Dandelion Chocolate - Lemon Lavender & Yuzu Lychee - Apr. 10, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Dandelion Chocolate
Petrova Chocolates Garden Party Collection (assortment box)
1.) Lemon Lavender - Good ++
2.) Yuzu Lychee - Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.67 oz. (47.4 g.) / 6.7 oz. (193 g.) in total box of 16 chocolates
Calories: 270 calories (estimate) in 4 chocolates 
Cost: $79 (estimate) for 1 box
Purchased from: Dandelion Chocolate, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Petrova Chocolates Garden Party Collection from Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA) was a collaboration with Betty Petrova, of Petrova Chocolates (Boston, MA). 

The collection featured 8 different flavors (2 pieces each), covered in 70% House Blend dark chocolate from Dandelion (cocoa beans, organic cane sugar). Below are the two* lovelies I selected today.

Lemon Lavender

Aroma notes: gentle sweet citrus (lemon) and lilting lavender floral 

Texture: firm dark chocolate silky soft and smooth centers 

Flavor notes: balanced, tangy lemon and gentle lavender 

I enjoyed the authentic lemon and lavender flavors and the overall balance with the chocolate. The lavender used was organic Bulgarian lavender. I also liked the subtle complexity and the fact this filled chocolate didn't seem overly sweet.

Yuzu Lychee

Aroma and flavor notes included: very subtle, jammy, tart sweet citrus (yuzu) and slightly floral, fruit (lychee). These two fruit flavors harmonized perfectly and the bright, floral notes in the lychee made the whole blend sing.

Texture: Thin firm, dark chocolate shell contained silky, soft ganache filling.

I enjoyed this chocolate a lot. And I appreciated the quality of the Dandelion chocolate and other ingredients in this spring collection.

*I was unable to try the Pistachio Rose; Blood Orange & Black Sesame; Concord Grape Tart flavors in this assortment as they contained wheat/praline/. (Thankfully that limitation saved me from eating too many.)

Allergen-related information: The overall assortment contained at least some pieces with wheat or sesame.

Tavi - Rich Dark - 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate single origin Colombia (bar) - Jan. 10, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Tavi Chocolates 

Rich Dark - 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate single origin Colombia (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (27 g.) oz. / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 oz. of (1/3 of) bar
Cost: $11.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Lemon Pop - White Chocolate, Lemon & Popping Candy (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (27 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $11.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Citrus Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Tavi Rich Dark 72% Cacao and the Tavi Lemon Pop White Chocolate bars were  manufactured by Vast Company SAS in Bogota, Colombia, and Imported into the U.S. by Tavi Chocolates Essoel, LLC (Miami, FL).

Rich Dark 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (fudge, floral (vanilla), and faint, diffuse fruit (light, complex cherry, ultra-dark, black forest cake chocolate cake)).

Texture: smooth, with a uniform melt

I enjoyed the smooth, balanced, chocolate-y flavors. Not too dark or bitter, not ultra-sweet. (Relatively smooth for 72% cacao dark chocolate.) This will be in the "just right" zone, except for most dark chocolate lovers.

Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecit(h)in, Vainilla sic)).

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. "Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Products Containing Milk, Peanuts and Other Tree Nuts."

Lemon Pop White Chocolate, Lemon & Popping Candy (bar)

Aroma notes for this white chocolate bar included: very faint citrus (sweet, lemon candy) and sweet white chocolate.

Texture: smooth and relatively creamy with sparkles of lemon and popping candy. 

Flavor: sweet, white chocolate flavored with sweet, lightly sparkling, lemony candy.

The pop rocks added a touch of fizz, flavor excitement and fun. Otherwise, this chocolate was pure "white" and lacked trace cacao bean (cacao solids) flavors* -- usually the case with white chocolate.

Ingredients: White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Vanilla Extract), Pop Rocks (Sugar. Glucose Syrup), Natural Lemon Flavor (50% Lemon Powder, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Products Containing Milk, Peanuts and Other Tree Nuts."

* Most commercial white chocolates contain deodorized cocoa butter.

Olive and Sinclair - Candied Lemon Chocolate 75% Cacao (bar) - Jan. 5, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Olive and Sinclair
Candied Lemon Chocolate 75% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 410 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Candied Lemon Chocolate 75% Cacao (bar) (Batch No. 012327) was from Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co. (Nashville, TN).

Aroma notes included: smooth dark chocolate, faint malt (malty cracker) and lemon cookie/biscuit.

