Theo & Philo Chocolate Factory - 60% Dark Chocolate with Green Banana Chips + Pink Salt (bar) - Apr. 5, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory
60% Dark Chocolate with Green Banana Chips + Pink Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .795 oz. (22.5 g.) / 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 111 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's 60% Dark Chocolate with Green Banana Chips + Pink Salt (bar) was from Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory, Inc. (Manila, Philippines).

Aroma notes for this bar included: soft fruit (tropical, banana), subtle chocolate, and mild, sweet floral (vanilla, coconut).

Layered bits of green banana chips in lush 60% dark chocolate created a satisfying, softly crunchy (starchy, crispy) texture. The sweet-salt balance was in the delicious and addictive range.

This chocolate bar made with cacao from the Philippines reminded me of a very enjoyable, rich chocolate cookie (lacy, buttery dark chocolate and almond florentines) or a tropical island chocolate profiterole. Delicate but also rich, crunchy and delicious.

Understated aroma and flavor notes were elegantly complex and authentic and not boring.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, sugar, banana, cocoa butter, coconut oil, Himalayan salt.

Allergen-related information: (Cotained coconut.) Processed in a facility that also processes peanuts and other tree nuts.

Endangered Species - Oat Milk Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Endangered Species Chocolate
Oat Milk Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.86 (sale) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's Oat Milk Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate 75% Cocoa (bar) was created by Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC (Indianapolis, IN).

The company has donated a portion of their net proceeds* to causes that help preserve wildlife for many years, and continues to do so. (Inside the leopard print-adorned wrapper surrounding today's bar was additional information on the endangered Amur Leopard, and more info. about organizations they support.)

Aroma notes for this oat milk chocolate bar included: dark chocolate (faintly roasted), deep dark Forastero-variety like cacao). Very faint notes included: floral perfume (vanilla), citrus (lemon green (oxalis)), and cookie/biscuit.

This dark chocolate bar broke with a hard snap (in a cold room), and the flavor notes mirrored the dark chocolate aroma notes listed above. 

The oat milk showed up a bit in the finish (as a faint, fine oat particle grittiness); but was not really detectable until this point. 

The oat milk may also have mellowed the 75% dark chocolate flavors (there was relatively low bitterness, acidity for such a dark tasting chocolate); and the sugar taste as well. (It was not overly sweet; thank you.)

The pink Himalayan salt added an extra flavor accent that complemented the dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate, non-dairy and vegan fans who don't care for overly sweet chocolates and like supporting good causes are most likely to appreciate this bar. 

This chocolate bar does not contain milk; but there may be traces of milk in the manufacturing process.

Ingredients: Chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole grain oats, soy lecithin, vanilla), pink Himalayan salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains soy. Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts.

*Ten percent of net proceeds are donated. "Endangered Species Chocolate partners with non-profit wildlife and conservation organizations that are making a measurable and significant difference," such as National Forest Foundation, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, and Wildcats Conservation Alliance.

Letterpress - Ashanti Ghana Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 3, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Letterpress Chocolate LLC
Ashanti Ghana Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week. 

Today's Ashanti Ghana Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Letterpress Chocolate LLC, a small batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Los Angeles, CA.

Ashanti, a cocoa growing region in Ghana, has experienced slave labor and low prices for farmers. To help ensure higher payments to these farmers, Letterpress worked with The Ghana Cocoa Board (and paid above commodity prices) when they obtained the cocoa used to make today's chocolate.

Aroma notes included: chocolate (brownie, dark chocolate sauce/ganache) and very faint citrus (lemon herb, oxalis).

This well-tempered bar had a smooth, almost velvety, chocolate-y texture and melt.

The flavor was satisfying chocolate brownie flavor with a very light touch of sea salt. The brownie-forward flavor was not terribly complex; however, the chocolate flavor was rich, lovable, well-balanced, well-executed, and with no off-notes.

The sweetness level was average for a 70% cocoa chocolate (fairly sweet for ultra-dark fans, but not overwhelmingly so). This was a slightly addictive, salted brownie treasure.

Maker's tasting notes: salted brownie, graham cracker

Ingredients: Cacao beans, certified organic unrefined cane sugar, certified organic cocoa butter, sea salt

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that also processes nuts and dairy.

MIA - Ghana Gold - Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate 73% Cocoa (bar) - Apr. 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate 73% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate Chocolate 73% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA chocolate bars don't just contain cacao grown in Africa. Their finished chocolate is made in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.*

This Sea Salt and Nibs chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with Ghana cacao.*

Aroma notes included: chocolate (sweet cocoa), faint citrus (lemony herb, oxalis), and even faint cookie (graham cracker and coconut shortbread cookie).

