Pili Hunters - Pili Bar 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 26, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pili Hunters 
Pili Bar 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Pili Hunters, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Pili Bar 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) from Pili Hunters LLC (Bend, OR) was manufactured by Coracao Confections (Oakland (now Richmond), CA). 

Pili nuts are native to The Philippines; and can be found in tropical forests and volcanic areas of the islands (particularly the Bicol area, in southeastern Luzon (Island)).

The company has created a variety of pili nut offerings (from plain nuts to pili + chocolate and mocha blends), using wild-harvested pili nuts from the Philippines. (See yesterday's featured (whole) pili nuts lightly dusted with raw cacao.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: flavorful dark chocolate with fruit acidity (apple) and warm spice (cinnamon); and light sea salt. The use of coconut sugar helped add a bit of flavor depth and enhanced the almost buttery apple pie notes. (Pili nuts can also have delicate butter and toast notes that may have contributed to this flavor.)

Texture: smooth textured with an even, rich melt

I enjoyed this lightly sweetened 70% dark bar -- described as "the first and only pili-based...dark chocolate" and "suitable for the keto community..." And it was gluten free (thank you). I appreciated the short list of organic and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Paste*, Coconut Sugar*, Wild Pili Nuts, Cacao Butter*, Himalayan Salt, Pacific Flake Salt (*Organic). 

Allergen-related information: Contains Pili Nuts. Made in a facility that processes almonds, cashews, coconut and other tree nuts. 

Pili Hunters - Wild Harvested Nuts with Raw Cacao - Aug. 25, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pili Hunters
Wild Harvested Nuts with Raw Cacao 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 220 calories in 1 serving (1/4 package)
Cost: $13.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Pili Hunters website, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's Wild Harvested Nuts with Raw Cacao were a product of The Philippines and distributed by Pili Hunters LLC (Bend, OR).

These cocoa dusted pili nuts looked very much like whole almonds. However, bite into one and you'll experience a pleasant crunch immediately followed by a very satisfying buttery melt. These were much smoother and less fibrous than almonds and many other nuts. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: gentle nut, cacao, and faint sourdough bread/toast. 

It was great to taste pili nuts on their own for the first time--not heavily coated/blended with a lot of chocolate. Their more delicate flavor and unique, smooth texture might have been lost in the mix.

To test this theory, I re-tasted a 65% dark chocolate (from Theo & Philo in the Philippines) with black sesame seeds, cashews and pili nut pieces. Very nice chocolate bar; but, as I thought, it was hard to make out the individual pili nuts with a multi-ingredient blend.

I really appreciated the chance to try these whole nuts (dusted with cacao and a small amount of coconut sugar). Just three ingredients. I was able to fully enjoy their extraordinary buttery and softly crunchy texture as well as their (mild and unexpected) tasty buttered toast notes. 

Tomorrow, I'll feature a 70% Cacao Pili Nut Dark Chocolate from this vendor (Pili Hunters).

Ingredients: Sprouted Pili Nuts, Raw Cacao, Coconut Sugar

Allergen-related information: Contains Pili Nuts

Elemental Superfoods - Double Chocolate Reishi, Chaga & Cordyceps Superfood Adaptogen Seed Bar - July 5, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Elemental Superfoods
Double Chocolate Reishi, Chaga & Cordyceps (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.8 oz. (51 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Purchased from: Elemental Superfood, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Mushrooms Week.

Today's Double Chocolate Reishi, Chaga & Cordyceps (bar) was distributed by Elemental Superfood, Inc. (Torrance, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: seedy, nutty and chocolate-y with faint, balanced earth and umami.

Texture: a blend of crunchy (buckwheat, flax seeds, nuts) and creamy, binding elements (almond butter, chocolate) 

This substantial energy seed, nut, chocolate and mushroom bar contained 8 grams of protein; and the relatively long list of flavors harmonized fairly well with each other.

