Kasama Chocolate - 55% Goat's Milk, Philippines (bar) - Jan. 13, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Kasama Chocolate
55% Goat's Milk, Philippines (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 318 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kasama, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and The Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 55% Goat's Milk, Philippines (bar) was from Kasama Chocolate (Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Aroma notes included: smooth, dark milk chocolate with very faint, clean floral and light hay.

Texture: smooth dark milk chocolate with a clean, light mouthfeel and melt.

Flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate with a very small hint of goat milk (with no game-y or off notes). Think goat milk (metaphorically wrapped in freshly washed silk and) blended with rich cocoa.

Thank you to the makers for the short list of quality ingredients, and for the opportunity to try chocolates made with cacao from the Philippines.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, "Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter*, Goat's Milk Powder (* = Organic) 

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

Theo & Philo - 65% Dark Chocolate with Labuyo Chili (bar) - Jan. 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Theo & Philo 
65% Dark Chocolate with Labuyo Chili (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 1.59 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 110 cals. for 20 g. serving
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 65% Dark Chocolate with Labuyo Chili (bar) was from Theo & Philo Chocolate Factory (Metro Manila, Philippines). 

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (ganache), and very faint red chili/bell pepper and even fainter brown sugar/maple syrup.

Texture: smooth texture, with a firm but creamy fudge aspect.

Flavor notes included: chocolate (dark, slightly fudge-y, ganache) with some heat from the Labuyo chili kicking in now and then.

I appreciated the short list of ingredients and overall flavor in this well-balanced bar. I also found it oddly addicting. 

The sweetness level was relatively high, but I enjoyed the brown sugar-like complexity that may have come with the choice of sugar.

Ingredients: "Cacao Beans, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chili"

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and other dairy products." Halal.

*Labuyo chili (Capsicum frutescens 'Siling labuyo') is a small chili pepper cultivar that developed in the Philippines. The fruits and leaves are used in traditional Philippine cuisine. How hot is this pepper?  Approximately 80,000-100,000 Scoville units. (The hottest scoring chili peppers in the world (so-called "super hots") can score over 1,000,000 units.) 

Kasama Chocolate - 57% Earl Grey Tea, Philippines (bar) - Jan. 11, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Kasama Chocolate
57% Earl Grey Tea, Philippines (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 157 calories in 1/2 bar (314 cals. in 1 bar)
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kasama, online order

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week.

Today's 57% Earl Grey Tea, Philippines (bar) was created by Kasama Chocolate (Vancouver, BC, Canada). The company offers a variety of bars made using cacao from the Philippines*-- and you'll see at least four of these bars featured this week.

Aroma and flavor notes include fragrant bergamot (floral, citrus); dark milk chocolate (cocoa, ganache); and smooth, satisfying and sweet tea latte.

Texture: smooth, with a very slight (authentic) black tea astringency in the finish. Extra points for providing a full Earl Grey tea experience. 

I really enjoyed "sipping" (savoring small bites of) this tea-inspired chocolate. This bar would be a great gift for (or to share with) chocolate and Earl Grey tea fans.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, "Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter*, Whole Milk Powder, Earl Grey Tea" (* = organic) 

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

*One of the founders has roots, and family, in the Philippines. 

Fossa Chocolate - 53% Dark Milk Chrysanthemum Tea Chocolate (bar) - Jan. 10, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fossa Chocolate

53% Dark Milk Chrysanthemum Tea Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 139 calories in 1/2 bar; (278 calories in 1 bar)
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs & Spices Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week. 

Today's 53% Dark Milk Chrysanthemum Tea Chocolate (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate Pte Ltd (Singapore). They used cacao from the Philippines to make this chocolate.

Aroma notes included: dark milk chocolate; very faint floral tea notes. 

Texture: very smooth, buttery texture with a soft caramel-like melt. (The chrysanthemum buds were fully incorporated into the chocolate.)

I loved the creamy texture, and I was happy to find that despite relatively high levels of sugar I could still taste and enjoy the relatively delicate, sweet floral notes of the chrysanthemum (light, clean, honey-ed, almost chamomile-like floral -- no detectable earthy notes with these flower buds).

I would love to taste this chocolate with a little less sugar (maybe a 60% cacao version?) to taste more of the lovely chrysanthemum tea and the cacao.* 

Thank you to the makers for the short list of high-quality ingredients and the gentle, balanced complexity in this bar. 

Maker's description: "Chrysanthemum is a symbol of longevity and rejuvenation. Brewed as a tea, it is believed to have cooling and cleansing properties...Prized chrysanthemum buds from Zhejiang, China, are blended with with fruity cacao from Rehoboth Estate (Philippines) in a 53% dark milk chocolate, bringing forth an elegant floral aroma and notes of honey with a sweet lingering finish..."

Ingredients: "Cacao, cane sugar, cacao butter, milk powder, chrysanthemum flower buds"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy." 

*General comment: Smooth, sweet chocolates may appeal to more buyers; and the price of cacao has gone way up in recent years; so dark chocolates are more expensive to make. I can appreciate the challenges some makers have in trying to satisfy a variety of customer tastes (especially dark and ultra-dark chocolate lovers) at a reasonable price point, and to be profitable.

Fossa Chocolate - 53% Dark Milk Ginseng Chrysanthemum (Tea) (bar) - Jan. 9, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fossa Chocolate

53% Dark Milk Ginseng Chrysanthemum (Tea) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 139 calories in 1/2 bar; (278 calories in 1 bar)
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs & Spices Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week. 

