Marinka Dobnik - 70% Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds (bar) - Mar. 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Cokoladni Atelje Dobnik (Marinka Dobnik, s.p. - EY)
Blejski otok, Slovenija (Bled Island, Slovenia)
70% Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 168 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend (Thank you Toni!)*
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Seeds Series. 

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds (bar) hailed from Marinka Dobnik, a large chocolate supplier in Slovenia (Blejski Otok, Slovenija (Bled Island, Slovenia)). 

Thank you to traveling friend, Toni Deser, for bringing this chocolate back from a trip to Europe.

Aroma and flavor notes included dark, dense chocolate (with Forastero cacao variety-like cacao flavor + very faint vanilla) that tasted slightly darker than 70% cacao. 

This bar had uniform dark chocolate taste and texture. My only quibble: the relatively bold dark chocolate made it difficult to detect the caramelized pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients: Cacao mass (blend), sugar (26.4%), soy lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla aroma, pumpkin seeds (7%).

Allergen-related information: May contain: eggs, dairy, lactose, nuts, soy and peanuts. 

*Thank you to traveling friend, Toni Deser, for bringing this chocolate (and others) back from a trip to Europe, and for sharing chocolates from around the globe with Chocolate Banquet.

**Note: the Ingredient and allergen-related information above was translated from Slovenian into English by me, a non-Slavic language speaker. So my apologies in advance for any translation errors.)

Munk Pack - Keto Nut and Seed - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (bar) - Mar. 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Munk Pack
Keto Nut and Seed - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Keto Nut and Seed Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured for Munk Pack (Greenwich, CT). The company offers a variety of low/no sugar granolas and snack bars.

Aroma notes for this bar included: peanuts, chocolate, vanilla cookie and faint seed(s).

This gluten free bar had a satisfying texture, with crunchy peanuts, crispy (rice), softly chewy seeds, and smooth rich dark chocolate and peanut butter elements.

The balanced flavors for this plant-based, gluten-free bar included: subtle pumpkin and sunflower seed. But it was the blend of peanut butter and dark chocolate--a classic flavor duo--took center stage.

This snack bar was sweetened with allulose and monk fruit.

Ingredients: Peanuts, allulose, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, soluable tapioca fiber and/or Non-GMO corn fiber, peanut butter, palm kernel oil ("responsibly sourced"), rice flour, alkalized cocoa powder, sea salt, unsweetened chocolate, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) for freshness, coconut oil, monk fruit extract

Allergen-related information: Contains peanuts, almonds, coconut, macadamia, traces of milk and other tree nuts. Made on equipment that processes soy, egg, sesame. May contain nut shell fragments.

*Note from Munk Pack: "Allulose is a sweetener found naturally in small amounts in maple syrup, figs and raisins. Our source is produced from non-bioengineered corn. Allulose has virtually no impact on blood sugar and insulin."

 

Zego LLC - Chocolate Chip Mix-Ins (Nut Free Trail Mix) - Feb. 28, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Zego LLC
Chocolate Chip Mix-Ins (Nut Free Trail Mix)
Good + 
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) / 7 oz. (196 g.) in total package
Calories: 280 calories in 2 servings
Cost: $11.09 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Seeds Series.

Today's Chocolate Chip Mix-Ins (Nut Free Trail Mix) were distributed by Zego Foods (Zego LLC), based in San Francisco, CA.

Aroma and flavor notes for this Organic, Certified Gluten Free trail mix with a soft, seedy crunch included: faint oatmeal cookie, dates, and even fainter seed, chocolate and vanilla. 

Tiny chocolate chips provided subtle, dark chocolate flavor depth. Dates provided natural sweetness. 

This trail mix was a good "mix in" with yogurt and fruit; and would be a nice addition in cereals and/or baking mixes. 

Zego also offered a "purity verified" designation -- verified for "Glyphosate and over 400 other toxins, allergens and gluten...with traceable test results." (Ingredients were sourced from "glyphosate free farms.")

Ingredients: Organic pumpkin seeds, organic dates (organic dates, gluten free oat flour), chocolate chips 

Allergen-related information: "Our facility is free from gluten and the top 14 allergens. No peanuts, no tree nuts, no soy, no milk, no eggs, no sulfites, no sea creatures, no lupin, no sesame, no mustard. Corn free equipment and packaging." "Purity Verified for Glyphosate and over 400 other toxins, allergens and gluten." 

 

Love + Chew - The Superfood Cookie - Chocolate Chia - Feb. 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Love + Chew 
The Superfood Cookie - Chocolate Chia
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total cookie
Calories: 270 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Seeds Series.

Today's Love + Chew "The Superfood Cookie" Chocolate Chia treat was created by Lauren Chew at CompletEats, LLC, San Francisco, CA. (The company offers a family of plant-based protein cookies.)

Aroma notes included: faint date fruitcake, seed, melon, and pumpkin.

This low-sugar cookie was designed with health in mind. It had a satisfying soft chew and cohesive texture (no crumbs in lap), thanks in part to dates and almond butter.

Flavor notes included: mild dried fruit (date), cocoa and vanilla spice cake with a very faint Omega 3 (seed) finish. The flavors were balanced, the cookie was not overly sweet (thank you!). I enjoyed the subtle complexity, and the lack of a sugar rush.