Ingredients: Organic Buckwheat, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Raw Honey, Organic Flaxseeds, Organic Coconut, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Brazil Nuts, Organic Sesame Seeds, Cacao Butter, Organic Reishi, Organic Chaga, Organic Cordyceps, Organic Vanilla Extract, Pink Himalayan Salt

Allergen-related information: Contains Nuts (Almonds, Brazil Nuts) and Coconut (Sugar)

Mandala Chocolate - Cacao Alchemy (bar) & Wilderness Poets - Goji Berries, Cashews, Cacao Nibs (mix)

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Mandala Chocolate
Cacao Alchemy - Sugar Free Dark Chocolate with Superherbs and Mushrooms (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 192 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA

Wilderness Poets
Wild Mix - Abundance Trail Mix with Goji Berries, Pistachios, Golden Berries, Cacao Nibs, Cashews
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 143 calories in 1 serving
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information 

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week and Day #4 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Week.

There are many nut and berry blends with cacao/chocolate. Today's two entries covered a wide range of possibilities.

Mandala Chocolate
Today's Cacao Alchemy bar was from Mandala Naturals, LLC (Barnardsville, NC). 

This smooth, stoneground, raw and sugar-free 70% dark chocolate was blended with a long list of "superherbs and mushrooms," including: cacao and...spiceberries. 

What are Spiceberries? I think of spice berries as the dried, unripe fruit of the allspice tree. But this term may also refer to wild harvested spicebush berries (Lindera benzoin) that grow in the Eastern U.S. I'm tempted to think it was the latter in today's bar--since this ingredient was marked as "organic and wildcrafted." 

Either way, it had a smooth flavor. All the herbs and mushroom ingredients were fully integrated into the chocolate. I liked that it was relatively low in bitterness, and had no "off" notes.

I enjoyed the natural level of subtle sweetness. (This bar was labeled as sugar free, but you could have fooled me. There were no artificial sweeteners.) 

Ingredients: *Cacao, *Yacon, *Lucuma, *Sprouted Brown Rice Powder, *Mesquite, *Maca, *Cinnamon, *Ginger, *Vanilla, *Licorice, +Chaga, *Ashwaganda, *Mucuna, +Spiceberries, +Reishi, *Tulsi, +Pedicularis, Celtic Sea Salt(TM), Spilanthes Oil. (* = Organic, + = Organic and Wildcrafted, 

Allergen-related information: (None listed that I could find.) 

Wilderness Poets

The "Wild Mix - Abundance Trail Mix" (with cashews, pistachios, goji berries, golden raisins, golden berries and cacao nibs) was created and distributed by Wilderness Poets (Ashland, OR).

I enjoyed this authentic-tasting blend of nuts and berries made from quality nuts, berries and nibs. (The cocoa nibs were lightly sweetened with coconut nectar and were quite good.) The flavors harmonized well, and the mix was not too sweet or salty. Just right all by itself, or it could be used as a topping or mix-in.

Maker's description: "Our raw Organic Trail Mixes are an excellent snack for kids, hikers, travelers, active people, professionals, and Poets of all kinds."

Ingredients: Cashews*, Pistachios*, Goji Berries*, Golden Raisins*, Golden Berries*, Cacao Nibs* (sweetened with coconut nectar) (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts (cashews & pistachios). Made in a facility that processes various tree nuts. Warning: May contain nut shell fragments."

The Chocolate Therapist - Rx - Blue Suede 'Shews - 72% Dark with Blueberries & Cashews (bar) - July 28, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Chocolate Therapist 
Rx - Blue Suede "Shews" - 72% Dark with Blueberries & Cashews (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 332 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.00 for 1 bar ($12 for 3 bars)
Purchased from: The Chocolate Therapist, online order 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate, Berries and Cherries Week.

Today's Blue Suede 'Shews -  72% Dark Chocolate Blueberries & Cashews (bar) was from The Chocolate Therapist  (Littleton, CO). The company's bars are designed by Julie Nygard, "a long time chocolate enthusiast" with a passion for nutrition.

Aroma and flavor notes included: very slightly earthy but relatively smooth dark chocolate; faint, lightly salted cashew pieces; and the occasional authentic-tasting dried (but still flavorful and moist) blueberry.

I liked that this bar was balanced and not too sweet; and that the blueberries tasted like real blueberries. Both blueberries and cashews complemented the dark chocolate nicely.

