Stoked Chocolates - Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 19, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Doheny Berry 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: $0 for 1 bar (part of a $50 gift set of 4-bars, already accounted for in last entry)

Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. 

Today's Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (made in Hermosa Beach, CA). 

The company offers several surf-themed chocolates, including at least 4 different "longboard" (surfboard) shaped bars. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's dark chocolate longboard included: smooth dark chocolate; light vanilla and bright red berries (strawberry, red raspberry) -- the latter three being identifiable by its light and crunchy texture, from bits of sweet, ripe, freeze-dried berries.

I enjoyed the packaging* and the longboard (surfboard) design* (complete with a spattering of berry-hued colored decor) of this chocolate bar; the blend of chocolate-y dark chocolate; and fresh-tasting crunchy red (organic) that harmonized very well together. The vanilla added a spark of joy, and the tiny ripple of Pacific sea salt balanced the sweetness. 

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries, Freeze-Dried Raspberries, Sea Salt, Natural Colorants."

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

*The outer packaging artwork was by Amanda Davidson; and the longboard bars were "shaped by Barahona Surfboards" (another, revered, hand-crafted business in Hermosa Beach, CA). 

Chocolate and surfing both have a long history in California. Longboard surfing from Hawaii was first demonstrated in Southern California around 1907. (Prior to that in the late 1800s, three Hawaiian princes had surfed in Northern California, in Santa Cruz, on custom redwood boards.) By the mid-1900s, the art of hand-crafting surfboards in the Golden State was well underway. And Barahona Surfboards has 85 years of experience in this business.

The first major chocolate business in California was arguably The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in Northern California during the Gold Rush, and Guittard not long after, followed by See's, and many other chocolate makers and chocolatiers over the years. 

Moonstruck Chocolate - Black Cat Bar - Dark Chocolate + Dark Chocolate Strawberry & Basil (bars) - Nov. 1, 2024

Chocolate(s) of The Day 

Moonstruck Chocolate

Black Cat Bar - Dark Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.1 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in (approx.) 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Dark Chocolate Strawberry & Basil 
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 3.25 oz. (92 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in (approx.) 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week, featuring chocolates that contain a member of the very large mint family--that includes basil.

And in honor of Halloween Week (and the fact I tried a similar Strawberry & Basil bar from the same company many years ago), I added the Black Cat Bar to try along with its lightly basil-flavored chocolate sibling. 

Both were Moonstruck Chocolate bars from Portland, OR. (The Black Cat Bar was manufactured by CW Moonstruck LLC (Portland, OR); and the Strawberry and Basil bar was manufactured by Moonstruck Chocolate Co. in Portland, OR). Both were made with UTZ Certified Cocoa.*

Black Cat Bar - Dark Chocolate

Aroma and flavor notes for this smooth, attractive, (and I assume) seasonal chocolate included: roasted, smooth and chocolate-y dark chocolate (pudding, mousse), vanilla, and faint marshmallow.

I loved the simple but striking appearance of a dark (black) cat silhouetted against a full moon (white chocolate), and the light sparkling of stars (vanilla sugar crystals) in the dark chocolate sky and reflected in dark ground below.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Nonfat Dry Milk, Butterfat, Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier), Vanilla Extract), Vanilla Sugar (Cane Sugar, Vanilla Powder), Natural Toasted Marshmallow Flavor Extract (Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavor)."

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Milk, Soy."

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Basil bar

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, warm spices (clove, cinnamon), and refreshing, tart-sweet fruit (red berry). 

The basil was fleeting and faint, but the tiny green pieces were an attractive, colorful complement to the red strawberry bits on the dark chocolate. I was a little confused by the faint warm spices; but 'tis the season.

Ingredients: "Semisweet Chocolate (Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, vanilla extract.) Basil Herb Sugar (sugar crystals, basil), Freeze Dried Strawberries."

