Nomolotus - Truvani "The Only Bar" Organic, Gluten Free (bar) - Feb. 24, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Truvani
The Only Bar Organic, Gluten Free (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week.

Today's Truvani* "The Only Bar" Organic, Gluten Free (bar) was manufactured for Nomolotus, LLC (Las Vegas, NV).

Aroma notes included: chocolate brownie cookie.

Texture: light and compact fudge brownie (softer) cookie chew with tiny (cacao nib and peanut?) bits.

Flavor notes included: light fudge brownie with very subtle date and peanut butter notes. 

I liked the: 1.) emphasis on authentic chocolate flavor (cacao nibs and cocoa); 2.) relatively lightness of the other flavor elements--including the light but complex sweetness (it wasn't too sweet or date-y); 3.) overall chocolate brownie flavor and texture; and 4.) relatively short list of quality, authentic/organic ingredients. 

Ingredients: Organic Dates, Organic Peanuts, Organic Maple Syrup, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cocoa, Organic Peanut Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Coconut Oil

Allergen-related information: Contains: Peanuts, Tree Nuts (Coconuts).

*Truvani is a registered trademark of Nomolotus LLC.

Aloha - Chocolate Mint Organic Protein Bar - Nov. 7, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Aloha  
Chocolate Mint Organic Protein Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.96 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar 
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Mint Organic Protein Bar was manufactured for Aloha (Littleton, CO). Aloha is a plant-based protein company (B Corp) that was founded in 2013 by three Hawaii-based partners.

Today's offering contained 14 grams of plant protein; but it had enough dark chocolate that it qualified as being a chocolate bar.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, mint (peppermint), and very faint nut and seed cookie.

The texture was relatively firm but pliable; and it had some crushed seed/nut heft and a faint crunchiness to it. The dark chocolate helped tie the ingredients together; added some pleasant mouth feel and rich flavor; and helped prevent the feeling of dryness that some protein bars can have.

I liked that this monk fruit-sweetened bar wasn't too sweet; that it was organic and gluten free; and the flavors seemed authentic and well-balanced for a more functionally-oriented chocolate protein bar. The 14 grams of protein (rice, pumpkin seed, cashew) helped make it feel satisfying.

Ingredients: Protein Blend* (Brown Rice Protein*, Pumpkin Seed Protein*), Tapioca Fiber*, Dark Chocolate* (Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Cashew Butter* (Roasted Cashews*, Sunflower Oil*), Tapioca Syrup*, Vegetable Glycerin*, Cocoa Powder*, Sunflower Seed Butter* (Roasted Sunflower Seeds*, Sunflower Oil*), Sunflower Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin*, Peppermint*, Monk Fruit*

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Cashews). Manufactured in a Facility That Also Processes Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, and Wheat." 

Jooliettes Date Nibbles - Blood Orange Dark Chocolate (covered diced dates) - May 22, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Jooliettes Date Nibbles 
Blood Orange Dark Chocolate (covered diced dates)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week(s).

Today's Organic Blood Orange (Organic) Dark Chocolate (Covered Diced Dates) snack was distributed by Joolies Superfruit LLC (Coachella, CA). 

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, relatively strong citrus (slightly floral orange juice) and subtle dried fruit (date). 

Flavor notes included: tart, sweet orange; dark chocolate; and softly chewy date centers. There was a very slight graininess in the texture. They were sweet and satsifying.

This week I've enjoyed the sheer variety of date and chocolate combinations. And many of the dates have hailed from here in California. Medjool dates grown in the Coachella Valley are popular (in) snacks and treats.* 

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate* (Unsweetened Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Natural Vanilla Extract*), Dates*, Cane Sugar*, Rice Flour*, Orange Juice Powder*, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Tapioca Syrup*, Natural Flavor*. (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also manufactures products that contain Milk, Wheat, Peanuts, and Tree Nuts."

*My favorite childhood, date-related memory: sampling a date + nutmeg + vanilla ice cream milkshake on a visit to Southern California on a hot day.) And the smell of freshly squeezed orange juice being made that same visit. It was probably too hot for chocolate. (No A/C in the family car back then.)

