Hijita Chocolateria - Toasty Horchata 70% Soconusco, Chiapas Filled with Toasted Rice Almond Butter (bar) - Dec. 24, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita Chocolateria
Toasty Horchata - 70% Soconusco, Chiapas Filled with Toasted Rice Almond Butter (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from, Hijita, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Rice Theme Week. Happy Christmas Eve, to those who celebrate.

Today's "Toasty Horchata - 70% Soconusco, Chiapas Filled with Toasted Rice Almond Butter" (bar) from Hijita, LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma and flavor notes for this stylishly geometric, disc-shaped, filled dark bar included: ebony-hued dark chocolate (roast-y/toasted cacao beans, green, nut, spice, vanilla bean). 

In appearance, it looked like it could be a beautifully designed (modern, yet timeless) holiday ornament--perfect for Christmas Eve day.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a smooth, stone-ground almond butter filling. (The toasted rice, vanilla bean and cinnamon were almost fully incorporated, so the overall texture was fairly .)

After a few weeks that included many heavily flavored (and sugared and salted) milk and dark chocolates, it was lovely to taste this authentic Mexican dark chocolate, with subtle, traditional flavor inclusions, sweetened with piloncillo.*

I loved that this elegant and satisfying filled bar wasn't too sweet (thank you!)--and that all the flavor inclusions were compatible with each other and spoke with a come-hither whisper. I felt myself leaning in to try to taste more cinnamon, vanilla and rice (horchata). The very slightly smoke-y, roasted notes took me back to watching, smelling (and ultimately tasting) chocolate being made in a Central American forest, many years ago.

Ingredients: "Mexican Cacao, Almond, Cacao Butter*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Toasted Rice*, Mexican Cinnamon, Mexican Vanilla Bean, Mexican Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almond. Made in a Facility That Processes Peanuts and Tree Nuts"

*Piloncillo is a traditional, unrefined Mexican sugar, typically made from boiled sugar cane juice. The resulting caramel-colored cone shapes contain traces of molasses and minerals (similar to other unrefined brown sugars), and contribute subtle flavor depth to baked goods, drinking chocolate/chocolates and savory dishes. 

 

Xocolatl - Spooky Mermaids - Coconut Milk, Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt & Nibs (bar) - Oct. 31, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl
Spooky Mermaids - Coconut Milk, Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt & Nibs (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order 

Happy Halloween, and welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & Fruits Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet.

The prices of cacao and chocolate have soared to scary levels. But I'm sticking with multiple chocolates today, in memory of all those little candy bars and chocolate confections consumed as a trick-or-treating child.

Today's "Spooky Mermaids" 60% Dark Chocolate with coconut milk, vanilla-infused sea salt and nibs (bar)--wrapped in special Halloween packaging with luminous orange houses and trees--was created by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Spooky Mermaids...

Aroma and flavor notes for today's Spooky 60% bar included: (very slightly earthy, sweet) dark chocolate, haunted with ghostly vapors of faint coconut milk and vanilla. A pinch of sea salt balanced out this concoction.

The texture was smooth (much more satisfying than spooky), and the vanilla-infused sea salt and softly crunchy cacao nibs, added complementary textures and flavors. You may be relieved to know that no mermaids were added or harmed in the making of this bar....Or, were they?...Only Xocolatl knows for sure. (I think I just heard cackling laughter and thunder outside...)  

I enjoyed this bar with fall fruits: pumpkin-hued persimmons and blood-red pears. (Also on the menu: pumpkin soup. And yes, pumpkins are technically fruits.)

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Coconut Milk*, Cocoa Butter*, Sea Salt, Vanilla (* organic)"

Allergen-related information: Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan).

Xocolatl - "Go Nuts" - 68% Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) - July 20, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl 
"Go Nuts" 68% Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Salt Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate & Nuts Theme Week.

Today's "Go Nuts" 68% Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma notes included: rich dark chocolate with appealing nutty notes.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, and a softly crunchy field of chopped nuts (on the back of the bar).

Flavor notes included: smooth but relatively rich dark chocolate, nuttiness from chopped almonds, with a subtle hint of salt and vanilla.

