Coracao Chocolate - Berkeley Bars and Almond Butter Bars - Aug. 2, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Coracao Organic Chocolate

Berkeley Bars

Good +

Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 2 small bars

Calories: 340 calories in 1 small bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 package of 2 small bars

Purchased from: Flour Craft Bakery/Cafe, Mill Valley, CA

Almond Butter Bars

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 2 small bars

Calories: 300 calories in 1 small bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 package of 2 small bars

Purchased from: Flour Craft Bakery/Cafe, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Almonds Week(s). 

Today I sampled two different small bars from Coracao Organic Chocolate (Berkeley, CA). The company creates healthy chocolates using "certified organic cacao from biodynamic farms" and "farmers are paid Fair Trade wages or above." 

Berkeley Bars

The aroma of this chocolate bar included slight green floral, molasses/brown/maple sugar, tart green (lemon herbs like sorrel, sour grass/oxalis), very faint fruit (red apple, berry), nutty and very faint savory notes. 

There were two layers inside these Berkeley Bars: a soft (lucuma and maca) nougat layer on top and a caramely-crunchy nutty (with lightly salted almond) layer on the bottom pieces. And the entire bar was coated with 81% dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Organic almonds, organic agave, organic cacao, organic cashew butter, organic coconut sugar, organic lucuma, organic yacon syrup, organic cocoa butter, Himalayan salt, organic maca and organic vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds and cashews. Made in a factory processing other tree nuts. May contain pit or shell fragments.

Almond Butter Bars

The aroma of this small bar coffee toffee, followed by almond molasses brittle, sweet and slightly savory notes

The rich, ultra-dark (81% cacao) chocolate flavor had very faint earth, balanced light bitter and tart green (lemony herbs like sorrel, sour grass/oxalis) notes. The nutty notes (in the form of smooth substantial almond butter filling) showed up a few chews later.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic stone ground almond butter, organic coconut sugar, organic cacao butter, organic vanilla bean and Himalayan salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds. Made in a factory processing other tree nuts." (organic, vegan)

Godiva - Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate (mini bars) - July 31, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Godiva
Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate (mini bars)
Good +
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 3.1 oz. (90 g.) in total package of 8
Calories: 190 calories in 3 mini bars
Cost: $2.24 (sale price, regularly $2.99) for 1 package of 8
Purchased from: Target, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s).

Today's Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate (package of 8 mini bars) were distributed by Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (New York, NY).

The nested packaging was well-designed. A chocolate bar shaped package contained 8 individually-wrapped rectangular mini bars that were, in turn, scored into six tiny segments--making these slim, smaller bars easy to share with friends (and/or yourself -- some for now, some for later; oops all gone). Perfect for a luxe theater or after dinner treat.

Each small, slim dark chocolate bars, neatly wrapped in gold foil, had an aroma of rich hot drinking chocolate with vanilla nut wafer sandwich cookie and coconut* notes.

The base dark chocolate had a buttery, uniform dark chocolate texture and true chocolate (fudge brownie) flavor, accented with bits of roasted almond(s). 

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, almonds, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, emulsifier (soy lecithin), salt, butter oil (milk).

Allergen-related information: (Contained almonds, soy and butter oil.) "May contain other tree nuts and wheat." 

*The chocolate did not contain coconut or vanilla ingredients. The cocoa powder may have been "dutch" processed (alkalized) leading to a mellower, hot chocolate aroma and flavor, with "implied" vanilla and coconut notes.

West Thomas Partners - GFB - Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar - July 7, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

West Thomas Partners LLC

GFB - Coconut Cashew Bar (mini bars)
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 1 mini bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package of individually wrapped mini bars (2 flavors)
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

GFB - Dark Chocolate Coconut  (mini bars)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 1 mini bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package of individually wrapped mini bars (2 flavors)
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's two GFB* Coconut Cashew and Dark Chocolate Coconut mini bars from West Thomas Partners LLC (Grand Rapids, MI) were packaged together.

Both of the coconut mini bars were individually-wrapped, chewy protein bars. But only one contained chocolate.

The plant-based protein sources included cashews, brown rice protein and pea protein.

Protein ingredients tend to muffle, or balance out, sweet and acidic flavors. For this reason, the GFB Dark Chocolate Coconut mini bar didn't appear to taste too sweet--even though the bar contained organic dates (the first ingredient**) and three more sweeteners (brown rice syrup, agave nectar and cane sugar).

 

I could taste the dark chocolate in this bar, but it was in a supporting role; and I was unable to detect any cacao flavor nuances.

