LetterPress Chocolate - Ashanti Ghana 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 27, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

LetterPress Chocolate LLC
Ashanti Ghana 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Ashanti Ghana 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by LetterPress Chocolate LLC (Los Angeles, CA).

The company describes the Ghana cacao origin and sourcing process as follows: "Ashanti is a (cacao) growing region of Ghana that has been plagued with slave labor and poor prices for farmers. Thanks to the organization at COCOBOD (government-controlled cocoa board) in Ghana, we have secured cacao which we paid 2x the commodity price to help farmers make a living wage."

This bar had a pleasing aroma with notes that included (in order of appearance) freshly baked bread with honey, chocolate with warm spice (root beer, cinnamon), back to fresh bread again. A few minutes later I also picked up very faint, fleeting notes of green (oxalis), sweet red fruit (cranberry sauce) and ripe blackberry soda/jam, and chocolate cake.

This well-executed bar had a smooth melt and texture.

The taste of this 70% dark bar quickly and quietly bloomed into an imaginary pan of freshly baked brownies in my mouth. A true "brownie" bar. And it had a bright, almost fruity sweetness and acidity and very little bitterness. 

Maker's tasting notes: "brownie crust, graham cracker" 

Ingredients: Cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy. Kosher (Parve).

Chocolate Story - Ghana 100% Cocoa (bar) - Sept. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Manufaktura Czekolody

(Chocolate Story)

Ghana 100% Cocoa (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170.25 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $9.50 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Ghana 100% Cocoa (bar) was by Manufaktura Czekology (Chocolate Story) in Poland.

The aroma notes for this bar included (in order of appearance): green/flower stalks, true chocolate (brownie), very faint, fleeting sweet red fruit/berry, molasses, and vegetable (potato/potato chip).

Flavor notes included: well-done, ultra-dark chocolate brownie batter and fire-roasted nut butter, with a balanced bitterness with a light astringency, and a mild-to-moderate sour acidity (grapefruit) in the finish. Charcoal-roasted brownie was what stuck in my mind.

Having tried both 70% and 100% Ghana bars from Chocolate Story, I'm curious what an 85% to cocoa bar, made with this same cacao, might taste like. The 70% was sweet, fruity and lively with layered chocolate depth, and quite pleasing. I'm wondering if an 85% might result in a happy medium, that might be just right. Perhaps the makers did try this and decided to go with this fiery 100%er instead.

Maker's tasting notes: "roasted wood, caramel, nuts."

Ingredients: 100% cocoa beans from Ghana.

Allergen-related information: This product may contain milk, nuts.

 

Chocolate Story - Ghana 70% Cocoa Grand Cru (bar) - Sept. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Manufaktura Czekolody

(Chocolate Story)

Ghana 70% Cocoa Grand Cru (bar)

Good ++ -  Good+++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 149.25 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.50 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

The Republic of Ghana is a West African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean, about the size of Oregon or Wyoming in the U.S. Ghana is currently the second largest cacao producing country in the world. 

Today's Ghana 70% Cocoa Grand Cru (bar) was created by Manufaktura Czekology (Chocolate Story) in Poland.

The aroma notes for this bar included (in order of appearance): fudge brownie, molasses, faint green (stalks), vegetable (potato chip), faint sweet mixed fruit + grape jelly, and very faint warm spice (brown sugar caramel and cinnamon)...and a few minutes later, faint, mineral (calcium) and green floral (orchid).

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate cake, brown sugar, very subtle fruit (fresh, ripe wine grapes), dried fruit (prune). 

This fudge-y, chocolate-y bar with touches of fruit and other flavors will likely appeal across the board to dark chocolate aficionados. It was smooth and naturally sweet, but with enough complexity and style to go beyond a mere confection. And it was bold without being too acidic or bitter.

Maker's tasting notes: "a delicate dried grape flavor at first with the taste of caramel, nougat and roasted nuts."

Ingredients: Roasted cocoa beans from Ghana (70%), sugar. (Cocoa solids 70% min.)

Allergen-related information: May contain milk, nuts.

Askinosie Chocolate - Dark Chocolate + Intelligentsia Coffee (bar) - Sept. 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Askinosie Chocolate

Dark Chocolate + Intelligentsia Coffee (bar)

Good +++ - Very Good 

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 153.3 calories in 1/3 bar

Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate + Coffee (bar) was from Askinosie Chocolate (Springfield, MO). Askinosie crafts single origin and "CollaBARation"* bars with flavor inclusions, such as today's blend of 72% Mababu, Tanzania dark chocolate and in-season, single origin, Colombian coffee from roaster and retailer, Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea (Chicago, IL).