Ingredients: "72% Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Blueberries (Blueberries, Sucrose, Sunflower Oil), Roasted Cashews, Salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Cashews. Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Milk Products, Tree Nuts, Peanuts and Soy and May Contain Traces of These Products." 

The Organic House - Hazelnut Chocolate 55% Cacao (bar) - July 24, 2025

The Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Hazelnut Chocolate 55% Cacao (bar)

(Chocolat Aux Noisettes 55% Cacao)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 3/5 bar (in 30 g. serving)
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order

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

Today's Hazelnut Chocolate 55% Cacao (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

The cacao used to make this chocolate was from Maya Mountain Cacao in southern Belize.

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate; sweet green/botanical/brown coconut sugar/honey/date/; and smooth (hazelnut butter-like) nuttiness.

Balanced and flavorful, I enjoyed the rich, creamy hazelnut butter-like texture. This 55% bar was sweet, but the sweetness level was moderated a bit by the cacao, the hazelnuts and by the use of coconut flower nectar. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Buttery notes of chocolate, hazelnut, honey, raisins and pineapple."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Organic cacao butter, Organic hazelnuts, Organic coconut flower nectar. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Hazelnuts. May contain: Almonds, Cashews, Oats, Pistaches"

The Xocolate Bar - Rocky Road (bar) - July 23, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

The Xocolate Bar
Rocky Road (bar) 
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Rocky Road (bar) was from The Xocolate Bar (Berkeley, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively bold but smooth dark chocolate; sweet candied pecans; and soft bites of small, sweet marshmallows. All infused with subtle vanilla. 

This bar was an aggregation of smooth, crunchy, and soft textures. It was part dark chocolate and part confection with the candied nuts and marshmallows.  

I liked that the (fair trade 70%) dark chocolate helped moderate the sweetness.

Maker's tasting notes: "...crunchy, chewy, salty and sweet...a classic reimagined"

Ingredients: "fair trade dark chocolate* (cacao,* sugar,* sunflower lecithin), pecans, sugar, tapioca syrup, carageenan (sic), soy protein, canola oil, natural vanilla flavor, salt." (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Nuts.

 

Xocolatl - "Go Nuts" - 68% Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) - July 20, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl 
"Go Nuts" 68% Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Salt Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate & Nuts Theme Week.

Today's "Go Nuts" 68% Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma notes included: rich dark chocolate with appealing nutty notes.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, and a softly crunchy field of chopped nuts (on the back of the bar).

Flavor notes included: smooth but relatively rich dark chocolate, nuttiness from chopped almonds, with a subtle hint of salt and vanilla.

I loved the nuts (almonds); the gentle dose of salt; and the overall tasting experience.

Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar*, Almond* (tree nut), Cocoa Butter*, Sea Salt, Vanilla (* = organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan)." Vegan.

Taza Chocolate - Organic Chocolate Covered Nuts - April 26, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate 
Organic Chocolate Covered Nuts
Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 16 oz. (453 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market 

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

Today's Organic Chocolate Covered Nuts were from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). 

While the cacao origin wasn't explicitly stated on the package, there was an image of a woman cacao farmer in Haiti; and the company sources cacao from the Dominican Republic, Ghana and Haiti (PISA* in the Acul du Nord District).

Aroma notes included: bold chocolate-y chocolate (extra dark brownies); faint roasted nuts; (almonds); very subtle and balanced earth; very faint vanilla; and very faint sweet/tart green-citrus (oxalis) and red fruit.

Texture: smooth, chocolate coating over softly crunchy (whole) nuts.

Flavor notes included: deep, dark bold chocolate (with a very slight, well-balanced earthiness); authentic, whole nut (almond, cashew and hazelnut) centers; and a faint trace of vanilla.

Maker's notes (for Haiti cacao): Dried fig, tart cherry, roasted nuts.

Ingredients:  Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Almonds, Organic Cashews, Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Beans, Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds, Cashews and Hazelnuts. May Contain Traces of Other Tree Nuts and Sesame.

*Taza has been working with Produits Des Iles SA, or PISA, since 2015. PISA represents over 1,300 cacao farmers and works with farmers to develop high-quality cacao that can be sold to specialty markets, including bean-to-bar chocolate makers, such as Taza Chocolate. Most of the cacao in this week's Haiti bars come from PISA.

