Sirene Chocolate - Limited Edition Rose 65% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 20, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Sirene Chocolate
Limited Edition Rose 65% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 192 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Limited Edition Rose 65% Dark Milk Chocolate (bar) was made by Sirene Chocolate (Vancouver, BC, Canada). 

Sirene, a family-owned business, has been offering bean-to-bar chocolates since 2013. The cacao used to craft this bar was from Vanuatu.

Aroma notes for this small batch bar included: dark milk chocolate; faint, diffuse fruit; warm spice (cinnamon); and subtle floral (rose).

Texture: This relatively thick chocolate bar had a uniform and very smooth mouthfeel and melt.

This flavorful, balanced chocolate gently evolved in my mouth. I enjoyed the unfolding dark milk chocolate, warm spice, cookie, and the floral finish that bloomed and landed on rose geranium rose toward the end.

I appreciated that this chocolate was sweet without being cloying; the maker's choice of a single origin cacao with interesting and gentle complexity; and the short list of quality, organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk, Rose Geranium.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. (Information on the company website read: "All our chocolate is nut free, soy free and gluten free.") The company uses cow's milk in their milk chocolate bars. Milk chocolates are produced on different machinery than their dark chocolates/bars.

Mayana Chocolate - Strawberry Rose - Strawberry Marshmallow, Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Rose (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

Mayana Chocolate
Strawberry Rose
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.49 (estimate)
Purchased from: World Market, San Jose, CA  

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Strawberry Rose - Strawberry Marshmallow, Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Crystallized Roses (bar) was from Mayana Chocolate (Spooner, WI).

Aroma and flavor notes for this high-end confection of a bar included: faint, tart-sweet, red berry (authentic strawberry), gelatin, caramel, faint vanilla and subtle dark chocolate. (I wasn't able to taste the rose.)

Texture: a generous layer of soft, cloud-like, marshmallow atop another generous layer of soft, slightly chewy caramel -- all covered with a layer of smooth dark chocolate

This bar was a fun blend of flavors, although this high-end, filled chocolate candy bar was a bit too sweet for me. Those who like marshmallow chocolates, or who have a sweet tooth will likely enjoy it. 

I appreciated the use of real strawberry (freeze-dried strawberry powder) rather than an artificial or "natural" flavor. That really made a difference; thank you.

Ingredients: Cocoa butter, sugar, cocoa liquor, soy lecithin, sugar, glucose, heavy cream, butter (cream, salt), vanilla bean, sea salt, marshmallow (sugar, glucose, gelatin, dextrose, vanilla bean), freeze-dried strawberry powder.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy. Made in a facility that processes milk, eggs, wheat, soy, gluten, tree nuts, and peanuts

Spring & Mulberry - Lavender Rose Date-Sweetend Chocolate 72% Cacao (bar) - June 21, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Spring & Mulberry 
Lavender Rose Date-Sweetened Chocolate 72% Cacao (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.75 for 1 bar (part of a larger order)
Purchased from: Spring & Mulberry, online order

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

Today's Lavender Rose Date-Sweetened Chocolate 72% Cacao (bar) was made and distributed by Spring & Mulberry (Raleigh, NC). 

The company produces a variety of date-sweetened chocolates. (All but one of the bars I've tasted so far have also had flavor inclusions in addition to the dates--that some also consider a flavor inclusion.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, sweet green botanical (+ pollen/honey), dried fruit (date), and very faint lavender that increased significantly when I broke off another piece of this bar (with many more lavender buds).

Texture: relatively smooth chocolate texture with a very slight granularity (fruit astringency).

Flavor notes included: rich but smooth dark chocolate, rich date sweetness, and light/fleeting floral (mostly lavender, but that is to be expected as lavender is very aromatic). 

I appreciated the floral (lavender and light bee pollen) flavors; the rich sweet (but not overly sweet) taste of the dates; the visual appeal of the red rose petals; and the short list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Dates*, Cacao Butter*, Bee Pollen, Rose Petals, Lavender (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a Facility That Also Handles Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Milk, Soy, and Wheat. Bee Pollen May Cause an Allergic Reaction. Not Recommended for Children Under One."

