Kessho - Lamb Skewer Goat Milk 60% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar) - Sept. 7, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Kessho Craft Chocolate 
Lamb Skewer Goat Milk 60% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 116.1 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Kessho, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.  

Today's Kessho Craft Chocolate Lamb Skewer* Goat Milk 60% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar) was handcrafted in Austin, TX and distributed by Kessho, LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma notes for this goat milk bar included: goat (milk), cumin, lemon pepper and very faint garlic and chili; and subtle chocolate.

Flavor notes included: smooth, creamy dark milk chocolate (chocolate-y) with savory and spicy, cumin-forward barbecue rub (without the rub; there was no spice grit). Full bodied flavors and a bit of spicy heat lingered and eventually tailed off into a pleasant, clean finish.

Texture: creamy dark milk chocolate. (The seasonings were fully incorporated into the chocolate so there were no detectable spice particles.)

This was a fun, flavorful bar to try. It was well executed and successfully captured the makers' memories* that inspired this bar. 

It was spicy, but not objectionably so; and the overall spice blend with the goat milk and single origin Uganda cacao was very effective. 

I love being transported when I taste chocolate. The goat milk and spices had me thinking I was strolling through a street market in Beijing smelling those lamb skewers. (To complete this virtual travel experience, I paired this bar with a Kessho recommended West China Tea ("Sticky Rice" Pu'er tea) the makers had sold as a pairing item with this bar last year. Very nice.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: "A balanced mix of goat milk, cumin and subtle heat from chili peppers"

Ingredients: "Whole cacao beans, sugar, cocoa butter, goat milk powder, cumin powder, chili powder"

Allergen-related information: "Contains goat milk" "Made in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, wheat, sesame and eggs"

*"...This chocolate was inspired by late nights in Beijing, where you can smell roasting lamb skewers as street vendors fan the flames of long coal grills. We start with Ugandan cacao, grind it with creamy goat milk, and season it, lamb-skewer style, with cumin and chili peppers. This is a bar to remember."

The Organic House - Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar) - Sept. 6, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 30 g. (1 serving) of bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Savory Flavors Theme Week. 

Today's Tomato Basil 70% Cacao Belize Maya Mountain (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). 

Aroma and flavor additions for this unique chocolate included: a harmonious blend of quality cacao from Belize (balanced, gentle complexity with very faint fruit notes); dried tomato (late summer sweet, ripe tomato bits). 

The Maya Mountain Cacao beans behind this chocolate enabled a tasty, balanced complexity. And the dark chocolate partnered well with the basil and tomato.

Texture: well-tempered, smooth, base dark chocolate that broke with a snap and had a satisfying melt and mouthfeel--accompanied by chewy bits of dried tomato.

After many spicy savory bars this week, I enjoyed this gently sweet and salty chocolate with subtle, fresh and authentic basil--a mint family member associated with savory dishes.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Fresh basil ground into chocolate, with tiny pieces of sundried tomatoes"

Ingredients: "Organic cacao beans, Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao butter, Sun-dried tomatoes, Organic basil, Organic sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that uses tree nuts. "May contain Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Oats, Pecans, Pistachios."

* Maya Mountain Cacao is a centralized fermentary located in Southern Belize that works with 350+ certified local cacao farmers and supplies craft chocolate makers like The Organic House with high-quality cacao.

 

Kessho - Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate 62% Cacao (bar) - Sept. 5, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Kessho
Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate 62% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 172.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.  

Today's Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate 62% Cacao (bar) was handcrafted in Austin, TX, and distributed by Kessho, LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: aromatic and flavorful Sichuan green peppercorns, light toasty/nutty (sesame seeds), dark chocolate, and a bit of chili heat at the end. 

The Sichuan peppercorns left my mouth tingling--what I expected. But they also had a delicate side: a pleasing, almost floral, clean green flavor.

Texture: smooth, almost velvety dark chocolate with some gentle texture from the layer of sesame seeds pressed into the back side.

