Weiser Classic Candy Grizzly Bear Paw & Sjaak's California State Bear Dark (bar) - June 12, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Weiser Classic Candy
Grizzly Paw Soft Caramel 
Good ++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.75 g.) / 5 oz. (141.5 g.) in total package/box
Calories: 387 calories (estimate) in 1/2 serving
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package/large bear paw (+ other bonus items)
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
California State Bear Dark Chocolate Almonds (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Bears Theme Week, featuring two bear-themed chocolates.

Grizzly Paw Soft Caramel with Cashew "Claws"

This chocolate coated Grizzly (bear) paw was from Weiser Classic Candy (Weiser, ID).

Weiser Classic Candy is a family-run store (and deli) serving: fudge, caramel (and chocolate) confections, and ice cream. The small-batch chocolatier also produces chocolate confections that are carried in several other small businesses. (They use local ingredients including sugar from local sugar beets and dairy from local cows.)

This bear paw caramel-filled confection was big enough to share with two other people. It was filled with a soft, gentle sea of caramel. The sweetness of the caramel was vast, but balanced by the impressive claws (whole, salted cashews).

I enjoyed the salty claws (whole, salted, jumbo cashews) on this generously-sized grizzly claw. I also was tickled to find two bonus items...

...Under the chocolate caramel claw were a smattering of chocolate-covered raisins (chocolate bear scat) and a small bell (a reference to bear bells often used to let bears know you may be in their area and/or that you're headed their way).

A short printed bear story included information about bears being reintroduced in Idaho (and suggestions about possible human-bear interactions).

Ingredients: Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk, Soya Lecithin, Vanillin (an artificial flavor), natural & artificial flavorings, butter corn syrup, evaporated milk, tenox, sucovert, paramount crystals, cashews

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy, Nuts (Cashews). "These products are produced in a facility that uses major allergens: peanuts, soy beans, milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, and wheat"

California State Bear Dark Chocolate (bar)

Today's California State Bear Dark Chocolate Almonds bar was from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates.

This bear bar was a marvel. It was six years old, and looked and tasted brand new. The well-tempered dark chocolate (no cacao % listed on the label) was smooth-textured and smooth-flavored with a balanced chocolate-y taste. Tiny almond bits added a bit of texture and authentic nut (almond) flavor.

Sadly, the chocolate maker is no longer in business. (Sjaak's Organic Chocolates was based in Petaluma, in Northern California and closed up shop in November 2023 after an almost 20-year run.)

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (organic cocoa paste), organic sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla), organic almonds. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Sjaak's Organic Chocolates is a vegan facility. Equipment shared with peanuts/tree nuts. Ingredients suppliers may share equipment that could result in trace amounts of dairy protein."

Woodstock - Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins + Deux Cranes - Matcha Strawberry (bar) - Dec. 8, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Woodstock
Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.25 oz. (92 g.) / 8.5 oz. (241 g.) in total package
Calories: 450 calories in 1/2 package (3 servings)
Cost: $9.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order 

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Movies & Entertainment Theme Week, with a Japanese twist.

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins were from Woodstock (Edison, NJ), and distributed by UNFI (Providence, RI)* -- a day that also featured Japanese movies and snacks that included an elegant white chocolate Strawberry Matcha bar from Deux Cranes (Los Gatos, CA); Matcha, Sardine Cracker and Curry Popcorn(s);...and mentions of two treats that got away.

These raisins were paired with a virtual trip to an imaginary Tokyo theater (my living room). I had fun making Japanese popcorn flavors (Matcha, Sardine Cracker and Curry). These were joined by sweet rice crackers and sesame crackers. This snack buffet on a lacquered tray was a good match with classic Japanese films. 

There were two small disappointments: 1.) I couldn't find the Japanese gummy eels (candy) in time for this entry. 2.) Nor was I able to find the Japanese Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis), with fruits that taste like raisins. Both seemed perfect for the occasion. (These two might appear in a future Japan-themed chocolate week.)

Some of you are asking, where are the Raisinets? A doff of the hat to our U.S. classic chocolate covered raisin brand: Raisinets.

