To'ak - Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts 65% (bar) - July 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak 
Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts (bar)
Good++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 4 smaller bars
Calories: 336 calories in 1 package
Cost: $16.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: To'ak, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolate and peanut/peanut butter offerings--ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolates to casual snacks.

Today's Alchemy Salprieta* Peanuts (bars) were made by To'ak (Tierra & Arbol S.A.S.; Quito, Ecuador). The company started "from a rainforest conservation project in Ecuador and has become"...a global pioneer in the world of "luxury dark chocolate."

Aroma notes included: roasted nuts (peanuts), chili pepper and warm spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander/cilantro), and a very faint, fleeting menthol note that disappeared after re-tasting.

Texture: The flavor inclusions were almost all fully incorporated, leaving just tiny bursts of welcome flavor(s); although there were a few very hard, very tiny light-colored bits. (Corn perhaps?)

Flavor notes included: complex, almost sparkling flavors (like light streaming through a forest) that revealed themselves a bit at a time. Tiny salt crystals, tiny grains of nut, tiny atoms of spice, and dark chocolate nuances that included chocolate and tropical fruit. (The heirloom cacao used to make this bar was from Piedra de Plata, Manabi, Ecuador.)

What a beautiful ride. I loved the intriguing range of complex and subtle flavors in this bar. And, like all great rides, it was over too soon.

Ingredients: "Dark chocolate (65% heirloom cacao, 35% cane sugar), peanuts, salprieta (peanuts, achiote, cilantro, sea salt, and ground heirloom corn), achiote paste (achiote, sea salt), cilantro, cacao butter"

Allergen-related information: (Contains Peanuts.) "May contain traces of milk, soy, or nuts."

*Salprieta is a mix of ground (usually toasted) peanuts, corn and spices. It is used as a condiment in Ecuador. 

Simply Protein - Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bar - July 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Protein
Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.82 oz. (80 g.) / 5.64 oz. (160 g.) in total box of 4 bars
Calories: 340 calories in 2 bars
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a series that encompasses bean-to-bar chocolates...and a few snack and protein bars with peanuts/peanut butter and chocolate.

Today's Simply Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bars were distributed by Wellness Natural USA Inc. (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes included: light cocoa and peanut. There were visible peanut halves embedded into the bar. There wasn't a lot of chocolate flavor; but the unsweetened chocolate that was there added--the 5th ingredient on the list--added some richness and depth to this plant protein peanut bar blend.

The texture was light, crispy and crunchy (soy crisps, brown rice crisps).

I liked that this bar contained 12 grams of protein (making it feel more satisfying), and that wasn't too sweet. (There were Net 2 grams of added sugars in each bar.) It also had a relatively short list of ingredients for a snack bar.

Ingredients: Soy Protein Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt), Peanuts, Inulin, Vegetable Glycerin, Unsweetened Chocolate, Brown Rice Crisps (Brown Rice), Natural Peanut Butter (Peanuts), Cane Sugar, Peanut Oil, Sunflower Oil Blend [Sunflower Oil, Antioxidants (Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract)}

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy, Peanuts. Made in a Facility That Also Uses Tree Nuts, Sesame.

Mezcla - Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter (bar) - July 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Mezcla
Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week, and to Day #1 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week.

Today's Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter Puff-Crispy Bar (TM) was distributed by Eat Mezcla Inc. (New York, NY). The packaging included a lovely illustration of Peruvian wildlife (birds, butterflies)--from Peruvian artist Cesar Caycho.

Aroma notes for this plant protein bar included: peanut and chocolate, faint warm spice (vanilla, cinnamon), and very faint coconut and grain/pea protein.

The texture was crispy, slightly chewy and crunchy. And the peanut, chocolate and protein crisp flavors tasted harmonious and authentic.

Ingredients: Pea Crisps (pea protein, rice starch), Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Tapioca Syrup, Peanut Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Protein, Prebiotic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Tapioca Syrup Solids, Organic Quinoa Crisps (Organic Quinoa), Peanuts, Tapioca Fiber, Coconut Oil, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanut, Tree Nut (Coconut). Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Dairy, Peanut, Sesame, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Egg.

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade - Almond Gianduja (bar) - July 26, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade 
Mandula Gianduja
(Almond Gianduja (bar))
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 152 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Almond Gianduja 73% (bar) was from Rozsavolgyi Csokolade (Budapest, Hungary), using Peruvian Nacional cacao.

Notes on appearance...These chocolate makers also have fun with their packaging. "Erik, the Cocoa pod" makes appearances -- and was featured on today's bar enjoying an outdoor wine and bread picnic with an almond. Inside, each of their bars I've tried has been embossed with a beautiful, large swirling, floral-like, traditional Hungarian pattern.*

Aroma notes included: sweet, very slightly acidic/fruity chocolate; and nut/nut butter.

The texture was very pleasing. This chocolate was very smooth, nut buttery and the chocolate and almonds were fully integrated and creamy.

Flavor notes included: smooth, roasted note(s); very slightly bitter/bitter-sweet, dark chocolate; and fully ground nut (almond) butter and dark chocolate. The nuts provided some natural nut mellowness.

I liked that this chocolate wasn't too sweet (thank you!).