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Cardamom and Rose 60% Cacao (Uganda) (bar) - Apr. 25, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Cardamom and Rose 60% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Cardamom & Ginger Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & Uganda Week.

Today's Cardamom and Rose (Batch 000000072524) 60% Cacao bar was made by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). (Note the company is moving soon to Chisholm, MN.) Intrigue offers some great spice blends, so I was happy to be able to feature them this week.

Cardamom and ginger are members of the same family (botanically speaking); yet, it's hard to find them together in chocolates in the U.S. -- except for lovely, India-inspired chai spice blends. So this theme week has included several "either" cardamom "or" ginger spiced chocolates--allowing each spice sibling to shine on its own.

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzori, Kisinga microlot). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate with sweet, fragrant spice (cardamom), sweet floral (rose, attar), and very faint citrus (sweet orange peel) and nut (almond, hazelnut). (Note: there were no nut ingredients listed for this bar.)

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with some mild dryness (mealiness/astringency). It was not clear whether the dryness was coming from the cacao or the rose petals, or both. (I don't think it was the green cardamom seeds, but I can't be sure.)

I liked all three flavors (dark chocolate, rose and cardamom); they tasted authentic and were individually appealing. There was a sense of balanced liveliness about this bar; but the flip side was that they seemed to not completely settle down with each other completely; perhaps because of the slight astringency/dryness. 

Ingredients:  Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, rose petals, green cardamom seeds.

Allergen-related information: (None listed on package)

Ora Cacao - Tantric Rose Blossom Ceremonial Cacao - Oct. 11, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ora Cacao
Tantric Rose Blossom, Enhanced Ceremonial Cacao
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total packet
Calories: "140 calories in 25 discs (23 g.)" - One serving
Cost: $N/A - gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Today's "Tantric Blossom Cacao, Enhanced Ceremonial Cacao" was from Ora Cacao (Graton, CA). The maker (Jonas Ketterle, also founder of Firefly Chocolate), has created a variety of, unsweetened, bean-to-bar, drinking/sipping chocolate flavors, including several with floral or spice inclusions.

Aroma notes for this Organic drinking chocolate (prepared with hot water) included: dark chocolate (authentic fermented cacao); subtle fruit (citrus (orange); stone fruit and berry); floral (rose); very faint mellow wood/nut; and herbs (damiana, very faint licorice).

Texture for this prepared blend included a satisfying, thick, warm drinking chocolate with a very slight granularity in my throat, at the very end. (Note: a blender is suggested in the preparatory steps to make this cacao beverage more velvety smooth and slightly frothy.)  

I enjoyed the authentic, relatively subtle, citrus, rose and herbal flavor inclusions, and the authentic and balanced cacao aroma and flavor notes. This cacao had medium acidity and relatively low bitterness. 

It tasted like relatively high-quality cacao, and was not alkalized or over-roasted. (It tasted like it was made with un-roasted or lightly roasted cacao to preserve health benefits and flavors.)

I appreciated that this was unsweetened so I could add honey or other sweetener, or not. (I would suggest tasting this without sweetener first to better detect/enjoy the aroma and flavor nuances.) 

I liked that this was easy to prepare. And the small chocolate discs made it easy to divide into portions. I also liked that Ora included the following information: "33 g. of Caffeine & 196 mg. of Theobromine" on the package.

*Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Pink Rose Petals*, Orange Peel*, Damiana*, Licorice*. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Manufactured in a facility that processes tree nuts (Almond, Cashew, Coconut)

Elements Truffles - Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate with saffron (bar) - Oct. 9, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Elements Truffles

Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate with saffron (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Amazon, online order (4 bars)

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

Today's Almond Crunch Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Elements Truffles (Union City, NJ). 

The company offers attractively packaged chocolates "powered by the 5,000 year old science of Ayurveda..." And today's floral ingredient--saffron (from crocus flowers)--was called out as an "Ayurveda Superfood."

Aroma notes for this bar included: roasted cacao, floral (sweet saffron, chrysanthemum), and faint nut (almond).

Texture: relatively soft texture and melt with small, crunchy almond bits. 

Flavor notes included: mild-tasting dark chocolate, almond, and faint floral (chrysanthemum, saffron). The mild cacao/dark chocolate tasted authentic, and was relatively low in bitterness and acidity.

