ChocolateBet: March 13, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 package
American Outdoor Products, Inc. / Astronaut Foods
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Good
Weight: .7 oz. (19 g.) total package
Calories: 130 calories
Cost: $(lost receipt)
Purchased from: REI, Mountain View or San Carlos store, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. In honor of the safe landing of the last U.S. Space Shuttle Discovery flight this past week, today's chocolate choice was Astronaut Foods Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream -- freeze-dried, like they eat in outer space.

My understanding is that a single slice of ice cream is cut, freeze-dried and packaged. The pieces of this slice were contained in a specially sealed pouch and inner wrapper, and was ready for eating.

I would liken this freeze-dried ice cream to bits of mint chocolate chip meringue -- very light (apparently freeze drying removes 90% of the weight); not quite as sweet as a meringue (which I liked); and ice-cream-like in flavor. Ingredients included milk, chocolate drops, and natural peppermint flavoring. The package label says that freeze-dried food dates back to the early Mercury (space) Missions; and that this and other products "continue to be used on NASA missions today."

ChocolateBet: March 12, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1/4 bar
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 110 calories - 1/4 bar
Cost: $(misplaced receipt)
Purchased from: Vosges, in Caesars Forum Shops, Las Vegas, NV

Two of the many reasons why I like dark chocolate bars: they're usually not overly sweet, and (provided they're kept in a cool dark place) they can be stored for a few months and eaten later.  I prefer to eat freshly made chocolate, but I have a chocolate backlog situation at the moment. Fortunately, just as some people have wine storage areas, I have a small chocolate vault space. And, today, I reached into the vault and pulled out this nice Vosges dark chocolate (62% cacao) Peppermint Candy Cane Bar, which I bought a few months ago at a Vosges shop, while visiting Las Vegas.

As promised, this dark bar contained peppermint -- 5% crushed peppermint and peppermint oil, according to the ingredients list; and it was not too sweet. Perfect choice for Day #6 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: March 11, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
12 pieces
Three Senses Gourmet, Inc.
Gluten Free Chocolate Souffle Bites
Very Good
Weight: 8 oz.
Calories: lots and lots
Cost: $6.99 total package of 12 pieces/bites
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. Fresh mint is a great side dish to serve with chocolate. I am fortunate that I had some growing in my yard. These greens and fruits helped balance out all that fresh unsalted butter, eggs, chocolate and sugar in these individual bake-and-serve souffle bites from Three Seasons Gourmet (based in Danville, CA).

ChocolateBet: March 10, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Tropical Chocolate Company
Meyer Lemon Basil
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.)
Calories: 58 calories
Cost: N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift (thank you Alec, Ardis)

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.  So, you may be wondering about today's Meyer Lemon Basil chocolate choice. Here's where "Actually Man"* jumps in...

Actually, Basil is a member of the very large mint family. (Also part of the mint family: sage, marjoram, oregano, and many other plants that might also be considered cooking herbs.)

Regardless of basil's place in mint botanical correctness, I really liked this chocolate made from Meyer lemon(s) from Arroyo Grande, Organic basil from Paso Robles, and dark chocolate (65%) ganache. The Meyer Lemon and basil flavors were both distinct and nicely balanced. My only crime here: I waited too long to eat this. I'm sure this chocolate would have been even better fresh off the tray. I look forward to the next time I'm in San Luis Obispo (Central Coast area of California); I will drop by Tropical Chocolate's shop to re-sample this chocolate and others.

*Actually Man is a little character we made up at a family dinner recently. Sometimes we're so stuffed with knowledge on a given topic, we just have to share. All of us have the potential to transform into Actually Man (or Woman). I imagine this character being about two-feet tall, having a little asterisk on it's blue and yellow superhero costume, and maybe wearing glasses.

ChocolateBet: March 9, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 Tall beverage
Starbucks
Iced Peppermint Mocha
Very Good
Weight: 12 oz.
Calories: 200 calories
Cost: $3.65
Purchased from: Starbucks, in Hercules, CA

Starbucks offers a wide variety of flavored beverages that incorporate mocha or chocolate in some form. Today, after a walk, I stopped at a Starbucks in Hercules, CA, for an Iced Peppermint Mocha -- which was refreshing and chocolatey-rich tasting. I liked the fact that the ice helped tone down the sweetness, and that the woman who served up this mocha offered to adjust the peppermint level, and fat level and type of milk. In the end, I stuck with the default options. Sometimes having these little choices gives me an odd sense of comfort. I'll admit it; I may not be able to control what's going on around me much of the time, but I can choose 1% or 2% fat milk in my iced beverage.

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: March 8, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Sacred Chocolate
"Arctic Chi" truffle
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 71 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ (part of a 9-piece truffle assortment)
Purchased from: Sacred Chocolate, via Chocolate.com

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. This raw, vegan Arctic Chi truffle from Sacred Chocolate received its mint flavor from oils of peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen; and I believe the top was dusted with tiny cocoa butter shavings.

ChocolateBet: March 7, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 cookie
The Inspired Cookie
Peppermint Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Very Good
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.)
Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $2.99
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

This gluten-free (dairy-free, nut-free and vegan) "clarity" cookie from The Inspired Cookie was studded with refreshing, peppermint flavored chocolate pieces. Can I say I enjoyed brushing my teeth with a cookie? (The peppermint toothpaste analogy is meant as a compliment.) The overall cookie texture and taste were quite good.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.