I featured Nestle Raisinets** here on Chocolate Banquet (10/14/2009). I don't feature the same chocolate twice unless there's a new version/ingredients change. Raisinets are now owned by a different company, but they're still going strong at movie concession stands, nearly 99 years after they were invented in 1927.

I was happy to find Woodstock's organic version of the popular American movie treat, that I had not tried yet.

Woodstock Organic Dark Chocolate Raisins

Aroma and flavor notes for these glazed chocolate raisins included: smooth chocolate-y, dark chocolate  and faint dried fruit (raisin). The dark chocolate coating surrounded whole dried raisins.

I appreciated the company's long-time commitment to the use of organic and Non-GMO ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin [An Emulsifier]), Organic Natural Flavor, Organic Sunflower Lecithin [An Emulsifier], Organic Raisins (Raisins, Sunflower Oil), Confectioner's Glaze, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Sugar. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Soy. Manufactured in a plant that processes peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, sesame, eggs and milk products." 

Japanese Films

I "paired" today's dark chocolate raisins with a classic Japanese film: "Rashomon" (1950); a more modern classic film "Spirited Away" (2001); and 7 episodes from the vintage animated series "Speed Racer". Popular in the 1960s-1970s in the U.S., this series featured a talented young racer driving a "Mach 5" car in a racing world full by intrigue. It was part of the local Saturday cartoon line-up where I grew up. Go, Speed Racer, Go!

*Woodstock is owned by United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) based in Providence, Rhode Island. The company sources organic and Non-GMO ingredients from farms in 25 countries. Today's organic dark chocolate raisins were produced in the U.S. with domestic and imported ingredients.

**Ferrero acquired Nestle's U.S. confectionery business in 2018, which had previously bought the brand from the Bluementhal Brothers in 1984. The Blumenthal Brothers Chocolate Company "invented" Raisinets in 1927.

Compartes Chocolatier - Dark Chocolate Fruits - Pomegranate, Golden Raisins, Blueberries, Orange Slice & Pear - Nov. 8, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Dark Chocolate Fruit Assortment
Weight: Unknown. Total box estimate: (>1.57 lbs. (715.3 g.)
Calories: 380 calories (estimate) in 5 pieces
Cost: $74.00 for 1 box of 16+ pieces
Purchased from: Compartes, online order

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's eye-catching matte black box of jewel-colored dark chocolate covered/dipped fruits were from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA). The company produces a wide variety of chocolate bars with different flavor inclusions, confections and chocolate gifts.

Three of today's five chocolate + fruit confections were composed of fruit pieces atop dark chocolate cups: 1.) Pomegranate, 2.) Golden Raisins and 3.) Blueberries. 

The last two were larger fruit pieces dipped in dark chocolate: 4.) a chocolate dipped Orange Slice and 5.) a dark chocolate dipped pear "spear." 

These five flavors were part of a larger "medium" sized dark chocolate + fruits assortment box. 

Aroma notes included: smooth, chocolate-y dark chocolate with very faint fruit (red berry). The orange piece had a citrus fragrance. The pear piece was very subtle.

Texture: varied by fruit item. The chocolate cup bases on the first three items were fairly substantial. These smooth, thick dark chocolate cups were topped with authentic, ruby-hued fresh pomegranate seeds, with little white pips at the centers; moist, chewy golden raisins and softly chewy blueberries. 

The orange slice and the pear spear were made of larger pieces of fruit. The fruits were sweet; but authentic. The little bursts of fruit flavor from the pomegranate seeds was pure bright-tart red berry/pomegranate. 

My favorite (and most fruit-flavorful) piece was the dark chocolate dipped orange slice. (Although I did not taste the dark chocolate dipped apricot piece, I'll bet that one was very tasty and tart-sweet too.)

This stylish, mixed dark assortment of chocolate dipped and covered fruit pieces was attractively presented in the black box; the contrast with the black box (and dark chocolate) really made the bright, authentic fruit colors pop and shine--wow factor for a gift box.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla)... May Contain Apricot, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Peach, Raisin, Ginger, Mango, Kiwi, Goji Berries, Cherries, Cranberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Acai, Papaya, Cocoanut, Lemon, Dates, Apple, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sulphur Dioxide.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles Milk, Wheat, Peanuts, Egg, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Sesame."  