Texture: relatively smooth, stone-ground dark chocolate with bits of candied lemon and occasional tiny sparkles of sea salt. 

Flavor notes included: smooth 75% dark chocolate (Ecuador), faint malt, and multi-dimensional sweetness (brown sugar, candied lemon). I enjoyed the perfect balance of dark chocolate, lemon and sea salt in this bar. This was bittersweet at its very, balanced, best.

Each of the elements harmonized well with each other in this blend of smooth, 75% stoneground cacao, upbeat citrus, subtle brown sugar and (Maldon) sea salt, to create a sophisticated and delicious bar. Not too sweet. Not too dark. Not too bitter. Just right. This bar landed squarely in the Goldilocks* zone for me.

Maker's tasting notes: "Chewy candied lemon brings out the brightness of our 75%...chocolate" 

Ingredients: "Cacao Beans, Brown Sugar, Candied Lemon, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts"

*The Goldilocks reference is to "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," a story based on a European/American folktale/fairy tale. In most recent versions of this story, a young girl (Goldilocks) visits the home of three bears (who are out on a walk) and tries their bowls of porridge, chairs and beds belonging to each of the three bears. Goldilocks selects items that were neither too hot nor too cold, and were not too hard or soft. She selects the porridge, chair and bed that were "just right" for her. 

Eventually, the bears come home to find Goldilocks asleep on the baby bear's bed. The girl wakes, and runs out before anything happens to her. One assumes the bears were left scratching their heads, and were not entirely happy about the intruder.

Some astronomers have also used the expression "the Goldilocks zone" to describe planets that may possess the right characteristics (not too cold, not too hot, etc.) to support life.

 

TCHO - "Lemon Twist" Dark Chocolate With A Lemon Filling, Sea Salt & Extra Virgin Olive Oil (bar) - Jan. 1, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

TCHO
"Lemon Twist" - 67% Cacao (Shell) With A Lemon Filling, Sea Salt & Extra Virgin Olive Oil (bars)
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total package of 3 bars
Calories: 220 calories in 2 bars (2/3 package)
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: TCHO, online order

Happy New Year to you all! And, welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & Citrus Theme Week. 

Like chocolate, lemons are tremendously versatile when it comes to flavor pairings. They both can go sweet or savory; and, happily, they both harmonize well with each other.

Today's bright "Lemon Twist" -- a package of 3-individually-wrapped "67% Cacao (Shell) With A Lemon Filling, Sea Salt & Extra Virgin Olive Oil" (bars) from TCHO Ventures Inc. (Berkeley, CA) offered upbeat holiday + citrus cheer.

Aroma notes for these bars included: dark, very slightly earthy chocolate and citrus (lemon). 

Texture: firm, dark chocolate-y exterior with a slightly softer, fondant-like lemon filling. The olive oil added smoothness and subtle flavor depth.

Flavor notes included: a blend of balanced bitter and sweet, with dark, slightly earthy 67% chocolate, tart-sweet and very slightly bitter lemon; and a nice light touch of salt to balance the bitter and the sweet. A tiny hint of vanilla added sweet warmth.

I liked the cheery, authentic and balanced lemon and chocolate flavors; and I appreciated TCHO's decision to use organic, fair trade and gluten-free ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*+, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*+, Gluten Free Oat Flour* (Oat Flour*, Natural Vitamin E), Freeze Dried Lemon Powder*, Extra Virgin Olive Oil*, Sunflower Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin*, Sea Salt), Turmeric*, Citric Acid, Lemon Oil*, Vanilla Beans*

(* = Organic, + = Fair Trade Certified (TM); Over 53% Fair Trade Certified (TM) Ingredients)

Allergen-related information: May contain tree nuts.

*I've been enjoying the lemon tree in my yard for almost 20 years now. 

Raaka Chocolate - Blueberry Lemon 60% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate
Blueberry Lemon 60% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 129 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Blueberry Lemon 60% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY).

Cacao source: Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania. (Kokoa Kaimili "purchases freshly harvested cacao from over 4,000 farmers in the Kilombero Valley of Tanzania." And Raaka sources cacao from them.*) 

Aroma and flavor notes included: deep, dense dark chocolate; earthy dark berry (blueberry, dark cherry); and bright citrus (lemon). 

Texture: well-tempered (broke with a hard snap in a cold room); relatively smooth and creamy.

I liked that the whole dark, this chocolate wasn't too bitter. The blueberry and lemon (powders) tasted authentic and were thoroughly integrated with the dark chocolate. The lemon was indeed "bright and refreshing" and served to balance out the darker cacao and blueberry elements in this bar.

