Zoe's Chocolate Co. - Peanut Butter Love Bugs - Feb. 27, 2025

Chocolate of the Day 

Zoe's Chocolate Co. 
Peanut Butter Love Bugs
Good + - Good ++
Weight: (unknown)
Calories: (unknown)
Cost: $11.00 + shipping for 1 box of 2 pieces/bugs
Purchased from: Zoe's Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Peanut Butter Love Bugs were from Zoe's Chocolate Company (Frederick, MD).

Aroma notes for these heart-shaped pair of ladybug-like Love Bugs included: chocolate and peanut butter (peanut butter cup).

A thin, velvety coat of dark chocolate--decorated with an attractive, rose and pink hued (colored white chocolate) pattern--surrounded a smooth, sweet peanut butter center.

Flavor notes included: a blend of classic, chocolate and peanut butter cup flavors.

I liked: the appearance and classic peanut butter cup flavors. The love bug confections, designed to look like festive ladybugs, were cute. I was less excited about the long list of ingredients that included artificial colors. But, overall these were tasty treats.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla), Milk Chocolate (sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla), White Chocolate (sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla), Organic Peanuts, Salt. Decorations: Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Full Milk Powder, Sunflower Lecithin (emulsifier). Titanium Dioxide, Rice Starch, FD&C Blue #1, Blue #2, Red #3, Red #40, Yellow #5. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: Peanuts, Milk. "Made in an environment where peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, dairy and eggs are used"

Chocolates Unlimited by Denise - Chocolate fishing set: Gone Fishin' sign; Fish, Sinker; Reel; Gummy Worms

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolates Unlimited by Denise
Dark Chocolate Gone Fishin' set: with sign, fish, reel, sinker, bait (gummy worms)
Good +
Weight: 1.9 oz. (54 g.) / 7.24 oz. (205 g.) in total box of 5 items
Calories: 294.5 calories (estimate) in 3 items
Cost: $16.00 (+ shipping) for 1 box of 5 items
Purchased from: Chocolates Unlimited by Denise, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week.

Today's novelty chocolate gift set from Chocolates Unlimited by Denise was inspired by and designed for fishermen (and women). The five realistic looking fishing essentials/items in this box included dark chocolate versions of a Gone Fishin' sign, a fish, reel and sinker. The fifth item was a small packet of gummy worms (bait)--a fun addition to this kit, that I did not taste.

The company offers a wide variety of different novelty and different molded/shaped chocolate items.

This dark chocolate was good, with no dramatic low lights or high lights. The cocoa was alkalized and therefore not overly acidic, or bitter. I have no complaints. (It was tastier than dark chocolate syrup, which often gets a similar treatment.)

The texture and flavor were smooth. 

Though, having been spoiled by craft chocolate makers, the melt was not quite as buttery/rich as some other bars, partly because of use of less expensive oils vs. added cocoa butter. 

Ingredients: "Herkens Dark Chocolate: Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel and Cottonseed Oils, Nonfat Dry Milk, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Cocoa, Glycerol Lacto Esters of Fatty Acids, Soy Lecithin and Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy.

Harbor Sweets - Harbor Lights Cranberry and Raspberry Truffle(s) in Dark Chocolate - Aug. 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Harbor Sweets
Harbor Lights Cranberry and Raspberry Truffle in Dark Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 1.43 oz. (40.5 g.) / 2 7/8 oz. (81 g.) in total package of 8 pieces
Calories: 222 calories (estimate) in 4 pieces
Cost: $12.95 (+ shipping) for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week, including craft chocolate bars as well as some novelty sea-themed chocolates.

As we approach Labor Day (and the end of summer), here in northern California, strolling down a beach and being awed by the ocean seemed appealing. It also made me think of the importance of lighthouses and navigational buoys on the often rough Pacific coast. (Some historic shipwrecks in the San Francisco Bay Area are still viewable at low tide.)

On a related, sweeter note, today's Harbor Lights Cranberry and Raspberry Truffle(s) in Rich Dark Chocolate from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA) were topped with the embossed image of a lighthouse. The company offers a variety of sea-themed chocolate confections.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped (in gold foil) two-tone truffles included: sweet dark chocolate (outer covering and creamy dark ganache filling), tart-sweet fruit (berry, cherry), faint vanilla, and barely detectable oxalis (tart green herb, sour grass).