SOMA chocolatemaker - Green Raisins tumbled in dark Milk chocolate - Oct. 26, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

SOMA chocolatemaker
Green Raisins tumbled in dark Milk chocolate
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1/3 package (390 calories in 1 pkg.)
Cost: $14.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Fruits Week on Chocolate Banquet.

Today's "Green Raisins tumbled in dark Milk chocolate" was created by SOMA chocolatemaker--a talented chocolate maker and chocolatier based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

There's something special about a simple dish or chocolate that's been elevated to next level goodness. This SOMA offering exceeded my expectations for chocolate covered raisins. They used shade-dried Kashmiri raisins (vs. golden raisins/sultanas we normally see in the U.S.) and a blend of dark and milk single origin cacaos.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate, raisin (softly tart-sweet, gently fruity, moist, golden raisin), and faint authentic vanilla. 

Texture: soft, dark milk chocolate coated (Kashmiri) gold-green oblong, softly chewy raisins.

I loved that the raisins weren't too tough, tart or sweet; but they were delightful and flavorful. Gently sweet, almost buttery, complex and sophisticated, I appreciated being able to taste these little green grape gems coated with just the right amount of high-quality, dark milk chocolate. Warning: slightly addictive.

Ingredients: "Raisins, Cocoa Butter, Cacao Nibs, Organic Cane Sugar, Milk Powder, Natural Vanilla"

Allergen-related information: "May contain trace amounts of peanuts, and tree nuts." 

Monkey Brittle - Coconut, Cacao, Bananas & Sea Salt (pieces) - Aug. 11, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Huggins Family Farms

Monkey Brittle - Coconut, Cacao, Bananas, Sea Salt 

Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total package 
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 package 
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order 

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Berries & Cherries Theme Week.

What is a banana + cacao offering doing in a chocolate, berry and cherry themed week? Believe it or not, bananas are, technically, berries.

Today's "Monkey Brittle" with coconut, cacao, bananas and nuts was from Huggins Family Farms (Hood River, OR).

Aroma notes included: fruity (banana bread), nutty and light cocoa and coconut.

Texture: unique and very light-weight, thin crunchy cookie-like brittle. Think banana-bread-nut brownie wafers.

Flavor notes for these wafer-thin brittle pieces included: light cocoa, banana nut bread and subtle coconut.

I was surprised and delighted by the complexity ?? lightness? suitable as a quick meal (breakfast on the go) or a portable snack for a walk/hike... short list of authentic and organic ingredients (with no gums, preservatives or "natural flavors").

Maker's notes? "Coconuts, Cacao, Bananas, Nuts, Raisins, Sea Salt...& Absolutely Nothing Else."

Ingredients: "Organic Bananas, Organic Tree Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts), Organic Raisins, Organic Coconut, Organic Cocoa, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts), Coconuts.

Javier Confectionery - 5x Very Berry All Natural Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Javier Confectionery
5x Very Berry All Natural Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.4 g.) / 3 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 232 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sweet Shop, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate, Berries and Vanilla Theme Week.

Berries are adding color and flavor to a rain-soaked January. Dark chocolate adds depth to bright sweet berries. And vanilla adds a warm baked-goods flavor. The blend of all three offers the perfect antidote for our unusually long stretch of gray, wet weather.

Today's 5x Very Berry All Natural Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA). The company offers a range of bars and confections; and this Very Berry bar was part of the company's All Natural Dark Chocolate Bar Collection.

Aroma notes for this very berry dark bar included: cocoa, vanilla and very faint spice and barely detectable dried fruit.

This bar had a handsome look: rich ebony color off-set with burgundy and berry fruit gem tones. The relatively thick chocolate had a creamy melt and texture, interspersed with chewy dried fruits. 

Hearty but smooth dark chocolate flavor complemented the bright dried fruits: berries (goji, raspberry, blueberry), raisins and cherries. Flavors were well balanced; and this 63% cacao chocolate bar was not overly sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: 63% bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), dried goji, raisins, raspberry, blueberry and cherries.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

Noi Sirius - Milk Chocolate with Raisins and Hazelnuts (bar) - Dec. 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Noi Sirius 
Milk Chocolate with Raisins and Hazelnuts (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 274.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: (retail store in Iceland) 

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

Today's Milk Chocolate with Raisins and Hazelnuts (bar) was produced by Noi Sirius (Reykjavik, Iceland).