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

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic blueberry powder, organic lemon powder

Allergen-related information: ("organic, vegan, allergy friendly...nut free")

*Raaka Chocolate has been good about sharing cacao sourcing information. E.g., they paid on average of $5.12/kg to Kokoa Kamili from 2020 to 2023. This was higher than the fair trade commodity price of $2.85/kg.) This information was printed on the inner wrapper of today's bar. The cost of cacao and chocolate market prices have risen significantly since 2023; and I respect makers who are hanging in there--and still sharing information about what farmers are being paid during these challenging times.

Charles Chocolates - Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Charles Chocolates 
Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet.

Today's Candied Lemon & Hazelnut 65% Bittersweet Chocolate (bar) was from Charles Chocolates (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, toasted nuts (hazelnut) and tart, sweet citrus (lemon). 

Texture: thick dark chocolate with a slow, relatively creamy melt; crunchy toasted hazelnuts; and softly chewy, candied lemon peel pieces. 

I liked the nutty, chocolate flavors and aftertaste and the overall fruit, nut and chocolate flavor blend. The lemon peel added bright citrus sweetness.

"We deep roast Oregon hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts and combine them with candied lemon peel, sultanas and our rich bittersweet chocolate."

Ingredients: 65% bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), hazelnuts, candied lemon peel (lemons, sugar), pistachios, sultanas, pine nuts.

Allergen-related information: Contains: tree nuts -- hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts. "Manufactured in a facility that also processes products containing tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat and soy."

Antidote - Lemon confit + Licorice 84 dark (bar) - Sept. 22, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Antidote
Lemon confit + Licorice 84 dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Antidote Lemon confit + Licorice 84 dark (bar) was made in Ecuador. 

The company is the creation of Red Thalhammer in the U.S. who is "NY/Miami based with Austrian roots." A former Art Director, who was introduced to European chocolate as a child, she has been creating interesting flavor inclusion chocolate bars (many with different fruits, spices and botanicals) since 2009.

The cacao used to make this bar was listed as "Nacional Complex." Nacional is a relatively rare cacao native to Ecuador (and is also found in Peru), often described as having a fine aroma and complex flavor profile.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate with citrus (lemon marmalade) and very faint sweet herbal/spice.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate interspersed with chewy bits of candied/sweet lemon peel. 

I enjoyed the blend of dark, smooth and balanced chocolate and sweet, tart lemon peel. This chocolate tasted more like a 72% cacao than an 84% cacao bar -- making it a little less intense for those who prefer milder chocolates while not compromising for dark chocolate fans. The licorice was very subtle--adding an authentic, light, naturally sweet herbal flavor that harmonized well with the chocolate and the lemon.

Ingredients: (84% cacao Nacional Complex) cacao beans, whole cane sugar, cacao butter, lemon peel, licorice root, sunflower lecithin. 

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles milk, soy & nuts. Vegan, Gluten Free, Kosher"

Taza - 70% Dark Chocolate Lemon Cookie Crunch (bar) - Sept. 17, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate Lemon Cookie Crunch (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Taza, online order 

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

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Lemon Cookie Crunch (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). 

Taza founders have been making stone ground ("perfectly unrefined") chocolate bars, discs and confections since 2005--and were early adopters of organic cacao and direct trade efforts/practices.

There was no tea in this bar, but this lemon cookie 70% chocolate paired well with a creamy matcha tea latte and with an aromatic black tea with citrus notes.

Aroma notes included: lemon, lemon cookie, dark chocolate and vanilla.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate and crunchy (lemon cookie bits)

Flavor notes included: sweet lemony flavor and lemon cookies that lightened up the earthy dark chocolate. 

The bright, light floral qualities of the creamy smoothness of the matcha green tea latte (pairing item) complemented the sweet lemon cookie and helped reduce the spikier/bolder earth notes in the 70% dark chocolate. (The cacao used to make this chocolate was from The Dominican Republic.) A high-quality black tea with a squeeze of lemon also worked nicely.

Always a pleasure to explore different chocolate + tea pairings and to try to get everything to harmonize. I was hoping to try a pairing without adding dairy, but the matcha latte (with milk) seemed to be the best pairing match.

