Vosges - Raw Almond Butter 80% Cacao (bar) - Feb. 14, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges
Raw Almond Butter (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges, online order 

Happy Valentines Day to all who celebrate this holiday. And welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Raw Almond Butter (bar) was from Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL). This 80% cacao chocolate was part of the company's LAB VHC collection of bars that contain "whole cacao" constituents including: "cacao berry (cacao berry fiber, cacao berry flour) and cacao fruit puree."

Aroma notes for this bar included: both deep, dark dense, roasted chocolate, as well as a simultaneous aroma of sweeter, more nuanced chocolate (with faint fruit and sweet nut notes), and a barely there hint of vanilla. 

The ebony-hued chocolate had both smooth and crunchy, integrated particulate elements. There were also occasional light-colored flecks of what could have been either lucuma or almond.

The balanced flavors mirrored the aroma notes mentioned above. Subtle, crunchy sparkles of flavor fruit, berry, nut (almond) and vanilla contributed lightness and flavor depth to a deeper, flatter cacao base--a tamed Forastero-like cacao variety that had been roasted and alkalized (to bring down acidity, harshness) but still had bold, roasted flavor.

I enjoyed the playful fine-grained blend of flavors and textures, and the choice to go light on the sweeteners (judicious amounts of coconut sugar, lucuma, cacao fruit), and a trace of salt.

Ingredients: Cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate (processed with alkali), coconut sugar, organic almond butter, vanilla bean, lucuma powder, Baja Gold salt, cacao berry (cacao berry fiber, cacao berry flour), cacao fruit puree. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Almonds, coconut." "Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts."

Blue Diamond Almonds - Oven Roasted Almonds Dark Chocolate - Feb. 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Blue Diamond Almonds 
Oven Roasted Almonds - Dark Chocolate

Good + - Good ++ 

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 30 oz. (1 lb., 14 oz.) (851 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $11.99 for 1 package

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

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Oven Roasted Almonds were distributed by Blue Diamond Growers (Sacramento, CA). 

Aroma notes for these chocolate coated almonds included: sweet nuts, roasted almonds and sweet dark cocoa/chocolate.

The aroma and flavor focus was on the whole, roasted, California almonds, as it should have been. Blue Diamond Growers (a cooperative formed in 1910) is one of the largest almond processors and marketers of almonds in the world.

The chocolate covering with quite thin (as chocolate coatings go) and added sweetness and mild dark cocoa/chocolate flavor. (Sweetness was supplied by sugar and stevia.)

The roasted aroma and flavor of these thinly coated, whole almonds was seductive. The combined sweet, nutty and barely detectable savory (sea salt) taste gave them a slightly addictive quality.

Ingredients: Almonds, sugar, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), corn maltodextrin, natural flavor (dark chocolate), sea salt and rebiana (stevia extract).

Allergen-related information: "Contains tree nuts (almonds)."

Srsly Chocolate - Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar) - Feb. 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Srsly Chocolate 
Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Sea Salt + Almond 70% Dark (bar) was from Srsly Chocolate (Austin, TX). The makers used cacao from the Dominican Republic to create this chocolate.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate with sweet wood, nut/seed and botanical (sweet green, sweet lemon) and fruit (cherry).

This relatively thick, well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap (in a cold, 59 degree F. / 15 degrees C. room). 

The deep dark chocolate had hearty cocoa/drinking chocolate flavor, with medium, balanced acidity--flavor that was welcome on a cold morning. I felt like I was sipping a warm mug of flavorful dark chocolate.

The combined sea salt and smattering of almond bits on the back of the bar added a counterweight to the dark chocolate and fruit flavors and the taste mirrored, and delivered on, the rich, complex aroma notes.

This balanced, well-executed dark chocolate had satisfying, substantial single origin cacao flavor and aroma, depth and breadth.

Ingredients: Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic almonds, salt.

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that also processes milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and wheat"

Omnom Chocolate - Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Roasted Almonds (bar) - Feb. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Omnom Chocolate
Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Roasted Almonds (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 350 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 699 ISK ($4.82 USD) for 1 bar (exchange rate 145 ISK = 1 USD) 
Purchased from: Kr (store) in Vik, Iceland 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Roasted Almonds (bar) was from Omnom Chocolate (Reykjavik, Iceland).

Aroma notes for this sweet, creamy chocolate included: milk chocolate, butter cream, nuts (lightly salted almonds).

This 45% milk chocolate was a skillful meld of textural, flavor and geographic-source opposites: 1.) buttery smooth and nut-crunchy; 2.) faintly tart sweet fruit (sweet orange, berry) grounded a bit by richer chocolate; and 3.) sweet and salty. 

Iceland has fine dairy products (skyr (think yogurt), butter, and sheep and cow milk/cream)--often the case for countries located far from the Equatorial belt* where cacao grows. 

The judicious use of sea salt (just enough to be addictive) reminded me of the saltworks in Iceland. And the salt helped balance the sugar content in this 45% cocoa solids (i.e. relatively higher sugar %) chocolate. 

A generous helping of chopped (sea salted) almonds from Mediterranean climate(s) added crunchy texture and helped mellow and tie these elements all together.

This milk chocolate was a bit sweet for me, but this fact (observation) did not stop me from "tasting" a whole bar. Warning: don't eat wonderfully rich, sweet and salty bars like this if you're overly hungry. 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (Organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, Icelandic whole milk powder, organic cocoa beans from Madagascar, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), almonds, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Designed and made in Iceland, in a facility that handles nuts, dairy, gluten and sesame seeds..."

*Cacao trees typically grow in warm/temperate rain forest areas (often in coastal areas or great river valleys)--in a geographic "belt" approximately 20 degrees above and/or below the Equator. 