*GFB stands for Gluten Free Bar

**Ingredients for Dark Chocolate Coconut mini bar: Organic dates, Complete Protein Blend (organic brown rice protein, pea protein), organic brown rice syrup, organic dark chocolate (organic chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic agave nectar, toasted coconut, organic brown rice, organic sunflower seeds, cocoa powder, natural vanilla flavor, natural coconut flavor, flax seed, sea salt.

Cafe-Tasse - 77% Cacao Extra Noir; and 60% Noir mini bars - Mar. 9, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Cafe-Tasse
77% Cacao Extra Noir
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 0.3 oz. (9 g.) in 1 mini bar
Calories: 50 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: N/A - part of bulk order
Purchased from: N/A - part of large order

Cafe-Tasse
60% Cacao Noir
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 0.3 oz. (9 g.) in 1 mini bar
Calories: 50 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: N/A - part of bulk order
Purchased from: N/A - part of large order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and West Africa. Many of this week's featured chocolates are Belgian chocolates, including today's mini bars from Cafe-Tasse (Bruxelles/Brussels, Belgium).

Both the 77% Cacao Extra Noir (Dark) and the 60% Noir (Dark) bars were exquisitely packaged miniature versions of full-sized bars. Both chocolates had rich, dark chocolate flavor. The Extra Dark was particularly good. And both were blends of different beans, and possibly origins.

Although origins were not disclosed, Cafe-Tasse has stated they use cacao from Africa and South/Latin America.

Chapon Chocolatier - Tanzanie Kamili small bar - Oct. 30, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chapon Chocolatier
Tanzanie Kamili (small bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .176 oz. (5 g.) / 6.35 oz. (180 g.) in total package of 36 small bars
Calories: 27.7 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: $N/A - part of larger collection of 36 bars ($45.00 set)
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Tanzanie Kamili* miniature chocolate bar was part of a larger collection of small, individually-wrapped single origin bars from Chapon Chocolatier (Chelles, France).

This beautifully designed and packaged set contained 36 bars (3 each from 12 different origins).

This Tanzanie (Tanzania) bar had bright (mango, red fruit) fruit, true chocolate, and roasted aroma and flavor notes. The melt and texture were smooth. One should savor this little bar (try not eat it in one bite) to fully appreciate it.

*Kokoa Kamili means "exactly" in Swahili. The "Kamili" in the Tanzanie Kamili title of today's chocolate is Kokoa Kamili, a privately-owned fermentary and organization in the Morogoro region of Tanzania that works with hundreds of cocoa producers/farmers. 

By helping farmers and enabling improved fermentation quality and training, Kokoa Kamili has helped raise awareness about East African cacao from Tanzanie (Tanzania) with chocolate makers globally, and has led to many wonderful single origin Tanzania chocolate (bars) from different makers (and subsequently chocolatiers) as a result.

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Five Star Organics - Ocho Peanut Butter milk chocolate bars - Feb. 9, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Five Star Organics LLC
Ocho Peanut Butter milk chocolate bars

Good

Weight: 1.3 oz. (38 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total package

Calories: 210 calories in 3 pieces

Cost: $ missing information for 1 package of 8 mini bars

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

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

Today's individually-wrapped Ocho Peanut Butter - peanut butter in milk chocolate small bars were from Five Star Organics LLC (Oakland, CA).

These organic, peanutty, miniature candy bars were covered in smooth, creamy milk chocolate and would be easy to share with others. Ocho is the Spanish word for eight. And there were eight little bars in this package.

JoJo's - Peanut Butter Delight bars - Feb. 8, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

JoJo's Chocolate LLC

Peanut Butter Delight bars

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 8.4 oz. (238 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $10.99 for 1 package of 7 bars

Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA 

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

Today's package of Peanut Butter Delight bars were from JoJo's Chocolate LLC (Orem, UT).

These satisfying* bark-style, rectangular bars, with just the right amount of crunch, were made of 70 percent dark chocolate, peanuts, hemp protein, peanut flour, sea salt, and "organic peanut butter flavoring oil."

While not individually wrapped, these bars would be great on a hike. Wrap them in some dry greens, or tuck them into a tiffin or bento box or baggie. They'll fit right in with almost any snack choices, and as long as they're protected from heat and, as with any chocolate, the possibility of melting in your pocket.

*Each dark chocolate bar contained only 6 grams of sugar (and no other sweeteners). And the 6 grams of protein helped fulfill the company's tagline "kick the craving." 

