Moksha - Reishi - Functional Mushrooms in 65% Dark Vegan Chocolate - June 30, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Moksha
Reishi - Functional Mushrooms in 65% Dark Vegan Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (15 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 90 calories in 1 package
Cost: $6.00 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Far West Fungi, SF Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Mushrooms Theme Week.

Today's Reishi Functional Mushrooms in 65% Dark Vegan Chocolate (square) was manufactured (from cacao bean nib-to-bar) by Moksha Chocolate (Boulder, CO). 

This reishi mushroom chocolate bar was labeled for "Night Time"--a reference to the thought that reishi mushrooms contain compounds that can act as a non-drowsy relaxant at the end of the day.

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, dark chocolate; faint coconut; and mushroom.

Texture: smooth textured (no mushroom powder "grit")

I appreciated the balanced and well-executed flavors, and the short list of ingredients.

Ingredients: Cacao Nibs, Coconut Sugar, Coconut Milk Powder, Cacao Butter, Dried Mushrooms (Reishi)

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut (Coconut Sugar, Coconut Milk).

Endorfin Foods - Citradelic Blood Orange 70% Cacao (bar) - Jan. 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Endorfin Foods
Citradelic Blood Orange 70% Cacao (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.50 for 1 bar (+ shipping)
Purchased from: Endorfin Foods, online order

Today's Endorfin Foods Citradelic Blood Orange 70% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Coracao Confections (Richmond, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet, smooth dark chocolate and slightly nutty* (caramelized cashew* and coconut) and subtle, aromatic sweet citrus (orange). 

Texture: This was a well-tempered and smooth chocolate. The coconut butter and orange oil were likely fully incorporated into the cocoa butter, then the overall chocolate--resulting in a pleasing, uniformly smooth overall texture.

I enjoyed the subtle and authentic chocolate and citrus flavors in today's bar, as well as the rich texture and flavor that the caramelized coconut butter + cocoa butter added. 

And I appreciated the short list of quality organic and fair trade ingredients (e.g. the cold-pressed blood orange essential oil). This bar was Certified USDA Organic. Everything about this bar was pleasing and  thoughtful, including the attractive (and 100% compostable) packaging. 

I think this chocolate would also make a nice gift. It's a warm, friendly and flavorful 70% cacao dark chocolate without being bitter or acidic. 

Ingredients: Cacao+*, Coconut Sugar*, Caramelized Coconut Butter*, Cacao Butter+*, Essential Oil of Blood Orange* ("*" = Organic Ingredient; and "+" = Fair Trade Certified(TM))

Allergen-related information: "No Dairy, No Soy, No Refined Sugar, No Gluten, No GMO, No Sugar Alcohols"

*Note: Other than coconut, there were no nut/tree nut or cashew ingredients in this bar.

Godavari Chocolate - Bon-fiction "The Coconut Covenant" 55% dark chocolate (bar) - Apr. 13, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Godavari Chocolate Inc.
Bon-fiction "The Coconut Covenant" 55% dark mylk chocolate with coconut sugar (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 350 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA  

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and India Week.

Today's Bon-fiction "The Coconut Covenant" 55% dark mylk chocolate with coconut sugar (bar) was made from tree-to-bar in India, and imported and distributed by Godavari Chocolate Inc. (Folsom, CA).

The cacao used to make this bar was "hand-picked from farms in the Godavari region of Southern India."

Aroma notes for this coconut mylk bar included: smooth, slightly fruity dark chocolate. The flavor notes were a richer version of these same aroma notes. There was a small, unexpected but tasty, uptick in spicy chili in one or two bites. And there was a pleasing, diffuse and faint tropical fruit (mango, cacao fruit/pulp) note. 

The coconut mylk and sugar flavors were pleasing, authentic; not too strong and not overly sweet (thank you!). (This was not your chain store coconut chocolate bar.)

The texture was very smooth, and fairly creamy/buttery.

I enjoyed the authentic, balanced and smooth cacao and coconut flavors, and the relatively low levels of acids/tannins and bitterness.

