Cacao Laboratory - Fire - 100% Ceremonial Grade Cacao, turmeric & black pepper (bar) - July 24, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Cacao Laboratory
Fire - Ceremonial Grade 100% Cacao with turmeric and black pepper (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.176 oz. (33 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Fire & Passion Theme Week.

Today's Fire - 100% Cacao, turmeric and black pepper (bar) was manufactured by Cacao Lab Inc. (Kingston, NY).

The cacao used to make this bar was sourced from Manabi, Ecuador.

Aroma notes included: bold, slightly bitter dark chocolate; wood (cedar); pepper; and spices (turmeric)

Texture: relatively smooth, with no objectionable spice (turmeric or black pepper) "grit".

Flavor notes included: ultra-dark chocolate with woody, earthy and spiced (black pepper, turmeric) bitterness that--while it might be initially off-putting to some--I found oddly appealing. 

The bitterness receded for me with each small nibble, until all I was tasting was a satisfying blend of dark chocolate, turmeric and black pepper at the end. 

I really enjoyed the opportunity to slow down and savor a small quantity of high-quality chocolate with very concentrated flavors in just two small squares. I did not miss the lack of sugar; but, I suspect many people will.* So, be advised; but try a small bite anyway. 

If you love authentic, highly concentrated flavors; you'll love this experience.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Earth, aromatic spice"

Ingredients: Theobroma cacao*, turmeric*, black pepper* (*=organic)

Allergen-related information: (None found on packaging)

*If you've never tried 100% cacao chocolate, your brain may be surprised, i.e. it may be wired to expect sugar when you take a bite of chocolate. The good news, there is no "more-ish" urges to keep eating the whole bar; and it becomes clear those urges are driven by added sugar(s).

Loon Chocolate - The Ghost & The Sea - 70% Dark Chocolate with Ghost Pepper & Sea Salt (bar)

Chocolate of The Day

Loon Chocolate 
"The Ghost & The Sea" - 70% Dark Chocolate with Ghost Pepper & Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.25 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 oz. (1 serving)
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Loon Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #18 of Chocolate & Water Week(s), and Day #2 of Chocolate, Fire & Passion Theme Week.

Today's Loon Chocolate The Ghost & The Sea 70% Dark Chocolate with Ghost Pepper & Sea Salt (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH).

Aroma and notes included: bold, but balanced dark chocolate with very faint, diffuse fruit; salt; and spicy chili pepper heat. 

As the maker indicated on the packaging, the flavors progressed from sweet to salty to spicy. Most of the cautious bites I took were spicy without the burn; but a one mouthful flared a little hotter at the end than others. So, be advised if you're chili-sensitive.

Texture: smooth, but tiny crunchy sparkles of sea salt

I appreciated that this vegan, gluten free, bean-to-bar chocolate was made with tasty 70% dark chocolate, just the right amount of salt, and a relatively short list of quality and organic ingredients.

 Maker's Tasting Notes: "Dark chocolate with subtle heat of ghost pepper powder"

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Sea Salt, Ghost Pepper

Allergen-related information: Produced in a Facility That Uses Almonds and Milk

Vixen Chocolate - salty pearl. 69% dark + pearl + salt (bar) - July 22, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Vixen Chocolate
salty pearl. 69% dark + pearl + salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $22.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #17 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week(s), and Day #1 of Chocolate and Fire & Passion Theme Week.

Today's salty pearl. 69% dark + pearl + salt (bar) was made by Vixen Chocolate (Portland, OR).

Pearls and sea salt may come from the oceans, but this vibrantly packaged, slightly salty chocolate was also imbued with boldness and passion. (Vixen Chocolate assures us their bean-to-bar, small-batch chocolates are made for BOLD souls.)

Aroma notes included for this bright, iridescently packaged dark bar included: dark milk chocolate with a touch of sweet green, green tea, hibiscus, and very faint salt. (Note: there were no milk, tea or flower ingredients in this bar.)