The textures and flavors were authentic and balanced; and the savory flavors were relatively subtle. (The salt level was more subtle (less) than expected.)

I appreciated this successful take on a dish with complex elements, and the maker's choice of a single origin cacao: from the Semuliki Forest in Uganda.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Umami, toasted sesame, nutty spice, numbing pepper. Heat level: mild, flavor-forward"

Ingredients: "Whole cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, roasted white sesame seeds, fermented black beans, Sichuan green pepper powder, chili powder, sea salt"

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that also processes tree nuts, wheat, sesame and eggs."

Fossa Chocolate - 64% Dark Milk Black Truffle (bar) - Sept. 4, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Fossa Chocolate
64% Dark Milk Black Truffle (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.  

Today's 64% Dark Milk Black Truffle (bar) was made by Fossa Chocolate (Singapore). Fungi like mushrooms and truffles are rich in umami (glutamate) flavors--that overlap with savory flavors.

Aroma and flavor notes for this black truffle bar included: aromatic, slightly earthy black truffle, and soft dark chocolate (cocoa).  

Texture: soft, velvety dark chocolate with a crunchy feuilletine bits (like finely ground, fresh and light vanilla wafer crumbs).

I found this bar addicting. The textures and flavors were very well balanced and executed. The black truffle was authentic (and perhaps the boldest flavor in this bar). I also appreciated the short list of quality ingredients and single origin cacao. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "...reminiscent of damp undergrowth, earth, humus and mushrooms...Infused into floral Ecuadorian Costa Esmeraldas dark milk chocolate and mixed with crispy feuilletine..." 

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar, cacao butter, milk powder, truffle oil (sunflower oil, black truffle), feuilletine (wheat flour, sugar, butter, salt), sea salt

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

Eclat - Porcini & Thyme (bar) + The Organic House - Salted Onion (bar) - Sept. 3, 2026

Chocolate(s) of The Day 

Eclat Chocolate
Porcini & Thyme 33%/28% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .55 oz. (15 g.) / 2.2 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 86 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

The Organic House
Salted Cream & Onion 55% Belize - Maya Mountain Belize (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.76 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (30 g.) of bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week, featuring two different chocolate bars that contained (collectively) at least three savory ingredients: mushrooms, thyme and onion. The first bar was a polite sweet confection, and the second chocolate was a flavorful, hearty onion-tinged fiesta.

Porcini & Thyme 33%/28% Cacao (bar)

Today's Porcini and Thyme 33%/28% Cacao chocolate was from Eclat Chocolate (West Chester, PA). This bar was part of the company's "Parallel" bar series--that pair classic flavors, offering a light, layered tasting experience.

Aroma and flavor notes in this attractive bar (with alternating, parallel, fields of white and milk chocolate) included: sweet white chocolate and sweet milk chocolate, vanilla, and very faint (barely detectable herb and umami). 

Texture: smooth, with an even melt. (Flavor additions were fully incorporated. I couldn't detect any traces of porcini powder or herb "grit".)

I liked that I could choose squares that were more milk chocolate than white chocolate and vice versa. This elegantly designed and packaged bar would make a nice gift for those with a sweet tooth and who are botanically inclined. 

However, it may be too sweet for dark chocolate lovers. The high sugar content (and low cacao percentages) made it difficult for me to taste any cacao, porcini or thyme flavors--that were lost in a sweet cream and vanilla white chocolate confection.

Ingredients: White chocolate: (min. cocoa mass 28%, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soya lecithin, natural vanilla), milk chocolate (min. cocoa mass 33%, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, soya lecithin, natural vanilla), porcini powder, fresh thyme. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Produced in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat and soy."

Salted Cream & Onion 55% Cacao Belize (bar)

Today's Salted Cream & Onion 55% Cacao Belize (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, ON, Canada). 

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate (rich, chocolate-y with faint fruits) and honey-ed onion soup. This was a rich, smooth chocolate with diverse flavors that played together very nicely (in my opinion). The results were: less stuffy traditional orchestra and more New Orleans/Caribbean jazz ensemble. 

