Chuao - Orange bar - Nov. 6, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chuao Chocolatier
orange-a-go-go bar
Good
Weight: .924 oz. (26.4 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

This attractive "orange-a-go-go" bar from Chuao Chocolatier (San Diego, CA) bustled with flavors: 60% dark chocolate, candied orange peel, bergamot orange and orange extracts. Each flavor in this sweeter than expected, high-octane bar seemed to be jostling for top position. A-Go-Go, indeed.

Three Twins - Orange Confetti ice cream - Nov. 5, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Three Twins
Chocolate Orange Confetti ice cream
Very Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (85 g.) / 1 Pint (473 g.) total container
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $3.50 (sale) for 1 container
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

A well-made chocolate ice cream is an underrated pleasure. A well-made chocolate ice cream with high-quality flavor additions is a gift. Today's organic chocolate ice cream with orange oil and flecks of dark chocolate from Three Twins (Petaluma, CA) was very good -- creamy, natural tasting, and well-balanced with orange undertones and rich chocolate flavor. The chocolate flecks added some texture and taste.

Warning, if you like ice cream, you may be tempted to have seconds helpings of Three Twins flavors. This one was no exception. I'll likely try pairing this flavor with the company's "Dad's Cardamom" or "Madagascar Vanilla" ice cream in the near future.

John and Kira's - Orange Rosemary bar - Nov. 4, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

John and Kira's
tangy orange + garden rosemary bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.75 oz. (77.8 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: John and Kira's (online order)

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

The "tangy orange + garden rosemary" bar from John and Kira's (Philadelphia, PA) was made in partnership with the company's Urban Garden Partners, who provide ingredients like the fresh rosemary in today's bar. One of these partners, the Common Good City Farm, in Washington, D.C. -- an urban farm and education center -- was highlighted on the packaging that enveloped this bar.

John and Kira's 40% milk chocolate bar, with caramel overtones, was infused with a great balance of orange peel and fresh rosemary flavors. 

John & Kira's Bergamot chocolate - Nov. 3, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

John and Kira's
Just Us Bergamot chocolate
Good +  - Very Good
Weight: .766 oz. (21.7 g.) / 5.75 oz. (163 g.) total box
Calories: 115 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $ 32.00 for 15-piece box -- cost already noted in previous entry for different flavor
Purchased from: John and Kira's (online order)

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week, and an opportunity to try another orange-related chocolate from John and Kira's (Philadelphia, PA). This chocolate was part of the company's Every Flavor 15-piece Collection box.

John and Kira's "Just Us Bergamot" squares were enrobed with a thin layer of 62% dark Valrhona chocolate. Flavored with organic and fair trade earl grey tea from "Indulgashena tea co-op in Sri Lanka," this dark chocolate square imparted a rich flavor "with slight orange overtones."

A cup of hot Constant Comment (orange and spices) or Earl Grey tea would be a perfect pairing with this flavorful chocolate. Both tea and chocolates kept me warm on a cold, windy fall day.

John and Kira's Angelic Oranges - Nov. 2, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

John and Kira's
Angelic Oranges
Good +
Weight: .33 oz. (9.44 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 9-piece box
Calories: 50 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $29.00 in 1 box of 9 pieces
Purchased from: John and Kira's (online order)

Welcome to the first day of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

This 9-piece box of bright, cheery orange chocolates from John and Kira's (Philadelphia, PA) looked fresh enough to have come right from the tree.

These domed, orange beauties may appeal to white chocolate fans as well. Inside a thin, 62% Valrhona dark chocolate shell was a creamy white chocolate ganache, flavored with orange juice, orange peel, and a hint of Indonesian vanilla. 

Melzy - Figamajigs Bars - Nov. 1, 2013

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Melzy Enterprises, Inc.

1.) Figamajigs - Original bar
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: New Leaf Community Markets, Santa Cruz, CA

2.) Figamajigs - Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: New Leaf Community Markets, Santa Cruz, CA

Happy November all. Today was the last day of Chocolate, Date and/or Fig Theme Week.

These made-in-California Figamajig (bar) creations from Melzy Enterprises, Inc. (San Mateo, CA) tasted (and in fact were) nutrient dense* and satisfying, with a well-balanced blend of moist dried fig and cocoa inside a dark chocolate coating. The Almond bar, a variant on the Original flavor, also contained almond pieces.

*Each gluten-free bar contained iron, fiber and calcium. Figs also are a source of "Vitamin B6, potassium and manganese."

Mama Ganache Dark Chocolate Skull - Oct. 31, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates
Fair Trade, Organic Dark Chocolate Skull
Good
Weight: .566 oz. (16 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48.11 g.) (estimate) for 1 skull
Calories: 84.9 calories (estimate) for 1/3 skull
Cost: $2.59 for 1 skull
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Date and/or Fig Theme Week -- and, more important, it was Halloween, an important "date" to celebrate -- eating chocolate.

And what better way to celebrate than an Organic, Dark Chocolate Skull from Mama Ganache (San Luis Obispo, CA) that called to mind Halloween as well as the Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos).

Made from rich, slightly earthy tasting, organic 70% dark chocolate, this skull was decorated with white chocolate eyes, and very straight, white chocolate teeth.

Halloween was also a good day for making spooky faces with bits of dried fruit and nuts. Pin these facial features on pumpkins, if you dare. Dates made great eyeballs, or little, fat "fingers." I enjoyed the date eyeballs today, with dried papaya and chocolate chips (for pupils). Piped cream cheese can also be used for the whites of the "eyes." Nothing fancy, just fun.