Blejski Otok - Milk Chocolate with Tarragon and Walnuts (bar) - Nov. 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Blejski Otok
Milk Chocolate with Tarragon and Walnut (bar) 
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in total bar
Calories: 169.8 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: N/A - Gift from a friend 
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Toni!)

Welcome to Day #1 of International Chocolate and Nuts Theme Week. 

Today's Blejski Otok Milk Chocolate with Tarragon and Walnuts (bar) from Slovenia was manufactured by Cokoladni Atelje Dobnik (Gruze, Slovenija). 

Aroma notes for this small bar included: milk chocolate, savory caramel, butter cream, savory-sweet herb, nuts, and very faint, mellow wood.

Flavor notes included: sweet milk chocolate, herb (tarragon), faint vanilla caramel and finely ground walnut bits. These different elements were well balanced and created interesting and complementary flavor complexity. 

This milk chocolate was a bit too sweet for me, but otherwise it was quite enjoyable. And it was great to try a chocolate from Slovenia. Many thanks again to my traveling friend, Toni, who brought this back during her recent travels there.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar 45.5%, cocoa mass 26%, milk powder 21.5%, emulsifier (soy lecithin), natural vanilla aroma), walnuts, tarragon.

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk/lactose, nuts (walnut), and soy.) 

Qantu Cacao et Chocolat - Noyer Noir Black Walnut 70% (bar) - Oct. 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Qantu Cacao et Chocolat Inc.
Noyer Noir, Black Walnut (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 227 calories in 4/5 bar
Cost: $21.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Black walnuts may be one of the most "umami"* of nuts. And most of us rarely taste true black walnuts. Instead, at least where I live in California, we are usually snacking on the milder English walnuts (aka Persian walnuts).

Today's Noyer Noir, Black Walnut dark chocolate (bar) was created from bean-to-bar by Qantu Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada). This 70% bar was a triple tribute to three trees: cacao, black walnut and maple. 

Some describe black walnuts as bold and earthy and even bitter or tannic. But, they're more complex, and more nuanced than that. (I did not detect much earth or bitterness in this black walnut chocolate; although it may have made the base chocolate seem less sweet, which was fine with me.)

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: black walnut, maple, faint and diffuse fruit, and very faint fleeting kalamata olive, forest and floral. 

About 5 seconds into the first bite, there was a bloom of bright fruit-floral flavor. Not too sweet though (thank you). Plenty of complex but elegant (umami) flavor. 

In addition to the fruit (subtle ripe dark berry), there was a trace of almost sweet, tree terpene (gentle pine) in the finish along with unique, not quite floral (orchid, very faint tuberose or lilac) notes. 

It was a very well-executed bar. It seemed to possess just the right amounts of everything. Whatever the cacao source/variety, it was certainly a fine match for the black walnuts--that had a slightly bolder and more complex flavor profile. And the maple seemed like the perfect sweetener.

Not all chocolates evoke thoughts of beverage pairings. However, something in this chocolate made me wonder what a wine pairing would taste like. While I didn't have the opportunity to investigate (I'd also finished the chocolate by that time.) But it might be fun to hunt for matches with this chocolate in the future.

Maker's description: "Eye: caramelized black walnut pieces; Nose: floral like lilac; Mouth: like a good Chardonnay; Finish: fruity with a touch of pine tree"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, black walnut, maple syrup, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (black walnuts). "May contain traces of milk."

*Umami foods (tomatoes, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, meats, etc.) generally contain fairly high levels of glutamate. In the nut and seed category, almond and walnuts are relatively high in glutamate content.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat - Walnut and Chanterelle 80% Cacao (bar) - Oct. 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges Haut-Chocolat 
Walnut and Chanterelle 80% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges, online order 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Mushroom Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Umami Theme Week.

Today's attractively-packaged Walnut and Chanterelle* 80% Cacao (bar) was from Vosges Haut-Chocolat (Vosges IP, LLC, Chicago, IL). 

The bar was part of the company's LAB collection, and was made using the entire cacao pod (fiber, fruit and seed) and no refined sugars.

The aroma notes for this ultra-dark bar included: freshly baked walnut fudge brownies, roasted cacao nibs, and faint diffuse fruit. 