I appreciated the use of organic, fair trade and less processed ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Lemon Cookies* (Gluten Free Whole Oat Flour*, Cane Sugar*, High Oleic Safflower Oil*, Pear Juice from Concentrate*, Tapioca Starch*, Lemon Juice from Concentrate*, Lemon Extract*, Salt, Pure Vanilla Extract*, Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Sunflower Lecithin*, Xanthan Gum, Rosemary Extract*), Cocoa Butter*, Lemon Flavor Oil* (Sunflower Oil* and Natural Flavors), Sunflower Lecithin*. (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: May Contain Traces of Tree Nuts and Sesame Seeds.

Dick Taylor Chocolate - Lemon & Bergamot 65% Belize (bar) - June 10, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Dick Taylor Chocolate
Lemon & Bergamot 65% Belize (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Citrus Week, featuring a series of chocolates with citrus flavor inclusions.

Today's Dick Taylor Lemon & Bergamot 65% Belize (bar) was made by Dick Taylor Chocolate (Eureka, CA)--a company founded by serial creatives and skilled chocolate makers Adam Dick and Dustin Taylor.

The cacao used to make this bar was sourced from Maya Mountain Cacao in southern Belize, a region steeped in cacao cultivation history.

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet citrus (lemon); smooth, very slightly fruity dark chocolate; and faint fruity-floral tea (bergamot) notes.

This chocolate bar broke with a well-tempered snap, and was quite smooth in texture, melt and mouthfeel. Sprinkled across the back of the bar: tiny sparkles of crystallized, lemon-flavored sugar.   

This bright citrus star of a bar would make an excellent dessert bar after a meal, or a high-end snack. It was sweet (without being overly so) and relatively addictive. 

Maker's tasting notes/description: "Tart crystallized lemon and a hint of bergamot oil are mixed into our silky 65% Belize dark chocolate. The blend of bergamot and lemon creates a perfect balance of citrus brightness and floral undertones." 

Ingredients: Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Crystallized Lemon (Citric Acid, Lemon Oil, Lemon Juice), Bergamot Oil (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Processed on Equipment with milk, tree nuts, wheat and peanuts. 

Intrigue Chocolate - Jasmine Green Tea Turkish Bay Leaf Lemon 67% Dark (bar) - Jan. 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Jasmine Green Tea Turkish Bay Leaf Lemon 67% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Jasmine Green Tea Turkish Bay Leaf Lemon 67% Dark (bar) was made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, clean green herb/green tea, subtle citrus (lemon) and faint, diffuse herb/warm spice.

Texture: The bar broke with a well-tempered snap, and had a smooth, pleasing texture and melt with barely detectable, almost fully incorporated, very fine, tiny herb (bay leaf)/tea particles that were almost crunchy (not gritty). All these elements worked well together from both a textural interest and flavor perspective.

I enjoyed the choice of 67% cacao dark chocolate. It was smooth and not overly sweet--letting the flavor inclusions shine. 

The jasmine green tea, bay leaf and citrus flavors were well-balanced, complementary and subtle--causing me to lean in with interest to catch the nuanced notes. It was an intriguing chocolate. Not too woodsy or herb-y or lemon-y, just right. 

The choice of Turkish Bay Leaf meant it was a subtler, gentler bay note. (I live in California and our bay laurel trees (a different species) are potent and give some people headaches.*)

The floral (jasmine) notes were hard to pick out, but the "light" refreshing notes that I associate with floral green tea (and bay) were still somehow felt in the mix. (It's the difference between a walk in the woods in May vs. October in the Western U.S.)

Makers tasting notes/description: "...Floral and cool wood aromatics, lightly tannic and mineral, with a bright finish."

Ingredients: "Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [emulsifier], natural vanilla flavoring), jasmine green tea, bay leaf, lemon powder"

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

*California Bay Laurel trees (and leaves) have a stronger menthol note to them (think Eucalyptus) than milder, more tea-like, Laurel trees from European/Mediterranean regions. I found this description of the two online:

"Turkish bay leaves are shorter and fatter, more oval-shaped, and may or may not have a point. California bay leaves are longer and slender with a point, like a spearhead." 

Yes, and like a spear, a single California bay leaf goes a long way. Some people like its "nutmeg and camphor notes." I like the flavor punch it gives some items, like vanilla ice cream and certain slow-cooked soups and stews--if used sparingly.)

Zotter Chocolate - Gin & Lemon Dark milk chocolate 60% gin ganache, lemon cream (bar) - Dec. 7, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter Chocolate
Gin & Lemon Dark milk chocolate 60% gin ganache, lemon cream (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 360 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotter US, online order 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Gin & Lemon Dark milk chocolate 60% filled with gin ganache, lemon cream (bar) was from Zotter Chocolate US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, spirits (gin) sour-sweet lemon (and almost lime, other citrus), and very faint coconut (there was no coconut) and warm spice.