The base chocolate was smooth textured. The "cream" (in the salted cream and onion title) was achieved with cashews, not dairy. The onion powder was fully incorporated; and the sea salt balanced the honeyed sweetness, naturally occurring fruit and the subtle balanced earth and acidity in the cacao and onion. 

I really enjoyed the few squares I tried. But, sweet and sassy flavors may not be for everyone.

The single origin Belize (Maya Mountain) cacao was the bold heart and fruity soul of this bar, and the onion, sea salt and coconut flower nectar took it to the next level.

Thank you to the makers at Organic House for producing several chocolate bars with savory and/or umami flavor inclusions; using a short list of single origin, Organic ingredients; and creating chocolates with less processed sweeteners (maple sugar, coconut flower nectar) than refined white cane and beet sugars.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Buttery notes of chocolate, roasted onions, honey, raisins, pineapple, and sea salt"

Ingredients: "Organic coconut flower nectar, Organic cacao beans, Organic cacao butter, Organic cashews, Onion powder, Organic sea salt."

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut, Cashews. Made in a facility that uses tree nuts.

 

Siamaya Chocolate - Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Sept. 2, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Siamaya Chocolate
Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good++ - Good+++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Touring Chocolatier, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.

Today's Tom Yum Classic Thai Recipe 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Siamaya Craft Co. Ltd. (with a chocolate factory and shop in Chiang Mai, Thailand.)

This 70% bar was made in Thailand--using single origin cacao from Thailand.

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate; aromatic tart-sweet citrus (orange, lime, lemongrass); balanced and flavorful umami (chili, tomato and soup) and a small zing of refreshing galangal.*

Texture: The base dark chocolate was well-tempered (broke with a snap) with a smooth and appealing rich melt and satisfying mouthfeel. And the chocolate was accented with softly chewy, orange-ish bits of what I assumed were fresh-tasting candied citrus (or maybe even citrus-infused tomato).

I loved this sweet, spicy and slightly savory chocolate packed with authentic citrus flavors and Thai (Tom Yum soup) spices. It was invigorating and delicious, with a mild chili kick. I needed a mid-day picker upper, and this transporting chocolate lifted my spirits and took me on a virtual trip to Thailand.

Ingredients: "Cacao nibs, organic cane sugar, dried tomatoes, cacao butter, Tom Yum powder, lemongrass oil, makrut lime oil, galangal oil" 

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk or nuts.

*Galangal is part of the ginger family and is used in Southeastern Asia cooking.

Ara Chocolat - Tanche de Nyons Olives 70% El Salvador (bar) - Sept. 1, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Ara Chocolat 
Tanche de Nyons Olives 70% El Salvador (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 174 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $24.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Savory Chocolates Theme Week.

Today's Tanche de Nyons AOC Olives 70% El Salvador (bar) was made by Ara Chocolat (Paris, France).

The single origin cacao used to make this chocolate was grown in El Salvador. And the AOC* olives came from a family farm in Southeastern France.

Aroma notes for this olive dark bar included: sweet, slightly fruity, gently fermented and savory dark chocolate. 

Flavor notes were similar, but with an added deep dive into the hearty dark chocolate and rich, dark olive experience. There were some very subtle and balanced earth, smoke/tobacco, brine and salted butter notes. Both chocolate and olives were high in flavor but relatively low in bitterness; and the finish was relatively clean and chocolate-y. The net result was more harmonious than it may sound.

This was a lovely and very balanced umami blend--and especially satisfying if you like single origin dark chocolate and olives. (I do.) Throw in a couple of nuts, a few slices of fruit/glass of sherry and you'd have a very high-quality dessert/snack plate.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate base, with very soft tiny bits of dark, smooth olive, and a hint of salt.

Ingredients: "cocoa nibs, sugar, tanches de nyons olives (AOC), cocoa butter, salt."

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of nuts. 

* The AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) designation in France certifies that a product is made in a specific area, following a specific process, and helps ensure quality. Those who are wine drinkers are likely already familiar with these initials.