Lumineux Chocolate - Ghana 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lumineux Chocolate

Ghana 80% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $40 for 5 bars ($8 for 1 bar)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week.

Today's Ghana 80% Dark Chocolate (Batch #258) bar was made by Lumineux Chocolate (Greenville, SC). The company "offers small batch, European-style chocolate," frequently showcasing African cacao.

Aroma notes included dark chocolate (brownie) with a natural/implied vanilla-like sweetness, and very faint sweet-tart green (oxalis, sorrel) and spice notes.

The texture was, uniform, smooth, thick and substantial (almost fudgey) that matched the flavor notes of pure, dark fudge brownie. This satisfying bar had deep, dense and rich chocolate flavor and relatively light acidity. 

Just a few bites of this 80% cacao "brownie" bar silenced a chocolate craving. It was a sophisticated and approachable ultra-dark bar with no funky/earthy notes. It was not ultra-bitter; and it was not too sweet (thank you).

Maker's tasting notes: "Brownie batter, molasses, vanilla"

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

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

 

Dr. Bronner's - Salted Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) - Feb. 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One Chocolate line of 70% dark chocolate bars are made using organic, fair trade cocoa grown in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Aroma notes for today's Salted Dark Chocolate included: true chocolate (brownie), faint green tart herb (oxalis, sorrel), spice, floral, fruit (cherry) and vanilla. This thick, hearty dark chocolate bar had smooth texture.

The dark chocolate flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes (above), with a deeper immersion into true, rich chocolate--interspersed with tiny sparkles of sea salt. 

This well-balanced, rich bar was sweetened with just the right amount of (coconut) sugar, for my taste; that is, it wasn't too sweet (thank you). Today's bar was full of well-executed, balanced, intense chocolate flavor--enough to pass for a darker, 75% cacao (vs. 70%) dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

Dr. Bronner's - Smooth Coconut Praline Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) - Feb. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Smooth Coconut Praline Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2.93 oz. (83 g.) in total bar

Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

Happy Lunar New Year (year of the Tiger), and welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week. 

Today's Smooth Coconut Praline Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)--sweetened with coconut sugar--was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Today's bar was a testament to international partnerships and mindful sourcing of organic and fairly traded ingredients, that included organic, fair trade cocoa from Ghana (Serendipalm project) and Ivory Coast (KANY co-op of women farmers); organic, fair trade vanilla from Madagascar; and organic, fair trade coconut sugar from Indonesia.

Closer to home, the aroma of this international dark chocolate evoked childhood memories of German chocolate cake: layers of rich, moist dark chocolate cake "glued" together with a thick frosting made of caramelized sugar, butter, shredded coconut and chopped nuts (pecans and almonds), and a hint of vanilla. The cake was delicious. 

This coconut praline filled dark chocolate bar captured the aroma and flavor magic of this childhood favorite. It was a sleek and sophisticated, adult embodiment of this dessert, with a fraction of the sugar, and with richer, dark chocolate flavor. Perfect! 

A final note: All the Bronner's bars I've tasted this week have been sweetened with coconut sugar. This golden-hued sugar tends to lend a very mild, pleasant caramel flavor to chocolate(s). Coconut sugar scores lower on the glycemic index*/scale than refined white sugar--an added plus. 

Coconut blossom sugar is harvested (carefully), often by hand, high up in coconut palm trees where coconut blossoms/flowers are located--using small buckets to gather sap. It's very similar to, and is sometimes referred to as the same thing as, palm sugar or jaggery. (The latter is a "brown sugar" that can be made from a blend of palm, cane or and/or date sugar.)

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, Fair Trade Organic coconut, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, Fair Trade Organic coconut milk powder, sea salt, Organic sunflower oil, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

*The glycemic index (GI) measures how rapidly blood glucose levels rise after different foods are ingested. The index also offers a ranking of foods as to which results in a faster/higher rise in glucose. More refined, processed high-carbohydrate foods typically result in more rapid rises in blood sugar.

Dr. Bronner's - Salted Almond Butter 70% Cocoa (bar) - Jan. 31, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Almond Butter Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2.93 oz. (83 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Almond Butter Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) sweetened with coconut sugar was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Printed on each of the six segments were the words: "For, We, Are, All-One, Or None!, All-One!" A heart-felt sentiment--from the original Dr. Bronner's company founder, Emanual Bronner--that still appears on product packaging. Family members still run this business that was founded in 1948.

Yesterday's Dr. Bronner's 70% dark bar with almonds was similar to today's 70% dark bar with almond butter; but it featured roasted whole almonds in a solid, salted dark chocolate base vs. today's filled Salted Almond Butter bar (where the subtle dash of salt was in the Almond Butter filling). 

I enjoyed experiencing the similarities (in aroma and chocolate flavors), and the differences (the texture of the whole nuts and more separate layering of flavors that whole ingredients create, vs. a more uniformly blended ground nut and chocolate flavored filling).

The aroma notes of today's (and yesterday's) bar(s) included: pleasant dark chocolate, spice, green citrus herb, vanilla and faint nut. Both bars were made using organic and fairly traded West African cacao grown in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Flavor notes for today's bar included rich, but smooth dark chocolate, with a light green citrus (oxalis) and faint floral spice (vanilla, marshmallow), and subtle, nutty notes and textures from ground almonds and hazelnuts.

