Preston's - Apricot Bliss Dark Chocolate Bar - Oct. 28, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery
Apricot Bliss Chocolate Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories (per label) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $12.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week -- a series that includes a variety of fruits blended with chocolate(s).*

Today's generously-sized Apricot Bliss Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA).**

I enjoyed the rich, chocolate-y flavor (fudge brownie) with warm vanilla beans and authentic dried apricot pieces and the blend of textures--with dark smooth dark chocolate and lightly-sweetened, dried apricot pieces.

Texture: This hearty bar had a generously thick, smooth (almost creamy) 63% bittersweet, dark chocolate base. Embedded in this chocolate-y base were pieces of authentic, relatively moist and chewy dried apricot. (I grew up around apricot and cherry orchards, so I'm always happy to feature these two flavors.)

Ingredients: 63% bittersweet chocolate (cacao beans, pure cane sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, vanilla beans), dried apricots (apricots, sulfur.)

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

*The fruits featured so far this week have included: passion fruit, mango, pineapple; lemon; pomegranate; longan, persimmon and candied winter melon; mulberry; cherry; scorpion pepper (yep, it's a technically a fruit); raspberry; and apricot. Fruits waiting in the wings (will appear soon) include: orange, clementine, cacao fruit, (and more cherry).

**Preston's Candy & Ice Cream opened in 1946 and, until fairly recently, served up sweet treats to customers in downtown Burlingame, CA, at 1170 Broadway Ave. Happily the store is still there, although it became Preston's Candy + Javier Confectionery--after Javier Santiago, a chocolatier (from Mexico) who purchased the historic Preston's a few years ago. 

Javier offers his own chocolate bars and creations as well as many Preston's classic flavors/items. And he's worked to preserve elements of the original business (e.g. the historic sign, original flavors/crowd favorites). Great combination of old and new (and some would say, timeless) chocolate bars and confections.

 

Scorpion Pepper 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) & Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 27, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Scorpion Pepper - 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 79 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend (thank you Wendy!)
Purchased from: NA - gift from a friend 

Sted Foods
Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate (bar)

Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.)
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week, featuring three different bars from Sted Foods in Minnesota.

(See previous entry, for information on the first of the three chocolate bars featured today from Sted Foods--the "Cherry Nibbler" 50% Dark Milk Chocolate bar (with crunchy cacao nibs, cherry bits and vanilla.))

All three bars contain a different fruit. And yes, the Scorpion Pepper is, technically, a fruit. 

Today's Sted Foods Scorpion Pepper 70% Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate bars were manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN).

Scorpion Pepper 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Aroma and flavor notes for this small bar included: refreshing, smooth and subtly complex dark chocolate with very faint butter, and faint chili pepper fruit, with spicy chili heat kicking in after the first several seconds.

Texture: smooth, relatively creamy dark chocolate. (The scorpion pepper was fully incorporated into the chocolate. There were no pepper bits or spice grit.)

I appreciated this blend of pleasant, smooth dark chocolate and the contrasting spiciness of the scorpion pepper that blossomed toward the end of the tasting experience. After the spiciness receded, the pleasant, chocolate-y dark chocolate (with faint caramel and fudge brownie notes) returned.

Maker's tasting notes: "This bar has just a touch of heat from Trinidad scorpion pepper. You'll get the endorphin rush of heat from the pepper, balanced with the richness of our dark chocolate."

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic scorpion pepper powder"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses coconut, almonds, pecans, and milk"

Raspberry Cream 38% White Chocolate (bar)

White chocolates (with no cocoa solids) may not count here as they lack the darker cocoa solids/mass; but I sometimes include them, or pair them, with other dark or dark milk chocolate bars from the same maker. Such was the case today with this Sted Foods Raspberry Cream 38% white chocolate.

Aroma notes included: a dessert chocolate with aromatic sweet berries (fresh raspberries) and sweet white chocolate 

Flavor notes included: authentic-tasting, tart-sweet raspberry fruit (including some seeds and fruit) and cream. There was no added vanilla (unlike many other sweet white chocolates), which meant the focus stayed on the raspberry flavors and textures. It was more true to its name: Raspberry Cream, vs. a white pudding or other cream-based dessert with raspberry flavoring.