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on shared equipment. May contain traces of milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, sesame and tree nuts"

*The UTZ Certification program is now part of Rainforest Alliance. Both stress values such as sustainability, fair wages for farmers and training for farmers, and require that certain standards are met for certification. Farms and companies are audited by independent organizations.

Wildwood Chocolate - Berry Berry 70% Cacao (bar) - June 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Wildwood Chocolate
Berry Berry 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Healing Arts Center and Spa at Cavallo Point, Sausalito, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week(s). 

Today's Berry Berry 70% Cacao (bar) was from Wildwood Chocolate (Portland, OR). Note: This bar's lovely appearance and the company's name (inspired by a local trail in the Portland area) caused me to have a positive bias--as I love color, nature and trails.

Aroma notes for this visually stunning dark chocolate bar included: big, bright red berry (authentic red raspberry and strawberry), and dark chocolate.

Texture: A very generous layer of lofty (almost airy) light, dried fruit (strawberries, raspberries) sat atop a smooth/creamy dark chocolate base.

Flavor notes included: tart-sweet strawberries and raspberries that complemented bold (slightly earthy/loamy) and relatively smooth dark chocolate. And a very faint touch of vanilla harmonized well with the berries and chocolate.

I enjoyed this very attractive*, well-executed, flavorful 70% cacao bar. The berries were not sweetened--allowing the true fruit flavors to shine. Thank you to Wildwood for not over-sugaring this fruit-flavored chocolate.

Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Dried Strawberries, Dried Raspberries.

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. May contain traces of the following if not listed above due to shared equipment: milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or eggs.

*The Wildwood image of a fern (plant) was embossed on the dark chocolate side; and the red berries provided 100% coverage (and eye candy) on the other side.

Ethereal Craft Chocolate - Organic Dark Chocolate w/ Strawberries, Rose Petals, Pink Peppercorns (bar) - May 19, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate
Organic Dark Chocolate Strawberry, Rose Petal, Pink Peppercorn (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 222 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Happy Girl Kitchen (Pacific Grove, CA)

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

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate with Dried Strawberries, Rose Petals and Pink Peppercorns (bar) was made by Ethereal Chocolate (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark chocolate (cacao, subtle wood (cedar, pepper), very faint nut and fruit); diffuse red fruit (strawberry); little pops of pink peppercorn; and very faint floral. 

A beautiful field of rose-hued flavor additions on the back of this bar included: dried strawberry slices, rose petals and pink peppercorns.  

The dark chocolate had a light creaminess and nice melt, as well as a slight granular dryness (fruit astringency), which could have been caused by flavor inclusions. Hard to tell.

The dark chocolate, strawberry and pink peppercorn flavors were appealing, complex and balanced. Every once in awhile there was an uptick in concentrated, naturally tart-sweet strawberry flavor, or a hint of pink peppercorn. 

The rose petals added visual beauty; their more subtle flavor was a bit subdued in this blend. However, if you savor this thoughtfully crafted chocolate (made from a short list of high-quality, organic ingredients) slowly...you'll be rewarded with a few wonderful, soft encounters with authentic rose flavor. 

Like the flavor levels above, the sweetness was well-balanced too; and this enjoyable dark chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!). 

Ingredients: Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Freeze-Dried Strawberries*, Rose Petals*, Pink Peppercorns*. (* Organic Ingredient)

Allergen-related information: "Made on shared equipment with peanuts (and) tree nuts."

Puchero - Chocolate with Pistachios & Strawberries 50% (bar) - Mar. 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Puchero
Chocolate with Pistachios and Strawberries 50% (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 177 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Chocolate with Pistachios and Strawberries 50% (bar) was from Puchero (Valladolid, Spain), and made with local ingredients from Spain: "Pistacyl" pistachios from Valladolid and strawberries from Segovia.

The subtle aroma notes included: sweet red berry (strawberry), milk chocolate, and caramel.

This bar had a unique texture. It had a thick (in a cold room), high-fat, creamy melt and mouthfeel. There was no dairy or dairy fat in this bar. The relatively high fat content muted the chocolate and other flavors a little, and provided a buttery tasting experience.