I loved the nuts (almonds); the gentle dose of salt; and the overall tasting experience.

Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar*, Almond* (tree nut), Cocoa Butter*, Sea Salt, Vanilla (* = organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan)." Vegan.

Xocolatl Chocolate - 80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) - July 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl Chocolate 
80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Salt Theme Week.

Today's 80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) was made from bean to bar from Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma notes included: rich (drinking) chocolate, and very faint salt and pepper.

Texture: smooth, almost creamy texture

Flavor notes included: rich drinking chocolate (with faint red berry and vanilla), and subtle salt.

I liked the chocolate-y, subtle richness and balance.

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Sea Salt, Vanilla (* organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan)."

Lonohana Estate Chocolate - Blueberry Lavender Chocolate Medallions - Nov. 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Lonohana Estate Chocolate, Inc.
Blueberry Lavender Chocolate Medallions
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.65 oz. (53.3 g.) / 4.94 oz. (160 g.) (per label) in total package of 3 
Calories: 291 calories (rough estimate) in 1 medallion
Cost: $25.00 for 1 package of 3
Purchased from: Lonohana Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Hawaii Theme Week.

Today's Blueberry Lavender Chocolate Medallions were from Lonohana Estate Chocolate, LLC (Honolulu, HI). The company uses cacao grown on their estate in Oahu (and cacao grown on neighboring islands). Their bars and occasional confections are "grown and made in Hawaii." 

Aroma notes for this generously-sized chocolate medallion included: aromatic fruit (blueberry), warm spice (vanilla and cinnamon) and lavender. (And, yes, lavender is part of the large, extensive mint family.)

The medallion's round shape and thickness (relatively thin, and tapered down around the edges to be a little thinner) provided excellent mouth and palette access to great flavors.

Flavor notes for this special chocolate included: smooth, almost velvety, dark milk chocolate and the warmth of a spiced, blueberry compote style jam on buttered toast-laced with just enough floral lavender and vanilla to transport one to an extra level of bliss. 

Yes, it was sweet, but this chocolate was very well-balanced and thoughtfully executed so that the sugar (while it was the number one ingredient) and milk didn't mask or dampen the bouquet of high-quality flavors in this medallion. 

Sadly, this addictive and flavorful beauty (and virtual vacation to Hawaii this morning) was part of a limited run; and these medallions are no longer listed on the Lonohana website (online store) to order. 

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, Hawaiian cacao, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder, Hawaiian vanilla, lavender essential oil, organic blueberry powder.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. "Soy and gluten free. Made in a peanut-free environment."

Giddy Up Nuts - Coffee Chocolate Gourmet Spiced Almonds - Sept. 25, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Giddy Up Nuts 
Coffee Chocolate Gourmet Spiced Almonds
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 6 oz. (170.1 g.) in total package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $9.99 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, order add-on

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

Today's Coffee Chocolate Gourmet Spiced Almonds were from Giddy Up Nuts (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma notes included: roasted nuts (almonds), cocoa/chocolate, shortbread nut cookie and faint vanilla latte.

Texture: fresh, crunchy, whole roasted almonds with a light glaze coating that had small dark cocoa/coffee bits.

Flavor notes included: tasty crunchy roasted almond, milk cocoa (dutch-processed cocoa powder was part of the thin, glaze-style coating), vanilla, and very faint coffee.

I loved the fresh, almond nut flavor and texture. The nuts were the stars of this show. They were lightly seasoned and allowed to shine. The hints of cocoa, coffee and vanilla were well-balanced; and these nuts were not too sweet (thank you!). 

Ingredients: "Almonds, Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Coffee, All Natural Vanilla Extract, Kosher Salt"

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Almond"

Holm Made Toffee Co. - Oregon Hazelnut Toffee - Cardamom & Vanilla - Mar. 15, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Holm Made Toffee Co.
Oregon Hazelnut Toffee - Cardamom + Vanilla
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 4 oz. (114 g.) in total package
Calories: 620 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order 

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

Today's Hazelnut Toffee was from Holm Made Toffee Co. LLC (Bend, OR).