 

Grandy Organics - Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola - Mar. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Grandy Organics
Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola
Good ++ 
Weight: 1/4 cup (30 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup (1 serving)
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Outdoors Theme Week, featuring granolas, trail mixes, tree-shaped chocolates, and other treats enjoyed outside. 

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola was made by Grandy Organics (Hiram, ME) and was part of a day full of alternating rain and sun 

Aroma notes for this granola included: coconut, sweet green, subtle seeds and nuts, and chocolate.

This granola had a pleasing, satisfying crunchy, baked texture. Crunchy coconut clusters were balanced by the seeds (pumpkin, sunflower and sesame) and nuts (pecans, cashews); enriched by smooth dark chocolate chips/pieces; and seasoned with maple syrup. 

I liked the texture (crunchy, without being too hard); the addition of the sesame seeds to the seed and nut blend; the fact that it was Organic and grain-free; the dark chocolate; and that it was sweetened with sugars that were relatively lower on the glycemic* index (and more flavorful).

Ingredients: Organic Unsweetened Coconut*, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Dark Chocolate* (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Pecans, Organic Cashews*, and Organic Maple Syrup. (* = Fair Trade Certified (tm) by Fair Trade USA (R); 33.9% Fair Trade Ingredients.)

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Coconut, sesame, pecans, and cashews." "Allergen Advisory: Created in a bakery that uses peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and sesame."

*The Glycemic Index Scale (0 to 100) measures how much a food raises blood sugar. (Pure glucose is at the top of this scale with a score of 100. Sucrose (sugar) is scored at approximately 68.) Pure honey: 58. Coconut sugar: 50 - 54. Maple syrup: 54.

Back Roads - Dark Chocolate Pecan granola - Dec. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Back Roads Food Company
Organic Dark Chocolate Pecan plant based granola
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (27 g.) / 10 oz. (284 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $8.49 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Pecans Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Pecan plant based granola was from Back Roads Food Company (Brattleboro, VT). 

Aroma notes for this gluten free and vegan granola included: sweet oats, nuts (pecans, cashews) and seeds and very faint dark chocolate and dried fruit (raisin).

This fresh, crispy-crunchy granola cereal was full of balanced oat, fruit (raisin), nut, coconut and dark chocolate flavors. It wasn't too sweet; it had an attractive natural sweetness. The Vermont maple syrup added a little more flavor depth than other sugars.

Ingredients: Certified gluten free rolled oats, Vermont maple syrup, dark chocolate (coconut sugar and cocoa butter), coconut chips, pecans, sweetened cranberries (apple juice and sunflower oil), cashews, high oleic sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut and sesame seeds. 

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (pecans, cashews), coconut. "Processed in a peanut free facility that processes other nuts. May contain nut shell pieces or seed hulls."

Venice Organics - Chocolate Joy (Raw Snacks) - Aug. 23, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Venice Organics
Chocolate Joy 
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total container
Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 container
Cost: $9.00 (estimate) for 1 container
Purchased from: Part of Farm Fresh produce box, online order

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

Today's refrigerated, Organic "Chocolate Joy" raw snack offering was manufactured in California for Venice Organics (Los Angeles, CA). The company (formerly known as Rowe of Venice) offers a line of organic and raw offerings, including cacao nib-based confections and chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this bar-shaped, raw confection included: dark chocolate/cacao nibs, soft coconut and faint nut. 

This snack had a hearty, moderately chewy texture. Ground cacao nibs, unsweetened coconut and raw almonds were melded together with coconut oil and lightly sweetened with blue agave. All these potentially crumbly elements were held together firmly, because it was refrigerated. (Coconut oil solidifies below 76 degrees F. (24 degrees C.).) Given the hot summer weather today, having a cool treat like this was an extra plus.

Flavor notes for this chilled confection included: rich cacao, fresh coconut, and ground almonds.  

I enjoyed the authentic cacao bean (cacao nibs) flavor--with no added emulsifiers, flavors, or dairy. This organic, vegan offering is also grain-free and gluten free.

