Lumineux - Uganda 68% Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 23, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lumineux Chocolate
Uganda 68% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar ($40.00 for 5 different bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace/store, online order 

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week.

Today's Uganda 68% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Lumineux Chocolate (Greenville, SC). Ben and Becca Snyder founded their small-batch chocolate company to produce high-quality chocolate, and to showcase flavors in African cacao. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this Uganda bar included: dark chocolate with dark, rich stone fruit (plum, light prune), faint whiskey, very faint botanical (light green, maple, warm spice, clean mineral) and very faint graham cracker/cookie notes. 

Tasting the chocolate also yielded a richer, authentic chocolate (brownie batter) flavor.

This 68% cacao chocolate was relatively sweet (given I was tasting other 100% and 85% Ghana bars in the last few days). But the complex and balanced flavors shone through and helped balance the sweetness; and the chocolate was relatively low in acidity and bitterness. The finish was clean with lingering traces of fruit, brownie and whiskey toward the end.

So, I'd say, mission accomplished with this Ghana bar--as far as highlighting more complex and more gently nuanced fine flavors--words that in decades past weren't applied to the very bold, intense cacao often associated with African countries. The bold flavors were tamed and blended and lots of sugar was added; and farmers in Africa (and elsewhere) were not always  paid to grow and develop fine flavored cacao.

Maker's tasting notes: "Plum, Bourbon"

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (No information listed that I could find.)

Fjak - 100% Organic Mork Uganda Semuliki Forest Single Origin (bar) - July 22, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade
100% Organic Mork Uganda Semuliki Forest Single Origin (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / ~ 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week.

Today's 100% Mork (Dark) Uganda Semuliki Forest Single Origin (bar) was crafted by Fjak Sjokolade bean-to-bar makers in their small factory by the Hardangerfjord (a long fjord in Western Norway).

Popular with artisan chocolate makers, Semuliki Forest cacao (located in Bundibugyo, in Western Uganda), is made up of cacao from many small farms. (About half the farmers are women.) Uganda lies in east-central Africa and is about the size of the State of Kansas in the U.S.

Aroma notes detected, in order of appearance, were: peat (this faded after being opened for a few minutes), botanical (diffuse fruit, very faint green, maple), dark cocoa, and very faint sweet, smokey whiskey.

Flavor notes for this bar included: bold but balanced tobacco, cacao (ultra dark nibs, brownie), and roasted nuts. The nut notes helped to round out and balance a subtle smokey, slightly peat-like, flavor and acidity. 

This unique, 2-ingredient bar may appeal to those who enjoy a strong whiskey and/or a whiff of fine, aromatic tobacco. With 0% sugars of any kind, the taste was, as expected, very dark, but it did have its own sense of mellow, implied sweetness (as you might find in a malted whiskey). It was quite enjoyable if you enjoy these bolder flavors.

 Maker's tasting notes: Intense dark chocolate with notes of nuts and tobacco.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy (and) gluten." Made with certified Organic ingredients; vegan.

 

Moodify Food - "A Little Buzzed" Oatmeal Cup (chocolate + coffee item) -- July 21, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Moodify Food

"A Little Buzzed" Oatmeal Cup

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 2.06 oz. (59 g.) in total container (dry weight)

Calories: 230 calories in 1 container 

Cost: $3.99 for 1 container

Purchased from: Farm Fresh to You, produce delivery service, add-on item

Welcome to Day #20 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Moodify Food * "A Little Buzzed" Oatmeal Cup was distributed by GMF Foods LLC (Denver, CO). The brand name is a reference to how modifying your food can influence your mood and health. They offer a line of single-serving oatmeal cups with this sentiment in mind.

The pleasing aroma and flavor for today's cocoa and coffee flavored oatmeal cup included: rich, fragrant oat(meal) with cocoa, coffee and cinnamon. Cocoa nibs added bits of (softly) crunchy texture and true essential (unsweetened) cacao taste with faint roasted nutty seed and very faint green/botanical flavors.

Prepared with hot water with a short 3-minute wait time, one could easily allow less or more time, if a slightly coarser or creamier oatmeal texture is desired.

Sweetened with a judicious amount of date sugar, I found the sweetness level just right. 

This was a perfect wake up meal--not too heavy, but more substantial than a cup of coffee with the added benefits of authentic cocoa (cocoa nibs and cocoa powder) and cinnamon--as well as a touch of amaranth and ground flax seed for some extra fiber and heft. It left me feeling a little uplifted and not too "buzzed"--as promised.

Ingredients: Gluten free oats, date sugar, cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, amaranth, ground flax, ground coffee, and cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, coconut, and dairy." "Non-GMO" ingredients; (Gluten free oats were used.)

*The company, co-founded and headed by Christine Keller (San Francisco, CA) had its beginnings in 2020 and ramped up amid Covid-19 challenges. (Glad they made it work!)

Hogarth Chocolate Makers - Espresso Italian Roast Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 20, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Hogarth Chocolate Makers

Espresso Italian Roast Dark Chocolate 68% Cacao (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.235 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 83.174 calories in 1/5 bar (1 serving) 

Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #19 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's Espresso Italian Roast Dark Chocolate 68% Cacao (bar) was from Hogarth Chocolate Makers (Nelson, New Zealand).

