Stoked Chocolates - Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 18, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .66 oz. (18.6 g.) / (2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $50.00 for 4-bar Gift Set

Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

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

Today's Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA). The company offers several surf-themed chocolates, including at least 4 different "longboard" (surfboard) shaped bars. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; light vanilla and sea salt; chocolate-y cacao nibs, puffed quinoa and popping candy -- the latter three being identifiable by their festive textures.

I enjoyed the packaging*, the longboard shape* of this chocolate bar and the blend of chocolate-y and crunchy ingredients that harmonized very nicely together. The sea salt balanced the sweetness. 

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Puffed Quinoa, Lactose (milk), Corn syrup, Carbon Dioxide, Cacao Nibs, Sea Salt, Natural Colorants."

Allergen-related information: Contains Lactose (milk sugar). Made in a facility that processes nuts.

*The packaging artwork was by Amanda Davidson, and the longboard bars were "shaped by Barahona Surfboards" (a crafted-by-hand local maker--and repairer--of longboards) in Hermosa Beach, CA)

Wild West Chocolate - Wise One Puffed Quinoa Crunch 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar) - June 3, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Wild West Chocolate
Wise One Puffed Quinoa Crunch 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.55 oz. (44 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar

Calories: 260 calories for 2/3 bar

Cost: $4.49 (sale) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Wild West Theme Week, featuring chocolates with tie-ins to cowboys, outlaws, bears and other wildlife in the Great Outdoors.

Today's "Wise One" Puffed Quinoa Crunch 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar) was distributed by Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of an owl.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: balanced, smooth dark chocolate; grains (subtle quinoa, oat); very light stone fruit/berry; and vanilla.

Texture: creamy oatmilk chocolate with crunchy puffed quinoa pieces.

I enjoyed the fresh-tasting crispy quinoa (just the right texture) and that the oatmilk didn't taste too oat-y. The base (fruit-sweetened) chocolate complemented these flavors nicely, adding the perfect amount of very subtle sweet fruit brightness. Wisely implemented blend all these ingredients.

And, I appreciated the use of Organic, Regenerative Organic Certified and Fair Trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Cocoa Liquor++, Cocoa Butter++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Puffed Quinoa+.

(+ Organic Ingredients; ++ Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 45% of Product.

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

Rawmio - Hazelnut Quinoa Crunch Dairy Free Oat Milk Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Salt (bar) - Mar. 11, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Rawmio 
Hazelnut Quinoa Crunch - Dairy Free Oat Milk chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Pistachios, Hazelnuts & Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Rawmio Hazelnut Quinoa Crunch - Dairy Free Oat Milk chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Sea Salt (bar) was made by Windy City Organics, LLC (Northbrook, IL). 

This family-owned company got its start back in 2003 with an interest in raw/minimally processed cacao chocolate and healthy ingredients in mind, and offers several small-batch bars made with stoneground cacao chocolate. They source much of their fairly traded cacao from farmers in Peru.

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, nut, coconut/brown sugar, faint toffee, vanilla and malt. I like salt with nuts and chocolate, so I enjoyed the relatively generous dose of sea salt.

Texture: smooth dark milk chocolate, crunchy quinoa, with soft crunchy whole hazelnuts

I liked that I couldn't taste the oats (oat milk).* balance? sweetness level? use of organic ingredients/organic certified? 

I enjoyed the blend of textures and the tiny crunchy quinoa bits in every bite. And I appreciated the choice of organic and fairly traded ingredients and the lack of emulsifiers.

Ingredients: Oat Milk Chocolate* (Raw Cacao Butter*, Coconut Sugar*, Raw Cacao Nibs*, Oat Milk Powder*, Lucuma Powder*, Vanilla Bean Powder*, Sea Salt), Toasted Hazelnuts*, Puffed Quinoa*, Celtic Sea Salt (* Certified Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains hazelnuts. Crafted in a facility that also handles Tree Nuts and Sesame but does not process any soy, dairy, or gluten. May contain naturally occurring shell and pit fragments.

*Nothing personal about oat milk; but I'm not always a fan of oat-y texture or flavor in chocolates. Happily there are now several good oat milk chocolates. That wasn't always the case a decade ago.