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans, Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Milk Powder" 

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes: Milk, Peanuts, Almond, Cashew, Walnut, Coconut, Hazelnut, Pistachio." 

Cacao Space - Bolivia Alto Beni 75% (bar) - Oct. 20, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space

Bolivia Alto Beni 75% (bar)
Good + -  Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) for 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order + local pickup (Los Altos, CA)

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

Today's Bolivia Alto Beni 75% (bar) was from Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA).

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate, and faint floral and green tea.

Texture: smooth, with a faint astringency toward the finish.

Flavor notes included: true chocolate (fudge brownies with light earth/loam, yogurt and fruit (acidity)), very subtle warm brown/coconut sugar, and a return of the pleasing floral, green tea note in the finish.

I liked that this 75% single origin dark chocolate wasn't too sweet; the floral, green tea note(s); and the short list of (just two) ingredients. 

Note: This small-batch chocolate maker seems to have chosen not to add (additional) cocoa butter, which I appreciated. Alto Beni Bolivia beans typically contain a bit more fat (as much as 5% to 10% more cocoa butter). Being able to use the naturally occurring cocoa butter yields more single origin cacao flavor.

Added cocoa butter adds some pleasant "buttery" smooth texture, but it can also mute or dilute (both strong and desirable, mild) flavors--as the cacao butter may be from a different origin or more highly processed.

Ingredients: cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar

Allergen-related information: (None listed)

* As a general rule, cacao beans contain about half cocoa solids and half cocoa butter (fat). Cacao beans with 55% cocoa butter (fat), may require less added fat. Cacao growing in cooler regions, or further away from the Equator (e.g. in Hawaii) may have more fat. Leaner beans grown at the Equator may contain as low as 40% fat.

Cacao Space - Uganda Semuliki Forest 75% (bar) - Aug. 19, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Cacao Space 
Uganda Semuliki Forest 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) 
Good + 
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 2.33 oz. (66 g.) in total bar
Calories: 179 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar ($27 for three bars)
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order

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

Today's Uganda Semuliki Forest 75% dark chocolate bar was from Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA). This bar was one of three Uganda 75% bars sold as a trio. The other two had flavor additions (fruits, nuts).

Aroma and flavor notes for this single origin 75% dark chocolate included: 

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively intense, dark bittersweet dark chocolate; roasted cacao; slightly acidic, diffuse red and tropical fruit; brown sugar; and very faint herbal (black licorice and molasses); and slightly bitter bean/seed. 

Ingredients: "cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar"

Allergen-related information: (None listed on package) 

Scharffen Berger - "Breaks" Salted Almond Bark - Oat Milk Chocolate with Coconut Sugar - Feb. 20, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Scharffen Berger 
"Breaks" Salted Almond Bark - 43% Cacao Oat Milk Chocolate with Coconut Sugar
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 4.5 oz. (128 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 4-piece serving
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Today's "Breaks" Salted Almond Bark, made with 43% Cacao Oat Milk Chocolate and Coconut Sugar, was manufactured by Scharffen Berger* Chocolate Maker (Ashland, OR). This was one of 4 flavors in the company's Breaks oat milk chocolate product family.* 

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, coconut/brown sugar, and very faint (barely detectable) sweet oatmeal with nuts (almonds). 

The generous field of tiny, crunchy bits of almond harmonized well with the 43% cacao dark oat milk chocolate in these bark pieces. The choice of coconut sugar (and very faint vanilla) added some pleasant warmth and flavor depth (memories of sprinkling brown sugar on hot oatmeal). The salt was subtle, and helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Oat Powder (Oat Flour), Coconut Sugar, Almonds, Cocoa Butter, Sea Salt, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla Bean.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds, Coconut." "Processed in a Facility That Processes Tree Nuts and Dairy."

*The three other Scharffen Berger 43% cacao oat milk "Breaks" flavors include: Gluten Free Pretzel Bark (featured previously), Salted Sunflower Seed Bark and Coconut and Quinoa Bark.

Zazubean - Buff'd Strong Chocolate with Coconut Sugar 90% Cacao (bar) - Apr. 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Zazubean Organic Chocolate
Buff'd Strong Chocolate with Coconut Sugar 90% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week, featuring chocolates with coconut sugar, milk, and meat inclusions.

