Eat Like a Woman - Love Chocolate Brownie - Jan. 26, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Eat Like a Woman, Inc.
Love Chocolate Brownie
Good 
Weight: 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 2 bars for $1 (sale)
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's Love Chocolate Brownie was distributed by Eat Like a Woman, Inc. (Burbank, CA).

The company targets their nutrition bars, shakes and books to women, who, they point out, have different nutritional and health requirements. (Women develop heart disease differently than a man might, or metabolize food differently, have different digestive needs, experience different life phases, experience stress differently, etc.)

The look and feel of today's "customized women's nutrition bar" was a cross between a compressed energy/protein bar and a thin brownie.

Ingredients that provided the chocolate brownie flavor included 85% cacao chocolate chips, almond butter and coconut oil, and "cocoa natural flavors."

This bar was slightly chewy, with finely ground ingredients like brown rice protein (#1 ingredient) chicory root fiber, and seeds (chia and hemp) adding some texture.

The sweetness level was relatively balanced. Sweeteners included brown rice syrup, clover honey and stevia leaf extract. 

Casa de Chocolates - Organic Cacao Beans, Belize - Nov. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Casa de Chocolates
Organic Cacao Beans - Belize
Good +++
Weight: .12 oz. (3.5 g.) / 12 oz. (339 g.) (estimate) in total package
Calories: 11 calories (estimate) in 3 beans
Cost: $10.00 (estimate) for 1 package/box
Purchased from: Casa de Chocolates, Berkeley, CA

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

Today's Organic Cacao Beans from Belize were purchased some time ago, at Casa de Chocolates (Berkeley, CA).

A carefully sealed pouch of cacao seeds (beans) has been waiting inside its box, that has been stored inside the Chocolate Vault;* and it was eagerly unwrapped, at last, for today's sampling.

Chocolate is made from the seeds (beans) of the Theobroma cacao fruit that grows on trees in Equatorial regions. Eating cacao seeds (beans) offers an essential pre-chocolate cacao tasting experience.

Each batch of seeds (beans) has a slightly different flavor profile that will influence the flavor of the chocolate made from these beans.

In today's case, these Organic Cacao Seeds from Belize were smooth, mellow and balanced, with a faint hint of fermentation (that diminished after opening), light fruit, a fleeting floral note, earth, wood and nut aroma and and flavor notes. These seeds were quite good, and could be included in many dishes, beverages and desserts if so desired.

To eat a whole cacao seed, open (or break) and remove the thin, papery brown outer husk and eat the cacao seeds (or seed pieces (nibs) after husk removal)—without any sweetener. This is a fine way to enjoy the essence of pure cacao for many dark chocolate lovers.

*This reference is to the Chocolate Banquet Chocolate Vault, a cool, dark place out of the sun, kept at a constant temperature. In this case, a wine refrigerator turned up to 65 degrees F. (18.3 degrees C.) was used.

Antidote Chocolate - Almond + Fennel 73% (bar) - Apr. 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Antidote Chocolate
Artemis: Almond + Fennel 73% slow roasted cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Plants and Herbs Theme Week.

Today's Artemis: Almond + Fennel 73% slow roasted cacao bar was from Antidote Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The chocolate (made with slow roasted Arriba Nacional cacao) had a deeper, darker flavor than most 70ish-percent bars.

Almond pieces gave this dark chocolate a slightly nutty aroma and flavor. And the sprinkle of fennel seeds gave this dark chocolate a faint savory herb aroma and crunchy, seedy texture.

By comparison, in yesterday's bar fennel was incorporated into a date filling, and had a sweeter, more prominent licorice flavor. For those that don't care as much for licorice, the more subtle fennel flavor in these seeds might be more to your liking.

Shown at left is a fennel plant with green fronds sprouting in the spring. Fennel is an edible plant (bulb, shoots and seeds) that looks like dill and the new green fronds taste quite sweet with a strong licorice flavor.

Alter Eco - Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters, seeds and salt - Feb. 20, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alter Eco
Organic Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters - seeds and salt
Good
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g.) / 3.2 oz. (91 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup
Cost: $1.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's package of Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters (with) seeds and salt was distributed by Alter Eco (San Francisco, CA).

These organic, 70% cocoa dark chocolate pieces were topped with a pleasant, authentic tasting layer of coconut. Flavors and textures were well balanced. They were not too sweet (thank you). Pumpkin and sunflower seeds added a soft crunch. And sea salt provided a hint of savory sparkle.

Jade Chocolates - 7-piece Assortment - Sept. 14, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Jade Chocolates
Assortment box
1.) Masala Chai - Good ++
2.) Bittersweet with Ajwain (think caraway) Seeds - Good
3.) Coconut Honey Meltaway (dairy free) - Good
4.) Olive Oil Cardamom - Good
5.) Lychee Rose Green Tea - Good
6.) Curry Caramel - Good + - Good ++
7.) Ginger Tumeric (sic) Meltaway - Good ++

Weight: 2.7 oz. (76 g.) (estimate) in 7 pieces
Calories: 405 calories (estimate) in 7 pieces
Cost: $21.95 for 1 package of 7 pieces
Purchased from: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Celebrating 12 Years of Chocolate Series.

I wanted to enjoy a variety of chocolates this week to celebrate eating a different chocolate every day for 12+ years (4,414 days). And this beautiful 7-piece assortment from Jade Chocolates (San Francisco, CA) with creamy centers and exotic flavors was just the ticket.