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, organic almonds, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Organic hazelnuts, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

Dr. Bronner's - Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - Jan. 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dr. Bronner's

Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Salted Whole Almonds Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was made in Switzerland, and distributed by Dr. Bronner's (Vista, CA). 

Dr. Bronner's is perhaps better known in the U.S. for their line of environmentally and socially conscious soaps. But, they've caught the "Cocoa Magic" bug, and have extended a passion for regenerative organic agriculture into chocolate.* 

The company is sourcing organic, fairly traded cocoa from Ghana and Ivory Coast and partnering with Swiss maker(s) to offer a line of 70% dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this Organic and Fair Trade Certified bar included: true chocolate (brownie, chocolate cake), green citrus herb (oxalis, sorrel) and faint lightly earthy, faintly smokey, vanilla bean spice.

Flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes (above) with a deeper, richer immersion into the chocolate flavors that were accented with authentic vanilla and an occasional uptick of salt--that, along with the lightly roasted almonds, helped balance the sweetness provided by coconut sugar. 

The green citrus note (likely from oxalic acid) and a very faint fruit and/or citrus quality yielded a balanced chocolate acidity that lingered lightly in the finish.

Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic cocoa beans, Fair Trade Organic coconut sugar, organic almonds, Fair Trade Organic cocoa butter, sea salt, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon vanilla bean.

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that also processes almonds, hazelnuts, milk, coconut and soy."

*I first discovered Dr. Bronner's bars in local stores in December 2020. Already being a fan of their soaps, I was delighted to try this new line of dark chocolates. A bright spot of good news in challenging times (recent passing of a parent and ongoing Covid-19 related limitations on travel, work and social get-togethers.) Thankfully there is still much to feel very grateful about. 

Moka Origins - Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Ghana (bar) - Jan. 29, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moka Origins
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Ghana (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao Ghana (bar) was made, from bean-to-bar, by Moka Origins (Honesdale, PA). The company specializes in single origin, small batch chocolates (and coffees).

The balanced bouquet of aroma notes of this chocolate included: dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate torte), fruit (berry, and later, faint ripe kiwi), a fleeting, pleasant botanical floral spice (green tea + vanilla, white pepper), and a very faint, fleeting salt and black pepper potato (chip) note.

Flavor notes included: flavorful dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate torte), fruit (red berry, currant), sea salt, and very faint, green, floral black pepper and earth.

The well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and it had a smooth melt and creamy texture with micro crystals of sea salt.

Similar to yesterday's Ghana-grown cacao 58% dark milk chocolate (Moka Origins sibling), today's Ghana 72% dark chocolate sea salt bar was crafted using a blend of Amelonado and Trinitario cacao beans, from ABOCFA--an Organic and Fair Trade certified cacao co-operative that maintains "complete traceability for its cacao and their farmers." (Sourcing partner: Uncommon Cacao.)*

Maker's description: "Dark chocolate finished with hand-harvested sea salt"

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, Kosher flake sea salt. (Over 67% Fair Trade Certified Ingredients) USDA Organic certified; Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA

Allergen-related information: "Gluten free, vegan, soy free." "Made in a facility that handles dairy, gluten, coconut, and tree nuts."

*Historically, most of the cacao exported from West African countries like Ghana has not been fair trade certified (or organic certified) and has been "mostly untraceable." 

The ABOCFA cooperative in Suhum, Ghana, is one of only four certified Organic cacao providers in Ghana, and it supplies cacao from 13 local farming communities ("hamlets"). The co-op trains farmers on best practices to optimize quality (harvesting, fermentation, drying), to help ensure farmers receive a fair (higher) price for their cacao.

The organization can also provide more information to potential cacao buyers in other countries such as the U.S., which in turn can be supplied to customers. 

For example, we can read on the packaging that the cacao used to make this Moka Origins bar was from "Suhum, Ghana. Located in the Eastern Region of South Ghana, West Africa, with coordinates: 6.0413 degrees N., 0.4550 degrees W..." Cacao was grown at approximately "610 feet above sea level." And we also know that cocoa trees were likely "intercropped" (i.e. grown with) "palm trees, plantains, coconut and cassava plants."

It also should be noted that Moka Origins founders have spent time in Africa, and in fact have a farm in Cameroon (west-central Africa). They are dedicated to "ethically sourcing coffee and cacao" and supporting farmers and the environment.

Moka Origins - Dark Milk Chocolate 58% Cacao Ghana (bar) - Jan. 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moka Origins
Dark Milk Chocolate 58% Cacao Ghana (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Milk Chocolate 58% Cacao Ghana (bar) was made, from bean-to-bar, by Moka Origins (Honesdale, PA). The company specializes in single origin, small batch chocolates (and coffees).

The aroma of this chocolate was one of subtle, sweet dark milk chocolate, with a very faint clean mineral note.

The well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and it had a smooth melt and creamy texture.

The flavor had notes of slightly tart (faint, diffuse fruit) and milk chocolate flavor with faint molasses spice notes. The Ghana-grown cacao used to make this bar was a blend of Amelonado and Trinitario. 

This well-executed bar was refreshingly flavorful and relatively complex for a milk chocolate bar.

Maker's description: "Creamy dark chocolate made with organic A2/A2 milk from Alexandre Family Farm."

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic milk powder, organic cocoa butter. (Over 40% Fair Trade certified ingredients. Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.)

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk.) "Gluten free, soy free" "Made in a facility that handles dairy, gluten, coconut, and tree nuts."