This well-tempered bar had a crunchy, almost stoneground, texture that worked very effectively. A variety of very tiny flavor bits (including cacao nibs ("seeds")) harmonized nicely and created flavor and textural depth.

There was enough cocoa butter (number one ingredient) to create a pleasing sensation on the palette. (It prevented the feeling of a dry, grainy texture that occasionally occurs in chocolates with a coarser grind (or shorter conch times), while still preserving intact flavors.

It was difficult to single out specific chanterelle mushroom flavor in this blend. However, a very light sparkle of sea salt and walnut "flour" contributed to a subtly satisfying umami experience.

Ingredients: Cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate processed with alkali, coconut sugar, defatted walnut flour, cacao berry (cacao berry fiber, cacao berry flour), vanilla (maltodextrin, vanilla), cacao fruit puree, chanterelle mushroom powder, Baja Gold salt.

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

*Chanterelle mushrooms are popular (and relatively expensive) culinary mushrooms. The golden sun-colored floral trumpet-shaped like fungi are usually eaten cooked (less likely to cause upset stomach if eaten cooked). They have a meaty (umami) texture, and sometimes unique faint yellow stone-fruit (apricot, peach) aroma/flavor notes. 

Pie Ranch - Gluten Free Walnut Brownie with Mango Ice Cream - Sept. 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Pie Ranch

Gluten Free Walnut Brownie

Good ++ 

Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) (estimate) / 4 oz. (113 g.) (estimate) in 1 brownie

Calories: Unknown

Cost: $4.50 for 1 brownie 

Purchased from: Pie Ranch, Pescadero, CA

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

Today's Gluten Free Walnut Brownie was from Pie Ranch (Pescadero, CA).* This working farm and ranch also operates a small farmstand (retail store) that sells a variety of farm-related produce, preserves, pies, ice cream and other items. (Shout out to friend Don for including a Pie Ranch stop as part of a Pacific Coast day trip.)

Aroma and flavor notes for this brownie included: true chocolate (fudge brownie, dark chocolate cake/torte) with very faint earth and nut (walnut) notes.

The brownie had a soft, dark fudgey texture, and a wafer thin crunchy surface layer. This was a nicely executed classic (dark) chocolate, gluten-free brownie with some bold chocolate flavor depth.

I paired this brownie with a side of Haagen-Dazs Mango Ice Cream that had soft, creamy sweet mango fruit notes and small bits of mango fruit. The fresh, bright, tart-sweet mango flavor of the fresh fruit got lost in the shuffle in the sweet creamy ice cream.

This brownie would have been great just by itself. However, for a fruit + brownie pairing, I think I'd prefer a few fresh mango slices; or better yet, go with fresh red fruit (cherries) or berries. Or, if you want to skip the fruit, enjoy a brownie with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream (a tried and true classic flavor pairing with brownies), and top with nuts if desired.

Ingredients: (No information; single serving sized brownie was wrapped in plastic at farmstand; but there was no label.)

Allergen-related information: Contained nuts (walnuts). Gluten free brownie, but there was no label with an ingredients or allergen list. (I forgot to ask if they could share this information.)

Magicdates, LLC - Hazelnut 100% Dark Chocolate Covered - Dec. 11, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Magicdates, LLC
Hazelnut - 100% Dark Chocolate Covered
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 2 pieces (1 serving)
Cost: $5.29 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Hazelnut 100% Dark Chocolate Covered energy bites were from Magicdates, LLC (Los Angeles, CA). The company offers other flavors (including: salted walnut brownie, coconut cream cake, lush lemon, and chocolate coconut cookie).

The aroma for these, oval-shaped, date-sweetened bites included malty, nutty and very faint coconut and cereal notes. An ultra-dark chocolate shell contained a hearty, chewy center made of compressed dates, hazelnuts and walnuts, coconut, and cocoa nibs--with a very fleeting earth note. They had a satisfying taste and were not too sweet (thank you).

These Hazelnut bites were packaged in a sturdy, resealable pouch, well suited to travel in a purse or bag, or as a snack for an outdoor adventure.

Ingredients: Dates, unsweetened chocolate, walnuts, shredded coconut, hazelnut butter, coconut powder, cacao nibs, coconut cream, coconut oil, hazelnut extract, Himalayan pink salt.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that processes nuts, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, eggs, soybeans and milk." (Contains walnuts, hazelnuts, coconut); Non-GMO Verified, "vegan, gluten free"

 

Andy's Orchard - Apricot Surprise - Nov. 28, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Andy's Orchard

Apricot Surprise

Good +

Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) (estimate) in 1 large confection

Calories: 230 calories (estimate) in 1 piece

Cost: $3.50 for 1 package

Purchased from: Andy's Orchard, Morgan Hill, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Weeks. 

Today's Chocolate Surprise was from Andy's Orchard (Morgan Hill, CA).

This jumbo-sized, dark chocolate covered confection had an aroma with fudge brownie and chocolate cookie notes.

A smooth dark chocolate shell covered a large piece of sweet, white divinity fudge with walnuts, topped with dried Blenheim apricot.

The fudge tasted high-quality and homemade but was (as most fudges are for me) too sweet and rich. The other components (the dark chocolate, apricot and walnuts in the fudge) all had authentic, satisfying flavors. Andy's Orchard grows a variety of fruits, including apricots. Prior to the development associated with Silicon Valley, apricots, cherries and plums were local and road-side market staples in Santa Clara County.* 

Ingredients: Dried Blenheim Apricots, Divinity with Walnuts, and chocolate

Allergy-related information: (No information on small label; contained tree nuts (walnuts).)

*Apricots orchards were everywhere in the South Bay 1950s. The street I had grown up on was once part of an orchard, as near as I can tell. "...Until the 1960s, Santa Clara Valley was the largest fruit production and packing region in the world, with 39 canneries."

By the 1970s, the fruit industry was winding down and many fruit canneries had closed. The remaining fruit trees were still beautiful, especially in the early spring, when apricot and cherry trees were covered with white blossoms, and swathes of green grass and yellow mustard flowers and sour grass (oxalis) flowers grew between the trees. 

Children would wander into orchard remnants to gaze at caterpillars and butterflies, eat an apricot, and occasionally throw ripe apricots at each other. At least that's what we did, before the old orchard behind our back fence was bulldozed and homes were built.

Now, I need to drive south for an hour to find apricot trees at Andy's Orchard; and I was grateful there were still some Bleinheim apricots left.

Clif Bar - Luna High Protein Chocolate Walnut Fudge bar - Dec. 10, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Distributed by Clif Bar and Company
Luna High Protein Bar - Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Good
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) / 9.54 oz. (270 g.) in total box of 6 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

This Luna Chocolate Walnut Fudge bar was Distributed by Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). The bar was part of the company's High Protein Bar lineup.

The 12 grams of protein in this protein bar was supplied by soy protein isolate, the first ingredient listed (followed by sugar).

The fun flavors of chocolate (cocoa) and nuts (tiny bits of walnut + macadamia nut butter) took a back seat to the soy protein and sugar.  This was a snack bar more serious in its intentions than most. However, protein apparently cut the effects of sugar, as this gluten free bar was also labeled low glycemic.

Spearheaded by Clif Bar and Company co-owner, Kit Crawford, the company launched the Luna product line and initiatives (LunaFest film festival, Luna Chix Pro Team) in 1999. The Luna bar was one of the first nutrition bars marketed to women, and multiple flavors have been created over time.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...Old Dog Ranch, Torn Ranch chocolate items - Aug. 28, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Old Dog Ranch
Chocolate Walnuts
Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (84.9 g.) / 6 oz. (169.8 g.) in total package
Calories: 495 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $9.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Cavallo Point Mercantile, Ft. Baker, Sausalito, CA


Torn Ranch
Dark Chocolate - The Original Chocolate Caviar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total tin
Calories: 142 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.)
Cost: $N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Wild West Theme Week.

Ranches were part of the wild west. My siblings and I grew up in a single-story ranch house in the Western suburbs. Many families felt they had a piece of their own ranch, even though most of these houses were part of early tract home developments in the 1900s. We played in tall walnut trees and ate apricots from trees that were remnants of farms and ranches from a previous era.

Today's two chocolates hail from two different ranches in parts of California with some open space left. While these two ranches may not employ the cowboys of yesteryear, they do produce great edibles.

