Honey Mama's - Mocha Crunch (bar) + Java Junction Mocha Smoothie - Oct. 2, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Honey Mama's 
Mocha Crunch (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Java Junction
Smooth Express (Espresso) Freeze
Good ++
Weight: 24 fl. oz. (estimate)
Calories: 475 calories (estimate)
Cost: $9.75 for 1 smoothie
Purchased from: Java Junction, Santa Cruz, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Coffee Week.

Today's hot weather led to overindulgence--in the form of three, cold mocha chocolate items. Two of these are included below. (The third item was a cup of ice cream with high-end upgrades to traditional mocha almond fudge and coffee ice creams. Delicious; and will re-taste and write about these at a later date.)

Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch 

The Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch (bar) was "Made in Portland, Oregon, While Dancing to Great Music."

Aroma notes included: mocha coconut nut cookie, date, and faint vanilla.

This (refrigerated*) bar had a cold coconut oil-based, fudge-y, melt-in-your-mouth texture, luxe melt and mouthfeel. Coconut oil and cocoa butter gave this bar a rich, appealing taste and texture.

Flavor notes for this "Truffle Treat" of a bar included: chocolate-y (smooth dark chocolate, low in bitterness and acidity), coconut fudge, faint nuts (almost fully incorporated hazelnuts), authentic vanilla, and sea salt.

I liked the relatively short list of authentic flavors (made with no preservatives, no added natural flavors); the taste of the authentic honey, sea salt, vanilla, and coffee that were pleasing accent flavors to cocoa and coconut. The only ingredient (from what I could tell) that had been slightly altered/further processed was the cocoa powder. It had been alkalized, resulting in a mellower, attractive hot cocoa flavor.

Ingredients: "Organic Raw Honey, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut, Hazelnuts, Organic Coconut Flour, Organic Roasted Coffee, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Pink Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains: Coconut and Hazelnuts. "Made in a facility that also processes peanuts." "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age." ("Gluten Free, Free of Refined Sugars, Dairy and Soy Free"

*"This treat melts above 75 degrees (F.)"

Java Junction - Smooth Express (Espresso) Smoothie

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate/mocha; fresh, ripe banana; and coffee. 

This mocha and banana flavored, espresso "freeze" was tasty, refreshing and satisfying. It was enjoyed at the beach in Santa Cruz, CA, where it was a sizzling 88 degrees (F)/ 31.1 degrees (C)...in October. 

I enjoyed the authentic fresh banana and rich, chilled mocha flavors in this smoothie-style drink. And I appreciated that the low sugar level and decaf coffee resulted in no jarring sugar or caffeine buzz (thank you!).

Ingredients: "Espresso, banana, non-fat milk, non-fat frozen yogurt, chocolate (likely Ghirardelli)" 

Allergen-related information: Contained dairy (milk, yogurt)

KanVela - 58% Dark Milk Mocha with Crispy Rice (bar) - April 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

KanVela Chocolate
58% Dark Milk Mocha with Crispy Rice (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's 58% Dark Milk Mocha with Crispy Rice (bar) was from KanVela Chocolate (Thailand).

Aroma notes included: smooth, dark milk chocolate, vegetal (tart green herb (oxalis) and faint chopped green (jalapeno) peppers); faint coffee; even fainter floral (honey, jasmine rice), and very faint (likely imagined) warm spices (faint spiced latte).

Texture: creamy dark milk chocolate interspersed with whole grains of light, crispy rice. (These Thai Jasmine Rice Puffs were visible from the back of the bar.)

Flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate, faint almost fruit-floral, spice and coffee. The rice added subtle flavor depth. The coffee was very subtle and a bit more gently complex than what is often the case in other coffee/mocha bars. 

Ingredients: "Cacao nib 40%, Sugar 21%, Cocoa butter 18%, Milk powder 14%, Crispy rice 5%, Ground coffee 2%" 

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk. Made in a facility that processes wheat, sesame, soy and tree nuts."

Dr. Bronner's - Magic Creamy Mocha Latte Oat Milk Chocolate - Dec. 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's
Magic Creamy Mocha Latte Oat Milk Chocolate 45% Cocoa (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.465 oz. (41.5 g.) / 2.93 oz. (83 g.) in total bar
Calories: 234.4 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - free sample ($5.99 for 1 bar); available online
Purchased from: N/A - Sample received from Dr. Bronner's

Today's Magic Creamy Mocha Latte Oat Milk Chocolate 45% Cocoa (bar) was distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). This was the third of three new oat milk bars featured on Chocolate Banquet this week.