A thin layer of smooth, 60% dark chocolate surrounded a soft, but substantial, lemony, gin-infused filling that had a range of bright, citrus-like flavors (lemon, tart apple, grapefruit), and very faint vanilla.

The faint juniper note in the gin and the citrus provided an authentic gin cocktail flavor. 

I enjoyed this flavorful, very slightly boozy bar made with 85% Organic ingredients (and several Fairly Traded ingredients as well). It teetered on the edge of too many flavors and spices (star anise, cloves, cardamom), but it worked. 

Those adults I've shared this bar with so far have all given it a thumbs up. (Because of the alcohol in this bar, I only shared this with adults.*)

Ingredients: Cocoa Mass**, Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Butter**, Dry Whole Milk, Gin*(7%), Invert Sugar Syrup*, Dry Skim Milk, Lemon Juice (2%), Glucose Syrup*, Dry Sweet Whey, Lemon Juice Concentrate*(0.5%), Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder**, Grapefruit Concentrate*, Apple Balsamic Vinegar*, Cinnamon**, Star Anise*, Cloves*, Cardamom* (* = Organic (85% Organic) (** Organic and Fair Traded)

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

* Children can have remarkably sophisticated palettes when it comes to dark chocolates. And I'm often interested in hearing their opinions if I'm sharing chocolate with a family. 

Years ago I was surprised to see that some under 10 years old even liked darker (>70% cacao) chocolates as well. I would still limit the dose to under 1 oz. (28 g.); but there you go. You can't generalize about people, at any age. Everyone has different tastes and preferences. 

 

Bonus entry: Matcha white chocolate bars from 3 chocolate makers - July 9, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade
Green herbs and Matcha tea in White Chocolate with Lemon oil (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Deux Cranes
Sakura + Matcha Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 177.5 calories (estimate) in .5 oz. of  bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Sweet Shop, Los Altos, CA 

Fjak Chocolate
Limited Edition - Sea Buckthorn & Matcha White Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 161 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. of bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Japan Theme Week. My Chocolate of the Day was a Hojicha Hot Chocolate from Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco, CA). 

This bonus post includes three white chocolates (made with cocoa butter, but no cocoa solids*) that all contain Matcha green tea. These Japan-inspired flavor fusions of east and west were fun to try.

Green Herbs, Matcha, Lemon (bar)

This pretty bar was created in Budapest (Hungary), using Matcha green tea from Japan. But, that was just the starting point.

This creamy, jade-hued bar was a blend of bright lemon citrus, mint, green tea and green herb (tarragon). This beautifully patterned green bar was a refreshingly sweet summer white chocolate; and it offered perhaps the freshest spring-summer botanical bouquet of the three.

Sakura + Matcha (bar)

Deux Cranes (Los Gatos, CA) uses flavors from Japan and French (Valrhona) chocolate to make their bars and creations. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this jade green and pink bar included: sweet green tea and very faint floral cheesecake, vanilla and cherry. (It contained both Sakura (cherry blossom) leaf powder and flower petals.) (Extra points for authentic Japanese ingredients.)

The slightly astringent, authentic green tea lingered into the finish. And the faint cherry blossom note gave this bar some extra floral polish.

Sea Buckthorn & Matcha (bar)

Fjak Chocolate is based in Eidfjord, Norway; and many of their most memorable bean-to-bar offerings include local Norwegian flavors (like apple cider; berries; reindeer moss; brown cheese). 

This Limited Edition bar was part of Fjak's "World Flavours" collection. Matcha was paired with a local orange "sea berry" (that grows on tall bushes in Northern Europe, Mongoloia, Russia--and Canada).

This elegant bar was beautifully constructed using two (fused) layers: a sea green matcha green tea layer on the bottom was topped with a golden colored (sea buckthorn) layer. The tea and fruit additions were wholly incorporated into the smooth two-toned chocolate.

The green layer was initially fairly green tea forward. Then the top layer kicked in. It was infused with tart-sweet fruit flavor (sea buckthorn, cape gooseberry, very faint tamarind). The two layers harmonized nicely and gave me a chance to better enjoy each of these two complementary flavors even as they melted into one.

The tart-sweet Sea Buckthorn fruit livened the tea up a bit -- like squeezing sweet, fresh lemon to a cup of black tea.

