Markham & Fitz Chocolate Makers - Southern Pecan - 52% Dark Milk Chocolate with Caramelized Pecans & Black Salt (bar) - Aug. 25, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Markham & Fitz Chocolate Makers
Southern Pecan - 52% Dark Milk Chocolate with Caramelized Pecans & Black Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Beer & Hops Series--featuring chocolates with beer, beer yeast, hops as well as chocolates (like today's bar*) that pair with beer(s).

Today's Southern Pecan - 52% Dark Milk Chocolate with Caramelized Pecans & Black Salt (Batch #468) (bar) was from Markham & Fitz Chocolate Makers (Bentonville, Arkansas). It was made using cacao from Nicaragua.

Aroma notes included: sweet milk chocolate, sweet cream caramel and nut.

Texture: Soft, creamy whole milk chocolate with small, softly crunchy pecan pieces.

Flavor notes included: Sweet milk chocolate, with caramel (with faint brown sugar and maple) overtones, accented with salt. (I liked the salt.)

This flavorful milk chocolate was quite sweet, but it was a great mid-afternoon blood sugar booster; and the milk, nutty (pecan) caramel notes and black salt balanced the sugar. 

I enjoyed the blend of creamy, nutty (and very faintly fruity) caramel flavor notes in this satisfying milk chocolate. While I did not have a "biscuity beer"* to pair with this bar, I could imagine that it working nicely.

Maker's tasting notes: "Brightly aromatic cacao blends with cream and a salted subtle crunch of our Louisiana lady's heritage, the pecan."

*"Pairs well with a biscuity beer, your next Netflix binge, or storytelling with family around the campfire." 

Ingredients: "Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Caramelized Pecans (Pecans, Brown Sugar, Butter), Black Salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains dairy & nuts."

The Organic House - Vegan Turtle(s) - July 26, 2025

The Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Vegan Turtle(s)
(Tortue Vegetalienne) 

Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 8 oz. (226.4 g.) in total bar
Calories: 320 calories in 50 g. (2 pieces)
Cost: $13.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order

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

Today's package of Vegan Turtle(s) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes for these 70% dark chocolate-enrobed pecan turtles included: dark chocolate, sweet botanical/green (maple syrup, coconut flower nectar, brown sugar) and pecans.

Texture: a satisfying blend of smooth chocolate, smooth brown sugary caramel, and softly crunchy pecan halves. The caramel wasn't corn-syrup, pull your dental fillings out caramel. It was a much less sticky form of caramel, formed from natural sugars. I liked that.

I enjoyed this blend of balanced and flavorful, high-quality and organic ingredients (pecans, chocolate, choice of less processed sugars).

Maker's tasting notes/description: "Toasted pecans mixed with a vegan caramel covered in a 70% dark chocolate."

Ingredients: Organic pecans, Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple syrup, Organic almond butter, Organic cacao butter, Organic vanilla, Organic sea salt. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds, Pecans...May contain: Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pistachios...Made in a facility that uses tree nuts"

 

The Organic House - Pecan Chocolate Brittle with 70% dark chocolate - July 25, 2025

The Chocolate of the Day

The Organic House
Pecan Chocolate Brittle with 70% dark chocolate  (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 480 calories in 1 package
Cost: $9.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Organic House, online order

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

Today's Pecan Chocolate Brittle with 70% dark chocolate was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada).

Aroma notes included: subtle chocolate, nuts (pecans) and brown coconut sugar/maple sugar/date.

I enjoyed the texture: It had different levels of soft crunchiness. It was not too brittle and hard, and not too soft and crumbly. (Reading that this thoughtfully-created confection contained maple sugar and coconut nectar explained the taste and textures I liked.)

I liked the blend of authentic flavors and textures in this substantial "brittle" more than I expected. The pecan halves (and other organic ingredients) were of good quality; and the brown "brittle" was tasty--and not as over-sweetened as I was expecting (thank you). 

The smaller amounts of dark chocolate added richness and depth. The pecans were the star of the show; and rightly so. Last, but not least, the very judicious use of sea salt (not too much, not too little) also enhanced/elevated this sweet, nutty blend.