The company's first line of Magic dark chocolate bars were created in 2021. Today's mocha latte oat milk chocolate was the third of three new oat milk chocolate 45% bars from Dr. Bronner's featured this week on Chocolate Banquet.

This Organic, Fair for Life Fair Trade, Vegan Certified, and gluten free Creamy Mocha Latte Oat Milk Chocolate carried the company's message (from company founder Dr. Emanuel Bronner), "We Are All-One." A timeless reminder for us all.

The growing selection of alternative "milk" chocolate bars have become available in the past five years. It's a challenge to produce a chocolate that has the attributes of dairy milk/cream. However, Dr. Bronner's three new bars show that tasty non-dairy (and vegan) chocolates have finally arrived.

Aroma notes for this bar included: freshly roasted coffee, chocolate, and creamy mocha beverages with a trace of vanilla and nut (almond, hazelnut).

The texture and flavors were hearty but very smooth.

Flavor notes included: rich dark, smooth chocolate, coffee and mocha nut latte (made with hazelnut and almond "milks") with a hint of warm vanilla.

This 45% cacao coconut sugar sweetened chocolate was sweet. (Sugar is the #1 ingredient, and this may give you that "moreish" urge to eat more than an ultra-dark chocolate.) Fortunately, the coconut sugar seemed to slow down the sugar buzz.*

What I loved about all three Dr. Bronner's new oat milk bars: 1.) seductive aromas and authentic flavor(s); 2.) organic, fair trade and thoughtfully cultivated (regenerative) ingredients; 3.) the choice of coconut sugar vs. cane sugar; 4.) well-executed texture and flavor layering; and 5.) no obvious oat milk taste. (They could pass for dark (dairy) milk chocolate.) 

These bars come close to the chocolate "holy grail"-- offerings that both milk and dark chocolate lovers might enjoy. These 45% cacao chocolates tasted more like dark chocolate than most lower cacao percentage bars. And the flavors didn't get lost in the sugar. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Coconut Sugar,* Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter,* Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Beans,* Organic Whole Oat Flour,  Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Hazelnuts, Fair Trade Organic Coffee, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Almonds, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon Vanilla Bean (* = Regenerative Organic Certified)

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (hazelnuts, almonds), coconut (sugar). "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, coconut and soy." 

* Coconut sugar is a bit lower on the glycemic scale than more processed/white sugar(s), i.e. is less likely to spike blood sugar as much.

 

Little Green Cyclo - Specialty Vietnamese Coffee Plant-Based Mocha beverage - Oct. 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Little Green Cyclo
Specialty Premium Vietnamese Coffee - Plant-based Mocha (beverage)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 3.75 fl. oz. (111 mL) / 7.5 fl. oz. (222 mL) in total container/can
Calories: 45 calories in 1/2 can
Cost: $3.99 for 1 can
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Vietnam Theme Week. 

Today's Mocha plant-based beverage was from Little Green Cyclo (Brisbane, CA). The company, founded in 2010, has built a following around their Vietnamese food in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 2019, the company started gearing up to add new coffee flavors. Happily for us, they weathered the economic changes the Covid-19 pandemic presented and now offer delicious Vietnamese (plant-based) coffees to enjoy.  

Speaking of weather, today was another in a series of 90+ degrees F. (32.2+ C.) days. So this refrigerated coffee/mocha was extra refreshing.

This Mocha coffee beverage was designed to "serve chilled or over ice." Being colder, the aroma notes were a bit more subtle, but still conveyed an attractive rich coffee, cream, and very faint coconut mocha cream scent.

Flavor notes for this mocha beverage included: Rich aromatic coffee (made with robusta and arabica coffee grown in Vietnam), and mocha-light coconut cream.

One can contained a hefty 200 mg of caffeine. Being sensitive to caffeine, I enjoyed a (smaller) 1/2 can portion, even though I would've been delighted to have more.*

Texture: light and creamy (almost fluffy)**. The coconut milk seemed lighter than dairy cream/condensed milk one might usually find. Vegetable gums also contributed to the texture. Shaking the can before opening is recommended. ("Refrigerate after opening. Some coconut milk separation is natural."). I didn't find this to be an issue.