Summary

I loved that all three gently complex and balanced bars were not overly sweet (thank you!); and all were visually appealing, thoughtfully designed and well-executed white chocolates--blended with authentic-tasting green (Matcha) tea and fresh fruit/floral/herbal flavor inclusions.

*I don't "count" white chocolates as a formal Chocolate of the Day; but they can be fun extra entries in theme weeks.

Megan's Candied Lemon Blossom Dark Milk Chocolate + Lemon Cookies - April 14, 2024

Chocolate of The Day

Megan's Homemade Chocolate
Candied Lemon Petal Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) (estimate) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) of bar
Cost: N/A - gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)

Tate's Bake Shop
Gluten Free Lemon Cookies
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g) / 7 oz. (198 g.) total package
Calories: 150 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Baked Goods with Chocolate Series; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Umami Theme Week.*

Lemon items ruled the day and included: candied lemon blossoms in chocolate; lemon oil and flavoring in lemon cookies; umami-like preserved (salted, fermented)* lemons (with umami vegetable side dishes and chicken and mushrooms); and smoked lemonade. 

Today's beautiful and tasty Candied Lemon Petal Dark Milk Chocolate bar was made especially by Megan, using a hamsa hand-shaped mold. (Thank you Megan!)

Candied Lemon Blossom Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)

Aroma notes included very appealing lemon/citrus floral and dark chocolate.

Texture: creamy smooth dark milk chocolate interspersed with delicately textured candied floral petal bits.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate and pleasing, lemon floral complexity (undulations of nuanced lemon fruit, lemon blossom, light lemon pulp/rind).

Ingredients: Dark chocolate, candied lemon blossom petals

Allergen-related information: Contained milk.

Gluten Free Lemon Cookies

Today's Gluten Free Lemon Cookies were from Tate's Bake Shop (Southampton, NY).

Aroma notes included: baked, buttery, sweet lemon cookie/cake.

Texture: thin cookie with crispy texture and buttery mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: sweet, crispy, lemony, buttery cookie and a very faint touch of salt. This is the kind of gluten-free cookie I like. Fresh, flavorful and not bulky, bland and doughy.

Ingredients: "Rice flour, Sugar, Butter, Liquid egg white, Natural flavor, Milk, Lemon oil, Baking powder, Xanthan gum, Salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk and Eggs. May contain tree nuts and soy."

*Foods high in "umami" flavor include tomatoes, mushrooms, peas, cheeses, certain meats, foods with MSG, and other items that are high in glutamate (or contain MSG) and/or that have savory flavor. Fermented foods (included preserved, salted lemons) also tend to be higher in umami-like flavor.

 

Maya - 65% Dark Chocolate with Raspberry (bar) & Castronovo - White Chocolate Lemon Sea Salt (bar) - Feb. 14, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day 

Maya Chocolates
Raspberry - 65% Dark Chocolate with Raspberry (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31.2 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62.4 g.) in total bar
Calories: 171 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Castronovo Chocolate
White Chocolate Lemon and Lemon Salt (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 95 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Castronovo Chocolate, online order

Happy Valentines Day and welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week. 

Today's two chocolate bars sampled together were the perfect blend for hearts and chocolate day -- a yin and yang blend of dark chocolate and red fruit + white chocolate yellow citrus and sea salt sunshine. 

Maya Chocolates - Raspberry 65% Dark (bar)

Aroma notes included: citrus (sweet, tart lime), red raspberry and dark chocolate.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate and bits of berry pulp and crunchy raspberry seeds.

Flavor notes included: chocolate-y (rich fudge brownie) and authentic red raspberry.

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Freeze Dried Raspberries"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk (and) other tree nuts."

Castronovo - White Chocolate Lemon, Lemon Salt (bar) 

Aroma notes included: authentic, refreshing whole lemon (rind and fruit) and sweetness.

Smooth, creamy white chocolate (with fully incorporated/infused lemon and just the right touch of lemon sea salt) made for a very well-balanced, flavorful and enjoyable white chocolate. 

Castronovo chocolate maker, Denise Castronovo, cited memories of "Nanny's lemon meringue pie", light lemon desserts and Italian cookies (with lemon zest and icing) as her inspirations for this lovely bar.

Note: While I don't "count" white chocolate as a daily chocolate, I do feature ones I really like (that aren't too sweet), paired with a dark or milk chocolate on the same day.

Ingredients: "cocoa butter*, cane sugar*, whole milk*, lemon, lemon sea salt (*organic ingredients)"

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk. Made in a nut-free facility that uses wheat."