The foundation (bottom layer) of this truffle was creamy, solid, white chocolate with a warm, welcoming vanilla flavor. And both the dark and white layers of chocolate complemented the sweet, tart cranberry and raspberry flavors (and touch of buttermilk) very nicely.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Butterfat (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Milk fat, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), Heavy Cream (Cream, Carrageenan, Mono and Diglycerides, Polysorbate 80), Blended Red Raspberry and Cranberry Juice Concentrate, Butter (Cream (Milk), Salt), Buttermilk (Cultured Pasteurized Fat Free Milk, Salt, Sodium Citrate), Salt. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy. This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame.

 

Harbor Sweets - Dark Chocolate Lobster - Aug. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Harbor Sweets
Dark Chocolate Lobster
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.32 oz. (94 g.) in 1 lobster
Calories: 480 calories (estimate) in 1 lobster
Cost: $13.95 (+ shipping) for 1 lobster
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week, including craft chocolate bars and a few novelty sea-themed chocolates.

Today's Dark Chocolate Lobster was from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA). The company offers a variety of sea-themed chocolate confections.

Aroma and flavor notes for this generously-sized, dark chocolate replica of a salt water crustacean included: deep, dark, fudge-y chocolate (dark chocolate candy, dark chocolate syrup), very slightly smoke-y vanilla, and very faint caramel and nut notes.

The dark chocolate had a uniform texture and flavor, and was interspersed with soft and slightly crunchy elements. Embedded in the solid chocolate center there were pieces of caramel with pecan, toasted almonds, and "almond buttercrunch toffee."

This lobster was sweet, but not ultra-sweet (thank you). The dark chocolate had a little roasted oomph and vanilla to it, and wasn't too bitter. (The cocoa used was alkalized, to control acidity and bitterness. This relatively common process is used to tame dark chocolates and mellow hot cocoa mixes, especially if some of the cacao is not of the highest quality.)*

I enjoyed the realistic lobster shape, posing this on a plate with garnishes, and the fact that I didn't have to drop a real live lobster in a pot (a traumatic childhood experience for me) to imagine this wondrous creature roaming around the sea bottom. 

I was less fond of the additives and emulsifiers in the ingredient list. (But the touch of honey was nice.)

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Butterfat (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Sugar, Butter (Cream (Milk), Salt), Pecans, Almonds, Cream (Light Cream and Disodium Phosphate), Tapioca Syrup (Tapioca Starch), Evaporated Milk (Milk, 0.5% or less of: Dipotassium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Vitamin D3), Light Brown Sugar, Wildflower Honey, Vanilla, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Baking Soda. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Almonds, Pecans and Soy. This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame.

*People often ask me why they should spend $13 on a bar of chocolate. In today's case, you're paying for the novelty shape, and 94 grams  (a lot) of chocolate. 

Taste a few single origin dark bars (made with just two ingredients) side-by-side with dark chocolate blends that have been more highly processed, and contain emulsifiers, additives and preservatives, and let me know if you can tell the difference.

Alec's Ice Cream - Peanut Butter Fudge Honeycomb Ice Cream; Candy Cottage - Dark Chocolate Horses + Honey Cake - Aug. 15, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Alec's Ice Cream
Peanut Butter Fudge Honeycomb Ice Cream
Good ++
Weight: 2/3 cup (122 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total container
Calories: 340 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $9.29 for 1 container
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Candy Cottage
Dark Chocolate Horses 
Good +
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 6.15 oz. (174 g.) (estimate) in total box of 24 horses
Calories: 82 calories (estimate) for 3 horses 
Cost: $38.00 for 1 box of 24 horses
Purchased from: Candy Cottage, online order

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

I'm celebrating my brother's birthday today. Good excuse for some ice cream, cake and chocolate.

Peanut Butter Fudge Honeycomb Ice Cream

Today's Organic Peanut Butter Fudge Honeycomb Ice Cream was from Alec's Ice Cream (Petaluma, CA). 

This was a satisfying, tasty blend of textures and flavors: rich, creamy  peanut butter-infused ice cream, crunchy pieces of honeycomb toffee, and hearty pieces of chocolate fudge. All the flavors tasted authentic. 

This ice cream was especially deliciously rich and refreshing, on a hot August day.