Aroma notes included: buttery toffee, nuts, and faint chocolate and warm spices (vanilla).

The texture for the toffee was perfect, i.e. in the Goldilocks* zone. It was crunchy toffee that wasn't too hard or too soft. It was just right.

Flavor notes included: rich buttery toffee, smooth dark chocolate, wonderful cardamom and warm vanilla.

I really enjoyed this flavorful confection. The green cardamom, hazelnut and brown sugar toffee flavors were especially good. (I love fresh cardamom.) I felt I was enjoying the best possible blend of authentic warm chai tea with smooth dark chocolate (a touch of rich cocoa) and high-quality hazelnuts. 

Warning: addictive. Don't eat when you're very hungry.

Ingredients: "Butter [cream (milk) & salt], pure cane sugar, Oregon hazelnuts, dark chocolate [unsweetened chocolate, sugar, sunflower lecithin and vanilla], green cardamom, pure vanilla extract"

Allergy-related information: Contains hazelnuts, dairy (cream/milk)

*Goldilocks zone refers to a character in a European fairy tale. In the modern version I grew up with (Goldilocks and the Three Bears) a girl named Goldilocks enters a bear family home and, finding them out, samples their three bowls of porridge, chairs and beds. She finds the porridge(s), in sequence, too hot, then too cold, and finally--just right! (Same sequence with the chairs and beds.) Today the term "Goldilocks zone" pops up in several contexts (including food, ecology and various sciences).

 

Chuao Chocolatier - Golden Goodness Caramelized sugar, cacao nibs (bar) - Oct. 18, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Chuao Chocolatier 
Golden Goodness Caramelized sugar, cacao nibs (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Pumpkins, and Warm Fall Spices.

Today's Golden Goodness Caramelized sugar and 100% cacao nibs in sweet white chocolate (bar) was from Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad, CA). 

Aroma notes for this white chocolate and nibs bar included: faint cacao, cookie dough, and faint caramel and vanilla.

Texture: Sweet white chocolate blended with caramelized sugar held an abundant field of crunchy cacao nibs.

Flavor notes included: cocoa nibs, caramel, white chocolate and vanilla. Caramelized sugar added warm flavor depth. And this caramelization, and vanilla, added a feeling of warmth to me. 

Yes, 31% cacao white chocolate is sweet. But the other elements added textural and flavor contrast created appealing complexity. The nibs and a perfect amount of salt helped balance flavors and sweetness level.

I paired this white chocolate bar with a cup of warm spiced tea with cinnamon and vanilla.

Ingredients: "Premium 31% white chocolate (cacao butter, sugar, whole milk powder, lactose, whey powder, nonfat dry milk, caramelized sugar, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor, salt), cocoa nibs, pink himalayan salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains: Milk, Soy. No Gluten Ingredients Used.

Ranger Chocolate Company - Specialty Bar Cherry and Vanilla Sea Salt - June 27, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ranger Chocolate Company
Specialty Bar - Cherry and Vanilla Sea Salt
Good ++
Weight: .49 oz. (13.8 g.) (estimate) in total square
Calories: 72 calories (estimate) in 1 square
Cost: $3.00 for 1 square
Purchased from: Ranger Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Red Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Specialty Bar - Cherry, Vanilla Sea Salt (a small, individually-wrapped square) was made by Ranger Chocolate Company (Portland, OR) was topped with a dried Hood River cherry and vanilla sea salt.

The cherry had multi-layered, naturally sweet, fruity and tart, aroma, flavor and texture; it was the star here. A beautiful example of tasty condensed (dried) red fruit flavor, atop a piece of high-end chocolate. Ranger chocolate makers could have stopped there. But, they added a sprinkle of coarse, flavored sea salt crystals, that played very nicely with the chocolate and cherry.

Flavored sea salts are not unusual; and the flavors usually lean toward the savory or smoky side. Vanilla infused sea salt was interesting and unusual; it integrated a traditionally "sweet" flavor with salt.