Today's 53% Dark Milk Ginseng Chrysanthemum (Tea) (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate Pte Ltd (Singapore). They used cacao from the Philippines to make this chocolate.

Aroma notes included: dark milk chocolate; faint tea; clean, slightly floral, faint, fleeting olive (oil) (there was no olive oil); and mild root/herb (ginseng).

Texture: very smooth, buttery texture. The chrysanthemum and ginseng flavor elements were fully incorporated into the chocolate, leaving no botanical "grit."

I loved the fine creamy texture and the fact that the ginseng and chrysanthemum flavors seemed to be very harmonious together.

However, I was even happier to find that despite relatively high levels of milk and sugar I could still taste and enjoy the tea-like chrysanthemum (light, clean, honey-ed, almost chamomile-like floral) and ginseng (pleasant root, herb) notes. 

It reminded me of a very special sweet and floral milk tea -- that I've never had before, but now I want to find or make.

Thank you to the makers for the short list of high-quality ingredients and the gentle, balanced complexity in this bar.

Maker's description: "Ginseng chrysanthemum tea has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an immunity booster and a natural remedy to treat fatigue...Blending American ginseng and chrysanthemum buds with fruity cacao from Philippines' Rehoboth Estate makes for a powerful yet comforting aroma..."

Ingredients: "Cacao, cane sugar, cacao butter, milk powder, ginseng, chrysanthemum buds"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy."  

Fjak Chocolate - Limited Edition - Glogg (Mulled Wine) (bar) - Jan. 8, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Chocolate AS
Limited Edition - Glogg (Mulled Wine) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 352 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week(s).

Today's Limited Edition - Glogg (Mulled Wine) (bar) was from Fjak Chocolate AS (Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord, Norway).

Crafted in Norway, Fjak's small batch chocolates often include Nordic/European and seasonal flavor inclusions. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this mulled wine bar included: sweet dark chocolate and red fruit (red wine, red grape juice) infused with citrus (orange), apple, and a warm spice blend.

This was a festive and relatively addictive chocolate, that I found very satisfying after being outdoors on a winter day. I paired this chocolate with a hot cup of Wild Sweet Orange tea from Tazo Tea Company.

The interplay of sweet yet sophisticated flavors in this bar evoked an authentic mulled/spiced wine. This was an enjoyable bar to taste, and fun to share with others.

The 60% cacao dark chocolate (made with Tanzania cacao) was relatively sweet. And that sweetness was amplified by the sweet orange (peel), apple, and warm spice notes. (It was comparable to what you'd taste in a sweet mulled/spiced wine.) 

This harmonious blend made me wonder: why haven't I tried a similar chocolate like this before? Where cocoa beans are soaked in red wine and blended with spices. 

Speaking of spices, I really enjoyed tasting all the spices. The short list of quality spices and other ingredients really made a difference.

Maker's tasting notes: "Made with cocoa beans from the wonderful Kokoa Kamili in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. We have infused this fine cocoa with our organic mulled wine recipe, creating a "Bold and Boozy" chocolate bar, with the distinctively spicy and fruity taste, of this seasons winter warmer."

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans* infused with mulled wine (red wine*, apples*, orange peel*, cardamom*, cinnamon*, anise*, cloves*), cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, cardamom*, cinnamon*, anise*, cloves* (* = Organic)"

Allergen-related information: Certified Organic; Vegan; dairy and gluten free. "Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy & gluten"

Intrigue Chocolate - Honey & Salt; Pomegranate Bay Leaf; Fresh Mint; Coffee & Balsamic Fig Truffles - Jan. 7, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.

• 1.) Honey & Sea Salt Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 2.) Pomegranate Bay Leaf Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 3.) Fresh Mint Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 4.) Coffee Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 5.) Balsamic Fig Truffle - Good ++

Weight: 1.57 oz. (44.5 g.) in 5 truffles / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 245 calories (estimate) for 5 truffles
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate, Tea, Herb and Spice Week--featuring a range of bars, truffles, and hot chocolates infused with herbs and/or spices and/or teas.

Today's five truffles were made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). These individually-wrapped truffles were part of a 13-piece truffle assortment box. 

Pairing these truffles with a few (non-competing) side dishes and some teas, resulted in an instant, well-crafted cacao feast.

Honey & Sea Salt Truffle aroma and flavor notes included: rich, creamy fudge brownie, honey, very faint honey cookie, and sea salt. Sounds simple, but the flavors were perfectly balanced in this truffle. Another favorite.

Pomegranate & Bay Leaf Truffle notes included: rich chocolate with flavorful red fruit and sophisticated herb (bay leaf). Well-executed, and wonderfully balanced. The result was something akin to a classy, vertical, floral arrangement with subdued, elegant reds and greens. (Ode to a truffle?)

Fresh Mint Truffle notes included: fresh and authentic mint infused into rich, creamy chocolate.But the mint wasn't the strong, overpowering, sweet peppermint found in most mint-flavored chocolates. Instead, the maker chose to use a mint closer to spearmint (and perhaps a touch of another mint). A very nicely balanced chocolate with pleasing, subtly complex mint flavor.

Coffee Truffle notes included: beautiful coffee, cream latte, and coffee cheesecake/cream cheese (there was no cream cheese). I really enjoyed that I could taste the nuanced flavors in the coffee, which was wonderful.

Balsamic & Fig Truffle notes included: rich fruit (dried fig), red wine (there was no wine) and chocolate notes. The Balsamic added some flavor depth and a sweet, rich, slightly tangy taste.

I enjoyed the buttery smooth truffle texture, the authentic and balanced flavors, and the choice of herbs and spices in the assortment box (of 13 truffles). 

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk.