Moire - Sister Crops Tuxpeno Corn *M!lk* 60% Dark M!lk Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 25, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Moire
Sister Crops Tuxpeno Corn *M!lk* Chocolate (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

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

Today's Moire Sister Crops Tuxpeno Corn *M!lk* Chocolate (bar) was made by Eero Fortuna, LLC (Los Angeles, CA).

Initial aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: very faint chocolate and faint corn meal mush/corn pudding/cornbread. The subtle corn flavor was authentic and pleasant, but (initially) it seemed to neutralize flavors in the cacao/chocolate, resulting (initially) in a more bland flavor than I was expecting.

Then some chocolate magic occurred...The taste changed as I took more bites. I'm guessing my palette adjusted to the corn flour. I began tasting more of the dark chocolate. It was relatively bold, but smooth. It seemed any rough edges (acidity/bitterness/astringency) in the cacao might have been buffed away by the corn flour. There was a dried fruit (date + very faint berry/citrus blend) note--primarily from the dates used to sweeten this bar.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a snap (in a cold room) and had a very smooth, thick and creamy texture--comparable to other dark milk (alternative "milk" and some dairy milk) chocolates. There was no grainy texture. 

The corn flour added heft, resulting in a bar that tasted like: 35% substantial (and very slightly savory) side dish (corn meal mush, almost corn tamale), 55% dark chocolate and 10% date pudding.

I loved the concept behind this bar: pairing two foods from Mexico with a very long, shared cultural and culinary history. The cacao and corn harmonized well together. And it was an honor to try this very thoughtfully conceived chocolate.

I also appreciated the short list of authentic, organic and quality ingredients.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Toasted Cornbread, Corn Pudding"

Ingredients: "Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Date Powder, Organic Cocoa Butter, Heirloom Tuxpeno Corn Flour, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: Processed in a Facility That Also Processes Nuts. "Vegan + Gluten Free"

Morsey's Creamery - Stracciatella Gelato; Off The Farm - Dark Chocolate Fudge GF Energy Bar - Oct. 1, 2019

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Morsey's Creamery
Stracciatella Gelato (buffalo milk)
Good +
Weight: unknown - 2 scoop cup + dark chocolate shavings
Calories: unknown
Cost: $7.50 for 1 cup with two scoops
Purchased from: Morsey's Creamery, Palo Alto, CA

Off The Farm Foods, Inc.

Dark Chocolate Fudge Gluten Free Energy Bar

Good +

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

Calories: 346 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.79 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Farm Supply Company, San Luis Obispo, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Cowboy Country Theme Week, and another double feature day.

Morsey's Creamery - Gelato made from buffalo milk
I visited Morsey's Creamery (Palo Alto) again this evening (see write-up yesterday) to try their Stracciatella gelato (made from buffalo milk), topped with dark chocolate shavings. This was creamy gelato at its best, and not too sweet.

Thanks also to the herd of 400 water buffalo cows up near Sacramento (each with given names I'm told) making this all possible, and to those caring for them.

Off the Farm - Dark Fudge Energy Bar
And, a suitable second chocolate course seemed to be a Dark Chocolate Fudge Gluten Free Energy Bar from Off The Farm Foods, Inc., based in Redding, CA, where they still have cows, cowboys and a rodeo.

Off The Farm has focused on creating minimally processed energy and protein bars. And, this bar did look authentically hand-crafted rather than being compressed and squeezed out on an assembly line, making it more appealing. It looked more like a piece of individually-wrapped chocolate cake, or a brownie with nuts, seeds and oats. It had a soft chewy texture with some heft (nuts, seeds and grains provided 9 grams of protein).

Although with 49 grams of total carbs, I felt slightly less energetic than I thought I might afterwards, and ready to take a nap. This would be a good meal replacement bar, for hungry cowboys, rather than a snack. (I'd tried a similar bar a few years ago.)

Ingredients: Dates, cashews, non-GMO corn fiber, gluten free oats, almonds, apples, chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, processed with potassium carbonate, sugar, coco butter, sunflower lecithin), cocoa powder, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, sunflower oil, Himalayan pink salt.

Copyright 2019. Unauthorized use of the text and/or images from this site, www.ChocolateBanquet.com, is a copyright violation.

Mirzam Chocolate Makers - 45% Milk Chocolate Loqaimat bar - July 1, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mirzam Chocolate Makers
(Kakaw Manufacturing Co. LLC)
45% Milk Chocolate Loqaimat bar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 142 calories in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) of bar (per label)
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peruvian Superfoods Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Island Nations Theme Week. Chocolate, with its far-flung supply chain, and delicious flavor, ties many geographic areas and peoples together.

Today's 45% Milk Chocolate Loqaimat* bar was created by Mirzam Chocolate Makers (Dubai, UAE).

Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. And while it is not technically part of an island, it has nonetheless taken island design and building to a whole new level. Some of the created islands are shaped like palm trees. And what prized fruit grows locally on palm trees there? Dates.

Mirzam Chocolate Makers was highlights great chocolate blended with ingredients linked to extensive, historic Arab maritime trade routes, such as dates.**

Today's confection of a bar was made of high-quality, sweet milk chocolate (45% cacao). The chocolate had toffee and caramel flavor and a crunchy, slightly sticky texture, all achieved from two inclusions: 1.) puffed quinoa (there's our Peruvian reference) caramelized with 2.) date syrup (Arab trade item). The results of this blend: pretty, copper-colored flecks seen on the inside wrapper and a sweet treat.

Quinoa
Quinoa, a high-protein pseudo-cereal prized for its nutritious seeds, originated in the harsh upper elevations of Peru, and is now being cultivated around the Mediterranean and in parts of Africa. (It is also similar to millet or Fonio, an up-and-coming West African "superfood" that also grows "where nothing else will grow.") There has been a resurgence of interest in these humble, gluten-free seeds and grains in recent years.

*Loqaimat or luqaimat or lukma is a sweet, fried dough dessert that resembles American doughnut holes.

**The line up of Mirzam chocolate bars features a few bars containing dates. My favorite so far has been their bar with dates and fennel. Dates, have an incredible natural sweetness and have been cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years. (The largest producers of dates today are: Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.)

Bearded Brothers - Mega Maca Chocolate bar - June 27, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bearded Brothers LLC
Mega Maca Chocolate bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.519 oz. (43 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Cashews Theme Week, and Day #3 of chocolate and Peru Superfoods Theme Week.

Today's Mega Maca Chocolate bar was from Bearded Brothers LLC (Austin, TX). The company's line of bars appear to be designed for outdoor adventurers who might want a quick boost of natural and convenient energy on the trail, on the mountain, or on the go in general.

This Organic, compressed date and nut (cashews, almonds) bar also contained maca powder, cacao nibs, Mexican cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, chia seeds, coconut sugar and sea salt. The cacao flavors were very subtle.

Maca
Maca, a plant growing at high altitudes in Peru, is prized for its root that looks a bit like a beet or a radish. (Botanically speaking, it's in the mustard family.) It is rich in Vitamin C, carbohydrates, copper and other vitamins and minerals. It's also said to boost energy and sexual vitality, and to convey a host of other benefits that I can't corroborate. Additional studies are likely underway as I write this in 2019.

Maca root powder (the form we see it in) has been described as having an earthy, nutty flavor.

While color is not typically listed on ingredient lists or labels, maca root (like potatoes, carrots, radishes and other root vegetables), comes in different colors: including yellow, white, red and black, and the yellow or white powder (hard to tell in this form) seems to be common in stores in the Western U.S. It's not clear whether these varieties also have different superfood qualities or nutrient levels.

Health Lab - Cacao Protein Ball - June 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 172 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Australia, with a U.S. presence).

Health Lab was founded in 2015 by Jess Thomas (who formerly worked at L'Oreal), as a "wellness and beauty brand inspired by what read women need and want." Great marketing statement, but how did the product taste?

The generously-sized, date-sweetened Cacao Protein Ball had a fudgey, substantial chew and flavor; and it contained a short list of ingredients* including Whey Protein and cashews, that made it more satisfying.

According to Health Lab representatives, their protein balls are gluten and grain free and the balls contain "no gluten, no soy, no palm oil, no artificial colors or flavors."

*Ingredients: "Dates, Cashew Nuts, Organic and Fair Trade Coconut, Raw Cacao (8%), Whey Protein Concentrate (8%), Water, Sea Salt" 

Mirzam Chocolate Makers - 62% Dark Chocolate Halwa (bar) with saffron and rose - June 1, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mirzam Chocolate Makers
Kakaw Manufacturing Co. LLC
62% Dark Chocolate Halwa (bar) with saffron and rose
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 132 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Village Market, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's 62% Dark Chocolate with Halwa (bar) with saffron and rose was from Mirzam Chocolate Makers (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) in conjunction with Kakaw Manufacturing Co. LLC (Dubai).

This bar was part of an Emirati collection of chocolates inspired by "treasured recipes" and the "rich cultural landscape of U.A.E."