I saw and tasted the crystals of sea salt. but I might have been missed the fact that the subtle vanilla was part of the sea salt and not part of the chocolate or cherry. All harmonized well.

Several wonderful flavors were distilled down into a tiny block of real estate in today's square. The only trouble with this small size was that it was difficult to go back and re-taste this chocolate over a period of an hour or two (when flavors can shift and unfold).

Mexican Chocolate Avocado Mousse - Mar. 28, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Mexican Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) (estimate) in 1 serving
Calories: unknown 
Cost: $ N/A - multiple ingredients (some old, some new)
Purchased from: N/A - multiple sources

Bienvenidos a (welcome to) Chocolate Banquet. Today we celebrated Day #5 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week with a Mexican-themed chocolate mousse,* made with a blend of ingredients native to Mexico, including: cacao, avocado, vanilla, honey, allspice, and a touch of chili powder.

Melted 81% dark chocolate and cocoa powder provided rich chocolate flavor, and vanilla extract and ground allspice brightened up the deep dark flavor a bit. Ripe avocados added creamy texture; and a few spoonfuls of milk of one's choice, or even ice cream, can enhance this further.

These ingredients were blended together to make a creamy, flavorful, honey-sweetened mousse. (The Maya and Aztec peoples may have used honey from stingless bees as a sweetener or dessert. I couldn't find any stingless bee (Melipolini/Melipona) honey. I used organic honey from honeybees.

Nuts and seeds (peanuts, pecans, pinon nuts and squash seeds) from Mexico would also be suitable, authentic garnishes for this dessert.

*A pudding is generally cooked, whereas a mousse is not. Several recipes call for using a piping bag to apply a mousse like this to a plate or a bowl, as it does make it much more attractive looking. (While it sounded unnecessary, it really does make this dessert look much more appetizing.)

Mayana Chocolate - Monkey Bar Mini - Banana Rum Caramel, Vanilla Bean 66% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Mayana Chocolate
Monkey Bar Mini - Banana Rum Caramel, Vanilla Bean 66% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Spanish Table, Mill Valley, CA

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

Today's Monkey Bar Mini was handcrafted by those at Mayana Chocolate in Spooner, Wisconsin.

The bar-shaped confection was a total sugar bomb (with at least three types of sugar), but it was a very nicely flavored one.

At the heart of this sweet thing was a foundation layer of authentic banana caramel with a faint hint of butter rum flavor.* This layer was topped by a layer of light as a feather vanilla marshmallow. And this sweet stack was covered in 66% dark chocolate, and festively sprinkled with what might have been...more sugar.

*This flavor was conjured with banana-rum liqueur according to the ingredients list.

Haagen-Dazs - Coffee and Vanilla Layers Ice Cream; Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co. - Bourbon Nib Brittle - Aug. 11, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Haagen-Dazs
Crispy Trio Layers - Belgian Chocolate with Coffee and Vanilla Ice Cream(s)
(topped with Chocolate Banquet special bourbon-soaked nibs)
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (44 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total container
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 1/4 cup serving + 50 cals. for nib topping
Cost: $3.50 (sale, 2 for $7) for 1 container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

The Haagen-Dazs (Minneapolis, MN) Crispy Trio Layers collection is part of the companies expanding family of ice cream-related products. Flavors include Belgian chocolate, vanilla ice cream and a featured third flavor (blackberry, coffee, caramel, etc.) The line-up also includes a triple chocolate flavor and non-dairy variations as well.

Today we're featuring the Belgian Chocolate Coffee and Vanilla ice cream, that was quite tasty. It contained a nice blend of crispy darker chocolate layered pieces and creamy and flavorful coffee ice cream, mellowed by a smooth and upbeat vanilla ice cream.

Recently, Haagen-Dazs announced a line of ice creams with spirits. (We'll feature one tomorrow). But, in the spirit of spirits, we jumped the gun with our own spirited inclusion to today's Crispy Trio Layers flavor.

We amped up the chocolate flavor by topping this ice cream with Chocolate Banquet's own secret recipe for bourbon soaked cacao nibs (with bitters and orange peel).