The smell of this freshly opened bar was one beautiful, deep, dark complex layer cake. Aroma notes included (in order of appearance) rich roasted coffee and dark chocolate, bright, fruity notes including sweet honey tangerine, sweet herbal (root beer), followed by a few faint flickers of berry jam and green-lemon oxalis (sour grass, sorrel). 

The texture was smooth with a pleasing, even melt.

As for the flavor, this Askinosie-Intelligentsia bar delivered the experience of a great cup of coffee and delicious 72% dark chocolate, simultaneously, with every bite. Each maker supplied an incredibly well-balanced and flavorful, high-quality product; and the combination was extremely satisfying. I savored every morsel of this bar. It was one of my favorite chocolate breakfasts this month.

Maker's tasting notes: "honey, tangerine, cola"

Ingredients: Mababu, Tanzania cocoa beans (Trinitario); organic cane sugar; direct trade, in-season, single origin coffee; cocoa butter ("made in our factory with Mababu (cacao) beans").

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that processes milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

*Note: The current version of this (Askinosie) Dark Chocolate + (Intelligentsia) Coffee CollaBARation bar (available as of this writing on the Askinosie website) looks very similar, but it may have a very slightly different formulation, and/or origin/plantation back-story and a higher price.

Remedy Organics - Cacao Essentials 14 g. Protein (beverage) - Sept. 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Remedy Organics

Cacao Essentials 14 G. Protein (beverage)

Good - Good +

Weight: 12 fl. oz. (355 mL) in 1 bottle

Calories: 200 calories in 1 bottle

Cost: $4.32 for 1 bottle

Purchased from: CVS Pharmacy, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Essentials "protein-based wellness shake" was from Remedy Organics (Englewood Cliffs, NJ); and it was a great way to start the day. It was relatively light but with a rich natural taste. And it contained enough protein to stave off hunger until lunch.

Aroma notes for this vegan beverage with 14 grams of protein included plant (nut and seed, fresh green peas) and chocolate (pudding, custard).

The texture was relatively smooth (almost velvety) for a high-protein beverage. Protein drinks often have a grainy taste or mouthfeel. There was a very slight granular, astringency in the finish, but it was not bothersome.

The flavors tasted fresh and authentic, and similar to the aroma, with plant (nut and seed) and chocolate pudding notes. 

This offering (and other Remedy shakes and shots), developed by holistic nutritionist Cindy Kasindorf,  exemplify changes in public preferences and how protein "health" bars and beverages have evolved in the last few decades. 

Today's organic protein drink was made without refined sugar, gluten, dairy or artificial colors or ingredients. It was 100% plant-based (vegan). (It did contain vegetable gums, which are used as thickeners and stabilizers.) And it wasn't too sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: Organic almond milk (water, organic almonds), organic pea protein, organic coconut sugar, organic cocoa powder, organic hemp seeds, organic dates, organic natural flavor, organic acacia fiber, organic cinnamon, organic sunflower lecithin, vitamin blend (calcium derived from seaweed, vitamin A, vitamin D2), gellan gum, organic maca, organic ashwagandha, guar gum, sea salt, organic stevia powder, organic prebiotic fiber (derived from tapioca).

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts." (Made without gluten or dairy ingredients.)

Flying Bird Botanicals - Cacao Vanilla Rose Drinking Chocolate - Sept. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Flying Bird Botanicals
Cacao - Vanilla Rose Drinking Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1 TB (7 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99.05 g.) in total container
Calories: 30 calories in 1 serving (of dry mix)
Cost: $9.95 for 1 container (steel cylindrical tin)
Purchased from: Land's End gift shop, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week. And happy first day of Fall.

Today's Cacao - Vanilla Rose Drinking Chocolate was made by Flying Bird Botanicals (Bellingham, WA). The company offers a line of teas and cacao drinking chocolate blends. 

The aroma of this drinking chocolate yielded a bouquet of floral magic. The authentic "rose-y" notes evoked memories of flowers, chocolate, friends and sharing food together. The uplifting aroma of cacao, rose and vanilla flavors was a great way to start the morning.

The cacao powder was finely ground and dissolved easily and completely with relatively minimal stirring in hot water. The authentic cacao/chocolate flavor was pleasant and not too sharp or bitter. (There was a faint trace of plant astringency (back of the throat tickle), but I am guessing that was from the rose powder.)

I mixed this powdered cacao blend with hot water and coconut milk. Almond milk might be a good/better dairy alternative choice with this vanilla rose blend. (Almonds are a distant relative of roses, so there might even be some natural affinity between the two.) Coconut partners nicely with vanilla, but can eclipse other, milder floral notes.

The flavor and sweetness levels were well balanced in this blend. And, even though organic raw cane sugar was the first of five ingredients, this drinking chocolate was not too sweet. (Add less water for a more concentrated sweetness and flavor and thicker texture.) The ground vanilla bean added faint, natural warmth.