Texture: a pleasing blend of creamy white chocolate with authentic and effectively integrated raspberry textures (raspberry seeds, dried raspberry pulp) that made this more interesting than a plain white chocolate. 

I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients in all three of today's featured Sted Foods bars. And I was glad to have been able to try Dark Milk, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate bars for this chocolate + fruit series.

Maker's tasting notes: "This bar evokes the joy of sunny days spent gathering freshly picked raspberries. Each bite melds the sweet and tangy flavor of ripe raspberries with the creamy richness of white chocolate."

Ingredients: "organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic whole milk powder, organic dried raspberry"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk."

Chocolate and Love - Organic 70% Cocoa Pomegranate (bar) Madagascar Dark Chocolate with Pomegranate - Oct. 25, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Chocolate and Love GmbH
Organic 70% Cocoa Pomegranate (bar) Madagascar Dark Chocolate with Pomegranate
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (9 pieces/squares) of bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week. Yesterday's dark chocolate bar contained cocoa nibs and pomegranate. Today's Pomegranate dark chocolate bar contained some of the same ingredients but had a different twist.*

Today's Organic and Vegan 70% Cocoa Pomegranate (bar) with Madagascar Dark Chocolate and Pomegranate was a product of Switzerland, and was made for Chocolate and Love Ltd (Perth, UK).

Aroma and flavor notes included: soft dark chocolate (hot cocoa, cacao nibs) and tart sweet red fruit (pomegranate).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with almost fully integrated, but not quite, softly chewy bits of pomegranate, sweetened with apple juice and vanilla.

I liked that this chocolate was made using certified organic, Fairtrade, and single origin (Madagascar) cacao. Madagascar cacao is known for its citrus and berry (fruit) notes--and that may have amped up the other (added) fruit flavors a little in this bar.

This 70% dark chocolate was actually quite sweet; but I could still make out some satisfying cocoa notes. The fruit bits ("pomegranate preparation" pieces)--embedded throughout the bar--yielded fairly strong apple and red fruit candy, and chocolate and vanilla cookie flavors.

The layering of flavors seemed about right. The fruit bits didn't seem too large. Nor were the bits totally incorporated--where it would have been harder to make out any single origin cacao notes. But, I think I would have preferred a lighter scattering of said fruit bits (even though they were flavored in a thoughtful way) so I could taste the chocolate more.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass*, raw cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, pomegranate preparation* 9%, (pomegranate, apple juice concentrate*, rice flour*, thickener* [pectin*]), vanilla pods*

*Certified organic. Cocoa, sugar, vanilla; traded in compliance with Fairtrade Standards, total 91%. Visit: www.info.fairtrade.net. Cocoa solids 70% minimum (chocolate).

According to the information on the inside of this bar's label (kudos, lots of good info), the Madagascar cacao came from: "Cooperative Premium Cacao Sambirano CPCS". (The company sources cacao from  Fairtrade certified co-operatives in Peru, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Madagascar.)

Allergen-related information: May Contain Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts & Coconut

*You can take one fruit and dark chocolate and make a bar eight different ways with eight different results. I love the versatility of chocolate. It's compatible with so many beverages, bars, confections and desserts, and even savory dishes. Thank you to all the makers creating so many different implementations, all with subtle differences. 

Fossa Chocolate - 72% Dark Cheng Tng (bar) - Oct. 22, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Fossa Chocolate 

72% Dark Cheng Tng (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week,

Today's 72% Dark Cheng Tng (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate (Singapore). This bar was inspired by a fruity ("clear soup") dessert from southeast China.

Fossa crafts single origin chocolate bars flavored with a beautiful, authentic array of beverages and food items from southeast China, including specialty teas, flowers, fruits, sweet desserts and savory dishes. For those who love to be transported by food, Fossa's chocolate and Asian-inspired flavor blends offer tasty virtual journeys to Singapore and beyond.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 72% dark chocolate bar included an attractive blend of refreshing fruits: red date (jujube), dried goji berry, candied persimmon and candied winter melon, with very faint seed/nut and clear sweet green (brown sugar-sweetened matcha green tea).