Beekman 1802 - Goat Poop (Dark Toasted Almonds) - Feb. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Beekman 1802
Goat Poop - (Dark) Toasted Almonds
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total container
Calories: 230 calories in 1 serving 
Cost: $28.00  
Purchased from: Beekman 1802, online order

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

Today's Deep Dark Toasted Almonds were part of a six-flavor assortment* of "Goat Poop" chocolate covered confections--from Beekman 1802 (Sharon Springs, NY). These chocolates were housed in a sunny yellow, cylindrical tin decorated with images of the dark and milk chocolate coated rounds/ovals within.

Aroma notes included: subtle chocolate, faint caramel, and very faint nut.

Each Toasted Almond piece had a generous coating of Belgian chocolate that surrounded a crunchy whole toasted almond. Flavor notes included sweet dark chocolate; faint caramel, butterscotch and malt; and authentic almond (nut). Some of the more subtle (caramel/butterscotch-like) notes may have come from other flavors in the tin.

Ingredients: Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Belgium Unsweetened Chocolate, Whole Milk Powder, Skim Milk Powder, Butteroil, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Dry Roasted Almonds.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy, Tree Nuts (Almonds). Other pieces/flavors (all packed together in assortment tin) also contain hazelnuts and wheat. "May contain Sulphites, Eggs, Peanuts"...and Tartrazine, aka FD&C Yellow (color).

* Other flavors included: Roasted Hazelnuts, Maple Malted Milk Balls, While Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Sea Salt Caramels, and Butterscotch Pretzel Poppers.

Nuts.com - Dark Chocolate Covered Pecans - Dec. 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Nuts.com
Dark Chocolate Covered Pecans 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (29 g.) / 16 oz. (1 lb.) (454 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $17.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Nuts.com (online order)

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Covered Pecans were distributed by Nuts.com (Cranford, NJ).

Aroma notes for these jumbo-sized nut confections included: rich, dark chocolate (rich cocoa, fresh cacao nibs, mild nut/wood) with very faint vanilla.

A generous coat of satisfying dark chocolate surrounded large and authentic-tasting, crunchy pecan halves. The dark chocolate coating was flavorful, well-balanced and sweet, but not overly so. 

Some of the cocoa was alkalized--a process used to reduce bitterness/acidity in cacao; but happily some was not (something dark chocolate fans will likely appreciate). The balance seemed just right; some dark flavor complexity, but not too strong. The complementary, fine pecan nut flavors (smooth, slightly slight sweet, mellow and wood(s)y) were allowed to shine through.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Butterfat, Soy Lecithin (an emulsifier), Natural Vanilla Flavor, Salt), Pecans (Pecans, Soybean Oil), Water, Gum Arabic, Confectioner's Glaze, Modified Food Starch (Tapioca), Coconut Oil, Canola Oil.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nut (pecans). Soy, and Milk."

  

Nuts.com - Chocolate Cinnamon Bun Pecans - Dec. 6, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Nuts.com
Chocolate Cinnamon Bun Pecans 
Good ++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (30 g.) /16 oz. (1 lb.) (453 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $16.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Nuts.com (online order)

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

Today's Chocolate Cinnamon Bun Pecans were distributed by Nuts.com (Cranford, NJ).

Aroma notes for these substantial chocolate-covered confections included: subtle cinnamon roll and vanilla, and faint chocolate. 

Textures and flavors were layered. With each bite, there were three layers: 1.) the dry outer, cinnamon sugar dusting (that really did conjure up the taste of cinnamon bun dough*); 2.) milk chocolate (couverture) with a rich chocolate-y melt; and 3.) a softly crunchy pecan nut at the center. 

*A little vanilla contributed to the baked goods flavor and sweetness. And speaking of sweetness, these were just about right, i.e. sweet, but not overly sweet--especially given they were successfully conjuring up a cinnamon bun. 

Ingredients: Pure Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Dry Roasted Pecans, Cane Sugar, Ground Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder, Confectioner's Sugar, Gum Arabic, Natural and Artificial Flavors. 