Maker's tasting notes/description: "Toasted pecans layered with vegan butter toffee topped with 70% dark chocolate and sea salt."

Ingredients: "Ontario maple syrup, Organic pecans, Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Mineral water, Organic cacao butter, Organic sea salt, Organic vanilla beans, Organic unrefined coconut oil (organic expeller pressed unrefined virgin coconut oil)"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Pecans...May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pistaches...Made in a facility that uses tree nuts."  

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.

 

Wildwood Chocolate - Salted Brown Butter Texas Pecan Brittle 70% Cacao (bar) - July 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Wildwood Chocolate
Salted Brown Butter Texas Pecan Brittle 70% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $14.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Salt Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & Nuts Theme Week.

Today's Salted Brown Butter Texas Pecan Brittle 70% Cacao (bar) was from Wildwood Chocolate (Portland, OR). The company specializes in fine chocolates with flavors/ingredients inspired by the Pacific Northwest. But, today's bar took us closer to Texas.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint salted toffee and nut. 

Texture: fudge-y, smooth and buttery dark chocolate was piled high with pecan-studded (toffee-style) brittle hunks (think gold-hued rock candy)--creating a visually substantial look, and a multi-layered tasting experience. 

The toffee brittle was in the Goldilocks zone (texture-wise). It was wasn't too sticky-hard (it didn't yank out a dental filling) and it wasn't too soft and crumbly. 

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (fudge nut brownie, slightly earthy cocoa) topped with crystalline hunks of brittle candy and pieces of pecan.

This was a well executed bar and true to a big Texas experience. Toffee/brittle lovers will enjoy this bar; whereas I would've preferred smaller flecks of toffee. The vanilla level seemed just right, offering a touch of baked goods warmth.

I liked the complementary flavors and the slightly buttery (real butter) flavor. The salt balanced the dark chocolate and brittle, and vice versa. (The whole blend/bar tasted a bit better than the individual elements, a tribute to the bar's creator.)

Ingredients: "Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Pecan Brittle (sugar, pecans, butter (cream (milk), natural flavor), organic vanilla extract (water, organic alcohol (35%), organic vanilla bean extractives), sea salt, cream of tartar), Sea Salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Tree Nuts (Pecans) and Soy. May contain traces of the following if not listed above due to shared equipment: peanuts, wheat or eggs."

Spring & Mulberry - Pecan Date 72% Cacao date sweetened (bar) - May 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Spring & Mulberry 
Pecan Date 72% Cacao date sweetened (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.75 for 1 bar (with quantity discount)
Purchased from: Spring & Mulberry, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate, Bees and Trees Theme Week, including a range of chocolates sweetened with honey and tree-based sugars (maple and date).

Today's Pecan Date 72% Cacao (bar) was from Spring & Mulberry (Raleigh, NC). The company offers a variety of date-sweetened chocolate bars, most with flavor inclusions.

Aroma and flavor notes included: very sweet chocolate, date, nut (pecan) and scattered sparkles of sea salt. 

The sweetness level in the flavor also seemed quite high. Perhaps because I was expecting something darker with this "no added sugar" 72% cacao chocolate bar. 

The date sweetness also seemed to obscure any harsh (or more nuanced) cacao notes. (Dates contain natural sugars (fructose, glucose) and are typically relatively low in acidity and/or can mask sour and bitter flavors. Salt can also lessen/moderate bitter flavors.)

Texture: relatively smooth with chewy date and nut (pecan), and grains of salt. The dates seemed fresh (i.e. not too chewy or tough). 

I appreciated the short list of organic and quality ingredients. 

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Dates*, Cacao Butter*, Pecans, Himalayan Salt (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts: Pecans. May Contain Date Pit or Shell Fragments. Made in a Facility That Also Handles Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Milk, Soy, and Wheat.

Andy's Orchard - Cherry Chocolate Fantasy - May 26, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Andy's Orchard
Cherry Chocolate Fantasy  
Good ++
Weight: 3.5 oz. (100 g.) / 7 oz. (200 g.) (estimate) in total container
Calories: 465 calories (estimate) in 1/2 container
Cost: $9.00 for 1 container
Purchased from: Andy's Orchard, Morgan Hill, CA 

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

Today's Cherry Chocolate Fantasy confections were from Andy's Orchard (Morgan Hill, CA).

