or certified) as gluten free. That is, wheat wasn't in the ingredients list, but the packaging carried (as almost all mass produced products do) a "May Contain" advisory statement. In this case, these snack squares "May Contain Other Tree Nuts, Wheat and Eggs."**

*Other Goodness Knows snack square flavors sampled were: Cranberry Almond Dark Chocolate, and Apple Almond and Peanut Dark Chocolate.

** Oats sometimes come into contact with wheat in shared harvesting, milling and processing facilities. Here's a link to an explanation of how this cross-contact happens from www.gfcf.com 

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

Gorilly Goods - Dark Chocolate, Fruit and Nut - June 2, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Reallygoods
Gorilly Goods - Chocolate - Dark Chocolate, Fruit and Nut
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total package
Calories: 250 calories in 1 package
Cost: $ information not available
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to the last day (Day #11) of Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Theme Week.

Today's Gorilly* Goods Chocolate fruit and nut mix pieces were coated with 70% cacao chocolate.**

The chocolate (cacao beens, coconut palm sugar and cocoa butter) coated pieces tasted better than they looked***, with hints of fresh banana, cashews, coconut, pecans, raisins and walnuts.

The fruit tasted gently dehydrated, fresh and chewy-crunchy. (Nuts in this Gorilly Goods bar were soaked.)

This organic, raw/"live" snack mix was made by Reallygoods (Jackson, WI). The company also offers two other organic, vegan, gluten-free (non-chocolate) flavors: original and savory.

The Gorilly Goods team is also dedicated to powering their business with renewable energy, by choosing a 100% renewable option offered through their local utility company.

*The company "adopted" a gorilla. And two percent of net proceeds are designated to go to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

**The company created this offering with cacao from Big Tree Farms in Bali, Indonesia. 

***One of the most frustrating things as a producer of goods is that if boxes of chocolates are left even five minutes on a loading dock in hot sun between factory and consumer, this heat can cause "bloom." While this slight separation of cocoa fat from cocoa solids may affect appearance, it doesn't necessarily affect the taste. Such was the case today.

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

Theo Chocolate - Lemon, Almond Coconut bars - June 1, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate Inc.

Organic + Fair Trade 45% Lemon Milk Chocolate bar
Good - Good+
Weight: .75 oz. (21 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 125 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $4.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, San Francisco, CA

Almond and Coconut bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Powell's City of Books, Portland, OR

Spring is the season for flowers...and chocolate bars with fresh fruit and nut flavors. Specifically, two bars from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

Today's seasonal Holiday (spring) bars, may be sold out soon. (Only lemon was left on the Theo Chocolate website when I checked last week.)

The first bar was an Organic, Fair Trade Lemon chocolate bar made with 45% milk chocolate. Happily this gluten free, soy free, kosher bar (like most other Theo chocolates) contained only the basics, and no extra "stuff." (Ingredients: cane sugar, cocoa beans, cocoa butter, milk powder, lemon essential oil, ground vanilla bean.) The authentic lemon gave this bar a very pleasant flavor.

Theo Chocolate was one of the first companies to offer bean-to-bar, organic and fair trade certified chocolate. Founder, Joe Whinney, started working to bring organic beans into the eastern U.S. in the mid-1990s, before he moved west to Seattle.

The second spring holiday bar was an Organic, Fair Trade Almond Coconut bar made with 65% dark chocolate. The dark chocolate had a rich mouthfeel (in part due to added cocoa butter) and a slightly earthy flavor, intermixed with coconut and almond bits.

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