Today's Buff'd Strong Chocolate with Coconut Sugar 90% Cacao (bar) was manufactured (in Switzerland) for Zazubean Organic Chocolate (Vancouver, B.C., Canada).

Aroma notes included: light citrus (lemony green herb, oxalis), faint vanilla coconut graham cracker.

This well-tempered bar had a relatively thick, almost creamy smooth, texture and an attractive, rich, semi-bitter flavor (like a good cup of roasted coffee). 

The 90% ultra-dark bar was, as expected, not too sweet (thank you!). A light touch of coconut sugar provided sweetness. And chocolate flavor notes included very faint, balanced earth and very faint, diffuse red fruit (berry) notes.

Certified organic and fair trade (made with "100% Fair Trade certified ingredients"*), this chocolate will appeal to ultra-dark chocolate fans who enjoy a smooth sophisticated blend, made with a short list of thoughtfully specified ingredients. (Cacao beans are sourced from "Dominican (Republic), Ecuador and Panama.")

*Ingredients: Organic, Fair Trade cocoa mass; Organic and Fair Trade cocoa butter; Organic and Fair Trade coconut blossom sugar; Organic and Fair Trade vanilla

Allergen-related information: (Contained coconut.) May contain milk, tree nuts and peanuts. Gluten free, soy free, vegan, kosher and "paleo friendly."

Raaka Chocolate - Pure Cacao & Coconut Swirl 70% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate - Aug. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate 
Pure Cacao and Coconut Swirl Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Tanzania Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Pure Cacao and Coconut Swirl 70% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Raaka Chocolate in Brooklyn, New York.

Most cacao and coconut blends are very sweet chocolate confections. I was attracted to today's bar, because this bar was made with 100% (unsweetened) cacao and was paired  with a lightly (coconut sugar) sweetened component.

The swirling of coconut and dark chocolate flavors to create the finished bar was attractive. The aroma was a bit variable, depending on whether you smelled the ultra-dark portion of the swirled bar or the sweeter ivory-hued swirl. The aroma notes included: varied a slightly waxy (on a cold morning) ultra-dark chocolate, subdued coconut, and unsweetened cocoa + vanilla chocolate. 

The texture was relatively creamy + slightly waxy (again, when tasted at a room temperature of 65 degrees F. (18.3 C.)).

The flavor(s) grew on me. I enjoyed the unsweetened, authentically chocolate-y-candy-bar-cocoa flavor (from Tanzanian cacao) elevated by the lightly sweetened (with coconut sugar) ivory-hued swirl with vanilla and maple-caramel notes. 

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cacao butter, organic coconut sugar, organic toasted coconut, organic sunflower lecithin, sea salt, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: Certified Organic and Kosher. Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free.

Endorfin Foods - Vanilla Bean Dark Chocolate Coconut Cream 70% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Endorfin Foods

Vanilla Bean Dark Chocolate Coconut Cream 70% Cacao (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar

Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $6.50 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Organic Vanilla Bean Dark Chocolate Coconut Cream 70% Cacao (bar) was distributed by Endorfin Foods (San Francisco, CA). 

Aroma notes for this (70% cacao 30% coconut) bar rich blend of dark chocolate (deep dark chocolate cake/torte) and warm, authentic vanilla bean blended with caramel overtones and very faint coffee and coconut cookie. 

The chocolate had a smooth, even texture, facilitated by cocoa "coconut mylk" and cocoa butter.

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes (above). Rich dark chocolate, caramelized coconut milk and lovely pure and pulsing vanilla all harmonized to create a great blend of flavors. Just the right amount of sweetness (not too much), and well-executed flavor depth and complexity.

Note: This Limited Edition Vanilla Bean bar was sold out at the time of this post (3/1/22).

