Equal Exchange - Organic Chocolate 55% Cacao Coconut Milk (bar) - June 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Equal Exchange 
Organic Chocolate 55% Cacao Coconut Milk (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 9 pieces (squares) of bar (1 serving)
Cost: $2.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: New Leaf Community Markets, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Tea Theme Week, featuring chocolate and tea pairings.

Today's Organic Chocolate 55% Cacao Coconut Milk with Coconut Palm Sugar (bar) was produced in Switzerland for Equal Exchange Co-op (West Bridgewater, MA).

Equal Exchange, a co-op owned company, has been building alternative supply chain relationships and focusing on fair trade and small farmers for many years. Their offerings include chocolate, coffee, and other packaged foods.

The ingredients used to make this bar were all grown by small farmer co-operatives around the globe. The organic cacao was grown in the Dominican Republic and Peru. The organic sugar was from Paraguay and Costa Rica. The organic vanilla was from Madagascar; and the organic coconut was from Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

This bar had notably thick, coconut (milk) creamy texture with rich, sweet, authentic toasted coconut, chocolate and brown sugar (aroma and) flavors. A hint of vanilla enhanced the sense of sweetness even more. This 55% cacao bar would be great for coconut lovers with a sweet tooth and/or those searching for a sweet diary milk chocolate alternative with a little extra flavor.

Tea Pairings

Pairing chocolate with wine, tea, coffee or milk(s), can be tricky. Ideally, one should not dominate or take the other chocolate or beverage flavor(s) sideways. The best pairings elevate each both items, resulting in delicious blend. 

I tried pairing today's coconut milk chocolate with the following tea-related items:

1.) Frozen Brown Sugar Boba tea and vanilla ice cream bar (from Taiwan)
2.) Chilled Hibiscus kombucha tea
3.) Warm chai tea (oolong tea, chai spices and chai spice-infused honey)
4.) Hot/warm grapefruit leaf tea

Once again, I found that frozen and chilled tea items dulled chocolate (bar) flavors. (Cocoa butter melts at around body temperature, at which point fats and solids start separating and, arguably, the zone where embedded flavors are most easily released and enjoyed.)

Today's coconut chocolate bar was also quite sweet (a bit of a challenge), ruling out many sweetened tea offerings as partners for fear of creating overly sugared blends. 

The pairing winner? Hot/warm fresh grapefruit leaf tea (think light green, lemon, and faint lemongrass notes). This will not come as a complete surprise to those who like Thai warm coconut milk and lemon grass (savory) soups or chilled lemongrass and coconut sugar drinks. The unsweetened, fresh grapefruit leaf tisane/tea added some flavor depth/lift in the form of light acidic fruit and green notes and balanced the inherent sweetness of this bar.

Ingredients: Fairly traded, organic coconut palm sugar; fairly traded, organic chocolate liquor; fairly traded, organic cocoa butter; fairly traded, organic coconut flakes; organic coconut milk powder (fairly traded, organic coconut milk, organic tapioca maltodextrin).

Allergen-related: "Contains coconut. May contain milk, peanuts, hazelnuts and almonds."

Taza Chocolate - Seriously Dark 87% Dark Chocolate (bar) - June 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate

Seriously Dark 87% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar

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

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Tea Theme Week, including chocolate items with tea, and chocolate and tea pairings.

Today's "Seriously Dark" 87% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). The company specializes in minimally processed, stoneground chocolate and offers a variety of bars, discs, barks and chocolate covered nuts.

Taza's Seriously Dark bar was made using direct trade certified cacao; and the aroma had relatively bold dark chocolate, floral and vanilla, diffuse ripe fruit, and tropical forest notes. Taza is known for less processed, flavorful chocolate--flavors preserved in part due to short(er) grinding and conching times in large stainless steel machines.

Today's 87% bar did not contain tea. Instead I searched for three different teas to find the best pairing with this chocolate. 

I knew this bold dark chocolate might not pair easily with teas....But, the perils of pairing be damned; the hunt was on for a match.

Tea partners for Taza: Matcha (ice cream bar), ginger, grapefruit leaf...

I first tried pairing today's Taza Chocolate ultra-dark bar with its apparent opposite: a frozen, creamy, smooth, delicate, grassy Matcha (green tea) Brown Sugar Boba ice cream bar -- inspired by popular boba (tapioca pearl/mini-mochi) tea drinks from Taiwan. The refreshing, matcha tea bar (like green tea ice cream or an iced matcha latte) was perfect for today's hot weather.