The sweetness (raw honey) tasted natural, authentic and slightly muted. (I enjoyed the lack of sugar buzz.)

Ingredients: "Organic Raw Cacao Paste, Raw Honey, Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Almonds, Saffron"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that processes nuts"

Fossa Chocolate - 54% Dark Milk Lychee Rose (bar) - April 6, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Fossa Chocolate
54% Dark Milk Lychee Rose (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 275 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Thailand Theme Week--focused on cacao/chocolates from Thailand and chocolates containing Thai-grown and Thai-inspired flavor inclusions.

Today's 54% Dark Milk Lychee Rose (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate (Singapore).

The company's description of this bar read: "Creamy and fruity rose infused Tanzania 54% Dark Milk Chocolate topped with chewy dehydrated lychee from Chiang Rai, Thailand, and crunchy cacao nibs."

Aroma notes included: fruit (floral, sweet, lychee), and cocoa/cacao.

Texture: creamy smooth chocolate base and clusters of small, slightly crunchy, cacao nibs.

Flavor notes included: a base of mild dark chocolate (made even creamier and more subtle by added cocoa butter); cacao nibs; delicious pieces of sweet, refreshing, authentic lychee fruit; and floral (rose).

I loved the authentic and balanced flavors and gentle complexity. This was a sweet chocolate bar, but the sugar didn't overwhelm the natural fruit and floral notes. (Thank you.)

Maker's tasting notes: "Delicate rose infused milk chocolate with the sweet aroma of lychee"

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, lychee, rose absolute 

Allergen-related information: "Contains dairy. Produced in a facility that processes nuts."

Dude, Sweet Chocolate - "A Holiday In Cambodia Bar" + Elements Truffles - Rose Cardamom Dark 70% bar - Mar. 31, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Dude, Sweet Chocolate 
"A Holiday in Cambodia Bar"
Good ++
Weight: .775 oz. (22 g.) /1.55 oz. (44 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Dude, Sweet Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Flowers and Honey Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Thailand Week. 

There are two Thai-related chocolates today. 

The Rose Cardamom bar with ingredients from Thailand from Elements Truffles I tasted five years ago, but wanted to enjoy the lovely rose smell and taste again. The primary chocolate involved crossing the Thai border to try this "Holiday in Cambodia" chocolate bar. Not Thailand; but the two neighboring countries share a 500-mile border(s) and many culinary and cultural traditions.*

Today's unique "A Holiday in Cambodia Bar" from Dude, Sweet Chocolate (Dallas, TX) contains SE Asian inspired flavors (Palm Sugar, Cambodian Black Pepper)--and Pop Rocks (popping candy) that relate to holidays celebrated with fireworks in Cambodia (Independence Day in Nov.) and Thailand. (New Year's Day in Thailand (Songkran) is April 13th.) 

A Holiday in Cambodia Bar

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (roasted cacao), pleasant sweetness (coconut or unrefined sugar) and very faint spice.

Texture: The Pop Rocks created little crunchy, sweet candy explosions in my mouth. About the closest thing one could get to culinary fireworks (other than chili peppers perhaps). 

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate; unrefined/coconut palm sugar; and faint warm spice and coconut. (The palm sugar was nice; not quite as buzzy and dominant as refined (white) cane sugar.) Overall, a fun bar to try, and well-executed and creative take on a southeast Asian international experience. 

Pairing suggestions: Tea, wine, or blue butterfly pea flower tea** with coconut milk and honey or palm sugar, if you can make or find it (or ingredients) in your area. Think Thai iced tea...in a lovely shade of blue.

Rose Cardamom Dark Chocolate 70% (bar)

Elements Truffles
Rose Cardamom Dark 70% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Today's second chocolate: a Rose Cardamom Dark 70% (bar) was from Elements Truffles (Union City, NJ) and contained Thai-inspired rose elements. (As indicated above, I had tasted this bar before, in 2018.)

Aroma notes included: smooth dark chocolate; fragrant rose/rosewater; and faint cardamom.

Flavor notes for this gentle (cocoa butter prominent) but flavorful 70% bar included: smooth dark chocolate; rose, rose, and more authentic rose; and a trace of cardamom spice. If you enjoy floral and honey flavors, you'll love the sweet, soft authentic rose aroma and flavor.