And speaking of bourbon and cacao nibs...

Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co.
Bourbon Nib Brittle
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 1/3 package
Cost: $18.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: Cashmere + Chocolate, Santa Fe, NM

We also re-tasted two small pieces of Bourbon Nib Brittle from Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co. (Nashville, TN). We originally enjoyed this back in 2012. (How time flies.) It was sweet, crunchy and satisfying, with a very light Bourbon touch.

Haagen-Dazs - Belgian Chocolate Vanilla and Blackberry Ice Cream - July 4, 2019

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Haagen-Dazs
Crispy Trio Layers Belgian Chocolate Vanilla and Blackberry Ice Cream
Good +
Weight: 1/3 cup (62 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) total container
Calories: 180 calories in 1/3 cup
Cost: $1.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Island Nations Theme Week.

Happy 4th of July!—also known as Independence Day in the U.S. It was a great evening to see fireworks, on an island.

To honor the red, white and blue today, an appropriately tri-colored ice cream sundae was created and eaten, starting with Crispy Trio Layers Belgian Chocolate Vanilla and Blackberry Ice cream from Haagen-Dazs (distributed by Nestle Dreyer's Ice Cream Company in Oakland, CA).

This ice cream was topped with fresh blueberries, red raspberries, and a drizzle of Raspberry Aqua Perfecta from St. George's Distillery (based in Alameda, CA, Island #1). It was a great dessert for a backyard, pre-fireworks meal, and it was followed by a chocolate cigar.

Venchi Cuba Chocolate Cigar

Today we also celebrated Independence Day with a Venchi Cuba (Island #2) chocolate and hazelnut cigar, made with cacao from New Guinea (Island #3).

Markham and Fitz - Ooh La Lavender 64% bar - May 31, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Markham and Fitz Chocolate Makers
Ooh La Lavender - Lavender, honey, vanilla, nibs 64% dark chocolate bar
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA


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

Today's Ooh La Lavender bar was made by Markham and Fitz Chocolate Makers (Bentonville, AK).

This lovely 64% dark chocolate bar contained the aforementioned lavender (lavender oil); Patagonia honey (a floral honey sustainably produced by Patagonia Bee Products); cacao nibs and vanilla.

The single origin chocolate was made using organic cacao that was grown in Oko Caribe, Dominican Republic. (The makers work with importing partners, such as Uncommon Cacao.)

The bar had a great lavender floral aroma—made extra beautiful with honey and an almost invisible but very effective touch of vanilla.

Honey itself can provide a subdued floral note or two. This bar was sweetened with honey and cane sugar. Using honey in this bar added great complementary flavor and, when combined with the DR cacao, the 64% cacao chocolate (that tasted more like a 75% bar), was not too sugary sweet (thank you!).

Why don't more makers choose to work with honey? Not everyone wants floral or honey flavors added to their chocolate, however subtle they may be. And refined cane sugar is considered more "neutral" as well as being less expensive. Honey can be more challenging to work with than cane sugar.*

The texture was smooth and the flavor was the realization of aromas promised, punctuated by crunchy cacao nibs. The chocolate had a bold, smooth dark flavor that the makers balanced very nicely with the other flavors.

This Ooh La Lavender bar had a very pleasant, very light lingering honey and lavender finish that felt both refreshing and calming. Overall it was a very well executed bar, and a well-deserved Good Food Awards** win.

*Unlike cane sugar which is fairly dry, honey is about 20 percent water, and is considered a humectant (meaning it acts to preserve moisture). Chocolate generally reacts poorly to water or moisture and can "seize up" in its melted form (when be made into chocolate bars) if one adds water. Not a great thing to happen in the manufacturing process, which is also why powdered milk (and not fresh milk) is added directly to chocolate in the making of milk chocolate. 

**The Good Food Awards have roots in the slow food and sustainability movements in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. If you're looking for great chocolates, peruse their list of winners. 

Hogarth Chocolate Makers - Rose and Vanilla Tea bar - May 24, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Hogarth Chocolate Makers
Rose and Vanilla Tea bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA


Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla Theme Week and Day #1 of Chocolate and Flowers Theme Week (and is the second of two posts today).