Aroma notes for this bar included: true chocolate (dark chocolate fudge), coffee, diffuse faint red fruit, roasted nutty-seed and wood notes (maple sap, very faint green), and very faint warm spice.

The attractively patterned Hogarth bar was relatively thick (in terms of size/depth), and had a smooth texture with a relatively thick, slow melt.

This complex blend of dark, sweet roasted coffee and chocolate--with flavor notes that mirrored the aroma notes mentioned above--was the product of Pomeroy's Coffee dark roasted Italian style blend + 68% cacao Dominican Republic OKO Caribe cacao. 

This 68% dark chocolate was relatively sweet but also had complex, dark and satisfying well-balanced flavor.

Ingredients: Cocoa solids 68% (organic cocoa beans, organic fairtrade cocoa butter), organic sugar, coffee beans.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk and nuts." "Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free"

Haagen-Dazs - Coffee Almond Toffee Crunch Ice Cream bar + Double Belgian Chocolate Chip and Coffee Ice Creams - July 19, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Haagen-Dazs

1.) Coffee Almond Toffee Crunch ice cream bar 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3 fl. oz. (78 g.) / 9 fl. oz. (266 mL) in 1 box of 3 bars
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.75 (estimate) for 1 box of 3 bars 
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

2.) Double Belgian Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2/3 cup (133 g.) / 14 fl. oz. (414 mL.) in total container
Calories: 420 calories in 1 serving 
Cost: $2.50 (sale) for 1 container (2 for $5.00 USD)
Purchased from: Safeway, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week(s) -- a series that has included a lot of coffee + coffee/mocha ice cream-related items, just in time for summer weather. 

Today's three Haagen-Dazs frozen offerings: 1.) Coffee Almond Toffee Crunch ice cream bar and 2.) Double Belgian Chocolate Chip and 3.) Coffee ice creams were distributed by Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (Oakland, CA).

Coffee Almond Toffee Crunch (ice cream bar)

As with many frozen items, today's Haagen-Dazs Coffee Almond Toffee ice cream bar had a subtle aroma (compared to room temperature bars and confections), but with identifiable notes of chocolate, nuts and caramel/toffee.

The texture was a blend of a smooth ice cream interior and a crunchy chocolate outer shell and a thin shards of toffee candy and tiny bits of almond. The ice cream center had a creamy texture with vanilla and faint coffee flavor.

Ingredients: Coffee ice cream: cream, skim milk, sugar, egg yolks, coffee; milk chocolate and vegetable oil coating with almonds and toffee: milk chocolate (sugar, whole milk powder, chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), coconut oil, almonds roasted in vegetable oil (almonds, safflower oil), toffee (corn syrup, sugar, butter (cream, salt), brown sugar, almonds, baking soda, soy lecithin, salt). 

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, almond, egg and soy ingredients. 

Double Belgian Chocolate Chip + Coffee ice creams

The Haagen-Dazs Belgian chocolate (and Coffee) ice cream flavors were relatively smooth and mild; however, I was pleasantly surprised that the Double Belgian Chocolate ice cream had maintained very faint, diffuse fruit, nut, floral and light earth (authentic cacao) notes. 

Most chocolate ice creams are made using cocoa processed with alkali (a process that neutralizes acidic and/or bitter flavors in cacao. Today's Double Belgian Chocolate ice cream did contain some alkalized cocoa, but also a healthy dose of Belgian dark chocolate.

The chocolate ice cream paired nicely with Haagen-Dazs Coffee ice cream. Both the Double Belgian Chocolate Chip and Coffee flavors had a satisfying and filling, authentic creamy texture, mouthfeel and taste.

Ingredients: Chocolate ice cream: Cream, skim milk, dark chocolate (Belgian chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), sugar, egg yolks, cocoa processed with alkali, vanilla extract. Chocolate chunks with vegetable oil: Belgian chocolate (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural flavor), cottonseed oil, coconut oil.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, egg and soy ingredients. 

Haagen-Dazs - Coffee Chip Ice Cream - July 18, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Haagen-Dazs
Coffee Chip Ice Cream
Good ++
Weight: 14 fl. oz. (414 mL) in 1 container 
Calories: 890 calories in 1 container
Cost: $2.50 (sale) for 1 container (2 for $5.00)

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week(s).

Today's Haagen-Dazs Coffee Chip Ice Cream was distributed by Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (Oakland, CA).

This ice cream offered subtle, smooth and creamy coffee flavor and smooth dark chocolate chunks (chips) with true chocolatey (rich cocoa) flavor.

Years ago (and hundreds of chocolates ago), I tasted the "light" version of this ice cream. I have to admit, I really liked the full fat version (i.e. number one ingredients was cream, and this also contained egg yolks and butter oil). 

Ingredients: Cream, milk, sugar, powdered sugar (sugar, corn starch), egg yolks, coconut oil, coffee, cocoa processed with alkali, butter oil, soy lecithin, natural flavor, milk.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, egg, and soy ingredients."

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)