Goodio - Lavender 49% Cacao (bar) - Oct. 5, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodio Craft Chocolate x Ivana Helsiniki, Paula Suhonen
Lavender 49% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's Market, online order

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

Today's Goodio Craft Chocolate Lavender 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Oy (Vantaa, Finland).

Aroma and flavor notes for this vegan chocolate included: sweet chocolate and coconut (coconut fudge), faint floral; and very faint, ripe, diffuse, sweet fruit. 

I could taste the lavender more than I could smell it. (Floral and vanilla inclusions are often more detectable in the aroma.) Lavender can be strong (and soap-ish) for some; but I enjoy flower and herb flavors and I would've liked a little more lavender and less sugar. 

The coconut sugar added some authentic flavor depth and warmth. And small, ultra-thin coconut flakes added coconut flavor and natural sweetness. 

Was it a bit too sweet for me? Yes. But I live in sunny California, and not Scandinavia--where bright and sweet candy and colorful flowers might help extend summer and brighten an overcast day. (And I did end up eating the whole bar.)

Ingredients: "Cacao beans*, Coconut palm sugar*, Cacao butter*, Coconut flakes*, Birch sugar (Xylitol), Lavender*. (*Organic)."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts (cashew). Dairy, gluten and soy free."

Goodio - Candied Chamomile 49% Cacao (bar) - Oct. 4, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodio x Ivana Helsiniki, Paula Suhonen
Candied Chamomile 49% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's Market, online order

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

Today's Goodio Craft Chocolate Candied Chamomile 49% Cacao (bar) was manufactured by Helsinki Heaven Oy (Vantaa, Finland).

Aroma and flavor notes for this vegan chocolate included: sweet chocolate; light, nuanced floral; sweet green (coconut sugar, maple), and faint fruit (candied pineapple, gentle green apple+ honey); subtle coconut; and a very faint, fleeting herbal (aromatic, fine peppercorn).

This bar had a relatively smooth, texture, with a slightly stone-ground mouthfeel. (It was not particularly rough or grainy; and it might have had more flavor because the cacao + inclusions were less processed.*)

The tiny fragments of candied chamomile flowers on the back of the bar were charming and sweet, and imparted faint, fleeting and flavorful, candied floral notes. 

I enjoyed the blend of sweet, nuanced and balanced Northern European (as well as tropical) flavors, and the fact that this was from (made in) Finland. 

The white packaging decorated with enlarged, white-petaled and yellow-centered chamomile flowers showcased these blossoms (likely especially welcome in countries with long winters). The maker's description was poetic: "candies & flowers & hazy summer hours"...It would be fitting to enjoy this in the sunny months; but it would be a cheerful bar in any season.

Was this 49% cacao organic, vegan chocolate sweet? Yes, it was. However, it was supposed to be bright and fresh like summer candy and flowers. 

The coconut sugar and maple syrup sweeteners added some flavor depth and warmth--and didn't push me all the way into the sugar buzz zone (thank you).

Ingredients: "Cacao beans*, Coconut palm sugar*, Cacao butter*, Coconut flakes*, Maple syrup*, Chamomile*. (*Organic)."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts (cashew). Dairy, gluten and soy free."

*Shorter grinding/conching time(s), can preserve more cacao aroma and flavor notes; but longer processing times may result in a creamier, smoother chocolate. Makers have to weigh these potential trade-offs. They take into account the variety, source/origin, flavor profile and other qualities (or even shortcomings) of cacao when making these and other decisions.

Ethereal Chocolate - Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Oct. 3, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ethereal Chocolate
Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .848 oz. (24 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in total bar
Calories: 148 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Ethereal Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week. 

Today's Espresso Yourself Organic Coffee 66% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Ethereal Chocolate/Confections (Woodstock, IL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate and roasted coffee, with very faint/diffuse fruit, nut, and very faint green (almost but not quite floral/vanilla) and cookies.