Ingredients: Cacao, coconut sugar, caramelized coconut, cacao butter, single origin Madagascar Bourbon vanilla

Allergen-related information: (Contained coconut.) "No dairy, soy, refined sugar, gluten, GMO, or sugar alcohols

Dr. Bronner's - Salted Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) - Feb. 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One Chocolate line of 70% dark chocolate bars are made using organic, fair trade cocoa grown in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Aroma notes for today's Salted Dark Chocolate included: true chocolate (brownie), faint green tart herb (oxalis, sorrel), spice, floral, fruit (cherry) and vanilla. This thick, hearty dark chocolate bar had smooth texture.

The dark chocolate flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes (above), with a deeper immersion into true, rich chocolate--interspersed with tiny sparkles of sea salt. 

This well-balanced, rich bar was sweetened with just the right amount of (coconut) sugar, for my taste; that is, it wasn't too sweet (thank you). Today's bar was full of well-executed, balanced, intense chocolate flavor--enough to pass for a darker, 75% cacao (vs. 70%) dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

Dr. Bronner's - Smooth Coconut Praline Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) - Feb. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Smooth Coconut Praline Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2.93 oz. (83 g.) in total bar

Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

Happy Lunar New Year (year of the Tiger), and welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week. 

Today's Smooth Coconut Praline Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)--sweetened with coconut sugar--was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Today's bar was a testament to international partnerships and mindful sourcing of organic and fairly traded ingredients, that included organic, fair trade cocoa from Ghana (Serendipalm project) and Ivory Coast (KANY co-op of women farmers); organic, fair trade vanilla from Madagascar; and organic, fair trade coconut sugar from Indonesia.

Closer to home, the aroma of this international dark chocolate evoked childhood memories of German chocolate cake: layers of rich, moist dark chocolate cake "glued" together with a thick frosting made of caramelized sugar, butter, shredded coconut and chopped nuts (pecans and almonds), and a hint of vanilla. The cake was delicious. 

This coconut praline filled dark chocolate bar captured the aroma and flavor magic of this childhood favorite. It was a sleek and sophisticated, adult embodiment of this dessert, with a fraction of the sugar, and with richer, dark chocolate flavor. Perfect! 

A final note: All the Bronner's bars I've tasted this week have been sweetened with coconut sugar. This golden-hued sugar tends to lend a very mild, pleasant caramel flavor to chocolate(s). Coconut sugar scores lower on the glycemic index*/scale than refined white sugar--an added plus. 

Coconut blossom sugar is harvested (carefully), often by hand, high up in coconut palm trees where coconut blossoms/flowers are located--using small buckets to gather sap. It's very similar to, and is sometimes referred to as the same thing as, palm sugar or jaggery. (The latter is a "brown sugar" that can be made from a blend of palm, cane or and/or date sugar.)

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, Fair Trade Organic coconut, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, Fair Trade Organic coconut milk powder, sea salt, Organic sunflower oil, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

*The glycemic index (GI) measures how rapidly blood glucose levels rise after different foods are ingested. The index also offers a ranking of foods as to which results in a faster/higher rise in glucose. More refined, processed high-carbohydrate foods typically result in more rapid rises in blood sugar.

Dr. Bronner's - Salted Almond Butter 70% Cocoa (bar) - Jan. 31, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Almond Butter Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2.93 oz. (83 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Almond Butter Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) sweetened with coconut sugar was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Printed on each of the six segments were the words: "For, We, Are, All-One, Or None!, All-One!" A heart-felt sentiment--from the original Dr. Bronner's company founder, Emanual Bronner--that still appears on product packaging. Family members still run this business that was founded in 1948.

Yesterday's Dr. Bronner's 70% dark bar with almonds was similar to today's 70% dark bar with almond butter; but it featured roasted whole almonds in a solid, salted dark chocolate base vs. today's filled Salted Almond Butter bar (where the subtle dash of salt was in the Almond Butter filling). 

I enjoyed experiencing the similarities (in aroma and chocolate flavors), and the differences (the texture of the whole nuts and more separate layering of flavors that whole ingredients create, vs. a more uniformly blended ground nut and chocolate flavored filling).

The aroma notes of today's (and yesterday's) bar(s) included: pleasant dark chocolate, spice, green citrus herb, vanilla and faint nut. Both bars were made using organic and fairly traded West African cacao grown in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Flavor notes for today's bar included rich, but smooth dark chocolate, with a light green citrus (oxalis) and faint floral spice (vanilla, marshmallow), and subtle, nutty notes and textures from ground almonds and hazelnuts.

