Sisters A. Chocolate - Bean-to-Bar 81% Cacao Dominican Republic Cherry & Juniper (bar) - June 25, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Sisters A. Chocolate 
Bean-to-Bar 81% Cacao Dominican Republic Cherry & Juniper (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.14 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.29 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing Information
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Mountains, Forests, and Gardens Theme Week. 

Today's Bean-to-Bar 81% Cacao Dominican Republic Cherry & Juniper (bar) was from Sisters A. Chocolate. The company was founded in Lutsk, Ukraine, by two sisters: Olena and Oleksandra.

Aroma and flavor notes included: hearty cacao/dark chocolate, fruit (dark ripe cherries, cacao fruit pulp, dark berry) and faint wood, light pine, and barely detectable earth.

For an 81% cacao chocolate, this satisfying bar was quite smooth in flavor. Rich in taste but relatively low in bitterness and acidity.

Texture: creamy, soft (almost pillowy) dark chocolate with intermittent crunchy bits (candied/crushed juniper berries (and possibly cacao nibs)).

I really enjoyed the well-executed (balanced) yet hearty complexity, authentic flavors, and the natural (low) sweetness level from the ("sublimated") cherries--that provided rich, dark fruit flavor. I also appreciated the thoughtful sourcing and short list of ingredients.

Ingredients: cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, freeze-dried cherry, juniper

Allergen-related Information: (No allergen information found on label)

Intrigue Chocolate - Juniper Berry & Black Lime 68% Dark (bar) - Aug. 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Juniper Berry & Black Lime 68% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Juniper Berry & Black Lime 68% Dark (bar) was created by Intrigue Chocolate (Seattle, WA).*

Aroma notes for today's bar included: dark chocolate; herbal berry (smooth, rich juniper, faint blueberry); and just the right amount of bright tart-sweet citrus (lime).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with small flecks of what I presumed was with tiny pieces of finely ground juniper berry or freeze-dried lime particles (or both perhaps).

I liked the balanced, well-executed blend of flavors in this 68% dark chocolate. The juniper berries were just right; adding intriguing herbal/berry flavor -- but not too strong. I could say the same for the authentic-tasting black lime. I wouldn't change anything about it.

Thank you to the makers for this unique and tasty bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Pungent juniper berry balanced by soft blueberry and vanilla notes, contrasted with the darkly mysterious aromatic juiciness of black lime."

Maker's description: "The scent of pine all around, packed earth under foot, sky reflected on an alpine lake, and air scrubbed clean by a surprise shower. This moment is too beautiful for trail mix...Juniper Berry and Black Lime is a late summer loop on a high-elevation Cascade trail." (Couldn't have said it better.)

Ingredients: "Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [emulsifier], natural vanilla flavoring), juniper berry, black lime"

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility with milk, soy and nuts"

*The company, previously based in Seattle, WA recently relocated to Chisholm, MN.

Ritual - Gin Juniper Lavender Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) + Intrigue - Fernet Branca Truffle - Dec. 11 , 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ritual Chocolate
Gin Juniper Lavender Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $11.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Intrigue Chocolate
Fernet Branca Truffle
Good ++
Weight: .314 oz. (8.9 g.) in 1 truffle / for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 49 calories for 1 truffle
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week, featuring two chocolates -- a gin-infused bar, and an Italian liqueur-inspired truffle.

Ritual Chocolate

Today's Gin Juniper Lavender Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) was made by Ritual Chocolate (Heber City, UT), using Barrel Aged Alpine Distilling Gin from Alpine Distilling (Park City, UT). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: authentic, fragrant and floral (lavender) botanical gin (with juniper) and dark chocolate.

The juniper and lavender both contributed fairly strong flavors--as did the sweet-tart acidity (citrus) taste and astringency in this dark chocolate It was interesting to try this very flavorful blend. However, for those who don't care for gin/juniper and/or lavender, you may find the intersection of all these bold flavors a little overwhelming. 