Undercover Chocolate Quinoa Crisps + Hammond's Peppermint Marshmallows with Chocolate Chips - Mar. 3, 2026

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Undercover 
Chocolate Quinoa Crisps
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 260 calories in 1 package
Cost: $3.49 for 1 package 
Purchased from: FarmFresh (add-on to produce delivery service)

Hammond's Candies
Peppermint Marshmallows with Chocolate Chips
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $7.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week. Today's two chocolate snack offerings were hiding in the chocolate vault, just waiting for the opportunity for chocolate and mint items to be featured.

Chocolate Quinoa Crisps

Today's Chocolate Quinoa Crisps were manufactured by Undercover Chocolate Co. (East Hanover, NJ). 

Aroma notes: smooth, dark chocolate, very faint cookie, and mint.

Texture: these small rounds had a soft crunch that seemed just right; it was easy to enjoy small bites without it being too soft or stiff. The quinoa that supplied the crunch was not too tough or granular.

I enjoyed these chocolate-y snack discs more than I thought I would. The dark chocolate was smooth, and satisfying, the texture was satisfying. And the mint (crushed peppermint) complemented the chocolate and quinoa. It was not too much mint, and not too little. 

I also appreciated the thoughtful list of ingredients (e.g. Rainforest Alliance Certified Cacao; peppermint candy with natural plant-based colors; and lack of artificial ingredients).

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cacao Beans*, Pure Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter*, Vanilla Beans), Quinoa, Crushed Peppermint (Pure Cane Sugar, Organic Rice Syrup, Colored with Red Cabbage and Purple Carrots, Peppermint Oil). (*Rainforest Alliance Certified)

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility FREE from: Wheat, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Sesame, and Poppy Seeds."

Peppermint Marshmallows with Chocolate Chips

The Peppermint Marshmallows Topped with Chocolate Chips were from Hammond's Candies (Denver, CO). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: Light, sweet peppermint; sweet, light marshmallow; and smooth, small, dark chocolate chips. 

Texture: fluffy soft marshmallow accented with tiny morsels of smooth, dark chocolate (chips). 

These tasted fresh and were fun to eat (and float in hot chocolate). They could also be incorporated into other desserts or ice creams as well. Each light pink and white layered marshmallow was topped with tiny, dark chocolate chips. 

Chocolate is dense, dark and lovely. And I'll always appreciate this. But, today I enjoyed the fresh and fluffy marshmallow texture that balanced the chocolate chips. The marshmallow, mint and chocolate flavors harmonized well in this light snack and possible chocolate accessory.

Ingredients: Sugar, Tapioca Syrup, Water, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin [an emulsifier], Vanilla), Kosher Gelatin, Tapioca Starch, Powdered Sugar (Sugar, Tapioca Starch), Peppermint Oil, Vegetable Juices (color), Salt.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a Facility That Processes Egg, Milk, Mustard, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, Sulfites, Tree Nuts & Wheat."

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - Puffed Quinoa (bar) - June 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
Puffed Quinoa Melk (R) Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.87 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Puffed Quinoa Melk (R) Chocolate Bar was from Sjaak's Chocolates (Petaluma, CA).*

The company was one of the first producers of organic and alternative milk (rice milk) chocolates that I became aware of two decades ago--when I started Chocolate Banquet.

Aroma notes included: subtle cocoa, faint vanilla and faint nut/seed/rice.  

Texture: creamy and crunchy

I liked the gentle flavors; this rice, almond and quinoa likely softened the cacao flavor. The smaller bar size was nice too. And the sweetness level was about right--it was sweet, but somehow not overly so.

Ingredients: Melk Chocolate* (Cocoa Butter*, Rice Milk Powder*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Liquor*, Almonds*, Vanilla Bean Powder*), Puffed Quinoa*. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds

*Sjaak's chocolate shop origins dates back to 1988 with a fine chocolate shop in Eureka, CA. Although founder-owner Jacques Holten's interest in chocolate extends back much further, to his European roots.

In 2004, Jacques and his daughter founded Sjaak's Organic Chocolates with a focus on vegan and Organic chocolates. Sjaak's closed down in their Petaluma location over a year ago; and this chocolate was expired by the time I tasted it. But it still tasted ok to me.