Flavor notes included: rich and satisfying iced coffee + coconut (milk + cream) + chocolate powder (Guittard) with a smidge of vanilla. This drink was made with high-quality ingredients. I enjoyed the highly complementary and subtly complex flavors--and the fact that this mocha wasn't too sweet. 

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Milk (Coconut Cream, Water), Coffee (Filtered Water, Robusta & Arabica Coffee), Coconut Condensed Milk (Coconut Cream, Filtered Water, Cane Sugar, Guar Gum, Sea Salt), Guittard Chocolate Powder (Cane Sugar, Cocoa, Unsweetened Chocolate, Vanilla), Gum Acacia, Gellan Gum, Himalyan Pink Salt, Nitrogen

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut. Manufactured in a facility that uses dairy and tree nuts. Vegan, Gluten Free

*Vietnamese coffee is typically made with robusta (or mostly with robusta) coffee, which has more caffeine than arabica coffee. As the name suggests, robusta coffee beans also provide robust and intense flavor. I liked the choice to include a blend of robust and aromatic (arabica) coffee beans from Vietnam.

** This can of coffee contained a small amount of Nitrogen (released with a tiny whisp of aerosol when the can was opened) that can create a smoother (textural) tasting experience. Nitrogen can also help preserve flavors (slow down/prevent oxidation process).

Love + Chew - The Superfood Cookie Mocha Chip - Oct. 5, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

CompletEats, LLC
Love + Chew The Superfood Cookie Mocha Chip 
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in 1 cookie 
Calories: 270 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.99 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Love + Chew The Superfood Cookie Mocha Chip was created by CompletEats, LLC (San Francisco, CA).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, date caramel, and vanilla mocha.

This plant-based cookie had a chewy, very slightly crunchy (chia seeds), and relatively moist (thanks to date paste) texture. 

Flavor notes for this satisfying and tasty cookie included: dates, fudgey chocolate, mocha, vanilla and an underlying nuttiness (almond). 

The company's mission is to "bake clean-label and indulgent treats made entirely from plant-based ingredients." (I'd say mission accomplished.) An extra bonus for me: no gluten-containing ingredients.

Ingredients: Blanched Almonds, Date Paste, Almond Butter, Dark Chocolate Chips (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter), Natural Coffee Concentrate, Java Creme Flavor (Coffee Extractives, Vanilla Extract, Water), Chia Seeds, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts, peanuts, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, sesame seeds. May Contain Date Pit Fragments

Lolli & Pops - Chocolate Tiles, Caramel Cappuccino - Oct. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lolli and Pops
Chocolate Tiles - Caramel Cappuccino Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8.4 oz. (240 g.) in total package of 16 Tiles
Calories: 160 calories in 2 tiles 
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend 

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

Today's Caramel Cappuccino Dark Chocolate Tiles were manufactured for Lolli and Pops (San Francisco, CA).

The two individually wrapped tiles (squares) represented one of 8 flavors contained in a larger package of 16 Tiles (2 of each flavor).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, caramel, mocha and very faint vanilla.

Texture: A thin dark chocolate shell surrounded an even thinner caramel filling layer. There was just enough separation between the two elements to create pleasingly layered flavors--that were also very compatible with each other.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, caramel, mocha latte, and faint vanilla.

Ingredients: Note: because these two squares were part of an 8 flavor assortment pack, and the very long list of ingredients was a summary of all the flavors, I was unable to separate ingredients that applied just to this flavor. (Dark chocolate used contained chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla flavor).

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk and Soy, and may contain Wheat, Peanuts and Tree Nuts. Please visit www.lolliandpops.com. 

Auro Chocolate - Mocha Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate with Arabica Coffee (bar) - Oct. 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Auro Chocolate
Mocha Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate with Arabica Coffee (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and the Philippines Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. 

Today's Mocha Crunch 55% Dark Chocolate with Arabica Coffee (bar) was produced by Auro Chocolate (Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines).

Aroma and flavor notes for this Mocha (bar) included: Rich dark chocolate; fragrant, freshly ground coffee; very faint sweet green botanical and red berry; and a slightly creamy nut butter finish.

The texture was a blend of smooth dark chocolate and crunchy bits of coffee bean.

This sweet chocolate (sugar was the number one ingredient), was balanced by the rich, nuanced dark flavors of high-quality cacao and coffee.