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nut(s) (pecans). soy, and milk. 

 

Hotel Chocolat - Serious Dark Fix Collection - Sept. 23, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Hotel Chocolat
Serious Dark Fix "H-Box" Collection (assortment box)
Good + - Good ++ (varied with piece)
Weight: 3.53 oz. (100 g.) / 5.46 oz. (155 g.) in total box of 14 pieces
Calories: 583 calories in 100 g. serving (tastes of all flavors)
Cost: 18.50 Euros / ($18.50 (estimate) USD) for 1 box
Purchased from: The Loop (shop), Dublin Airport (Collinstown, Ireland)

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

Today's Serious Dark Fix "H-Box" collection was from Hotel Chocolat (London). In 2017, the company opened its first shop in Dublin, Ireland.

This assortment included: Gin, Dark Rum, Praline 80%, Dizzy Praline 70%, Chilli, Honduras Pistachio Praline, Colombia Almond Praline, 70% Dark Macaron, Simple Dark, Hazelnut and Ginger, 70% Dark Baton, and Gianduja Bombe.

Below are some brief notes on this dark chocolate collection:

• Gin - boozy, bright citrus and authentic juniper, botanical and light floral notes
• Dark Rum - dark chocolate with authentically boozy, dark rum notes
• Dizzy Praline 70% - dark chocolate filled with a thick, creamy, lightly nutty center
• Chilli - very smooth with a slow burn that kicks in gradually
• Honduras Pistachio Praline - flavorful single origin dark exterior, filled with a nutty, slightly caramelized filling.
• Colombia Almond Praline - Smooth, flavorful dark chocolate with a soft, nutty (finely chopped almond) center
• Hazelnut and Ginger - authentic hazelnut and ginger (crunchy whole nuts, spicy sweet ginger pieces, dark chocolate)
• Dark Chocolate Baton - Sweet, smooth, dark, chocolate-y
• Gianduja Bombe - (round) dark chocolate + gianduja (hazelnut) paste - fully incorporated/blended in a rich, delicious thick center

My three favorites were: Gin, Hazelnut and Ginger, and Gianduja Bombe. The English and Irish know how to do chocolates infused with Gin and other spirits.

And yes, I could tell the difference(s) when single origin chocolates were used. These chocolates were a bit more flavorful. The Honduras chocolate was a bit more "dark"/intense with balanced earth notes. The Colombian cacao-based chocolate was smoother--with a bit more flavor range than the standard dark couverture/blends.

Ingredients: Cocoa solids (cocoa mass, cocoa butter), sugar, HAZELNUT paste, sweetened hazelnut paste (HAZELNUTS, sugar, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin)), butter oil (from MILK), full cream MILK powder, roasted HAZELNUTS, stabilisers (sorbitol, gycerol), ALMOND NUTS paste, glucose syrup, ginger pieces (dextrose, ginger, glucose syrup, sugar), pistachio nuts paste (PISTACHIO NUTS, rapeseed oil), rum, whipping cream (cream from MILK), stabiliser (carageenan)), skimmed MILK powder, vegetable fats (coconut, shea, sunflower), nibbed HAZELNUTS, gin, emulsifiers (SOYA lecithin, sunflower lecithin), cream (from MILK), dextrose, cocoa powder, flavourings, concentrated whey (from MILK), neutral alcohol, lactose (from MILK), natural colours (beetroot, annatto, carotene), MILK protein, Habanero chili powder. Dark chocolate contains minimum 70% cocoa solids. 

Allergen-related information: "For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in BOLD. All chocolates in this box may contain tree nuts, peanuts, milk, soya, gluten, wheat, egg, sesame. Suitable for vegetarians. Contains alcohol. No artificial flavours. Caution: Although every care has been taken to remove nut shells, some may still remain."

Ritter Sport - Roasted Peanut (bar) - Aug. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport
Roasted Peanut (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 5 pieces/squares
Cost: $4.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Ritter Sport Roasted Peanut (bar) was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany) was made in Austria.

Aroma notes for this bar included: sweet dark chocolate, roasted nuts and peanuts. 

