Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates - Caipirinha, Black Currant - April 18, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates and Desserts
Caipirinha
Black Currant
Good - Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $17.00 + $15.64 (shipping) = $24.35 for a box of 8 chocolates 
Purchased from: Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates and Desserts, online order

Today was Day #11 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

Caipirinha is considered the national cocktail of Brazil. The drink is made with Brazilian sugar cane brandy, lime and cane sugar (or sugar cane juice).

So, I was excited to feature a Caipirinha-inspired chocolate as part of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

I got close, but unfortunately, Coastal Mist was out of their Caipirinha confection -- filled with a "dark Belgian chocolate ganache mixed with muddled fresh limes and Brazilian cachaca."

Instead I was able to try two other filled Coastal Mist chocolates: a "Black and Gold" (six types of chocolate + nibs) and a "Black Currant." I had the latter today. I enjoyed the creamy milk chocolate ganache that was infused with a subtle black currant flavor.

And, as a consolation, I made my own version of a Caipirinha later in the day, with the ingredients I had on hand. (Rum, brandy, cane sugar, lime, and chocolate bitters.) Saude! (a salute to your health) to all.

Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates - Brazil Nuts Caramel - April 17, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates and Desserts
Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt Caramels with Brazil Nuts
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total box of 8 pieces
Calories: 128 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $24.35 for a 8-piece assortment box (includes shipping)
Purchased from: Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates and Desserts, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

Today's filled chocolates -- two Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt Caramels with Brazil Nuts, were created by the Coastal Mist team that includes Nicole Malloy (owner, chocolatier) at Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates and Desserts (Bandon, OR).

This attractive, curved teardrop (paisley-shaped) chocolate was embossed with a CM (Coastal Mist) logo.

Equally attractive was the flavorful, flowing smoked salt caramel filling, with tiny bits of Brazil nuts, beneath the dark Belgian chocolate shell. (I am a sucker for Alderwood smoked sea salt -- in things savory or sweet.)

Kika's Treats - Salted P'nutty Caramels - April 16, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Kika's Treats
Salted P'nutty Caramels
Good++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in total box of 3 pieces
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 3 pieces
Cost: $4.99 for 1 box of 3 pieces
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

Kika's Treats (San Francisco, CA) owner and chocolatier, Cristina Arantes, was born and raised in Brazil. I've had the pleasure of speaking with her, and talking about treats from Brazil (avocado pies, cheese bread, and other lovelies). A few years ago I ordered a batch of custom palm sugar caramels (made with local SF Bay salt) from her for an event. They were a big hit.

So I was looking forward to today's caramels; and I wasn't disappointed. These GMO and gluten-free, Salted P'nutty Caramels were -- exactly as advertised. Peanut-ty, slightly chewy, coconut palm sugar caramels covered with bittersweet, dark chocolate, with just the right touch of salt across the top. Great combination.

How were these caramels different from traditional caramels made in the U.S.?

Coconut palm sugar* caramels seem to have a richer flavor than caramels made with refined white sugar and corn syrup. And I get less of a sugar buzz after eating them -- not surprising given that coconut palm sugar has a lower glycemic index rating.

*Coconut palm sugar is made from coconut palm tree sap. It is golden in color (more similar to brown sugar), and is lower in fructose than cane sugar.

Cabruca - Banana-Walnut Brigadeiro Truffle - April 15, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Cabruca Chocolates
Banana-Walnut Brigadeiro Truffles
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $34.00 for 15-piece assortment box  (includes shipping)
Purchased from: Cabruca Chocolates, online order

Today's Banana-Walnut Brigadeiro Truffles were the last in a series of Brazil-inspired chocolates from Cabruca Chocolates (Winchester, OR).

Juliana Bounds, who grew up in Brazil, created this piece that she described as a: "Dark chocolate with caramelized bananas, cinnamon and walnut-cocoa pralines; Sprinkled with cinnamon sugar."

The walnut and banana flavors were subtle, and the hint of cinnamon created a slight warmth. I feel I have a much better understanding of Brigadeiro chocolates after working my way through this dark chocolate assortment this week. Thank you Juliana!

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

Cabruca Chocolates - Chile Pepper Brigadeiro Truffle - April 14, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cabruca Chocolates
Chile Pepper Brigadeiro Truffle
Good ++
Weight: 1.55 oz. (44 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 232 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $34.00 for 15-piece assortment box (includes shipping)
Purchased from: Cabruca Chocolates, online order

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

Brigadeiros are a popular Brazilian chocolate bonbon that often serve as a dessert or birthday party treat, and incorporate a touch of local flavor.

Today's Chile Pepper Brigadeiro Truffle -- one of a line of Brigadeiros created by Juliana Bounds at Cabruca Chocolates (Winchester, OR) -- was a great example of what these confections are all about.

This Brigadeiro truffle incorporated a dark chocolate couverture and "outer" ganache. At its core was a slightly sweeter inner ganache with brown sugar/caramel and subtle chile flavor. The outside was dusted with crushed bits of Brazilian chile pepper.

Cabruca - Lime Caramels - April 13, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cabruca Chocolates
Lime Caramels
Good ++
Weight: .8 oz. (22.64 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $34.00 for 15-piece assortment box (includes shipping)
Purchased from: Cabruca Chocolates, online order

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

These pretty, button-style, chocolate covered, flowing caramels from Cabruca Chocolates (Winchester, OR) were infused with just the right amount of tart-sweet lime flavor.

Cabruca Chocolates makes a line of Brazil-inspired chocolates, including Brigadeiro style truffles, caramels and filled chocolates with traditional ganaches. These caramels were part of a dark assortment box that included flavors like Rapadura and Brazil Nuts, Brown Butter and Pink Pepper, and Acai and Honey.

Cabruca Chocolates - Acai and Honey - April 12, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cabruca Chocolates
Acai and Honey
Good - Good +
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $34.00 for 15-piece assortment box (includes shipping)
Purchased from: Cabruca Chocolates, online order

Today I'm featuring another chocolate from Cabruca Chocolates (Winchester, OR). Owner and chocolatier, Juliana Renno Bounds, who grew up in Brazil, created today's Acai and Honey chocolate.

Acai berries grow on a type of palm tree in Brazil. The only acai berries I've located in the San Francisco Bay Area have been frozen*. The resulting dense, icy inky purple pulp I found was slightly tart, heavily sweetened, and designed for smoothies. (I asked Juliana about acai. She confirmed that most people use frozen acai berries for smoothies and acai bowls, even in Brazil.)

Acai fruit, and acai bowls (often topped with fruit and granola), have become popular in U.S. cities in the past few years -- in part due to the berry's high polyphenol and antioxidant content.

The Acai flavor in this chocolate was subtle and pleasant, and not too sweet (which I liked).

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Brazil Theme Weeks.

*Similarly, the only cacao fruit pulp I've been able to find in the U.S. has also been frozen. The cacao fruit starts to ferment quickly, after picking, especially in a warm tropical climate where its grown. A pity, as the fruit pulp has a pleasing fruit (ranging from citrus to watermelon) and floral flavor.