Texture: Smooth, very slightly grainy dark chocolate was accented by a generous helping of crunchy cacao nibs.

Flavor notes included: dark, sweet chocolate and genuine coffee, with medium acidity, and authentic unsweetened cacao nibs. The cacao nibs and coffee balanced the sweetness (sugar).

I liked the aroma; and appreciated that the coffee was present (especially in the aroma), but that I could taste the chocolate (first), and then the coffee. It was well executed from this standpoint. 

In chocolate and coffee blends, these two flavorful beans (seeds) can overpower each other if not balanced. Sometimes I like tasting the coffee first, and sometimes the chocolate. A great maker can anticipate what works best, depending on the types/varieties of cacao and coffee.

Ingredients: Chocolate* (Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Coffee Beans, Cocoa Nibs*. (* Organic Ingredient)

Allergen-related information: "Made on shared equipment with peanuts & tree nuts."

Honey Mama's - Mocha Crunch (bar) + Java Junction Mocha Smoothie - Oct. 2, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Honey Mama's 
Mocha Crunch (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Java Junction
Smooth Express (Espresso) Freeze
Good ++
Weight: 24 fl. oz. (estimate)
Calories: 475 calories (estimate)
Cost: $9.75 for 1 smoothie
Purchased from: Java Junction, Santa Cruz, CA 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Coffee Week.

Today's hot weather led to overindulgence--in the form of three, cold mocha chocolate items. Two of these are included below. (The third item was a cup of ice cream with high-end upgrades to traditional mocha almond fudge and coffee ice creams. Delicious; and will re-taste and write about these at a later date.)

Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch 

The Honey Mama's Mocha Crunch (bar) was "Made in Portland, Oregon, While Dancing to Great Music."

Aroma notes included: mocha coconut nut cookie, date, and faint vanilla.

This (refrigerated*) bar had a cold coconut oil-based, fudge-y, melt-in-your-mouth texture, luxe melt and mouthfeel. Coconut oil and cocoa butter gave this bar a rich, appealing taste and texture.

Flavor notes for this "Truffle Treat" of a bar included: chocolate-y (smooth dark chocolate, low in bitterness and acidity), coconut fudge, faint nuts (almost fully incorporated hazelnuts), authentic vanilla, and sea salt.

I liked the relatively short list of authentic flavors (made with no preservatives, no added natural flavors); the taste of the authentic honey, sea salt, vanilla, and coffee that were pleasing accent flavors to cocoa and coconut. The only ingredient (from what I could tell) that had been slightly altered/further processed was the cocoa powder. It had been alkalized, resulting in a mellower, attractive hot cocoa flavor.

Ingredients: "Organic Raw Honey, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Organic Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut, Hazelnuts, Organic Coconut Flour, Organic Roasted Coffee, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Pink Salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains: Coconut and Hazelnuts. "Made in a facility that also processes peanuts." "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age." ("Gluten Free, Free of Refined Sugars, Dairy and Soy Free"

*"This treat melts above 75 degrees (F.)"

Java Junction - Smooth Express (Espresso) Smoothie

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate/mocha; fresh, ripe banana; and coffee. 

This mocha and banana flavored, espresso "freeze" was tasty, refreshing and satisfying. It was enjoyed at the beach in Santa Cruz, CA, where it was a sizzling 88 degrees (F)/ 31.1 degrees (C)...in October. 

I enjoyed the authentic fresh banana and rich, chilled mocha flavors in this smoothie-style drink. And I appreciated that the low sugar level and decaf coffee resulted in no jarring sugar or caffeine buzz (thank you!).

Ingredients: "Espresso, banana, non-fat milk, non-fat frozen yogurt, chocolate (likely Ghirardelli)" 

Allergen-related information: Contained dairy (milk, yogurt)

Kasama Chocolate - 65% Kape Espresso (bar) - Oct. 1, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Kasama Chocolate
65% Kape Espresso (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 162.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kasama Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's 65% Kape Espresso (bar) from Kasama Chocolate (Vancouver, BC, Canada) was made with Kape Philippine Coffee Beans. 