The slightly smoky dark chocolate--made with cacao from Vanuatu, an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean--was flavorful and well-balanced, as was the blend of fruits and the sacha inchi nuts. It had a surprisingly clean, sweet and refreshing aroma and taste.

Texture: smooth texture with an even and satisfying melt and mouthfeel. The blend of smooth-textured dark chocolate, slightly chewy, dried fruit bits and softly crunchy (nut-like) inchi seed bits was very appealing. (The seeds had a fruity (almond) nut-like flavor.)

I recommend trying this aromatic (sweet and slightly smoky), tasty chocolate. This was another well-executed bar from Fossa Chocolate with high-quality, single origin chocolate + flavor inclusions. 

It couldn't have been easy to perfectly balance the dark smoky chocolate with the light and refreshing, almost tea-like, sweet fruit blend. But, Fossa successfully harnessed dark and light in a perfectly complementary way.

I also appreciated the choice of the single origin cacao and the short list of quality ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "A cooling, refreshing taste with natural sweetness and gentle smokiness"

Ingredients: "Cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, brown sugar, sacha inchi seed, goji berry, red dates, longan, persimmon, candied winter melon (winter melon, sugar)

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

Likkle More Chocolate - Fresh Ginger 70% Cocoa (bar) - Oct. 20, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Likkle More Chocolate
Fresh Ginger 70% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's Fresh Ginger 70% Cocoa (bar) was from Likkle More Chocolate (Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma notes included: pleasant, relatively subtle, dark chocolate with faint spice/ginger.

Flavor notes included a richer deep chocolate-y flavor than the aroma indicated. This smooth Jamaican chocolate was low in bitterness and acidity. And a warm, authentic ginger flavor (with a serene glow in the finish) completed this balanced blend.

Texture: This well-tempered chocolate broke with an audible snap, and had a smooth mouthfeel and melt. The ginger was fully integrated into the dark chocolate. (There were no chewy candied ginger bits or stringy ginger pieces/shreds; and there was no powdered ginger spice grit.)

I appreciated the subtle complexity, the balanced flavors--as well as the short list of local ingredients and attractive packaging--in this well-executed chocolate. 

And I enjoyed the warm, authentic ginger glow that gently blossomed in the finish. This smooth Jamaican chocolate was low in bitterness and acidity. 

Ingredients: "Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter, dehydrated fresh ginger root. All-natural colors derived from plants, fruits & vegetables." 

Allergen-related information: "Made in a kitchen that handles milk, seeds & nuts."

Likkle More Chocolate - Bachelor's Hall Estate 72% Cocoa (bar) - Oct. 19, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Likkle More Chocolate
Bachelor's Hall Estate 72% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's Bachelor's Hall Estate* 72% Cocoa (bar) was from Likkle More Chocolate (Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies)...as in, please give me a "little more" chocolate.

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractively decorated, single origin Jamaican dark bar included: smooth dark chocolate (nutty cocoa); faint red fruit and red apple jelly; barely there warm spice; and a wee bit of balanced (coffee-like) bitterness/acidity and in the finish.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with an even melt. Finish: There was a very slight fruit/coffee/menthol sensation that resolved into a faint, red apple tartness at the tail end of the finish.

I liked the subtle complexity, especially the nutty cocoa notes up front in this single origin/estate Jamaican chocolate. The very faint coffee, wood, apple and menthol notes in the finish were interesting and balanced. Overall it was fairly low in bitterness. 

I appreciated the short list of ingredients (only three ingredients), the fact that they press their (own) cocoa butter, and the attractive packaging art and compostable inner wrapper.

Ingredients: "Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter. All-natural colors derived from plants, fruits & vegetables." 

Allergen-related information: "Made in a kitchen that handles milk, seeds & nuts."

*Bachelor's Hall Estate is a large farm (in St. Thomas Parish) in southeastern Jamaica, owned and operated by Desmond Jadusingh--who inherited what had been a cocoa farm from his grandfather, and brought it back to life. Despite hurricanes and other challenges, he developed fermentation techniques and his Estate became known for great Jamaican cacao. 

Pure Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning (bar) & White Chocolate Banana, Plantain, Sweet Potato (bar) - Oct. 14, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Pure Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Pure Chocolate
White Chocolate with Banana, Plantain Chips & Sweet Potato Chips (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week, featuring two bars from Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies)--both made with Jamaican cacao and local flavor inclusions.

70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning

Jerk seasonings are used to flavor and preserve meats and vegetables in Jamaica.

Aroma and flavor notes for this 70% Dark Chocolate with Jerk Seasoning (bar) included: smooth-flavored dark chocolate, spices, mild pepper(s), herbs (fresh/authentic thyme), brown/coconut sugar, faint salt, and barely there (green) onion sauteed in butter/oil.

There was a little heat--enough to add a pinch of flavor without being noticeably spicy. (I'm guessing fresh jerk spices and herbs might have been infused into the cocoa butter, then blended with the cocoa mass.)

Texture: relatively smooth dark chocolate with as slight astringency in the finish. There was no spice "grit" (thank you!).

I really liked the well-balanced and subtle and authentic flavors in this bar. It wasn't too spicy, salty or sweet; it was transporting. And it had me leaning in to taste the nuanced and layered jerk seasoning components. This was a very gentle "savory" and sweet bar that even those unsure about such things might enjoy tasting.

I appreciated the chef's gentle touch in creating this authentic seasoning blend and the way it was incorporated into the dark chocolate.

Maker's tasting notes: "Notes of salt, thyme, pimento, smoked wood and scotch bonnet pepper." Maker's pairing tips: "Parmesan cheese, tawny port, Dark rum"

Ingredients: "Jamaican cocoa beans, unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, scallions, salt, pepper (capsicum), onion, pimento, vinegar, black pepper, garlic, thyme, spices." 

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

White Chocolate with Banana, Plantain, Sweet Potato 

This light caramel-hued White Chocolate (bar) with banana and plantain and sweet potato chips was also handmade by Pure Chocolate.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: fresh banana pudding, faint cocoa and vanilla; sweet potato chips and plantain chips; and light brown/coconut sugar.

Texture: relatively smooth white chocolate with a banana pudding mouthfeel; a smooth, rich cocoa butter melt--accented with softly crunchy bits of plantain and sweet potato chips, and cacao nibs.

I liked the well-balanced and authentic banana, plantain and sweet potato chip flavors and textures. And I appreciated that this white chocolate was naturally sweet without being overly so, and that the bar was crafted using a relatively short list of quality and local ingredients from Jamaica.

Ingredients: Unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, dehydrated banana, plantain chips (plantain, sunflower oil and/or palm oil and/or coconut oil, salt), sweet potato chips (sweet potato chips (sweet potato, vegetable oil, salt), Slow roasted cocoa nibs, vanilla bean, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

Pure Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate with Lemongrass (bar) - Oct. 13, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate with Lemongrass (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate with Lemongrass (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

The company, founded in 2017 by two pastry chefs, offers a variety of attractively packaged* bars created with Jamaican cacao, including several chocolates with locally grown flavor additions--such as today's Lemongrass** bar. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate; light and bright citrus (lemon, lemongrass); sweet, refreshing herb; and very faint milk chocolate molasses cookie. (There were no milk ingredient(s) in this bar.)

Texture: smooth texture with a satisfying, even melt--with a very faint (not unpleasant) astringency in the finish.

I liked the smooth, dark chocolate flavor and blend with the lemongrass. Nothing was too overpowering in this well-balanced chocolate. I kept "leaning in" to taste the chocolate and gentle lemongrass flavors.

I also appreciated the short list of quality and single origin ingredients.

