ChocolateBet: August 16, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

2 slices cake + other items
Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Amy's Cakes - Chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 3.06 oz. (86.8 oz.) / 11 oz. (312 g.) total cake
Calories: 300 calories for cake (+ 75 calories for peach pomegranate jam sauce and light whipped cream)
Cost: $5.99 for total cake
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

To celebrate, I tried a piece of Amy's Gluten Free, Non-Dairy, and Vegan Chocolate Cake. You might think you'd be missing out with a label with so many omissions; but you'd be wrong. This chocolate cake was moist and delicious, and provided a great base for peach pomegranate sauce and whipped cream.

ChocolateBet: August 15, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
3 chocolate covered figs (+ pomegranate wine and juice)
Wine Country Chocolates
Good +
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) (estimate) / 3.6 oz. (101.8 g.) (estimate) in total package of 6 figs
Calories: 230 calories (just for 3 figs)
Cost: $6.00 for total package of 6 figs
Purchased from: Wine Country Chocolates, in Sonoma, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week; and today's chocolate banquet took on a vaguely Mediterranean flavor.

A bowl of chocolate covered figs, topped with whipped cream, pistachio nuts, strawberry slices, and spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), was accompanied by pomegranate wine from Armenia.

Honest Ade Pomegranate Blue juice drink provided a refreshing, non-alcoholic tasting addition to this mix. No wonder I was ready for a nap afterwards.

ChocolateBet: August 14, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/32 of a bar
Bartons Confectioners
Exquisite Pomegranate Chocotini bar
OK + - Good
Weight: .109 oz. (3 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (99 g.) total bar (8 squares)
Calories: 15 calories (estimate) for small bite of 1 square
Cost: $3.49 for total bar
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA

Bartons alcohol-free, milk chocolate rendition of a pomegranate chocolate martini was nicely packaged, with a bar easily broken into 8 squares for tasting. The consistency of the squares was smooth; however, I found the artificial flavors used in this bar a bit overwhelming. This is the only offering in Bartons Exquisite Chocotini line that I've tasted to date; I may try one of their other (Strawberry Lemonade, Black Raspberry, or Mojito) Chocotini bars in the future.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 13, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/6 bar
Nirvana Belgian Chocolates
Organic 72% Dark Chocolate with Pomegranate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .58 oz. (16.6 g.)/3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 90 calories for 1/6 bar (estimate)
Cost: $6.95 for total bar
Purchased from: ?

Today's (72% cocoa) Dark Chocolate Pomegranate bar was made from organic Trinitario cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic, and vanilla from Madagascar. For those interested in more origin details: according to the label, this bar was produced in Belgium by Klingele Chocolade, and was certified organic by IMO, Switzerland.

Last week I was scrambling to find chocolates that would qualify for a chocolate and pomegranate theme week. However, I need not have fretted; today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week, and my chocolate vault is now well-stocked after a successful chocolate and pomegranate hunting safari. If I'd waited a few more months (when pomegranates come back into season in California), I could have incorporated some fresh pomegranate (fruit) into the list of chocolate choices. I'll have to consider growing seasons when I plan other produce-related theme weeks in the future. Coming up later this week: peach and pomegranate jam sauce and whipped cream on a gluten-free chocolate cake, and chocolate-covered figs paired with pomegranate wine.

ChocolateBet: August 12, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1.2 oz. serving (6 squares)
World Market/Cost Plus, Inc.
Pomegranate Dark Chocolate (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.)/3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 176 calories in 6 squares
Cost: $1.99 for total bar
Purchased from: World Market store in Mountain View, CA

World Market offers a line of very reasonably priced dark chocolate items. This pomegranate and vanilla flavored bar also seemed to have a very slight, not unpleasant coconut flavor note. Altogether, this 64% cacao bar was a great choice for Day #3 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 11, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
One (1.5 oz.) serving
Trader Joe's
Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) in total container
Calories: 200 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $2.99
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, in Menlo Park, CA

I enjoyed these dark chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds. They had just the right amount of flavor and texture for my taste. Day #2 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week also found me hunting for pomegranate and chocolate-related items for the remaining five days of this week. Fortunately, I found several items at the local Bevmo (beverage chain) and Piazza's Market (local supermarket). Yes, interesting and unique chocolates abound in large suburbs and cities this year.

ChocolateBet: August 10, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 truffles
The Xocolate Bar
Pomegranate Truffles
Good - Good +
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) (estimate) 2 truffles
Calories: 124 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.50 for 2 truffles
Purchased from: The Xocolate Bar, in Berkeley, CA

White chocolate shells -- with a red pattern across the top, these Pomegranate Truffles from the Xocolate Bar had a dark chocolate ganache. The milder and sweeter white chocolate coating helped balance out the darker, tangy filling.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week. The challenge will be to find seven chocolate and pomegranate items, that I haven't eaten before. Pomegranate items are relatively uncommon (and the fruit is currently out of season here -- silly me). So, I may have to do some serious hunting.