Ingredients: Cane sugar, cacao mass, cacao butter, Arabica coffee, soy lecithin (emulsifier)

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy. This product is manufactured in a facility that processes other products which may contain milk, oats, tree nuts, and peanuts."

Elmhurst - Cacao Oat Latte + Mocha, Maca, Mushroom Latte - Mar. 11, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Elmhurst Milked, LLC

Oat Latte with Cacao

Good

Weight: 3 fl. oz. (88.7 g.) / 12 fl. oz. (355 mL) in total bottle

Calories: 52.5 calories in 1/4 bottle 

Cost: $ missing information

Purchased from: missing information 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and JKLM Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with flavors and/or origins that begin with the letters J, K, L and/or M.

Today's Oat Latte (with) Cacao was from Elmhurst Milked, LLC (Elma, NY). The company offers plant-based milks with no added "fillers, gums or additives."

 

Today's Oat Latte possessed a rich mocha aroma--smooth but robust (flash brew Arabica) coffee and dark chocolate syrup notes with rich texture and flavor. (It was also not as sweet as the aroma seemed to indicate, which was to my liking.) This brew had a lush, oat-milk enabled liquid velvet mouthfeel. And there were no added gums or emulsifiers in this vegan, dairy-free drink. (thank you!).

Maca, Mocha, Lucuma, Mushroom Latte 

Just for fun, I also mixed a little bit of this beverage with an Essential Living Foods Maca, Lacuma and Mushroom powdered mix. The dry blend had faint caramel and light vanilla angel food cake notes that brightened up and complemented the darker coffee and cacao in today's Cacao Oat Latte beverage. A few too many flavors; but it was fun to try.

Ingredients: oatmilk (water, oats), flash-brew coffee (water, Arabica coffee), hemp cream (water, hemp seeds), cane sugar, cacao powder, natural flavors.

KIND - Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond bar - May 26, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

KIND
Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond bar was part of KIND bar's "nut and spice" group, part of the company's expanding line of nut and fruit bar flavors.

This gluten-free, mahogany-colored bar had a satisfying almond nut crunch and dark chocolate mocha flavor, as promised.

Ingredients: "Almonds, chicory root fiber, palm kernel oil, sugar, honey, glucose syrup, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, rice flour, cocoa nibs, coffee powder, soy lecithin, madagascar vanilla, salt, natural flavor, cocoa butter."

Probar - Organic Koka Moka Almond Butter - May 25, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Probar LLC
Organic Koka Moka Almond Butter
Good
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32 g.) in total packet
Calories: 180 calories in 1 packet
Cost: $2.00 for 1 packet
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

The Organic Koka Moka Almond Butter from Pro Bar (Park City, UT) was packaged in a handy, and relatively generous, single-serving packet.

The company's relatively new line of organic nut butters are described as "The spreadable Probar."

Like most nut butters, the consistency of this Koka Moka butter was spreadable and a bit oily in spots. (I wouldn't try opening this and eating it directly from the packet if you're wearing a nice new shirt.)

Looks can be deceiving. The aroma and flavor of this almond butter was unexpectedly light, with pleasant notes of vanilla angel's food cake and coconut—but not too sweet (thank you!)—vs. the expected "heavier" flavors of chocolate, coffee or even almond. This nut butter would be interesting on a variety of edibles: cupcakes, pancakes, crackers, ice cream, etc.

Perfect Bar - Mocha Chip bar - May 16, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Perfect Bar, LLC

Mocha Chip bar

Good+ - Good ++

Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar

Calories: 330 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.99 in 1 bar

Purchased from: The Market, Palo Alto, CA

Time to wake up. It's Day #1 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's caffeinated Mocha Chip bar from Perfect Bar, LLC (San Diego, CA) was chock full of organic ingredients, including dark chocolate and coffee.

The line of (refrigerated) bars from this family-inspired company sampled so far have been quite good. Very satisfying.