Maker's tasting notes: "citrus, berries, herbal". Maker's beverage pairing suggestions: Champagne, Moscato d'Asti, rose.

Ingredients: "Jamaican cocoa beans, unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, lemongrass"

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten."

*The striking illustration on today's packaging was from Taj Francis.

**Lemongrass (originally from South Asia, and known as "fever grass" in Jamaica) likely first arrived on the Island via colonial trans-Atlantic trading ships/routes in approximately 1799. Today it's common to see it growing wild and cultivated in gardens. It's used in teas and as a cooking/culinary and medicinal herb.

Pure Chocolate - 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Bacon (bar) - Oct. 11, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
70% Smoked Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Bacon (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Bacon (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies). 

Disclosure: I've always been a fan of chocolate + umami (flavor additions). Other professional chocolate tasters often give me disapproving looks. But to those who only like sweet chocolates I say: you are missing out. I was looking forward to trying this Caribbean-inspired umami chocolate feast. And I was not disappointed. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this Special Roast Edition chocolate bar included: attractive smoky aroma (wood/hickory), dark chocolate, smoked and salted meat (bacon).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with softly crunchy bits of bacon

I liked the authentic smoked, barbeque and bacon flavors and the balance of savory-sweet notes in this bar. This chocolate wasn't overly sweet (thank you); and the very light caramelization (and texture) of the bacon pieces blended well with the dark chocolate. Nicely balanced, especially if you like umami and/or smoke notes.

I also appreciated the short list of just four ingredients.

Ingredients: "smoked Jamaican cocoa beans, cane sugar, unrefined cocoa butter, caramelized bacon." 

Allergen-related information: (CONTAINS PORK) "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

Pure Chocolate - 65% Dark Chocolate with Jamaican Worthy Park Rum Special Edition (bar) - Oct. 10, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
65% Dark Chocolate with Jamaican Worthy Park Select Rum Special Edition (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 65% Dark Chocolate with Jamaican Worthy Park Rum Special Edition (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate; faint honey, maple and sweet rum;  light wood; brown sugar and faint dried fruits (diffuse golden tropical fruits, very faint golden raisin).

Texture: smooth texture and melt, with a slight fruit astringency in the finish.

I enjoyed the warm, authentic balanced blend of flavors and the overall nuanced, complex sweetness. I also appreciated the short list of quality and single origin ingredients.

Ingredients: "Premium quality Jamaican cocoa beans, Unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, Worthy Park cane sugar, Worthy Park select rum." 

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten."

Pure Chocolate - 75% Dark Chocolate, Single Origin (bar) - Oct. 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
75% Dark Chocolate, Single Origin (bar)
Good++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 bar (per label)
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 75% Dark Chocolate Farm to Bar, Single Origin (bar) was made by Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes for this two-ingredient bar included: relatively smooth dark chocolate with faint and balanced cream/yogurt, earth and an attractive fruit sweetness (red and tropical fruits), with a slight (fruit) acidic astringency in the finish.

Texture: smooth with a slight astringency in the finish

I'm normally not a huge fan of yogurt and earth notes; but I enjoyed the well-balanced complexity of flavors in this attractively packaged bar*. I kept coming back for more. 

Ingredients: Jamaican cocoa beans, cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten"

*Pure Chocolate works with local Jamaican artists Taj Francis and Kokab Zohoori-Dossa to create striking, colorful portrait style images that appear on their packaging.

Likkle More Chocolate - Signature Terroir Dark 70% Cocoa (bar) - Oct. 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Likkle More Chocolate
Signature Terroir Dark 70% Cocoa Single Origin Jamaica, West Indies (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's Signature Terroir Dark 70% Cocoa, Single Origin, Jamaica, West Indies (bar) was from Likkle More Chocolate (Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, dark chocolate (chocolate ganache; pleasant, warm cocoa) with very faint red and tropical fruits; and very faint fruit acidity at the end of the finish.

Texture: well-tempered bar that broke with a snap; smooth texture and melt

I appreciated this balanced, single origin dark chocolate made with a short list of just three ingredients.

