Quaranta - Nougat with Orange Peel, Dark Chocolate bar - Jan. 26, 2015

Nougat Chocolate of the Day: 

Industria Dolciaria Quaranta Srl
Nougat Passion - Orange Peel and Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 141 calories in 30 g. serving
Cost: $4.49 in total bar
Purchased from: Crossroads International Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

This rectangular, cream-colored soft Nougat Passion bar from Industria Dolciaria Quaranta (Caravaggio BG, Italy) was a visual feast -- loaded with tiny dark chocolate chips, almonds and hazelnuts, and colorful striplets of candied orange peel.

The sweetness of the soft nougat dominated, but the other ingredients contributed to a well-balanced flavor and texture blend. The nuts added crunchy texture and helped to balance the sugar.

Enstrom Candies - Almond Toffee Single - Jan. 25, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Enstrom Candies
Almond Toffee Single
Good+
Weight: .75 oz. (21 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 110 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ 0.99 for 1 packet/bar
Purchased from: The Fresh Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

This petite Almond Toffee Single bar from Enstrom Candies (Grand Junction, CO), packed a lot of good flavor in a single serving.

The core of this tiny bar was a slab of buttery, crunchy toffee with generously sized pieces of almond that was enveloped in dark (61% cacao) chocolate.

The convenient single-serving size was large enough to satisfy, and small enough to avoid over-indulgence.

Amazing Grass - Sweet and Savory Almond Bar - Jan. 24, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amazing Grass
Sweet and Savory Almond
Whole Food Energy Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA


Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week, the chocolate of the day was this Sweet and Savory Almond energy bar from Amazing Grass (Newport Beach, CA).

Gluten and Soy Free, Organic and Vegan, this Green Superfood Almond Whole Food Energy Bar was also "cold processed." I'm assuming keeping temperatures down helps preserve nutritional value.

Rather than a chocolate coating, organic chocolate chips were incorporated into the bar, along with a long list of other ingredients. Normally, a long list means additives, preservatives, emulsifiers and such, but not here.

The bar contained a blend of greens, fruits and vegetables, and an Amazing Grass Green Superfood blend found in the company's other bars as well. The green blend included grasses, alfalfa, spirulina, spinach, and broccoli.

As indicated by the term "whole food," generous layers of whole almonds, peanuts, and cashew pieces were visible in this energy bar.

Endangered Species - Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar - Jan. 23, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate
Natural Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 184 calories in 2/5 bar
Cost: $3.59 for one bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

For those that abhor strong, robust or bitter flavors in dark chocolate, there are several milk chocolate bars that might fill the bill. This Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN) offers mild, authentic chocolate flavor with a creamy mouthfeel, and a sprinkling of embedded, roasted almond bits.

Made with 48% cocoa (from Rainforest Alliance Certified Farms), Endangered Species Chocolate creates chocolate with a purpose.

This gluten-free bar with almonds features a photograph of a Sandhill Crane on the front. The company has chosen to highlight the plight of dozens of endangered animals and birds on their bars (each flavor features a different animal or bird) as part of their mission to support habitat and species conservation. Ten percent of net proceeds are donated to partner organizations that support this cause.

Charles Chocolates - Tres Cojones bar - Jan. 22, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Charles Chocolates
Tres Cojones Bar (Triple Nut Bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 262 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Calafia Cafe and Market A Go-Go, Palo Alto, CA

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

The Tres Cojones Bar (Triple Nut Bar) from Charles Chocolates (San Francisco, CA) was chock full of nuts (roasted almonds, hazelnuts and pine nuts) in 65% bittersweet chocolate.

The bar's description on the back label acknowledged the slightly risque name: "While not the most serious name, this is one serious chocolate bar..."

I have to agree, it was seriously good. The nuts were perfectly roasted, adding satisfying, crunchy texture. And a hint of sweet, nutty perfume infused this thick and smooth bittersweet bar.

Artisan du Chocolat - Almond Milk bar - Jan. 21, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Artisan du Chocolat
Almond Milk bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .95 oz. (27 g.)/ 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 144 calories (estimate) for 3/5 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: n/a - sample

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week, and I was watching squirrels frolic in the sun and winter greenery in my California backyard this morning. (Winter is when we see green shoots and grass here.) I guiltily admit, I occasionally throw a few left-over almonds outside for these little furry, forest-planters*.

At the same time, I reached into my chocolate vault to pick a bar with almonds, and found this one (packaging adorned with an array of active, green squirrels). Perfect.

Almonds come in many forms: raw, toasted, sliced, and ground into almond butter. However, until today, I had yet to taste a "milk" chocolate bar made from almond milk.

Today's Almond Milk bar from Artisan du Chocolat (London**) is just that, made with almond "milk" -- as a replacement for dairy in this creamy, 40% cocoa chocolate bar with a slight hint of marzipan/almond paste flavor from the holidays.

Speaking of cow's milk alternatives, the company also makes a bar with buffalo milk.

*However surburban dwellers might feel about squirrels in their gardens (digging them up to plant nuts, seeds), it's good to remember that this same annoying habit has resulted in much of the forested land around the globe. 

** Factory moved to Ashford Kent in 2006

Mast Brothers - Almond Chocolate bar - Jan. 20, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mast Brothers
Almond Chocolate bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 188 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ lost receipt (between $8 - $12)
Purchased from: Oxbow Produce and Grocery, in the Oxbow Public Market, Napa, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

This dark chocolate 73% cacao Almond bar from Mast Brothers (Brooklyn, NY) was adorned with sliced almonds and contained a trace of olive oil and sea salt.  Although the word "adorned" seems out-of-place and a bit fancy for these two chocolate makers who appear to have pruned back their approach to serious, laser-focused basics.

They have a factory in Brooklyn. They make their chocolate from scratch. They craft two-ingredient chocolate bars (cacao beans and sugar). A few of their colorful "wallpaper style" outer wrappers seemed the only element tied to flights of aesthetic fancy.

But the resulting bars pay tribute to their focus. This Almond bar was full of tart, fruit/acidic flavor from the chocolate itself, and a bit of almond help balance this profile and add some texture. All the while the base chocolate was the star. This was not a bar where the inclusions overwhelmed, or helped cover up any shortcomings in, the chocolate. No soy lecithin or vanilla here. Just good, flavorful chocolate with an almond accent.