Normally, a long list of ingredients in a bar is not encouraging. However, the list for this protein bar was all good, and helped explain why this bar was such a satisfying mini-meal. Nut butters and high-nutrient plant-based organic powders helped. Coffee and dark chocolate added rich flavor/depth. Natural-tasting, and not too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: 
Organic peanut butter, organic almond butter, organic honey, organic nonfat dry milk, organic, Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate (organic chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic sunflower lecithin), organic cocoa, organic ground coffee, organic dried whole egg powder, organic rice protein, organic vanilla extract, organic flax seed oil, organic sunflower oil, organic sesame seed oil, organic olive oil, organic pumpkin seed oil, dried whole food powders (organic kale, organic flax seed, organic rose hip, organic orange, organic lemon, organic papaya, organic tomato, organic apple, organic alfalfa, organic celery, organic kelp, organic dulse, organic carrot, organic spinach)

Neo Cocoa - Mocha Cinnamon truffles - Dec. 29, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Neo Cocoa 

Mocha Cinnamon truffles

Good + - Good ++

Weight: .8 oz. (23 g.) / 2.4 oz. (69 g.) in total box of 6 pcs.

Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces

Cost: $12.00 for 1 box of 6 pieces

Purchased from: La Cocina retail space, San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Holiday Spices and Maple Theme Week.

Today's Mocha Cinnamon truffles were from Neo Cocoa (Belmont, CA) and were part of holiday snack duo on the go.

These Neo Cocoa rectangular truffles were lightly dusted with dark cocoa powder, had a roasted coffee (espresso) and cinnamon (cassia) aroma, a creamy, velvety texture, and a rich 72% dark chocolate flavor.

I paired these silky chocolate pieces with a snack "opposite:" a Larabar Nut and Seed Maple and Cinnamon Crunchy Bar.* Both were great with fresh fruit.

The company specializes in the heart of truffles, meaning the lovely silky smooth chocolate "insides" of some chocolates covered with a harder chocolate shell or couverture.

Neo Cocoa founder Christine Doerr was trained as a chef and worked as a graphic designer, but she was eventually drawn to chocolate. With the help of La Cocina (a kitchen incubator in San Francisco) she launched her own company, offering soft, shell-less truffles (the "hearts of truffles") in a variety of delicious flavors.

*This Larabar Maple and Cinnamon Crunchy Bar did not contain any chocolate.

Honey Stinger - Mocha Cherry Pro - Aug. 12, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Honey Stinger
Mocha Cherry Pro bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.30 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Honey Stinger Mocha Cherry Pro bar was made in the USA for Honey Stinger (Steamboat Springs, CO).

This dark chocolate covered bar had a natural tasting, chewy, honey nougat-like center* with a hint of mocha. The dark chocolate coating was smooth and relatively mild.

Somewhere in the mix (although not visible) were dried sour cherries with apple juice, that contributed a tiny hint of tart sweetness.

While not labeled as an energy or protein bar, this Honey Stinger bar contained 30 mg. of caffeine, some added vitamins and minerals, and 10 grams of protein.** It tasted satisfying to the last bite and successfully helped fuel a trail hike today.

*While made with gluten-free ingredients it contained the standard industry advisory notice about possible traces of allergens (peanut, wheat, egg and other tree nuts) that one often sees when foods are made in a shared facility. 

**This bar contained whey protein isolate and almonds. 

Continental Best - Vanuato Kakaw - Moka Chocolate bar - July 26, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Continental Best
Vanuato Kakaw
Moka Chocolate
Good
Weight: .706 oz. 2 squares (20 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 100 calories in 2 squares of bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Stars USA, online order

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

Today's Vanuato Kakaw Moka Chocolate was a milk chocolate bar with roasted coffee bean pieces, made in Mexico.

The relatively smooth, sweet 36% cacao milk chocolate base was complemented by the robust, crunchy bits of roasted coffee beans, helping to reduce the sweetness a bit (a good thing for most milk chocolates).

A generous helping of coffee also gave the bar a robust coffee flavor and finish.

Vanuato Kakaw bars also include design and packaging elements tied to Mexican heritage. While difficult to see in the small images shown (right), a likeness of Ek Chuah, the cacao god, is appears on this bar (and other Vanuato Kakaw bars), along a cacao pod (fruit that contained the cacao seeds or beans that are used to make chocolate). 

TCHO - Mokaccino Organic Milk Chocolate Discs - June 11, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

TCHO
TCHO Bites - Mokaccino Organic Milk Chocolate Discs
Good+ - Good++
Weight: .8 oz. (22.8 g.) / 5 oz. (140 g.) in total package
Calories: 130.8 calories in 4 drops
Cost: $N/A for 1 package (included in a gift bag at an event
Purchased from: N/A - part of a gift bag at an event

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

Today's Mokaccino Organic Milk Chocolate Discs from TCHO (Berkeley, CA) were delicious. Creamy organic 45% cacao (dark milk) chocolate discs were infused with the bold flavor of Blue Bottle Coffee* espresso roast coffee.

