Origen Cacao - 75% Ywawika dark chocolate (bar) - May 4, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
75% Ywawika dark chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 115 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week. 

Today's 75% Ywawika dark chocolate (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia). The company name encompasses nested origin stories.

The name of today's bar: Ywawika refers to an indigenous-operated brand that represents the Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta--a mountainous region in northern Colombia that rises steeply from the Caribbean coast. (The Arhuaco were one of at least four indigenous peoples in Colombia prior to the arrival of the Spanish.) Ywawika offers eco-tours and opportunities to see cacao trees in their native habitat.

Cacao cultivation likely began in Colombia further south in the rainforests of the Amazon River basin 1,000s of years ago. However, cacao traveled to many other regions and was traded and treated as a currency. And the coastal regions also have a long history with cacao. 

Aroma and notes for today's 75% dark chocolate included: chocolate, fruit (faint cacao fruit/pulp, tropical fruits), nuts, spices (cinnamon, anise). (Note: There were no nut ingredients listed for this bar.)

This relatively mild dark chocolate, low in bitterness and relatively low in acidity.

Texture: well-tempered bar that felt relatively light (in weight), and broke with a very slightly brittle snap; smooth, dark chocolate with an even melt and mouthfeel.

I enjoyed the mild, aromatic complexity as well as the relatively mild flavor (with low bitterness and acidity). And I appreciated the short list of authentic and organic ingredients in this bar. The cacao origin story was also interesting.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter" 

Allergen-related information: None found on packaging. 

Origen Cacao - 55% Brazil Nuts and Sea Salt San Roque (bar) - May 3, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Origen Cacao 
55% Brazil Nuts and Sea Salt San Roque (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $30.00 for a 6-bar variety pack
Purchased from: Origen Cacao, online

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week. 

Today's 55% Brazil Nuts and Sea Salt San Roque (bar) from Origen Cacao was "handcrafted in small batches" at the company's factory in San Roque, Antioquia (Colombia).

Aroma and flavor notes included: satisfying, smooth and subtle dark chocolate--made with Colombian-grown cacao(s) that were low in acidity and bitterness. (It was almost similar to eating a milk chocolate bar or chocolate made with a milder, heritage/criollo cacao variety.)

Texture: smooth 55% dark chocolate with softly crunchy pieces of Brazil nuts. 

I enjoyed the salt and the nuts--that also helped prevent this chocolate from being overly sweet. 

Warning: addictive, as many salted dark milk chocolate bars (with nuts) can be. But, again, this bar did not contain milk.

Ingredients: "Organic cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, brazil nuts, sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains nuts (Brazil nuts).

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Limited Release Nantucket Fog 65% Cacao (Colombia) Dark Milk Chocolate bar - May 2, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Limited Release Nantucket Fog 65% Cacao (Colombia) Dark Milk Chocolate bar
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $24.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & Colombia Theme Week.

Today's Limited Release Nantucket Fog 65% Cacao (Colombia) Dark Milk Chocolate bar was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA). 

Aroma notes included: chocolate (cocoa, marshmallow, vanilla) and faint, sweet milky tea.

Texture: relatively smooth texture with a faint tea astringency.

Flavor notes included: smooth, dark milk chocolate; vanilla marshmallow; and sweet tea latte with a faint bergamot flavoring that finally emerged and lingered a bit at the end of the finish.

I appreciated the short list of quality and organic ingredients. And I liked that the makers used both single origin cacao and single origin cocoa butter in this sweet confection of a bar.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "...creamy vanilla and chocolatey notes from our Boyaca (Colombia) beans weave together with milky black tea and floral bergamot citrus. Rich, balanced and slightly sweet..."

Ingredients: Single Origin Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Single Origin Cocoa Butter, Organic Whole Milk Powder, Organic Earl Grey Tea (Organic Black Tea, Bergamot Oil), Vanilla Bean

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. ("Soy Free, Gluten Free")

Deux Cranes - Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger + Matcha Chocolate with Caramelized Sesame (bar)

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Deux Cranes

Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total package
Calories: 125 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Matcha Chocolate With Caramelized Sesame (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 192 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week. I was happy to find several Asian-made and Asian-inspired tea chocolates near where I live (San Francisco Bay Area).

Today's two chocolate items were from Deux Cranes LLC (Los Gatos, CA). The company makes chocolates with flavors "rooted in Japan" (and) "inspired by France." And, I would add, the results are attractive and delicious.

Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger

I really enjoyed these beautifully spicy, candied ginger pieces that were peeking out of envelopes of tasty dark chocolate. There was just enough ginger revealed to make them very attractive.

Texture: Soft and fresh tasting candied ginger, covered in smooth dark chocolate.

Three pieces, savored slowly, were very satisfying. The spicy kick of ginger is a great complement with dark chocolate (with a bit of vanilla). The two relatively bold flavors harmonized well together.

