Eating Evolved - Almond Butter Keto Cups - July 27, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Eating Evolved, LLC

Almond Butter Keto Cups

Good +

Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 4.93 oz. (140 g.) in total package

Calories: 260 calories in 2 cups (2 servings)

Cost: $13.49 for 1 package of 7 cups

Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week(s), featuring 1.) chocolate bars with almonds, 2.) almond butter chocolate cups and 3.) chocolate covered almonds. 

The almond butter chocolate cups sampled thus far have been refreshingly different than traditional, sugar-laden confections often laced with salt as well. Many are organic as well, and contain fewer ingredients. And while they are almost all more expensive, most offer a healthier, simpler/shorter list of quality ingredients.

Today's organic, vegan, paleo and gluten free Almond Butter Keto Cups, from Eating Evolved, LLC (Hauppauge, NY), contained no traditional sugars (they were sweetened with monk fruit extract), dairy or soy, and contained no salt.

Keto in this case meant 10 grams of fat and only 2 grams net carbs in each cup/serving--a bit higher in fat (the fats used are healthier than hydrogenated/trans fats, and certain heavily processed oils). Perhaps more significant, these contained 1/6 of the carbs present in popular, commercially sold chocolate covered nut/peanut butter cups.

When I read the tagline: "Chocolate: It's food, not candy." (tm), this slogan seemed to promise a less processed, less sweet version of the traditional chocolate covered nut butter cup. And indeed this was true.

Each individually-wrapped cup I tried had a very subtle chocolate and nut aroma. And they had a luxe fatty and creamy mouthfeel and texture (cacao butter, MCT* oil).

At first, there was a natural, sweet taste; and then the initial, gentle sweetness ebbed relatively quickly. The sweet "fade" enabled the ground almonds (almond butter) to shine for a moment, along with very slight green (seed/nut/vegetable) notes. 

These cups had a pleasant clean finish with a faint, light roasted nut note.

Ingredients: Organic almonds, organic cacao, organic jerusalem artichoke fiber, organic cacao butter, organic medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, organic monk fruit extract.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds. May contain traces of cashew, coconut, hazelnut and macadamia nuts." ("Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free")

*MCT oil is short for Medium-Chain Triglycerides, a form of fat thought to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Other claims include support for better brain and memory function, and physical/athletic performance (endurance), and weight loss as part of a Keto diet (that can be very low in carbohydrates and relatively high in fat). 

As with all new/good things, moderation is advised, particularly if you have certain liver issues. Personally, I find I eat less (smaller portions) of snack foods with less sugar and salt and more fat; and find them quite satisfying as well. 

Theo Chocolate - Organic Almond Butter Cups 55% Dark Chocolate - July 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Theo Chocolate 
Organic Almond Butter Cups 55% Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1.27 oz. (36 g.) in total package of 2 cups
Calories: 230 calories in 2 cups
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package of 2 cups
Purchased from: Farm Fresh To You (CSA delivery box, add-in item)

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Organic Almond Butter Cups (covered in) 55% Dark Chocolate were distributed by Theo Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The company has a long history of supporting fair trade and sourcing organic and fair trade ingredients whenever possible.

Aroma notes for these heart-shaped cups included faint chocolate and almond/cashew nut cookie notes.

The 55% cacao chocolate had smooth, relatively mild dark chocolate flavor and with an almost creamy melt. 

The crunchy-creamy almond butter filling had a genuine, mild nut flavor, un-enhanced by excess amounts of sugar, salt and/or "natural" flavors. Enough so that one was suddenly aware of how much sugar and salt is added to most commercial nut butter chocolate cups. 

The very judicious amount of added sea salt and sugar seemed just right and did not obscure the subtle chocolate and nut flavors. (Good choice as almond butter is milder than peanut butter.) Those who equate sugar and salt with flavor, and caffeine and sugar rush fans, may find these less exciting. To me, they were refreshingly authentic.

Ingredients: Almond butter (roasted almonds)*, cocoa beans*+, cane sugar*+, cocoa butter*+, powdered sugar* (cane sugar*+, cornstarch*), almond flour (roasted almonds)*, sea salt, ground vanilla bean*.