Ingredients: *Raw Almonds, *Unsweetened Shredded Coconut, *Raw Blue Agave, *Virgin Coconut Oil, *Cacao Powder, *100% Cacao Chips, Himalayan Pink Salt (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "This product contains almonds and coconut and may contain nut shell fragments."

Sweetduet - Mango - Organic 83% Dark Chocolate Enrobed Mangos - Aug. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Sweetduet
Mango - Organic 83% Dark Chocolate Enrobed Mangos
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 110 calories in 1 serving 
Cost: $9.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Provision, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate Surprise Theme Week. Today's chocolate was a pleasant surprise, because of where I found them--in the middle of downtown San Francisco in a relatively new retail store.

These Organic 83% Dark Chocolate Enrobed Mangos were manufactured in a designated gluten and nut free facility, packed by Earth Source, Inc. (Vista, CA), and distributed by Sweetduet, LLC (Los Angeles,  CA). 

Aroma notes included: fermented cacao/sweet dark chocolate, dried fruit (mango), molasses fig/date cookie and very faint sweet, green floral-banana. (These did not contain any banana.)

The dark chocolate tasted surprisingly dark with a creamy texture and balanced bitterness. (I'd forgotten it was 83% cacao chocolate when I took the first bite.)

This ultra-dark chocolate offered a strong, but complementary, contrast to the pieces of fruit it covered. Inside the chocolate coating were chewy, tart-sweet dried strips of mango with bright tropical fruit and green tea flavor notes.

This bold and flavorful blend had lingering mango fruit and dark chocolate finish notes.

Ingredients: "Organic Mango, Organic Cacao, Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Date Nectar."

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a designated gluten and nut free facility."

Fjak Sjokolade - Sour Cherry Milk Chocolate; 50% Milk Orange & Almonds (bars) - Aug. 3, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade
Sour Cherry Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Fjak Sjokolade
Mountain Trip - 50% Milk Chocolate Orange and Almonds (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 96.5 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Organic Sour Cherry Milk Chocolate and Mountain Trip 50% Milk Chocolate with Orange and Almonds (bars) were both from small-batch chocolate maker Fjak Sjokolade (Hardangerfjord, Norway).

Sour Cherry Milk Chocolate

The Sour Cherry Milk Chocolate was a seasonal bar--part of Fjak's Nordic Collection. It was made with cacao grown in Tanzania (Kokoa Kamili in the Kilombero Valley). 

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar: sweet floral (vanilla, berry candy), fruit (subtle sweet cherry), and faint milk chocolate and caramel.

Note: There were cocoa beans/solids (or cacao %) listed in the ingredients--just cacao butter, sugar, milk, sour cherry and vanilla. This could have been an omission on the label; or sour cherry fruit provided the look of a darker (milk) chocolate.

I've tasted berry and coffee bars with a high concentration of dark berry mass (or ground coffee) that looked like milk/dark chocolates. They contained cacao butter, but no cocoa solids. A neat visual trick that requires knowledge and skill to pull off.

Those with a sweet tooth will likely enjoy this bar. I confess, I like cocoa solids, and this was a bit too sweet for me.

Ingredients: Cocoa butter*, cane sugar*, milk powder*, sour cherry*, vanilla* (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk)

Mountain Trip

The 50% Mountain Trip Limited Edition bar was also a Fjak milk chocolate bar (with more cocoa bean solids) as well as orange and almonds flavor inclusions.

This "100% Organic" milk chocolate was made using cacao from Hispaniola, Dominican Republic.

Aroma notes included: dark milk chocolate, subtle sweet citrus (orange) and nut.

The base milk chocolate had a delicious, creamy sweet texture interspersed with softly crunchy almond bits and small chewy candied orange pieces.

The flavors were very complementary and well balanced. This delicious chocolate fueled a version of a mountain trip -- a hike along the San Francisco Bay Trail, complete with views of the mountains that ring the edges of this large estuary on the West Coast of California. 

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, powder milk, organic almonds, organic candied orange peel, salt and organic orange oil (less than 1%).

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk and almonds.)

*Kokoa Kamili buys "wet" (freshly harvested) cacao (beans, still with some surrounding fresh cacao fruit pulp) from cocoa farmers. They ferment and dry the cacao (beans)--critical first steps in flavor development, and in the journey that eventually results in chocolate.

