Rimini - Hazelnut, Sicilian Pistachio & Italian Espresso Chocolates - June 13, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Rimini Chocolate
1.) Hazelnut - Good ++ - Good +++
2.) Sicilian Pistachio - Good ++ 
3.) Italian Espresso - Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 3 pieces out of a total 25-piece box
Calories: (No information; this was a gift)
Cost: $ N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - Mother's Day gift

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

Today's Hazelnut, Sicilian Pistachio and Italian Espresso chocolates were from Rimini Chocolate (Colorado). 

After spending time in Rimini, Italy, owner and chocolatier Michael Schneider opened two Italian-inspired gelato and chocolate shops in Vail and Beaver Creek (CO) in the U.S.

These attractive, Italian-inspired, filled chocolates were skillfully executed blends of texture and taste. Flavor notes included rich, smooth dark/bittersweet chocolate and delicious soft, flowing caramel ganache flavored centers. 

The Hazelnut chocolate had almost impossibly silky smooth, sweet filling with authentic,  appealing hazalnut/gianduja flavor. The thin, attractively decorated dark chocolate shell had balanced boldness (very faint, fleeting earth) that helped balance the sweetness and natural nut flavor. The layered chocolate and hazelnut flavors were in perfect balance with each other.

Sicilian Pistachio very faint oxalis in aroma. Much like an excellent Italian pistachio gelato, the authentic pistachio flavor bloomed gradually after the first bite. And the texture of the filling was, like the Hazelnut, silky smooth.

 And the Italian Espresso was a faithful rendering of this most satisfying beverage.

Rimini describes their Italian Espresso filled chocolate this way: "...This...Tuscan pick-me-up presents rich caramel infused with fresh roasted Italian style espresso surrounded by dark chocolate." The texture, like almost all the chocolates in this collection was superb: silky smooth, almost whipped, yet very rich. 

This was a caramel, mocha cappuccino to remember. If I lived in Colorado, I would try out their gelato flavors as well. I'm sure they are good.

The centers were flavorful (and just a little bit salty like other ones?? or no). And the flavors were high-end, fresh and authentic.

They were well-executed, what you're more likely to see from a ?? trained chef/chocolatier. The couverture thicknesses were just right (not too thick). Everything was well-balanced--smooth yet flavorful. Not too sweet; and well balanced with salt. And their elegant, hand "painted" appearance made them well-suited for gifts.

Ingredients: (Received as a gift; outside packaging/information had been removed.)

Allergen-related information: (May have contained milk.) (No information.) 

 

Rimini - Tahitian Vanilla, Single Origin Dark, Raspberry, Spiced Orange - June 12, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Rimini Chocolate
1.) Tahitian Vanilla - Good + - Good ++
2.) Single Origin Dark - Good ++
3.) Raspberry Caramel - Good ++ - Good +++
4.) Spiced Orange Caramel - Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 4 pieces out of a total 25-piece box
Calories: (No information; this was a gift)
Cost: $ N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - Mother's Day gift

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

Today's four filled chocolates: Tahitian Vanilla, Single Origin Dark and Raspberry Caramel, were from Rimini Chocolate (Colorado). 

After spending time in Rimini, Italy, owner and chocolatier Michael Schneider opened two Italian-inspired gelato and chocolate shops in Vail and Beaver Creek (CO) in the U.S.

Filled chocolates tend to have fainter aromas. The notes I could detect for these Italian-inspired, high-end chocolates included: faint chocolate and authentic spice and fruit notes.

These attractive chocolates had skillfully executed blends texture and taste. 

Tahitian Vanilla flavor notes included: rich, flowing sweet caramel filling (balanced with a slightly earthy note in the dark shell, and faint, authentic vanilla bean. Aroma notes also included very faint, sweet tart green (oxalis).

The Single Origin* Dark chocolates were filled with a silky smooth dark ganache. Very pleasing on the palette. The thin dark shell that surrounded the ganache was smooth and flavorful. Aroma notes also included rich cocoa and a very faint fruit.

The Raspberry Caramel chocolate had an exceptionally good silky chocolate caramel ganache with a heavenly texture: light and lofty and almost flowing. All this was heightened by authentic sweet tart red raspberry infused flavor (the best fresh raspberry jam you can imagine, without the seeds). Aroma notes also included subtle, fresh raspberry fruit. This was a favorite.