It is possible to grow cacao a few degrees north or south of this limit (e.g. in Hawaii) if you're near the sea/water--that helps moderate temperature extremes. In these cases, the cacao will often adapt with a higher seed (cacao bean) fat (cocoa butter) content, just as we might wear a jacket in cooler weather.

Touched by Nature - Almond Dips - Dark Chocolate Raspberry - Feb. 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Touched by Nature
Almond Dips - Dark Chocolate Raspberry 
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $3.99 for (1) total package (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: Ross Dress for Less (store), Mountain View, CA

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

Today's Touched by Nature Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond Dips were distributed by Thrive Brands LLC (Chicago, IL).

Aroma notes included: authentic, subtle red berry (red raspberry tea); gentle, authentic dark chocolate (chocolate wafer cookie); and mellow nut (almond).

Crunchy, whole roasted almonds were clothed in a thin coat of dark chocolate, and (then rolled in) an even thinner outer layer of raspberry powder, giving them a textured, raspberry red-pink hue.

I love authentic dark chocolate, fruit flavors and nut flavors. However, chocolate covered fruit and nut confections are often loaded with sugar, and/or suffocated by sugar-sweet, glossy chocolate exteriors. 

I felt so grateful today to enjoy the more subtle, natural roasted almond flavor and crunchy almond texture at the heart of these dark chocolate covered nuts. There were no thick, glossy finishes; and the dark chocolate used was smooth and not too sweet. (Thank you!)

For those wanting a more natural chocolate snack, without the sugar buzz, I recommend trying this (or other members of the Touched by Nature line of snacks) for a refreshing change of pace. These raspberry almonds would also make an attractive garnish on a dessert plate.

Ingredients: "Roasted almonds, dark chocolate [cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin (from soy), vanilla extract], freeze dried raspberry powder.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: almonds, soy." ("vegan, gluten free")
 

Rawmio - Sprouted Almond & Sea Salt 70% Peruvian Cacao - Feb. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Rawmio
Sprouted Almond and Sea Salt 70% Peruvian Cacao
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Rawmio Sprouted Almond and Sea Salt 70% Peruvian Cacao (bar-shaped "bark") was made by Windy City Organics, LLC  (Northbrook, IL).

Made with Organic 70% Peruvian cacao the maker describes this chocolate as follows: "Stone Ground Raw Chocolate and topped with crunchy sprouted almonds, a sprinkle of Celtic sea salt, and lightly sweetened cacao nibs..."

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar(k) included: smooth, balanced, unroasted cacao and chocolate; faint warm spice; nut (almond); faint, sweet herbal green/botanical; very faint coconut; and barely there sweet wood.

Crunchy almonds and cocoa nibs made a great foil for the smooth dark chocolate base. As is often the case for higher quality unroasted cacao, the chocolate was quite low in bitterness and acidity. The field of whole almonds further neutralized acidity, balanced sweetness and mellowed the flavors. 

Judiciously seasoned, this Organic chocolate was low in sweetness. (It was lightly sweetened with coconut sugar and yacon.) I preferred this over a sugar buzz; and my teeth felt grateful afterwards. It was also low in salt. (I could barely taste the sea salt.) Since I like savory chocolates, I would have been OK with a bit more; although I enjoyed being able to really taste the raw chocolate and cacao nibs.

The end result: an almond studded, vegan and fairly traded, chocolate with pleasant, mellow and authentic flavors that reminded me what roasting cacao does. Roasting can give you more robust flavors (think espresso), and it can cover up off flavors; but with roasting you can also lose gentle, authentic flavors when you roast/process high-quality cacao.

Ingredients: Organic, raw cacao nibs; organic coconut sugar; organic raw sprouted almonds; organic raw cacao butter; organic yacon sweetened cacao nibs; sea salt

Allergen-related information: Contained almonds. "Produced in a raw, vegan, and certified organic facility which processes tree nuts and seeds, but no aflatoxin peanuts, soy, gluten or dairy." 

Vosges - Grateful Dead Raw Honey Smoked Almond (bar) - Feb. 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges
Grateful Dead Raw Honey Smoked Almond (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges, part of a larger online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Honey Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Almonds Theme Week.

Today's Grateful Dead Raw Honey Smoked Almond (bar) was created by master chocolatier, Katrina Markoff, and team, at Vosges IP LLC (Chicago, IL). This bar was inspired by music and memories; or in the words of Katrina, "Crafted with Grateful Dead."

Aroma notes included: chocolate, diffuse fruit (jelly), faint honey, nuts, and almond butter.

And this bar had a satisfying creamy + crunchy melt and mouthfeel.

I could make out that the crunchy bits were almonds and possibly "buttery toffee" bits mentioned on the packaging. But the flavors were fairly homogenized, and more mild than I expected.

This was a "mellow" chocolate. The cocoa used to make this chocolate was treated with alkali (a process that reduces acidity and stronger flavors). 

In the past I've really enjoyed smoked almonds with chocolate; but the savory kick I was looking forward to was fairly muted. The hickory smoked almond bits in this chocolate added a very subtle smoked and salt taste, and helped balanced the sweetness. There was also a very faint, sweet brown rice note (likely brown rice syrup) that also may have quieted other flavors a bit. 

Ingredients: "Chocolate processed with alkali, honey, raw, cocoa butter, hickory smoked almonds (almonds, vegetable oil canola, safflower, and/or sunflower oil), salt, corn maltodextrin, torula yeast, sunflower oil, sugar, onion powder, autolyzed yeast, cane molasses, natural smoke flavor (caramel color), sugar, unsalted butter (pasteurized cream, natural flavors), water, brown rice syrup, sea salt, sugar burnt syrup, organic soy lecithin"

Allergen-related information: "Contains: almonds, milk, soy. Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts."