Monsoon Chocolate - Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania 77% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania 77% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Kokoa Kamili Tanzania 77% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Monsoon Chocolate (Tucson, AZ) and is part of the company's Origin Series--made possible by direct collaborations with (and purchases from) farmers and fermenteries in cacao-growing countries.

Aroma notes included sweet-tart red fruit (red berry) and dark chocolate. Other, much more subtle notes included: fleeting, barely detectable, balanced fermentation notes (faint raisin, fruit vinegar, salts) and green (mildly tart-bright succulents, wood sorrel) notes. 

This chocolate had a creamy melt and texture.

Flavor notes for this well-crafted, very balanced 77% Tanzania cacao bar included the aforementioned tart-sweet red berry--that shaded into bittersweet, ripe red cherry and lingered lightly in the finish along with smooth dark chocolate (not quite as chocolate-y as soft dark fudge but getting there).

There were no off flavors; just smooth dark chocolate goodness with just enough complexity to be interesting. It was fruity without being too jammy-sweet or too acidic. (Thank you to the makers for not adding too much sugar. The selection of 77% cacao (and "only" 23% sugar) seemed like a great choice for these beans and this bar.)

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "There is no gluten or animal product added to this bar, however it is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, dairy, nuts and soy."

Raaka Chocolate - Ginger Snap Unroasted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) - Aug. 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate

Ginger Snap Unroasted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) in total bar

Calories: 117 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $5.00 (sale) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Organic Ginger Snap Unroasted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

Raaka makers craft their line of chocolate bars and offerings using unroasted cacao that "captures the brighter, bolder, and fruitier side of cacao." 

Kokoa Kamili

The Tanzania cacao used to make today's spice-infused bar was from Kokoa Kamili (located in the Kilombero Valley)--a several hour drive from Tanzania's largest city, Dar es Salaam on the East Coast of Africa on the Indian Ocean. This important post-harvest processing facility purchases freshly harvested ("wet") cacao from many small farmers and ultimately sells to many smaller batch chocolate makers like Raaka around the globe, after they carefully ferment and dry the cacao. (The cacao variety they offer is: primarily Trinitario variety (Amelonado x Criollo) "with the slight presence of Neo-Nacional.")

Ginger Snap bar

The Raaka description for this bar: "Ginger-steamed Tanzanian cacao mixed with winter spice-infused cacao butter and decorated with sparkling brown sugar. The perfect companion for holiday spirits." This may have been designed to be a holiday bar enjoyed in the cold weather months; but it's August here in California, and this chocolate was just as delicious in summer.

Aroma notes for this "Limited Batch" bar included: faint ginger molasses cookie, chocolate, sweet potato pie, diffuse red fruit (berry, apple), spice (light star anise and warm baking spices) and green floral (mallow) notes.

Texturally speaking, the smooth dark chocolate base was accented with crunchy sparkles of brown sugar. 

The relatively mild unroasted cacao may have lacked that bolder, "roastier" flavor notes of traditional roasted cacao based chocolates, but it made up for that with smooth dark chocolate flavor with natural sweetness and bright subtle mixed fruit and floral notes--i.e. the presence of flavors that may have been attenuated during a roasting process.

This Ginger Snap bar was not overly sweet (thank you!). The gentle blend of warm spices (ginger, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg) added natural sweetness and flavor depth, as did the maple sugar.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic maple sugar, organic cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic light brown sugar, organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic allspice, organic nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: Vegan, gluten free, soy free, nut free. "Certified Organic and Kosher by NFC."

Lumineux Chocolate - Tanzania - 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 1, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lumineux Chocolate
Tanzania - 75% 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 for 1 bar ($40.00 USD for 5 bars)
Purchased from: Good Food Awards Marketplace, online order

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

Today's Tanzania 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Lumineux Chocolate (Greenville, SC).

This chocolate had a smooth, rich and complex aroma that included chocolate truffles (chocolate ganache, dark chocolate ice cream), sweet green (tree/maple syrup), very faint roasted earth, dark chocolate, and faint, diffuse dried fruit (mild red berry (goji, raspberry) and date/raisin). 

