Madhu Chocolate - Coconut Milk Cashew 54% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 16, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Madhu Chocolate 
Coconut Milk Cashew 54% Cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.29 (approx.) for 1 bar (part of larger order $65 for 7 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and India Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Coconut Milk Cashew 54% Cacao (bar) was from Madhu Chocolate (Austin, TX). The company offers a variety of small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolates, with India-inspired flavors--made using cacao sourced from the Tumaco region of Colombia (and cacao from India).

True to expectations, the aroma notes for this bar included sweet "milk" chocolate, authenric fragrant coconut and nut. Cashew pieces adorned the back of the bar.

This well-tempered bar was a complementary blend of velvety coconut milk chocolate and the soft crunch of cashew nut pieces. The nuts helped balance the sweetness and provided a pleasant textural element.

The well-executed, sweet, creamy bar was an upbeat celebration of coconut and chocolate. While it was difficult to pick out individual cacao flavor nuances, the 54% chocolate provided enough cacao flavor to help ground the sugar. (There was a very faint earth note could have come from cacao or coconut.)

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, cacao mass, organic cocoa butter, coconut milk powder (dehydrated coconut milk, tapioca maltodextrin, acacia gum), cashews

Allergen-related information: "Vegan. Gluten-free." "Contains coconut and tree nuts (cashews). Prepared in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy."

Madhu Chocolate - Saffron Milk 45% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 15, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Madhu Chocolate
Saffron Milk 45% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in total bar
Calories: 188 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.29 (estimate) for 1 bar (Paid $65.00 for a 7-bar order)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of India Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Saffron Milk 45% Cacao (bar) was from Madhu Chocolate (Austin, TX). Madhu co-owners and chocolate makers (Elliott and Harshit) blend India-inspired flavors with small batch, bean-to-bar chocolate. 

The cacao for this milk chocolate bar was sourced from the Tumaco region of Colombia. (The company also sources cacao from India.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: subtle chocolate with warm, upbeat spice.

The rich milk chocolate had a pleasing and smooth texture and melt.

Tasting notes included: sweet saffron* (and inferred, imaginary vanilla) blended with flavorful milk chocolate. The Colombian chocolate stood up to being muffled a bit by milk powder--that in turn created a comforting bed for saffron spice. 

This was a sweet chocolate; however, thankfully, cacao and spice notes still were able to shine through. It was delightful to experience the saffron in this bar. Like vanilla, saffron has delicate, complex, floral-related notes. Both saffron and vanilla have always felt like "happy" spices to me.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, whole milk solids), saffron

Allergen-related information: (Gluten-free.) "Prepared in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy."

* Saffron threads--the orange-yellow stamen(s) from purple saffron crocus flowers--are used in small quantities to flavor and color beverages, rice and savory dishes, confections...and, occasionally, if we're lucky, chocolate. Long cultivated in Mediterranean climates (e.g., Iran and Kashmir), saffron is a highly valued and expensive spice, largely due to the manual labor required. 

In re-tasting this bar a day later, the saffron's floral notes seem to have dissipated a bit, and there was a faint buttery, grassy earth note in the finish, from the saffron. While these notes are not uncommon with saffron, I advise eating this bar when it's first opened, as the more volatile floral flavor associated with this spice is shouldn't be missed. Oxidized saffron (what a waste!) can taste duller, almost bitter (weedy) in comparison. 

  

Madhu Chocolate - Dark Masala Chai 60% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Madhu Chocolate
Dark Masala Chai 60% Cacao (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in total bar
Calories: 175 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.29 (estimate) for 1 bar (part of a larger order, 7 bars for $65.00)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and India Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Dark Masala Chai 60% Cacao (bar) was from Madhu Chocolate (Austin, TX).

The aroma and flavors of this bar converged on a single description: dark, moist chocolate gingerbread cake with molasses and warm spices, with a rich, creamy dark chocolate chai tea latte.

The well-tempered 60% bar broke with a snap and had smooth, creamy texture. 

This highly appealing (and somewhat addictive) blend of chocolate, milk tea and spice was very flavorful and satisfying. If you like dark chocolate, gingerbread molasses cake and chai spiced (milk) tea, you'll feel like you hit the trifecta* with this bar.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), whole milk solids, black tea, spices.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk. Prepared in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy."

*The word "trifecta" refers to a bet where you correctly predict the first (win), second (place) and third (show) results. A triple win.

 

Madhu Chocolate - Vanilla Fennel 76% Cacao (bar) - Mar. 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Madhu Chocolate
Vanilla Fennel 76% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) / 2.6 oz. (74 g.) in total bar
Calories: 169 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.29 (estimate) for 1 bar (Paid $65.00 for a 7-bar order)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of India Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Vanilla Fennel 76% Cacao Chocolate (bar) was from Madhu Chocolate (Austin, TX). The flavors in this small batch, bean-to-bar dark chocolate were India-inspired. And the cacao was sourced by the owners (Elliott and Harshit) from the Tumaco region of Colombia. (The company also sources cacao from India.)

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, vanilla and licorice spice.

The well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and the texture and melt were pleasing and smooth.

Flavor notes included undulating waves of sweet vanilla and licorice that tapered down to expose a smooth dark chocolate stretch, followed by a clean finish. 

The dark chocolate was bold and fruity enough to be interesting and to stand up and sing with the flavor additions. (It was not obscured by sugar and spices.) However, there was enough harmonizing going on that it was difficult to pick out which notes belonged to the underlying cacao.