This bar was well balanced and relatively low in bitterness/acidity--in part due to cocoa butter (#1 ingredient).

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao Butter, Raw Honey, Organic Cacao Powder, Rose Essential Oil, Cardamom Essential Oil."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that processes nuts"

* Cambodia and Thailand are two of the oldest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Both were once part of the Khmer civilization (when the empire included all of Cambodia, and parts of Thailand and Laos). The two countries have many similar cultural and culinary traditions, some language overlaps. In recent centuries, the relationship between the two countries has been influenced by French colonization in SE Asia, cultural influences from India and China, and many other factors. (It's complicated.) 

Both countries are worth visiting and are in a climactic zone where cacao, palm sugar, flowers and spices (ginger, lemongrass, peppers) grow. Both have lovely cuisines, traditions, and at least one holiday involving fireworks. A Thai version of this Holiday in Cambodia bar might have a little more (spicy) heat; both countries offer complementary flavors that can be (continue to be) successfully blended with cacao.

Gnosis Chocolate - "Immunity" chocolate heart + Persian Love Cake - March 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Gnosis Chocolate 
"Immunity" chocolate heart 
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate) in total piece/heart
Calories: 77 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: N/A - included with larger shipment
Purchased from: Gnosis Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Flowers and Honey.

Today's "Immunity" (solid chocolate) heart was from Gnosis Chocolate (Astoria, NY).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, warm spice, and very faint herbs and mushroom.

This heart-shaped (individually-wrapped) chocolate had a pleasing aroma, flavor and texture/melt.

Flavor notes included: chocolate, warm spices (cinnamon, ginger, clove), and very faint herbs and mushroom. The warm spices extended into the finish.

Persian Love Cake
I paired this chocolate with a slice of gluten free, Persian Love Cake--made with almond flour, warm spices (cinnamon, cardamom) and rose water, and beautifully adorned with rose petals and chopped, green pistachio nuts.

Puna Chocolate Company - Rose Cardamom Pistachio (bar) - Jan. 19, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Puna Chocolate Company
Rose Cardamom Pistachio 70% Dark Chocolate Bar 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.95 for 1 bar + shipping
Purchased from Puna Chocolate, online order

Aloha, and welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week(s). 

Today's Rose Cardamom Pistachio 70% Dark Chocolate Bar was from Puna Chocolate Company (Kailua-Kona, HI). The family-owned company uses Hawaiian chocolate and coffee to craft their bars and beverages.

Aroma notes included: nut (pistachio), floral (red rose), faint strawberry jam cookie, and subtle chocolate (chocolate torte). 

The well-tempered dark chocolate broke with a snap and had a smooth dark texture. The green pistachio bits and magenta rose petals on the back side created a very pretty field of (chocolate) dreams; and the nut bits added light crunchy texture.  

Flavor notes included: rich dark chocolate (chocolate torte, brownie) and light warm spice (cardamom), followed by light pistachio nut. The rose petal flavor was fleeting and very subtle.

Ingredients: Whole Hawaiian Cacao Beans, Cane Sugar, Pistachio, Rose Petals, Ground Cardamom 

Allergen-related information: Contains Pistachios. Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk, peanuts, tree nuts

Srsly Chocolate - Love Bar 70% dark Rose petals & cranberry (bar) - May 21, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Srsly Chocolate Inc. 
Love Bar 70% dark Rose petals and cranberry (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Srsly, online order

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

Today's Love Bar 70% dark Rose petals and cranberry (bar) was from Srsly Chocolate Inc. (Austin, TX).

Aroma notes included: dark, slightly smokey chocolate (jungle earth/loam, faint peat--that was present after first opening the wrapper, but then dissipated), faint floral (red rose, pollen), and subtle, sweetened red fruit.

The back of the 70% chocolate bar was carefully strewn with attractive ruby and deep pink dried cranberries and red rose petals.

Flavor notes included: rich, deep dark chocolate, fleeting rose, and nuanced, sweet dried cranberry--all of which subtly undulated into the finish.

The flavors were harmonious and well balanced, including the sweetness level.

