ChocolateBet: May 12, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 serving

Sunny Side Organics

Satellite Organic Maya Chocolate (drinking chocolate)

Very Good

Weight: 3 Tbsp. / 8 oz. (227 g.) total bag

Calories: approx. 200 calories including hot milk, water

Cost: N/A - gift

Purchased from: N/A - gift

Today was Day #5 of Drinking Chocolate/Chocolate Beverage Theme Week. Chef Aaron runs the Sunny Side Cafe in Albany, CA, but also offers a line of Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate "Satellite" drinking mixes -- made with powdered cacao and chocolate shavings.

The Organic Mayan Chocolate (65% cacao) drinking chocolate,  was labeled "bittersweet" and was made with organic cacao powder, organic evaporated cane juice, nonfat dry milk, vanilla powder and beans, and Criollo cacao liquor. I found it to be a very nice blend with just the right amount of rich flavor and a hint of sweetness. I added hot milk and water.

ChocolateBet: May 11, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
Hiram Walker and Sons, Co.
Kahlua Mudslide
Good +
Weight: 66 mL/200 mL in 1 small bottle /(total pack of 4 bottles)
Calories: information not listed on label
Cost: $7.99 for 4 bottle pack
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Drinking Chocolate/Chocolate Beverage Theme Week. And, I made a switch from high-end cacao-based drinking chocolates to a pre-mixed cocktail -- an area where chocolate often plays a supporting role. I am nothing if not a chocolate omnivore.

I liked these smaller sized bottles, as I am not a big drinker. A portion of one bottle, chilled, in a glass, was fine for me.  Of course, one could also splash some over vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Mudslide!

And speaking of dirt and/or mud... I also was able to taste a good "dirt" bar today. Thank you to Sunita at The Chocolate Garage for allowing me to help test some chocolate bar samples, including one with strong dirt or earth notes. 

ChocolateBet: May 10, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
Cocoa Rustica
(Madagascar)
Very Good
Weight: 2 tsp. (11 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $varies
Purchased from: N/A - sample, Cocoa Rustica

In the world of sitting down with a hot beverage, there is coffee, which picks you up, and tea, which may relax you. And then there is drinking chocolate made from ground cacao beans. Rich in theobromine -- a molecular sibling of caffeine -- freshly ground cocoa is likely to give you a softer, more expansive lift than coffee, one conducive to conversation.

Mark Sommer (Arcata, CA) has developed his Cocoa Rustica offering in part to promote a thoughtful ritual around higher quality cocoa sipping -- suitable for a social occasion or enjoying a quiet moment by yourself. In Latin America you might see small cups of strong coffee (or cafecitos) being served to a guest. I would contrast this to a large cup of coffee to-go, on the run. Mark is replicating the former, not the latter experience.

I recently attended an informal, but cozy cocoa soiree at a neighbor's house (thank you to Michael for hosting), where Mark was telling guests about the history/story of cacao, showing a "block" of cacao (see photo above), and serving Cocoa Rustica (ground to a thick powder) -- with special cups, spoons, and spices, made by artisans for this purpose. Soiree attendees contributed fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and other items; and similar to the "stone soup" story, a very nice evening was created. Mark offers a basket with these items and also includes a small whisk for blending the cocoa powder with the desired amount of boiling water, sweeteners or other additions. Cocoa Rustica, from either Madagascar or Venezuela, was also available a la carte.

Today I tried the Madagascar cocoa (using my own cup from home). Store the cocoa in a cool, dark place and try to use it when it's fresh, to enjoy all the complex flavor notes. I recommend starting with a very small cup, tasting it unsweetened first, and then stirring in sweeteners and/or spices.

Today was Day #3 of Drinking Chocolate/Chocolate Beverage Theme Week.

The Granada Chocolate Company - Organic Cocoa Powder - May 9, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 serving
The Grenada Chocolate Company
Organic Cocoa Powder
Very Good
Weight: 2 Tb. (11 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) total package
Calories: 32 calories in 2 Tb. serving (+ milk, sugar, spices)
Cost: $9.00 total package
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, in Palo Alto, CA

The Grenada Chocolate Company's Organic Cocoa Powder was an attractive, reddish shade of brown, and had a slightly bitter taste. Although when I added hot water, milk, sugar, spices, there was only a robust, pleasing chocolate undertaste, and no bitter flavor. Spices added: hand-grated nutmeg; allspice and cinnamon.

For those who have a bit more time: I also tried pouring the cocoa, milk and spice mixture through an unbleached paper drip filter like that used for coffee, to get rid of any grittiness from powder or spices, and that seemed to work well without removing much flavor.

Today was Day #2 of Drinking Chocolate/Chocolate Beverages Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: May 8, 2011

Before

Chocolate of the Day:
1 cup+
David Rio
Organic Mint Chocolate (Herbal Tea)
Good
Net Weight: .0425 oz. /0.85 oz. (24 g.) total box
Calories: N/A
Cost: $6.95 total package/box of 20 tea bags
Purchased from: Seabreeze Market, in Berkeley, CA

This is the last day (Day #8) of Organic Chocolate Theme Week -- and Day #1 of Drinking Chocolate Theme Week. David Rio (San Francisco) offers a variety of teas, chai, and other beverage products. The company's Organic Mint Chocolate herbal tea was made with Organic Peppermint, Organic Spearmint, and organic-compliant natural flavors (chocolate essence).

After

If this refreshing infusion (hot or cold) still leaves you craving more cacao, there are several ways to incorporate this tisane into chocolate beverages. For example, I dipped a Mint Chocolate tea bag into some Organic hot chocolate to steep for a few minutes, with good results.

I also added some hot milk with melted dark organic chocolate bar squares -- for a mint-infused dark cocoa drink. Both tisane (before) and mint-infused cocoa (after) versions were good. Some chocolate lovers may want to add a bit of honey or sugar, but I enjoyed this cup of mint tea, with and without milk and chocolate additions -- with no added sweetener.

ChocolateBet: May 7, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 oz.
ChocoLate Organiko
whydark 75% Organic Dark Chocolate (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.4 (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A sample; The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Organic Chocolate Theme Week, and time to sample something from outside the U.S., from ChocoLate Organiko (based in Madrid, Spain). The company's whydark 75% cacao, Organic Dark Chocolate, "Fruity and Slightly Acid" bar was dark, rich and -- as advertised -- somewhat, but not too, acidic. Good thing, as I ate this just before bedtime this evening. After a day spent at a chocolate conference, I still needed to eat my daily chocolate before the clock struck midnight.

ChocolateBet: May 6, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:
1 bar
Lulu's Chocolate
Maca Green Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)
Calories: 147 calories (estimate)
Cost: N/A
Purchased from: N/A - Lulu's booth at San Francisco International Chocolate Salon

Today was Day #6 of Organic Chocolate Theme Week. Lulu's raw, organic (55% cacao) Maca Green Bar was made with certified Ecuadorian cocoa butter, maca, coconut palm sugar, cacao nibs, spirulina, mesquite, vanilla and sea salt. The result: an attractively stamped dark bar with interesting, complex taste and crunchy texture.