Mezcla - Puff-Crispy Bar - Italian Pistachio Chocolate - June 5, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mezcla 
Puff-Crispy Bar - Italian Pistachio Chocolate
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.40 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar/package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar/package 
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar/package

Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Fremont, CA

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

Today's Mezcla Puff-Crispy (TM) Bar Italian Pistachio Chocolate with pea protein, almond butter & quinoa (bar) was distributed by Eat Mezcla Inc. (NY, NY).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, sweetened cereal, seed, nut, and very faint vanilla/cookie.

Texture: satisfying crispy and crunchy texture. It was light, yet I had a substantial feeling of satiety that comes with a higher protein offering. Smooth almond butter and dark chocolate complemented the crunchy pea protein and quinoa crisps.

This attractively packaged bar provided a convenient source of portable protein (10 grams in 1 bar). 

The pistachio nuts (and hazelnuts) were very subtle; so much so that I almost missed them; but (along with the almond butter) these nuts contributed a nutty background flavor. Other than possibly the "Natural Flavor",* the ingredients list looked quite healthy and authentic.

Ingredients: Pea Crisps (pea protein, rice starch), Tapioca Syrup, Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Vegetable Glycerine, Almond Butter, Quinoa Crisps (Quinoa), Prebiotic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Tapioca Fiber, Pistachios, Pea Protein, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, Hazelnuts.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Almond, Coconut, Hazelnut, Pistachio). Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Dairy, Peanut, Sesame, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Egg."

*Natural Flavor(s) includes a broad category of additives derived from plants and animals and are often added to processed foods. Apologies to the maker, but I find bars with added "Natural Flavor(s)" do not taste as good.

Justin's - Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - June 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Justin's, LLC 
Organic Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37 g.) in total package of 2 cups
Calories: 210 calories in 1 package (2 cups)
Cost: $2.29 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Organic Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups were distributed by: Justin's, LLC (Boulder, CO).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively high-quality, balanced dark chocolate, subtle peanut/peanut butter, and faint fruit (authentic fruit (peach, berry), fruity cereal).

Texture: creamy chocolate coating with a slightly thicker/stiffer peanut butter filling, topped with crunchy quinoa pieces.

I enjoyed this updated take on classic* peanut butter cups; the flavorful and balanced chocolate used; the textural blend of creamy chocolate, peanut butter and crunchy quinoa; and the thoughtful list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Beans*, Organic Cocoa Butter*, Organic Sunflower Lecithin [Emulsifier]), Organic Peanut Butter (Organic Ground Peanuts), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Quinoa, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Palm Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Sunflower Lecithin. (*Rainforest Alliance Certified) 

Allergen-related information: Contain Peanuts. Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Tree Nuts and Milk.

Harry Burnett Reese, a former employee of Milton Hershey, has been credited with inventing the peanut butter cup in 1928. A century later, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups continue to be a candy staple, and the still-successful original continues to inspire many variations.

Simply Gum - Peanut Butter Crispies - June 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Gum

Peanut Butter Crispies 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.625 oz. (46 g.) / 4.7 oz. (133 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order 

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

Today's Peanut Butter Crispies were from Simply Gum Inc. (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma and flavor notes included: peanut, chocolate and toffee. 

In texture, aroma and taste these small bars were similar to a Butterfinger* candy bar--made with higher quality (darker) chocolate, quinoa and brown rice, and a lighter (less dense), crispy texture. All this with a shorter list of ingredients.

These treat-sized bars evoked great childhood chocolate memories. The only downside: these were quite addicting. If you open up this relatively large package (that contains an inviting sea of unwrapped bars), you may be tempted to eat more than planned.

I enjoyed the balanced and complementary blend of flavors and textures; and I appreciated the list of quality ingredients and the absence of extra additives--true to the "Simply" company name and mission.

Maker's description: "Our Peanut Butter Crisps are a lighter take on a classic candy -- think nut butter cup meets rice crispies..."

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Organic Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter), Peanut Flour, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Roasted Peanuts, Quinoa, Organic Brown Rice, Coconut Oil, Peanut Oil, Organic Vanilla Bean, Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts, Coconut. Manufactured in a facility with products that may contain milk, tree nuts and/or peanuts. Gluten Free. 