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (almonds). "Made on equipment that also processes peanuts, other tree nuts, milk, eggs and wheat. (*Organic, +fair trade ingredients.) 

Simon Coll - 70% Cacao with Almonds (bar) - July 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Simon Coll Xocolaters 

(Chocolates Simon Coll S.A.)

70% Cacao Con Almendras (Almonds) bar

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 298.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $5.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Nugget Markets, Tiburon, CA

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

Today's "70% Cacao Con Almendras" dark chocolate bar was made in Spain by Chocolates Simon Coll S.A. (Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Barcelona, Spain). The company's chocolate-making roots stretch back several generations to 1840. (The company also acquired the historic Spanish Chocolate Amatller brand in 1972.)

The aroma and flavor notes in today's dark, gluten-free chocolate bar included: chocolatey notes (chocolate cake, freshly baked brownies with nuts), vanilla, nut (almond, walnut), faint fresh ripe banana and light molasses/brown sugar spice (banana licuado); and a balanced, bittersweet dark chocolate (earthy fudge brownie).

Almonds, vanilla and the addition of cocoa powder (that may or may not have been alkalized*) would have helped mellow the overall chocolate taste (and send one to fresh brownies-right-out-of-the-oven territory). These three additions can also soften bold, bitter or acidic notes. Regardless, today's chocolate had best-of-brownie flavor without being too sweet. (Thank you.)

This chocolate had a hearty, uniform texture and fudgy chocolate flavor, with some satisfying secondary flavors, and a light dark chocolate brownie finish.

Ingredients: "Cocoa mass, sugar, almonds (20%), cocoa butter, fat reduced cocoa powder, emulsifier (soya lecithin) and flavouring (vanilla). Cocoa solids: 70% minimum."

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds, soy. "May contain milk and other nut traces."

*On the 14-point pH scale that measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) substances are, the middle of the scale (7) is considered neutral. 

Cocoa powder often has a pH of around 5 (making it acidic). Alkalized cocoa powder, treated with an alkaline substance, can bring the pH back to a more neutral level (pH of around 7 or 8). The resulting cocoa powder (sometimes also referred to as "dutched" cocoa) is milder and has a slightly darker appearance than non-alkalized cocoa powder. 

Cove Chocolate - Whole Almonds 68% Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Cove Chocolate
Whole Almonds 68% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.1 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.2 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories (estimate) in 1.1 oz. (37.5 g.) of bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: All About The Chocolate, Carmel, CA

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

This chocolate was discovered in a chocolate shop in the seaside village of Carmel, California--after a hike along the Pacific Ocean (Point Lobos). These was beautiful scenery, and new chocolates to be found. 

I was a little afraid this local 68% cocoa chocolate (made in a registered home kitchen in Monterey, California) might be too sweet and perhaps too uniform in flavor. Thankfully, this was not the case.

The relatively complex aroma included bold, dark chocolate with earth and fruit (faint dark berry, red apple, lemon, dried apricot), and faint green floral and very faint, fleeting vegetable (potato chip) notes.

This hand-crafted, thick and substantial chocolate had a smooth texture and paired well with crunchy (whole) almonds).

The flavor was smooth with rich, dark chocolate, gentle mixed fruit (dark, ripe sweet berry, very light red apple and Meyer lemon) with faint green notes and a well-managed earthiness. There were no "off" or overly strong notes; and the bar had a clean finish.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla beans), almonds.

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts, soy"

 

Ritter Sport - Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds (bar) - July 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Ritter Sport 

Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.09 oz. (31 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 5 pieces (1 serving) of bar

Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds (bar) was from Alfred Ritter GmbH and Co. KG (Waldenbuch, Germany). 

It was a member of the company's "Nut Selection" series of chocolate bars, in the classic Ritter square-shaped bar format, with a pre-scored grid ( of smaller squares), making it easy to break off pieces to eat or share.

This "new" dark chocolate bar was made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cacao (chocolate liquor).

The aroma contained roasted, bold but smooth dark chocolate (fudge brownie) and nutty (roasted almonds) notes.

Each chunky dark chocolate square was a mix of smooth texture/melt and crunchy bites of (whole) almonds.

The flavor was true chocolate (fudge brownie) with a slightly earthy note, and well-managed satisfying boldness. 

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate liquor, almonds, cocoa butter, butterfat (milk), soy lecithin.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of peanuts, other tree nuts, wheat and egg."

Trader Joe's - Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar - July 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Trader Joe's
Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35.5 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, San Carlos, CA

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

Today's Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar was from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

The rich aroma for this chocolate bar included prune, date, light molasses, and vanilla nut (toasted almonds and pecans*) butter cookie and very faint green (tea, nut) notes.

The non-dairy bar had a creamy (milk chocolate) texture with a relatively rapid melt after the initial tempered firmness experienced with each new bite. 

The flavor was mild dark chocolate with a very faint plant (almond) "milk" flavor. The almond beverage inclusion and a good dose of cocoa butter (the number one ingredient) contributed to a subtle chocolate flavor--and (lighter, warmer) milk chocolate color. Almonds also balanced the sugar, i.e. it was not overly sweet (thank you!).

Very light touches of sea salt and vanilla rounded out the even, subtle chocolate flavor. This pleasant, organic bar may please vegan chocolate lovers who enjoy a smooth, buttery, dairy-free chocolate, with very low cacao acidity and bitterness. 

Ingredients: Organic cocoa butter, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa beans, organic almond beverage (organic almond flour, water), organic sunflower lecithin (emulsifier), sea salt, organic ground vanilla beans. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almond." Certified organic and Pareve (U). Vegan, gluten free, soy free.

*This bar contained almonds but did not contain pecan nuts, even if the aroma of this bar did bring back memories of pecan shortbread cookies from childhood.

 

Trader Joe's - Amped Up Almonds - July 21, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Trader Joe's 

Amped Up Almonds

Good +

Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total package

Calories: 380 calories in 1 package 

Cost: $1.29 for 1 package

Purchased from: Trader Joe's, San Carlos, CA

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

Today's "Amped Up Almonds" - Chocolatey Coated Almonds were from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

These chocolate covered almonds had an aroma of chocolate with warm (vanilla), nutty/seed and very light, sweet vegetable aroma notes. 

Initially, I thought I might smell coffee (a caffeine-bearing ingredient that might explain the "amped up" in the product name), but I did not. Instead this moniker referred to extra protein supplied by added pea protein.*

The chocolate coating with smooth and, well, chocolatey. Dry roasted almonds provided crunchy, nutty texture.

The pea protein did contribute to some subtle attributes, but did not alter flavor very much. Imagine fresh, cooked green peas whipped into with some mashed potatoes, and then soften the flavor a bit. 

The pea protein did give some oomph to the texture (an almost undetectable "substantial" quality and a very fine graininess). These chocolate covered almonds were very filling. The pea protein (and almonds) seemed to balance out the sugar content and slightly muted other flavors. 

There was a very faint pea protein aftertaste a few minutes after finishing the last almonds. Nothing objectionable.

Ingredients: Chocolatey coating (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, pea protein, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla flavor), dry roasted almonds, confectioner's shellac.

Allergen-related information: Contains soy, almond. "May contain milk, wheat, peanut, pecan."

*Pea protein is typically made from yellow peas. It has become quite popular in the past decade with more yellow peas being planted to anticipate a growing demand for this product. As today's offering shows, it's not just for traditional protein powder smoothies and protein bars anymore.

Yellow peas could become part of the next (plant protein) gold rush. Global Market Insights predicated the U.S. market would grow to $325 million by 2027, reflecting an estimated 12% (compounded annual growth rate) from 2021-2027.

How is it made and what how does it fare nutritionally? The protein is isolated, and it's made into a powder that is a relatively complete protein, from an amino acid standpoint. (Although, like other plant proteins, it is relatively low in methionine.) It is higher in lysine and glutamine than many other plant proteins and relatively high in arginine, iron, potassium and calcium. It's considered to be a "good" protein for vegans and vegetarians and relatively easy to digest.