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, organic almonds, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Organic hazelnuts, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

Dr. Bronner's - Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - Jan. 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Dr. Bronner's is perhaps better known in the U.S. for their line of environmentally and socially conscious soaps. But, they've caught the "Cocoa Magic" bug, and have extended a passion for regenerative organic agriculture into chocolate.* 

The company is sourcing organic, fairly traded cocoa from Ghana and Ivory Coast and partnering with Swiss maker(s) to offer a line of 70% dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this Organic and Fair Trade Certified bar included: true chocolate (brownie, chocolate cake), green citrus herb (oxalis, sorrel) and faint lightly earthy, faintly smokey, vanilla bean spice.

Flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes (above) with a deeper, richer immersion into the chocolate flavors that were accented with authentic vanilla and an occasional uptick of salt--that, along with the lightly roasted almonds, helped balance the sweetness provided by coconut sugar. 

The green citrus note (likely from oxalic acid) and a very faint fruit and/or citrus quality yielded a balanced chocolate acidity that lingered lightly in the finish.

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, organic almonds, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

*I first discovered Dr. Bronner's bars in local stores in December 2020. Already being a fan of their soaps, I was delighted to try this new line of dark chocolates. A bright spot of good news in challenging times (recent passing of a parent and ongoing Covid-19 related limitations on travel, work and social get-togethers.) Thankfully there is still much to feel very grateful about. 

Mid-Day Squares - Functional Chocolate Bar - Almond Crunch - Aug. 30, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Mid-Day Squares

Functional Chocolate Bar - Almond Crunch

Good +

Weight: 2.33 oz. (66 g.) in total pkg. of 2 squares 

Calories: 340 calories in 2 squares (1 package)

Cost: $3.69 for 1 package of 2 squares

Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Cold Chocolate Theme Week, featuring frozen and refrigerated chocolate items.

Today's Almond Crunch Functional Chocolate Bar (2 bar-like squares in one package) hailed from Mid-Day Squares (Montreal, Canada). 

The company offers refrigerated bars/squares (including today's Almond Crunch--and two Squares product line sibling flavors: "Fudge Yah" and "Peanut Butta").

This square duo had a pleasing aroma with fudge nut brownie and chocolate almond granola notes; and had more (visible) layered soft and crunchy textures and flavors than a conventional chocolate bar, making it more complex and interesting. (It was topped with a layer of raw, dark chocolate.)

Flavor notes included: chocolate brownie with crunchy, nutty almond bits, and natural, sweet green and maple/caramelized brown sugar and nuts and crispy (implied flour-free chocolate, almond lace) cookie notes.

Seeking to transcend traditional snacks and traditional powdery/dry protein bars, these functional chocolates were defined as: "a chocolate bar with the functions of a protein bar."

Each package/pair of 2 refrigerated organic, gluten-free squares contained 12 g. of "clean" plant protein (almonds, brown rice, sacha inchi,* hemp, etc.--with no soy or dairy), and fiber, yet tasted like a "real" dark chocolate bar with crushed almonds that just happened to be more filling.

Ingredients: Organic roasted almonds, semi-sweet chocolate, (chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), coconut sugar, 

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds, coconut...May contain hazelnuts, peanuts."

*Sacha Inca protein comes from edible seeds from a shrubby plant (Plukenetia volubilis) that grows in Peru and other Amazon-proximate South American countries. These nut-like seeds are also known as sacha, mountain or Inca peanuts. 

The seeds develop inside unique, flower- or star-shaped pods; and each of the four or five "petals" contain a nut-like seed. 

Wholesome Bakery - Fudge Brownie - Aug. 7, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wholesome Bakery
Fudge Brownie
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in one container/brownie
Calories: 160 calories in 1 brownie
Cost: $6.50 for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Zombierunner, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's vegan and gluten-free Fudge Brownie was from Wholesome Bakery (San Francisco, CA). The women-owned bakery, founded by Mandy Harper in 2009, offers high-quality, allergen-friendly and plant-based bakery items.