Today's Rose and Vanilla Tea bar was from Hogarth Chocolate Makers (Nelson, New Zealand).

This 70% cacao (Madagascar) dark chocolate was infused with Dilmah Tea rose and vanilla tea, and was a New Zealand collaboration between chocolate maker Karl Hogarth and chef Simon Gault.

After opening the inner gold pouch that contained this dark bar, the smell of rosewater wafted up, with light fermented leaf/plant and vanilla notes in the background. If I was blindfolded, doing a taste test, I might not have guessed initially I was smelling a chocolate bar. However, it was early morning and the room was cold. Once it warmed up a few degrees, the dark chocolate aroma came to the forefront.

Meant to conjure images of a "high tea in a rose garden," this chocolate did just that. I also imagined fleeting images of Alice in Wonderland and a lost white rabbit, but that's another story.

The base dark chocolate was flavorful, slightly fruit-acidic, and not too sweet. The rose flavor continued to perfume the tasting experience from beginning to end. If you like floral flavors and scents, this light lingering rose note will be a lovely trait.

The Hogarth team hand mold their bars. And the mold design for this vegan, gluten free and soy free chocolate bar—with an "H" (for Hogarth) signature "block" in the center—was beautiful. We hesitated to break a piece off to taste, thus ruining the design.

JonnyPops - Cold Press Coffee, Chocolate and Cream Pops - May 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

JonnyPops LLC
Coffee Chocolate and Cream pops
Good ++
Weight: 1.55 fl. oz. (45.8 g.) / 9.3 fl. oz. (275 g.) in total box of 6 junior pops
Calories: 90 calories in 1 junior pop
Cost: $3.39 (estimate) for 1 box of 6 junior pops
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla Theme Week.

Today's Coffee Chocolate and Cream Pops were from JonnyPops LLC (St. Louis Park/Minneapolis, MN).

The company, founded by four Minnesota college students, offers a variety of fruit and cream, and chocolate and cream, flavors in their frozen treat line. The founders are committed to a simple ingredient list and avoiding artificial ingredients in their pops.

Made with cold press coffee made at their manufacturing facility (cold press coffee is the first ingredient listed) and real (heavy) cream, today's cream pops were in fact creamy smooth and rich with authentic mocha latte flavor in every bite. A hint of vanilla helped give these a light and sweet flavor without being too sugary.

JonnyPop's frozen treats are gluten-free, kosher certified and peanut-free. (Products are made in a peanut-free facility and, other than coconut in some flavors, these cream pops are nut-free as well.)

These cream bars were "junior"* pop size, which were great if you just want a smidge of tasty, creamy fun without spoiling your appetite for dinner.

After the pop is eaten, you'll find a good deed oriented message printed on each stick. Co-founder and CEO Eric Brust is quoted as saying: "We believe that every act of kindness—no matter how big or small—goes a long way." (We appreciate that sentiment.)

*It's not clear if this smaller, junior pop, size is still available in stores. All other (standard-sized) flavors we saw came packaged 3 to a box.

Donnelly Chocolates - Almond Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich, Dark Chocolate Coffee Caramel - May 17, 2019

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Donnelly Chocolates

Dark Chocolate Coffee Caramel (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 large piece
Calories: unknown
Cost: $6.00 for 1 large caramel

Dark Chocolate with Vanilla Ice Cream Almonds (ice cream bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $6.00 for 1 ice cream bar
Purchased from: Donnelly Chocolates, Santa Cruz, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla Theme Week. The hunt for these three flavors led to Santa Cruz, CA.

Today's mini-bar sized Dark Chocolate Coffee Caramel and Dark Chocolate Vanilla Ice Cream and Almonds ice cream bar were created by Donnelly Chocolates (Santa Cruz, CA).

Thank you to Nick for counter assistance at Donnelly's and help in finding and selecting these two deluxe-sized chocolate, coffee and vanilla offerings, also known as dinner.

The Dark Chocolate Caramel bar was filled with everything you'd expect to find. The coffee flavor harmonized well with the dark chocolate, and the soft, caramel filling. The coffee helped balance the sweetness.

Now, on to the next course in this chocolate dinner. The vanilla ice cream in this Dark Chocolate Vanilla Almonds ice cream bar was from Marianne's Ice Cream (another local Santa Cruz, CA, sweets favorite). This tasty bar was a satisfying, cut above your standard store-bought ice cream bar for sure.

Theo Chocolate - Cinnamon Horchata 45% Milk Chocolate bar - Mar. 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate, Inc.
Cinnamon Horchata 45% Milk Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: .95 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.9 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market, Scottsdale, AZ

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Starches Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Cinnamon Horchata* 45% Milk Chocolate bar was from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The cinnamon elevated the flavor of this sweet milk chocolate bar.

And, instead of rice milk, which I associate with American horchata beverages, the "rice" came from crispy brown rice embedded in this bar, giving is some crunchy texture as well.

*Horchata is a light-colored, opaque, grain or rice-based beverage, flavored with cinnamon from Latin America. 

Horchata's origins stretch back to North Africa (when the beverage was often made from soaked tiger nuts) and Spain, and the idea was likely brought to Mexico and Central America). 

Horchata (origin likely from a word for barley) refers to a larger class of plant- and grain-based beverages from the Mediterranean. Ingredients for these beverages may include ground almonds, rice, barley, sesame or tiger nuts.

**Ingredients: Organic, Fair Trade Cane Sugar; Organic, Trade Cocoa Beans; Organic, Fair Trade Cocoa Butter; Organic Milk Powder; Organic Crisped Brown Rice; Organic, Fair Trade Crisped Quinoa; Organic, Fair Trade Cinnamon; Organic Ground Vanilla Bean.

Ben and Jerry's - Vanilla Peanut Butter Cup Pint Slices - Sept. 28, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. (Unilever)
Vanilla Peanut Butter Cup Pint Slices
Good
Weight: 2.86 oz. (81 g.) / 9 fl. oz. (266 mL) in total package of 3
Calories: 300 calories in 1 "slice"
Cost: $ missing information 
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week.

Today's Vanilla* Peanut Butter Cup Pint Slices from Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. (Burlington, VT) were comprised of vanilla ice cream and peanut butter cup pieces, and covered in a Dark Chocolatey Coating.

These individually-wrapped Pint Slices contained a pleasant vanilla ice cream, and fleeting glimpses and bites of peanut butter cups.

*The vanilla in these slices came from Fairtrade Certified farms in Uganda.

Dick Taylor - Vanilla Raspberry bar - April 29, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate

Vanilla Raspberry 73% Dark Chocolate bar

Very Good

Weight: .5 oz. (14.15 g.) / 1 oz. (28.3 g.) in total bar

Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Vanilla Raspberry 73% Dark Chocolate bar from Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka, CA) was debuted in time for Valentines Day 2018. Happily there were still a few left this spring.

This five-ingredient, 2017 Great Taste Award-winning bar contained: organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic freeze-dried raspberries, organic vanilla coconut palm sugar, organic vanilla bean.

The makers used their 2018 Good Food Award winning 73% "Northerner Blend" (Madagascan and Brazilian cacao) chocolate to craft this bar. The back side was sprinkled with a layer of organic, freeze-dried raspberries and vanilla coconut palm sugar.

The solid, deep raspberry pink layer of color complemented the flip/front side—a dark mahagony nautically-themed design with the Dick Taylor logo.

The above-mentioned awards were on the mark. This well executed bar was crafted to perfection. The underlying chocolate was full of complex fruit flavor and the raspberry took it up a notch. What a great ride. As the makers said: "The tartness of the raspberry is a stark contrast to the ripe fruit flavors in the Northerner Blend." And the vanilla coconut sugar blended with the raspberries added a very slight, well-rounded sweetness.

Because the duo behind this company embody craftsmanship in all they do: The bar's wrapper "was designed and printed in-house on our letter press, including that hand carved raspberry and the hand lettering on (the) front."