The texture of the base chocolate (no cacao percentage listed on the U.S. label) was smooth, thick and creamy, and complemented by a generous dose of crunchy roasted peanuts. 

Flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate and peanuts. Smaller amounts of almond flour and hazelnut paste were hard to detect directly, but made for a pleasant, even nuttier overall flavor. A small amount of sea salt helped balance the sweetness of the chocolate.

If you like chocolate and peanuts (and I do), you'll enjoy this bar. Also, thank you to Ritter for continuing to advance in cocoa sourcing practices. (On the bar's label: "100% Certified Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing".)

"Sweet chocolate with roasted and salted peanut pieces, almond flour, hazelnut paste and ground vanilla beans."

Ingredients: "sugar, peanuts, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, almond flour, hazelnut paste, salt, soy lecithin, ground vanilla beans."

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

Laderach Chocolatier Suisse - Assorted Pralines (Dark) - Aug. 21, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Laderach Chocolatier Suisse
Assorted Pralines Dark
1.) Pistachio - Good ++
2.) Hazelnut - Good ++
Weight: .766 oz. (21.6 g.) / 4.6 oz. (130 g.) in total box of 12 pieces 
Calories: 120 calories in 2 pralines 
Cost: N/A - gift from friends  (Thank you Milo and family!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends

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

Today's Assorted Pralines Dark was manufactured by Laderach (Schweiz) AG (Ennenda (in the canton of Glarus), Switzerland). The Swiss chocolatier and confectionery maker was founded by Rudolf Laderach in 1962. 

This very attractive 12-piece assortment (2 each of 6 flavors) was elegantly designed and packaged. Each piece had appealing details. Since this is a week featuring chocolate and nuts, I focused on the two "nuttiest" praline flavors: pistachio and hazelnut.

Pistachio 

Aroma notes for this Pistachio praline included: chocolate, cream/butter, faint lemon-herb (oxalis), and very faint nut.

It was topped with a perfect, green, lightly sugared, whole pistachio nut; and inside this confection had a pretty, bi-colored (green and caramel brown colored, layered interior).

A smooth dark chocolate shell enveloped a dual center: a nutty creamy-crunchy layer atop a green pistachio marzipan-style layer. In the finish there was a brief flavor glimmer of green tea chocolate.

Hazelnut

The hazelnut praline had very similar aroma notes: chocolate, cream/butter, faint lemon-herb (oxalis), and very faint nut.

An open cup of creamy chocolate was brimming with an artful piped-in buttery swirl of sweet, creamy chocolate ganache. Further down in the chocolate cup were more layers: creamy chocolate and crunchy bits of hazelnut, and sweet creamy chocolate with vanilla and caramel notes. 

I am a sucker for layered flavors like this, even if they are a bit on the sweeter side for me. The nuts helped balance the sweetness.

Both these well-executed confections had great texture and flavors, and exemplified sophisticated chocolate architectural design and style.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Paste, Cocoa Butter, Glucose, Butter (Milk), Hazelnuts, Sorbitol, Cream (Milk), Almonds, Pistachios, Vegetable Oils (Palm Kernel, Palm, Coconut), Clarified Butter (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Fructose, Invert Sugar Syrup, Caramel, Natural Flavors, Salt (Fleur de Sel), Skimmed Milk Powder, Ground Vanilla, Sunflower Lecithin, Gum Arabic, Maltodextrin, Vegetable Fats (Palm Kernel, Palm, Coconut), Coloring (Turmeric Oleoresin, Carmine, Annatto Extract)

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Nuts, Soy. May Contain Egg, Other Gluten (Inclu. Wheat), Other Nuts."

Orchard Valley Harvest - Dipped Almonds, 64% Cacao Dark Chocolate - Aug. 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Orchard Valley Harvest
Dipped Almonds - Almonds Coated in 64% Cacao Dark Chocolate
Good + 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package of 8 packs
Calories: 160 calories in 1 pack

Cost: $5.00 for 1 package of 8 individually-wrapped packs
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Orchard Valley Harvest Dipped Almonds --Almonds Coated in 64% Cacao Dark Chocolate--were distributed by John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (Elgin, IL).

One percent of the sales of this product goes "towards tackling child hunger across America."