Aroma and flavor notes for this well-tempered milk chocolate bar included: thick, sweet milk chocolate; light, buttery caramel; fleeting, faint clean mineral/light clay; crunchy hazelnuts; densely sweet, chewy dried grape (raisins); and very faint, fleeting warm spice.

This milk chocolate nut and fruit confection was rich and sweet. The fruit and nut elements added flavor and textural interest.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, emulsifier (soya lecithin), bourbon vanilla. Cocoa dry solids min. 33%), hazelnuts and raisins (min. 10%), sunflower oil. 

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy and tree nuts (hazelnuts). "Produced in a factory which works with milk, soya, tree nuts and wheat."

Note: This post was delayed due to international travel in Iceland and elsewhere.

DSD Merchandisers - Milk Chocolate Raisins - June 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

DSD Merchandisers, Inc.

Milk Chocolate Raisins

Good +

Weight: 2 TB oz. (30 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total container

Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving

Cost: $4.99 for 1 container

Purchased from: Farm Fresh to you, online order (add-in item)

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week, featuring a variety of chocolate and fruit blends.

Today's Milk Chocolate Raisins were distributed by DSD Merchandisers, Inc. (Livermore, CA).

Aroma notes for these raisins included: milk chocolate, faint fruit, and very faint coffee and salt notes.

Smooth, creamy and sweet milk chocolate blended well with plump moist dried grapes (raisins) that contributed their own tart, authentic fruit sweetness. This was a fruit and chocolate snack designed to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, whole milk powder, soy lecithin: an emulsifier, natural vanilla flavor), raisins, tapioca dextrin, confectioners glaze.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk and soy." "Packed on same equipment as products containing milk, eggs, nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy."

Tahoe Bar - Peanut Butter Plus High Energy Bar - Aug. 24, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

King Bars LLC
Tahoe Trail Bar - Peanut Butter Plus High Energy Bar
Good
Weight: 2.61 oz. (74 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 310 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.69 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draeger's Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Wild West Theme Week.

What does the phrase the Wild West conjure up for you? Freedom to roam in wide open spaces? Tall mountains, granite boulders and mountain lakes? Cowboys and Native Americans? Exploring new trails, territory and parks that still haven't been fully developed on foot, bike or by horse? There is a mystique to the Western U.S. that still lingers.

Today's Peanut Butter Plus High Energy Tahoe Trail Bar* (South Lake Tahoe, CA) contained peanut butter, chocolate chunks, raisins, cranberries and coconut. This peanut, chocolate and berry combo looked capable of powering** a hike or a western-themed adventure or two. And it did. It was created in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and found its way to the Badlands of South Dakota today.

This gluten-free and vegan energy bar was made with gluten-free oats. It was slightly chewy, substantial and not too sweet (thank you). Dried cranberry bits and coconut offered hints of flavor sparkle. Chocolate chunks were present, but were more of an accent flavor.

* The Tahoe Trail Bar was born in the Hot Gossip coffee shop on the shores of Lake Tahoe in 1995.
**The marketing tagline for this bar read: "fuel for the journey"

Flour Craft - Walnut Raisin Nib Granola - Dec. 16, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Flour Craft Bakery
Walnut Raisin Cacao Nib Granola
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 202 calories in 1.5 servings
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package
Purchased from:

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Walnut Series.

Today I enjoyed a bowl of Walnut Raisin Cacao Nib Granola from Flour Craft Bakery (San Anselmo, CA), a company that offers gluten-free* baked goods.

I added some warm, toasted hazelnuts and almonds to this certified gluten-free, vegan, and slow-roasted granola mix to make it a bit a more hearty for cold weather breakfast; however, it was perfectly fine by itself. While this granola was light on the chocolate and sugar (a plus), the nibs provided rich, cacao flavor and depth to this mix.

*The Flour Craft Bakery team made this granola in a "100% gluten-free environment."

