Ocelot Craft Chocolate - 70% Dark Chocolate Sea Salt (bar) - July 17, 2025

Chocolate of the Day 

Ocelot Craft Chocolate 
70% Dark Chocolate Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 202 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

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

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Sea Salt (bar) was from Ocelot Craft Chocolate (Dundee, UK) and imported into the U.S. by Original Beans BV (Amsterdam, NL).

The cacao used to make this chocolate was from Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (relatively bold but balanced brownie with faint roasted, earth, very faint diffuse red fruit (apple and red berry), and chocolate cookie).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with periodic tiny, crunchy salt crystals.

I enjoyed the chocolate-y flavors in this bar, and the origin stories about the salt as well as the cacao.

The Chocolate Dispensary supplied tasting notes: "The fruity, smoky flavours of this chocolate are beautifully lifted by a salty-sweet kick of hand-harvested sea salt from Scotland."

Ingredients: cacao mass*, raw cane sugar*, cacao butter*, sea salt (1%). Cacao solids: 70% minimum.

Allergen-related information: May contain almonds, hazelnuts and milk. 

Meurisse Chocolate NV - Himalayan Salt Dark Chocolate Bar - July 16, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Meurisse Chocolate NV 
Himalayan Salt Dark Chocolate Bar
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Il Parco, Presidio, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Himalayan Salt Dark Chocolate Bar from Meurisse Chocolate NV (Antwerp, Belgium) was manufactured in Belgium.

Founded in 1845 by Adolphe Meurisse, the company is one of Belgium's oldest chocolate makers. I'm impressed with any enterprise that surpasses the century mark, much less 180 years. (Less than half of one percent of U.S. companies have made it to 100 years.) 

The company offers a variety of bars using single origin cocoa from Papua New Guinea.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate with faint earth and dried fruit (fig) and faint sweet vanilla. (The faint earth note disappeared a few minutes after the sealed inner wrapper was opened.)

This generously-sized bar was relatively thick. It had a satisfying, smooth, slightly fudge-y texture. 

Flavor notes for substantial (thick and generously-sized 73% cacao chocolate included: dark chocolate (fudge-y, chocolate-y) with vanilla; subtle dried fruit (fig); and very faint nut (sweet walnut**, hazelnut). Note: there were no nut ingredients in this bar. The salt was well-balanced (in the Goldilocks zone*). 

I enjoyed this relatively hearty, balanced dark chocolate with fudge brownie, subtle and authentic-tasting vanilla, and (Pink Himalayan) salt notes. I liked the sweetness level, the cacao percentage level (73%) and the subtle, well-executed complexity of the cacao (from Papua New Guinea). This chocolate exceeded my expectations.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, natural vanilla powder*, salt. (* = from organic agriculture.)

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, soy, pistachio, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts."

*Not too little, not too much. Just right for me.

** In Greece and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries you can buy young/green walnuts in syrup (aka walnut jam or walnut preserves). The blend has a unique, sweet green fig/nut flavor. It's a taste that I've tasted in chocolates as well (especially those made with organic sugar), and have described it as having sweet, green botanical/syrup notes. 

Sabadi - Il Cioccolato di Pantelleria 83% (bar) - July 15, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Sabadi 
Il Cioccolato di Pantelleria 83% (tavoletta)
(The Chocolate of Pantelleria 83% (bar))
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 235.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order

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

Today's Il Cioccolato di Pantelleria* 83% cacao (bar) was from Sabadi srl (Modica, Sicily, Italy).

This was a cold-processed organic chocolate with caper berries and "flower of salt." The cacao used to make this bar was from Ecuador; and the caper berries were from the island of Pantelleria--known for its high-quality caper berries.

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, fudge-y, and smooth ultra-dark chocolate (chocolate-y, very faint earth and fruit), with delicate savory (caper berry) and satisfying salt notes.

Texture: smooth fudge-y texture. It had the freshness and initial feel of a rustic, stone-ground chocolate, but with a hearty, smooth melt and mouthfeel. An excellent blend of characteristics. (There was also no added cocoa butter, as is the style associated with Modica chocolates.)

I loved everything about this bar: the dark but smooth cacao flavor and fudge-y texture; the savory yet almost floral caper berries (unopened flower buds cured in salt) notes and the "flower" salt.

Full disclosure: I enjoy trying savory flavors; and I tend to like these better than your average chocolate lover. But, this had a special balance to it that I think most dark lovers will really appreciate. The tie-in with special places in Italy (Modica, Sicily--with its own unique chocolate making history--and the island of Pantelleria) made this chocolate all the more pleasing.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass^#+ -- origin: Ecuador -- variety: Nacional Fino de Aroma; cane sugar^#, Caperberries^ (min. 1.5%), flower of salt (min: 0.5%). Cocoa: 83% minimum. (^ = organic; # = presidio slow food; + = from fair trade producers.)

