Pure Boost - Cocoa Banana Bounty Superfood Blend - Mar. 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Pure Boost Superfood Blends
Cocoa Banana Bounty Superfood Blend
Good +
Weight: 1/3 cup (27 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 70 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Pure Boost Cocoa Banana Bounty Superfood Blend was distributed by IMS (Shelton, CT).

Aroma and flavor notes included: slightly tangy sweetened fruit (berry and banana) with smooth, subtle cocoa -- a cocoa flavor that became richer and closer to chocolate milk once mixed with milk. 

The powder mixed and incorporated fairly readily with the milk of choice and a bit of water. There was no grainy or sedimentary texture once blended.

No added sugar, non-dairy, gluten free, plant based, allergen free

The flavors were attenuated a little--often the case when foods are processed to create a powdered form. But, the flavors of real banana and faint cocoa did come through.

 The sweetness tasted a little too enhanced initially; but then it calmed down to something more natural. The pros of alternative sweeteners (like erythritol and stevia blends) included the absence of a processed sugar buzz or sugar-coated teeth afterwards. The plant/seed-based protein powder also helped balance the sweetness and any fruit acidity.

Today's blend was described as a "...boost to juices, smoothies and baking" and I tried sampling this powdered mix by itself and with (dairy) milk. 

On the back of the package was a smoothie recipe, calling for blending 1/3 cup of this Cocoa Banana Bounty blend with one cup of a milk of choice, 1 fresh banana and two tablespoons of nut butter. I agree this would be quite good.

Ingredients: Plant-based protein blend (pumpkin seed protein, sunflower flour, hemp seed protein, flax meal), banana powder, Pyure organic sweetener blend (organic erythritol, organic soluble tapioca fiber, organic stevia leaf extract, organic natural flavor), natural cocoa powder, natural flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Non dairy, gluten free, allergen free"

Essential Living Foods - Roasted and Salted Keto Crunch Low Carb Trail Mix - March 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Essential Living Foods

Roasted and Salted Keto Crunch Low Carb Trail Mix

Good - Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package

Calories: 150 calories in 1 serving

Cost: $ N/A - gift from a friend

Purchased from: N/A - gift from friend (thank you Bill!)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and JKLM Theme Week, where chocolate items with flavors and origins starting with the letters J, K, L and/or M are being featured. Somewhat surprisingly, I found a lot of "K" entries this week.

Today's Essential Living Foods* Roasted and Salted Keto Crunch Low Carb Trail Mix was from Essential Living Foods (Torrance, CA), distributed by Terrafertil US, LLC.

I have never been on a ketogenic** diet; however, I've come to prefer less sugar over time. So I found this low carbohydrate, Keto Certified mix very appealing. It was a little sweet, a little salty, yet so different (and more satiating over a period of hours) than most highly sweetened, high-carbohydrate (often granola-based) trail mixes. 

The mix provided lots of satisfying crunchy texture with every element, toasted coconut pieces, cocoa nibs and roasted pumpkin and sunflower kernels (seeds). The cacao nibs conveyed the essence of cacao--unsweetened, slightly nutty, dark chocolate flavor.

The refreshing lack of sweetness also made it easier to taste and savor the individual elements that made up this mix. I enjoyed this as a stand-alone snack or breakfast, and even as a topping for my (non-keto) oatmeal. 

Ingredients: Organic toasted coconut chips, organic cacao nibs, organic roasted pumpkin kernels (organic pumpkin kernels, salt), organic roasted sunflower kernels (organic sunflower kernels, salt).

 

*Ecuador based snack-food company, Terrafertil Nature's Heart/Terrafertil Group, acquired the assets of Los Angeles-based Essential Living Foods (an organic, vegan, superfood brand) in 2017. In 2018, Nestle expanded their organic/plant-based offerings by acquiring a majority stake in Terrafertil (Nature's Heart and Essential Living Foods brands).

**Keto is short for ketogenic, as in a ketogenic diet that is low in carbohydrates and relatively high in fat and protein that results in the body switching to/burning more fats vs. sugars for energy. Ketogenic diets have become popular for weight loss; but when not taken to an extreme, cutting carbs/sugars in combination with eating more whole (less processed) foods can provide other benefits.

Better Bites Bakery - Sun Butter Do Bites - Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough - Nov. 24, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Better Bites
Sun Butter Do Bites - Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total container of 6 pieces
Calories: 144 calories in 1 serving/bite
Cost: $1.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough Sun Butter Do Bites were from Better Bites Bakery (Austin, TX).

Free of 8 major allergens* (including wheat, peanuts, soy, dairy, egg, tree nuts, fish, shellfish), the "dough" at the center of these sweet Sun Butter Do confections consisted primarily of sugar (white and brown), a gluten-free flour blend and oils.

The flavor and consistency of cookie dough was enhanced with finely ground, sunflower seeds—a novel way to create the feel of cookie dough and to add some protein to help balance the sugar.

Thanks to the chocolate coating, each mouthful of these jumbo marshmallow shaped Do Bites yielded a pleasing, uniform chocolatey flavor as well.

*Better Bites Bakery was founded by Leah Lopez after her young son was diagnosed with severe food allergies.

88 Acres - the seed co. - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar - Nov. 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a satisfying nutty-seedy chew. The company uses a seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in their bars, allowing people to satisfy their nut cravings without the nuts (which is good for people with nut allergies).