This brownie was lower-glycemic (sweetened with organic coconut sugar) and was made with 74% dark chocolate, coconut milk and almonds (almond meal).

The paleo-friendly brownie was sweet, moist and dark chocolate-y. (The coconut flavor was very subtle.) The brownie managed to have, simultaneously, a soft semi-velvety and nutty texture and chew. It was very satisfying, and didn't leave me with a sugar buzz. (Thank you.) Although I did find myself wanting to eat another one. 

Ingredients: "Organic, fair trade 74% dark chocolate, coconut cream, raw almond meal, organic coconut sugar, tapioca flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, sea salt, pure vanilla extract."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that works with nuts. Produced in a dedicated gluten free, vegan and soy free facility."

Coracao Chocolate - Berkeley Bars and Almond Butter Bars - Aug. 2, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Coracao Organic Chocolate

Berkeley Bars

Good +

Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 2 small bars

Calories: 340 calories in 1 small bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 package of 2 small bars

Purchased from: Flour Craft Bakery/Cafe, Mill Valley, CA

Almond Butter Bars

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 2 small bars

Calories: 300 calories in 1 small bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 package of 2 small bars

Purchased from: Flour Craft Bakery/Cafe, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Almonds Week(s). 

Today I sampled two different small bars from Coracao Organic Chocolate (Berkeley, CA). The company creates healthy chocolates using "certified organic cacao from biodynamic farms" and "farmers are paid Fair Trade wages or above." 

Berkeley Bars

The aroma of this chocolate bar included slight green floral, molasses/brown/maple sugar, tart green (lemon herbs like sorrel, sour grass/oxalis), very faint fruit (red apple, berry), nutty and very faint savory notes. 

There were two layers inside these Berkeley Bars: a soft (lucuma and maca) nougat layer on top and a caramely-crunchy nutty (with lightly salted almond) layer on the bottom pieces. And the entire bar was coated with 81% dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Organic almonds, organic agave, organic cacao, organic cashew butter, organic coconut sugar, organic lucuma, organic yacon syrup, organic cocoa butter, Himalayan salt, organic maca and organic vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds and cashews. Made in a factory processing other tree nuts. May contain pit or shell fragments.

Almond Butter Bars

The aroma of this small bar coffee toffee, followed by almond molasses brittle, sweet and slightly savory notes

The rich, ultra-dark (81% cacao) chocolate flavor had very faint earth, balanced light bitter and tart green (lemony herbs like sorrel, sour grass/oxalis) notes. The nutty notes (in the form of smooth substantial almond butter filling) showed up a few chews later.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic stone ground almond butter, organic coconut sugar, organic cacao butter, organic vanilla bean and Himalayan salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds. Made in a factory processing other tree nuts." (organic, vegan)

Cacao Crudo - Raw Organic Criollo 80% Dark chocolate (bar) - July 13, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Crudo

Raw Organic Criollo 80% Dark chocolate (bar) 

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) for 1 bar

Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $ missing information

Purchased from: Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco, CA 

Welcome to Day #4 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Raw Organic Criollo 80% Dark chocolate (bar) was made by Cacao Crudo S.r.l. (Roma, Italia/Rome, Italy).

The aroma and flavor notes for this Taveletta di Cioccolato Fondente Biologico (dark chocolate organic bar) were a mix of intoxicating, naturally sweet (green molasses* if that's possible) and very clear and clean green floral (white flowers: jasmine, magnolia, orchid) and very faint, green fruit notes that lightly lingered into the finish.

This was not your typical ultra-dark (80% or above) bar. It was low in acidity, bitterness and strong fruit. (In a blind tasting I might have guessed this was a 70%-73% cacao chocolate.) 

Speaking of fruit, far from being walloped with prune, pomegranate, orange peel and/or tart red berries--which are delightful in their own right, this chocolate caressed the palette with faint green fruit notes that lay at the opposite (mild) end of the tasting spectrum. Think very faint green kiwi shading into light cucumber blended with mild green table grapes.