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter. All-natural colors derived from plants, fruits & vegetables. 

Allergen-related information: "Made in a kitchen that handles milk, seeds & nuts."

Pure Chocolate - Jamaica 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee (bar) - Oct. 7, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Pure Chocolate
Jamaica 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories (sounds low) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cacao, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Coffee Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Jamaica Theme Week.

Today's Jamaica 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee (bar) was from Pure Chocolate Ltd. (St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively smooth, dark chocolate (creamy drinking chocolate) with faint, balanced coffee (not too bitter or acidic).

Texture: smooth melt and relatively creamy cocoa texture

I appreciated the balanced cocoa flavors; the short list of only four ingredients (at least three of the four were from/grown in Jamaica); the sweetness that wasn't too sweet; and the subtlety of the coffee. 

Ingredients: Jamaican cocoa beans, unrefined Jamaican cocoa butter, cane sugar, Jamaican coffee

Allergen-related information: "made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, dairy & gluten." 

BOHO Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate + Spicy Chai (bar) - Sept. 27, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

BOHO Chocolate
70% Dark Chocolate + Spicy Chai (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate + Spicy Chai (bar) was from BOHO Chocolate (Florence, MA).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; fragrant star anise; and a touch of cayenne pepper heat. 

The star anise (essential oil) dominated this chocolate. If you like star anise, you're in luck. If you'd prefer tasting more of a blend of traditional chai spices (that includes ginger, cardamom, cinnamon), you may feel like you've missed out.*

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap, and had a hearty, smooth melt and mouthfeel.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic cardamom, organic cinnamon, organic anise star essential oil, organic ginger, organic cayenne pepper, organic black pepper."

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts and milk on shared equipment."

*I enjoy the judicious use of star anise in many dishes; but a little goes a long way for me.

Paul and Mike Co. - Dark Chocolate with Madurai Jasmine (bar) - Sept. 25, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Paul and Mike Co. 
Dark Chocolate with Madurai Jasmine (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .95 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends; thank you Evan, Maddy & Isla

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & India Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate with Madurai Jasmine (bar) from Paul and Mike Co. Farmers and Fermenters (Kochi, Kerala, India) was manufactured and marketed by Synthite Industries Pvt. Ltd (Synthite Valley, Kolenchery, Kerala, India).

Aroma and flavor notes included: included dark chocolate with a balanced bitterness, and lightly aromatic jasmine floral.

Texture: well-tempered dark chocolate that broke with a hard snap; smooth texture.

Ingredients: Fine Flavour Cocoa Beans, Brown Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Jasmine Grandiflorum Absolute, Emulsifier Sunflower Lecithin (E322)

Allergen-related information: Processed at a Facility That Processes Nuts & Milk

Godavari Chocolate - Bon-fiction Tree-to-Bar A Marvellous Mint Life 64% dark chocolate and peppermint (bar) - Sept. 23, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Godavari Chocolate
Bon-fiction Tree-to-Bar A Marvellous Mint Life 64% dark chocolate and peppermint (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

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

Today's Bon-fiction Tree-to-Bar A Marvellous Mint Life 64% dark chocolate and peppermint (bar) was manufactured in India by GACS Foods, India, and imported and distributed by Godavari Chocolate Inc. (Folsom, CA).

The company works with local farmers and ferments, dries and stone-grinds cacao at their estate in the Godavari region of Southern India.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (hearty/bold chocolate-y; balanced earth); fresh/authentic peppermint; and a very faint and slightly musky, maple-y, malt note toward the finish.

Texture: creamy, smooth with a satisfying melt and mouthfeel

I appreciated the short list of ingredients; the smooth texture and melt; and the fact that the peppermint was present without being too overwhelming.

Ingredients: "Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Extract."

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

Tres Gallos - 70% Dark Bourbon (Beans from: India) (bar) - Sept. 22, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Tres Gallos Chocolate
70% Dark Bourbon (Beans from India) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA 

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

Today's 70% Dark Bourbon India (bar) was from Tres Gallos Chocolate (San Jose, CA and Pescadero Baja Sur, Mexico). Tres Gallos is a woman-owned and family-run company has been making micro-batch, single origin chocolates since 2018.