Old Dog Ranch - Chocolate Walnuts
The Old Dog Ranch (Linden, CA) is the closest to a real ranch. This Northern California operation has been a family farm since 1912; and the company produces sustainably grown, organic Chandler* Walnuts, used to make today's chocolate offering.

And boy, do high-quality ingredients matter. These walnuts had delicious, mild (but complex) 3D nut flavor—with a subtle, very pleasing freshly cut wood note, and without any bitterness that some associate with walnuts. The dusting of chocolate (organic sugar, cocoa powder, salt) served as a subtle accent flavor here adding just a touch of sweetness but not too much.

Torn Ranch - Dark Chocolate Caviar
The Dark Chocolate Caviar with a very subtle hint of vanilla hailed from Torn Ranch (Petaluma, CA) provided a complementary counterpoint to today's Old Dog Ranch walnuts. (Torn Ranch also sells fruits, nuts, baked goods and other chocolates.)

Billed as the "original chocolate caviar" these glossy, dark peals or mild, dark chocolate goodness were enjoyable as an a la carte snack; and could be paired with good food, tea, coffee or adult beverages (brandy, whiskey, wine, etc.) as well.

Thank you GreenTown Los Altos (and Present gift shop, Los Altos) for this Torn Ranch tin (part of a gift basket received earlier).

*California, a large exporter of walnuts, has their own native California Black Walnut tree, which is occasionally used as root stock for other walnuts. However, most of the roughly 500,000 tons of walnuts commercially grown in the state each year are cultivars of Persian (English) walnuts. This includes the popular Chandler walnut, which was introduced by (and named after W.H. Chandler, a Professor at) the University of California, Davis, CA in 1979. 

The Oakland Chocolate Co. - Walnut Turmeric Chocolate Spread - July 16, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

The Oakland Chocolate Company

Walnut Turmeric Chocolate Spread
Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.)/7 oz. (198 g.) in total jar
Calories: 55 calories (estimate) in 1 TB serving
Cost: $6.50 for 1 jar
Purchased from: The Oakland Chocolate Company, Oakland, CA

Licorice Tea Truffle
Good++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Purchased from: The Oakland Chocolate Company, Oakland, CA

Welcome to Day 4 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Nancy Nadel, chief chocolatemaker at The Oakland Chocolate Company (Oakland, CA) has created an impressive array of confections and bars from Jamaican cacao. She makes her chocolate from scratch, from bean to bar in Oakland, CA, where she's also been an active member of the community (and served as a former city council member) for many years.

I suspected she might have some interesting chocolates with spices that I might not have tried, and was delighted to find this was the case when I visited her at the Old Oakland Farmers' Market recently.

I enjoyed her creamy dark Licorice Tea truffle and unique chocolate turmeric spread with ground walnuts packed with anti-inflammatory potential that wasn't too sweet (thank you!).

bobbilicious - b. chocolate chip walnut cookie - Dec. 19, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

bobbilicious baking company
(for Whole Foods Market)
b. chocolate chip walnut (cookie)
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total cookie
Calories: 280 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.49 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to the last day (Day #5) of Chocolate and Walnut Series.

Today's "b. chocolate chip walnut" (cookie) from bobbilicious baking company (for Whole Foods Market) came individually packaged.

It was, what I call, a contradiction cookie. It was generously sized but slim; it was healthy but tasted rich (slightly oily), moist and slightly chewy. It looked robust, but was somewhat crumbly; it was sweet, but somehow managed not to be too sweet.

What was clear: it was made with almond flour and all natural ingredients, with no hard to decipher or pronounce artificial substances. And precautions were taken to segregate ingredients "in a facility that processes dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts and tree nuts." (Hurray, no wheat flour, which tends to get everywhere.)

If I understand correctly, bobbilicious baking company (created by bobbi cohen) supplies Whole Foods Gluten-Free Bakehouse (Morrisville, NC) with gluten-free and dairy-free cookies and bars for distribution in Whole Food Market stores. I bought this cookie at the local Whole Foods Market in the Bay Area (California). (Please feel welcome to correct me if this is incorrect.)

Cohen has developed relationships with quality suppliers. She uses Guittard chocolate, Bob's Red Mill gluten-free offerings (e.g. steel-cut oats), and has come up with her own almond flour blend.