Ingredients: Ginger (Ginger, Sugar, Sodium Metabisulfite), Dark Chocolate (cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, natural vanilla extract), sunflower lecithin (emulsifier)).

Allergen-related information: (No allergen information on small label.)

Matcha Chocolate with Caramelized Sesame Seeds (bar)

I enjoyed the rich, creamy and authentic matcha tea latte-like aroma and flavors in this green-hued, "white" chocolate bar. 

Texture: This bar was thick and creamy smooth with a generous layer of tiny caramelized sesame seeds on the back that had just the right texture. (The seeds were uniformly caramelized/toasted, not too hard, not too soft; they were just right.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Earthy, Nutty, Creamy"

Ingredients: White Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, sunflower lecithin (emulsifier), natural vanilla extract), Candied Sesame Seeds (white sesame, sugar, salt), Matcha Green Tea

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Sesame. May contain traces of soy, nuts, milk, and gluten. Produced and packaged in the same facility as soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame, and milk products."

Fu Wan Chocolate - 62% Peach Red Oolong Tea (bar) - Apr. 30, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fun Wan Chocolate
62% Peach Red Oolong Tea (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 203 calories in 1 bar 

Cost: $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week.

Today's 62% Peach Red Oolong Tea (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Ping-Tung County, Taiwan).

Aroma and Flavor notes for this tea chocolate included: fruit (sweet peach); gentle chocolate; subtle floral, oolong tea; and barely detectable warm spice. 

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with soft, candied peach pieces, and a barely detectable tea astringency in the finish.

I appreciated the relatively short list of quality ingredients and the subtle qualities of this bar. The sweet, honeyed peach bits had the most distinct flavor. The chocolate and tea flavors were quieter. I'd advise eating this chocolate slowly you can enjoy all three flavors.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cacao Butter, Dried Peach (Taiwan Honey Peach, Sugar, Citric Acid), Red Oolong Tea Powder.

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes mango, egg, tree nuts, soy, milk, and milk products. Not recommended for individuals with allergies to these ingredients."

Fu Wan Chocolate - 62% Yuzu Oolong Tea Chocolate (bar) - Apr. 29, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fu Wan Chocolate
62% Yuzu Oolong Chocolate (bar)

Good ++  
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 203 calories in 1 bar
Cost:  $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA   `

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week.

Today's 62% Yuzu Oolong Chocolate (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Ping-Tung County, Taiwan).

Aroma and Flavor notes for this tea chocolate included: gentle dark chocolate; tiny clumps of sweetened dried citrus fruit (very slightly peppery, yuzu*, sweet citrus peel); and faint floral oolong tea.

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with chewy candied yuzu pieces, and a barely detectable tea astringency in the finish.

I enjoyed the dried, sweet and flavorful citrus/yuzu* bits. And I appreciated the relatively short list of quality ingredients. The candied tart-sweet citrus was stronger than the more subtle chocolate and tea flavors--likely OK as many people prefer subtle chocolate flavors. And this bar was balanced enough (if you eat it slowly) that one could enjoy all three flavors.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cacao Butter, Diced Pomelo* (pomelo peel, sugar, starch syrup, brandy, alcohol flavoring) Oolong Tea Powder

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes mango, egg, tree nuts, soy, milk, and milk products. Not recommended for individuals with allergies to these ingredients."

*Note: Yuzu is different than pomelo. Both are citrus fruits. But, there is some linguistic overlap in terms of these fruit names. Apparently the yuzu and yuja citrus fruits (in Japan and Korea, respectively) has migrated to mean pomelo in modern China.

Fu Wan Chocolate Lychee Tie Guan Yin Tea Chocolate 62% (bar) - Apr. 28, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Fu Wan Chocolate
Lychee Tie Guan Yin Tea Chocolate 62% (bar)

Good ++  
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 203 calories in 1 bar
Cost:  $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Oceana Market, Pacifica, CA   `

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Tea Theme Week.

Today's Lychee Tie Guan Yin Tea Chocolate 62% (bar) was from Fu Wan Chocolate (Ping-Tung County, Taiwan).

Aroma and Flavor notes for this fruit-forward chocolate included: gentle chocolate, sweetened dried fruit (authentic lychee) and faint oolong tea.

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with chewy lychee pieces, and a barely detectable tea astringency in the finish.

I enjoyed the dried, sweet and flavorful lychee fruits. And I appreciated the relatively short list of quality ingredients. I would have loved to have tasted a bit more of the chocolate and tea flavors, but I think most people will prefer the blend of sweet, fruity and more subtle/balanced chocolate flavors in this bar.

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cacao Butter, Dried Lychee, Tieguanyin Tea Powder

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that also processes mango, egg, tree nuts, soy, milk, and milk products. Not recommended for individuals with allergies to these ingredients."