Aroma notes for these glossy, dark chocolate covered almonds included: chocolate (dark ganache), nut (almond, peanut), faint vanilla and faint, fleeting fruit (pear). (Note: there were no peanut ingredients listed in this product.)

The whole almond centers had a crunchy, roasted texture; a smooth, fudge-y 64% dark chocolate covering (and a shiny coat); and a smooth, dark chocolate finish that was balanced and not too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Extract), Almonds, Gum Acacia, Sugar, Confectioner's Glaze.

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almonds). May contain milk, peanuts and other tree nuts. 

Blue Stripes - Chocolate Covered Whole Cacao Beans Hazelnut Butter - Aug. 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Blue Stripes Urban Cacao
Chocolate Covered Whole Cacao Beans Hazelnut Butter
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $ N/A - part of a multi-item ($31.99) gift box order
Purchased from: Blue Stripes, online order (part of a larger gift box order)

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

Today's Chocolate Covered Whole Cacao Beans Hazelnut Butter offering was distributed by Blue Stripes LLC (New York, NY). The company offers a variety of products that use the whole cacao pod ("shell + fruit + beans").

Aroma notes for this whole cacao confection included: subtle chocolate and dried fruit (raisin, mango, citrus), gently roasted cacao and faint nuts/nut butter.

These generously sized rounds offered a high-contrast creamy (chocolate and hazelnut butter) and crunchy (whole cacao beans) experience--as I enjoyed tasting the "whole" cacao pod: cacao shell, cacao fruit and cacao bean, in layered form.

Flavor notes for the sweeter outer layer(s) included relatively subtle chocolate, very faint fruit, and hazelnut butter. This relatively thick, creamy outer layer(s) melted away fairly quickly.

Soon I was biting into the crunchy whole, unsweetened cacao bean center. It was slightly fibrous (cacao nib-like texture), nutty and seedy, with subtle (balanced) bitter flavor notes. If you like cacao nibs, you'll appreciate the opportunity to taste the whole, cacao bean.

You also may feel a theobromine buzz if you eat too many pieces. Theobromine, a close cousin to caffeine, is the stimulant present in cacao beans--and to lesser extent in other plants like tea and kola nuts.*

Ingredients: Whole Cacao Blend (70% Chocolate [Cacao Mass, Coconut Sugar, Cacao Butter], Cacao Shell Fiber, Cacao Fruit Sugar), Hazelnut Butter, Whole Cacao Beans, Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains Hazelnut, Coconut.

*Theobromine is a naturally-occurring plant alkaloid and stimulant. (Bitter tasting plant alkaloids evolved as a defense mechanism for plants, to help to deter would be "predators"/consumers in the wild.)

Just as some people have a lower tolerance for caffeine-containing plants (coffee, guarana), be aware that some people may be more affected by theobromine than others. And for 9-10% of humans (and many other species) who may have problems processing this alkaloid, too much theobromine may not feel so great. 

Blue Stripes Cacao - Whole Cacao Chocolate Bar 70% Cacao Almond Butter (bar) - Aug. 17, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Blue Stripes Urban Cacao
Whole Cacao Chocolate Bar 70% Cacao - Almond Butter
Good++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories; 360 calories in 1 bar
Cost: (Part of a larger $31.99 assortment box order)
Purchased from: Blue Stripes, online order 

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

Today's Whole Cacao Chocolate Bar - Almond Butter (bar) was distributed by Blue Stripes Cacao LLC (New York, NY). 

Aroma notes included: light chocolate; sweet, green botanical; diffuse fruit; and nut (almond, almond butter).

I loved the texture. It was a satisfying blend of very creamy chocolate and crunchy almonds--and, presumably, tiny bits of cocoa pod/fruit, as this was "100% upcycled chocolate" made with not only cacao (beans), but also cacao shell flour and cacao fruit sugar.

This very creamy, smooth (luxe melt-in-your-mouth) 70% chocolate and nut butter bar was like enjoying an almond gianduja* chocolate--comparable to some of the best hazelnut gianduja chocolates from Italy, with some additional pleasant and gentle cacao flavor complexity.

