Kuli Kuli - Raspberry Chia Super Bark, Dark Chocolate Snack - June 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Kuli Kuli, Inc.

Raspberry Chia Super Bark

Good +

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package

Calories: 170 calories in 1/4 package

Cost: $4.99 for 1 package

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

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week(s), and Day #1 of Chocolate and Tea Series. 

Today's dark chocolate Raspberry Chia Super Bark was from Kuli Kuli, Inc. (Oakland, CA). Company founder and CEO, Lisa Curtis, developed the idea for the moringa*-based products company after working with moringa in the Peace Corps in West Africa. The company offers a variety of products, including moringa leaf powder and teas.

The aroma for these (gluten free, vegan and keto-friendly) dark chocolate snacks included: dark chocolate, red raspberry, seed/grain (quinoa), and green botanical notes.

There was a lot packed into these snack squares including moringa, baobab fruit** and hibiscus powders. The latter (flower) contributed a faint, red-fruity tartness--as did dried and powdered red raspberry. Chia seeds and puffed quinoa added crunchy texture.

These squares were refreshingly un-sweet, with no refined sugars. (They were sweetened with erythritol, stevia and the above-mentioned fruit powders.)

I paired this with a chilled, iced hibiscus tea. Perfect refresher for a hot day and it meshed well with this snack.

Ingredients: Chocolate liquor, erythritol, inulin (extract of chicory root), cocoa butter, Kuli Kuli proprietary blend (organic black chia seeds, puffed quinoa, organic moringa powder, organic hibiscus flower powder, organic baobab fruit powder), dried raspberry pieces, dried raspberry powder (dried raspberries), Natural Flavor, soy lecithin, sea salt, vanilla, Reb A (extract of stevia).

Allergen-related information: "Contains soy." "Processed in a facility that also processes dairy, eggs, peanuts, wheat and tree nuts."

*Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a leafy green plant--from Southeast Asia, India and Africa--that is relatively high in Vitamin C and anti-oxidants. The "green" flavor is often likened to matcha green tea and spirulina. 

**The Baobab (Andansonia) is a tree that is perhaps most closely associated with the African island nation of Madagascar. The brown-skinned baobab fruit has a tart, relatively dry, white fruit interior with a taste some have likened to a lightly grainy, lemony-pear yogurt. 

Baobab trees are also part of the very large malva (mallow) genus/family that includes cacao as well as hibiscus, okra, cotton and durian. Today's treat contained three members of this malva-lous group.

Crunchies - Freeze-Dried Blueberries in Dark Chocolate - June 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Distributed by Crunchies Natural Food Company, LLC

Freeze-Dried Blueberries in Dark Chocolate

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) in total package

Calories: 280 calories in 2 servings

Cost: $3.99 for 1 package

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

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Freeze-Dried Blueberries in Dark Chocolate were distributed by Crunchies Natural Food Company, LLC (Calabasas, CA).

The company offers a line of crunchy freeze-dried fruits, including some that are chocolate-coated (strawberry, banana and today's blueberry).

Aroma notes for these petite, glossy, dark chocolate orbs included: unmistakable blueberry fruit, ripe, dark berry preserves and subtle dark chocolate notes.

The light, crunchy, freeze-dried blueberries at the center of these chocolate confections were bursting with a range of fresh blueberry fruit flavor notes: sweet, ripe and tangy blueberry fruit, blueberry syrup or jam, slightly floral, slightly earthy blueberry, and ripe blackberry. The entire blueberry flavor rainbow was perfectly captured, then sealed in a dark chocolate time capsule. A testament to the miracle of freeze-drying when done right.

I really enjoyed the pairing of dark berry and dark chocolate. The deeper, richer and more flavorful ingredients balanced the sweetness nicely. A hint of vanilla (and "natural flavor") evoked distant taste memories of freshly baked blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup, and blueberry muffins.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (emulsifier), whole milk powder, natural vanilla extract), freeze-dried blueberries, confectioners glaze, gum arabic, natural flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, soy" "May contain eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat" 

OMG! Food Company - Immunity - Cacao, Camu Camu Powder - June 8, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

OMG! Food Company
Immunity Organic Superfood Blend  
Good +
Weight: 1 TB oz. (6.5 g.) / 5.5 oz. (155 g.) in total container
Calories: 20 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $7.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's "Immunity" Organic Superfood Blend--a powdered blend containing cacao, camu camu (fruit) and other powders--was from OMG! Food Company (Rancho Dominguez, CA).

This (vegan) blend was designed to be mixed with a variety of beverages and foods, including smoothies and yogurt. 

The subtle aroma notes (of the dried powder, by itself) included dried fruit (mango, orange, lemon-lime, goji berry), faint cocoa and green tea. 

I mixed today's Immunity powder with plain, non-fat, Greek yogurt and cold water. The water  made it easier to stir and fully incorporate these ingredients. The resulting beverage was relatively thick, smooth and creamy. I expected the yogurt would add a very slight tartness.

However, I wasn't quite prepared for how tart the camu camu fruit powder in this mix would be. The number one ingredient in this blend was cacao powder, but it was overshadowed by the eye-opening sourness of the camu camu fruit powder (the number two ingredient). This small fruit is known for it's high Vitamin C content. 