Ingredients: Cream**, Skim Milk**, Can Sugar***, Peanut Butter*; Water, Brown Rice Syrup*, Unsweetened Chocolate*, Egg Yolks*, Cocoa Butter*, Less Than 0.5% Alkalized Cocoa Powder*, Baking Soda, Molasses*, Rice Starch*, Vanilla Extract*, Soy Lecithin*, Chocolate Extract, Sea Salt, Carob Gum*, Guar Gum*. (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Egg, Peanuts, Soy. Manufactured on Equipment That Also Handles Tree Nuts."

Chocolate Horses and Honey Cake

The small dark chocolate horses from Candy Cottage (Las Vegas, NV), had subtly sparkly golden manes and pale, shiny green eyes. They pranced across a frosted field of delicious (gluten-free) Medovik honey cake. 

These small dark chocolate horses were designed as cupcake toppers. A larger cake allowed a small herd to frolic and enjoy the extra space, blissfully unaware of their ultimate fate. Gulp.  

Candy Cottage makes several novelty and animal shaped chocolates. (Now I know where to go when I'm looking for chocolate squirrels.)

Dark Horse Chocolates - Dressage Classics - Dark Chocolate & Almond Buttercrunch Toffee - Aug. 9, 2024

Chocolate of The Day 

Harbor Sweets
Dark Horse Chocolates - Dressage Classics - Dark Chocolate & Almond Buttercrunch Toffee
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 7 7/8 oz. (223 g.) in an assortment box of 16 pieces
Calories: 133 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $29.50 for 1 box of 16 pieces (3 different flavors)
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Horses Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Honey Week.

Today's two, gold-foil wrapped "Dressage Classics" - Dark Chocolate & Almond Buttercrunch Toffee pieces were from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA). They were part of a 3-flavor, 16-piece English Assortment box.

Aroma notes for these equestrian-related chocolates included: sweet dark chocolate with faint caramel/toffee, vanilla and oxalis (tart green citric) notes.

Smooth, uniform dark chocolate formed this medallion shaped piece with the image of an erect rider and stepping horse. I enjoyed the crunchy toffee core with tiny almond bits.

Flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate, toffee, very faint vanilla..and peppermint notes. (One of the other three flavors in this assortment box was peppermint. And peppermint can easily waft over into adjacent chocolates.)

Ingredients: "dark chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, chocolate liquor processed with alkali, cocoa butter, butterfat (milk), soy lecithin, vanilla), cream (light cream and sodium phosphate), tapioca syrup (tapioca starch), evaporated milk (milk, 0.5% or less of: dipotassium phosphate, carrageenan, vitamin D3), sugar, light brown sugar, butter (cream (milk), salt), wildflower honey, vanilla salt, soy lecithin, baking soda." (These also contained almonds.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy, Almonds. "This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame."

 

Dark Horse Chocolates - Grand Prix Jumpers - Dark Chocolate and Caramel - Aug. 8, 2024

Chocolate of The Day 

Harbor Sweets
Dark Horse Chocolates - Grand Prix Jumpers - Dark Chocolate & Caramel 
Good +
Weight: 1.01 oz. (28.6 g.)  / 7 7/8 oz. (223 g.) in an assortment box of 16 pieces
Calories: 133 calories in 2 pieces (per label)
Cost: $29.50 for 1 box of 16 pieces (3 different flavors)
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Horses Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Honey Week.

Today's Grand Prix Jumpers Dark Chocolate & Caramel confections were from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA). These were part of a 3-flavor, English Assortment box of horse-related dark chocolates. 

Note: one of the other flavors was a dark chocolate and peppermint crunch pony (featured earlier this week). And the peppermint scent (while lovely on its own) wafted over to these adjacent dark chocolate caramels and gave them a peppermint aroma and flavor as well.

Aroma notes for these "Grand Prix Jumpers" included: sweet dark chocolate, caramel, faint vanilla, and peppermint.

The dark chocolate was smooth, and the authentic caramel center was soft and slightly chewy. Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above and included: sweet dark chocolate (fudge brownie, very faint oxalis), chewy caramel, faint vanilla...and peppermint.

I liked the action pose captured with this jumper--the rider astride the horse, hunched forward over the horse, as the two clear a hurdle in mid-air. I could almost feel the movement--up and over, and back to earth. 