The rich texture was accomplished via (I'm guessing) cocoa butter and very finely ground pistachio nuts (as I did not detect any pistachio nut pieces, just subtle nut flavor). 

The flavors were mild and balanced. The cacao flavors were extremely subtle, with no detectable acidity, bitterness or dark chocolate flavors one typically finds with the presence "darker" half of the cocoa bean (solids). 

This chocolate belongs on a 50% cacao bar tasting flight, to show what is possible using a lower percentage of cacao solids.* (It would also be a nice addition to a dessert plate.)

Almost all 50% cacao chocolates are very sweet. It was a happy surprise to discover this one  (refreshingly) was not. Sugar was the third ingredient listed. 

There was no "more-ish" sugar craving (to wolf down more of this chocolate) in this quieter bar. I enjoyed savoring each bite slowly, and was content with less.

Ingredients: "Cacao beans, pistachio (25%), organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, dehydrate strawberry (4%), salt."

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten.

*Percentages may surprise you, tasting both darker and milder than one might expect. Some "lower" percentage chocolates may taste higher than indicated, and vice versa. The origin and variety of cacao (not always identified on the packaging) makes a difference. And, in today's case, a lower percentage bar doesn't have to mean more sugar.

 

Honeymoon Chocolate - Strawberry Milk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 6, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Honeymoon Chocolate
Strawberry Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in total bar
Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Z. Cioccolato, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Strawberry Milk Chocolate (bar) from Honeymoon Chocolates (Clayton, MO). was created using a short list of thoughtfully sourced cacao (Belize), cacao butter (Peru), raw honey (local farms), and organic ingredients (cacao, milk, strawberries).*

I usually prefer dark chocolates. And I admit my first reaction when I read "strawberry milk chocolate" was a small sigh. Milk and sugar can dull fresh, sweet-tart fruit flavors. (This can happen with some strawberry ice creams.) However, this skillfully made and nuanced bar (that I suggest savoring slowly) proved otherwise.

Aroma notes included: fermented cacao and tart-sweet red fruit. (Just as some bottles of wine are best left to breathe after opening, some well-sealed chocolates improve with being aired out for a few minutes after opening.)

The initial fermentation notes dissipated in less than 10 minutes leaving room for richer, more attractive, nuanced chocolate and caramel and delicate floral (pollen/honey) notes.

This bar had an interesting texture with a melt that started slow (in a cold tasting room) with an almost gentley waxy creamy mouthfeel that accelerated into a rapid, natural melt. I am assuming this was in part due to the use of raw honey instead of cane sugar.

The attractive bar had a hexonal honeycomb pattern on the front side and an authentic rosey,  duo-toned, naturally red pink strawberry pieces adhered to the back of the bar.

What about the chocolate? The milk chocolate had more of a clear, well-balanced bittersweet chocolate (rather than a muted milk chocolate) flavor, that I liked. 

Raw honey and strawberry fruit bits provided subtle sweetness, without the same sugar buzz** that one often find in milk chocolates. (Thank you!)

*Ingredients: Organic cacao, raw honey, organic cacao butter, organic milk powder, organic strawberry.

Allergen-related information: "Free of refined sugar, soy, or gluten."

** Honey tends to be sweeter than sugar, by weight, which means that a 70% cacao chocolate bar sweetened with honey, might taste different than a 70% chocolate bar sweetened with cane sugar.

Touched by Nature - Cashew Dips, Milk Chocolate Strawberry - Jan. 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Touched by Nature
Cashew Dips - Milk Chocolate Strawberry
(Distributed by Thrive Brands LLC)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 678 calories in 1 package (per label)
Cost: $1.49 (marked down) for 1 package
Purchased from: Ross Stores

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Berries and Vanilla Theme Week.

Today's Cashew Dips were made in Slovenia and distributed by Thrive Brands LLC (Chicago, IL). 

Aroma notes for this chocolate covered cashews included: sweet baked goods (doughnut), very faint potato, chocolate and red berry fruit (candy). 