Ingredients: cacao*, cane sugar*, rose petals*, dried cranberries (cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil) -- *Organic

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that also processes milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and wheat

Maya Chocolates - Rose & Pistachio 65% Dark Chocolate (bar) - May 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Maya Chocolates 
Rose and Pistachio 65% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62.4 g.) in total bar
Calories: 341 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Rose and Pistachio 65% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Maya Chocolates (Pinole, CA).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: roasted cocoa, dark chocolate, very faint floral (rose petal tea, rose petal jam, and even fainter vanilla), as well as diffuse, faint red berry and rosehip jam.  

The texture of the base 65% dark chocolate was very creamy with a satisfying melt and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: rich dark chocolate (dark chocolate pudding with vanilla/chocolate torte/fondue) that extended into the finish. Very subtle floral flavor (rose tea) came from real pink rose flower petals; and a sprinkling of green pistachio nuts added flavor and texture.

The flavors and the sweetness (sugar level) were both well-balanced. The bittersweet dark chocolate (not that bitter) took center stage; but there was room for authentic, attractive rose and pistachio elements to shine momentarily.

Ingredients: Unsweetened Chocolate, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Rose, Pistachio

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk (and) other tree nuts."

Tony's Chocolonely - Milk Chocolate Rose Raspberry (bar) - May 17, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Tony's Chocolonely
Milk Chocolate Rose Raspberry (bar)

Good + - Good++

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 6.35 oz. (180 g.) in total bar

Calories: 160 calories (per label) in 1/6 of bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from family member
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market (Thank you Megan!)

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

Today's Milk Chocolate Rose Raspberry (bar) was distributed by Tony's Chocolonely Inc. (New York, NY).

Aroma notes for this Valentine ("For My Valentony") limited edition milk chocolate included: sweet milk chocolate, faint fruit (berry), very faint floral and light vanilla.

This smooth, sweet milk chocolate (punctuated by tiny, crunchy red raspberry seeds), tasted a little less sweet than most 32% cocoa solids bars (thank you!). This made it easier to taste the authentic red raspberry, Belgian milk chocolate, and faint rose, and vanilla malt flavors. 

Company description: "Belgian Fairtrade milk chocolate with pieces of freeze-dried raspberry and fudge with natural rose flavor. "

Ingredients: "sugar, dry whole milk, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, rose fudge (sugar, glucose syrup (wheat), sunflower oil, invert sugar syrup, natural rose flavor, sunflower lecithin, citric acid, beeswax, elderberry concentrate), raspberry, soy lecithin." (Cocoa solids: 32% minimum.)

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk, wheat, and soy.) "May contain traces of: peanut, egg and tree nuts." 

Chocolarder - Rose Gin Truffles Ashaninka, Peru 72% (bar) - May 15, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolarder

Rose Gin Truffles, Tinkure Cornish Gin

Ashaninka, Peru 72% Dark Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. oz. (100 g.) in total box of 12 truffles
Calories: 241 calories (per label) in 6 truffles (50 g.)
Cost: 16.50 (British Pounds) + shipping for box of 12 truffles
Purchased from: Chocolarder, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Gin Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week.

Today's Rose Gin Truffles were made by Chocolarder Craft Chocolate Makers (Falmouth, Cornwall, UK). The company offers a variety of bean-to-bar chocolates--both single origin and several infused with local flavors. (I really enjoyed the Wild Gorse Flower bar.)

The Rose Gin in these truffles was from the maker's friends (and relative neighbors) at Tinkture Cornish Gin. And, from further afield, the 72% dark chocolate was made using Ashaninka, Peru cacao beans.

Aroma

Aroma notes for these Limited Edition truffles included: pleasant chocolate; faint, freshly baked sweet (yeast) bread; faint floral and faint fruit (sweet lemon peel, and other more faint/diffuse acidic sweet-tart fruits).

The aroma notes signaled a dark chocolate with depth and subtle complexity--not too dark, more of a middle ground 70+%-er with faint fruit notes. However, (as often happens) the chocolate flavors were stronger than the aroma.

Flavors

These Rose Gin truffles captured the extremes that can be found in a single cacao pod (from sweet and light to bitter and dark). The same tremendous range also exists in manufactured chocolates: from sweet, flavor-infused white chocolates to bold, roasted, bitter, ultra-dark chocolates). Although you're usually not experiencing these extremes in the same chocolate or same bite.

Each generously-sized Rose Gin truffle was lightly dusted with cocoa. Under that light dusting, the thick dark shell and the light filling were poles apart. The firm, 72% cacao dark shell tasted slightly bitter, bold, roasted, and somewhat acidic (citrus). In contrast, the white center was sweet, soft (buttery and fluffy), with delicate, floral (rose-scented) notes.

Since the theme this week is chocolate and gin, one can argue gin and tonic cocktails (with the bitterness coming from lemon peel and tonic and sweetness coming from syrups, fruit and/or juices) provide a refreshing flavor contrast. However, those thoroughly blended cocktails don't include the potentially eclipsing elements of dark cacao.

I had to re-taste these truffles several times to sort out how I felt about this confluence of opposing forces. Was the dark chocolate shell too thick and overpowering for the more delicate center? Or was this like the two powerfully authentic rivers (one dark, one light) in Brazil that join the mighty Amazon River perhaps? The colors eventually blend together downstream, but they don't harmonize all at once.

I can't reverse the course of a river; but I do know changing the tasting order of different flavor courses can make a big difference.

The (tasting) order of things...

I recommend eating these chocolates inside out, from light to dark, instead of dark to light.

When I cut these truffles in half, and scooped out and ate (with a tiny ice cream tasting spoon) the sweet filling first, it was a very different, more harmonious, tasting experience. I loved the rose gin flavored ganache filling; and I could also taste more of the chocolate nuances (a mellow nuttiness, less bitterness) afterwards. Reversing the order seemed to magically reveal/restore the true, thick chocolate shell flavor: a well-balanced, bold 72% cacao chocolate (vs. a harsher 90%-er). 

Thank you to the makers for creating these limited edition, gin-inspired truffles. I deeply appreciate inspired flavors; and complex, balanced chocolates. While I was tasting these filled chocolates, I recalled eating cacao fruit and seeds in the middle of a temperate rain forest, and pondered the balancing forces in nature--and in food and drink. Chocolate truffles are rarely this thought-provoking.

Maker's tasting notes: "Bright, sweet rose ending with a lingering, warming gin melting into fruity dark chocolate"

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa beans, Unrefined sugar), Rose gin fondant (Unrefined sugar, Glucose, Tinkure Rose Gin, sea salt)"

Allergen-related information: Made in a kitchen that handles dairy and tree nuts, in our Falmouth factory, Cornwall..."

Patricia's Chocolate - The Tea Collection - "In The Mood?" - Jan. 29, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Patricia's Chocolate
The Tea Collection (assortment)

"In the Mood?" chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total box of 6 pieces
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $16.50 for 1 box of 6 (different) pieces
Purchased from: Patricia's Chocolate, online order

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

Today's "In the Mood?" filled chocolate was one of a 6-piece Tea Collection assortment box from Patricia's Chocolate (Grand Haven, Michigan). And the tea in this chocolate was more of a floral, berry and herbal blend.

Aroma notes for this filled chocolate included: sweet chocolate, diffuse floral (rose), mixed herbal/botanical, very subtle berry and very faint tea.

The dark chocolate outer shell was flavorful (relatively bold and well balanced cocoa) and had a "just right" thickness (thin, but thick enough to securely surround a creamy ganache (filling).

The filling components included a complex blend of diffuse fruit (berry), floral and herbal/botanical flavors. There was also a light, lingering rose note in the finish. The more bold/darker chocolate couverture helped balance the sweetness in this chocolate.

Maker's notes: "Dark couverture infused with partridge berry, rose hips, passion flower, ginger and rose. The cream is also steeped with damiana and muira pauma bark, both potent aphrodisiacs, and so the name of this most extraordinary and delectible treat." 

Ingredients: (Ingredients listed on box, were for all six (different) chocolates. So it was difficult to determine the exact list for each individual chocolate.)

Allergen-related information: Allergen-related information: Ganache fillings contain dairy (heavy cream, unsalted butter). Some flavors may contain traces of nuts. Contact Patricia's Chocolates for more detailed information. 