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, milk, and soy." Gluten Free, Vegan

*Pantelleria is a volcanic Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea (Sicilian Strait). It is relatively isolated and rugged. (It was used as a place of banishment by the Romans long ago.) But, it also has aspects of an island paradise (vacation destination). I visualize tasting all sorts of tasty savory dishes with capers with a side of sweet local wine.

  

Coco - Isle of Skye Sea Salt Milk Chocolate (bar) - July 14, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Coco
Isle of Skye Sea Salt Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 227.48 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift from a friend - thank you Wendy!
Purchased from: N/A - gift

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

Today's Isle of Skye Sea Salt Milk Chocolate 40% (bar) was from Coco Chocolatier (South Queensferry, Scotland).

The colorful wrapper for this truly international bar--made in Scotland using Colombian cacao--was designed by "France-based Les Canailles." Perfect for Bastille Day today...And this chocolate was a gift from friends in Minnesota to me, in California. Thank you Wendy!

Aroma and flavor notes included sweet and creamy milk chocolate, lightly salted, with very faint vanilla.

I liked the creamy texture and taste. This 40% cacao bar was sweet and relatively addictive ("more-ish") due to sugar, salt and fat blend. Those with a sweet tooth will likely enjoy this chocolate. 

The subtle Isle of Skye sea salt (from Scotland) helped balance out the relatively high level of sweetness.

A sweet milk chocolate bar can mute some more subtle naturally occurring cacao flavors; but the choice of higher-quality, single origin cacao (as in this bar) elevated the overall taste. Thank you to Coco for using Colombian cacao for this bar.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Milk Powder 14.5%, Emulsifier: Non-GMO Soya Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Isle of Skye Sea Salt (<1%), Cocoa Solids: 40% Minimum.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soya. May Contain Traces of Peanuts, Nuts and Gluten.

 

Dolfin - Eclats de Caramel & Sel Miroir de Bolivie (bar) - July 13, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Dolfin 
Chocolat Noir - Eclats de Caramel & Sel miroir de Bolivie
(Dark chocolate with caramel Pieces & a touch of Miroir salt from Bolivia)
Good ++
Weight: 1.058 oz. (30 g,) in 1 small bar 
Calories: 160 calories in 1 small bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar 

Purchased from: World Wide Chocolate, online order

Bonjour and welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week.

Today's Chocolat Noir Eclats de Caramel & Sel miroir de Bolivie (small bar) was made in Belgium by Dolfin Chocolaterie (Baulers Nivelles, Belgium).

Salts from France (Guerande) and Bolivia were included in today's bar. The latter miroir salt (also known as mirror salt) was from Salar de Uyani--a large, high altitude, salt plain that (when it rains and leaves a thin layer of water on the salt) can have almost other-worldly reflective, mirror-like properties.

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark fudge), butter, caramel, vanilla flavoring, and balanced salt.

Texture: smooth, creamy texture--with very tiny crystal-like crunchy bits.

I liked the chocolate-y flavor, light caramel and touch of salt. The 60% dark chocolate was well managed (robust but not too dark, and had no "off" notes).

Ingredients: Cocoa paste, sugar, caramel 4% (sugar, glucose syrup, whole milk powder, fresh cream (milk), salted butter (milk), Guerande salt, rapeseed lecithin), cocoa butter, emulsifier: soy lecithin, Miroir salt from Bolivia 0.2%, natural vanilla flavoring.

Allergen-related information: Contained milk and soy. "May contain tree nuts, eggs, wheat and sesame.

 

Xocolatl Chocolate - 80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) - July 12, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl Chocolate 
80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Salt Theme Week.

Today's 80% Dark Chocolate "Dark & Salty" Dark Chocolate & Vanilla-Infused Sea Salt (bar) was made from bean to bar from Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).

Aroma notes included: rich (drinking) chocolate, and very faint salt and pepper.

Texture: smooth, almost creamy texture

Flavor notes included: rich drinking chocolate (with faint red berry and vanilla), and subtle salt.

I liked the chocolate-y, subtle richness and balance.

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Sea Salt, Vanilla (* organic)

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes soy, wheat, peanuts & tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, pecan)."

Chocolate Spiel - Charcoal Habanero Salt (bar) - July 11, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Spiel 
Charcoal Habanero Salt (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Spiel (Etsy), online order

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

Today's Charcoal Habanero Salt (bar) was from Chocolate Spiel (Seattle, WA).

Aroma notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate, and very faint savory (chili pepper). 

Texture: smooth, buttery/creamy texture.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, subtle spicy pepper and salt. The habanero pepper heat didn't kick in until around six seconds and it wasn't too hot.

I liked the smooth, almost silky texture. The flavors were balanced and relatively subtle. I would have liked to have tasted a bit more salt. But, that's likely because I was expecting to taste more salt. (There was a bit more salt in subsequent bites.

Ingredients: "cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, charcoal, habanero salt, colored cocoa butter."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of peanuts, gluten and tree nuts."