Siddha Chocolate - Lucky Lovers 69% Cacao + Cacao Nibs & Pink Salt (bar) - May 16, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Siddha Chocolate
Lucky Lovers 69% Cacao, Cacao Nibs, Pink Salt (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .8 oz. (22.5 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 105 calories in 1/2 bar/package
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Safeway, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Lucky Lovers 69% Cacao, Cacao Nibs and Pink Salt (bar) was from Siddha Chocolate (manufactured by Siddha Remedies, Oxnard, CA).

The company invites consumers to "elevate your nature" by enjoying this dark chocolate that contains a blend of 11 "aphrodisiac" herbs and 7 flower essences. (See ingredients list below.)

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: pleasant dark chocolate, and light, almost ethereal herbal and floral notes.

Texture: smooth, dark chocolate was punctuated with crunchy cocoa nibs and sparkles of sea salt.

Flavor notes included: roasted, light cocoa, smooth dark chocolate, a diffuse bouquet of light florals and botanicals, marshmallow, and faint floral spice (vanilla). 

There was a relative (yes, elevated) lightness, smoothness, and natural sweetness to this chocolate. The cocoa nibs provided a complementary, authentic, relatively grounded, bold dark chocolate flavor and crunchy texture. And the pink salt (more present in some bites than others) rounded out this offering nicely.

Overall, this Lucky Lovers chocolate was very well-balanced. The "dark" (chocolate, cocoa nibs) was well integrated with "light" (florals, botanicals). The small quantities of bark, roots, seeds, fungi, and other elements were hard to detect.

The sweetness (coconut sugar, erythritol, yacon) level in this "Keto friendly" bar was enough to be pleasant without being overly sweet. (Happily my teeth felt smooth and un-coated by sugar afterwards.) 

Ingredients: Cocoa Mass*, Cacao Butter*, Coconut Sugar*, Cacao Nibs*, VitaFiberTM* (IMO; Prebiotic Fiber), Erythritol*, Yacon*, Sunflower Lecithin*, KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root, Pink Salt, Catuaba Bark, Vanilla* Cordyceps Mycelia Extract, Horny Goat Weed Aerial Parts, Lemon Peel*, Maca Root, Mucuna Puriens Seed, Muira Puama Root, Shatavari Root, Shilajit Mineral Pitch, Fo-Ti Root, Eurycoma Longifolia Jack Root, Christmas Cactus Flower Essence, Coconut Flower Essence, Desert Rose Flower Essence, Hibiscus Flower Essence, Manzanita Flower Essence, Pegasus Orchid Cactus Flower Essence, Scarlet Pimpernel Flower Essence (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contained coconut (sugar); 96% Organic ingredients. (No other allergen-related information found on packaging.)

Pascha - 85% Cacao Very Dark Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) - Dec. 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Pascha Chocolate Company 
85% Cacao Very Dark Organic Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .95 oz. (27 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 4 pieces (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $2.39 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's 85% Cacao Very Dark Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) was a Product of Peru and distributed by Pascha Chocolate Company (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).

Aroma notes included: fragrant sweet green herb; earth; dried fruits (date, fig); maple sugar; brown sugar; graham cracker; very faint fleeting menthol (Pine Sol cleaner); woodsy; and almost nutty (walnut).

The texture of this high-percentage bar was creamy smooth, fudgey chocolate with a very slight astringency.

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes listed above, with more dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate fudge)--more similar to a 75% than 85% cacao dark chocolate. This Peru bar had interesting complexity and was low in bitterness.

Ingredients: Organic chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar and organic cocoa butter. (UTZ certified cocoa.)

Allergen-related information: "Completely free from the 8 major allergens"

Note: This post was delayed due to international travel. 

 

Hogarth - Peru Single Origin 66% Cacao Piura Blanco (bar) - Nov. 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Hogarth Chocolate Makers
Peru - Single Origin 66% Cacao Piura Blanco (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 77.7 calories in 1 serving (1/5 bar)
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order  

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peru Single Origin 66% Cacao Piura Blanco (bar) was created by Hogarth Chocolate Makers (Nelson, New Zealand). 

