Revolution Gelato - Mocha Madness Plant-based Mini Gelato Pie - July 17, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Revolution Gelato
Mocha Madness
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in 1 mini pie
Calories: 260 calories in 1 mini pie
Cost: $2.59 for 1 pie
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Mocha Madness Plant-based Mini Gelato Pie was made for Revolution Gelato (Atlanta, GA). 

This frozen mocha pie had a subtle aroma, and an initial flavor that had a slightly coconutty, wheat-y/starchy, with plant-based taste and texture.* 

This Mocha pie also tasted lower in sugar--normally something I like. Although it made me realize that sugar (and cream/milk) are what I'm expecting when I eat gelato or ice cream desserts (even though I'm always trying to find one with less sugar). This was a helpful reality check.

The thick chocolate cookie-like pie "pastry" crust, was filled with non-dairy coffee gelato, and topped with a crispy frozen dark chocolate layer on top. 

I liked the concept (very nice to have options like this) and the complexity from the layered flavors; however, these flavors tasted plant-based and natural but didn't always feel totally integrated.

*Warning: This was not gluten free. One of the reasons why this pie might have had an odd taste: the pie crust contained wheat (and barley and corn) flours and subtle nut (cashews). Occasionally I fail to read labels correctly, and buy something with wheat/gluten. Even less frequently, I eat something before I realize it's not gluten-free. This was one of those times.

Ingredients: Gelato*: water, organic tapioca syrup, organic cold brew coffee (water, organic coffee), organic cane sugar, organic coconut oil, organic cashews, organic gum arabic, organic coffee, organic guar gum, sea salt, crust: flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), palm oil, sugar, corn flour, cocoa (processed with alkali), water, salt, xanthan gum, topping: organic chocolate (organic cocoa mass, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter), organic coconut oil.

Allergen-related information: Contains: wheat, cashew, coconut. "Made in a facility that also processes dairy, eggs, peanuts, and soy" (Keep frozen)

Dreyer's - Mocha Almond Avenue ice cream - July 16, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Dreyer's 

Mocha Almond Avenue ice cream

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 2/3 cup (86 g.) / 1.5 Quarts (1.41 Liter) in total container

Calories: 200 calories in 2/3 cup serving

Cost: $5.99 (estimate) for 1 container 

Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week--a series that has been temporarily high-jacked by a series of coffee/mocha frozen dessert entries due to summer weather.

Today's Mocha Almond Avenue ice cream was distributed by Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (Oakland, CA), a company originally founded in Oakland in 1928.* 

Of all the ice creams so far this week, this Mocha Almond Avenue ice cream evoked the most positive childhood memories related to coffee and chocolate ice creams. It also had the most generous (and tasty) serving of nuts (almonds).

The aroma telegraphed rich, creamy coffee latte with faint nutty notes. The texture was light (pillowy) and quite creamy. And the flavors were smooth and well-balanced. A creamy coffee ice cream base contained well incorporated swirls of smooth dark chocolate fudge and the aforementioned crunchy hunks of roasted almonds.

Ingredients: Skim milk, cream, sugar, fudge swirl (sugar, corn syrup, skim milk, cream, cocoa processed with alkali, palm oil, bitter chocolate, modified tapioca starch, sodium alginate), corn syrup, roasted almonds (almonds, safflower oil, salt), whey, coffee, guar gum, carob bean gum, monoglycerides.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk and almond ingredients."

*In 2004, Dreyer's invested in Haagen-Dazs. In 2006, Dreyer's became a subsidiary of Nestle; and in 2019 Nestle sold their U.S. ice cream brands to become part of Swiss joint venture company, Froneri as part of an estimated $4 billion deal. Note: If you live in the Eastern U.S. (east of the Rockies), the Dreyer's brand may be sold as Edy's Ice Cream. 

Negranti Creamery - Black Coffee Chocolate Chip Sheep Milk Ice Cream - July 15, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Negranti Creamery
Black Coffee Chocolate Chip (sheep milk ice cream)
Good ++
Weight: 1/2 cup (85 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL.) in total container
Calories: 150 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $8.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week(s).

Today's Black Coffee Chocolate Chip sheep milk* ice cream was created by Alex Negranti and team at Negranti Creamery (Paso Robles, CA).

This ice cream had an authentic, rich coffee with milk aroma. 

The texture was more like traditional (home made/high-quality) ice milk--hard to find anymore. It was refreshing and satisfying, with an even, relatively quick melt, and with a bit less heavy cream and other residue(s). (The absence of vegetable gums and other ingredients often used in ice creams to enhance "creaminess" was refreshing in and of itself.)