While the ingredients list for this handsome, gold-wrapped confection was a bit long on additives, it did also reveal a touch of wildflower honey and a very judicious amount of salt--both very nice.

Ingredients: "dark chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, chocolate liquor processed with alkali, cocoa butter, butterfat (milk), soy lecithin, vanilla), cream (light cream and sodium phosphate), tapioca syrup (tapioca starch), evaporated milk (milk, 0.5% or less of: dipotassium phosphate, carrageenan, vitamin D3), sugar, light brown sugar, butter (cream (milk), salt), wildflower honey, vanilla salt, soy lecithin, baking soda."

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame." 

Alderman's of Vermont - Dark Chocolate Horseshoe - Aug. 6, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Alderman's of Vermont
Dark Chocolate Horseshoe
Good ++
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.75 g.) / 15 oz. (424 g.) in total purchase of 6
Calories: 387 calories (estimate) in 1 horseshoe
Cost: $29 + summer shipping for 6 horseshoes
Purchased from: Alderman Chocolates, online order (Etsy store)

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Horseshoe was from Alderman's Chocolate of Vermont (North Ferrisburgh, VT).

Aroma and flavor notes for this smooth dark horseshoe included: pleasing dark, sweet chocolate and baked goods (dark chocolate torte, chocolate fudge brownie); and vanilla.

I enjoyed the classic horseshoe shape of this chocolate; though I always wondered about horses having to wear them as a child.

Ingredients: "Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor with Alkali, Butterfat and Vanilla"

Allergen-related information: "Please be advised that our products are made in a facility where Milk, Dairy, Soy, Wheat, Eggs, Peanuts and Tree Nuts are used. We take every precaution to eliminate any contamination for those who have allergies but we cannot guarantee this 100%. If you have an allergy, please indulge with caution. Enjoy!"

Chocolates Unlimited by Denise - Dark Chocolate Horseshoe ("Good Luck") - Aug. 5, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Chocolates Unlimited by Denise
Dark Chocolate Horseshoe ("Good Luck")
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.625 oz. (46 g.) / 1 of 6 in a package of 6 horseshoes
Calories: 252 calories (estimate) in 1 horseshoe 
Cost: $32.00 purchase included 1 package of 6 horseshoes
Purchased from: Chocolates Unlimited (Etsy shop), online order

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Horseshoe emblazoned with the words "Good Luck" was from Chocolates Unlimited by Denise (Kunkletown, PA).

The sweet, creamy dark chocolate tasted smooth and chocolate-y (chocolate cake, fudge brownie) with a hint of hot cocoa and vanilla. (It did contain milk, and oils.) And there was no vanilla listed in ingredients. It was a case of inferred vanilla--frequently found in baked goods and hot cocoa. 

Good luck wishes were included at no extra charge.

Ingredients: "Herkens Dark Chocolate: Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel and Cottonseed Oils, Nonfat Dry Milk, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Cocoa, Glycerol, Lacto Esters of Fatty Acids, Soy Lecithin and Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy.

Dark Horse Chocolates - Peppermint Ponies - Aug. 4, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Dark Horse Chocolates
Peppermint Ponies
Good ++

Weight: 2 7/8 oz. (81 g.) in total package
Calories: 400 calories in 1 package of 8 pieces
Cost: $12.95 for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

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

Today's Dark Horse Chocolates Peppermint Ponies were from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA).

Each of these oval medallion-shaped dark chocolates (individually wrapped in gold foil) bore the image of an endearing, walking pony.

Aroma notes included: pleasing peppermint and dark chocolate (with a very faint trace of vanilla).

Texture: Smooth dark chocolate with tiny pieces of crunchy, peppermint candy. 

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate with sparkles of peppermint made this a flavorful, upbeat treat. 

I enjoyed the refreshing flavors in this dark chocolate. And the lifelike yet cute pony image seemed like it was crafted by someone who knows and appreciates horses.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Cocoa Butter, Butterfat (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Peppermint Crunch (Sugar, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor), Oil of Peppermint.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy. "This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame."

Harbor Sweets - Peanut Butter Pony - Aug. 3, 2024

Chocolate of The Day 

Harbor Sweets
Peanut Butter Pony - Peanut Butter in Milk Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 2 7/8 oz. (81 g.) in total pony
Calories: 440 calories in 1/2 pony
Cost: $17.95 (+ shipping) for 1 pony
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peanut Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Horses Theme Week.