The Hogarth company name refers to chief chocolate maker, Karl Hogarth. And the company offers a variety of bean-to-bar chocolates, including today's single origin Peru bar.

Aroma notes for this single origin Peru chocolate included: gentle fermented cacao, cream; very faint, balanced earth; and very faint diffuse spice and lemon-herb (oxalis).

Texture: smooth with a very slight granularity (astringency). 

Flavor notes included: chocolate (warm cocoa/drinking chocolate), natural diffuse fruit sweetness (faint, slightly tart-sweet pink lemonade and goji berry), and fresh fleeting green (sweet green tea latte with lemon).

Ingredients: Organic fair trade cocoa beans, organic fair trade cocoa butter, organic cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk and nuts. "100% Organic, vegan, gluten free, soy free"

Rau - Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix - Aug. 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Rau
Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .74 oz. (21 g.) / 7.4 oz. (210 g.) in total box of 10 packets 
Calories: 90 calories in 1 packet/serving
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package/box of 10 packets/servings 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix was from RAU (San Diego, CA). The company offers three flavors of plant-based cacao drink mixes (Cacao +; today's Cacao + Coconut MCT; and Cacao + Espresso).

The two founders (Daren and Brian) were some of the first to explore cognitive energy cacao blend beverages. They use organically farmed cacao, and eschew cane sugar or preservatives.

"Our beans are single origin, organic, fair trade, ethically farmed and hand picked to deliver a bold flavor for seekers of epic nutrition."

The Rau team also chose to include the amounts of theobromine* in each serving (80 mg.) and antioxidants (from polyphenols) (120 mg.)--information I appreciated and that's very rarely provided on any other cacao-related product packaging. (Thank you.)

The aroma was attractive with fruit (mango) and subtle chocolate; after adding warm water, the scent was more cocoa forward, with a trace of the tropical fruit/mango and very faint floral (vanilla).

The texture was smooth (once fully stirred in with warm water), almost creamy.

The flavor was very consistent with the aroma with faint fruit (mango and very light, fresh coconut) and rich, smooth cacao--that was relatively low in bitterness or acidity. The sweetness (coconut palm sugar) was tempered by a judicious dash of Himalayan pink salt.  

Overall, I would rank this a superior offering in the increasingly popular, much-hyped category of drinking cacao beverage mixes. I also found the individual packets convenient and portable and the sizes were the perfect portion for me.

Note: Monk fruit extract also supplied sweetness. This small, round fruit from China (aka Luo Han Guo) has the property of minimizing bitter and sour flavors, making it an interesting pairing with cacao. The sweetener (mogrisides) in monk fruit also is thought to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cacao powder; organic, fair trade coconut palm sugar; organic mct oil powder; organic coconut oil powder; organic vanilla powder; himalayan pink salt, organic monk fruit extract.

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut. Certified Organic, gluten free; keto friendly. 

*Theobromine is a plant alkaloid found in cacao (and to a lesser extent in teas, kola nuts, guarana and other plants) that acts as a stimulant. It is a close cousin to caffeine, another stimulant found in plants--most notably coffee (and to a lesser extent cacao, kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana and other plants). (Coffee contains trace amounts of theophylline but no theobromine.)

Although I've found theobromine to be much less jarring than caffeine, people's individual reactions may vary. Some people are sensitive to cacao (which does contain a very small amount of caffeine as well as theobromine); but they can drink all the coffee they want with seemingly no ill effects. I'm the opposite. I love coffee, but it doesn't love me. (I can't seem to process the caffeine and acids.)

 

Jonesbar - Dark Chocolate Almond (bar) - May 6, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Jonesbar
Dark Chocolate Almond (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.7 oz. (47 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Nuts and Nibs Theme Week.

Today's 5-ingredient Dark Chocolate Almond (bar) was from Jonesbar (Manasquan, NJ). The company offers several date sweetened, compressed fruit and nut bars--some with chocolate.

The aroma: a rich melange of chocolate, nut, dried fruit (date, fig), oat/malt, and seed notes. (Note: there was no oat, malt or fig. These were just aromatic impressions.)

The texture was moist and date-y with a soft chew. 

The flavor was a naturally sweet and complex blend of dates, almonds, dark chocolate and seeds (chia) with a barely there, fleeting earthiness (nothing unpleasant). A scintilla of salt contributed the fifth element.

This sealed, single-serving organic bar fueled a hike today. It was a far cry from yesteryear's industrial energy bars with scads of ingredients (including additives, preservatives, fillers, colors, sugars). Those early bars had capitalized on (and almost replaced, for a while) the home-made fruit, nut and chocolate trail mixes (stored in leaky plastic bags in the bottom of a day pack) that many backpackers, climbers and hikers assembled themselves. Evolution is a good thing.

Ingredients: Organic dates, organic almonds, organic 100% cacao chips, organic chia seeds, Himalayan pink sea salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds. "Handcrafted in a top secret facility that processes peanuts and other nuts. Real foods may contain pit or nutshell pieces."

Dick Taylor - Chocolate Coated Almonds 65% Belize - Aug. 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Dick Taylor 
Chocolate Coated Almonds 65% Belize
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 6 oz. (171 g.) in total container
Calories: 330 calories in 1 container
Cost: $12.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

Welcome to Day #21 of Chocolate and Almonds Week(s).

Today's Chocolate Coated Almonds 65% Belize were made by Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka, CA). 

This exquisitely packaged, high-end take on a chocolate covered classic used traditional coating pans to build up the layers of single origin 65% Belize chocolate coating around organic California almonds. 

Instead of a shiny, confectioners glaze top coat, these almonds were dusted with/in cocoa powder giving them a luxe, deep brown powdered velvet look. 

The aroma: malty, roasted almonds and rich, high-end dark chocolate milk/cocoa notes.

The Belize chocolate contributed a layered tasting experience not usually found in chocolate covered confections. The chocolate had balanced bittersweet, fruit (citrus, dark ripe berry), very faint earth notes that complemented the milder, rounder, nuttier, woodier, hand-roasted almonds--that had their chance to shine after the dark chocolate was chewed into and melted away.

These were carefully crafted, with a deftly balanced complexity. They weren't overly sweet (thank you), allowing quality ingredients to be fully enjoyed.

Ingredients: "Organic almonds, organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic cocoa powder"

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds. Processed in a facility that also uses milk, tree nuts, wheat and peanuts."

Theo Chocolate - Organic Almond Butter Cups 55% Dark Chocolate - July 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate 
Organic Almond Butter Cups 55% Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.27 oz. (36 g.) in total package of 2 cups
Calories: 230 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of 2 cups
Purchased from: Farm Fresh To You (CSA delivery box, add-in item)

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

Today's Organic Almond Butter Cups (covered in) 55% Dark Chocolate were distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The company has a long history of supporting fair trade and sourcing organic and fair trade ingredients whenever possible.

Aroma notes for these heart-shaped cups included faint chocolate and almond/cashew nut cookie notes.

The 55% cacao chocolate had smooth, relatively mild dark chocolate flavor and with an almost creamy melt. 

The crunchy-creamy almond butter filling had a genuine, mild nut flavor, un-enhanced by excess amounts of sugar, salt and/or "natural" flavors. Enough so that one was suddenly aware of how much sugar and salt is added to most commercial nut butter chocolate cups. 

The very judicious amount of added sea salt and sugar seemed just right and did not obscure the subtle chocolate and nut flavors. (Good choice as almond butter is milder than peanut butter.) Those who equate sugar and salt with flavor, and caffeine and sugar rush fans, may find these less exciting. To me, they were refreshingly authentic.

Ingredients: Almond butter (roasted almonds)*, cocoa beans*+, cane sugar*+, cocoa butter*+, powdered sugar* (cane sugar*+, cornstarch*), almond flour (roasted almonds)*, sea salt, ground vanilla bean*.

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almonds). "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, other tree nuts, milk, eggs and wheat. (*Organic, +fair trade ingredients.) 

Theo Chocolate - Organic Chocolate for Baking 70% Dark (bar) - July 16, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Organic Fair Trade Chocolate for Baking 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) (2 squares) 
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You, add-in to CSA delivery box 

Welcome to Day #7 of Dark Chocolate Theme Week, featuring 60%-90% cacao dark blends and/or dark chocolates with unspecified origins.