Jade Chocolates is a small batch chocolatier specializing in chocolates (blended with
teas, spices and tropical fruits) with Asian and Pacific Islands origin stories.

Flax4Life - Chunky Chocolate Chip Gluten Free Muffins - July 24, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Flax4Life
Chunky Chocolate Chip Gluten Free Muffins
Good +
Weight: 3.5 oz. (99 g.) / 14 oz. (396 g.) in total container or 4 muffins
Calories: 359 calories in 1 muffin
Cost: $8.99 for 1 container of 4 muffins
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate Chip Theme Week.

Today's Chunky Chocolate Chip Gluten Free Muffins hailed from Flax4Life (Bellingham, WA).

Flax4Life offers a line of chocolate and/or chocolate brownie gluten free muffins (as well as other non-chocolate flavors) with flax. They're all quite tasty. Muffins aren't necessary low calorie, but one of these is so satisfying, you won't feel like you need to eat more.

And these Flax4Life muffins with chunky chocolate chips/pieces really did taste better than most other gluten-free baked goods.

Sun-Rype - Good Bites - Chocolate Chip - July 23, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sun-Rype Products Ltd.

Good Bites - Chocolate Chip

Good

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 5.3 oz. (150 g.) in total package

Calories: 120 calories in 1 serving (3 pieces)

Cost: $4.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Safeway, Danville, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate Chip Week.

Today's Chocolate Chip Good Bites were from Sun-Rype Products Ltd. (Kelowna, B.C. Canada) and were composed of dates, seeds and chocolate chips (and cocoa powder) with a light dusting of gluten-free oat flour and traces of "natural flavor" and sea salt.*

Dates contain fiber and phytonutrients and act as a rich, moist binder for otherwise dry ingredients. However, dates are also loaded with sugars and have an almost overly intense, dried fruit sweet flavor, unless balanced with nuts, seeds, grains and/or chocolate.

Fortunately, today's compressed bites contained 4 different kinds of seeds and seed butter, and tasted well-balanced. Although the more subtle chocolate flavors were overshadowed by these other flavors.

This bar was vegan and did "not contain peanuts, tree nuts or gluten."

*Ingredients: dates, pasteurized seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax, chia), dark chocolate chips, sunflower seed butter, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), gluten-free oat powder, apple juice concentrate, natural flavor and sea salt.

Enjoy Life - No Nuts! Seed and Fruit Mix - Mountain Mambo - July 22, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Enjoy Life Natural Foods, LLC
Not Nuts! Seed and Fruit Mix - Mountain Mambo
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (2 oz.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week and Day #1 of Chocolate Chip Week.

Today's Not Nuts! Seed and Fruit Mix - Mountain Mambo was from Enjoy Life Natural Foods, LLC (Chicago, IL). The satisfying trail mix style blend contained raw sunflower kernels,  roasted and hulled pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried apples, chocolate chips and cranberries.

The mini chocolate chips* added some chocolate flavor without making the mix too sweet.

When it comes to trail mixes and energy bars, not that many are made in a dedicated gluten free and nut free facility. Happily, this Enjoy Life mix was. So, those with allergies can relax and enjoy a bit more with this snack.

*The Enjoy Life brand also includes a line of chocolate chips and other chocolate-containing snack items.

Tosi - Cappuccino Crunch Almond SuperBites - July 20, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Tosi
Cappuccino Crunch Almond SuperBites
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.6 oz. (73.7 g.) in total package
Calories: 156 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1/2 package
Purchased from: Transit Center Cafe, Presidio, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Cappuccino Crunch Almond Super Bites were from Tosi (Tustin/Anaheim, CA).

The bar broke off into even, rectangular pieces or bites, that had a pleasantly sweet (not too sweet, thank you) seedy crunchiness, with hints of coffee and chocolate.

Kifa Bars - GOTCYA bar - Nov. 4, 2016

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kifa Bars
"Gotcya" bar
Good
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 212 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: ZombieRunner, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to the last day (Day #7) of Trick or Treat Theme Week.

Today's "GOTCYA" bar was from Kifa Bars (Carlsbad, CA). GOTCYA stands for Gooey Organics, Touch of Chocolate, Yummy Almonds.

Kifa Bars founder, Linda Dance Orme, wanted to create a line of better tasting line of healthy bars with understandable ingredients lists.

Orme sells her "premium, hand-crafted, whole food" bars made with "real food, raw power" on-line and through retailers.

Two Kifa bars have chocolate in them.*

Today's whole foods bar (with visible almonds, cocoa-tinged rice and seeds) was lightly chewy and sweetened with dates and honey. It was also Gluten, Dairy and Soy Free.

At $2.95 per bar, this Kifa Bar exceeds the price of most mass market Halloween treats or candies. However, I enjoyed it as part of my personal post-Halloween haul.

More big candy companies have moved away from artificial ingredients (flavors and colors) and are "simplifying" their ingredient lists. The consumer has spoken. Many smaller start-ups have been successful selling healthier bars with chocolate. The fact that one can buy decent-tasting, allergen free or raw bars to hand out to children (if you wanted or needed to), shows we've come a long way in the past few decades.

* The company also makes a SMASCH Paleo bar with chocolate (seeds and nuts, chocolate, honey).