Weinrich's - Wodka Lemon Vollmilch Schokolade (bar) - July 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Weinrich's 1895 Finest Chocolate
Wodka Lemon Vollmich Schokolade
(Milk Chocolate with Vodka Lemon Truffle Filling)
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 40 g. serving (2/5 of bar)
Cost: $2.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Crossroads Specialty Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Fruits Week, featuring chocolates (mostly bars) with a variety of fruit flavor inclusions. Many of the fruits mirror or complement fruit notes found in cacao fruit pulp.

Today's Milk Chocolate with Vodka-Lemon-Truffle-Filling (bar) from Ludwig Weinrich GmbH & Co. KG (Herford, Germany) was made in Germany.

Aroma notes included: chocolate, very faint alcohol (vodka), citrus (lemon) and a slight bitterness consistent with dark chocolate, lemon peel and vodka.

This 40% milk chocolate had a creamy, buttery texture and melt. The milk chocolate was infused with sweet citrus flavor (lemon chiffon pie with a nut crust). A 36% milk chocolate filling with hazelnut paste providing subtle, layered flavors.

I enjoyed this creamy, lemon milk chocolate confection--part dessert and part sweet cocktail. But, it may be too sweet and buttery for some dark chocolate fans. Any alcohol flavor (vodka) likely dissipated 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, butterfat (milk), whey powder (milk), hazelnut paste, emulsifier: soy lecithin; flavour: vanilla extract. Filling: sugar, milk chocolate [sugar, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, whey powder (milk)], 12% Vodka 60% vol., butterfat (milk), glucose syrup, cocoa powder, lemonoil (sic), humectant: invertase. Cocoa: 30% minimum. Milk solids: 15%. 

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk, soy and tree nuts (hazelnuts)). "May contain traces of almonds, egg and wheat."

Zotter - Mango Tango (bar) - Sept. 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter

Mango Tango (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar 

Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.49 for 1 bar (plus seasonal warm weather shipping charge)

Purchased from: Zotter, online order

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

Today's Mango Tango bar was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Zotter offers a seemingly endless variety of very thinly layered, "hand-scooped" chocolate covered bars (as well as a line of pure chocolate/bean-to-bar offerings). I have the impression the team (Josef Zotter and family, and almost 200 employees worldwide) are having fun.*

The creative bar flavors are matched with colorful, iconic illustrations by artist/designer, Andreas H. Gratze, on the packaging.

Aroma notes for today's Mango Tango filled bar included: dark chocolate, sweet mango candy/confection and freshly squeezed citrus (sweet lime, lemon).

Precisely executed thin layers were/are key to the overall taste. A well-tempered, very thin layer of 70% dark chocolate (shell) broke with a light crunch (at room temperature); and that contrasted with two layers of softer fruit filling that contained a tiny shred or two of citrus (lemon) peel.

The dark, slightly earthy flavored chocolate shell added flavor depth to (and balanced) the lighter and brighter, tart-sweet, authentic-tasting mango and lemon layers. This Mango Tango bar was rich and sweet enough to be a high-end confection, packaged in bar form.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cane sugar; organic, fair trade cocoa mass; organic, fair trade cocoa butter; organic glucose syrup; milk; organic mango puree; organic dried mangos; organic lemon juice; dry whole milk; dry skim milk yoghurt; dry skim milk; organic lemon juice concentrate; organic, fair trade cashews; dry sweet whey; organic soy lecithin; organic, fair trade dark brown cane sugar; organic lemon powder [organic lemon juice concentrate, organic corn starch, organic sugar]; organic turmeric; salt; organic vanilla bean powder; organic cinnamon.

Organic [90% organic]; Fair Traded, Fair Trade [content in total: 75%]

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, cashews, soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes other tree nuts, peanuts, eggs and sesame.

*Filled bar flavors include: traditionally inspired "classic" bars such as hazelnut and pistachio praline layered bars or coffee bars; creative fruit blends (Tangerine, Matcha and Coconut and today's Mango Tango); slightly boozy flavors (Whisky, Port Wine and Fig); various winter holiday bars (with and without spirits); and just plain fun layered flavors like Cola and Popcorn.

Shekoh Confections - Lemon Verbena - June 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Lemon Verbena
Good ++-Good +++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 ($22 for a 5-piece box)
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Lemon Verbena chocolate was created by Chef Shekoh Moossavi at Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

Lemon Verbena is an aromatic, flowering shrub that originated in South America (Argentina, Chile). The leaves (and flowers) are edible; and it is enjoyed as an herbal tea/infusion in many cultures. It is used to flavor sweet desserts as well as savory meat dishes. (I wondered if it wasn't on the list of flowers and spices combined with cacao centuries ago in Central and South America.)