Aroma notes included: sweet, dark chocolate (dark ganache, dark chocolate syrup and marshmallows, and brownies); and faint fruit, nut and vanilla.

Texture: blend of dark chocolate, nuts and dried cherry bits.

Tasting notes: rich jumble of chocolate-y flavors: dark chocolate surrounding chewy, authentic dried cherry pieces, pecans, and hints of marshmallow.

Ingredients: Chocolate, Marshmallows, Pecans, Dried Cherries

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (pecans). "May Contain Pits or Pit Fragments."

Grandy Organics - Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola - Mar. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Grandy Organics
Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola
Good ++ 
Weight: 1/4 cup (30 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup (1 serving)
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Outdoors Theme Week, featuring granolas, trail mixes, tree-shaped chocolates, and other treats enjoyed outside. 

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola was made by Grandy Organics (Hiram, ME) and was part of a day full of alternating rain and sun 

Aroma notes for this granola included: coconut, sweet green, subtle seeds and nuts, and chocolate.

This granola had a pleasing, satisfying crunchy, baked texture. Crunchy coconut clusters were balanced by the seeds (pumpkin, sunflower and sesame) and nuts (pecans, cashews); enriched by smooth dark chocolate chips/pieces; and seasoned with maple syrup. 

I liked the texture (crunchy, without being too hard); the addition of the sesame seeds to the seed and nut blend; the fact that it was Organic and grain-free; the dark chocolate; and that it was sweetened with sugars that were relatively lower on the glycemic* index (and more flavorful).

Ingredients: Organic Unsweetened Coconut*, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Dark Chocolate* (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Pecans, Organic Cashews*, and Organic Maple Syrup. (* = Fair Trade Certified (tm) by Fair Trade USA (R); 33.9% Fair Trade Ingredients.)

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Coconut, sesame, pecans, and cashews." "Allergen Advisory: Created in a bakery that uses peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and sesame."

*The Glycemic Index Scale (0 to 100) measures how much a food raises blood sugar. (Pure glucose is at the top of this scale with a score of 100. Sucrose (sugar) is scored at approximately 68.) Pure honey: 58. Coconut sugar: 50 - 54. Maple syrup: 54.

Nu-Trail - Cacao Nut Granola - Mar. 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Nu-Trail 
Cacao Nut Granola
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Outdoors Theme Week -- including granolas, trail mixes, tree-shaped chocolates, and an outdoor spring egg hot cocoa experience.

Today's (gluten-free and keto certified) Nu-Trail Cacao Nut Granola was manufactured for Snacks Generation Inc. (Miami, FL).

Aroma notes for this "no sugar added" granola included: sweet coconut, cacao and very faint (barely detectable) sweet green, botanical extracts, nuts and seeds.

Flavor notes for this crunchy granola included: coconut, nut, cacao/chocolate, seed, and nut.

Ingredients: Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Coconut, Erythritol, Pecans, Almonds, Butter (Pasteurized Cream, Natural Flavor), Unsweetened Chocolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Salt, Natural Flavors, Monkfruit Extract

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Tree Nuts (Almond, Coconut, Pecan)." "Processed in a Facility That Also Processes Dairy, Wheat, Tree Nuts, Sesame, and Soy."

Pump Street Chocolate - Maple Pecan 55% Milk Chocolate (bar) - Dec. 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Pump Street Chocolate
Maple Pecan 55% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 199.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa (online order)

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

Today's Maple Pecan (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Pump Street Limited (Suffolk, England). The company also produces baked goods. And, today's bar contained flakes of their pie crust.*

The cacao used to make this chocolate was from Hacienda Victoria, a single-estate farm in Guayas, near the Pacific Coast of Ecuador.

Aroma notes included: chocolate, fruit (cherry pie), pie crust, nuts (pecans), maple syrup and very faint fig.