The well-tempered smooth chocolate had a relatively slow, even melt (eaten in a cool room) and was interspersed with small crunchy flecks of cocoa bean (cocoa nibs). 

Flavor notes included rich cocoa (faint roasted mocha latte with a twist of lemon peel). The citrus was slightly sweet and had a mild tartness (faint lemon acidity and faint bitterness).

Too much salt can overpower more delicate cacao notes. That was not a problem with this relatively mild sea salt and nibs chocolate. If anything, a bit more cocoa (e.g. deep, dark brownie-ness) and sea salt might've helped to balance the inherent sweetness--that was relatively high for a 73% cacao chocolate with cacao nibs. (In defense of choices made with this bar, U.S. foods tend to have a lot of salt and sugar. You can always add salt if you need more. But, overly salty chocolate is very hard to fix.) 

Fans of less intense dark chocolate will enjoy the lighter touch this bar offers.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa nibs (7%), cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt (less than 1%). Minimum cocoa solids: 73%.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and milk."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. (I'm guessing that MIA might stand for Made in Africa, but I could be mistaken.) While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only about 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Making finished chocolate "in country" (Ghana in this case) allows cacao farmers and producer communities to benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

MIA - Ghana Gold Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar) - Apr. 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA produces chocolates (bars) made using cacao grown in Africa; and produces finished chocolate in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.*

This chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with Ghana cacao.*

The aroma notes were relatively uniform and included: sweet, milky cocoa and very faint salt dough. The texture was smooth and creamy. And this 48% cocoa bar had a sweet milk chocolate flavor and finish with a blush of caramel.

The salt was very subtle. (It was inherent in the fleeting salted caramel notes I tasted.) This milk chocolate may be most appreciated by those with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt (less than 1%). Minimum cocoa solids: 48%.

Allergen-related information: Contained milk. "May contain traces of tree nuts and peanuts."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. (I'm guessing that MIA might stand for Made in Africa, but I could be mistaken.) MIA co-founders, Brett Beach and Sarah Lescrauwaet, lived in Africa for seven years. 

While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Brett and Sarah saw an opportunity to make finished chocolate "in country" where the farmers and producer communities can benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

MIA Ghana Gold - Intense Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar) - Mar. 31, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Intense Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Intense Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA produces chocolates (bars) made using cacao grown in Africa; and, more significantly, produces finished chocolate in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.*

This chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with single origin Ghana cacao.*

This bar had creamy, smooth texture. And aroma and flavor notes for this included: chocolate (rich cocoa, ultra-dark chocolate ganache) and vanilla (faintly aromatic vanilla pipe smoke). Enough vanilla that it conjured notions of chocolate + vanilla desserts. (But, there was no vanilla listed in the ingredients.)

The (Forastero-like deep, dense cacao) flavor was quite smooth, and not too bitter or acidic.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt. Minimum cocoa solids: 85%.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and milk."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. (I'm guessing that MIA might stand for Made in Africa, but I could be mistaken.) MIA co-founders, Brett Beach and Sarah Lescrauwaet, lived in Africa for seven years. While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Brett and Sarah saw an opportunity to make finished chocolate "in country" where the farmers and producer communities can benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

Divine Chocolate - Smooth Dark Chocolate with Superfruits 60% Cocoa (bar) - Mar. 30, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Divine Chocolate
Smooth Dark Chocolate with Superfruits 60% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $6.50 for 1 bar

Purchased from: The Phoenix Shop, Big Sur, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with Ghana-grown cacao.

Today's Smooth Dark Chocolate with Superfruits 60% Cocoa (bar) was made in Germany, using cocoa from the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union in Ghana, and distributed by Divine Chocolate Inc. (Washington, D.C.). Divine is co-owned by Ghana cocoa farmers and maintains close ties to Ghana cacao producer communities. 

The aroma notes for this fruit-brightened, ultra-dark 85% cocoa bar included: rich chocolate (chocolate pudding, torte, ganache) and faint tart-sweet fruit (berries).

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (smooth, roasted cacao, deep dark brownie) with interspersed with well-balanced bits of dried, tart-sweet red fruit (cranberry), dark berries, and faint nut. (There were no nuts listed in the ingredients.)

Berries are high in antioxidants called polyphenols.* And all three (dried) berries in this chocolate are known to contain high amounts of these polyphenols.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, dried cranberries, dried blackcurrants, dried elderberries, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin). (Cocoa solids 60% minimum.)

Allergen-related information: "May contain: milk, wheat, almonds, hazelnuts, coconut (and) pecans."

*Polyphenols are antioxidants that may relieve cellular oxidative stress in our bodies and lessen inflammation (anti-inflammatory).

Some animal and human studies on polyphenols have reported benefits in the following areas: neurological (degenerative disease slowing/prevention), cancer, bone health, and blood sugar regulation.