Strong, bold dark, "black" coffee flavor melded with naturally sweet (almost fruity) and faintly nutty notes in this ice cream. Tiny chocolate chunks provided flecks of crunchy texture and added flavor depth.

Ingredients: Sheep milk, cane sugar, coffee, chocolate chunks (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat), tapioca starch. 

Allergen-related information: (Contained dairy (sheep milk)). "Made on shared equipment, may contain nuts."

*Why sheep milk? The sheep milk used to make today's ice cream almost certainly contained the easier-to-digest A2 protein (vs. the A1 protein in most cow milk sold in the U.S.). And the sheep were pasture-fed. (A grass diet can contribute to a healthier nutritional profile.) 

Also, sheep milk is said to be higher in certain vitamins and minerals as well as having fats that are healthier and easier to digest. 

Finally, unlike goat milk's very slightly gamey flavor, sheep milk tends to be neutral and slightly sweet.

Yasso - Coffee Chocolate Chip Frozen Greek Yogurt (bars) - July 14, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Yasso, Inc. 
Coffee Chocolate Chip - Frozen Greek Yogurt (bars)
Good ++
Weight: 3.5 fl. oz. (103 mL) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in total package of 4 bars
Calories: 100 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.50 (2 for $11.00) for 1 package/box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Safeway, Mountain View, CA

Yasso, Inc.
Coffee Poppables - Naturally Flavored Frozen Greek Yogurt
Good ++
Weight: .68 fl. oz. (20 mL) / 4.08 fl. oz. (120 mL) in total package of 6
Calories: 50 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $5.50 (2 for $11.00) for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Safeway, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week, and Happy Bastille Day* to all who celebrate this holiday. Summer weather has prompted a series of items this week from the frozen/ice cream sections of local stores.

Today's Coffee Chocolate Chip Naturally Flavored Frozen Greek Yogurt (bars) and Coffee Poppables were manufactured for Yasso, Inc. (Boulder, CO). The company produces a line of frozen snacks including bars (plain and chocolate covered), ice cream-style sandwiches and poppables.

Coffee Chocolate Chip bar

The frozen coffee bar had a light coffee/mocha scent, an easy melt and creamy texture. An authentic coffee flavor lingered into the finish. The generous smattering of small chocolate chips had just the right melt and accessible chocolate flavor. (The chips were neither too hard or waxy, nor too soft). 

Coffee Poppable

The second yogurt treat--a dome-shaped, frozen Coffee "Poppable"--had more textural contrast than the Coffee bar. It had a thin, softly crunchy outer dark chocolate shell (with just the right texture), a creamy coffee frozen yogurt interior, and some crispy quinoa bits. 

At 50 calories a pop, these were a relative caloric bargain.

Both these Yasso coffee + chocolate greek yogurt treats ("ice cream upgraded") were creamy, appealing and sweet, without being too sugary. 

Coffee Chocolate Chip (bar) Ingredients: Nonfat milk, greek yogurt (nonfat milk, ultrafiltered nonfat milk, cultures), sugar, chocolate flavored chip (powdered sugar (sugar, cornstarch), coconut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, cocoa, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), milk protein concentrate, maltodextrin, cream, coffee extract, locust bean gum, guar gum, natural flavor.

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

Coffee Poppables Ingredients: Nonfat milk, dark chocolate flavored coating (coconut oil, sugar, cocoa powder processed with alkali, chocolate liquor, soybean oil, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), sugar, greek yogurt (nonfat milk, ultrafiltered nonfat milk, cultures), cream, milk protein concentrate, crisp quinoa, maltodextrin, coffee extract, locust bean gum, guar gum, natural flavor.

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

*Bastille Day, also known as French National Day (La Fete Nacional), is a holiday celebrated in France and many of its territories, to commemorate the storming of the Bastille (prison) on July 14, 1789. This event is often cited as a turning point in the French Revolution. Similar to the 4th of July (Independence Day) in the U.S., this public holiday is often celebrated with fireworks in the evening.

Taza Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans - July 13, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 oz. (28 g.) serving (about 36 pieces)
Cost: $3.99 for 1 serving
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Organic and Vegan* Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans were from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). 

My favorite part of this tasting experience may have been when I first opened the package and inhaled deeply. Many of this past week's featured items have been more chocolate forward. Today it was coffee's turn. These espresso beans had a wonderful, bold coffee aroma.

