Bouchard Belgian Chocolate - Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao - Jan. 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Bouchard Belgian Chocolatier
Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao (pieces)
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 16 oz. (455 g.) in total package of 90-93 pieces
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving (6 pieces)
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package of (approx. 90-93) pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Hallo (hello) and Welcome to Day #7 of European Chocolate (Virtual) Vacation Theme Week, with a (virtual) stop today in Belgium.

Today's Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao (pieces) were from Belgian chocolatier Bouchard B.V. (Ghent, Belgium). 

Ghent is a city that is steeped in history and has its own culinary specialties. In my imagination, I strolled along canals, admired stone and brick buildings. (The well-preserved gild houses are a reminder of prosperity achieved centuries ago when the area was a hub for manufacturing, trade and finance.) I stopped for a hot bowl of waterzooi (fish soup similar to a chowder), enjoyed cuberdons (raspberry filled candies), and read about Floralien, a large flower celebration/show (April-May 2022). And, of course, I sampled some chocolates.

Dark Caramel Sea Salt 72% Cacao dark chocolate pieces

These individually-wrapped Belgian chocolate pieces had a subtle dark chocolate aroma. I took a few pieces along for a (real) walk today by the water. They were a perfect, transportable snack and were easy to share with others as well.

The small pieces (finely ridged rectangles with rounded corners) were thin enough to afford quick access to flavor. Each piece broke with a firm snap at room temperature (68 degrees F.).The smooth dark chocolate base contained tiny, crunchy sweet and salty crystals--just the right size to add flavor interest, but not too overwhelming in any given bite.

Flavor notes included: rich, dark chocolate (72% cacao) interspersed with very light malt, salt and caramel and very faint nutty flavors. 

The overall taste was relatively smooth, balanced and satisfying. And these petite dark pieces were not overly sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, glucose syrup, cream, sea salt, butter, low fat milk powder, sunflower lecithin, salt. 

Allergen-related information: "Contain milk." "Produced in a facility that also uses eggs, soy and tree nuts." "Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Kosher Dairy"

Valrhona - Oriado 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

 Chocolate of the Day

Valrhona 
Oriado 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.25 (US) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Bonjour and welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week, including (virtual) visits in France.

Today's Oriado 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valrhona (Tain L'Hermitage, France). Valrhona, founded by a pastry chef in the early 1920s, has continued to produce chocolate in the Rhone Valley in southeastern France since then. (In 1989 they opened a pastry and chocolate school.) 

As part of a virtual visit to the historic village of Tain, I (virtually) enjoyed a nice soup and lunch, a glass of Chauteuneuf-du-Pape,* and a chocolate dessert after a nice long walk past old stone buildings and up a hill with vineyard and river views. 

And how did today's featured Valrhona Oriado bar taste?

The cacao used to make this Valrhona Oriado bar was a blend of cacaos "sourced directly" from Peru and the Dominican Republic. (Fairly traded content: 99.6%.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: balanced tart citrus herbal green (oxalis,** sorrel, sour grass), chocolate cake and cocoa with vanilla marshmallow. (The citrus green note tended to recede a bit following each initial exposure, allowing the cocoa and vanilla notes to become more prominent.) 

This well-tempered chocolate broke with a firm snap. And the melt and texture were even and uniform.

The flavor notes were consistent with the aroma notes (above), with more pronounced rich, sweet chocolate (dark fudge cake) taste--and a pleasant red berry/blackberry note that blossomed about mid-way through. 

Flavors were well balanced, and relatively complex. Vanilla added a bit of mellow warmth (with very faint, fleeting vanilla tobacco smoke, earthy and leather notes) and implied (chocolate baked goods) sweetness. The flavors lingered a bit into a relatively clean finish. 

Overall this was an easy-to-like dark chocolate that was complex enough to be interesting, but well managed--making it well-suited to eating, as well as baking, chocolate confections, dark chocolate frosting/icing, or pastry making in general.

Maker's tasting notes: "Balanced, vanilla, sweet"

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa minimum, pure cocoa butter). Cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract. Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk). 

Allergen-related information: "Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk). May contain: gluten, nuts, soya." "May contain wheat, soy, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, chestnuts, coconut and/or all their derivatives."

*Wine grapes associated with the Rhone Valley in France (not far from Valrhona HQ) include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier and Roussanne. 

Chateauneuf-du-Pape (translated: "Pope's new castle") is a blended wine unique to a very specific region (Chateauneuf commune area) in southeastern France--about 1.5 hours drive south of Tain L'Hermitage. 

This wine is typically a "blend" of three grape types/colors: black grapes (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and perhaps Cinsault, Counoise, Muscadin, Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Picardin Noir, Picpoul Noir), yellow grapes (Claret, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Buorboulenc, Picpoul and Picardin), and pink grapes (Picardin Gris, Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris and Picpoul Rose). 

**Note: oxalic acid is a natural component of cacao and can contribute to "citrus" notes being attributed to some chocolates.) 

Valrhona - Abinao 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Valrhona 
Abinao 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.46 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 (US) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Bonjour and welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week. Today's bar brings us (virtually) to France.

Today's Abinao 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Valrhona (Tain L'Hermitage, France). Valrhona was founded by a pastry chef in the early 1920s. The company has continued to produce chocolate in the Rhone Valley near Lyon, in southeastern France since then. (In 1989 they opened a pastry and chocolate school.) 

As part of a virtual visit to the historic village of Tain, I'm enjoying a virtual drive through the wine country, admiring the rolling vine-covered green hills and views of the Rhone River. Also on the menu: an imaginary lunch at a brasserie and a local trail hike, after a stop at Valrhona.

And now on to tasting today's featured Valrhona bar...

Source-related text on the Valrhona Abinao bar packaging read: "100% of our cocoa is traceable from the producer." (While the country of origin was not specified for this Abinao bar, online research turned up the following: a blend of Forastero cacao(s), from Africa.) 

Aroma notes for this bar included: green, earthy, nutty, faint maple/brown sugar, and very faint floral, clean mineral and wood forest notes.

This well-tempered, attractively designed chocolate bar broke with a clean snap. It had an even melt and texture, with a slight tannic astringency beginning about 3/4 way through.

The flavor notes were consistent with the aroma notes above, with more pronounced rich chocolate-y (dark fudge brownie) taste. Flavors were well balanced, well managed and relatively complex and interesting. A moderate amount of smooth bitterness made it interesting and not too sweet (thank you). Vanilla added a bit of floral spice warmth and implied (chocolate baked goods) sweetness. The flavors lingered a bit into a relatively clean finish. 

If I were a pastry chef or chocolatier, and I wanted to rely on a sophisticated ultra-dark chocolate without deep dark surprises, I would likely enjoy working with this Abinao 85% chocolate. It also was pleasant to eat and relatively easy to pair with other foods and beverages.

Maker's tasting notes: "Bittersweet, woody, raw cocoa" "...Powerful and tannic dark chocolate." "Abinao 85% emphasizes a specific bitterness and exceptional long-lasting flavors."  

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa minimum, pure cocoa butter). Cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract. Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk). 

Allergen-related information: "Milk (Made in a facility that uses milk). May contain: gluten, nuts, soya." "May contain wheat, soy, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, chestnuts, coconut and/or all their derivatives."

Giraudi - Pistacchi Sicilia Latte 36% Milk Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Giraudi S.r.l.
Pistacchi Sicilia - Latte 36% E Pistacchi Sicilia Intere Tostate
Sicilian Pistachio Milk Chocolate 36% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.)/ 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 273 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from family (Thank you David)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family (Andronico's, Los Altos, CA)

Welcome to Day #4 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Sicilian Pistachio - Milk Chocolate (36%) and Whole Toasted Sicilian Pistachio (bar) produced by Giraudi S.r.l. (Castellazzo Bormida (AL), Italy) was made in Italy and imported into the U.S. by Manicaretti (Oakland, CA). 

