Sted Foods - Lakeside Blend 71% Dark Chocolate (small bar) - July 12, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Sted Foods
Lakeside Blend 71% Dark Chocolate (small bar)
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / This bar was part one flavor in a 3-bar pack
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: $10.00 for 3 mini bars (3 different flavors)
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

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

Today's Sted Foods Lakeside Blend 71% Dark Chocolate (small bar) was manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN), and was part of a three-bar, lake-themed collection.

Today's "Lakeside Blend" was part of the company's Lakeside Collection of three small bars that also included "The Bobber" (with cacao nibs) and "Coffee + Cream" chocolates.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 71% dark chocolate included: ultra-dark chocolate with flickers of ultra-dark fudge, and faint fruit (dark red, blue/purple fruits). 

I enjoyed the balanced, earthy and deep, dark flavors of the cacao(s) (Haiti and Dominican Republic)--a boldness that still left room for complex berry and other subtle flavors.

Maker's Tasting notes: "Bright, Intense, Reflective"

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

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk"

Choco Del Mar - Hazelnut Noir 65% Cocoa (bar) - July 11, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Choco Del Mar
Hazelnut Noir 65% Cocoa (bar) 
Good ++
Weight: 3/5 bar - 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 168 calories in 3/5 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Choco Del Mar, online order

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

Today's Hazelnut Noir 65% Cocoa (bar) was from Choco Del Mar (Los Altos, CA). 

Where's the "water" connection? The company's name contains a reference to the sea (del mar = of/on the sea); the company's mascot is a chocolate-loving sea otter named Cleo; and the packaging was adorned with an image of a dolphin leaping out of the water with (if I'm not mistaken) a cacao pod balanced on its nose.

Inspired by classic Italian gianduja, this 65% chocolate tasted dark--a bit darker than 65%--but smooth. The fully ground (and seamlessly incorporated) hazelnuts added a relatively subtle nutty flavor without muting the dark chocolate.

There seemed to be less sugar/less sweet hazelnut paste in this chocolate than you might find in most gianduja confections and bars. (Either that, or the single origin cacao(s) used had an inherently stronger, darker flavor; or both these comments could be true.) Either way, as a dark chocolate lover, I found that refreshing.

Texture: smooth, rich dark chocolate 

I also appreciated the short list of just three ingredients. (Thank you.)

Ingredients: Cocoa Nibs, Cane Sugar, Hazelnuts

Allergen-related information: Contains Tree Nuts (Hazelnuts) "Made in a facility that processes milk, nuts, and other common allergens."

Harbor Sweets - Sand Dollars - Caramel & Pecan in Dark Chocolate & Milk Chocolate Periwinkle - July 10, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Harbor Sweets

Sand Dollars - Caramel and Pecan in Dark Chocolate 
Good ++
Weight: .647 oz. (18.33 g.) / 3 7/8 oz. (110 g.) in total package of 6 pieces
Calories: 90 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $13.95 + shipping for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Milk Chocolate Periwinkles 
Good ++
Weight: .45 oz. (12.78 g.) for 2 small pieces / 3.5 oz. (99 g.) in total (large Nautical Assortment box)
Calories: 70 calories (estimate) in 2 periwinkles 
Cost: $50.00 + shipping for 1 large assortment box (that contained several other chocolates)
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week. 

Today's two nautically-themed chocolates from Massachusetts were inspired by shells you might find on a beach walk along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

Today's Caramel and Pecan filled dark chocolate Sand Dollar--and the two, cute little (solid) milk chocolate periwinkles--were from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA). Both were attractive to look at and each chocolate was swaddled in gold foil.

Both were relatively sweet, and had a relatively bright sweetness to them. (The addition of wildflower honey in many of the company's chocolate likely contributed to this pleasant fruit/floral sweetness.)

Ingredients (Sand Dollars): Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Cocoa Butter, Butterfat (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Pecans, Cream (Light Cream and Disodium Phosphate), Tapioca Syrup (Tapioca Starch), Evaporated Milk (Milk 0.5% or less of: Dipotassium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Vitamin D3), Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, Butter (Cream (Milk), Salt), Wildflower Honey, Vanilla, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Baking Soda.

Allergen-related information for dark chocolate Sand Dollars: Contains Milk, Soy and Pecans. "This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame." (The latter statement likely applies to the milk chocolate periwinkles as well.)

Ingredients (Periwinkles): (Not Listed individually in larger assortment box.) Contained Milk, Soy.

Guido Gobino - 63% Dark Chocolate Easter Fish - July 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Guido Gobino 
63% Dark Chocolate Easter Fish
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total fish
Calories: 212 calories in 1/2 fish
Cost: $22.99 for 1 fish
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order  

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

Today's seasonal 63% Dark Chocolate Easter Fish was from Guido Gobino Srl (Torino, Italy).

