Bulletproof - Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein Bar - Nov. 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bulletproof
Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein bar
Good
Weight: 1.58 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein bar was manufactured for Bulletproof 360, Inc. (Seattle, WA). The company's CEO, Dave Asprey, has focused on products that help support health, longevity and performance.

This bar was designed not for fun or deep, rich chocolate flavor, but rather more with function in mind: high protein (11 g.), optimized fats (14 g.) and lower carbohydrates (14 g. total carbs and only 2 g. of sugars).

I liked this bar more than the often heavy, sweet and gooey compressed bars that claim to be nutrition or protein bars. This felt more lean and sleek and less sweet (with no added sugar, thank you!), with a uniform light crunch, touch of chocolate brownie flavor and a hint of sea salt.

Highly refined and fine-tuned oils* were used to make these bars. The collagen protein came from grass-fed cows.

*Ingredients: Organic cashew butter, grass-fed collagen protein, inulin (chicory), Bulletproof(tm) XCT oil powder (caprylic and capric acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut and/or palm kernel oil, tapioca dextrin, cocoa powder, organic cashews, Bulletproof (tim) Brain Octane oil (caprylic acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut oil), vanilla extract, organic coconut oil, sea salt, organic stevia leaf extract.

Better Bites Bakery - Sun Butter Do Bites - Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough - Nov. 24, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Better Bites
Sun Butter Do Bites - Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total container of 6 pieces
Calories: 144 calories in 1 serving/bite
Cost: $1.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Enrobed Cookie Dough Sun Butter Do Bites were from Better Bites Bakery (Austin, TX).

Free of 8 major allergens* (including wheat, peanuts, soy, dairy, egg, tree nuts, fish, shellfish), the "dough" at the center of these sweet Sun Butter Do confections consisted primarily of sugar (white and brown), a gluten-free flour blend and oils.

The flavor and consistency of cookie dough was enhanced with finely ground, sunflower seeds—a novel way to create the feel of cookie dough and to add some protein to help balance the sugar.

Thanks to the chocolate coating, each mouthful of these jumbo marshmallow shaped Do Bites yielded a pleasing, uniform chocolatey flavor as well.

*Better Bites Bakery was founded by Leah Lopez after her young son was diagnosed with severe food allergies.

88 Acres - the seed co. - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar - Nov. 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a satisfying nutty-seedy chew. The company uses a seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in their bars, allowing people to satisfy their nut cravings without the nuts (which is good for people with nut allergies).

The whisper of sea salt worked nicely, adding a wee bit of flavor without overdoing it. This bar was also not too sweet (thank you!).

88 Acres - Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar - Nov. 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a slightly nutty, coffee aroma. The company's seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds gave this a nice crunchy texture. The mocha flavor was subtle and balanced.

Health Warrior - Pumpkin Seeds, Honey, Cocoa and Peanuts - Dark Chocolate Bar - Nov. 21, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Health Warrior
Pumpkin Seeds with Honey, Cocoa and Peanuts Dark Chocolate Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) for 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Pumpkin Seeds with Honey, Cocoa and Peanuts Dark Chocolate Bar was from Health Warrior (Richmond, VA).

Health Warrior, founded in 2010 by three college athletes, offers a variety of chia and pumpkin seed bars and protein products (e.g., single serving protein muffins, protein powder).

Today's Organic, Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified bar had a hearty soft crunch from pumpkin seeds and peanuts. The seeds and peanuts were complemented with sweet wildflower honey and chocolate flavor from cocoa powder, resulting in an ebony-colored, shiny confection that was not too sweet (thank you!).

Health Warrior - Pumpkin Seeds with Honey and Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar - Nov. 20, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Warrior
Pumpkin Seeds with Honey and Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Good
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) for 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Pumpkin Seeds with Honey and Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar was from Health Warrior (Richmond, VA).

Made with a relatively short list of ingredients,* this bar had a chewy, satisfying, soft seedy texture and a balanced sweetness (wildflower honey) and chocolate flavor.

Pumpkin seeds are a relatively neutral flavor and offer protein, magnesium, zinc, "healthy" monounsaturated fat, and other nutrients. It was also relatively low in sodium (60 mg.) and total carbs (11 grams including 2 grams of fiber), and contained 8 grams of protein.

This Organic, Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified bar also had a faint, fermented tropical goji berry fruit flavor note that I couldn't figure out. (There were no fruit ingredients. The cocoa extract perhaps?)

*Ingredients: Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Wildflower Honey, Organic Dutch Process Cocoa Powder, Organic Milled Quinoa, Cocoa Extract, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Coconut Oil, Sea Salt.

Casa de Chocolates - Organic Cacao Beans, Belize - Nov. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Casa de Chocolates
Organic Cacao Beans - Belize
Good +++
Weight: .12 oz. (3.5 g.) / 12 oz. (339 g.) (estimate) in total package
Calories: 11 calories (estimate) in 3 beans
Cost: $10.00 (estimate) for 1 package/box
Purchased from: Casa de Chocolates, Berkeley, CA

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

Today's Organic Cacao Beans from Belize were purchased some time ago, at Casa de Chocolates (Berkeley, CA).

A carefully sealed pouch of cacao seeds (beans) has been waiting inside its box, that has been stored inside the Chocolate Vault;* and it was eagerly unwrapped, at last, for today's sampling.

Chocolate is made from the seeds (beans) of the Theobroma cacao fruit that grows on trees in Equatorial regions. Eating cacao seeds (beans) offers an essential pre-chocolate cacao tasting experience.

Each batch of seeds (beans) has a slightly different flavor profile that will influence the flavor of the chocolate made from these beans.

In today's case, these Organic Cacao Seeds from Belize were smooth, mellow and balanced, with a faint hint of fermentation (that diminished after opening), light fruit, a fleeting floral note, earth, wood and nut aroma and and flavor notes. These seeds were quite good, and could be included in many dishes, beverages and desserts if so desired.

To eat a whole cacao seed, open (or break) and remove the thin, papery brown outer husk and eat the cacao seeds (or seed pieces (nibs) after husk removal)—without any sweetener. This is a fine way to enjoy the essence of pure cacao for many dark chocolate lovers.

*This reference is to the Chocolate Banquet Chocolate Vault, a cool, dark place out of the sun, kept at a constant temperature. In this case, a wine refrigerator turned up to 65 degrees F. (18.3 degrees C.) was used.