Homemade - Chocolate Vanilla Rose Milk - Apr. 22, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate

58% Cacao Organic Semisweet Chocolate Baking Bar
Good + 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113.5 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) (2 squares) 
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's homemade chocolate, vanilla and rose milk beverage was based on squares of a 58% Organic Semisweet Chocolate Baking Bar--made for Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate (Madison, WI). 

A few times a year I make/create homemade chocolate items (brownies, confections, desserts, beverages, entrees, side dishes, etc.). Today's beverage blend was one of those days. 

I used this relatively bold 58% Cacao Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate to add rich flavor to a vanilla milk and rosewater beverage (fancy chocolate milk). 

I first gently heated Organic A2/A2 Vanilla Milk (whole milk) from Alexandre Family Farms (Crescent City, CA), and stirred in 2 squares of today's dark chocolate. After cooling and chilling this mixture (with one small, dried tart cherry), I stirred in several drops of rosewater before drinking. Because this was a relatively flavorful dark chocolate, I had to add a bit more milk as I went, so the rosewater would be detectable.

The chocolate (by itself) had faint warm spice (cinnamon) and vanilla-botanical (very faint green and floral botanical) notes and a rich, true chocolate (brownie) flavor. (Cacao source was identified as "small family-owned farms in South America" on packaging.)

This organic baking chocolate made for a good eating chocolate. After tasting this, I felt this would have been great for chocolate brownies with cinnamon. In fact, upon closer examination, the inner packaging included a recipe for "Artisan Kettle Mexican Hot Chocolate Spicy Brownies." This, intuitively, seemed like a great match with/for this chocolate.

Ingredients (in base chocolate used): Organic fair trade certified chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar, organic fair trade certified cocoa butter, organic fair trade certified cocoa butter, organic sunflower lecithin, organic vanilla extract.

Allergen-related information for all four ingredients used to make this homemade beverage. 

• Artisan Kettle 58% dark chocolate bar: "Manufactured in a peanut and tree nut free facility." (vegan, dairy free, soy free, nut free, gluten free, GMO free)
• Alexandre Family Farms Organic A2/A2 Vanilla Milk: Contains milk.
• Surabhi - Gulabjal Fresh Rose Water: (contains "preservative")
• 1 small dried tart cherry - left to infuse in the beverage blend overnight (contains sunflower oil)

Ritter Sport - Raspberry and Rose Limited Edition (bar) - April 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport

Raspberry and Rose Limited Edition (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 209.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Limited Edition Ritter Sport Raspberry and Rose (bar) was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany).

Ritter's description for this bar: "Milk chocolate with a yogurt and raspberry filling and raspberry granules refined with rose oil."

I like cacao varieties that have naturally-occurring floral aroma and flavor notes. However, cacao floral notes can be very faint and fleeting; and these delicate notes are easily lost during the chocolate-making process (when cacao beans are roasted, ground, conched, refined, etc.). 

I've been looking forward to sampling chocolates with added floral flavors this week. 

Today's 4x4 (16 squares) bar contained enough rose oil to impart a floral scent that extended throughout the tasting experience. (Very appropriate given we're experiencing a spring explosion of beautiful roses this week where I live.)

The milk chocolate had a smooth texture with a relatively slow, thick/stiff melt at room temperature (68 degrees F.). (The bar contained added palm fat and cocoa butter.) This smoothness was punctuated with tiny bursts--slightly crunchy granules--of bright, tart-sweet, red raspberry.

This sweet, milk chocolate confection of a bar was sweet enough that it was difficult to pick out cacao flavor note nuances. All three flavors: (chocolate, rose and raspberry) were represented in a balanced, complementary way, and were authentic-tasting. I could smell and taste light floral (rose) all the way through. As well as red fruit and milk chocolate.

Ingredients: sugar, certified sustainable palm fat, cocoa butter, yogurt powder (cultured nonfat milk), chocolate liquor, milk, lactose (milk), skim milk, cream, butterfat (milk), maltodextrin, glucose syrup, concentrated raspberry juice, raspberries, raspberry puree, soy lecithin, lemon juice concentrate, rose oil.