Ingredients: "Dark chocolate with Almond Praline. Ingredients: dark chocolate with 73% min. Cocoa content (cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), almond praline (almond 60%, sugar, vanilla). Almond praline in the chocolate min. 20%.

Allergen-related information: Contains almonds. "Produced in a factory that also handles nuts, sesame seed and milk powder."

*This design, likely inspired by Hungarian folk art, was also very pretty in green -- on the company's matcha green tea, herbs and lemon (white chocolate) bar, sampled recently. I highly recommend trying this flavor if you're fond of higher-end white chocolate, if it is still available.

Qantu - Tresor Cache - Edition Limitee 80% Chocolat Noir Cacao Sauvage - July 25, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Qantu 
Tresor Cache - Edition Limitee - 80% Chocolat Noir Cacao Sauvage (tablette)
(Hidden Treasure - Limited Edition - 80% Dark Chocolate Wild Cacao (bar))
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 135 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $52.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

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

Today's Tresor Cache Limited Edition 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Qantu* Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes for this rare bar included: complex, mild dark chocolate (cocoa) with notes that were buttery** and diffuse and included very faint tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, cacao, white grape); spice (barely there ginger, orchid/saffron floral); clean mineral; and very, very faint green botanical and fruity nut.

This relatively pale, warm brown-hued bar had a soft, buttery, fudge-like texture, melt and mouthfeel. 

The soft, subtle buttery and hidden fruit flavors were particularly remarkable for an 80% dark chocolate bar. These milder flavors and traits are associated with Criollo and heritage/"white" cacao beans--but this was very low in acidity, bitterness and bolder/roasted flavors.

I felt very fortunate to taste this rare Peruvian (Selva Central) wild cacao-based chocolate. I hope that high-priced bars like this one ($52.99 (USD)) encourages buyers to take time to enjoy this bar s-l-o-w-l-y. A big part of the enjoyment for me was detecting new, very subtle flavors in almost every bite.

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter"

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk and nuts 

*Founders Elfi and Maxime named their chocolate company Qantu (pronounced Kantu) -- also the name for the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. We can thank them for sharing rare, wild cacao from Peru with chocolate fans around the globe.

**There were no butter/dairy ingredients in this bar; but I was reminded of unsalted butter in the aroma, flavor and rich, smooth texture. 

Qantu - Palo Santo 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 24, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Qantu 
Palo Santo 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 143 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

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

Today's Palo Santo 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Qantu* Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, very faint coconut milk, very faint mint/menthol (and even fainter dried citrus peel), smoked wood, and butter.**

This lighter brown-hued bar had a rich buttery texture, melt and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: buttery dark chocolate with very faint but complex smoke, wood, coconut butter and green botanicals and spices.

I enjoyed this rich, buttery dark chocolate infused with subtle, Palo Santo wood smoke. Palo Santo wood has a complex aroma and flavor, and the smoked version did as well. There were wisps of the aroma and flavor notes (mentioned above) that undulated through the tasting, and floated into the finish.

Maker's tasting notes: 

• Eye: medium pale brown
• Nose: floral, touch of bergamot
• Mouth: palo santo smoke, orange peel
• Finish: spicy like nutmeg

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, palo santo smoke

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk and nuts 

*Founders Elfi and Maxime named their chocolate company Qantu (pronounced Kantu) -- the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. Their focus: rare, wild cacao from Peru.

**There were no butter/dairy ingredients in this bar; but I was reminded of unsalted butter in the aroma, flavor and rich, smooth texture.

Cacao Space - Peru Ucayali River 70% w/ Dried Pineapple (bar) - July 23, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space
Peru Ucayali River 70% with dried pineapple (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $24.00 for a Peru trio of 3 different bars
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order

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

Today's Peru Ucayali River 70% with dried pineapple (bar) was made by Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA). This chocolate was part of a trio of Peruvian (Ucayali) cacao-based dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark chocolate with very faint fruit (tart-sweet tropical and stone fruit), spice and brown sugar, and faint caramel, sweet coffee and butter.

Flavor notes included: a relatively nuanced (chocolate-y, buttery dark brownie); complex, tart-sweet fruit (sweet lemon, stone fruits (plum), pineapple), very faint botanicals/herbs (mild sweet lemon-green) and even fainter mellow roasted flavors.

Texture: This chocolate was "handcrafted (and) stoneground", but smooth. And the thinly sliced pieces of fresh-tasting, dried pineapple had a mild chew that complemented the relatively buttery dark chocolate very nicely. 

I really liked the complexity and the interplay of the fruit notes in this Peru bar. The dark chocolate was subtly complex; and I loved the pineapple. Each thin piece was tender, tasted sun-ripened and sweet, and it wasn't over-sugared. (thank you!). This pineapple blend with this chocolate hit the Goldilocks fruit zone for me. It was just right.

As with other single origin cacao bars, I recommend savoring this bar (slowly) and sampling more than just one bite to fully appreciate hidden flavor nuances -- that are not present in highly processed bulk chocolates. 

Ingredients: "cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar" + dried pineapples

Allergen-related information: (No allergen information was listed on packaging.)

*Ucayali River (and the Department of Ucayali) are located inland, in Peru's Amazon. The department shares a border with Brazil.