Cafe-Tasse - Noir Menthe; Noir Earl Grey bars + Persimmon Chocolate Chip Cookies - Nov. 24, 2018

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Cafe-Tasse
Noir Menthe (Dark Mint) small bar
Good +
Weight: .31 oz. (9 g.) in total bar
Calories: 48 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $0.80 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere, online order

Cafe-Tasse 
Noir The Earl Grey (Dark Earl Grey Tea) small bar
Good ++
Weight: .31 oz. (9 g.) in total bar
Calories: 48 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $0.80 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week and Day #1 of Cookies with Chocolate Theme Week.

These small bars were just the right size and thickness to enjoy the chocolate and the different flavor inclusions. Both had a comforting, smooth dark chocolate base and had well-balanced flavor notes.

The mint in the Dark Mint bar did not overpower the dark chocolate. It gradually crept in over the first two or three seconds after taking a bite, and there seemed to be micro up-ticks in peppermint candy flavor. Not completely homogenizing flavors allowed room for the palette to enjoy the separate flavors as well as the overall blend.

The second small, individually-wrapped, Dark bar was flavored with Earl Grey tea, and had lovely lilting, pleasing floral and happy citrus notes from this fragrant tea.

Persimmon chocolate chip cookies
These homemade persimmon cookies with milk chocolate chips and pecans were quite good. Even better, these gluten-free cookies were made with very little sugar. No artificial sweeteners, no sugar substitutes, just a very small amount of maple syrup, and natural sweetness from the persimmons,  baked yam, banana flour and warming sweet spices. No sugar needed. Butter added rich flavor to these free-form, drop cookies.

Green and Black's - Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel 70% - June 9, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Green and Black's
Pure Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel 70% Cacao
Good - Good +
Weight: .705 oz. (20 g.) / 4.23 oz. (120 g.) in total package
Calories: 115 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $3.81 (sale) for 1 package
Purchased from: Target, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #10 Chocolate and Caramel Theme Week.

Today's package of individually-wrapped Green and Black's Pure Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel 70% Cacao (small bars) was distributed by Mondelez International LLC (East Hanover, NJ).

This truly international product started out with cacao grown in Africa,* Yorkshire Caramel and Anglesey Sea Salt. The small bars were made in Poland, and distributed by a large U.S.-based corporation.

The 70% cacao dark chocolate base was smooth and had a pleasant browned butter/brown sugar (with a hint of malt) aroma. Flecks of caramel and flakes of sea salt added some texture.

Good news. These small bars contained no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. However, sadly (for a gluten-free person), they did contain wheat (glucose syrup, from wheat). Caramels made in Europe are more likely to contain glucose syrup, instead of corn syrup more frequently encountered in U.S. confections.

*The company cites their involvement in the Cocoa Life program; cocoa is "hand-harvested from African small-holder farms."

Cadbury - Fruit and Nut small bars - Oct. 3, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mondelez U.K.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut bar
Good
Weight: 1.27 oz. (36 g.) / 5.5 oz. (153 g.) in total package of 12
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving (3 packets)
Cost: $3.50 for 1 package (2 for $7.00)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Cadbury Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's package contained individually-wrapped small Cadbury Fruit and Nut milk chocolates (from Mondelez International/U.K.*).

The small 2-square, segmented rectangular pieces, stamped with the Cadbury logo, contained bits of raisins and almonds. (Early recipes apparently also contained Brasil nuts.)

These chocolates were a variation on the classic Fruit and Nut milk chocolate bar that was first introduced in the 1926 as Cadbury's Fruit and Nut bar. (In 2003 the company added the "Dairy Milk" designation.)

It's hard to write about long-lived, large companies like Cadbury without delving into history. Like many purveyors of cocoa in the early 1800s, John Cadbury and his brother started with tea, coffee and drinking chocolate.

Chocolate bars came later. And today's milk chocolate bar as we know it was not perfected yet; although the Swiss, French, British and others (including, later, Milton S. Hershey in the U.S.) were all vying for the a milk chocolate formula that would result in a viable milk chocolate bar.

Cadbury announced their first milk chocolate bar in 1897 (one of the first in the U.K.) and the Dairy Milk chocolate brand followed in 1905.)

Interestingly, today's product was distributed in the U.S. by The Hershey Company (Hershey, PA), under license from Cadbury UK Ltd. Hershey founder, Milton S. Hershey, traveled to Europe and the U.K. and would have seen what the Cadburys were doing. Hershey's development of a "model town", and boys school in Hershey, PA was likely modeled, at least in part, after Cadbury worker housing and other community projects for less well-to-do citizens.

*Mondelez International (formerly known as Kraft/Kraft Foods) has owned the British confectionery company since 2010.