Ingredients: Whole Cacao Blend (70% Dark Chocolate* [Cacao Mass*, Coconut Sugar*, Cacao Butter*], Cacao Shell Flour, Cacao Fruit Sugar), Almond Butter, Almonds, Cacao Butter*, Coconut Sugar*, Almond Oil, Sea Salt. (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds, Coconut. "...product is produced in a facility that also processes tree nuts, soy, peanuts, and wheat." 

*Gianduja is a smooth blend of chocolate and 30% hazelnut paste, that first appeared in northwestern Italy (Turin) during Napoleon's reign (1796-1814). This Piedmont region of Italy is known for these chocolates made with special, high-quality hazelnuts as well as white truffles and various other nuts and fruits.

Chuao Chocolatier - Milk Chocolate Nut Bark - Aug. 15, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Chuao Chocolatier 
Milk Chocolate Bark - Almond and Hazelnut

Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 5.12 oz. (144.8 g.) in total 
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving
Cost: $7.04 total package of 3 large pieces
Purchased from: N/A - Received as a gift from a friend

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

Today's Milk Chocolate Almonds and Hazelnut Bark was with chocolate from Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad, CA). Today's package of three generously-sized pieces of chocolate nut-topped bark were sold (by weight) by Whole Foods Market in Cupertino, California. 

Aroma notes included: sweet, smooth dark milk chocolate and faint nut and spice.

Flavor notes for these thick 41% cacao slabs included: rich, creamy smooth, chocolate (fudge, creamy ganache); authentic whole almonds and hazelnuts; occasional bites of of sweet(er) white chocolate drizzle; and overall sweet mellow vanilla.

Eating this on a slightly warmer day made the thick milk chocolate just right, i.e. not too hard, but not too soft either. (It can be hard to take a bite of a very thick piece of chocolate on a cold day.)

Ingredients: "Premium milk chocolate (41% Cacao, Cacao Butter, Sugar, Dehydrated Milk, Soy Lecithin (as an emulsifier), Natural Vanilla), Almonds, Hazelnuts, Premium White Chocolate (Pure Cane Sugar, 31% Cacao Butter, Cream Lactose, Soy Lecithin (as an emulsifier), Vanilla Bean. 

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almonds), hazelnuts; dairy (milk, lactose); soy.

Daily Harvest - Banana + Cacao Bites - Jan. 20, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Distributed by Daily Harvest
Banana + Cacao Bites 
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 7 oz. (198 g.) in total container
Calories: 200 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $1.99 for 1 serving
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Berries and Vanilla Theme Week. 

Today's Banana + Cacao Bites were distributed by Daily Harvest Inc. (New York, NY). These bites were a blend of banana,* cashew, oats, almond, dark chocolate, chaga, and vanilla bean. 

Aroma notes for these frozen snack bites (made with mostly organic ingredients) included: banana, cocoa, light floral (vanilla), and a very faint nutty/savory note.

These frozen treats had the texture of soft, frozen cookie dough. The banana (the number two ingredient) had a nice (very mildly gooey), sweet ripe fruit, softness and acted as a pleasant, natural binder.

The complex blend of flavors (ingredients, see below) including a cocoa flavor mixed with banana and nut flavors were harmonious and each gradually emerged to take at least a small turn--including a brief flicker of mild mushroom (chaga).

I was pleased that these frozen bites easily satisfied a sweet snack craving after only two bites. (Unlike ice cream, which has a more addictive or "moreish" quality.) While not a low carb frozen dessert (date paste is the number one ingredient--although there is no white sugar), nut butter (cashew) and powder (almond) provided enough fat and protein (and added fiber) contributed to the sense of satiation.

Ingredients: Organic date paste; organic bananas; organic cashew butter; organic, gluten-free whole grain oats; organic cassava root flour; almond powder; organic 100% unsweetened dark chocolate; Himalayan sea salt; organic chaga mushroom powder; vanilla bean powder. 

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almond, cashew). Made in a facility that also processes tree nuts, soy and dairy.

* You may be asking, where are the berries in today's entry? In botanical terms, a "berry" is a fruit with seeds and pulp that develops from the ovary of a flower. Bananas are, using this classification system, considered berries.