This equine-themed week is a tribute to my mother*, to the riders in the Summer 2024 Olympic Games this week in France, and to the wild horses who roam free in California and other Western states.

Today's Peanut Butter Pony was from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA).**

This chocolate pony (that almost fit in the palm of my hand) was a handsome little horse. Sadly it would never see even one day of bright sunshine (too dangerous for a milk chocolate animal). 

It was also almost too pretty to eat. Attractive packaging (with a see-through window) allowed for a view of the pony in its stall with hay and a dog for company).

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet milk chocolate with caramel and vanilla notes and high-end peanut butter cups--only with more milk chocolate in its pretty pony extremities. As promised, the pony's head, tail and legs all were milk chocolate; and it had " a tummy full of peanut butter."

Ingredients: "Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Milk, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Peanut Butter (Dry Roasted Peanuts, Sugar, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Salt), Sugar, Confectionary Sugar, Dextrose, Salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Soy and Peanuts." "This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame."

*My mother used to ride and jump on horseback when she was young; and enjoyed watching the Triple Crown Races. She passed earlier this year. She would have enjoyed watching the Equestrian events in the Olympics this week.

** On the packaging, "Chief Equestrian Officer", Phyllis LeBlanc, notes that this chocolate was inspired by childhood memories of a favorite pony named Sequoia.

Astor Chocolate - Chocolate Cliche - Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar) - July 29, 2023

Chocolate of The Day 

Astor Chocolate 
Chocolate Cliche Zero Flocks Given Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.12 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cost Plus World Market, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Cliche Zero Flocks Given Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar) was from Astor Chocolate (Lakewood, NJ).  The company offers a wide variety of chocolates using "premium Belgian chocolate that is sustainably produced."

Aroma and flavor notes for this milk chocolate bar included: dark milk chocolate, citrus (lemon, lime) and faint vanilla.

The texture of the base milk chocolate was smooth and creamy. Tiny, barely visible, citrus bits emitted tart-sweet lemon/lime sparkles that cooled into a slightly bitter citrus peel in sweet milk chocolate finish. 

Milk chocolate and citrus fans will find this bar an entertaining summer chocolate. (The package features a cartoon flamingo with sunglasses lounging in a pool, with "zero flocks given.") 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, soy lecithin (emsulsifier), and natural vanilla extract), dried lemon peels, dried lime powder, citric acid, natural lemon flavor, and natural citrus flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk and soy. May contain wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts."

Patricia's Chocolate - Spartan Bar - Michigan Cherries, Pistachio Nuts - Jan.12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day 

Patricia's Chocolate 

"Spartan Bar" 58% Cacao + Michigan Cherry, Blueberry; Pistachio Nut; Fleur de Sel

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) in total piece

Calories: 158 calories (estimate) in 1 piece

Cost: $4.25 (estimate) for 1 piece

Purchased from: Patricia's Chocolate, online order

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

Today's 58% cacao dark chocolate "Spartan Bar" with Michigan cherries and blueberries, pistachio nuts and Fleur de Sel (sea salt) was from Patricia's Chocolate (handmade in Grand Haven, MI). 

This Spartan Bar was one of three in a Michigan-shaped bar series (created in 2010) from this company--all in the shape of (lower, mitten-shaped) Michigan. This one was embellished with a small, hand-piped green heart candy (for the Michigan State University Spartans; green is their school color). 

The back of this chocolate was "embedded with Grand Traverse dried cherries and South Haven blueberries, pistachio nuts, and Fleur de Sel, from Brittany."

Aroma notes included: sweet dark chocolate, marshmallow and vanilla.

The texture was a blend of smooth (chocolate), chewy (cherries) and crunchy (nuts).

Flavors: smooth, almost creamy, sweet dark chocolate was interspersed with dried cherry, subtle blueberry, crunchy pistachio nuts, and tiny sparkles of sea salt. I enjoyed the mixture of flavors. The fleur de sel sea salt was a nice touch; it helped balance the sweetness.

The base chocolate had--from what I could pick out among the other flavors--upticks of vanilla and gentle earth, and very faint menthol notes.