Today's Organic Fair Trade Chocolate for Baking 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

The balanced bouquet of aroma notes in this bold and flavorful chocolate included dark chocolate; concentrated stone fruit (prune, cherry plum) as well as dried fruit with more subtle tartness (dried ripe persimmon slices); very light floral (cherry blossom) and nut (roasted cashew and roasted pine nut).

The taste encompassed most of the aroma notes mentioned above, although the emphasis was more on the "true" chocolate notes (roasted, bold but balanced fudge brownie with a cup of drinking chocolate/cocoa on the side) with balanced, light loamy forest earthiness and faint red fruit/berry fruit acidity.

A bit of light blueberry/red grape astringency (back of the throat tickle) kicked in about mid-way through--an astringency that lingered in the finish, similar to tannic acid in red wine.

As promised, this chocolate was enjoyable for eating, as well as for baking (for brownies and baked goods, shaved over other desserts, or made into small, fill-able chocolate cups).

The cacao used to make today's chocolate was a blend, from beans grown in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Peru. This combination helps explain the rich blend of flavors.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cocoa beans; organic, fair trade cane sugar; and organic, fair trade cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes wheat, milk and tree nuts, and in a facility that handles sesame, eggs and peanuts." ("Soy free, Kosher")

 

Theo Chocolate - Organic Salted Almond 45% Milk Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 29, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate
Fair Trade, Organic Salted Almond 45% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You, CSA box delivery service, add-on item

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and RSTU Theme Week, featuring chocolates with origins and flavor inclusions that start the letters R, S, T and/or U. It seemed right to end this two-week long, alphabetic exploration with something sweet and salty.

Today's Organic Salted Almond 45% Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The company offers a variety of organic and fair trade chocolate bars (and confections), including this one.

The aroma of this bar sent out seductive snack signals: milk chocolate, roasted nuts (hazelnut,* almond) and savory/salted notes. This smelled like high-end, grown-up candy bar territory (thankfully without the additives or preservatives).

And, sure enough, creamy, sweet milk chocolate was interspersed with crunchy almond bits, and punctuated with sparkles of sea salt--creating a rich, addictive blend of sugar salt, fat (cocoa butter, nuts), and chocolate--with a satisfying textural contrast. 

The milk, nuts and salt--present in perfect snack food proportions (heaven help the weak-willed)--outshone cacao flavor nuances that may have been present. But there were no objectionable notes.

The maker's description for this bar: "Smooth. Creamy. Salty. Crunchy. All together perfect."

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cane sugar; organic, fair trade cocoa butter; organic, fair trade cocoa beans; organic whole milk powder; organic almonds; pink Himalayan salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and tree nuts (almonds). "Made on equipment that also processes wheat and other tree nuts and in a facility that handles peanuts, eggs, and sesame. May contain shell pieces."  

*Despite the aroma, there were no hazelnut ingredients listed.

Anthony's - Organic Superfood Smoothie Mix - Chocolate Flavor - Apr. 19, 2021

Chocolate of the Day 

Anthony's

Organic Superfood Smoothie Mix (Chocolate Flavor)

Good 

Weight: .848 oz. (24 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package of mix

Calories: 110 calories in 1 serving (3 TB) (+ milk)

Cost: $7.99 for 1 package

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

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and RSTU Theme Week, featuring items with origins or flavor inclusions that begin with the letters R, S, T and/or U.

Today's Chocolate Flavor Organic Superfood Smoothie Mix was from Anthony's Goods (Glendale, CA). 

The aroma of the dry mix had light cocoa, and faint, pleasant vegetable root/tuber (tigernut, maca) and celery notes.

This gluten-free, vegan smoothie mix tasted refreshingly un-sugared.* It did contain some coconut sugar, but did not taste sweet. 

The powder was shaken and stirred with a variety of liquids. (Coconut milk or frozen fruits and water, are good choices that provide a little touch of natural sweetness.) If you're not vegan, organic, dairy milk works too. 