Maker's tasting notes: Juniper, Lavender, Cardamom, Orange Peel

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Juniper Berries, Lavender, Alpine Distilling Gin 

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes Wheat, Tree nuts"

Intrigue Chocolate - Fernet Branca* Truffle

Today's Fernet Branca* flavored chocolate truffle was created by Intrigue Chocolate (Seattle, WA). It was part of a larger assortment of different truffles.

This individually-wrapped, square dark chocolate truffle had pleasing, authentic mint and herbal (light liqueur) notes, including a slightly mellow richness--likely due to the practice of aging this liqueur in oak barrels. The creamy soft truffle (with a rich, buttery melt) was dusted with a generous amount of cocoa powder. 

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Dairy, Soy. 

*Fernet Branca is an Italian amaro liqueur made with "27 herbs from 4 continents" that's often served as an after-dinner digestif or before-meal appertif. 

Some ingredients said to be part of this recipe include: aloe, angelica, camomile, cardomom, cinchona, gentian, iris, myrrh, peppermint and rhubarb. (Some sources also say it may contain chocolate.) The base is distilled grape spirits.

Kasama Chocolate - Odd Society Wallflower Gin & Juniper 70% (bar) - May 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Kasama Chocolate
Odd Society Wallflower Gin and Juniper 70% Cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA 

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

Today's Odd Society Wallflower Gin and Juniper 70% Cacao bar (Batch No. 11) was made by Kasama Chocolate (Vancouver, B.C.).

This special release dark chocolate was made with cacao from Karkar Island, Papua New Guinea. 

The maker(s) went "all in" on infusing juniper flavor. The cacao was "aged in an oak cask for four weeks with Odd Society Distillery's Wallflower Gin, then (the cacao) was stone ground...with juniper berries."

Aroma notes for this 70% bar included: faint chocolate, citrusy evergreen; gin-soaked/pickled (small) cocktail onion (vinegar brine, black pepper, lemon); juniper berry; lemon/citrus jello; and an initial, very faint terpene/ammonia note that dissipated quickly after opening.

As is often the case with chocolate tasting, some aroma notes carried over to the flavor, and taking a bite yielded a much richer chocolate flavor (than was present in the aroma). 

The acidity was moderate, and the aroma notes mentioned above extended into the finish with a relatively bold, citrusy-evergreen taste (spruce/douglas fir tips, but not as delicate). 

A welcome flicker of blackberry at the end added some fruit and balance. (A little more of that luscious, ripe blackberry note please.)

The sweetness level was about right. It would be tough to go more sweet or less sweet with this unique juniper-flavored chocolate. Too sweet would mean losing touch with chocolate nuances, and might venture into cloyingly sweet cocktail territory. Too little, and the juniper might be a bit overwhelming.

Maker's tasting notes: "...aromas of fresh cut evergreens, and hints of orange blossom."

Ingredients: Gin Barrel Aged Cacao Nibs, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter*, Juniper Berries (*Organic).

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

Ritual Chocolate - Juniper Lavender Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) - Apr. 12, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Ritual Chocolate

Juniper Lavender Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar)

Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Trees and Bees Theme Week. We can thank, in part, juniper trees (berries), for today's featured bar.

Today's Juniper Lavender Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) was from Ritual Chocolate (Park City, UT).

The aroma of this bar--redolent of lavender flower buds and juniper berry--could be bottled and sold. It was heavenly. 

The flavor of these two powerfully aromatic botanical inclusions were skillfully blended with a relatively bold, dark cacao. There was a slight astringency that brought me back down to earth (often a natural component of juniper berries). Still an amazing bar though. I enjoyed the touch of unexpected red berry fruitiness and nicely balanced tart acidity and faint pine/evergreen/citrus (similar to edible Douglas Fir tree branch/needle tips).

A big thumbs up to the makers for orchestrating all these powerful flavors together so successfully.

For a super luxe tasting experience I look forward to buying this special bar again (if, fingers crossed, it is available); and using pieces or shavings to add to/garnish high-end desserts (or as a surprise guest square on fruit and cheese platters, small food plates).

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, dried juniper berries, culinary lavender.