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above, with a bit more emphasis on the smooth dark milk chocolate. The cacao's subtle, natural stone fruit notes (cherry, peach) in combination with Pump Street's authentic buttery pie crust taste made me think of fruit pie. 

This 55% bar was relatively sweet. The flavors were interesting and well balanced and seemed perfect for a cool December day, with hints of pie and maple nut.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, caramelised maple pecans (17.4%) (pecans (nuts), pure maple sugar, demerara sugar), cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, pastry (7.4%) (wheat flour with added calcium, iron, niacin and thiamine, unsalted butter (milk), eggs, icing sugar, salt). Milk chocolate contains minimum cocoa solids (55%). 

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nut(s) (pecans), milk, wheat, eggs. May contain nuts and sesame seeds.

*The crust tasted great, but contained wheat; i.e. it was not gluten free. So I was unable to taste more than one bite. 

Marana - Chocotejas - Pecan 70% Dark Chocolate - Dec. 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Marana Craft Chocolate
Chocotejas - Pecan 70% Dark Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .99 oz. (28 g.) / 17.82 oz. (504 g.) in total box of 18 pcs
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $52.00 for a box of 18 pieces (6 flavors)
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

Today's Chocotejas* - Pecan 70% Dark chocolate confections from Marana Craft Chocolate were manufactured by Cacao Valley S.A.C. (Lima, Peru).

Aroma notes these traditional Peruvian, filled chocolate confections included: well-toasted bread, caramelized nut, and faint dark chocolate.

A smooth dark chocolate shell covered the large, (oval loaf-shaped) chocolate covered confection. Flavor notes included: nutty, earthy, chocolate-y with balanced burnt caramel/dulce de leche flavored milk fondant filling with pecan pieces.

Ingredients: Manjar/milk caramel (whole milk, sugar, agar, disodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), 70% dark chocolate (cacao mass, sugar, and cacao butter), and pecans.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, nuts.

Peruvian Chocotejas often contain a thick fondant (manjar blanco) similar to dulce de leche, nuts (pecans) and/or dried fruits. 

Pure Chocolate Ltd. - Toffee Pecan Milk Chocolate Truffles - Dec. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Pure Chocolate Ltd.
Toffee Pecan Milk Chocolate Truffles
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) / 5.40 oz. (153 g.) in box of 16 pieces
Calories: 240 calories in 5 pieces
Cost: $2.99 for 1 box of 16 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA  

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

Today's Toffee Pecan Milk Chocolate Truffles were from Pure Chocolate Ltd. (Tukums Municipality, Latvia). I was happy to find this chocolate from Latvia, a country that hasn't been represented yet on Chocolate Banquet. 

Aroma notes included: caramel candy, milk chocolate and nuts.

A crunchy exterior coating (tiny bits of toffee and pecan nut) surrounded a round creamy, sweet milk chocolate interior. These sweet confections tasted exactly as advertised, with notes of creamy milk chocolate, toffee (caramelized sugars) and nut (sugared pecan).

Ingredients: "Sugar, Caramelized Pecan Pieces, Dry Whole Milk, Cocoa Butter Vegetable Oils (Palm, Shea), Chocolate Liquor, Condensed Milk, Dry Skim Milk, Glucose Syrup, Caramelized Sugar Syrup, Soy Lecithin, Ethyl Alcohol, Natural Flavorings, See (Sea) Salt. Milk Chocolate - Minimum Cocoa Solids 34%."

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy, and Tree Nuts (Pecans). "Made in a facility that also processes peanuts."

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. 

 

Fjak - Wild Mushroom Funnel Chanterelle Milk Chocolate (bar) - Dec. 5, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak
Wild Mushroom Funnel Chanterelle Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good +++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / ~2.11 oz. (~60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 175.2 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's award-winning, Funnel Chanterelle Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Fjak Chocolate AS (Eidfjord, Norway). 

This Limited Edition chocolate was part of the company's "Nordic Specials" series, featuring seasonal, local Norwegian flavors (apples/cider, berries, moss, brown cheese--and in this case wild mushrooms) found in the Hardangerfjord area of western Norway.