However, the pairing of a Matcha ice cream boba bar with the Taza 87% chocolate was a study in contrasts. They each had unique, enjoyable aromas and flavors. Unfortunately, the combined array of vibrant taste and texture (and temperature) sensations failed to mesh harmoniously.

These two offerings were best enjoyed separately. Blind dates don't always work out. However, after a little more tea speed dating, I did find better mates for both the chocolate and Matcha tea bars.

Cool ginger tea did not agree with this ultra-dark bar. Just when I thought this Taza 87% bar was a confirmed singleton, with its rough, almost crunchy texture, unique floral sweetness, and untameable spirit, I tried pairing it with some warm grapefruit leaf tea (made by pouring very hot water over torn grapefruit (or lemon) tree leaves and letting the infusion steep for a few minutes).

The pale, amber-hued grapefruit leaf tea had a lemony citrus flavor. And it was surprisingly harmonious with today's Seriously Dark chocolate. The warmer tea (vs. frozen tea ice cream) also made the chocolate flavors more accessible. (Frozen chocolate quickly loses textural and flavor benefits.)

And, for our Matcha Brown Sugar Boba bar, the best match was: creamy, buttery, dark chocolate truffles dusted in dark cocoa powder.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla beans.

Allergen-related: "Contains traces of almonds, cashews, coconut, hazelnuts and pecans."

Alec's Ice Cream - Matcha Chocolate Chip - June 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Alec's Ice Cream

Matcha Chocolate Chip

Good ++

Weight: 2/3 cup (122 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total container

Calories: 310 calories in 2/3 cup serving

Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 container

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

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

Today's Matcha Chocolate Chip ice cream from Alec's Ice Cream* (Petaluma, CA) was made with organic cream and milk from pasture-raised cows in Sonoma, CA. 

Alec's chose "ultra-premium Japanese Matcha" for this blend; and the ice cream did indeed have a high-quality, refreshing, matcha green tea latte aroma and flavor. 

The happy cows (mentioned above, from Alexandre Family Farm, the first certified regenerative, organic A2 dairy in the U.S.) contributed to the creamy, rich texture of the base ice cream--that was studded with a generous helping of smooth, dark chocolate chunks. 

The dark chocolate may not have been super bold or complex, but it was well matched and crafted for this ice cream. Made with coconut oil (and organic, alkalized cocoa), the chunks/chips were texturally accessible--easy to bite into and enjoy (unlike chocolate chips that lose flavor and become small, ebony-colored waxy bits when frozen). And the relatively mild flavor profile allowed the the matcha and cream to shine.

The ice cream was sweet, without being overly so (thank you!). This judicious level of sugar helped showcase the green tea and chocolate flavors, mellowed only by the creamy ice cream base. (Yes, we're back to the cream. Visions of happy cows again.) 

Less sugar (and whipped air) means this denser ice cream is firmer when you first take it out of the freezer. I advise leaving it out for a few minutes after taking it out of the fridge, or using a strong scoop/spoon. (I broke a pretty (but apparently weak) spoon trying to drill into this Matcha Chocolate Chip ice cream straight out of the freezer.) It's worth the wait.

Maker's description: "Mellow and earthy meets sweet and sublime..."

Ingredients: Organic cream, Organic skim milk, organic cane sugar, organic chocolate chunks (organic cane sugar, organic coconut oil, organic alkalized cocoa powder (organic cocoa powder, potassium carbonate), organic soy lecithin, organic vanilla extract), organic egg yolk, organic matcha (less than 0.5%), organic carob gum, organic guar gum.

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

*Founder and CEO Alec Jaffee and the Alec's Ice Cream team took over the site of the much loved Three Twins Ice Cream in Petaluma, CA. 

Endangered Species - Luscious Blueberries + Dark Chocolate 72% (bar) - June 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species
Luscious Blueberries + Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - 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: New Leaf Community Markets, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate and Fruit(s) Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Tea Theme Week, that includes chocolate + tea pairings.

Today's Luscious Blueberries + Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa (bar) was from Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN). 

Aroma notes for this bar included dark chocolate; authentic, smoky floral vanilla bean; and dark berry jam cake.

The 72% cocoa dark chocolate had a thick, creamy texture with a satisfying, relatively slow, even melt. The chocolate flavor was deep, dense and mellow (almost nutty). 

The sweetness level was balanced by dark, rich chocolate and (more subtle) dark berry/blueberry flavors. 

I paired this bar with a black tea flavored with fresh, strained blueberry juice and a lemon slice.

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), cane sugar, dried blueberries, sunflower oil. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy." "Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts."

 

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.