Smoothie tip: If you're not using an electric blender, you might let the smoothie rest in the refrigerator for a few hours (or longer) before drinking. This allows the chia seeds (number one ingredient) to more fully absorb the liquid, to maximize smoothness in the mouthfeel.

Ingredients: Organic chia seed, organic coconut sugar, organic tigernut, organic cocoa, organic flaxseed, organic black maca

Rowe of Venice - Cacao Nibs superfood snack - Mar. 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Rowe of Venice 
Cacao Nibs superfood snack
Good ++
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) in total package
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 package 
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh to You CSA box, add-on item 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and NOPQ Theme Week, in which chocolate items are featured with flavor inclusions and origins that begin with the letters of N, O, P and/or Q.

Today's organic, Cacao Nibs raw, vegan superfood snack squares were from Rowe of Venice (Los Angeles, CA).

Cacao nibs are the essence of cacao. They are pieces of cacao bean used to make chocolate. And as long as they are high-quality (well sorted) nibs, they are great a la carte too. They add true chocolate (brownie), almost nutty, and occasionally fruity/fermented flavor--as well as a soft, crunchy texture to any chocolate item. 

This was absolutely true for today's Cacao Nibs "superfood snack." The small squares were peppered with nibs, and offered a super-sized, substantial, satisfying tasting experience. (*The fact that they were made with organic ingredients was an added bonus.)

These squares had a rich, authentic cocoa and coconut aroma, and flavor. The nibs, together with cocoa powder, created divinely true cacao/chocolate flavor with very slight earth, cream and fermented flavor notes. 

*Ground almonds added protein. And nibs, nuts and coconut all contributed some natural plant fat/oils. A little fat and protein makes chocolate snacks more filling, and more satisfying than items that are high in sugars or carbohydrate content. For me, this holds true whether I'm on a walk in the hills, or sitting around indoors.

Last, but not least, these agave nectar-sweetened snack squares weren't too sweet (thank you!).

*Ingredients: "Organic almonds, organic unsweetened shredded coconut, organic cacao powder, organic raw blue agave nectar, organic raw cacao nibs, organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, Himalayan Pink Salt. Gratitude."

Nature's Path Foods - Love Crunch - Organic Dark Chocolate Macaroon granola bar - Feb. 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Nature's Path Foods

Love Crunch Premium Organic Granola Bars - Dark Chocolate Macaroon

Good

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 6.35 oz. (180 g.) in total box of 6 bars 

Calories: 150 calories in 1 granola bar

Cost: $0.99 for 1 box of 6 granola bars 

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

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

Today's Love Crunch Organic Granola Bars Dark Chocolate Macaroon (bar) was distributed by Nature's Path Foods (Blaine, WA). 

The company offers a variety of cereals, granolas, oatmeals and snack bars including a Love Crunch granola and granola bar(s) with chocolate. (Happy Valentines Day month to you all.)

Today's individually-wrapped, Love Crunch Dark Chocolate Macaroon granola bar (that came in a box of 6 bars) was light, crunchy and conveniently portable with a sweet, oat-y aroma and flavor with coconut and chocolate accents (drizzle, chunks). 

The overall sugar level of this bar was a bit sweet for me; but I appreciated the bar's lighter, crunchy texture (think freshly baked oat granola), and the organic ingredients.*

This Organic bar had the satisfying texture of a crunchy cookie without the heavy, corn syrup-like sweetness of a chocolate drizzled coconut macaroon, or the excess butter or oils found in some cookies.

Ingredients: Whole grain rolled oats,* cane sugar,* sunflower oil,* Fair Trade dark chocolate chunks* (cane sugar,* unsweetened chocolate,* cocoa butter,* vanilla*), dark cocoa coating* (cane sugar,* palm kernel oil,* Fair Trade cocoa powder* (processed with alkali), sunflower lecithin,* vanilla,* milk), dried coconut,* invert cane syrup,* honey,* Fair Trade cocoa powder,* oat fiber,* oat syrup solids* (oat syrup solids,* tocopherols (Vitamin E), sea salt, coconut flavor,* tocopherols (Vitamin E).

*An asterisk above indicated Organic ingredients.