Subtle but complex aroma notes for this bar included subtle dark milk chocolate (very faint, diffuse fruit and lemon-green herb (oxalis)), faint mushroom (soup), and a pleasant, natural sweetness (similar to woodsy honey).

This well-tempered bar had a pleasing, creamy melt and texture. 

Flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate (creamy cacao, milky drinking chocolate); very faint, honey and warm spiced fruit (peaches and pears), and almost undetectable mushroom with a dab of cream and a barely there aromatic (floral peppercorn) spice. At the very end (tail end of the finish) there was a very faint, fleeting, smoky/savory mushroom note.

I really enjoyed this well-executed, wild mushroom chocolate with subtle flavors simmering just below the sweet, milky surface. It wasn't salty or savory, but there was some trace, satisfying umami to it.

I paired this creamy milk chocolate with pecan nuts that were woodsy, nutty and slightly sweet.

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Milk Powder*, Cocoa Butter*, Funnel Chanterelle* (Min. 50% Cocoa). (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. "Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy (and) gluten."

 

Back Roads - Dark Chocolate Pecan granola - Dec. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Back Roads Food Company
Organic Dark Chocolate Pecan plant based granola
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (27 g.) / 10 oz. (284 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $8.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Pecan plant based granola was from Back Roads Food Company (Brattleboro, VT). 

Aroma notes for this gluten free and vegan granola included: sweet oats, nuts (pecans, cashews) and seeds and very faint dark chocolate and dried fruit (raisin).

This fresh, crispy-crunchy granola cereal was full of balanced oat, fruit (raisin), nut, coconut and dark chocolate flavors. It wasn't too sweet; it had an attractive natural sweetness. The Vermont maple syrup added a little more flavor depth than other sugars.

Ingredients: Certified gluten free rolled oats, Vermont maple syrup, dark chocolate (coconut sugar and cocoa butter), coconut chips, pecans, sweetened cranberries (apple juice and sunflower oil), cashews, high oleic sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut and sesame seeds. 

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (pecans, cashews), coconut. "Processed in a peanut free facility that processes other nuts. May contain nut shell pieces or seed hulls."

Chocolove - Maple Glazed Salted Pecans in Strong Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolove
Maple Glazed Salted Pecans in Strong Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) / 3.2 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $3.44 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Pumpkin and Warm Fall Spices Theme Week.

Today's Maple Glazed Salted Pecans in Strong Dark Chocolate was from Chocolove (Boulder, CO). 

The company has been producing a variety of chocolate bars and confections. And true to their name/tradition, there was a "hidden" love poem/poem excerpt printed on the inside of bar wrapper. (Today's poem was from "The Wreath and the Chain" by Thomas Moore.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate and sweet spice (cinnamon) and very faint maple syrup. 

Texture: This relatively thick dark chocolate had a smooth, creamy texture and contained a generous serving of crispy crunchy pecan pieces. 

Flavor notes included: sweet, smooth, fudge-y, dark chocolate (with a faint, fleeting earth and nut); pecans; sparkles of maple sugar (syrup), cinnamon and faint sea salt.

This bar was a lovely and skillful blend of sweetly spiced holiday nuts and dark chocolate. (And a reminder of some wonderful chocolate pecan pie possibilities.) The maple syrup added warmth and flavor depth; and the small amount of added sea salt seemed just right.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Liquor**, Sugar, Cocoa Butter**, Soy Lecithin and/or Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Pecans, Maple Syrup, Cane Sugar, Organic Butter Oil, Sea Salt, Cinnamon. (** Rainforest Alliance Certified.)

Allergen-related information: "Contains Pecans, Milk, Soy." No Gluten or Eggs (ingredients); No Artificial Preservatives. "Made in a Facility that also processes eggs, peanuts, and other tree nuts."

SOMA - Chocolate Pecan Pie Pralines - Oct. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

SOMA chocolatemaker
Chocolate Pecan Pie Pralines
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1/3 package
Cost: $15.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate, Pumpkin and Warm Fall Spices Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Pecan Pie Pralines were created by SOMA chocolatemaker (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Hope everyone in Canada enjoyed their Thanksgiving (Oct. 9th) this year. Thanksgiving in the U.S. is yet to come; but it's not too early for pumpkin spiced-items, pecan pie and pumpkin pie. 