This chocolate was part of a family of Giraudi milk chocolate (36% cocoa) and dark chocolate (61% cocoa) bars with nuts. (Other flavors include hazelnut and almond versions of these bars.) 

Today's thick, sweet and creamy milk chocolate bar was studded with whole, toasted Sicilian pistachio nuts. Rich sweet chocolate flavor was nicely balanced by a healthy serving (20% of bar content) of these softly crunchy green nuts; and an upbeat touch of vanilla added sweet baked goods-style warmth.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, powdered whole milk, cocoa paste. Emulsifier: soy lecithine, natural vanilla flavour. Cocoa min. 36%), Pistachios from Sicily (20%). 

Allergen-related information: Contained: milk, soy (lecithin), tree nuts (pistachios). "It may contain traces of "other fruit with shell," sesame and peanuts." "Senza glutine - Gluten Free"

Giraudi - Mandorle Italia Latte 36% E Mandorle Italia Intere Tostate (bar) - Jan. 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Giraudi S.r.l.
Mandorle Italia - Latte 36% E Mandorle Italia Intere Tostate
Italy Almond - Milk Chocolate 36% with Whole Toasted Italian Almond (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 577 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $N/A - gift from family (Thank you David)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from family (Andronico's, Los Altos, CA)

Welcome to Day #3 of European Chocolate Vacation Theme Week.

Today's Mandorle Italia - Latte 36% E Mandorle Italia Intere Tostate (bar) produced by Giraudi S.r.l. (Castellazzo Bormida (AL), Italia) was made in Italy and imported into the U.S. by Manicaretti (Oakland, CA). 

This chocolate was part of a family of Giraudi milk chocolate (36% cocoa) and dark chocolate (61% cocoa) bars with nuts. (There are also hazelnut and pistachio versions of this bar.) I first became acquainted with Giraudi through their gianduja*/gianduia and gianduiotti (creamy and delicious Italian hazelnut chocolate) confections. 

Today's gluten free, thick, sweet and creamy milk chocolate bar embedded with whole crunchy almonds delivered. Rich sweet chocolate flavor was well balanced by a healthy serving (30% of content) of whole, toasted almonds and an upbeat touch of vanilla.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, powdered whole milk, cocoa paste. Emulsifier: soy lecithine, natural vanilla flavour. Cocoa min. 36%), Italian almonds (30%). 

Allergen-related information: Contained: milk, soy (lecithin), tree nuts (almonds). "It may contain traces of other fruit with shell, sesame and peanuts." "Senza glutine - Gluten Free"

*Gianduja is a northern Italian classic that came about in the 1800s as a result of war-time rationing during the reign of Napolean. (Cocoa was in short supply and was blended with hazelnut.) 

This heavenly chocolate and nut blend is now enjoyed in many parts of Europe and beyond. Turkey may be the world's largest producer of hazelnuts, but Italy can lay claim to creating gianduja--and the first versions of Nutella more than 170 years ago.

Nutella is a popular, sweetened (hazelnut, palm oil and skimmed milk) spread that may contain (depending on the country where it's distributed) less than 10% cocoa solids. It was first introduced in the 1960s by Ferrero S.P.A. (Italy). Giraudi offers their version of a chocolate and hazelnut spread.

Naive - Citrus Licorice Crunch Specialty Dark Chocolate 67% (bar) - Jan. 8, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Naive
(Mulate UAB)
Citrus Licorice Crunch Specialty Dark Chocolate 67% (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155.6 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Citrus/Lemon Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate European Holiday Theme Week--as we virtually tour the EU, via chocolates from makers and chocolatiers in several European countries.