Ingredients: almond flour, organic agave nectar, chocolate chips, organic sunflower oil, walnuts, vanilla extract, almond emulsion, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

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."

Feel Good Bakery - Nina Triple Chocolate Cookie - Dec. 15, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Feel Good Bakery
Nina Triple Chocolate (Walnut) Cookie
Good+++
Weight: 5 oz. (141.5 g.) (estimate) for 1 large cookie
Calories: 400 calories (estimate) for 1 large cookie
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Feel Good Bakery, Alameda, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Walnut Series. I'll be featuring chocolate items with walnuts.

People often ask where I find all these chocolates featured on Chocolate Banquet. I found today's hefty Nina Triple Chocolate Cookie at Feel Good Bakery (Alameda Marketplace, Alameda, CA) while out walking the Bay Trail—a trail that circles the San Francisco Bay, and runs through 9 counties and 47+ cities. (The Bay Trail also creates almost unlimited opportunities for chocolate field trips.)

I bought two of these gluten-free cookies the night of my walk. The first served as 90% of my dinner that evening.

And a few days later (today), I'm featuring the second cookie, that will serve as lunch. Yes, this thick and rich, chocolatey cookie with a generous helping of walnuts was a full meal. Perfect for a 6-mile walk stop, but if you're sitting at home or office, I'd share this with a few fortunate friends.

Tin Pot Creamery - Chocolate Walnut Cookie - June 27, 2016

Chocolate of the Day:

Tin Pot Creamery
Chocolate Walnut Cookie
Very Good
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $ mission information
Purchased from: Tin Pot Creamery, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate Cookie Theme Week.

What a great gluten-free chocolate cookie I had today.

It was made by the Tin Pot Creamery (Palo Alto, CA), a local 2-shop enterprise (with Palo Alto and Los Altos locations) that is better known as a scoop shop with high-quality ice creams and sorbets.

This individually-wrapped, rich, dark chocolate cookie with embedded pieces of walnut, had almost brownie-like richness. It was substantial, moist, very slightly chewy, and hung together well without being crumbly.

Clif Bar - Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut - Dark Chocolate Walnut bar - May 31, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar
Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut bar - Dark Chocolate Walnut bar
Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Theme Week.

Clif Bar and Company offers several types of bars now, beyond the original Clif Bar, including organic bar options. Today's Dark Chocolate Walnut bar was part of the Kit's* Organic Fruit + Nut bar line.

Described as "rich dark chocolate combined with crunchy organic walnuts," the fruit in this slightly chewy compressed bar came from the #1 ingredient listed: organic dates.

And speaking of ingredients, the list was short: six items. And fewer ingredients often means less processing and higher-quality ingredients.

This Dark Chocolate Walnut bar was "USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free."

*Kit's Organic is named for Kit Crawford, co-owner of Clif Bar and Company. In addition to Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut bars, the company also offers a line of Kit's Organic Fruit + Seed bars.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Three Twins Ice Cream - Banana Nut Confetti - Jan. 20, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Three Twins Ice Cream
Banana Nut Confetti ice cream
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (85 g.) / 1 Pint (473 g.) in total container
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $1.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today's chocolate came in the form of chocolate chips. More specifically, it was part of a scoop of Banana Nut Confetti organic banana ice cream from Three Twins Ice Cream (Petaluma, CA).

I'm a fan of Three Twins ice creams -- a local San Francisco Bay Area ice cream brand. There's more of the good stuff (organic ingredients), and less of the stuff we don't really need (like preservatives, gums, etc.).

The Banana Nut Confetti ice cream was a little lighter than the caramelized banana chip gelato from yesterday, but just as enjoyable. And who doesn't like some relatively healthy ice cream with chocolate confetti* on a gray winter day? Count me in. The specks of confetti allow for more chocolate flavor accessibility (than larger, frozen chunks of chocolate).

Tiny bits of walnut rounded out the flavors nicely; nuts often helps balance out the sweetness of fruit and sugar and add some texture and richness.

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Banana Theme Week.

*Today's Banana Nut Confetti joins Chocolate Orange Confetti and Vanilla Chocolate Chip flavors in the Three Twins confetti hall of fame.