These roasted nuts had a soft crunch with natural milk chocolate and strawberry flavors as promised. Surprisingly, these were not too sweet--largely due to their construction, and the goal to have "less chocolate, more cashews."

After a thin coating in milk chocolate these cashews were rolled in freeze-dried strawberry powder providing a layer of sweet-bright, concentrated strawberry flavor. Both coating layers were light enough that they didn't overwhelm the cashew nuts. The end result was an authentic-tasting, somewhat addictive snack.

Ingredients: "Cashews, milk chocolate [sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, cocoa liquor, lecithin (from soy), vanilla extract], freeze dry strawberry powder."

Allergen-related information: "Contains, cashews, soy. May contain traces of peanuts, other tree nuts or gluten." 

Zotter - Wild Berries with Vanilla (filled bar) - Jan. 15, 2023

Zotter
Wild Berries with Vanilla (filled) bar
Good +
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.99 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: zotter.com, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Berries and Vanilla Theme Week.

Today's Wild Berries with Vanilla (filled) bar was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

The company offers a wide variety of filled bar (with a range of layered flavors) as well as bean-to-bar, single origin bars (their "Labooko" line), using organic, fair trade ingredients.

Aroma notes for today's sweet, winter warmer filled bar included: sweet red berry (red currant, strawberry) jam, vanilla and chocolate.

A thin chocolate coating enveloped two (fruit and vanilla) soft, internal layers. 

Relatively thin, layered, flavors like this can have an advantage over chocolates where distinct flavors everything thoroughly blended. Each complementary berry fruit flavor was able shine.

The overall flavor was rich in berry jam notes (strawberry, red raspberry and tart currant, and faint blueberry). Rich cocoa (dark milk chocolate) and warm vanilla notes made me feel like I was eating a sweet, complexly sophisticated dessert. 

Speaking of dessert, yes, this bar was very sweet. (Organic, fair traded sugar was the number one ingredient; and it also contained honey and glucose syrup.) A few confection-sized bites made for a fun treat. 

I plan to share the rest of this attractively layered bar with a few people and/or cut it up and display the pieces on a dessert/fruit plate.

Ingredients: Organic, fair traded cane sugar; organic, fair traded cocoa butter; organic, fair traded cocoa mass; dry whole milk; milk; dry skim milk; honey; organic glucose syrup; organic strawberries; organic blue berries; organic dried raspberries; organic almonds; organic cranberry concentrate; organic redcurrant concentrate; organic dried strawberries; organic dried blackcurrants; organic dried blueberries; dry sweet whey; organic dark brown cane sugar; organic soy lecithin; organic vanilla bean powder; salt; organic lemon powder (organic lemon juice concentrate, organic corn starch, organic sugar); organic cinnamon; organic rose petals; (78% organic)

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, almonds, soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes other tree nuts, peanuts, eggs and sesame." 

Antidote - Strawberry + Hibiscus Milk Chocolate 56% (bar) - July 4, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Antidote Chocolate
"Magician" Strawberry + Hibiscus Milk Chocolate 56% cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories (per label) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Fruit and Flowers Theme Week. Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate. 

On the menu this Independence Day: potato salad and fruit salad (watermelon, strawberries, banana and blueberries), plus this red, white and blue packaged, fruit and floral Antidote milk chocolate bar.

Today's "Magician" Strawberry + Hibiscus Milk Chocolate 56% Cacao (bar) was from Ms. Red Thalhammer--self-described "Austrian chocolate dreamer," and chief maker--at Antidote Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The back of this bar was a festive field of red bits. and had an aroma with strawberry, tart red, floral fruit and dried red plum notes.

This dark milk chocolate had a creamy melt and texture; and the tiny pieces of freeze-dried strawberry added some soft crunch.

The dark milk chocolate had smooth dark chocolate flavor, with a faint, occasional and balanced (by the milk) earth note.