Nordi - Juniper and Amber Caramel Dark Chocolate (bar) - June 23, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fazer Confectionery
Nordi Juniper and Amber Caramel Naturally Flavored Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good 
Weight: 1.67 oz. (47.5 g.) / 3.35 oz. (95 g.) in total bar
Calories: 255 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Bees and Trees Theme Week.

Today's Nordi Juniper and Amber Caramel Naturally Flavored Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Fazer Confectionery (Vantaa, Finland).

Fazer is a large Finnish company that produces a range of baked goods (e.g. organic rye bread), confectionery items (e.g. chocolate sandwich and other cookies) and chocolate bars and confections.

The aroma of today's 70% cocoa, Non-GMO project verified dark chocolate bar was both simple and complex. Different intervals yielded different notes -- simple, smooth dark chocolate at one pass, then sweet, almost savory (salt) and vaguely herbal floral and fruit related aromas. Every third bite or so yielded a faint hint of natural juniper*/pine aroma/flavor.

The smooth dark chocolate base was punctuated with sweet sparkles of crunchy caramel (sugar, glucose).

The flavors were relatively subtle and well balanced. I wouldn't have minded tasting a version that had a bit more juniper and a pinch of sea salt. 

*Junipers are needle-leafed evergreens that range from large shrubs to tall trees up to 40 feet (13 meters) in temperate zones. They can be found spread throughout northern latitudes. Juniper berries (the female seed cones produced by many juniper species) are the most commonly eaten part of a juniper tree and these berries have been used by Europeans and Native Americans in food and medicines for centuries. 

For the epicurious: Juniper berries are used in meat and stew recipes, in marinades, syrups, and as a flavoring for gin and other beverages. 

Trees in general provide many edible items that can be paired with chocolate. Spruce, pine and birch (downy and silver) trees are commonly encountered trees in Finland (where this chocolate bar was made). In many countries pine nuts, pine needles and pine bark have been consumed; so juniper berries would not have been such a great leap from here. (Sahti beer in Finland includes a juniper flavoring.)

La Naya Chocolate - Orange and Juniper bar - April 17, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

La Naya Chocolate
Orange and Juniper milk chocolate bar
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 229 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week; Day #1 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today's Orange and Juniper 54% milk chocolate bar from La Naya Chocolate (Lithuania).

The gluten free, organic dark milk chocolate bar was smartly dressed in botantically-themed and illustrated packaging. The chocolate was flat on the back side (as bars usually are) and a molded 3D sculpture on the front side.

The maker described his bar as "bean to emotion," likening the emotion evoked to a spring day at The Vatican...with the promise of victory, or words to that effect. That phrase did evoke a cuirous state of mind.

Chocolate Gems - CashMoo Cashew Round - April 6, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Chocolate Gems
Cashmoo (Round)
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) (estimate) for 1 round
Calories: 375 calories (estimate) for 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) round
Cost: $3.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Chocolate Gems, Asheville, NC

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

Today's CashMoo dark chocolate round from Chocolate Gems (Asheville, NC) was studded with chopped cashew nut pieces.

The rich, smooth dark chocolate base provided tasty chocolate flavor, and somehow managed not to extinguish the mild cashew nut flavor—a tough balancing act to pull off.

I also tried two other Chocolate Gems signature chocolates—a tall, pointed "Firecracker" chocolate with a spicy kick and fruit-flavored (strawberry I believe) pop rocks; and a Juniper Berry chocolate. The latter had an authentic, nicely balanced juniper flavor.

Chocolate Gems was/is located in an old hardware store building in downtown Asheville, NC.

Thank you to Isabel for her help in selecting chocolates.

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

Chocolates of Asheville, NC - April 4, 2016

Chocolates in Asheville, North Carolina

Chocolate Field Trip - April 2016

Below is a summary of findings from a recent chocolate field trip to Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheville's downtown area has an active street life. I'd been told it was a great food and art city, and that seemed true. There were healthy cafes and restaurants, as well as breweries and pubs that reminded me of a mix of Portland, OR, Austin, TX, and Santa Cruz, CA—but with a relaxed, Southern college town spin.