The content and images in this post belong to ChocolateBanquet.com.

Vanini - Dark chocolate with rosemary bar - May 12, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Vanini Chocolate (ICAM SpA)
dark chocolate 62% cocoa with rosemary bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) pieces of bar
Cost: $ lost information
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Manufactured by ICAM SpA (Orsenigo, Italy), the Vanini 62% cocoa bittersweet chocolate bar was peppered with bits of sugared rosemary, giving this chocolate a sweet, crunchy, rosemary finish and flavor.

This bean-to-bar chocolate was made in Italy from Peruvian cacao beans. Specifically, it was made from "Bagua lost world cacao from Peru" -- grown thousands of years ago in Amazon rainforest by the Mayo Chincipe people (in what is now Peru and Ecuador)..."who used it to prepare beverages well before the Maya and Olmec."

The Vanini 62 percent dark chocolate bar with rosemary was gluten-free, kosher, and made with "Sustainable Trade" cacao beans.

Rosemary and chocolate can go either sweet or savory and I like surfing the line between the two. I enjoyed this bar with a side of toasted walnuts with butter, rosemary, sea salt, and a hint of garlic.

I've enjoyed having a Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week. While cacao is thought of as a "New World" food (from Central and South America), walnuts have a rich, global history and were growing in what is now "New" and "Old" worlds. In other words millions of years ago, before the continents started splitting apart, many nuts including walnuts were already spread far and wide.

Now, on to Peru theme week...

Amport - omega-3 trail mix - May 10, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amport Foods
omega-3 trail mix
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total container
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/4 cup (30 g.) serving
Cost: $4.89 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

This omega-3 trail mix from Amport Foods (Minneapolis, MN) was a blend of walnuts, dark chocolate covered soybeans and dried cranberries. This versatile and well balanced blend could be enjoyed anytime of day -- on the trail or otherwise.

The walnuts tasted sweet and fresh, and the chocolate covered soybeans provided some nice crunchy texture and chocolate flavor. The cranberries added a nice, tart and chewy fruit flavor. A good mix.

This trail mix was part of Amport's "Fresh Pack Line" of snack nuts, granolas, chocolates and related items packaged in resealable clear plastic, stackable tubs. 

Whole Foods - Double Feature Trail Mix - May 11, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Whole Foods
(365 Everyday Value brand)

Double Feature Trail Mix
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) (1/4 cup) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 150 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) serving
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package/bag
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Strider's Snack Trail Mix
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) (1/4 cup) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 140 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) serving
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package/bag
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

There have been trail mixes galore this walnut-themed chocolate week, including this "365 Everyday Value" branded duo from Whole Foods Market (based in Austin, TX).

The "Double Feature Trail Mix" included crunchy salted almonds and cashews, tiny little peanut butter cups, and dried sour cherries.

The "Strider's Snack Trail Mix" was a blend of raisins, unroasted and unsalted almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and, you guessed it...walnuts. Together they were great.

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week.

Whole Foods - Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie - May 9, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Whole Foods Market
Gluten-Free Bakehouse
Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 10 oz. (284 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $7.49 in 1 package of 8 cookies
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week.

There is nothing like the smell of hot baked goods with walnuts, right out of the oven. I re-heated a Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie from Whole Foods Market (Austin, TX), to reproduce this wonderful aroma and flavor. And I was not disappointed.

These gluten-free cookies were a great blend of thick, chewy, chocolatey, nutty, buttery and crunchy.

Hats off to Whole Foods and the team at the Gluten-Free Bakehouse (Morrisville, NC), a dedicated facility that's been making good-tasting, gluten-free versions of cookies, cakes and breads for more than a decade.

Whole Foods - 70% Dark Chocolate Walnuts - May 8, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Whole Foods
70% Dark Chocolate Walnuts
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) / 10 oz. (284 g.) in total container
Calories: 375 calories (estimate) in 1/4 container
Cost: $7.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week.

Immersing walnut halves in dark chocolate is a simple and direct way to enjoy this bittersweet combination.

These glossy, generously sized 70% Dark Chocolate Walnuts from Whole Foods Market (Austin, TX) were surrounded by a generous coating of smooth dark chocolate. The soft crunchy walnuts inside tasted fresh and added satisfying nutty texture.