The South American* berry looks like a cross between a purple grape and a tiny red apple--with the tartness of both these fruits plus citrus fruit. Like many berries, camu camu contains anti-oxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Powdered mushrooms and greens added a bit of umami flavor to this tangy cacao blend. My palette's taste buds were treated to the full range of flavor: sour, bitter, umami, and to a lesser degree: sweet and salty. 

I enjoyed the bracing cacao and fruit boost and the (yogurt) protein this morning without a sugar rush. Like a very tart juice shot with lemon juice and ginger), you'll find that one serving (1 TB of powder) is plenty to wake you up.

Ingredients: Organic cacao powder, organic camu camu powder, organic chaga mushroom powder, organic chlorella powder, organic reishi mushroom powder, organic kale powder.

Allergen-related ingredients: "OMG Foods are free from gluten, dairy, soy, sweeteners, fillers, additives, preservatives, and anything artificial."

*Peru is the largest producer of camu camu berries, but it can be found in many other neighboring countries, including Brazil and Ecuador.

Shekoh Confections - Blackcurrant - June 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Blackcurrant
Good +++ 
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 (estimate) 
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Yuzu chocolate was created by Chef Shekoh Moossavi at Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA). Her high-end filled chocolates were/are made with no preservatives, and "fresh to order" for customers.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (faint dark brownie with nut butter); faint diffuse tart sweet fruit (dark berry + light mango jam); and tart green lemon herb (oxalis). 

Biting into this small, domed confection yielded an excellent blend of jammy dark berry (black currant, blueberry preserves) fruit and chocolate--a very satisfying, flavorful layering of a dark chocolate shell and ganache with true dark chocolate (dark chocolate torte, faint nut and very faint tart lemony herb (oxalis)) notes. The rich flavors lingered lightly into the finish.

This was another very well balanced and executed confection, with a restrained sweetness--just enough for enjoyment while still allowing full access to cacao and authentic, sweet-tart blackcurrant fruit flavors.

Shekoh description: "Puree of blackcurrant (and) Valrhona 64% Tainori dark chocolate."

Ingredients: Not listed on small assortment box

Allergen-related information: Not listed on small assortment box

 

Shekoh Confections - Chambord - June 6, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Chambord
Good ++ 
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 (estimate) 
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Chambord chocolate was created by Chef Shekoh Moossavi at Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA).

Subdued aroma notes for this pretty red domed confection included: faint sweet white and dark chocolate; and very diffuse fruit (berry).

Flavor notes included layered, refreshing, red raspberry in a smooth, creamy, dark chocolate ganache (infused with a very faint dash of raspberry liqueur). This interior was surrounded by a sweet, white chocolate shell and raspberry red "glaze."

 This was a classic, elegantly sweet (white) and dark chocolate and authentic raspberry dessert under a tiny dome.

Shekoh description: "Valrhona dark chocolate, raspberry puree, and raspberry liqueur." 

Ingredients: Not listed on small assortment box

Allergen-related information: Not listed on small assortment box

 

Shekoh Confections - Yuzu - June 5, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Yuzu
Good +++ 
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 (estimate) 
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Yuzu chocolate was created by Chef Shekoh Moossavi at Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA). Her line of high-end chocolate confections is made with no preservatives, and "fresh to order".

Subdued aroma notes included: faint dark very slightly earthy (and faintly nutty) dark chocolate; faint diffuse tart sweet citrus fruit; and faint tart green lemon herb (oxalis). 

On biting into this small, domed confection I was met with a hearty uptick of flavor--a very satisfying, flavorful blend of a dark chocolate shell (bold yet smooth, with very slight earthy and green/oxalis notes) and yuzu fruit (juice) infused into this creamy interior. The rich, dark chocolate flavor lingered in the finish.

This was a very well balanced and executed confection, with a restrained sweetness--just enough for enjoyment while still allowing full access to cacao and authentic, tart-sweet fruit flavors.

Shekoh description: "Valrhona milk chocolate and yuzu juice."

Ingredients: Not listed on small assortment box

Allergen-related information: Not listed on small assortment box

Shekoh Confections - Lemon Almond - June 4, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Shekoh Confections
Lemon Almond 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $4.40 (estimate) 
Purchased from: Shekoh Confections, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Fruit Theme Week.

Today's Lemon Almond chocolate was created by Shekoh Confections (Palo Alto, CA). Chef Shekoh Moossavi creates a variety of high-end chocolate confections. If you live in the area, consider visiting her shop.

Lemon Almond chocolate

Today's Lemon Almond chocolate had beautiful overall taste and texture(s): natural lemon, crispy almond praline and light (almost mousse-like), creamy milk chocolate ganache, surrounded by a darker chocolate shell. 

This chocolate evoked memories of thin, buttery lemon wafer cookies with crushed almonds, half-dipped in chocolate.* 

Another balanced, layered fresh flavor experience in a small package from Shekoh Confections.

It's become more convenient to order chocolates on-line; but nothing beats being able to buy chocolates in person, and thank a highly trained and skilled chocolate creator face-to-face. In case I didn't get that point across during our meeting wearing a (Covid) mask, thank you Chef Shekoh!

Description: "Valrhona milk chocolate, almond praline, lemon oil."

Ingredients: Not listed on small assortment box

Allergen-related information: Not listed on small assortment box

*Pirouettes, aka barquillos