Maya Chocolates - S'mores 65% Dark Chocolate Marshmallow and GF Graham Cracker (bar) - Mar. 5, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Maya Chocolates
S'mores - 65% Dark Chocolate Marshmallow and GF Graham Cracker (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.2 oz. (62.4 g.) in total bar
Calories: 341 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $4.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Outdoors Theme. It's still too cold for a campfire to make old fashioned (original version) of s'mores; fortunately, this chocolate bar rendition of this childhood/camping favorite was on hand.

Today's S'mores Chocolate (bar) was from Maya Chocolates (Pinole, CA).

Aroma notes included: sweet dark chocolate, faint vanilla icing, and very faint nut/seed cookie.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate that broke with a snap, topped with soft, fluffy marshmallows, crunchy roasted almonds and light crumbly-crunchy graham cracker pieces.

Flavor notes included: authentic, rich and sweet dark chocolate--accented with vanilla, marshmallow and graham cracker flavors and textures.

This was a fun and slightly addicting bar. I appreciated the dark chocolate; and I found myself eating more to get to the marshmallows and larger sections of (gluten free) graham cracker--chasing childhood memories all the way. The sprinkling of roasted almond pieces were a nice addition, and complemented/balanced (the sweetness of) the classic s'mores flavor trio. 

Ingredients: Cane Sugar, Cocoa, Butter (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Marshmallow, Ghram (sic) Cracker, Roasted Almonds

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

Bearclaw Kitchen - Mt. Rosemary Trail Mix - Mar. 4, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Bearclaw Kitchen 
Mt. Rosemary Trail Mix 
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total package
Calories: 310 calories in 1 package 
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order

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

Today's Mt. Rosemary Trail Mix was from Bearclaw Kitchen (Los Angeles, CA). 

The company was founded by a "pastry chef with a big appetite" who urges us to "Please Devour and Claw On."

Aroma notes for this trail mix included: herb (rosemary); spice (ginger); seeds and nuts; diffuse (dried) fruit; and very faint chocolate.

This rich textural blend included crunchy, softly crunchy, chewy (coconut, dried fruit) and smooth (chocolate chips) elements.

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes (rosemary, ginger, seeds, nuts), but with more pronounced coconut, nut and dark chocolate.

I liked the aromatic and flavorful rosemary glazed cashews, and ginger. These flavors harmonized well and elevated this trail mix.

Ingredients: Pumpkin Seeds, Rosemary-Candied Cashews (Cashews, Sugar, Rosemary), Salted Almonds (Almonds, Salt), Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Sugar, Sunflower Oil), Chocolate Chips (Cacao Beans, Sugar, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Crystallized Ginger (Ginger, Sugar), Coconut Flakes, Grapeseed Oil. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Coconut). Baked In A Facility That Handles Milk, Eggs, Soy, Wheat & Peanuts."

Grandy Organics - Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola - Mar. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Grandy Organics
Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola
Good ++ 
Weight: 1/4 cup (30 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup (1 serving)
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Outdoors Theme Week, featuring granolas, trail mixes, tree-shaped chocolates, and other treats enjoyed outside. 

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Coconola Grain-Free Granola was made by Grandy Organics (Hiram, ME) and was part of a day full of alternating rain and sun 

Aroma notes for this granola included: coconut, sweet green, subtle seeds and nuts, and chocolate.

This granola had a pleasing, satisfying crunchy, baked texture. Crunchy coconut clusters were balanced by the seeds (pumpkin, sunflower and sesame) and nuts (pecans, cashews); enriched by smooth dark chocolate chips/pieces; and seasoned with maple syrup. 

I liked the texture (crunchy, without being too hard); the addition of the sesame seeds to the seed and nut blend; the fact that it was Organic and grain-free; the dark chocolate; and that it was sweetened with sugars that were relatively lower on the glycemic* index (and more flavorful).

Ingredients: Organic Unsweetened Coconut*, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Dark Chocolate* (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Pecans, Organic Cashews*, and Organic Maple Syrup. (* = Fair Trade Certified (tm) by Fair Trade USA (R); 33.9% Fair Trade Ingredients.)

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Coconut, sesame, pecans, and cashews." "Allergen Advisory: Created in a bakery that uses peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and sesame."

*The Glycemic Index Scale (0 to 100) measures how much a food raises blood sugar. (Pure glucose is at the top of this scale with a score of 100. Sucrose (sugar) is scored at approximately 68.) Pure honey: 58. Coconut sugar: 50 - 54. Maple syrup: 54.

Nu-Trail - Cacao Nut Granola - Mar. 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Nu-Trail 
Cacao Nut Granola
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Outdoors Theme Week -- including granolas, trail mixes, tree-shaped chocolates, and an outdoor spring egg hot cocoa experience.