This gluten free, Non-GMO Bay Area created blend would be a hit with anyone who enjoys coffee and/or mocha blends.

*Blue Bottle Coffee is based in Oakland, CA

The Hain Celestial Group - Chocolate Mocha Greek Style Yogurt - June 9, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
The Greek Gods - Greek Style Yogurt
Chocolate Mocha flavored with other natural flavor
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (113.5 g.) / 24 oz. (680 g.) in total container
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $1.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's chocolate and coffee flavored item was a yogurt. The Greek Gods Chocolate Mocha Greek Style Yogurt was Manufactured for and Distributed by The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Lake Success, NY).

It's not always easy to blend chocolate and yogurt. The slightly acidic tangy flavor of yogurt can clash with chocolate. Today's Chocolate Mocha yogurt was successful in making this mix work.

The yogurt was smooth and creamy and the mocha blend was flavorful without being too sweet.

While it did contain vegetable gums, the ingredients list was relatively straight-forward, mercifully short and "natural," with no starches or artificial colors or flavors added.

Baskin-Robbins - Jamoca ice cream bars - Sept. 2, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Baskin-Robbins
Jamoca ice cream bars
Good
Weight: 3 fl. oz. (89 mL) / 9 fl. oz. (266 mL) in total box
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ (lost information)
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Leaves may be turning red, and kids may be back in school, but we're a long way from brisk fall weather. It was another hot day this morning. So, I reached into the freezer and chose a Jamoca ice cream bar -- made with "Jamoca Ice Cream Dipped in Dark Chocolate Flavored Coating" -- from Baskin-Robbins (Canton, MA).

It was like having a frozen latte with a little dark chocolate flavor whirled in for good measure -- a sweet, cool combination for very warm weather.

Baskin-Robbins, a large national ice cream store chain, is part of the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. The ice cream-centered company has continued to bring out new flavors and products, even as the local ice cream shops maintain a timeless quality imbued with childhood memories for many of us. I may be less thrilled with the festively neon colors and the ice cream cakes than I once was; but I still enjoy seeing the bright pink, white and navy blue Baskin-Robbins logo when I pass by my local store(s).

Amy's - Mocha Chocolate Chip - September 1, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen, Inc.
Mocha Chocolate Chip Frozen Dessert
Good ++
Weight: 1/2 cup (100 mL) serving / 1 Pint (473 mL)
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $7.59 for 1 Pint container
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

September 1st, Labor Day, was a hot one. It was a perfect day for a dish of cool, refreshing Mocha Chocolate Chip frozen dessert from Amy's Kitchen (Petaluma, CA).

This organic, vegan, non-dairy (and gluten free) dessert was made with coconut milk, that imparted a subtle flavor to the mocha (coffee) flavored scoop that was flecked with a flurry of small chocolate chips. (It was also certified kosher.)

While this dish of frozen goodness was fine all by itself, I also enjoyed adding sliced almonds and a cherry halfway through.

Amazing Grass - Cafe Mocha bar - August 31, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Amazing Grass
Green Superfood - Cafe Mocha bar
Good
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

The Green Superfood - Cafe Mocha nutrition bar from Amazing Grass (Newport Beach, CA) was relatively high in protein (12 grams) and had more vitamins and minerals than most chocolate bars. The slightly chewy, chocolate covered "green" bar had a sweet, fruity flavor, with substantial texture (from rice protein, almonds, pumpkin seed butter, greens, organic flax, etc.). The chocolate and coffee flavors were relatively mild.


This bar helped revive me after a day of walking up and down stairs in San Francisco. Lovely, sunny day up for a decorative stairway and park-to-park hike, with a clear view across the Golden Gate to Marin County and Mount Tamalpais.

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

Mocha Palets - July 26, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Byrne and Carlson
Mocha Palets
Good +
Weight: .25 oz. (7.07 g.) / 3.25 oz. (92 g.) total package
Calories: 36 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $ n/a
Purchased from: Fog City News, San Francisco, CA

These smooth dark chocolate (60% cacao) discs from Byrne and Carlson (Portsmouth, NH) were just the right size and shape for tasting. Flavored with rich coffee and crushed nibs, they were quite tasty too.

Today was the first day of Chocolate and Cacao Nibs Theme Week.