ChocolateBet: January 18, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
.75 oz. (21.2 g.) serving
Chuao Chocolatier
Coffee and Anise bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 148 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.97 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Walmart, American Canyon, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. And the chocolate choice for the day was a dark chocolate (60% cacao) bar "with finely ground espresso and star anise." I liked these three flavors together; they were blended in the right proportions for my taste. My only quibble: I found that I didn't care for the fine grit from the expresso/star anise that was detectable in some bites of this bar. I would have preferred to taste these nice strong flavors in a dark, (grit-free) smooth base.

This Coffee and Anise bar came packaged with an interesting insert on Chef Michael Antonorsi, co-founder of Chuao Chocolatier -- based in Southern California.

...And yes, you read the "Purchased from:" line correctly; I bought this relatively fancy bar at Walmart.

ChocolateBet: January 17, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Sweet Earth Chocolates
Espresso Vegan Truffle
Weight: .45 oz. (12.7 g.) (estimate) one truffle
Calories: 71 calories (estimate) in one truffle
Cost: N/A - holiday gift (thank you again to Alec and Ardis)
Purchased from: N/A - gift, purchased from Sweet Earth Chocolates, San Luis Obispo, CA

Among the many chocolate options today are vegan offerings. I marvel at those who can craft truffles without the help of cream or butter. This round Espresso Vegan Truffle from Sweet Earth Chocolates (made with Fair Trade chocolate) had a nice, smooth filling.

Providing a texture contrast was a coating of finely ground, rougher bean bits -- which can be seen in the "before" picture (above right). As readers of this blog know by now, the "after" pictures usually do not end well for the chocolate.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: January 16, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Sweet Earth Chocolates
Cafe au Lait Truffle
Very Good +
Weight: .45 oz. (12.7 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 72 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ N/A - holiday gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift purchased from Sweet Earth Chocolates, San Luis Obispo, CA

It's time to wake up and get moving. Time to put all those 2011 New Year plans into motion.

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. This blend of at least partly caffeinated flavors is a popular one; and I knew I would have no trouble finding at least seven chocolate items with coffee or espresso to form this theme week.

Today's Cafe au Lait Truffle was made from Fair Trade Chocolate, by  Sweet Earth Chocolates. The company is based in San Luis Obispo, located in the Central Coast of California. The Truffle was filled with a sweet creamy coffee flavored filling, and topped with a crunchy coffee bean.

ChocolateBet: January 15, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
2 truffles
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Raspberry Chocolate Truffles
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .9 oz. (25.47 g.) (estimate) for 2 truffles
Calories: 130 calories (estimate) for 2 truffles
Cost: $N/A - samples
Purchased from: N/A - from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, Rochester, New York

Today's 5-piece set of Raspberry Chocolate Truffles are from Rochester, New York-based Hedonist Chocolates. Each piece is decorated with a different design. Made from fresh raspberries, raspberry liqueur and semi-sweet chocolate, these lovebird-inspired TweetHeart truffles are a reminder that Valentines Day is one month away.

ChocolateBet: January 14, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
2 oz. (57 g.) serving
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Pistachio Ginger Bark
Very Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 5 oz. (141.5 g.) total package
Calories: 280 calories (estimate) in 2 oz. of bark
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, Rochester, NY

Ginger is a good bridge from Chocolate and Chai Theme Week, covered the past week, to today's chocolate from Rochester, New York-based Hedonist Artisan Chocolates.

Fresh-tasting shards of dark chocolate were topped with crunchy, whole green pistachio nuts and glittering bits of candied/crystallized ginger. In short, it was everything I would hope for in a Pistachio Ginger Bark. Chocolate, shown above right, is on its way to being gratefully devoured.

ChocolateBet: January 13, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1/2 bar
Shaman Chocolates
Organic Dark Chocolate with Green Tea and Ginger
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) total bar
Calories: 170 calories (per label)
Cost: $2.99 total bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day of Chocolate and Chai Theme Week. I paired a Shaman Chocolates Green Tea and Ginger (60% cacao) bar with two different kinds of homemade, hot Chai tea.

This Organic, Fair Trade Certified Green Tea and Ginger dark bar is one of a line of different bars made exclusively for Shaman Chocolates (based in Soquel, CA). Profits from these chocolate bars support the Huichol Indians in Mexico. These descendants of the Aztec people live in the mountains of Jalisco and Nayarit, in Western Central Mexico.

According to the Shaman Chocolates site, "chocolate is sacred to the Huichols who have used it for thousands of years in their ceremonies...Shaman Chocolates gives all of its profits to support three Huichol villages. Every bar you buy helps sustain the Huichols and keeps their ancient shamanic traditions alive."

ChocolateBet: January 12, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 bar
Dagoba
chai
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.7 g.)
Calories: 296 calories
Cost: $2.79
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

The Organic, Gluten Free Dagoba  Chai bar -- with milk chocolate (37% cacao content), crystallized ginger and spices (essential oils) -- was a great fit for Day #6 of Chocolate and Chai Theme Week.

I'd intended to eat only half this bar, but the remaining chocolate in the wrapper called out to me this afternoon. And you know the rest of the story. All gone.