Ingredients: Cacao beans (56% cacao Arriba Nacional), cacao butter, milk powder, whole cane sugar, strawberries, red hibiscus, sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that handles soy and nuts."

Socola Chocolatier - Toasted Coconut and Black Sesame Milk Chocolate (bar) - May 20, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Socola Chocolatier 

Toasted Coconut and Black Sesame Milk Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) (estimate) in total bar
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.95 + shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Socola Chocolatier, online order

Strawberry Matcha White Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) (estimate) in total bar
Calories: 157 calories (estimate) in 1/4 bar
Cost: $9.95 + shipping for 1 bar
Purchased from: Socola Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Vietnam Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and VWXYZ Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with origins and flavor inclusions that begin with the letters V, W, X, Y and/or Z, such as Vietnam and Vanilla.

Today's two bars: 1.) Toasted Coconut and Black Sesame Milk Chocolate (bar), and the beautiful 2.) Strawberry Matcha White Chocolate bar were made by Wendy Lieu at Socola Chocolatier (San Francisco, CA). 

Socola (the Vietnamese word for chocolate) was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area by two sisters in 2001.* Their confections and bars often include Vietnam-inspired ingredients.

Opening the shipment containing these two bars was like unboxing happiness. Creativity, beauty, fun and great, fresh chocolate all in one package. 

It was good to see "Harriet," the winged alpaca, a Socola spirit animal of sorts again. (Covid-19 cut down on seeing local chocolatiers in the past few years.) Harriet appeared on the company's logo/packaging, on the chocolate bars, and in the Socola postcards that were generously included in the shipment.

Toasted Coconut and Black Sesame Milk Chocolate (bar)

This visual feast of a milk chocolate bar was adorned with toasted, shaved coconut pieces and a light sprinkle of black sesame seeds. It had a lovely, subtle aroma with notes of milk chocolate, roasted coconut and nutty sesame. The flavor was a fully realized version of the aroma notes with rich and creamy milk chocolate, a bit of soft crunch from coconut and seeds, rounded out with a touch of warm vanilla that tied together all these elements very nicely.

Warning: this bar could be slightly addictive. Yes this bar was sweet, but it was also very easy to enjoy.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, sunflower lecithin, vanilla beans, cocoa butter, full cream milk); coconut; black sesame seeds. 

Allergen-related information: contains milk, sesame

Strawberry Matcha Tea (bar)

Today's second bar was a colorful confection: a field of green (white chocolate infused with green matcha tea) with freeze-dried, rosy red strawberries (embedded in and atop the bar).

White chocolate usually contains vanilla. (This bar did.) Vanilla adds an uplifting green, floral flavor and evokes the smell of warm, aromatic baked goods and hot chocolate. This "happy" spice accented the mellow, light spring green flavor of the sweet and creamy matcha green tea, and elevated the tart-sweet, softly crunchy, strawberry pieces. The result: harmonious and bright confection perfection.

Ingredients: White chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, full milk powder, sunflower lecithin, vanilla); strawberries; matcha green tea

Allergen-related information: Contains milk

*Socola Chocolatier was founded by two Vietnamese American sisters, Wendy and Susan Lieu. Socola also has a chocolate and coffee shop location in San Francisco.

Crunchies - Freeze-Dried Strawberries in Milk Chocolate - Apr. 18, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Crunchies

Freeze-Dried Strawberries in Milk Chocolate

Good

Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) in total package

Calories: 300 calories in 2 servings

Cost: $3.49 for 1 package

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

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and RSTU Theme Week, featuring items with origins and/or flavor inclusions that start with the letters R, S, T and/or U.

It was impossible this week not to include both raspberries and strawberries. Both these berries have a long history of being combined in sublime ways with chocolate.

Today's Freeze-Dried Strawberries in Milk Chocolate were from Crunchies Natural Food Company, LLC (Calabasas, CA). The company offers a variety of freeze-dried fruit and vegetable snacks.

Freeze-dried* fruit pieces and powders have become popular* flavor inclusions for chocolates. They offer bursts of concentrated, authentic fruit flavor and a unique texture. 