SOMA's decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Pralines were enjoyed with a slice of pumpkin pie from Raised Gluten Free (Arcata, CA). 

Aroma notes for these coated oval- and pearl-shaped confections included: caramel, faint rich cocoa, and very faint vanilla. 

A buttery, outer caramel chocolate coating surrounded slightly sweet and crunchy pecan pieces.

Flavor notes for each piece included: caramel, subtle chocolate (rich cocoa), hints of butter, brown sugar and milk, and naturally sweet pecans--all magically rolled into one bite. 

The flavors were authentic and well balanced, and these pralines tumbled in caramel chocolate were sweet, but not overly so.

Ingredients: Pecans, Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Cacao Nibs, Egg Whites, Salt, Natural Vanilla.

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk, egg, pecans.) "May contain traces of peanuts."

 

Ethel's Baking Co. - Turtle Dandy - Aug. 16, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethel's Baking Co.
Turtle Dandy 
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.) / 10 oz. (283 g.) in total container
Calories: 235 calories in 1/2 of 1 bar
Cost: $6.59 for 1 container (3 bars)
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Nuts Week.

Today's Turtle Dandy confections were from Ethel's Baking Co. (Shelby Township, MI).

These gluten-free bars were a stacked blend of rich shortbread cookie and chocolate "turtle" confection (thick, oval-ish shaped caramel and nut filled chocolates--often with pecans sticking out that resemble turtle limbs). Now imagine that concept translated into a rich cookie-pie hybrid.

Aroma notes include chocolate, shortbread cookies, nuts and fruit (very faint brown sugar and peach jam), and very faint vanilla. (These did not contain any peach, fruit or jam.)

These very generously-sized Turtle Dandy cookie bars had a thick, pie pastry-like butter cookie bottom, and were topped with layers of caramelized brown sugar chocolate and pecan nut pieces.

These were incredibly rich and buttery. (Butter was the number one ingredient.) I'd advise sharing a bar with someone (and eating these over a plate or napkin to avoid getting crumbs on your lap).

It's nice to see gluten-free confection and cookie/pie-like bar options like this; even if they're quite rich. That same rich, buttery quality could provide an interesting crumble over cooked fruit (plums, apples, peaches).

Ingredients: Butter (sweet cream, salt), brown cane sugar, Ethel's gluten-free flour blend (brown rice flour, modified tapioca starch, potato starch, corn starch, corn flour, white rice flour, xanthan gum), semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin, vanilla), pecans, cane sugar, honey, eggs, water, vanilla extract (water, ethyl alcohol, extractives of vanilla beans), leavening agent (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate).

Allergen-related information: "Contains: eggs, milk, soy, pecans. Made in a facility with other tree nuts, may contain pit or shell."

Dick Taylor - Orange Bourbon Pecan 65% Dark (bar) - Nov. 26, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dick Taylor
Orange Bourbon Pecan (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sweet Shop, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Holiday Spices Series.

Today's Orange Bourbon Pecan 65% Dark (bar) was handcrafted by Dick-Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka, CA).

Aroma notes for this bar included: chocolate, pecan cookie, orange and slightly sweet spirits (Bourbon/whiskey).

Smooth, flavorful 65% (Belize cacao) dark chocolate enveloped crunchy pecan bits that were full of complex flavor upticks: nut, Bourbon, orange (and faint maple) flavors. 

I sprinkled one piece of this bar with a tiny shake of freshly ground cinnamon. It tasted like a holiday pie dessert plate in one bite.

And speaking of holiday pies, a family recipe for a Bourbon-soaked pecan (and orange) flavored pie was the inspiration for this Dick Taylor chocolate bar. Worked for me! I loved the layered sparkles of complementary flavor(s).

Ingredients: Chocolate (organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter) organic pecans, organic maple syrup, bourbon, orange essential oil 

Allergen-related information: Produced in a facility that also uses milk, tree nuts, wheat and peanuts.