Aroma notes for today's pretty, yellow and spring green (colored/painted) chocolate included: subtle tart green herb (oxalis), faint lemon biscuit (cookie) and faint lemon curd.

The thin dark shell, once bitten into revealed wonderful layered flavors in a creamy, light ganache (filling)--with dark chocolate mousse and authentic lemon verbena notes.

This domed confection had just the right amount of confection sweetness, but not so much sugar that it obscured the wonderful flavors.

Ingredients: (Not listed on small box)

Allergen-related information: (Not listed on small box)

 

Shekoh Confections - Lemon Almond - June 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Lemon Almond 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 (estimate) 
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Lemon Almond chocolate was created by Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA). Chef Shekoh Moossavi creates a variety of high-end chocolate confections. If you live in the area, consider visiting her shop.

Lemon Almond chocolate

Today's Lemon Almond chocolate had beautiful overall taste and texture(s): natural lemon, crispy almond praline and light (almost mousse-like), creamy milk chocolate ganache, surrounded by a darker chocolate shell. 

This chocolate evoked memories of thin, buttery lemon wafer cookies with crushed almonds, half-dipped in chocolate.* 

Another balanced, layered fresh flavor experience in a small package from Shekoh Confections.

It's become more convenient to order chocolates on-line; but nothing beats being able to buy chocolates in person, and thank a highly trained and skilled chocolate creator face-to-face. In case I didn't get that point across during our meeting wearing a (Covid) mask, thank you Chef Shekoh!

Description: "Valrhona milk chocolate, almond praline, lemon oil."

Ingredients: Not listed on small assortment box

Allergen-related information: Not listed on small assortment box

*Pirouettes, aka barquillos

 

Zotter - In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter

In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $7.99 (free shipping, part of larger order)

Purchased from: Zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week--and Day #1 of Chocolate European Holiday Theme Week. Covid-19 may prevent travel, but a virtual trip is possible with a selection of European chocolates.*

Today's In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) from Zotter Chocolates was made from bean-to-bar in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates USA LLC (Fort Myers, FL). 

The company offers a very wide variety of bars. This Lemon bar is bar of a series of fruit-infused ("In-Fusion") bars. Fruit flavors in this line amplify natural, complex fruit notes already found in chocolate (including citrus, berry, tropical and/or stone fruits). 

The aroma notes for this chocolate included: citrus and tart, lemony, green herb (sorrel, oxalis, sour grass).

Cocoa butter gave this bar "a tender melt." And when combined with milk, these two ingredients yielded a uniform, creamy texture.

Flavor notes included: relatively mild, milky 60% dark chocolate with complex lemon. Smooth, sweet lemon that blossomed into lemonade, and finally resolved into tart, bittersweet lemon. (Freeze-dried powdered lemons were fully incorporated into the chocolate to create a "lemon couverture" that would impart natural lemon aroma and taste.)

Those who enjoy a smooth chocolate experience with bright, shimmering lemon overtones may enjoy this stylish, circle-shaped bar. 

Ingredients: Organic, fair traded cane sugar; organic, fair traded cocoa mass; organic, fair traded cocoa butter; organic lemon powder: 4% (organic lemon juice concentrate, organic corn starch, organic sugar); dry skim milk; organic soy lecithin; organic vanilla bean powder; salt

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

*Thank you also to all the people, and the international chocolate supply chain, that allow us to obtain chocolates from/made in Europe.

Raaka - Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate 
Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed 60% Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY). 

The company offers a bounty of bean-to-bar chocolates using unroasted (single origin) cacao. Today's bar was made using cacao from Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania.

This Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed chocolate had pleasant, sweet, slightly fruity (berry) cake/muffin aroma notes; and it was uniform and smooth in texture. 

The flavors did indeed mirror a blueberry lemon poppy seed scone or muffin. And the ingredients* list was plain and simple. Flavors were subtle and authentic, and not too sweet (thank you!).

Tasting notes: "We grind wild blueberries into Tanzanian cacao, then swirl in a lemon, vanilla, and poppy seed strewn vegan white chocolate. An ode the lemon poppy seed scone."

*Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic blueberries, organic coconut, organic lemon, organic poppy seeds, organic sunflower lecithin, organic vanilla bean"

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free"