The texture was a study in contrasts: smooth, creamy dark (direct trade, Ghana) chocolate covered crunchy, almost fibrous, coffee beans. Taza Chocolate is known for chocolate that is stone-ground cho--a process that can result in bolder/less processed flavor and a thicker/almost gritty texture. (I noticed no grit in today's chocolate. It seemed very thick and creamy in contrast with the roasted coffee beans.)

The flavor notes included the aforementioned bold espresso-roast coffee beans and true chocolate. However, the more fully intact (less processed) flavors also had vibrant, authentic complexity with flickers of fruit (diffuse red berry, faint red apple and nectarine, olive), balanced earth, roasted (wood, seed, nut) and sweetness (light brown sugar, faint vanilla).

A full serving (approximately 36 pieces, or 1 oz. (28 g.)) of these flavorful Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans (and the caffeine and theobromine they contain) will engage all your tasting senses and leave you wide awake and ready to start your walk, hike, run, ride or other project.

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

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts and sesame seeds." "Dairy Free, Soy Free, Vegan,* Gluten Free"

*Many chocolate covered items use shellacs, glazes or "varnishes" made from insect-derived resinous lac/shellac to give them a shiny, glossy appearance--making them ineligible for Vegan status. Today's Vegan Taza chocolate-covered offering did not contain these insect-derived ingredients.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Cold Brew Coffee with Oatmilk Chocolate - July 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Stumptown Coffee Roasters 
Cold Brew Coffee with Oatmilk Chocolate 

Good +

Weight: 5.5 fl. oz. (162.5 mL.) / 11 fl. oz. (325 mL) in total container
Calories: 140 calories in 1 container

Cost: $1.99 for 1 container

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

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

Today's Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee with Oatmilk Chocolate was manufactured for Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Portland, OR). 

This plant-based, refrigerated beverage was made with oat milk from Oatly Group AB* (Malmo, Sweden) and had a pleasant mocha and oat biscuit aroma.

The texture was relatively thick and hearty (creamy, with no oat grit). (It also contained vegetable gums that contributed to the homogenized mouthfeel.)

The Stumptown coffee was present in the aroma, but not so much in the actual flavor. The taste was more oat-y, with a mild chocolate milk flavor and a hint of warm vanilla. (The added cocoa powder had been alkalized.) 

This oat-forward chilled beverage was relatively satisfying and filling. Refreshingly, it was also not too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: Oatmilk (water, oats), cold brew coffee (water, coffee), contains 2% of less of low erucic acid rapeseed oil, cane sugar, cocoa powder processed with alkali, dipotassium phosphate, gum acacia, gellan gum, calcium carbonate, tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, natural flavors, dicalcium phosphate.

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Dairy Free" (No other information listed on container label.)

*Oatly, a Swedish food company founded in the 1990s, produces dairy alternative offerings based on oats. The company is now owned by China Resources, a Belgium-based investment group (Verlinvest), The Blackstone Group, as well as employees and other investors.

Exquisito Chocolates - Cacao Nibble, Single Origin Roasted Cacao Nibs - July 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates
Cacao Nibble, Single Origin Roasted Cacao Nibs
Good ++
Weight: 3 TB (28 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) in total package
Calories: 175 calories (estimate) in 1 serving
Cost: $10.00 (double check) for 1 package 
Purchased from: Exquisito Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. 

Today's Cacao Nibble, Single Origin Roasted Cacao Nibs were from Exquisito Chocolates (Little Havana, Miami, FL).

The aroma for these softly crunchy, fresh cocoa nibs included cacao with medium (balanced) acidity, faint green and faint roasted nut and spice (pecan, cinnamon) notes.

Flavor notes included: authentic, unsweetened cacao with mild-moderate acidity, chocolate (faintly earthy/loamy brownie), and subtle(roasted (nutty, faintly woody seed, coffee) notes. 

These nibs were well-balanced with medium complexity and no "off" notes. They were suitable for several uses, including for snacking/nibbling if you like nibs. They also would be good for inclusion in sweet or savory dishes/rubs or sauces, marinating in whiskey or spirits, or in brownies, smoothies and chocolate confections.

Note: I tasted these first (by themselves) and also used some to make an (unbaked) cocoa nib confection with them (with coconut oil, finely ground almonds, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt). 

Maker's tasting notes: "Roasted nuts"

Ingredients: Cacao beans

Allergen-related information: (None listed on package, but the following information was included in the item description on the Exquisito Chocolates website: "Cacao processed in a facility that also processes milk, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat.")