Ingredients: Blanched almonds, date paste, almond butter, dark chocolate chips (organic cane sugar, organic cocoa liquor, organic cocoa butter), water, chia seeds, vegetable glycerin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), pure vanilla extract, sea salt.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almonds. Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts, peanuts, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, sesame seeds." (May contain date pit fragments.)

Lula's Chocolates - Dark Macadamia Turtles - Feb. 26, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Lula Lund's Chocolates, LLC
Dark Macadamia Turtles 
Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 445 calories (estimate) in 1 turtle
Cost: $7.95 (estimate) for 1 package/turtle
Purchased from: Lula's, The Crossroads (shopping center), Carmel, CA

Today's Dark Macadamia Turtle was from Lula Lund's Chocolates, LLC (Monterey, CA).

Aroma notes for his luxurious take on a milk chocolate, caramel and pecan classic confection included: buttery caramel, sea salt, roasted nuts (macadamia), and dark chocolate.

This turtle offered a thick textural feast and satisfying flavor with softly crunchy jumbo mac nuts; soft, thick and chewy caramel; and smooth dark chocolate. Occasional sparkles of sea salt.

Warning: the sweet-salt and creamy caramel, nuts and chocolate combination can be addictive.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (cocoa mass (chocolate liquor processed with alkali, cocoa butter), sugar, milk fat, soy lecithin, natural flavors); macadamia; caramel (non-GMO corn syrup, pure cane sugar, heavy cream, butter, soy lecithin, salt, vanilla); sea salt. 

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that processes peanuts and other nuts. Contains milk, soy and tree nuts. "Always gluten free."

Javier Confectionery - Vegan Brittle, Dark Chocolate - Feb. 25, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Javier Confectionery
Vegan Brittle - All Natural Vegan Dark Chocolate
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 220 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $7.50 for 1 package
Purchased from: Sweet Shop, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Seed Series.

Today's Vegan Brittle (with) All Natural Vegan Dark Chocolate was from Javier Confectionery (Burlingame, CA). 

Aroma notes for this brittle included seeds, caramel/toffee and subtle dark chocolate.

Flavor notes included sweet sesame brittle, roasted pumpkin seeds, other seed notes (pine nuts), dark chocolate, and very faint earth (clay) and caramel popcorn.

These thin shards were perfect for taking crunchy, very slightly chewy bites of brittle without losing a filling. 

The 63% dark chocolate on the back (and the seeds) helped to balance the sweetness. Popular sesame brittle candy flavor was accented with pumpkin seeds. And the addition of pine nuts was a nice touch; they added a bit of their own faint, but distinctive flavor.

Ingredients: Vegan dark chocolate (63% unsweetened cocoa, sugar, sunflower lecithin, vanilla), pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, sesame seeds.

Allergen-related information: Contains sesame. "Made in a facility that also makes products containing milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

Keto Foods - Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars - Feb. 24, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Keto Foods
Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars
Good ++
Weight: 3 fl. oz. (65 g.) / 12 fl. oz. oz. (356 mL) in total box of 4 bars
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Golden Sugars Theme Week--a week that has included chocolates with caramel, toffee...and at least one item with real gold (leaf).

Today's Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel ice cream bars were "manufactured for UpStar Nutrition Inc." (Clackamas, OR)* and are part of a line of Keto Certified low-sugar offerings from Keto Foods (Scottsdale, AZ).*

Keto Pint* took the (thick and gooey sweet) caramel concept in a different direction, offering a Sea Salt Caramel ice cream bar with "no added sugars" (2 G. Net Carbs). Is it possible to create satisfying caramel flavor with erythritol, stevia and monk fruit? 

Aroma notes for this Keto Certified, Kosher ice cream bar included: dark chocolate, vanilla (cookie), faint caramel/butterscotch, and very faint mellow nut and wood. 

A thin, crispy keto dark chocolate shell enclosed a relatively light, flavorful ice cream center. The texture and melt were appealing. Like many chocolate coated ice cream bars, you may want to eat this one over a plate to prevent an errant shard of chocolate from dropping in your lap.

The dark chocolate tasted like real chocolate. And the authentic, creamy center had surprisingly good vanilla and caramel and rich ice cream flavor. (Real cream being the number one ingredient didn't hurt.) 

The flavors were well balanced; and this ice cream bar wasn't too sweet. (Thank you!) I would definitely buy these again in the future. The overall taste was far better than most "diet" or sugar free chocolate items. 

There was no sense of compromise in terms of flavor and texture. And yes it is possible to enjoy caramel flavor without a lot of gooey, sweet caramel (sugar).

Ingredients: Cream, water, chocolate coating (unsweetened chocolate, coconut oil, erythritol, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, MCT oil, steviol glycosides, vanilla extract), egg yolk, erythritol, chicory root fiber, milk protein concentrate, tapioca fiber, natural flavor, vegetable glycerin, sea salt, guar gum, steviol glycosides, annatto extract, monkfruit extract, xanthan gum, gum acacia.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, egg (and coconut (oil)). "This product has been processed on equipment that processes milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat."

*The Keto Pint ice cream brand was "created (in 2018) by two brothers with a vision to help accelerate the transition to lower sugar foods." (Keto Pint Ice Cream was formerly known as UpStar Ice Cream.) In 2021 Keto Pint transitioned to Keto Foods. The company's main office is based in Scottsdale, AZ.