Today's Citrus Licorice Crunch Specialty Dark Chocolate 67% (bar) from Chocolate Naive, produced by Mulate UAB (Vilnius, Lithuania). Chocolate maker and chocolatier Domantas Uzpalis is doing a great job representing artisan chocolates from Lithuania.

The aroma notes for this bar included: slightly earthy herby and citrus notes. The texture was smooth, almost creamy, interspersed with tiny, hard crunchy bits.

Flavor notes included: chocolate (rich, dark milk chocolate and caramel) with authentic, bittersweet licorice spice and mixed citrus (bright fruit and peel. (Note: there was no milk in this chocolate.)

The citrus included a blend of less sweet Lisbon and Eureka lemons*, sweeter (more mandarin orange-like) Meyer lemons, and oranges. 

The results: an integrated, creative, kaleidoscope of three relatively strong flavors--each one capable of capturing (or competing for) the limelight. Happily the ringmaster (chocolate maker) skillfully managed and balanced all three authentic, high-quality flavor elements.

Chocolate Naive tasting notes: "This bar is not for everyone but it leaves no one indifferent. The deep and complex flavors of crunchy licorice combine with multilayered taste of chocolate, while fresh and bright citruses act like a bridge and connects all tempermental aromas into one. Just give it a minute and you will find out for yourself." 

Beverage pairing suggestions: "... gin..." (Also)..."It's characteristic notes contrast well with the complex smoky, firewood and fruity elements of...mescal.")

Ingredients: Specialty cacao*, cane sugar*, pure cacao butter*, licorice extract* (5%), dried lemon* (1%), dried orange* (1%), sea salt. (* wild or all-natural farming) 

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of treenuts, peanuts, wheat or milk."

*Lemons originated in Asia, but by 200 A.D. were already being cultivated in Mediterranean regions. Today there are dozens of varieties of lemon (Citrus limon, citrus x limon), ranging from bitter to sweet, from sour and acidic to mild and floral, from puckery to lightly tangy. Lemons, like cacao, are versatile and can be found in savory and sweet dishes (as well as beverages and sauces) around the globe. 

 

Zotter - In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter

In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $7.99 (free shipping, part of larger order)

Purchased from: Zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Lemon/Citrus Theme Week--and Day #1 of Chocolate European Holiday Theme Week. Covid-19 may prevent travel, but a virtual trip is possible with a selection of European chocolates.*

Today's In-Fusion Lemon in Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) from Zotter Chocolates was made from bean-to-bar in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates USA LLC (Fort Myers, FL). 

The company offers a very wide variety of bars. This Lemon bar is bar of a series of fruit-infused ("In-Fusion") bars. Fruit flavors in this line amplify natural, complex fruit notes already found in chocolate (including citrus, berry, tropical and/or stone fruits). 

The aroma notes for this chocolate included: citrus and tart, lemony, green herb (sorrel, oxalis, sour grass).

Cocoa butter gave this bar "a tender melt." And when combined with milk, these two ingredients yielded a uniform, creamy texture.

Flavor notes included: relatively mild, milky 60% dark chocolate with complex lemon. Smooth, sweet lemon that blossomed into lemonade, and finally resolved into tart, bittersweet lemon. (Freeze-dried powdered lemons were fully incorporated into the chocolate to create a "lemon couverture" that would impart natural lemon aroma and taste.)

Those who enjoy a smooth chocolate experience with bright, shimmering lemon overtones may enjoy this stylish, circle-shaped bar. 

Ingredients: Organic, fair traded cane sugar; organic, fair traded cocoa mass; organic, fair traded cocoa butter; organic lemon powder: 4% (organic lemon juice concentrate, organic corn starch, organic sugar); dry skim milk; organic soy lecithin; organic vanilla bean powder; salt

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, soy." "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame."

*Thank you also to all the people, and the international chocolate supply chain, that allow us to obtain chocolates from/made in Europe.