The resulting pieces/powders are bright and flavorful, but they need to be sealed off from air and moisture to retain their light, airy, crunchy texture. Today's strawberry Crunchies achieved this level of protection in two ways: by being 1.) covered in chocolate, and 2.) stored in a (re-sealable) air-tight pouch. Both measures helped preserve the berry freshness. 

These thickly-coated/glazed milk chocolate pieces gave off the aroma of a sweet, strawberry milkshake. The milk chocolate + the concentrated sweetness of the strawberries were on the sweet side, but were tasty nonetheless. The strawberry pieces on the inside retained their tart-sweet berry flavor and naturally bright, rosy red color.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk chocolate liquor, soy lecithin, vanilla), freeze-dried strawberries, natural flavor, arabic gum, sugar, confectioners glaze. 

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy. Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and eggs.

*The Incas (who knew their way around cacao) practiced an early form of freeze-drying at higher altitudes. Food reserves were frozen by cold, dry climate. And at high elevations these frozen items would also have dried out.

Modern freeze drying of foods began over a century ago. Later in the 1900s, pictures of astronauts eating freeze-dried ice cream appeared; and light-weight, freeze-dried food entrees in silver pouches became more widely available for outdoor enthusiasts. For backpackers and climbers with 50+-pound (22.67-kilogram) packs on their backs, this was welcome news. (I still remember (happily) buying those pouches freeze-dried food and ice cream from army surplus/outdoor stores.)

Fast forward to today's high-end examples of freeze-dried culinary items (exotic, sublimated vegetable bits in five-star restaurants; or, closer to home, craft chocolate maker Dick Taylor's first limited edition raspberry bar), and I'm grateful for this medium and to the creative chefs, taste-makers and chocolate makers who have used this technology to bring us great food.

Compartes Chocolatier - Pure 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 19, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Compartes Chocolatier
Pure - 80% Pure Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 173.3 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: CAO Chocolate, Sausalito, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Strawberries Theme Week, and Day #1 of Dark Chocolate Bar Theme Week.

This ultra-dark bar had a complex and intriguing aroma with green, true chocolate, very faint vegetable latex, balanced bitter and spice notes. There might have been a very faint green/floral note in there too; or it could have been the whisper of vanilla talking.*

The chocolate had a rapid melt, and deep roasted cacao flavor with mushroom/earth accent notes, with a fleeting fruit/honey/brown sugar sweetness.

I enjoyed the complexity; it tasted better with each bite. And it was not too sweet (thank you!).

Sweet strawberries, strawberry yogurt and strawberry cottage cheese were consumed in the same breakfast snack break.

*Ingredients: Organic Vegan Dark Chocolate 80% (Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Vanilla.

Raaka Chocolate - Pure Cacao, Strawberry and Coconut bar - Feb. 18, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Raaka Chocolate
Pure Cacao and Strawberry and Coconut bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50.1 g.) in total bar
Calories: 244 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: COA Chocolate, Sausalito, CA

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

Today's Pure Cacao, Strawberry and Coconut bar was made by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The 80 percent dark chocolate was made using un-roasted, organic cacao from Kokoa Kamili (Tanzania, Africa), and with no added sugar (thank you!). If you're open to a more intense dark chocolate  experience with a few natural flavor accents, today's vegan, gluten free and soy free, organic Raaka bar is worth trying.

In Chinese, Indian and other Asian cuisines, the five tastes that humans can sense: sweet, sour, salty/savory, bitter and spicy are thoughtfully balanced in each dish. The makers at Raaka achieved at least 3 or 4 of the 5 tastes mentioned above with the kaleidoscope of flavors present in this craft chocolate bar.

No boring, overly roasted, uniformly smooth industrial chocolate here. This chocolate had a smooth melt, and after that it was all mild spikes of different flavors. (Think Christmas "Cactus" with the pink flowers, not prickly cactus spikes.)