Texture: thick, creamy and velvety melt and mouthfeel. It was smooth yet substantial--kind of like a pearl.

Flavor notes included: very smooth dark chocolate with sea salt with faint sea and green/floral oolong tea notes. (The sea salt was hand-harvested in Norway.)

I loved the shimmering, black and packaging that was full of bold passion. It was, quite literally, breaking out in rainbows at every turn. The mesmerizing design was eye-catching, and unapologetically bold and beautiful. It reminded me of scuba diving in the ocean, and gazing down at shiny abalone and oyster shells, with pearls winking back at me from the dark sea bottom. 

But, the pearly essence extended beyond the packaging. This chocolate bar also contained 2 grams of actual pearl powder (from Root + Bones (Arcata, CA)).

This was a great chocolate marking the transition from Chocolate & Water Theme Week to Chocolate & Fire Theme Week.

Ingredients: cacao beans, cane sugar*, cacao butter*, Root + Bones Pearl Powder (2 g.), HAVSNO Sea Salt, 852 Hz, LOVE (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: None found.

Harbor Sweets - Barque Sarah Milk Chocolate and Whole Toasted Almonds - July 21, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Harbor Sweets 
Barque Sarah - Milk Chocolate and Whole Toasted Almonds
Good +
Weight: .388 oz. (11 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) for 1 piece 
Cost: N/A - Part of a $18.50 Nautical Chocolate Gift Box assortment (see previous entries)
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #16 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. Today's water connection was with the sea--more specifically with the Port of Salem. 

Today's tall ship-themed, medallion-shaped Barque* Sarah chocolate was part of a Nautical Chocolate Gift Box assortment from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA), that included shells and periwinkles and "sloops" as well.

Aroma notes for today's Barque Sarah included: milk chocolate with faint vanilla tobacco and very faint nut.

Texture: smooth, uniform, relatively soft milk chocolate punched up by crunchy whole almonds

Flavor: very sweet milk chocolate and whole, authentically nutty almonds.

I liked the elegant-looking, three-masted tall ship on this medallion shaped chocolate; and the whole, roasted almonds that helped moderate the very sweet milk chocolate.

Ingredients: "milk chocolate (sugar, milk, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, soy lecithin, vanilla), and dry roasted almonds"

Allergen-related information: Contains "milk, soy, and almonds"

*A barque, or bark, is a three-masted (or more) tall ship. The Barque Sarah chocolate was created by Harbor Sweets to commemorate the Port of Salem's seafaring history.

 

Stoked Chocolates - Dark and Milk Chocolate Sand Dollars - July 20, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day

Stoked Chocolates

Dark Chocolate Sand Dollar - Cocoa Nibs + Sea Salt
Good ++
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) in one packet/sand dollar
Calories: 50 calories in 1 sand dollar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger, multi-item gift set 
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Milk Chocolate Sand Dollar - Rainbow Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds
Good ++

Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) in one packet/sand dollar
Calories: 50 calories in 1 sand dollar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger, multi-item gift set 
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Dark Chocolate Sand Dollar - Raspberry
Good ++
Weight: .32 oz. (9 g.) in one packet/sand dollar
Calories: 45 calories in 1 sand dollar
Cost: $N/A - part of a larger, multi-item gift set 
Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate & Water Theme Week(s) -- featuring a variety of chocolates with tie-ins with water, that include cacao origins linked with bodies of water (oceans, lakes, rivers); chocolate fish, fishing and surfing themes; as well as chocolate sea shells and boats.

Today's three Dark and Milk Chocolate Sand Dollars with three different flavor inclusions were the creations of Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA).

Each of today's three, individually-wrapped, packets held a different flavored chocolate Sand Dollar, and they were all quite tasty. If we could forage sand dollars like this, the world might be a happier place.