The whisper of sea salt worked nicely, adding a wee bit of flavor without overdoing it. This bar was also not too sweet (thank you!).

88 Acres - Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar - Nov. 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a slightly nutty, coffee aroma. The company's seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds gave this a nice crunchy texture. The mocha flavor was subtle and balanced.

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.

Off The Farm - Chocolate Fudge - July 17, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Off the Farm
Dark Chocolate Fudge
Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 290 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.35 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market, Pebble Beach, CA

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

Today's Chocolate Fudge bar was from Off the Farm (Palo Cedro, CA), a company created by a group of family and friends interested in producing a line of healthy bars and offerings that would be good for the planet.

This nutrition bar was packed with fruit (dates and apples), nuts (almonds and cashews), and four different kinds of seeds: sesame, pumpkin, sunflower and chia.

The dark chocolate in this gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO bar came from chocolate chunks and cocoa powder; and slightly chewy fudge bar contained 7 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber.

free2b - Cherries, Sunflower Seeds Sea Salt Dark Chocolate - Jan. 25, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

free2b Foods

Cherries Sunflower Seeds and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate

Good

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar

Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

There is something decadent about eating cherries in winter. In early January, I found some (from the Southern hemisphere) in a Whole Foods Market. They were very pricey, and very delicious.

Today, I was able to enjoy some of the same tart sweet cherry flavor with this Cherries, Sunflower Seeds and Sea Salt bar from free2b Foods (Boulder, CO). The company is perhaps best known for its allergen-free Sun Cups (chocolate cups filled with sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter).

The dark chocolate that made up this bar was smooth and naturally cherry flavored. A generous sprinkling of roasted, whole sunflower seeds provided soft crunch to the texture. As with most flavored chocolate, eat while fresh for best flavor.

Made in a dedicated facility, this free2b bar was free from the top 12 allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, gluten, soy, egg, corn, coconut, sesame, mustard, fish and shellfish. Great for those with food sensitivities.

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, roasted sunflower seeds (sunflower oil), dried cherries (cherries, non-GMO cane sugar, sunflower oil, sea salt

Postscript: A second chocolate item today: a cup of soy cherry chocolate chip ice cream from an ice creamery and bakery at Facebook campus headquarters in Menlo Park, CA. 

Texas Rattlesnake chocolate; Cactus Trail Mix - Aug. 26, 2017

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

(Made for Paradies Shops*)
Texas Rattlesnake Poop
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 7.8 oz. (221 g.) in total container
Calories: 165 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving
Cost: $7.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Airport shop, DFW Airport, Dallas, TX

Arizona Cowboy Foods
Cactus Trail Mix
Good - Good +
Weight: 4 oz. (113.2 g.) in total package
Calories: 560 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Airport shop at PHX Airport, Phoenix, AZ

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Wild West Theme Week.

Travel to South and North Dakota this week meant no photos today. Being in these states presented the opportunity to see jackalopes (at Wall Drug and elsewhere), and to stray into Wyoming to visit Devils Tower. I resisted the urge to buy chocolate jackalope poop on the at Devils Tower Trading Post (Devils Tower, WY), in part because I'd already picked up some Chocolate Texas Rattlesnake Poop in Dallas, TX.

Today's Texas Rattlesnake Poop pieces (sorry, no photos) were, in fact, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds. There were no real rattlesnake ingredients, just compound** chocolate, seeds and other ingredients one might expect with high-volume, novelty items.

I paired theses chocolate seeds with a Western-themed Cactus Trail Mix from Arizona Cowboy Foods (Phoenix, AZ). The mix did not contain chocolate, but it too came from an airport (Phoenix). Airports in multiple states were a great source of Western-themed chocolates this week.

This relatively conventional trail mix contained nuts (peanuts, almonds) and dried fruits (cranberries). It also included pumpkin seeds, banana chips with honey, pineapple bits, dried papaya, and real (prickly pear) cactus candy pieces, which were quite nice (sweet but slightly lighter with more floral flavor than the other dried fruits).

*Paradies Shops, now known as Paradies Lagardere, has travel retail shops in several airports. 

Airport and travel-related shops seem to carry an abundance of chocolate scat pretending to be from local animals these days; and several of these have been featured on Chocolate Banquet in years past. It isn't always clear who is manufacturing all these chocolate-covered droppings (likely several different companies who prefer to private label or remain anonymous); but it must be a big, high-profit business.

** Compound chocolate is made with cocoa, vegetable fat and sweeteners. Today's chocolate ingredients list included: partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, lactose, cocoa powder, reduced mineral whey powder, non-fat milk powder, soy lecithin and vanillin.

ChocolateBet: June 1, 2007

Happy birthday to my dad today. He bounced back from open heart surgery a few months ago and is already taking long bicycle rides again.

Tonight after work I met a friend in downtown Palo Alto to do the First Friday gallery artwalk. And I was on the look-out for some stores with different chocolates as well. And I did find one...

The chocolate for the day is:
(sample)
The Cocoa Room (www.thecocoaroom.com) I at first thought co name was Chocolate Room, but I'm correcting this.
Chocolate-coated sunflower seeds
~ 1/8 of an ounce serving (sample at an art store downtown Palo Alto)
Good - Very Good
The Cocoa Room is based in Chicago, Ill.