This ultra-dark bar might be a little strong or bitter for some. However, I found it full of complementary flavors: the natural sweet tart berry (strawberry) sweetness, a light touch of naturally sweet coconut, and dark, earthy (almost savory) and bitter flavors from the cacao. It was oddly addicting in its own way.

Ingredients: organic cacao beans, organic strawberry, organic toasted coconut, organic cacao butter

That's it - Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit Truffles - Apple + Strawberries + Dark Chocolate - Feb. 17, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

That's it Nutrition, LLC
Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit Truffles
Apples + strawberries + dark chocolate
Good
Weight: 1.83 oz. (52 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1 package
Cost: $3.19 for 1 package
Purchased from: CVS/pharmacy, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit Truffles (bites) were from That's it Nutrition, LLC (Los Angeles, CA). The company name "that's it" refers to the pared down ingredients list in their snack offerings made with plant-based, Non-GMO ingredients* free of most common allergens.

The five small "fruit truffles" in this package were made of just three ingredients: apples, strawberries and dark chocolate. A dark chocolate shell surrounded a pure fruit blend center, that was neither too dry or too moist. This refreshingly light and natural tasting vegan snack was made without preservatives, gluten or soy.

I look forward to trying the company's new Sea Salt Organic Dark Chocolate + Fig Truffles offering in the future.

*Ingredients: apples, strawberries, dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, organic sugar, cocoa butter)

Straw Propeller - Chocolate Strawberry oatmeal - Feb. 16, 2020

  
Chocolate of the Day:

Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Inc.
Chocolate Strawberry (oatmeal)
Good
Weight: 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in 1 cup
Calories: 280 calories in 1 cup
Cost: $3.25 for 1 cup
Purchased from: The Store House, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Strawberry oatmeal was distributed by Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Inc. (Redmond, OR).

The directions on this container suggested two ways of preparing this oatmeal: "Hot" or "Cold and Overnight." I chose the former, added hot water and gave the oatmeal a quick stir.

Chocolate chips, strawberries and beet powder morphed into a hearty, thick melange of cheerful deep pink and chocolate brown. This warm breakfast was satisfying without being too sweet (thank you!).

The oatmeal contained 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, and was made using Certified Gluten Free Rolled Oats.

Strawberries and Sprinkles - Strawberries dipped in Belgian dark chocolate - Feb. 14, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Strawberries and Sprinkles
Strawberries Hand Dipped in Real Belgian Dark Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (49.5 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total container of 4
Calories: 110 calories estimate for 2 strawberries
Cost: $7.99 for 1 container of 4 chocolate covered strawberries
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Happy Valentines Day and welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Strawberries Theme Week.
Roses, chocolates and red berries (heart-shaped strawberries fit right in) go together on this romantic February holiday.

Big, plump, sweet ripe strawberries hand-dipped in dark chocolate. These were as tasty as they were visually appealing.

-o-o-o-o-

I also revisited a San Francisco classic...dark chocolate truffles with a hint of burnt caramel from Recchuiti Confections (San Francisco, CA) that I found across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, CA. Fittingly, these truffles were adorned with images of this iconic bay area bridge.

Recchuiti Confections
(for COA Chocolate, Sausalito, CA)
Filled dark chocolates/truffles (with Golden Gate Bridge designs)
Good +
Weight: .88 oz (24.9 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 132 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $5.50 (estimate) for 2 pieces
Purchased from: COA Chocolate, Sausalito, CA

Note: Photos have been delayed this month, but will be posted later.

Nana Joes - Granola, Chef's Blend Series - Strawberry, Coconut and Chocolate Chip - Sept. 12, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Nana Joes
Chef's Blend Series Granola - Strawberry, Coconut, Chocolate Chip
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $12.00 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Nana Joe's table, CUESA's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Nut Butter Theme Week.