The texture was smooth and the aroma and flavor notes were similar--one transitioning smoothly into the other during the tasting; but, as is almost always the case, there was a deeper dive into richer, bolder chocolate notes after taking a bite, and as it melted.

This chocolate was quite smooth, but had a pleasing complexity as well. I enjoyed the choice the chocolate maker made to go with the slightly darker 75% cacao (vs. 70% or even 72% cacao solids) as this chocolate (Batch 243) seemed to have an inherent, relatively bright, sweetness and warmth to it. 

If you're open to a breakfast or afternoon tea chocolate, this bar might make a nice pairing with a piece of buttered toast or croissant.

Maker's tasting notes: "Raspberry, raisin, cinnamon"

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (No information about potential allergens found on packaging. Suggest checking with Lumineux if you have questions.)

Monsoon Chocolate - Semuliki Forest Uganda 74% Dark Chocolate - July 31, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Monsoon Chocolate
Semuliki Forest Uganda 74% Dark Chocolate
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Monsoon Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Organic Semuliki Forest Uganda 74% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Monsoon Chocolate (Tucson, AZ). 

The company offers a variety of bean-to-bar chocolates and confections. This Semuliki Forest (western Uganda) bar is a collaboration with Uganda-based Latitude Trade Company* and is part of Monsoon's (single) Origin Series.

Aroma notes for this creamy smooth dark bar included very faint fermentation (mineral salts, slightly tangy (very faint) berry/fruit pickle vinegar), faint dark chocolate, and a faint flicker of pleasing green floral (green tea).

The flavor notes mirrored the aroma notes above, except the taste had a sustained, enjoyable deep(er) chocolate-y flavor (chocolate ganache)--with very faint fleeting earth, and diffuse fruit and warm sugar-spice notes.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "There is no gluten or animal products to this bar; however, it is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, dairy, nuts, and soy."

*The Semuliki Forest area in western Uganda is close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The lowland tropical rain forest climate is relatively rare for eastern Africa; and it is well suited for growing cacao.

Even more fortunate, nearby, Latitude Trade Company, an Ugandan registered social enterprise, owned and managed by Jeff Steinberg, is working directly with 100s of local small farmholders in several communities in the district of Bundibugyo (in foothills of the Rwenzori mountains) in western Uganda. 

Latitude buys "wet" (freshly harvested) cacao beans from farmers. The cacao then passes through a high-grade fermentation facility that ultimately produces high-quality cacao for chocolate makers around the globe--including Monsoon Chocolate and others in the U.S. featured this week.

White Label - Uganda Semuliki Forest 72% (bar) - July 30, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

White Label 
Uganda Semuliki Forest 72% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate, Santa Cruz, CA 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week.

Today's White Label Uganda Semuliki Forest 72% dark chocolate (bar) was made in Santa Cruz, CA. 

This micro-batch bar was crafted using Forastero variety cacao (Upper Amazon and Amelonado) grown on small farms in (Bundibugyo) Uganda near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included fermentation (sweat), very faint stone fruit (apricot/nectarine), berry, and green floral (matcha green tea, vanilla), and chocolate (ganache).

This 72% cacao bar had smooth texture and flavor, that included true chocolate (ganache/mousse) diffuse and well-balanced subtle fruit acidity (berry, stone fruit) light, mellow bitterness, and barely detectable earth and roasted notes.

The sweetness level was about right for my taste. Good choice using a very slightly higher cacao percent (72% cacao vs. 70% cacao), as this chocolate seemed on the naturally sweet side. (Any more sugar, and cacao flavor nuances start to get lost.) 

The maker's tasting notes read as follows: "Goji berries, deep cocoa, vanilla," 

Cacao harvest took place during the 2017/2018 growing season; and producer Latitude Trade Co. worked with local farmers on fermentation.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: (None listed on packaging that I could find.)