The Tagalog (Filipino) word Kasama (togetherness, friendship, camaraderie, collaboration) aptly describes Kasama and its four founders. The company makes bean-to-bar chocolate and truffles using cacao from the Philippines and flavor inclusions from both the Philippines and the Pacific Northwest.

Aroma notes included: strong coffee (espresso), chocolate, faint dried fruit (date sugar), and even fainter green (botanical) syrup.

Texture: smooth, uniform, with very slight graininess/astringency.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate with bold, balanced, dark roast espresso coffee. The dark chocolate was more apparent in the taste than in the aroma; but the espresso still ruled the roost.

I appreciated tasting this single origin bean-to-bar chocolate, where both cacao beans and coffee beans came from the Philippines.* The sweetness (provided by unrefined cane sugar) tasted natural and balanced the bold espresso flavor.

Maker's notes: "...synthesis of cacao & coffee beans yields notes of dates, roasted chestnuts, & Muscovado sugar."

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter*, Kape Philippine Coffee Beans (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

*Maker's coffee origin description: The roasted coffee beans came from "Iona & Paolo at Kape Coffee. This semi-washed coffee is grown in the highlands of Bansalan, by award-winning coffee grower, Ate Marivic, part of a farmer owned co-operative in Davao del Sur."

Public Chocolatory - Nano Batch #01-2 - Coffee 50% Milk Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Public Chocolatory
Nano Batch #01-2 - Coffee 50% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, CA

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

Today's Nano Batch #01-2 - Coffee 50% Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Public Chocolatory (Republic of Korea).  

Aroma and flavor notes included: nuanced dark milk chocolate; subtle, diffuse fruit (mango, ripe berry, peach) and nut (almond, pecan); creamy whole milk and coffee latte.

Texture: creamy and smooth

I really enjoyed this special, well-executed milk chocolate. The nuanced aroma and flavor notes were superb. A milk-subdued yet bright, upbeat sense of fruit, lightly roasted nutty coffee and rich cacao--all gently integrated into a creamy substrate. Both single origin cacao (Madagascar) and coffee (Brazil) were thoughtfully sourced and very nicely balanced. 

This small-batch bar was a cut above most mocha-style chocolates on the market.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, from Akesson's Organic, Madagascar, Organic Cane Sugar, Cacao Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Coffee roasted by Mesh Coffee from Santa Ines, Brazil.

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk.)

Ruya - Cardamom Turkish Coffee Dark Chocolate 65% (bar) - Sept. 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ruya

Cardamom - Turkish Coffee Dark Chocolate 65% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .459 oz. (13 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 70 calories in 2 squares of bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA 

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

Today's Ruya Cardamom Turkish Coffee Dark Chocolate 65% (bar) was created by Melis Aydogan. 

Aydogan started her business as a Turkish-style coffee house concept (including reading fortunes occasionally). We are invited to taste the dream. (Ruyu means "dream" in Turkish.) This dark spiced coffee chocolate was a Good Food Awards Winner in 2021.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, roasted coffee, faint roasted nut(s) and spice.

Texture: uniform, fudge-y, smooth texture and melt.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, sweet spice (cardamom) and dark roast coffee.

I liked the robust flavors in this chocolate. The roast(s) seemed just right: bold, but no burnt flavor(s); and the roasting process(es) may have minimized (or eclipsed) any sharper edged flavor(s) (acidity, bitterness, earth, etc.) that might have existed. The cardamom (almost playful by contrast) added natural sweetness and light and helped elevate and balance the dark roast flavors.

Maker's description: "Dark as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love"

Ingredients: "Organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic espresso, cardamom"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and milk products due to shared equipment." ("Soy Free. Vegan.")