This Michigan-shaped bar was a higher quality chocolate offering than most novelty chocolates. I also enjoyed the fact that the cherries in today's entry were linked to the origin/creation location. While California (where I live), Washington and Oregon are leaders in sweet cherry production, Michigan is the number one producer of tart cherries in the U.S.--and number four in sweet cherry production. Go Michigan and Patricia!

Ingredients: 58% Dark Non-GMO Couverture Chocolate (Certified Fair Trade cacao bean, cane sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin and vanilla bean), Michigan cherries, Michigan dried blueberry, pistachio nut, fleur de sel sea salt.

Allergen-related information: (Contained pistachio nuts.) No other information listed on small label for this novelty chocolate piece shaped like the State of Michigan.

Claude's Chocolate - Chocolate Candy Sea Shells - Mar. 26, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Claude's Chocolate
Chocolate Candy Sea Shells 
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 5 oz. (141 g.) in total container
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend; thank you Toni!
Purchased from: Gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Candy Sea Shells were from Claude's Chocolate (St. Augustine, FL).

These novelty chocolates were a trip souvenir, courtesy of my friend Toni. Once again I am a beneficiary of her travels and kindness.

In appearance, these chocolate candies looked like slightly worn shells from a sandy beach. Milk chocolate centers were first covered with a light (white-ish) coat, then shades of candy shell (artificial and natural) colors. The end result was: weathered sea shells adorned with festive beach vacation, sunset/golden hour hues.

Because of the candy shell coating(s), there was no detectable aroma. The texture was a mix of crunchy outer shell and creamier chocolate inside.

Yes, these were sweet. The milk chocolate inside was sweeter than the "shell" on the outside. But, they were a fun trip souvenir and tasted better than some chocolate candy "rocks" I've sampled in previous years.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, milk, cocoa mass, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla), sugar, maltodextrin, titanium dioxide, artificial colors (includes FD+C Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Red No. 45, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6), natural colors (includes beet juice, caramel), confectioner's glaze, carnuba wax.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soybeans.

Atlantic Candy Company - Toy Box Chocolate + Surprise - Sept. 14, 2020

Chocolate of the Day

Atlantic Candy Company 

Toy Box Chocolate + Surprise

Good 

Weight: .84 oz. (24 g.) in total chocolate item

Calories: 128 calories in 1 piece

Cost: $1.00 (estimate) for 1 chocolate toy item

Purchased from: Target, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate Surprise Theme Week.

Today's Toy Box Chocolate + Surprise was manufactured by Atlantic Candy Company (Saint Augustine, FL).

This novelty item was part of a series containing re-imagined creatures and animals (with clothing, accessories) inside bi-colored plastic spheres, covered in milk chocolate. 

The hollow, outer chocolate-sphere was easy to open, without being too fragile. The texture was smooth and uniform. And, as expected, the chocolate was quite sweet, making it difficult to taste much beyond the sugar.

Thankfully, the only artificial ingredient was related to the vanillin (vanilla flavoring).* Everything else looked pretty wholesome. The bulk of this chocolate surprise item was the toy inside, so there wasn't much chance of someone overdosing on the sugar.

I must confess, it was fun getting a surprise toy inside this chocolate--even as an adult. It brought back fond novelty-chocolate-chomping childhood memories. (Heaven forbid that we chomp our chocolate now, said the adult who enjoyed the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character in their youth.) It's much more, elegant, slow-motion zen tasting at this stage of life. But, there's nothing like a good dose of humor and fun to lighten things up now and then.

*Ingredients: milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, unsweetened chocolate, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanillin (artificial flavor)

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - California Coast Whales Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 22, 2020

Chocolate of the Day; 

Sjaak's Organic Chocolate
California Coast Whales Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (56 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's California Coast Whales Dark Chocolate bar from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates (Petaluma, CA) was decorated with an illustration inspired by whales that can be seen off the California coast.

This bar had a true, rich dark chocolate aroma and flavor with a creamy melt.

Merry Chocolate Christmas - Chocolate Covered Tangerines, Advent Calendar - Dec. 25, 2018

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Nature to Go

Dark Chocolate Covered Tangerines

Good

Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package

Calories: 240 calories in 1/3 package (2 servings)

Cost: $ missing information

Purchased from: missing information

Friedel

Advent Calendar - 24 Milk Chocolate Figurines

Good

Weight: .10 oz. (3.1 g.) / 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total package

Calories: 15 calories in 1 piece

Cost: $N/A - gift (Thank you Bill!)