White Label Chocolate - Uganda Semuliki Forest 100% (bar) - July 29, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

White Label 
Uganda Semuliki Forest 100% (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate, Santa Cruz, CA 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week.

Today's White Label Uganda Semuliki Forest 100% dark chocolate (bar) was made in Santa Cruz, CA. 

This micro-batch bar was crafted using Forastero variety cacao grown on small farms in (Bundibugyo) Uganda.*

Aroma notes for this ultra-dark bar included: dark fruit (plum, purple/red grape) and true chocolate (deep, dark cocoa). 

This 100% cacao chocolate had a creamy smooth melt and texture.

Overall this bar had densely dark, relatively bitter and intense chocolate flavor. 100% (unsweetened) Forastero variety cacao beans can feel a bit intimidating (a bit like walking through a thick forest at night, with no light or sugar plum fairies in sight), and this bar was not for those with a sweet tooth. 

But, the taste also had some subtle complexity to it--most notably similar dark fruit notes (purple/red grape and dried plum) that were in the aroma, as well as a very faint, very fleeting (and not unpleasant) light savory greens note (cooked wood sorrel with salted butter).

Maker's tasting notes: "Goji berries, grape, deep cocoa"

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans

Allergen-related information: (None listed on packaging that I could find.)

*The Forastero (Upper Amazon and Amelonado) cacao used to craft this chocolate was grown in Uganda by many farmers (smallholder farms of 1-3 acres), and harvested in the 2017/2018 season. The producer was Latitude Trade Co., a fermentation facility and organization that works directly with farmers. White Label is committed to transparent sharing of information and "beyond fair trade cacao."

White Label - Salted Brown Butter Milk 58% (bar) - July 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

White Label 
Salted Brown Butter Milk 58% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 178 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate, Santa Cruz, CA 

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

Today's White Label Salted Brown Butter Milk 58% dark chocolate (bar) was made in Santa Cruz, CA.* The company is committed to transparent sharing of information and "beyond fair trade cacao." 

This micro-batch bar--and Good Food Awards Winner--was crafted using Forastero variety cacao, grown on small farms in the Semuliki Forest, close to Bundibugyo, in Western Uganda near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: light caramel, milk chocolate, and very faint buttered and salted sauteed green vegetables (celery, green beans).

The texture was unique and almost sinfully addictive. The bar had a luxurious creamy melt and thick velvety (authentic butter) mouthfeel. It was so rich, it was like gnawing softly on a sweet stick of firm, room temperature butter that just happened to have chocolate in it too. 

Flavor notes included balanced, ultra-creamy milk chocolate with sparkles of salt. Brown sugar and browned butter resulted in rich flavor depth; although some of the cacao nuances may have been muffled a bit by the butter. There was also a brief, fleeting, very faint green  (light, almost floral, pleasing green tea) note in the finish.

This 58% cacao chocolate was, happily, not overly sweet (thank you!); and yet there was enough sugar, salt and fat(s) to trigger addiction-level cravings. Warning: You may find yourself eating more than you planned. (You'd think after 15 years of chocolate, I would be immune to this; but this is not the case.)

The maker's dedication to transparency could be seen in the detailed notes and cacao source facts provided (on the back of the package). The Forastero (Upper Amazon and Amelonado) Uganda cacao that was the basis for today's chocolate was grown by farmers on smallholder farms of 1-3 acres; and this cacao was harvested in 2019/2020, during the September to February growing season. The producer was Latitude Trade Co. 

Maker's tasting notes/description of this bar: "Caramel, cream, milk chocolate, salt." 

Ingredients: Cacao beans, brown sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic milk powders, browned butter, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: (None listed on packaging that I could find.) 

*Note: the White Label kitchen/small-batch factory and shop on Front Street in Santa Cruz, CA, closed earlier in 2022. Sadly, their old building (and other small businesses in the same block) looked like they were being torn down, as part of a very large mixed housing and commercial project.

As of spring 2022, White Label chocolate was being made in Watsonville, CA, and the chocolate makers are hoping to find/open a new retail location in Santa Cruz.