*The Butterfinger candy bar was created in 1923 by the Curtiss Candy Company. In the past this brand was owned by Standard Brands, Nabisco and Nestle. Ferrero Group became the latest owner in the U.S. in 2018. It is manufactured internationally by Nestle.

Fruition Chocolate Works - Zorzal Eco Reserve 73% Dark Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberry & Citrus (bar) - June 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fruition Chocolate Works
Zorzal Eco Reserve 73% Dark Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberry & Citrus (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Fruition, online order

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

Today's Zorzal Eco Reserve 73% Dark Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberry & Citrus (bar) was from Fruition Chocolate Works (Shokan, NY).

The cacao used to make this bar was grown on a cacao farm in a bird reserve in the Dominican Republic. The certified "Bird Friendly"* cacao farm designated as "forever wild" inspired the makers to create this bird seed bar.

Aroma and flavor included: rich, sweet (slightly fruity) dark chocolate, seed, nut; dried dark berry (blueberry) and very faint citrus. (Note: this bar did not contain nuts.)

Texture: smooth dark chocolate (covered with a dense riot of) softly crunchy sunflower seeds, interspersed with small chewy fruit pieces (blueberries). Tiny rounds of puffed quinoa added additional, subtle texture.

I enjoyed the blend of flavors--an elevated homage to cacao and birds (and very high-quality bird seed).

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*), Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberries, Puffed Quinoa, Lemon Zest, Sugar, Citric Acid, Citrus Essential Oils (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains sunflower seeds. May contain traces of milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and sesame.

*As designated/certified by the Smithsonian National Zoo and Smithsonian Bird Center. This honor is being bestowed on coffee and cacao growing areas/plantations that meet certain agroforestry and forest conservation criteria.

Antidote - Quinoa Crunch 70 Dark (bar) - June 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Antidote
Quinoa Crunch 70 Dark (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 of 1 bar
Purchased from: Antidote, online order

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

Today's "Queens of Paradise" - Quinoa Crunch 70 Dark (bar) was from Antidote (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma notes included: pleasing dark chocolate aroma (with sweet green/fruit) plus malted cereal.

Texture: well-tempered, smooth dark chocolate covered with a layer of crunchy popped quinoa.

Flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate (with faint fruit/citrus); light, toasted cereal; and a slight bitterness--making the taste balanced bitter (bordering on sharp earth) and sweet in toward the finish.

The overall appearance was nice, and the tiny, golden brown puffed quinoa layer was generous, attractive (golden brown) and well-executed. (The quinoa  didn't crumble off in my lap, thank you.) 

I also appreciated the use of Arriba Nacional cacao, which gave it a complexity beyond most bulk/couverture chocolates.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate: 70% cacao Arriba Nacional...cacao beans, whole cane sugar, cacao butter, popped quinoa, sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: (Made in a facility that handles milk, soy & nuts.)

DAT Chocolate - Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate + Quinoa 63% Cacao (bar) - May 31, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

DAT Chocolate
Organic Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate + Quinoa 63% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger order; $56.00 for an 8-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Nutsola, online order 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week. Like cacao, quinoa has its origins in South America. Quinoa has long been a cultivated food staple, particularly with indigenous peoples in the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia.

Today's DAT Chocolate Organic Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate + Quinoa (bar) was distributed by Nutsola LLC (Livingston, NJ)). This father and son run company offers several date-sweetened chocolates made without any other added sugars or artificial sweeteners/sugar alcohols.

Aroma notes for this 63% dark chocolate bar included: dark chocolate with nut (almond) and malt and subtle dark, sweet fruit (dates).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with crunchy pieces of roasted almonds and quinoa. The dates were completely incorporated into the chocolate.

Flavor notes included: dark, dense, balanced, roasted cacao (well-managed, Forastero cacao variety), mild date sweetness, and gentle nut (almond) and quinoa. This chocolate was also accented with just the right amount (not very much) sea salt.

I enjoyed the level of natural sweetness. It wasn't too sweet. (It was less sugary sweet than most other 63% cacao dark chocolate bars.). I also appreciated the short list of organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Date, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Roasted Almonds, Organic Quinoa, Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds. May contain occasional pits. Shares equipment with products containing Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, Egg, and Wheat." 