Nestle - Milk Chocolate Raisinets - Aug. 13, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Nestle
Raisinets - Milk Chocolate
Good
Weight: 1/4 cup (45 g.) / 8 oz. (226.7 g.) in total package
Calories: 190 calories in 1/4 cup (45 g.) serving
Cost: $3.00 (sale) for 1 package
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Fruit and Botanicals Month.

Today I attended an event that was honoring women who joined the workforce during wartime (in World War II). These so-called Rosie the Riveters helped weld and assemble ships that were being launched in the San Francisco Bay Area (and elsewhere) in rapid succession, to help fight the war overseas during the 1940s.


In keeping with that era, I chose to feature Milk Chocolate Raisinets, a confection that may have been familiar to the "Rosies." Chocolate covered raisins have a long history, and were likely available in the U.S. at least a decade before World War II started, from the Blumenthal Chocolate Company and some European companies.

These chocolate and raisin pieces had an almost malty sweetness to them.

Milk Chocolate Raisinets now come from Nestle (Vevey, Switzerland). Nestle acquired the Raisinets brand in 1984.

Philip Marks Chocolates - Dark 72% Raisin Bark - Aug. 12, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Philip Marks Chocolates
Dark Chocolate Raisin Bark
Very Good
Weight: 2.25 oz. (64 g.) / 4.5 oz. (128 g.) in total package
Calories: 320 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Fruit and Botanicals Month.

I was surprised and delighted to taste today's Dark Chocolate Raisin Bark from Philip Marks Chocolates (Brisbane, CA). Dried fruits such as raisins don't always get the respect, and careful treatment, they deserve.

Today's thick shards of high-quality, 72% (Arriba) cacao, dark chocolate bark were topped with jumbo-sized, plump golden raisins—that tasted more like juicy, sweet white wine grapes than the shriveled, dry raisins I recall from childhood.

This was a great elevated execution of a classic confection.

Living Intentions - Gone Nuts! Cacao Clusters with Almonds, Blueberries - Aug. 10, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Living Intentions
Gone Nuts!
(Clusters of Cacao - Almonds, Raisins, Blueberries and Coconut)
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 400 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: $5.95 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Safeway, American Canyon, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Fruits and Nuts Theme Week, and today's snack (with all three of these components) was Gone Nuts! Clusters of Cacao with Almonds, Raisins, Blueberries and Coconut from Living Intentions (Point Richmond, CA).

My favorite thing about this raw food snack was that it was not too sweet. Crunchy raw almonds were covered with a light coating of cacao, and a bit of coconut, raisin and blueberry.

Rogue - Sambirano bar - Nov. 20, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Rogue Chocolatier
Sambirano 70% bar
Very Good
Weight: .848 oz. (24 g.) /  2.12 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 127 calories (estimate) in 40% of 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

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

What does this lovely Sambirano* 70% single origin bar from Rogue Chocolatier (Three Rivers, MA) have to do with lemons? The answer has to do with experimenting with flavor pairings.

Much like there are color groupings that will work better in a given context than others -- one can pair chocolate with items that mirror, complement or oppose certain characteristics of a bar. Sometimes the pairings result in delightful surprises and sometimes the results are oddly unpredictable.

The profile (tasting notes) printed on this bar's packaging stated: "citrus, rum raisin, toast." I mimicked the tasting notes, by pairing this bar with slices of (gluten-free) raisin toast, drizzled with Meyer lemon infused olive oil; Myers's dark rum, and Meyer lemon jam.

I enjoyed the pairing; however, with a bar this good, I also made sure to savor bites of chocolate before, during and after the toast plate items. This artfully complex bar did indeed have very pleasing, well-balanced citrus and raisin notes.

*This 70% Sambirano bar was made with cacao beans from the Akesson Estate, in Madagascar. The most recent batch (bar) may have slightly different tasting notes. Much like a wine, batches differ from year to year.