The Spiced Orange Caramel was just as wonderful as the Raspberry Caramel. The same rich but yet light and fluffy at the same time (an apparent contradiction skillfully achieved). The spice and orange and chocolate flavors were in perfect balance.

The chocolates in this 25-piece assortment box were well-executed in every respect. The couverture thicknesses were just right. The ganaches were silky smooth. The flavors were fresh and authentic. Everything was well-balanced--smooth yet flavorful. They were not over-sugared. And their elegant, hand "painted" appearance(s) made them perfect for a special gift.

Ingredients: (Received as a gift; outside packaging/information had been removed.)

Allergen-related information: (May have contained milk.) (No information.) 

*The cacao origin wasn't listed; it tasted like a high-end, smooth dark chocolate.

 

Ranger Chocolate Co. - Oregon Wine Country Pinot Noir Chocolate Bar - June 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Ranger Chocolate Co.
Oregon Wine Country Pinot Noir Chocolate Bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.125 oz. (32 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories (estim.) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week. Wine and cheese pair well. (See below for a suggested cheese pairing with today's bar.)

The Oregon Wine Country Pinot Noir Chocolate Bar from Ranger Chocolate Co. (Portland, OR) was part of the company's Oregon Adventure Series.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (faint sweet green, light caramel spice) and balanced, bright fruit (purple grape).

This well-tempered bar broke with a snap and had the taste and feel of a thoughtfully made dark chocolate. (It took "500 hours to make this chocolate..." and it shows.) 

Tasting notes: deep, dark fudge-y chocolate; bright, tart-sweet red/purple wine grape fruit (with faint raisin and fig); and light spice and sweet floral green notes in the finish. There was a very faint, fleeting fruit astringency in the finish; but otherwise it was very smooth.

The dark chocolate was robust but smooth; and the pinot noir added fullness and fruit. The two tasted fully integrated and harmonized very nicely.

I enjoyed this chocolate with a small slice of manchego (Spanish sheep) cheese. I'd recommend this pairing.

Maker's description: "This bar infuses Adelsheim Vineyard's annual Pinot noir harvest directly into our chocolate making process--a wine and chocolate pairing like never before."

Ingredients: "organic cacao, organic sugar, cacao butter, Pinot noir grape, sea salt" 

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured in a facility that uses gluten, egg, milk, tree nuts ingredients." ("Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Nut Free")

Fjak Sjokolade - 70% Mork Sjokolade and Alde Sider (bar) - June 10, 2023

 Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
70% Mork Sjokolade and Alde Sider
(70% Dark Chocolate and Alde Cider)
Good ++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Cider (bar) was made by small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway).

Founded by two women in 2015, the company offers a variety of single origin bars and chocolates with local Nordic flavors.

Today's chocolate with infused with Norwegian hard cider from Alde (Hardanger, Norway)--a region known for its apples, plums and cherries. The cacao used to make this bar was from Tanzania (Kilombero Valley).

Aroma notes for this Norwegian bar included: dark chocolate, diffuse fruit (apple juice), faint brown sugar, and even fainter sweet green botanical, almost floral.

This well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and had a smooth texture with a very mild tart fruit astringency.

This was a harmonious and well-executed blend of 70% dark chocolate and apple cider, with nuanced flavor notes. The relatively bold dark chocolate balanced the sweetness of the apple and the sugar in the dark chocolate base. The apple cider contributed fruit with gently undulating, pleasant apple flavors and balanced acidity.

I enjoyed the first few bites of this chocolate without any cheese. And then paired it with an aged cheddar cheese. A camembert (commonly paired with hard cider) or similar cheese might have worked too. However, the apple flavors in the cider were delicate and enjoyable enough that I might avoid very strong cheeses.

Maker's description: "bold and boozy"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, dried apple* and Cider from Alde (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten.

Fjak Sjokolade - 45% Milk & Brown Cheese (bar) - June 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
45% - Milk and Brown Cheese (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 143.3 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's 45% Milk and Brown Cheese (from Undredal, Norway) (bar) was from small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway). 

Established by two women in 2015, this Norwegian maker offers a variety of single origin chocolates. Some (Nordic Collection) items are also infused local natural flavors--such as Norwegian brown cheese. (Other flavored bars include: apple cider, berries, reindeer moss and lingonberry, and Norwegian gingerbread.)