Taza Chocolate - Dark Bark 80% Dark Organic Chocolate Thins - Coconut Almond - Aug. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate

Dark Bark 80% Dark Organic Chocolate Thins - Coconut Almond

Good +

Weight: 1/4 package (29 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 cup (1/4 package) serving 

Cost: $3.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Organic Dark Bark Coconut Almond 80% Dark Chocolate Thins were from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). The chocolate maker offers a variety of bars, discs and treats that are made with stone-ground, bean-to-bar chocolate. 

These Chocolate Thins (shards of bark topped with tiny coconut and almond bits) had an aroma with dark chocolate, green, maple (tree syrup) and fermentation notes.

The texture was a blend of thick, creamy dark (bold but smooth) stoneground dark chocolate and a slightly crispy and crunchy texture (from tiny bits of almond and puffed quinoa).

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above, with a deeper, richer dark chocolate experience with faint, fleeting olive-earth notes and very faint coconut.

The 80% cacao Organic dark chocolate was bold, balanced and not too sweet, with balanced bitterness and acidity. The chocolate flavor was rich enough that it took center stage; other flavor inclusions played very minor bit parts.

If you're looking for a snack with a less processed, deep dark, dense but satisfying chocolate flavor--and with very little bright, buzzy sugar, and no preservatives, emulsifiers, vegetable gums or other unnecessary ingredients--this might be for you.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic puffed quinoa, organic almonds, organic toasted coconut, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds and coconut. May contain traces of other tree nuts and sesame seeds." Certified Organic and gluten free. Also: "dairy free, soy free, vegan" and Pareve (OU).)

Next by Nature - Dark Chocolate Quinoa - Sept. 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Tropical Valley Foods
Next by Nature - Dark Chocolate Quinoa 
Good - Good + 
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 210 calories in 1 serving (6 pieces)
Cost: $6.00 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Land's End gift shop, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week. 

Today's Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Quinoa pieces were produced by Tropical Valley Foods (Plattsburgh, NY). The company offers a line of chocolate covered fruit and nuts, some organic, some not, but generally without any additives or preservatives.

Today's chocolate offering served as a quick, pre-work morning snack. The resealable package contained two servings (six pieces per serving). 

The aroma notes of these crunchy snack nuggets included light grain, sourdough bread, and  chocolate notes. And each sweet* dark chocolate (with milk) piece was chock full of tiny, very crunchy, puffed quinoa orbs. 

Quinoa, a seed (usually referred to as a grain) is native to South America. (Countries of origin for the quinoa used for this offering included: Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.) It's become popular in the U.S. as a gluten-free grain option in recent decades in part due to its relatively high level of plant protein. (It contains some amount of all nine essential amino acids.)

*Ingredients: Dark chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, anhydrous milk fat, soy lecithin (emulsifier), vanilla), puffed quinoa.

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

Taza Chocolate - 80% Cacao Crunch bar + Nicaragua Rosquillas cookies - Apr. 3, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Taza Chocolate
80% Cacao Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's featured 80% Cacao Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA).

This ultra-dark bar was made from cacao from an unknown origin(s). (The country (ies) of origin were not on the label.) However, it was a perfect pairing with the Nicaraguan Rosquillas cookies I made today. (More on these cookies below.) 

This Taza Chocolate bar was everything these cookies were not (except both were crunchy). The chocolate had a deep, dark roasted (yet not roasted),* green aroma. It conjured the feeling of being in a cool, green forest, with almost (but not quite) a mint/menthol note. It was, refreshingly, un-sweet (thank you!).

The even, stone-ground dark chocolate flavor also had depth (with a faint umami hint of leather). Embedded throughout the chocolate was a tiny riot of crispy, crunchy, puffed quinoa particles. 

Nicaraguan Rosquillas, chocolate cookies

Today's effortlessly light, crunchy shortbread style cookies were made using masa harina (finely ground corn flour). These relatively airy but substantial cookies were good with coffee, but could be enjoyed anytime. They were delicious and gluten-free. I made two different kinds. 

The first batch had "flower" petal-shaped indentations around the edges, with small mounds of panela (unrefined brown sugar) in the centers. 

And the second batch was made with an egg (making these cookies a bit lighter and fluffier) and these had Nicaraguan chocolate centers. 