The name Mirzam refers to a bright star,* itself a reference to stars that may have guided travelers and merchants along fabled Arab trading routes, by land and sea. The flavor inclusions in Mirzam chocolate bars are largely items that would have been traded along these routes.

Today's 62% dark bar had a rich saffron and light rose floral aroma. (Saffron threads come from purple saffron crocus flowers.) The base dark chocolate was smooth, and a mix of halwa** inspired flavor inclusions*** transported one. Sticky, crunchy bits of saffron- and rose-infused caramel brittle and nutty bits of pistachios, almonds and dates added rich flavors and textural contrast.

*Mirzam, also known as Murzim, is a bright, beta star in the constellation Canis Major. 

**Halwa, also known as halva, halvah and other variations, is a dense, sweet confection from the Middle East, that can be sliced into pieces. Ingredients may include flour or nut butter, sugar/honey, nuts, rosewater, saffron, and other floral and seed (notably sesame) ingredients.*** Variations abound across Central and Southern Asia and up into the Mediterranean region.

***Ingredients in this bar: Cocoa beans, cocoa butter, unrefined cane sugar, almonds, pistachio, dates, rose, saffron.

Health Lab - Choc Cherry Collagen Ball - May 6, 2019

Chocolate of the Day; 

Health Lab
Choc Cherry Collagen Ball
Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.69 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Choc Cherry Collagen Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Melbourne, Australia).

This ball had a soft, relatively moist chew and was full of balanced, natural-tasting flavors.*

The first ingredient was dates. And too much date can sometimes create a saturated fruit, sweet acidity that can be too much. However, pumpkin seeds, collagen (marine) protein, and nuts (almonds and cashews) helped balance the acidity from dates, cherries and cacao in an unexpectedly satisfying way.

A chocolate with added protein and a little fat—and less (or no) sugar—often gives us this satisfied feeling. And this gluten-free ball contained 7.3 mg of protein and contained no added sugar (thank you!).

Ingredients: Dates, pumpkin seeds, hydrolyzed marine collagen (fish); sour cherries, organic coconut, almonds, cashew nuts, organic raw cacao, organic coconut oil, natural "choc" flavor, sea salt.

Mirzam Chocolate Makers - 62% Dark Chocolate with Dates and Fennel (bar) - Apr. 17, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mirzam Chocolate Makers
62% Dark Chocolate with Dates and Fennel (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 185 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 (if turquoise dot) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Plants and Herbs Theme Week.

Today's 62% Dark Chocolate with Dates and Fennel (bar) was from Mirzam Chocolate Makers and Kakaw Manufacturing (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

The structure of this bar—an impossibly thin layer of fennel infused date paste, sandwiched between ultra-thin layers of dark chocolate—allowed for beautiful bursts of rich, sweet, bright, fresh flavors. (A fresh salad tastes brighter and tastier than a fresh salad homogenized in a blender.)

Using this thin layering technique, flavors were made very accessible in this slim bar. And careful crafting of said flavors resulted in maximum taste without any one flavor overwhelming the other.

What was the inspiration for this chocolate? Mirzam* Chocolate, the brand, was created a few years ago with next year's Expo 2020 in mind. (This large, global exposition is planned to be hosted by Dubai, UAE, next year.) Dates would certainly have been discussed from the beginning.

Flavors and inclusions in several Mirzam high-end craft chocolate offerings were informed by spices and foodstuffs found on ancient maritime Arab spice trade routes.

Fennel, full of mild, sweet, licorice flavor, would have been available in nearby Mediterranean regions. It grows well on other continents now too. It's bright green fronds are popping up in backyards and baylands in the San Francisco Bay Area this spring. Every part of this plant (frond/green, bulb, seed, stalks, etc.) is edible.

*Mirzam is a pulsating giant star located in the Canis Major constellation.

Luna - Rica Chocolate Coconut Almond bar - Feb. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Luna - Rica - Chocolate Coconut Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 16.92 oz. (480 g.) in total box of 12 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 box of 12 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Luna Rica Chocolate Coconut Almond bar was from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). The Luna Rica filled bars are relatively new. ("Rica" means rich and delicious in Spanish.)

This almond butter filled fruit and nut bar was quite sweet. Organic date paste was the first ingredient listed on the label, followed by Organic almond butter and Organic unsweetened chocolate. It also contained dried cane syrup. Further down the ingredient list was organic coconut.

The segmented bar was, as promised, rich in flavor. (I would have preferred a less sweet bar with no sea salt myself, but others will like this.)

For those who are concerned about allergens, this organic bar was gluten free, but contained soy, peanuts, almonds, cashews and coconut.