Below is a partial list of places I visited:

French Broad Chocolates
I visited the French Broad Chocolates Chocolate Lounge and Chocolate + Milk retail location (where they sell a variety of their bars including their own). I was also able to pick up a dark bar from Videri (Raleigh, NC), and a Toasted Sesame bar from Woodblock Chocolate (Portland, OR), as well as chocolate covered caramels, ice cream, and a single origin Nicaragua bar made by French Broad Chocolates.

Later this week, I'll be featuring interviews with co-founder, Dan Rattigan, as well as one of their cacao suppliers (Cacao Bisiesto) in Nicaragua.

Chocolate Fetish
Chocolate Fetish offered a variety of truffles, confections and some holiday-themed and other novelty chocolate sculptures. I picked up several, including a Cashew Turtle that I'll be featuring later today as part of Cashew Theme Week. Thank you to Anna for her help.

Unique flavor combinations included the company's "Blossom" chocolate (flavored with saffron, lemon and ginger).

Also, I saw what looked to be a chocolate cake (really a hollow chocolate shell) filled with small treats. Each "cake" comes with a hammer so you can put it on a plate and break it open to enjoy the treats inside—pinata style. And the store had a whole shelf dedicated to high-heeled shoes, rendered in chocolate.

Chocolate Gems
Another interesting downtown Asheville chocolatier was Chocolate Gems. I sampled a Juniper Berry truffle that was fresh, balanced and flavorful, and brought home a few other items to try. Thanks to Isabel for her help.

They also offered some sculpted chocolate novelty items, such as a beautifully rendered cacao pod. The kitchen set caught my eye (that included a chocolate saucepan with lid).

Black Mountain Chocolate
Black Mountain Chocolate (formerly just outside of Asheville) moved to Winston Salem, NC. Although quite a few places in downtown Asheville seemed to carry their bars. I bought one of their Sea Salt bars at Green Sage Cafe (downtown Asheville location).

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

Mango Juniper bar - June 26, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Antidote Chocolate (Tripple Red Corp)
Mango Juniper bar
Good
Weight: .92 oz. (26 g.) in 4 squares / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 4 squares
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - sample, The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

In the world of chocolate, bold flavor experiments yield surprising, and often delightful results. Today's Antidote Chocolate Mango Juniper dark chocolate (84% cacao) bar held promise in this category.

I braced myself after seeing the tasting notes inscribed on the bar packaging. "Potent and aromatic" the description read. On the back of this package was a reference to the Greek goddess, Hybris. Known for her pride and insolence, the goddess was also cited as "the Antidote to fear and timidity."

The Flavors...
Despite this build-up, this chocolate was balanced and interesting, and nothing to fear. Each small rectangle of mango embedded in this dark bar sparkled with fresh, authentic and sweet flavor. The juniper berries were surprisingly restrained. Juniper must be a challenging ingredient to incorporate. Its woodsy, spicy, and pine-like qualities call for a great mixologist with good instincts and a steady hand. (I've been delightfully surprised by chocolates made with Douglas Fir (Douglas Fir truffle from Soma Chocolatemaker), Spruce and other tree-related ingredients in the past, and am always interested in new plant-based creations.)

The Chocolate...
Today's vegan and gluten free dark chocolate bar was relatively subtle for an 84% cacao bar. The mild, almost flat cacao profile (common with raw chocolate) allowed the flavor additions to poke through nicely. Part of this subtle, lower-acid, only slightly bitter profile was due to the 50/50 blend of raw + roasted "Arriba" cacao beans (from certified organic farms) in Ecuador. The inclusion of some roasted beans helped elevate and balance the flavor a bit, while preserving what I presume are higher levels of antioxidants and "raw nutrients" present with beans not exposed to higher temperatures.

The Creative Talent...
Hats off to "austrian chocolate empress" Ms. Red R. Thalhammer, and her team, for creating fearless and surprising flavor blends. Yesterday's rose salt + lemon bar was quite nice, and I look forward to trying more Antidote bars in the future.

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Surprise Me Theme Week.