There were some fainter, more delicate green and floral notes in the background. It was difficult to know if these flavors were part of the Colombian cacao or the Madagascar vanilla, or both.

The maker's choice of 76% cacao for the dark chocolate base seemed just right to me. Anything less than 70% would have seemed too sweet I think, given the natural sweetness of the vanilla and fennel.* And this choice allowed the chocolate to really come through.

This flavorful, complex blend of flavors helped wake me up this morning. Ready to start the day now! 

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic fennel seed, organic Madagascar vanilla

Allergen-related information: (Vegan. Gluten free.) "Prepared in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy."

*Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) a much loved plant in other cultures, is considered an invasive weed where I live in California. It loves the Mediterranean climate here. But it's invasive with benefits...Every part of this naturally sweet, licorice-flavored plant is edible: seeds, pollen, fronds (feathery "leaves"), stems and roots (bulb). Candy-coated fennel seeds are used as a digestive or as a flavor addition to cookies/sweets as well as savory dishes. Birds, ladybugs and swallowtail butterflies love it too. Unlike other aggressively spreading plants, like ivy or bamboo, I can also enjoy this plant in a variety of foods, beverages...and chocolate.

 

AshaPops - Dark Chocolate Popped Water Lily Seeds - Mar. 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

AshaPops

Dark Chocolate Popped Water Lily Seeds

Good +

Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) in total package

Calories: 135 calories in 1 package

Cost: $6.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's AshaPops - Dark Chocolate Popped Water Lily Seeds were from Asha Foods LLC (Los Angeles, CA). Asha founders are a mother and son team (Asha and Jai), and are behind these "pearls of nature." (They also intend to contribute 5% of net proceeds to their growers.)

This Ayurveda*-inspired snack had an aroma with light chocolate, warm spice (spiced chai tea, nutmeg), faint coconut, and very faint green notes.

These airy puffed seeds were light as popped popcorn, with a pleasantly crunchy texture. 

The underlying seed flavor seemed neutral; and the added flavors formed a harmonious blend of cocoa, coconut sugar and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) that created a very appealing snack. In addition to cocoa, warm spices and faint coconut, there was also a very faint slightly musty green nut/green seed note.

Ingredients: Water lily seeds, organic coconut sugar, water, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), organic coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut. Made in a facility that processes dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans. If you have nut and/or seed allergies, please check with a medical professional before eating AshaPops. Some seeds may have part of a shell on them, so chew carefully."

*Popped water lily seeds (Euryale ferox, also known as makhana) have been enjoyed in India for centuries and are a popular snack. They are grain-free and gluten-free and have more protein than popcorn. In Ayurveda (translation:"life science/knowledge")--a system of natural/holistic medicine that originated in India 3,000+ years ago--water lily seeds are considered beneficial for all body types.

Lumineux Chocolate - India 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lumineux Chocolate
India 72% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar ($40 for 5 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order 

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

Today's India 72% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Lumineux Chocolate (Greenville, SC). 

The subtle aroma notes for this bar included: chocolate (dark chocolate cake) with light, diffuse fruit (yellow stone fruit, loquat, mango), very faint spice, and (almost invisible) very mild green/vegetable.

The texture was smooth, and flavor notes were relatively polished and subdued.

Flavor notes included: fruit (blend of yellow/orange stone fruit (loquat) and red fruit/berry, mild sweet-tart citrus) and smooth chocolate (dark chocolate cake). 

Very late in the finish was a very faint astringent fruit/mild black pepper throat tickle. Nothing objectionable. More like what you'd experience with some well-rounded red wines.

This was a pleasant bar with subtle, well managed flavors and light, balanced fruit acidity.

Maker's tasting notes: "dried mango, black pepper, citrus"

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (No information found on packaging.)

 

White Label Chocolate - India Anamalai 74% (bar) - Mar. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

White Label Chocolate
India Anamalai 74% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 189 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $13.00 (guesstimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate, Santa Cruz, CA

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

Today's India Anamalai 74% (bar) was from White Label Chocolate (Santa Cruz, CA).

Aroma observations included: bold, acidic fruit (plums, red fruit, dates), chocolate-y, and nutty/nuts.

This well-tempered broke with a snap, and it had a smooth texture with buttery melt and flavor. There was, initially, a very slight fruit astringency toward the finish--a throat tickle that disappeared with subsequent bites.

Flavor notes overlapped closely with the (above) aroma and texture descriptions. The base (single farm, Anamalai, Tamil Nadu, India* cacao) chocolate was relatively bold and full with a notable, balanced red fruit-acidity (think red wine grapes and faint tart cherry notes in a fine red wine), tempered by a faint buttery quality/taste, and faint, fleeting nutty and tart green notes. 

Also present was a barely there, natural, caramel warm spice sweetness (ginger cookie, brown sugar). The maker's choice to bump up the cacao percentage in this bar from 70%, to 74% cacao (i.e. more cacao, less sugar) seemed wise. A 70% cacao version might have seemed too sweet for some dark fans. The choice to add cocoa butter may have muted some of the stronger notes, making it more palatable for those who prefer less intense flavor(s). 

The end result was a satisfying, flavorful and balanced, bold dark chocolate. 

Ingredients: Cacao beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (No information found on packaging.)

*Maker's notes included a cornucopia of information about the (Forastero and Criollo) cacao used to craft today's bar. Like the previous two 70% Anamalai Estate bars this week, the cacao was grown in the Anamalai hills (aka Elephant Mountains) of southern India. However, this expansive hilly range spans two Indian states. The cacao in today's bar was from a farm in Tamil Nadu (rather than Kerala).