Aroma, taste and texture for all three were well-balanced and flavorful. The chocolate was chocolate-y. A bit of added vanilla added warmth (to all three).

#1 Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Vanilla), Cacao Nibs, Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: Contains: Soy. "Processed in a Facility That Contains Nuts"

#2 Ingredients: "Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Powdered Whole Milk, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds (Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate Liquor, Whole Milk, Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier), and Vanilla); Sunflower Kernel; Sugar; Titanium Dioxide (Food Grade); Gum Arabic; Tapioca Dextrin; Carnuba Wax; Natural Food Colorings (Vegetable Juice, Caramel))"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Processed in a Facility That Contains Nuts"

#3 Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Vanilla), Freeze-Dried Raspberries"

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. "Processed in a Facility That Contains Nuts"

Stoked Chocolates - Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 19, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .66 oz. (18.6 g.) / (2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $0 for 1 bar (part of a $50 gift set of 4-bars, already accounted for in last entry)

Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. 

Today's Doheny Berry Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (made in Hermosa Beach, CA). 

The company offers several surf-themed chocolates, including at least 4 different "longboard" (surfboard) shaped bars. 

Aroma and flavor notes for today's dark chocolate longboard included: smooth dark chocolate; light vanilla and bright red berries (strawberry, red raspberry) -- the latter three being identifiable by its light and crunchy texture, from bits of sweet, ripe, freeze-dried berries.

I enjoyed the packaging* and the longboard (surfboard) design* (complete with a spattering of berry-hued colored decor) of this chocolate bar; the blend of chocolate-y dark chocolate; and fresh-tasting crunchy red (organic) that harmonized very well together. The vanilla added a spark of joy, and the tiny ripple of Pacific sea salt balanced the sweetness. 

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries, Freeze-Dried Raspberries, Sea Salt, Natural Colorants."

Allergen-related information: Contains Lactose (milk sugar). Made in a facility that processes nuts.

*The outer packaging artwork was by Amanda Davidson; and the longboard bars were "shaped by Barahona Surfboards" (another, revered, hand-crafted business in Hermosa Beach, CA). 

Chocolate and surfing both have a long history in California. Longboard surfing from Hawaii was first demonstrated in Southern California around 1907. (Prior to that in the late 1800s, three Hawaiian princes had surfed in Northern California, in Santa Cruz, on custom redwood boards.) By the mid-1900s, the art of hand-crafting surfboards in the Golden State was well underway. And Barahona Surfboards has 85 years of experience in this business.

The first major chocolate business in California was arguably The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in Northern California during the Gold Rush, and Guittard not long after, followed by See's, and many other chocolate makers and chocolatiers over the years. 

Stoked Chocolates - Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) - July 18, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Stoked Chocolates
Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .66 oz. (18.6 g.) / (2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 90 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $50.00 for 4-bar Gift Set

Purchased from: Stoked Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Water Theme Week. 

Today's Maverick's Crunch Dark Chocolate Longboard (bar) was from Stoked Chocolates (Hermosa Beach, CA). The company offers several surf-themed chocolates, including at least 4 different "longboard" (surfboard) shaped bars. 

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; light vanilla and sea salt; chocolate-y cacao nibs, puffed quinoa and popping candy -- the latter three being identifiable by their festive textures.

I enjoyed the packaging*, the longboard shape* of this chocolate bar and the blend of chocolate-y and crunchy ingredients that harmonized very nicely together. The sea salt balanced the sweetness. 

Ingredients: "Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Puffed Quinoa, Lactose (milk), Corn syrup, Carbon Dioxide, Cacao Nibs, Sea Salt, Natural Colorants."

Allergen-related information: Contains Lactose (milk sugar). Made in a facility that processes nuts.

*The packaging artwork was by Amanda Davidson, and the longboard bars were "shaped by Barahona Surfboards" (a crafted-by-hand local maker--and repairer--of longboards) in Hermosa Beach, CA)