Aroma notes included: smooth, sweet and rich dark chocolate

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with an even melt and mouthfeel

Flavor notes included: sweet, dark chocolate (chocolate-y, fudge brownie) bright fruit (cherry) and a hint of nut.

I loved the fish. Perfect size and shape. While I enjoyed this seasonal gem 3 months after Easter (its intended season), it was a great fit for this water-themed week. And it was fun; and having fun is never out of season. (Also, this fish confection extraordinaire wouldn't have lasted until Chocolate & Italy Week in fall this year.)

Ingredients: "cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, HAZELNUT, MILK, SOY. Cocoa solids: 63% minimum."

Allergen-related information: Contains Hazelnut, Milk, Soy. Gluten free.

Sted Foods - The Bobber Bar 50% Dark Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs - July 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Sted Foods
The Bobber Bar 50% Dark Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) in 1 small bar
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar
Cost: (1 of three small bars in a $10 three-pack) 
Purchased from: Sted Foods, online order

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

No matter what water-related pastime you may enjoy (appreciating bodies of water or shells and water wildlife in nature, surfing, boating or fishing), I'm now convinced there is a chocolate related to that activity.*

Today's Sted Foods Organic "The Bobber Bar" 50% Dark Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs manufactured by TC Foods, LLC (Fergus Falls, MN) might appeal to fishermen (and woman); but this bar will float the boat of a much larger audience.

The bean-to-bar chocolate maker describes themselves as "Making Pretty Good Chocolate, West of the Fjord," a likely nod to Scandanavian coastal ancestry.

I loved Sted's creamy and crunchy take on a dark milk chocolate with cacao nibs and a "pinch" of sea salt. (I readily admit this blend is a personal favorite combination of mine). This one was balanced, and delicious.

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder, organic cocoa nibs, himalayan pink salt"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Made in a facility that uses sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, cashews, hazelnuts, and milk"

*I am drowning in the large number of water-related chocolates this week. Small piles of chocolate have flooded my tasting area. The challenge: consume or share them with others before the summer heat waves arrive. 

Stoked Chocolates - Waikiki Pineapple Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 7, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Waikiki Pineapple Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 450 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $13.75 for 1 bar

Purchased from: The Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

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

Today's Waikiki Pineapple Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates in Hermosa Beach, CA. The company offers several surf-themed and surfboard-shaped bars and confections--including a gift set of four different flavored chocolate longboards.

Aroma and flavor notes included: rich dark chocolate (chocolate-y, dark chocolate torte/ganache) and subtle, authentic pineapple and coconut.

Texture: This bar was a satisfying, smooth and hearty dark chocolate with softly crunchy coconut and pineapple pieces. Both the coconut and the pineapple were just right: the coconut was pleasing and not too tough or chewy; and the pineapple was authentically soft, not too tough and chewy.

I liked the balanced, authentic and hearty dark chocolate flavor, the surfer theme packaging and (longboard bar) concept, the sweetness level (sweet, but not too much) and well-executed textures. 

Ingredients: Dark Belgian Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavouring), Dried Natural Pineapple, Toasted Coconut (Coconut, Sugar, Dextrose, Salt)

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut, Soy. (Check with the company for more information.)

Karu Chocolates - Pacific Dark 75% Tumaco, Colombia (bar) - July 6, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Karu Chocolates

Pacific Dark - 75% Tumaco, Colombia (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 70 calories in 1/4 bar 
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Yesterday we said goodbye to Earth (and Mushroom) themed weeks, and today we say hello to another elemental chocolate week. 

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week. 

Today's Karu Chocolates Pacific Dark 75% Tumaco Colombia (bar) was made in Bogota, Colombia and distributed (in the U.S.) by Tropicalia LLC. 

This bar is named for the city of Tumaco, located on the Pacific Coast*--next to the gigantic body of water that is the Pacific (Ocean).*

Aroma and flavor notes for this hearty dark bar included: dark chocolate (deep, chocolate-y, roasted cacao and balanced earth (where the misty forest meets the coast), and subtle, diffuse red berry.

Texture: relatively thick and rich with a smooth melt and mouthfeel

This 75% dark chocolate was bold in flavor, but wasn't too bitter or acidic--or too sweet (thank you).

I really appreciated that this chocolate was made with just two ingredients "in country" -- in the same country where the cacao was grown.

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Produced in facilities processing milk and nuts"

*There's nothing like living on the edge of the Pacific Ocean--Earth's largest body of water (63 million square miles or 163 million square kilometers). 

In California (where Chocolate Banquet is based), the moisture from this large ocean enables many ecosystems (Redwood, Oak, Almond, Avocado and many trees and plants and life forms). In South America, it supports cacao and many other fruit and seed trees, as well as tropical/rain forests).