Today's (gluten-free and keto certified) Nu-Trail Cacao Nut Granola was manufactured for Snacks Generation Inc. (Miami, FL).

Aroma notes for this "no sugar added" granola included: sweet coconut, cacao and very faint (barely detectable) sweet green, botanical extracts, nuts and seeds.

Flavor notes for this crunchy granola included: coconut, nut, cacao/chocolate, seed, and nut.

Ingredients: Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Coconut, Erythritol, Pecans, Almonds, Butter (Pasteurized Cream, Natural Flavor), Unsweetened Chocolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Salt, Natural Flavors, Monkfruit Extract

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Tree Nuts (Almond, Coconut, Pecan)." "Processed in a Facility That Also Processes Dairy, Wheat, Tree Nuts, Sesame, and Soy."

The Granola Guru - Cacao Almond Butter - Mar. 1, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

The Granola Guru
Cacao Almond Butter 
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (28 g.) / 10 oz. (283 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Outdoors Week--a week that includes granolas, trail mixes, tree-shaped chocolates, and an outdoor mug of spring egg hot chocolate. 

Growing up and spending a lot of time outdoors, we often made their own granolas--inspired by Muesli-style oat cereals from Europe--and trail mixes.

Today's Cacao Almond Butter granola from The Granola Guru (Oakland, CA) was made with gluten-free oats. Company founder, Ayana K., has created a "dairy free, vegan-friendly...nourishing superfood snack...with no refined sugars."

Rich aroma notes for this outdoor-friendly granola included: authentic cacao; maple and brown/unrefined sugars; grains, oats, and faint malt; and nuts (almonds).

The ebony-hued granola was full of rich, authentic cacao and nut (almond) flavors. And the use of quality ingredients, oils and sweeteners created a better tasting experience. This was a dark chocolate lovers granola!

Ingredients: "Gluten Free Oats, Almonds, Maple Syrup, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Almond Butter, Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Coconut, Organic Cacao Nibs, Water, Organic Flaxseed Meal, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Vanilla Bean"

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Almond, Coconut. Manufactured in a facility that also processes: tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, and dairy."

Premium Orchard - Chocolate Almond & Cherry Blend - Feb. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Premium Orchard 
Chocolate Almond and Cherry Blend 
Good ++
Weight: 1/4 cup (34 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: $5.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Almonds Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate Outdoors Theme Week.

Today's Premium Orchard Deluxe Chocolate Almond and Cherry Blend was manufactured by Mixed Nuts, Inc. (Pico Rivera, CA).

Aroma notes for this mix included: a subtle, appealing and rich blend of fruits, nut and chocolate.

Textures and flavors included: generously sized, plump, dried, chewy red fruits (cherries and cranberries); large lightly salted cashews; and smooth, shiny and dark chocolate covered almonds with crunchy nut interiors.

What I liked about this blend: 1.) balanced flavors; not too sweet and not too salty; 2.) hearty, enjoyable and portable snack that could be enjoyed outside, at home or on the go.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds (Semi-Sweet Chocolate [Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor], Roasted Almonds and Confectioner's Glaze), Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Sugar, and Sunflower Oil), Roasted Cashews (Cashews, Non-GMO Canola Oil and Sea Salt), and Dried Sour Cherries (Cherries, Sugar, and Sunflower Oil).

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Almonds, Cashews, Milk and Soy. Manufactured on Equipment That Also Processes Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Wheat and Dairy Products. Contains a bioengineered food ingredient."

Nature's Garden - Oat Milk Chocolate Covered Matcha Almonds - Feb. 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Nature's Garden
Oat Milk Chocolate Covered Matcha Almonds
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $3.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Nature's Garden Oak Milk Chocolate Covered Matcha Almonds were from Cibo Vita Inc. (Totowa, NJ).

Aroma and layered flavor notes included: subtle chocolate; faint oat/cereal; sweet green, almost fruity/floral, refreshing tea (green tea); and nut (almond). 

There were pleasant, light, lingering almond butter and fruit (jelly/jam) + oatmeal/oat bread sandwich notes in the finish. 

Overall I enjoyed the flavors in these almonds. The chocolate element was subtle, and added some complementary flavor depth to the lighter green/floral and nut notes.

These coated almonds were made in the USA -- using ingredients sourced from Canada, Colombia and the United States.

Ingredients: Oat Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Dried Gluten Free Oat Powder, Cocoa Mass, Dried Rice Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavor), Roasted Almonds (Almonds, Peanut Oil), Matcha Seasoning (Sugar, Natural Flavor, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin [Corn], Silicon Dioxide, Gum Arabic, Soybean Oil, Citric Acid), Natural Flavor Green Tea Type Oil, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Dextrin, Color (Spirulina Extract), Color (Turmeric). 

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds) (and peanut oil). "Made in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, soy, wheat, egg & sesame. May contain pits, shell pieces or other naturally occurring objects."