I'm now a fan of rosquillas. They can be made slightly less sweet. (I used less sugar than most of the online recipes I found called for; and that did not seem to make a difference in the outcome.)

Taza Chocolate Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic puffed quinoa, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla beans."

*It's possible to have a blend of different roasted batches, each with a different flavor profile.

If makers heavily roast all their cacao, they run the risk of losing more subtle green and floral notes. (Occasionally more roasting time is used to lose objectionable flavors in lesser quality cacao.) However, if cacao beans are under-roasted, makers may miss out on some of the flavor development that comes with roasting. Some makers mix different roast batches to try to capture the best of both worlds. 

The best chocolate makers create several test roast batches to optimize roast settings/times for a given lot of cacao. Each cacao origin/variety may have different percentages of fat, moisture and various flavor attributes.

Kind Cereal - Dark Chocolate Almond cereal - Mar. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Kind LLC

Dark Chocolate Almond (cereal)

Good +

Weight: 1.94 oz. (55 g.) / 15 oz. (425 g.) in total box

Calories: 240 calories in 1 serving (2/3 cup)

Cost: $6.98 (estimate) for 1 box

Purchased from: Walmart, Mountain View, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, where we're featuring chocolate items that have flavor inclusions and origins with letters that start with N, O, P and/or Q. Today's cereal with chocolate also contained oats and quinoa.

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond cereal was from Kind LLC (New York City, NY).

This primarily flake-based cereal contained a blend of almonds, cocoa, oats, sorghum, quinoa and amaranth. The golden brown flakes appeared to have a very light cocoa powder coating, giving it a slightly richer color, that was accented with tiny, darker chocolate squares. 

The cereal flakes had a hearty texture and crunch, a slightly nutty cereal flavor, and were not too thick or thin. And the dark, semi-sweet chocolate pieces offered additional bursts of sweet, rich dark chocolate flavor.

The almonds, quinoa and oats contained a fair amount of protein. This gluten-free cereal contained 6 grams of protein in each 2/3 cup serving. 

Ingredients: "Almonds, oats, sorghum, brown rice, semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), cane sugar, red rice, canola oil, quinoa, amaranth, cocoa powder, Natural Flavor, sea salt, Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols for freshness)."

Allergen information: "Contains Almonds and soy. May contain tree nuts and sesame seeds."

Raaka Chocolate - Green Tea Crunch Unroasted Dark Chocolate 66% (bar) - Feb. 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate
Green Tea Crunch Unroasted Dark Chocolate 66% (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 238 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and EFGHI Theme Week, where I am featuring chocolate items with flavor inclusions that begin with the letters E, F, G, H and/or I.

Today's Green Tea Crunch Unroasted Dark Chocolate 66% (bar) was made by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

Tea and chocolate blends can be wonderful. Today's vegan and gluten-free bar incorporated genmaicha* green tea. 

This well-tempered and skillfully-executed chocolate had a dark, faintly green, aroma. 

The base dark chocolate was smooth with tiny crunchy bits from puffed quinoa. Adding a grain of any type (rice, oats, quinoa, etc.) tends to mellow/complement sharp, bitter or earthy notes sometimes found in ultra-dark or bolder chocolates. This bar contained both brown rice* and quinoa.

The bar had a faint pleasant almost floral, grassy, green tea flavor with medium fruit (mild, citrus/tangerine with honey) acidity. The finish had a light, lingering malt/grain flavor, and a relatively long tail with a fleeting, faint uptick of green tea.

The deep, dark, unroasted cacao used to make this bar was from Reserva Zorzal, a cacao-producing private reserve, located in the mountains of Duarte Province in northeastern Dominican Republic.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic puffed quinoa, organic genmaicha* green tea.

*This bar was made with genmaicha green tea. Genmaicha ("brown rice tea", also known as roasted rice tea or popcorn tea) is popular in Japan, and is made with green tea and roasted, popped brown rice.

W3 Chocolates - I Am Grounded Candied Quinoa bar - Mar. 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

W3 Chocolate

I Am Grounded - Candied Quinoa Dark Chocolate bar

Good+++

Weight: 1.6 oz. (46 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories (estimate) in 1 bar

Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA 

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

Today's "I Am Grounded - Candied Quinoa Dark Chocolate" bar was the creation of the women at W3 Chocolate (Pittsburgh, PA), and is part of a line of bars from the company.