Sometimes nut butters can take the place of other/more processed oils and fats, and we're all for that if it's done right. One example: Today's Chef's Blend Series Granola - Strawberry, Coconut and Chocolate Chip, from Nana Joes (San Francisco, CA), created using Hu Kitchen (New York, NY) chocolate chips*

This vegan and gluten free granola was flavorful, sweet and crunchy, and had a nutty texture and taste (almonds and almond butter + seeds).* The nuts and seeds were accented with micro flavor bursts of authentic, concentrated strawberry, raspberry and chocolate.

This was a great blend of high-quality ingredients, resulting in a great granola. And, unlike some granolas, it still felt relatively "light." Instead of added/processed vegetable oils, the fat content was provided by nuts, seeds, and almond butter.

This granola was sweetened with both organic maple syrup and organic coconut sugar, but contained no refined white or brown sugar.

*Ingredients: "Organic sliced almonds, organic shredded coconut, organic maple syrup, organic pecans, organic pumpkin seeds, organic almond butter, Hu Chocolate Gems (organic cacao, unrefined organic coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter), seeds, hemp seed, hulled, dried strawberries, raspberry fruit powder, organic chia seeds, sea salt"

Tru Fru - Real Strawberries in Dark Chocolate - Dec. 15, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Tru Fru, LLC
Real Strawberries freeze-dried fresh and immersed in Dark Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1/4 package
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Fresh berries are harder to find in December, which is why freeze-dried fruits and powders adorn many seasonal chocolate bars. Freeze-dried fresh fruit can perk up confections as well.

Tru Fru, LLC (South Jordan, UT) offers an entire line of freeze-dried fresh fruit pieces ensconced in glossy chocolate. Today's Real Strawberries freeze-dried fresh and immersed in Dark Chocolate from Tru Fru, LLC (South Jordan, UT) yielded bursts of slightly crunchy, pleasantly tart, fresh strawberry flavor. 

Nathan Miller - Strawberry & Rye Whiskey bar - April 5, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nathan Miller

Strawberry and Rye Whiskey bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g. ) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total package

Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Nathan Miller is one of the few chocolate makers brave enough to incorporate buttermilk* into some of his craft chocolate bars. Buttermilk adds a tart sweet and salty freshness to milkshakes and desserts, so why not chocolate bars? 

Today's Strawberry and Rye Whiskey bar from Nathan Miller (Chambersburg, PA)—wrapped in festive yellow, green and orange (what looked to be handmade) paper and sky blue foil—had an intriguing dark chocolate aroma with fresh strawberry aroma.

The 55% dark chocolate had a relatively smooth, almost creamy melt and texture, and a slightly complicated flavor profile. It had a somewhat unexpected earthy (dirt, mushrooms) flavor spike about a 1/3 of the way through the tasting experience. However, on the back side of this note, there was a very faint hint of what was likely whiskey, followed be a pleasant slight strawberry and buttermilk ice cream finish. 

Ingredients: 55% buttermilk chocolate made with Oko-Caribe direct trade organic Hispaniola cacao, organic buttermilk, raw fair trade organic cane sugar, organic strawberry, organic cacao butter, organic rye whiskey.

*The company also sells a bar made with camel milk.

Goldbaum's - Gluten Free Cocoa Sugar Cones - April 2, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Goldbaum's Natural Food Co.

Gluten Free Cocoa Sugar Cones

Good - Good +

Weight: .42 oz. (12 g.) / 5 oz. (144 g.) in total package of 12 cones

Calories: 41 calories in 1 cone

Cost: $0.99 for 1 package

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

Welcome to Chocolate and Strawberry Theme Week!

This week began with strawberry ice cream nestled inside a Gluten Free Cocoa Sugar Cone from Goldbaum's Natural Food Co. (Newark, NJ).

Yes, ice cream an ice cream cone was on the sweet side for breakfast; but it was tasty. The crunchy cocoa-flavored cone held its shape (no broken cones in the package either which was a surprise); and the light cookie-like cone wasn't too sweet.

Fresh, organic strawberries and a tiny handful of nibs added some real fruit texture and tartness—and some unsweetened cacao intensity—that helped balance the sugar in the ice cream.