If you love floral flavors and botanical flavor inclusions, give this high-quality cacao blend a try.

Ingredients: Organic raw cane (sugar) crystals, organic raw cacao powder, organic rose powder, organic vanilla bean, organic rose essential oil.

Allergen-related information: (None listed on container that I could see.)

Flying Bird Botanicals - Cocao Especial and OmNom Chocolate Lakkris + Sea Salt (bar) - Sept. 21, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Flying Bird Botanicals

Cacao Especial Drinking Chocolate

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.5 Tablespoons (12 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99.05 g.) in total container

Calories: 45 calories in 1 serving (1.5 Tablespoons)

Cost: $9.95 for 1 container

Purchased from: Land's End gift shop, San Francisco, CA

OmNom Chocolate
Lakkris + Sea Salt (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: ZombieRunner, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate Breakfast Theme Week.

Fall begins this week; and I'd hoped to find a (pre-made) licorice hot chocolate--difficult to find for a gluten-free me as most licorice offerings contain wheat flour. Happily, I did find a pair of cacao-based items that added up to something similar.

Flying Bird Botanicals - Cacao Especial

The first item in today's chocolate duo was a cup of Cacao Especial Drinking Chocolate from Flying Bird Botanicals LLC (Bellingham, WA). The company offers a variety of teas and cacao drinking chocolates.

Raw cacao powder can be quite strong. The first raw drinking chocolate mixes I remember tasting were sometimes acidic, bitter and gritty. (Big brand hot chocolate powdered mixes are generally made with finely ground, alkalized cocoa--using a process that reduces acidity and sharper cacao flavor notes.) 

However, today's raw and organic (three-ingredient) powdered cacao mix had rich, smooth cacao (light brownie) flavor--perhaps due to the choice of (presumably milder) "heirloom" cacao and a hint of vanilla bean. The powder also blended nicely with warm liquids with some minimal stirring, including the coconut milk and water I used to make this drinking chocolate. (There was no grittiness; and this was accomplished without any added emulsifiers or vegetable gums. Thank you!)

I look forward to enjoying this mix on cold weather mornings to come. It would be great for drinking and dipping. I plan to dip my (gluten-free) breakfast bread or toast into this drinking chocolate. (For those who can handle gluten, try a buttery, flaky croissant.)

Also appreciated was the mindful packaging that Flying Bird uses for their teas and cacao blends (e.g. use of recycled papers and sealed, recycled steel tins made in the U.S.).

Ingredients: "Organic raw cacao powder, organic raw cane crystals, organic ground vanilla bean."

Allergen-related information: (None listed that I could find.)

OmNom Lakkris + Sea Salt (bar)

Today's second chocolate was a Lakkris (Licorice) + Sea Salt (bar) made by OmNom Chocolate (Reykjavik, Iceland). 

Licorice root is naturally sweet (due to glycyrrhizic acid), and gluten free. However, most licorice candies contain wheat flour; and wheat gluten enables licorice's characteristic chewy, stretchy texture. Licorice root flavor can also be imparted to foods and chocolate in other ways, including using alternative starches or licorice liqueurs, teas and other infusions.

Because I can't tolerate gluten, I really appreciate, high-quality, new and novel chocolates/foods that I can eat. And to find this creatively crafted licorice and salt bar, with no wheat ingredients, was a real treat.

What do I mean by creative? Similar to coffee "chocolate" bars made with very finely ground coffee beans and cocoa butter (the 40-50% of fat from the cacao bean), this licorice bar was crafted using cocoa butter, but not the "darker" part of the cocoa bean that I've often referred to in the past as cocoa solids.

The deep, golden brown color of this bar gave it a milk chocolate appearance. But the "chocolate" color came from caramelized sugar and licorice. 

The bar had a caramel licorice aroma. Bold flavor notes included something for almost every quadrant of the palette: a rich, browned sugar milk caramel sweetness was balanced by a sustained bitter herb note (authentic licorice) note, and a sparkle or two of Icelandic sea salt (that OmNom makers obtained) from a local saltworks facility.

If you love licorice/liquorice, do give this bar a try.

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, Icelandic whole milk powder, liquorice powder, Icelandic sea salt from Saltverk salmiak, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin). Contains a minimum of 38% cocoa solids.

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk.) "Designed and made in Iceland, in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten."

*Wheat flour is used to bind ingredients together in the making of licorice, presumably (initially) ground bits of licorice root or a licorice extract and sugars (glucose, syrups) to yield a slightly gummy, stretchy texture associated with commercial licorice sticks, disks, nuggets and other shapes/forms.