Will everyone love this bar? Not necessarily, if you favor bolder, heavier, roasted flavors. But, please do try this bar if you have the opportunity. (It's currently available in specialty stores or online.)

The unique green floral aroma and flavor notes for this bar were made possible by using Criollo cacao that was unroasted--a processing choice that preserves more delicate floral and flavor notes that can be lost during conventional roasting and higher temperature grinding/conching.

The Criollo variety of cacao is prized for its more delicate flavors, which can include soft, complex fruit and cream notes.

Floral chocolate lovers rejoice. You may find yourself virtually transported to a celebration of green, floral chocolate flavors inside an orchid conservatory, or in a tropical jungle filled with green vines and wildflowers.

Ingredients: Organic Criollo cacao powder, organic Criollo cacao butter, organic coconut blossom nectar, organic coconut pulp, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: "Gluten Free...May contain traces of hazelnuts and pistachios." 

*The coconut blossom nectar (used as a sweetener instead of cane sugar) also contributed to a gentler (lower on the glycemic index), slightly aromatic sugar experience. Various descriptions of faint flavor notes this sweetener imparts include: brown sugar, caramel--and less frequently: barely there musky (floral), and/or very faint smoke. 

It does not taste like coconut meat or milk, even though the blossoms are clustered at the top of coconut palm trees. Floral sap is collected in small buckets and then made into coconut sugar.

Endorfin Foods - Ultra Dark Chocolate Caramelized Coconut Mylk (bar) - July 2, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Endorfin Foods
Ultra Dark Chocolate Caramelized Coconut Mylk (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Ultra Dark Chocolate Caramelized Coconut Mylk (bar) was distributed by Endorfin Foods (San Francisco, CA). 

The Bay Area-based company offers a line of attractively packaged chocolates, including (non-dairy) coconut mylk bars, along with a bit of what they refer to as "plant-based chocolate alchemy."*

The aroma of this bar included dark roast cacao beans melded with aromatic green (clean green tea, faint green floral), caramel and coconut, as well as a faint nutty note (faint sweet peanut butter + light roasted coconut). Note: there were no peanut ingredients in this bar.

The chocolate had a thick, rich, creamy melt--a melt that picked up speed once in the mouth--and a very light granular mouthfeel at the end.

This 90% cacao bar was not sweet (Thank you!...It might even make a good vegan baking chocolate.) It had a smooth, ultra-dark, roasted chocolate flavor with a very balanced, light bitterness that harmonized well with the 10% naturally sweet, warm aromatic flavor from the caramelized coconut and coconut sugar.

The organic and fair trade cacao used to make this bar was from Ecuador.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic coconut sugar, Organic caramelized coconut, Organic cacao butter. (All ingredients were also marked Fair Trade Certified; "99% Fair Trade Ingredients.")

Allergen-related information: "No dairy, no soy, no refined sugar, no gluten, no GMO, no sugar alcohols."

*For those fond of botanical flavor inclusions in chocolate, Endorfin offered one of the first absinthe bars (with anise, fennel and mugwort). They offer bars infused with spices and flowers (turmeric, cardamon, rose). And, they also offered (on their website) a line of single origin, unsweetened "ceremonial quality" drinking chocolates (including one from Cayapas River, Ecuador).

Hu Kitchen - Chocolate Covered Hunks, Cashew + Vanilla Bean - May 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Hu Products LLC
Chocolate Covered Hunks, Cashew + Vanilla Bean
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 4 oz. (113 oz.) in total package
Calories: 340 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $6.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and VWXYZ Theme Week, featuring chocolate items with origins or flavor inclusions that begin with the letters V, W, X, Y and/or Z.

Today's Cashew + Vanilla Bean Chocolate Covered Hunks were created by Hu Products LLC/ Hu Kitchen (Union Square, NYC, NY). 

Siblings, Jordan Brown and Jessica Karp, co-founded Hu Kitchen, a paleo-inspired restaurant in New York City. And together with Chairman and co-founder Jason Karp, the company expanded their line of chocolate bars, snacks, and other items.*

This yummy snack smelled sweet--thanks to the vanilla bean (and its implied warm, floral, spice promise of baked cakes and cookies, hot cocoa, etc.)--with notes of caramel cashew, chocolate and vanilla, and freshly baked cashew shortbread cookies. 