ChocolateBet: April 23, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 servings
Safeway Select
Classic Trail Mix with Peanut Butter Chips with Sea Salt
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) / 13 oz. (386 g.) in total container
Calories: 280 calories in 2 servings (6 Tablespoons)
Cost: $4.99
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Many centuries ago, we made our own trail mix to take with us on camping trips. One evening, when spending the night in a shelter on the Appalachian trail, with a few other individuals, I had a tiny mouse run across my face while prone in my sleeping bag. I'm sure he or she was looking for -- trail mix. What on earth does this have to do with chocolate you ask? Well, today, I'm going hiking on the San Francisco Bay Trail, and I'm bringing a modern version of trail mix with me -- with "candy coated chocolate pieces" and, wait for it, Sea Salt as well. Oh, in addition to the more traditional elements: almonds, peanuts and raisins, it also has peanut butter chips in it -- qualifying this mix for Day #6 of Chocolate and Seed/Nut Butter and Fruit Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: Oct. 14, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
Nestle
Raisinets Dark (aka Dark Raisinets)
Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup (45 g.)/11 oz. (311.8 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: ?
Purchased from: ?

One serving of chocolate raisins (Raisinets) = 1/2 cup of grapes, the package tells me. That, and the antioxidants from chocolate, will help me maintain my body health. But, seriously, after eating a relatively heavy Mexican dinner earlier this evening, a chocolate with some fruit in it was less heavy and more satisfying. When it came to movie theater treats throughout my life, popcorn was the runaway winner, followed by chocolate covered peanuts. However, Raisinets have nostalgic value as well. The raisins come from my home state of California. (And, if you're older than ~ 40, who doesn't remember those animated California raisin commercials growing up?)

ChocolateBet: October 7, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

2 servings; 2 ounces
Living Intentions
Gone Nuts! - Raw Cacao Almonds and Raisins
("Raw, not roasted; air-dried")
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56 grams)/4 oz. (113 grams) in total package
Calories: 206 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $? (need to find receipt)
Purchased from: Piazza's in Palo Alto, CA (need to double-check this)

Raw chocolate. It's getting better. These Gone Nuts! Raw Cacao Almonds and Raisins from Living Intentions (SF/Richmond, CA) kind of grew on me; they tasted better as I ate more of them. These were also vegan, gluten-free, with no GMOs or trans fats.

ChocolateBet: February 3, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 serving (3 pieces)
(The) Cocoa Deli (a Kinnerton Confectionary brand)
Rocky Road Clusters
Good - Very Good
Weight: 40 grams in 1 serving (total container is 8.5 oz. (240 g.)
Calories: 180 in one (3-pc) serving
$6.99 for 1 whole container
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Today's blend of Belgian milk chocolate, marshmallows, raisins and caramelized hazelnut bits from Cocoa Deli (London, UK), was definitely rocky road inspired. And I love tasting different variations on this theme.

My favorite rocky road chocolates have big chunks of nuts. I love the contrast between the sweet, soft marshmallows and crunchy nuts that balance out the sweetness.

So I found myself imagining a version of these rocky road clusters with dark chocolate, and more nuts. But then, my preference is for dark chocolate and nuts in almost any confection. 

ChocolateBet: September 14, 2006

Chocolate of the Day:

Kar's
Sweet 'N Salty Mix
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 1 package
Cost: $0.75
Purchased from: vending machine at work

Today I was back in my cubicle at work, playing catch-up from my trip. I didn't have time for lunch, so I hit the vending machines. After wandering around to different break-room areas, I found a machine that had something sort of healthy, that had chocolate in it.

Bingo. I go for it. It's Kar's Sweet and Salty Mix (from Kar Nut Products Co.) - a kind of trail mix with chocolate chip/candy-like pieces. Hey, it's great if you're hungry, and it beat most of the alternatives suspended by little roundish wires next to it in the machine.

Note to self: While the world is filled with easy to obtain chocolates now, a few days into this year-long chocolate bet, I suspect at some point I'll need to buy a few days worth of chocolate in advance to carry with me to work, to ensure I can have new types at my fingertips when it's busy at work, like today.

I talked to my good friend, who shares a birthday in September. I tell her about the chocolate bet, and ask her if she wanted in on some birthday and/or chocolate adventures this month. Her reaction was something like "...Are you crazy. A chocolate bet? What do you want to do, gain 10 pounds?" She laughed. But, she's up for some birthday, cocoa-bean related adventures. Bless her for that. (I secretly hope that I don't gain 10 pounds -- but I might be willing to accept a 4-5 pounds for the sake of my year-long cocoa quest.)