W3 Chocolatier Amanda Wright hails from California. And, rounding out the team's trio of women, are Naomi Davila (from Switzerland) and Sritha Thayi (from India). 

This bar had a dark chocolate aroma with a faint roasted malt/seeds note. The melt was smooth, and a constellation of candied quinoa, a touch of sesame and salt and vanilla, in dark chocolate created a rich blend of flavors made extra accessible via an ultra-thin bar.

A slight buttery, roasted flavor (cocoa butter, coconut oil, salt) was satisfying, and a light sesame finish rounded out the tasting curve.

The addition of a "starch" (quinoa) combined with the other ingredients mentioned above, gave this bar more of a "meal" feel, while being ultra-light at the same time. This was a nicely balanced dark bar.

Trader Joe's - Golden Spiced Milk Chocolate Bar - July 21, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Trader Joe's
Golden Spiced Milk Chocolate Bar
Good
Weight: .65 oz. (19 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 110 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Carlsbad, CA

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

Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) has sourced a variety of chocolates for their label that are accessible in terms of price and availability throughout their chain of retail stores in the U.S.

Most of their dark chocolates have been quite good. Great milk chocolates are harder to find in general, not just at Trader Joe's. Today's Golden Spiced Milk Chocolate Bar had its strong points, but was not one of my favorites.

The texture was smooth with a slightly creamy melt. And crisped quinoa provided some nice texture. The list of spices was impressive and included curry powder, ginger, powder, turmeric, cardamom, nutmeg and black pepper.

The resulting blend was fairly balanced; i.e., it was not too strong or weak; however it was not completely harmonious; and there was a slight artificial flavor. The bar also contained "natural coconut flavor" and vanilla extract. That's a lot of flavor components to juggle.

The bar was fairly sweet, as most milk chocolates are.

Theo Chocolate - Coconut Turmeric Chocolate Clusters - July 14, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate
Coconut Turmeric Chocolate Clusters
Good +
Weight: 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total package
Calories: 460 calories in 10 pieces (1 package)
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's crunchy Coconut Turmeric Chocolate Clusters were from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

The package of haystack-shaped Coconut Turmeric pieces were part of a "snacking cluster" line of relatively new offerings from the company* advertising the benefits of cocoa flavonals.**

The crispy crunchy texture (similar to crisped rice, but with more heft) was provided by sorghum flakes and crisped quinoa, and provided a nice contrast with the chocolate.

These "snack smarter" pieces were, refreshingly, not too sweet but long on well-balanced flavor. While a bit pricey, they'd make a great snack for a hike, bike, ride or lunch.

While this Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher Dairy and Soy Free snack was not marked gluten-free, the ingredients list did not include any wheat-containing ingredients. (Manufactured on shared equipment with products containing soy, milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, and other tree nuts.)

*Other Theo Chocolate snacking cluster flavors include Salted Almond and Lemon Hemp.
** Flavanols are phytonutrients found in cocoa beans and other plants. Each 5-piece serving (1/2 package) of this product "provides 50 mg of (cocoa) flavanols." 
***Turmeric has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. And one of the benefits of dark chocolate containing flavanols may be to support healthy blood flow and circulation.

Cocoa Parlor - Popped Quinoa 70 bar - Nov. 23, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cocoa Parlor
Popped Quinoa 70 bar
Good++ - Very Good
Weight: 2.1 oz. (60 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 317 calories in 3/4 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift basket from client
Purchased from: N/A - part of gift basket

Welcome to the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Popped Quinoa 70 bar from Cocoa Parlor (Laguna Niguel, CA) was part of a deluxe chocolate gift basket from a client. (Thank you GreenTown!). This was a true Chocolate Banquet, prepared by Present (Los Altos, CA).

Quinoa grows in the high plains of Peru, thus the connection with this week's theme. While Cocoa Parlor is also marketing a version of this bar made from Peruvian cacao beans, today's bar was made with cacao from the Dominican Republic.

Today's Popped Quinoa 70 bar had a slightly earthy, malty, sweet, and rich chocolate aroma. I loved the creamy melt and texture of this bar, that contrasted with the popped quinoa crunchiness.