Larabar - Coconut Kale Cacao bar - Feb. 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Larabar
Organic with Superfoods - Coconut Kale Cacao bar
Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Larabar Organic Coconut Kale Cacao bar was distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN).

This organic bar had an easy chew with rich date, chocolate and coconut flavor. Cacao nibs gave this bar a slightly crunchy texture and authentic cacao flavor. (For those with a fear of greens, the kale was well incorporated and did not impart any obvious flavor.)

*Ingredients: Organic Dates, Organic Almonds, Organic Coconut, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Kale and Organic Cocoa Powder.

Epic - Almond Butter Chocolate Performance Bar - Feb. 15, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Epic Provisions

Almond Butter Chocolate Performance Bar

Good

Weight: 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

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

Today's Almond Butter Chocolate Performance Bar from Epic Provisions (Austin, TX)* had a firm, chewy texture with date fruit flavor balanced by nuts** (ground almonds). 

Egg whites added some heft and protein. And unsweetened chocolate, sea salt and vanilla extract added very subtle flavor accents.

*Epic Provisions was purchased by General Mills.

**Some people feel the flavor of dates is too acidic. Almonds are relatively alkaline and help balance out this concentrated fruit acidity in dates and other dried fruits.

Epic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Performance Bar - Feb. 14, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Epic
Peanut Butter Chocolate Performance Bar
Good
Weight: 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Happy Valentines Day! And, welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate Performance Bar was from Epic Provisions (Austin, TX).*

This chewy, substantial bar was made from dates, peanuts, cage-free egg whites, chocolate, peanut oil and sea salt, with no added sugar (thank you!).

Here's hoping that you're having an epic Valentines Day. And that you're enjoying your dates connecting with the outdoors (even if you're just eating this bar in front of an epic screen-saver). 

Rather than pictures of red hearts, we're focused on green today. The storms and rain this winter in California have resulted in green hills and grass in our dry Golden State. We're enjoying the cleaner, rain-washed air, and occasional patches of bright blue sky and sun.

*Epic is known for their 100 percent grass-fed animal protein bars. This bar contained egg, but no meat. General Mills bought Epic in 2014 for $820 million; and Epic operates under California-based Annie's Homegrown, the organic and natural food maker (also owned by General Mills).

Mush Foods LLC - Overnight Oats with Dark Cacao - Feb. 12, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mush Foods LLC
Overnight Oats - Dark Cacao
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total container
Calories: 105 calories in 1 container
Cost: $4.29 for 1 container
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Cacao Overnight Oats were from Mush Foods LLC (National City, CA).

Made with almond mylk, oats, dates, cacao powder, and a tiny bit of sea salt, this oat meal was satisfying and not too sweet (thank you).

Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop - Peanut Butter Cups - Feb. 11, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop
Peanut Butter Cups
Good - Good +
Weight: unlabeled item - no information
Calories: information not available
Cost: $7.00 (estimate) for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's layered peanut butter cups were from Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop (Palo Alto, CA). This Bake Shop is a little island of Gluten Free heaven, where customers don't have to point at every item and ask if it's gluten free or not. This bakery has a small, but impressive fresh supply of sweet baked goods—and savory items as well. (Banh Mi sandwiches on fresh baked bread. Thank you!)

These cups had authentic chocolate and peanut butter flavor, and a smooth, rich melt, with a very slight coconut oil flavor note and texture.

I paired these with a whole organic date. One small date is so full of natural concentrated fruit sweetness, it can stop a sweet craving in its tracks. That and two peanut butter cups.

Clif Bar and Company - LUNA Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar - Feb. 10, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company

LUNA - Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter bar

Good

Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) for 1 bar / 16.92 oz. (480 g.) in total box

Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $6.99 for 1 box of 12 bars

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

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Luna - Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter bar from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA) was a "Peanut Butter filled Fruit and Nut Bar."

Dates (the first ingredient listed) helped give this bar a soft, chewy texture and dried fruit-flavor sweetness.

Theo Chocolate - peanut butter and jelly chocolate clusters - Feb. 5, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate 

peanut butter and jelly chocolate clusters

Good +

Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total package

Calories: 220 calories in 1 serving (5 pieces)

Cost: $3.93 for 1 package

Purchased from: REI, Mountain View, CA 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week.

Today's peanut butter and jelly chocolate clusters were distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

These gluten-free* clusters contained a jumble of ingredients besides elements of the aforementioned peanut butter (peanuts and peanut flour) and jelly (freeze-dried raspberries), including coconut, dates and sweet potatoes. (Yes, sweet potatoes.)

