Base Culture - Almond Butter Brownie - July 2, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Base Culture, LLC

Almond Butter Brownie

Good+++

Weight: 2.2 oz. (62 g.) in 1 package/brownie

Calories: 280 calories in 1 brownie

Cost: $2.19 for 1 package/brownie

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Honey Theme Week.

This Almond Butter Brownie was created by Base Culture, LLC (Clearwater, FL). And this brownie's number one ingredient was honey.* 

The lovely thing about dense, moist chocolate brownies is that so many gluten-free versions taste great. Today's brownie was very tasty, and was made with the aforementioned honey, cashew butter, coconut oil, unsweetened chocolate, almond butter, cocoa powder, coconut flour, water, baking soda, cream of tartar, sea salt.

While this brownie may not work for those with nut allergies, this paleo-style individually-wrapped brownie was "grain free, gluten free, paleo, Non-GMO, kosher, dairy free, soy free, and preservative free."

Perfect Bar - Almond Coconut bar - July 1, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Perfect Bar, LLC
Almond Coconut bar
Good
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 290 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from family
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Honey Theme Week.

The Almond Coconut refrigerated protein bar from Perfect Bar (San Diego, CA) was satisfying, chewy, and surprisingly sweet (organic dates and cranberries, organic apple juice concentrate and honey). This organic, gluten-free bar had rich coconut and almond flavor with a touch of cocoa.

The 8 grams of protein in the bar were primarily supplied by organic almond butter, organic hemp protein and chia powder, and other vegetable oils and fruit and vegetable powders were also incorporated into the bar.

Theo - Salted Almond Chocolate Clusters - June 30, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Theo Chocolate
Salted Almond Chocolate Clusters
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total package
Calories: 230 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $0.99 (sale) for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Salted Almond Chocolate Clusters from Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA) contained dark chocolate, almonds, quinoa, and...drum roll please...coconut. Not a bad flavor combination for a snack, and accented with a shake of pink salt. I could have done without the salt; but most people will like this blend.

These small haystack-like, bite-sized chocolate rounds were certified Organic, Non-GMO verified, and made with fair for life ingredients.

Wilde Chocolate - Coconut Nectar Crunch bar - June 29, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wilde Chocolate 

Coconut Nectar Crunch bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA  

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

The coconut featured in this chocolate is not coconut "meat" or "cream," but rather coconut sugar* used as a sweetener in instead of refined cane sugar.

Today's 70% Cacao Coconut Nectar Crunch bar was made with raw organic cacao and cocoa butter (giving the chocolate a relatively mild, dark flavor); organic coconut sugar and raw vanilla bean (yielding a pleasant crunchy texture with natural sweetness); and a touch of sea salt.

This dairy free, soy free, vegan and paleo bar was made by Wilde Chocolate (Santa Cruz, CA).

*Coconut palm sugar (produced from coconut palm flower bud/stem sap) generally scores lower on the glycemic index and in a less refined form imparts a bit of natural sugar flavor. It does not generally yield a strong coconut flavor.

Chuao Chocolatier - Organic Dark Chocolate Moon Bark - Coconut Almond Radiance - June 28, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chuao Chocolatier

Coconut Almond Radiance - Organic Dark Chocolate Moon Bark 

Good

Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in total package

Calories: 200 calories in 1 package
Cost: $ missing information  

Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Coconut Almond Radiance Organic Dark Chocolate Moon Bark was from Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad, CA).

This disc- or moon-shaped chocolate had a slightly crunchy texture. The base 72% (fair trade) dark chocolate was decorated, mendiant*-style, with toasted coconut, dates and salted caramelized almonds.

On the flip side (not pictured in this post), the disc was scored into quarters, the following words appeared: "Moon Vibes Only." Coincidentally we were out last night admiring our wondrous summer moon; it was shining between branches in the backyard. What a treat.

*A mendiant is a French-style chocolate confection, usually round and flat, with nuts and fruits pressed into or dropped/placed onto a cooling chocolate disc. Each inclusion was said to represent one of the monastic orders in France, and possibly to represent the colors of monks" robes.

Ben and Jerry's - Coconuts for Caramel Core Ice Cream - June 27, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ben and Jerry's
Coconuts for Caramel Core Ice Cream
Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (106 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) in total container
Calories: 270 calories in 1 serving (1/2 cup)
Cost: $2.50 (sale) in 1 container
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Coconuts for Caramel Core Ice Cream was from Ben and Jerry's* Ice Cream (South Burlington, VT). 

Caramel ice cream and coconut ice cream—flecked with chocolate pieces ("fudge flakes")—surrounded a central well of golden brown caramel. The combination created a built-in ice cream sundae.

No flavors were particularly strong in this blend; and, in fact, the coconut flavor was fairly mild.

*The Ben and Jerry's brand is owned by Unilever.

Sun-Rype - Good Bites Chocolate Macaroon(s) - June 26, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sun-Rype Products

Good Bites - Chocolate Macaroon(s)

Good

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 5.3 oz. (150 g.) in total package

Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving (3 pieces)

Cost: $4.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Safeway, Dublin, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

These featured Chocolate Macaroon Good Bites were from Sun-Rype Products Ltd. (Kelowna, BC, Canada). The company's roots date back to 1946, when Sun-Rype got its start in the fresh fruit and beverage (juice) market.

Today's Chocolate Macaroon Good Bites contained dates, seeds (sunflower, flax, pumpkin, chia), coconut and chocolate and cocoa powder, with a touch of apple juice concentrate and sea salt.

The chewy bites had balanced fruity chocolate and coconut flavor, and the softened seeds added a bit of texture.