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

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Dark Chocolate Covered Tangerines
As children, we found tangerines in our stockings on Christmas morning. Today's dark chocolate covered tangerine pieces from Nature To Go (distributed by Food Castle Inc. (Vernon, CA)) recalled those childhood memories.

Working with preserved citrus and chocolate can be tricky. The pieces of dried tangerines enrobed in dark chocolate didn't quite match the illustration on the front of the package (they were more compressed in dried form), but were fun to try nonetheless.

Advent Calendar

Chocolate advent calendars were also fun growing up. Although there was the problem of six children remaining patient, and taking turns opening the tiny doors with chocolate items behind them. And it took the wisdom of Solomon to figure out how to split one small treat six ways. (No wonder they were retired after a few years.)

Even though the last Advent Calendar door is traditionally opened on Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve), I waited until Christmas morning to reveal the last of 24 milk chocolate figurines, an image of old St. Nick himself. The tiny Santa milk chocolate tasted better than most chocolate novelty items, and was gone in a flash.

This Friedel Advent Calendar was made in Germany, Produced by Rubezahl Schokoladen GmbH.

Alexander's Patisserie - chocolate Santa Claus - Dec. 25, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alexander's Patisserie 

Chocolate Santa Claus

Good ++

Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) of chocolate Santa 

Calories: 300 calories (estimate) in 2 oz. serving of Santa

Cost: $N/A - Christmas gift from family member (Thank you Knapp family!)

Purchased from: N/A (Alexander's Patisserie, Mountain View, CA)

A Very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. 

Today's chocolate Santa was created by Alexander's Patisserie (Mountain View, CA).* 

This artfully made (mostly hollow), portly figure was the size of a globe-shaped tree ornament. It was enjoyed from top to bottom on Christmas morning.

*Alexander's chocolates are made primarily with Valrhona chocolate. 

Praim Confections - Gelt-y Pleasure Dark Chocolate bar - Dec. 12, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

The Praim Group/Praim, LLC
Gelt-y Pleasure Dark Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 245 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

This week we've covered a variety of different snack items: protein bars, granola bars and cookies with chocolate, gluten-free snack mixes with chocolate—even an organic, single-serve chocolate mousse.

But, this week wouldn't be complete without a few holiday-related, novelty chocolate items.

Today's Praim Confections Gelt-y* Pleasure Dark Chocolate kosher bar (from The Praim Group/Praim, LLC, Salem, MA) appeared in a local store just in time for Hanukkah (Dec. 12-20 this year).

The outer wrapper was adorned with the drawing of "The Mensch on a Bench"** and images of chocolate gold foil wrapped "coins."

The inner gold foil wrapper contained a fairly mild (chocolate liquor processed with alkali), sweet dark chocolate bar (that contained cocoa butter, milk fat, soy lecithin and vanilla). The bar had even taste and consistency.

**"Mensch on a Bench" is a Registered Trademark of Monkeybar Consulting LLC and is used under license here.

Bridge Brands Chocolate - Save Me, San Francisco bar - Nov. 29, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bridge Brands Chocolate
Save Me, San Francisco Chocolate bar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 153.3 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and California Dreaming Theme Week, where we're featuring several chocolates that reflect what (some imagine) life is like in various California hot spots.

San Francisco is a popular stop on this tour. Chocolate makers like Ghirardelli and Guittard have San Francisco roots dating back to the 1800s. And there are many, newer smaller craft chocolate makers (and many more chocolatiers) in the Bay Area. That includes those producing novelty chocolate items, like today's "Save Me, San Francisco" bar.

If you recognized this title as a song/album from Train, the American pop rock band from San Francisco, you'd be correct. The song included lyrics like: "I've been rock and roll and disco, won't you save me San Francisco..."

Yes, San Francisco is a great place, filled with great chocolate; and even if the place doesn't save you, you'll enjoy a good ride and meal or two in this favorite city by the Bay.

Today's bar may not have been high-end craft, single origin chocolate. But the wrapper and sentiment was worth the purchase. The dark bar had a complex and pleasant aroma, and had reasonable depth in flavor. (It wasn't all sugar and rich cocoa.) It included some faint fruit (cherry jam), earth, malt, spice and tropical date and coconut/brown sugar notes.