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

Shekoh Confections - Raspberry Rose - Apr. 17, 2022

 Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Raspberry Rose
Good ++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) for one piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $4.45 (estimate) for 1 piece (part of a 5-piece box)
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week. Happy Easter to all who celebrate. 

Today's Raspberry Rose filled chocolate confection was created by accomplished Chef Shekoh Moossavi, who recently opened Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

Chef Moossavi offers a line of skillfully-made, attractive, high-end, filled chocolate confections.

Raspberry Rose

This beautiful red, shiny, domed confection held a blend of flavors that included bold dark chocolate, tart-sweet red raspberry and floral rose--all complementary, and echoing naturally occurring notes that can be found in cacao.

The outer dark chocolate shell was smooth in texture and relatively intense with a slight earth note. Inside was a layered ganache (filling) with a red raspberry fruit layer at the base that gently bloomed in my mouth. The touch of authentic rose flavor was lovely.

This balanced confection was not too sweet, allowing flavors to shine. Thank you.

Shekoh does not use preservatives, so enjoy while fresh and store these chocolates in a cool, dark place.

Ingredients: (None listed on small box)

Allergen-related information: (None listed on small box)

 

Shekoh Confections - Persian Rose - Apr. 16, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Persian Rose
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: .39 oz. (11 g.) (estimate) for one piece
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $4.45 (estimate) for 1 piece (part of a 5-piece box)
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Persian Rose filled chocolate confection was created by accomplished Chef Shekoh Moossavi, who recently opened Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

Chef Moossavi offers a line of skillfully-made, attractive, high-end, filled chocolate confections.

Persian Rose

This lovely heart-shaped confection was beautiful, from start to finish, a true gift for the senses. The appearance was elevated with a velvety soft red exterior (finish). (Note: be careful handling or plating these as this delicate finish may rub off easily.) 

This multi-layered chocolate had a faint, pleasing caramel note in the aroma. 

The outer (chocolate) shell surrounded a white chocolate ganache (filling) infused with beautiful and authentic rose flavor, topped with a raspberry-colored pate de fruit/gel layer. It was very good.

Shekoh does not use preservatives, so enjoy while fresh and store these chocolates in a cool, dark place.

Ingredients: (None listed on small box)

Allergen-related information: (None listed on small box)

 

Flying Bird Botanicals - Cacao Vanilla Rose Drinking Chocolate - Sept. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Flying Bird Botanicals
Cacao - Vanilla Rose Drinking Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1 TB (7 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99.05 g.) in total container
Calories: 30 calories in 1 serving (of dry mix)
Cost: $9.95 for 1 container (steel cylindrical tin)
Purchased from: Land's End gift shop, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week. And happy first day of Fall.

Today's Cacao - Vanilla Rose Drinking Chocolate was made by Flying Bird Botanicals (Bellingham, WA). The company offers a line of teas and cacao drinking chocolate blends. 

The aroma of this drinking chocolate yielded a bouquet of floral magic. The authentic "rose-y" notes evoked memories of flowers, chocolate, friends and sharing food together. The uplifting aroma of cacao, rose and vanilla flavors was a great way to start the morning.

The cacao powder was finely ground and dissolved easily and completely with relatively minimal stirring in hot water. The authentic cacao/chocolate flavor was pleasant and not too sharp or bitter. (There was a faint trace of plant astringency (back of the throat tickle), but I am guessing that was from the rose powder.)

I mixed this powdered cacao blend with hot water and coconut milk. Almond milk might be a good/better dairy alternative choice with this vanilla rose blend. (Almonds are a distant relative of roses, so there might even be some natural affinity between the two.) Coconut partners nicely with vanilla, but can eclipse other, milder floral notes.

The flavor and sweetness levels were well balanced in this blend. And, even though organic raw cane sugar was the first of five ingredients, this drinking chocolate was not too sweet. (Add less water for a more concentrated sweetness and flavor and thicker texture.) The ground vanilla bean added faint, natural warmth.

If you love floral flavors and botanical flavor inclusions, give this high-quality cacao blend a try.

Ingredients: Organic raw cane (sugar) crystals, organic raw cacao powder, organic rose powder, organic vanilla bean, organic rose essential oil.

Allergen-related information: (None listed on container that I could see.)