Aroma and flavor notes included dark chocolate (full-bodied, with a balanced astringency), sweet green, wood-aged spirits, with some malt in the finish.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap and had a relatively smooth melt and mouthfeel.

I liked the complexity of flavors and the hard snap. And I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic sugar, cocoa butter, trace amounts of bourbon.

Allergen-related information: None listed 

The Organic House - Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar) - Sept. 6, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 30 g. (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

Today's Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). 

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao from Belize (balanced, gentle complexity with very faint fruit notes); dried tomato (late summer sweet, ripe tomato bits). 

The Maya Mountain Cacao beans behind this chocolate enabled a tasty, balanced complexity. And the dark chocolate partnered well with the basil and tomato.

Texture: well-tempered, smooth, base dark chocolate that broke with a snap and had a satisfying melt and mouthfeel--accompanied by chewy bits of dried tomato.

After many spicy savory bars this week, I enjoyed this gently sweet and salty chocolate with subtle, fresh and authentic basil--a mint family member associated with savory dishes.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Fresh basil ground into chocolate, with tiny pieces of sundried tomatoes"

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter, Sun-dried tomatoes, Organic basil, Organic sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. "May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pecans, Pistachios."

* Maya Mountain Cacao is a centralized fermentary located in Southern Belize that works with 350+ certified local cacao farmers and supplies craft chocolate makers like The Organic House with high-quality cacao.

 

Kessho - Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate 62% Cacao (bar) - Sept. 5, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Kessho
Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate 62% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 172.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.  

Today's Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate 62% Cacao (bar) was handcrafted in Austin, TX, and distributed by Kessho, LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: aromatic and flavorful Sichuan green peppercorns, light toasty/nutty (sesame seeds), dark chocolate, and a bit of chili heat at the end. 

The Sichuan peppercorns left my mouth tingling--what I expected. But they also had a delicate side: a pleasing, almost floral, clean green flavor.

Texture: smooth, almost velvety dark chocolate with some gentle texture from the layer of sesame seeds pressed into the back side.

The textures and flavors were authentic and balanced; and the savory flavors were relatively subtle. (The salt level was more subtle (less) than expected.)

I appreciated this successful take on a dish with complex elements, and the maker's choice of a single origin cacao: from the Semuliki Forest in Uganda.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Umami, toasted sesame, nutty spice, numbing pepper. Heat level: mild, flavor-forward"

Ingredients: "Whole cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, roasted white sesame seeds, fermented black beans, Sichuan green pepper powder, chili powder, sea salt"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that also processes tree nuts, wheat, sesame and eggs."

Siamaya Chocolate - Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 2, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Siamaya Chocolate
Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good++ - Good+++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Touring Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.

Today's Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Siamaya Craft Co. Ltd. (with a chocolate factory and shop in Chiang Mai, Thailand.)

This 70% bar was made in Thailand--using single origin cacao from Thailand.

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate; aromatic tart-sweet citrus (orange, lime, lemongrass); balanced and flavorful umami (chili, tomato and soup) and a small zing of refreshing galangal.*

Texture: The base dark chocolate was well-tempered (broke with a snap) with a smooth and appealing rich melt and satisfying mouthfeel. And the chocolate was accented with softly chewy, orange-ish bits of what I assumed were fresh-tasting candied citrus (or maybe even citrus-infused tomato).

I loved this sweet, spicy and slightly savory chocolate packed with authentic citrus flavors and Thai (Tom Yum soup) spices. It was invigorating and delicious, with a mild chili kick. I needed a mid-day picker upper, and this transporting chocolate lifted my spirits and took me on a virtual trip to Thailand.

Ingredients: "Cacao nibs, organic cane sugar, dried tomatoes, cacao butter, Tom Yum powder, lemongrass oil, makrut lime oil, galangal oil" 

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk or nuts.

*Galangal is part of the ginger family and is used in Southeastern Asia cooking.