The cacao used to make today's Norwegian brown goat cheese* milk chocolate bar was from PISA (Haiti).

Aroma notes for this unique cheese bar included flavorful dark milk chocolate, diffuse fruit (sweet red berry) and a slight savory/salt note.

This uniquely Norwegian 45% milk chocolate was, texturally, a blend of smooth and very slightly crunchy (sugar/salt sparkles?)

The creamy dark chocolate with slightly milk-muted flavor tones made for a tasty milk chocolate. It was bold enough to retain smooth dark cocoa, red berry and very faint cedar notes. 

The brown goats cheese was mellow and mild and, along with a touch of sea salt, created a very harmonious blend with the chocolate and a very satisfying tasting experience--especially if you enjoy savory pairings with your chocolate. 

This chocolate was neither too sweet (thank you!) nor too salty.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, milk powder*, brown goats cheese and sea salt (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: (Contains dairy.) Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten.

*Brunost or brown cheese is uniquely Norwegian. It's often eaten in thin slices, with bread or toast. It's made by heating whey (from cheese-making process) and milk, and has a slight caramelized flavor and "brown" hue.

Fjak Sjokolade - Brunost Karameller Med Sjokolade - June 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade
Brunost Karameller Med Sjokolade 
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total box of 8 pieces
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $26.00 for 1 box of 8 caramels
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Brunost Karameller (Brown Cheese Caramels and Milk Chocolate) confections were made by Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway). 

Norwegian brown cheese* already has a bit of caramel flavor, so it seemed like a natural complement to a chocolate caramel in the hands of a skilled maker. (It was.)

These square caramels were a study in artful contradiction. Uniform but layered, harmonious yet complex. These milk chocolate caramels were silky smooth, yet also had a brief, very slightly granular (cheese) phase--that melted and morphed back to satin smooth. A bit of a magic trick.

Flavor notes: Sweet caramel and flavorful 45% milk chocolate. And the maker(s) successfully incorporated a third element: a balanced, very slightly savory note (brown cheese), without the end product being too sweet or salty. There's no need to over-season great, high-quality flavors. (Fjak used single origin cacao, and local dairy/Norwegian brown cheese products.)

These caramels were well executed, fun to try, and tasty. They were great by themselves. One or two of these rich caramels filled me up. They also would be interesting to try on a fruit and cheese plate, and possibly with other sweet and savory (cheese) pairings.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cocoa beans*, sugar*, dry milk*, cocoa butter*), sugar*, cream*, butter*, brown cheese*, glucose, invert sugar, sea salt*, baking soda (*organic).

Allergen-related information: Allergens: lactose (contains dairy)

*Brown cheese is made by boiling whey (a liquid, cheese by-product) down to thick, sweet caramelized form. It is uniquely Norwegian, and is difficult to find elsewhere. It is often cut off a block, into thin slices, and served on bread/toast. It may be eaten as part of a breakfast sandwich of toast, brown cheese and jam, or as part of a snack.

Vosges - Parmesan Walnut and Fig 67% Cacao (bar) - June 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges IP, LLC
Parmesan Walnut and Fig 67% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges website, online order

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

Today's Parmesan Walnut and Fig 67% Cacao (bar) was created by Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, faint dried fruit, saltines (crackers) and nuts.

As with yesterday's Vosges 45% Cheddar and Apple chocolate bar, today's 67% aged Parmigiano Reggiano, California walnut and Turkish fig chocolate was smooth with a soft crunch. Particles of authentic cheese and dried fruit items were fully incorporated into a chocolate base.

Flavor notes included sweet dark chocolate, parmesan cheese, walnuts and dried fruit (figs). Very subtle spices (salt, pepper, peppercorns) rounded out this savory chocolate blend.

The complexity was enjoyable, flavors were well balanced and this chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!).

Hats off to Vosges for continuing to create new and wonderful flavor combinations, including a line of chocolates blended with cheeses (parmesan, cheddar, manchego, other). Some of these "cheese" bars also have fruits and/or nuts. 

I love sampling savory chocolate flavors, and creating chocolate and cheese pairings. Blends like this are hard to find.

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla bean seeds), chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla bean seeds), walnuts, dried figs, parmesan cheese (raw milk, rennet, salt enzymes), sea salt, pepper, pink peppercorns.

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