These chocolate covered nuts had a natural matte finish (no confectioners glaze). Don't let the short list of high-quality ingredients fool you though. This organic, vegan and paleo offering ticked every box on my "addictive chocolate snacks" checklist: authentic flavors, sweet (but not too sweet), salty (but not too salty), flavorful dark chocolate, roasted nuts, crunchy texture. So, don't be surprised if you suddenly find you've just eaten more than you thought.

Thank you Hu Kitchen for going the extra mile to make this high-end treat: 1.) the organic, house-ground 70% cacao-based, flavorful, velvety dark chocolate (that coated crunchy, nutty cashews) that had a trace of earthiness in the finish; 2.) the judicious amounts of vanilla bean and sea salt; 3.) the organic cashews; and the 4.) organic, unrefined coconut sugar which added a hint of warm, caramel flavor.

Ingredients: Organic cashews, organic cacao, organic unrefined coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter, sea salt, organic vanilla bean. 

(Note: the company has said in the past that they purchase much of their cacao from the Dominican Republic and Bolivia. Cacao origin was not identified on the packaging for this offering.)

Allergen-related information: "Contains cashew and coconut. May contain almond and hazelnut. Allergen cleans are made prior to production, but beware that product is produced using equipment that also processes tree nuts, soy, peanuts, milk and wheat."

*In January 2021, snack food giant Mondelez International (that had taken a minority stake in the company in 2019) completed an acquisition of Hu Products.

Loving Earth - Chocolate 72% Raw bar + Nina Coconut bar - Apr. 14, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Loving Earth
Dark Organic Chocolate with 72% Raw Ashaninka Cacao with Coconut Sugar, Amazon (bar)
Good
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week. We celebrated this day with two chocolate bars with ties to Amazonian and Peruvian cacao culture, and unique origin stories.

Peru is one of the Central and South American countries were cacao was first cultivated by indigenous people thousands of years ago.

Today's Dark Organic Chocolate with 72% Raw Ashaninka Cacao (Peruvian Amazon) bar with coconut sugar (bar) was from Loving Earth Inc., Upper St. Clair, PA (and was made in Australia).

This relatively light bar had a light coconut and nutty flavor. The chocolate was made with raw cacao (that tends to have a milder flavor due to low temperature constraints (no roasting)). There was no added cacao butter. Rather, there was an interesting melt and nutty smoothness from finely ground nuts/nut butter ingredients: cashews, hazelnuts and almonds.

The cacao beans used to make this vegan bean-to-bar chocolate "traveled 100 miles by canoe to get to the nearest road. From the remote Rio Ene, one of the main sources of the Amazon River, they are an indigenous wild variety of criollo cacao, harvested from the Amazon jungle by the Ashaninko people of the Kemito Ene Cooperative."

Maker's tasting notes for this chocolate printed on the package read as follows: (notes of) aniseed and fennel (and...) toffee notes (from the) coconut sugar...to create a unique flavor with hints of coffee."

Nina* Fine Chocolate Macambo + Coconut bar
I also enjoyed (re-tasted) a bit of a Nina* Chocolates 45% Cacao Macambo (Majambo) + Coconut (bar) (originally featured here on Chocolate Banquet last year).

This bar was made, from tree to bar, in Peru, using single origin cacao from Chazuta (a village and district, in the San Martin province/region, in north central Peru at the edge of the Amazon basin). Majambo (Theobroma bicolor) is a cacao (Theobroma cacao) relative.

*"Nina is a Qoya, the Amazon Princess, wife of the Inca, who was instructed to meet the world invisible to our eyes. Her name in Quechua translates as fire and in the Peruvian Amazon symbolizes: initiation, transformation and purification. She knows the hidden secret of the cacao seed, its spirit and also its great nutritional power. And by just impregnating the seed with the breath of her sacred fire on full moon nights, it is transformed into chocolate, releasing a myriad of delicate tastes."