ChocolateBet: October 31, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
Redstone's
Red Chili and Curry dark chocolate bar
Very Good
Wt.: 1 oz. (28.3 g) out of a 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 148 calories (estimate) in 1 oz.
Cost: $5.99 for bar
Purchased from: Natalie's Candy Bar, shop at DFW Airport, in Dallas, TX

These are fun bars. I had tried Redstone's Jalapeno milk chocolate bar with peanuts before and liked it. My only complaint with this 72% cocoa Red Chili bar was that the chili and curry flavorings seemed to be somewhat unevenly distributed in the bars. One bite might be mild; and the next bite in the same bar might contain a spicy mouthful of curry and/or chili. I shared some of this bar with others at work, and one individual bit into more curry than he bargained for. Trick or treat. It's Halloween!

Halloween is a big chocolate holiday. For the past two years I've been trying to get a hold of a chocolate skull or something that might tie in with the Day of the Dead celebrations this week. I ordered a chocolate skull for Halloween, but shortly after I submitted my order, the company sent me an email message saying the item was discontinued. It's a pity. Next year maybe...

ChocolateBet: October 30, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
Redstone's
Old New Orleans - French Roast Coffee and Cacao Nibs dark chocolate bar
Good + - Very Good
Wt.: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) out of a 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 147 calories (estimate) in 1 oz.
Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Natalie's Candy Bar, shop at DFW Airport, in Dallas, TX

This Old New Orleans "72% dark" bar from distributor and importer, Redstone Foods (Carrollton, TX)*, was flavored with ground coffee and cocoa nibs was much like I imagined a fusion between Old New Orleans + Texas might be -- bursting with flavor and anything but bashful. It became a bit more of a mouthful (i.e. more brittle and harder to bite into) when cold; but that is true of many chocolate bars, especially thicker ones.

*As part of their private label offerings, Redstone Foods also markets a line of Redstone's chocolate bars, including today's bar.

ChocolateBet: October 29, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1.5 oz. (1/2 bar)
Redstone's
La Azteca - cinnamon, chile and cacao nibs, dark chocolate
("72% dark")
Very Good
Wt.: 1.5 oz. (43 g.)/3.0 oz. (85 grams) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.99 in total bar
Purchased from: Natalie's Candy Bar, DFW Airport shop, in Dallas, TX

ChocolateBet: October 28, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
SOMA chocolatemaker
Green Tangerine (dark 66% Trinitario/Criollo; from Madagascar) bar
Very Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (23.3 grams) / 100 grams total in package
Calories: 155 calories (estimate)
Cost: $? (need to find, check receipt)
Purchased from: SOMA chocolatemaker, in Toronto, ON, Canada

Very nice 66% cacao (Trinitario and Criollo beans from Madagascar) chocolate base. The green tangerine was good and interesting, although I could taste this citrus flavor more in some bites, than others.

ChocolateBet: October 27, 2008

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

4 pieces
SOMA chocolatemaker
1.) Gooderham Worts Whiskey - Very Good
2.) 8-yr aged Balsamic Vinegar - Very Good +
3.) "Arbequina" estate olive oil - Very Good
4.) Douglas Fir - Very Good +
Wt.: ~ 1.8 oz. for 4 pieces
Calories: ~ 279 calories for 4 pieces
Cost: $ (I need to find, check receipt)
Purchased from: SOMA chocolatemaker, in Toronto, ON, Canada

SOMA is located in an old brick distillery, and the ~ 5-yr. old company makes chocolates on the premises (you can watch through a window in the store).

These four individual chocolates contained wonderful, unique flavors. All of them tasted like they were made with very high-quality chocolate. I gave the Balsamic Vinegar and the Douglas Fir a few extra points for originality and for tasting well balanced and better than I expected they would. I had intended to eat only one of these each day for four days, but...Oh well, they disappeared quickly...I was curious to "pair" the balsamic vinegar and the olive oil together. And, that worked fairly well. Next time I'm in Toronto, maybe I'll buy a few of these and melt them over a nice green salad. But, seriously, they were quite good; and the Douglas Fir was a great introduction to combining chocolate with pine tree-like flavors. The Worts whiskey was very good, but I couldn't taste any whiskey.

ChocolateBet: October 26, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
Chocolate (cafe/restaurant)
"Coca" dark hot chocolate made with coconut milk
Very Good
Wt.: ~ 7 oz.
Calories: ~ 200 calories
Cost: ~ $4.00 + tax & tip
Purchased from: Chocolate (cafe/restaurant), in Santa Cruz, CA

Chocolate works chocolate into their menu in several interesting ways. I also split a spicy chocolate barbequed pork roast entree with a friend; and tried a few bites of their coconut cheesecake (which also has some chocolate in it as well). Chocolate offers a series of interesting hot drinking chocolate choices and desserts.

This was the second time I had been here, and there are plenty of items I can try in the future if I'm over in Santa Cruz.

ChocolateBet: October 25, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Laura Secord
70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Square (wrapped), part of assortment
Good+
Weight: ~ .4 oz (12 g.)/200 grams in total box
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $0 (gift)
Purchased from: N/A

I liked this Laura Secord dark chocolate a bit better than the milk chocolate.