These Organic, mini hay-stack shaped chocolate clusters had a chocolate and coconut aroma. They provided a hearty and sweet blend of coconut, nutty and berry-fruit textures and flavors, with an occasional tiny sparkle of pink salt.

Marketed as an "Excellent source of iron" with 200 mg** of cocoa flavanols per serving, these Non GMO and Kosher Dairy snacks would transport reasonably well during a hike or adventure. Just keep them away from direct sun and high temperatures, as you would any chocolate.

*For those watching allergens, these chocolate clusters did contain peanuts and coconut. They were free of ingredients containing soy, wheat or gluten, but were manufactured on shared equipment with products containing soy, milk, eggs, wheat and other tree nuts.

**Flavanols are phytonutrients found in cocoa beans. And flavanol levels in chocolate can vary due to many factors. According to USDA database figures, unsweetened baking chocolate has about 206 milligrams (mg) of flavanols per 100 grams of chocolate. As sugar is added and cacao percentages drop, the flavanol levels tend to drop as well. Some dark chocolates may contain only half this 206 mg amount. Commercial milk chocolate may contain less than 20 mg of flavanols per 100 grams of chocolate. 

By this standard, the 200 milligram number for a single 40 gram serving of today's chocolate clusters is fairly high. And it's not clear why this dark chocolate might have been higher than average. Cacao origin, processing and other factors can play a role. (The 200 mg number is also tied to European Union (EU) threshold requirements about advertising around what constitutes"healthy chocolate" and claims of circulatory and heart benefits. To make these claims a chocolate must contain at least 200 mg. of flavanols.)

Maxine's Heavenly - Chocolate Chocolate Chunk soft baked cookies - Nov. 30, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Maxine's Heavenly
Chocolate Chocolate Chunk soft baked cookies
Good
Weight: 1.83 oz. (52 g.) / 7.2 oz. (204 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Cookies with Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Chocolate Chunk soft baked cookies from Maxine's Heavenly (Los Angeles, CA) had a soft chewy texture.

The sugar buzz one might normally get from cookies was dampened a wee bit by the use of coconut sugar instead of conventional sugar. And dates (barely noticeable) also added some natural sweetness and stick-together (cohesive) texture to these Certified Vegan, Non-GMO Verified and Certified Gluten Free cookies. (These plant-based cookies were also soy free.)

Celebrating 12 Years of Chocolate - Chocolate Hazelnut Trail Truffles - Sept. 15, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trail Truffles
Chocolate Hazelnut
Good
Weight: 1.26 oz. (36 g.) / 5.1 oz. (144 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 3 truffles
Cost: $6.59 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA


Welcome to Day #5 of Celebrating 12 Years of Chocolate Series.

Today's Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles were from Trail Truffles (Draper, UT).

Like most other items that contain dates, these truffles have a moist, naturally slightly acidic fruit sweetness and cohesiveness. However, the hazelnut and chocolate did participate in this blend of  flavors. And their texture was great for a hike outside.

The Trail Truffles were taken up to a park in the hills to enjoy a great view of San Francisco Bay. They had a bit of oily sheen to them.; but they did not melt or fall apart.

I found this added extra virgin coconut oil* very helpful as an active person. (And the founders at Trail Truffles are active trail users from what I read.) A little fat is great for breakfast before a walk or hike—to stave off hunger before lunch.

Ingredients: dates, hazelnuts, organic cacao powder, organic coconut nectar (syrup evaporated), organic extra virgin coconut oil, sea salt

Trader Joe's - Nothing but Fruit and Nuts: Date - Hazelnut - Cacao - Sept. 7, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
Nothing but Fruit and Nuts - Date - Hazelnut - Cacao
Good
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 7.04 oz. (200 g.) in package
Calories: 80 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's package of individually-wrapped "Nothing but Fruit and Nuts: Hazelnut - Date - Cacao" pieces were from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

Dates tend to impart a distinctive fruity sweetness and moist, dense texture. The cacao and hazelnuts took a back seat to the dates.

These flavorful snack rounds were "nothing but" three ingredients: dates (date paste), hazelnuts and cacao. Refreshing (and unusual for packaged foods).

Larabar - Double Chocolate Brownie Bites - Aug. 11, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Small Planet Foods, Inc. (distributed by)
Larabar - Double Chocolate Brownie Bites
Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 5.3 oz. (150 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

These Larabar Double Chocolate Brownie Bites were distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN).

They had a soft chew and a light, brownie-like look and texture inside. They were also Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Vegan and Dairy Free. And they contained a relatively short list of ingredients: dates, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cocoa powder, coconut flour and sea salt. The dates gave them a dried fruit sweetness and moistness.