Equal Exchange - Organic Dark Raspberry bar - Feb. 8, 2015

Chocolate of the Day:

Equal Exchange
Organic Dark Chocolate Raspberry bar
Good++
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1/10 bar
Cost: $4.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

This bar with the long name: the Organic and Fairly Traded, Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart Berries bar, was from Equal Exchange Chocolates (W. Bridgewater, MA). Equal Exchange sources ingredients from cacao, coffee and tea farmers and sells finished products to consumers.

Equal Exchanges sources ingredients from small farmer co-ops -- groups that have been at the forefront of discussions about fair trade (that involves, among other things, giving farmers an above market price for their cacao beans).

This smooth, kosher, 60% cacao dark bar was flavored with freeze-dried raspberries, and a hint of vanilla from organic ground vanilla beans.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week. 

Sjaak's - Raspberry Chocolate - Feb. 7, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
Raspberry chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: .35 oz. (9.9 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece
Calories: 52 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $ 0.95 for 1 piece
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

This red-foil wrapped Raspberry chocolate was from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates, based in Northern California.

This flower-shaped chocolate with a natural raspberry flavored center was one of several colorful bite-sized Sjaak's chocolate offerings at SweetE Organic (Mill Valley, CA). This "flower" alternated between smooth chocolate and soft, bright red berry fruit textures and flavors.

SweetE Organic specializes in organic, as well as a variety of gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and other sweet treats and gifts for all.

Land O'Lakes - Raspberry cocoa - Feb. 6, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Land O'Lakes
Chocolate and Raspberry Hot Cocoa Mix
Good
Weight: .625 oz. (17.6 g.) / 1.25 oz. (35.3 g.) in total packet
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 packet
Cost: $ N/A - purchases as part of a large carton
Purchased from: N/A - purchased as part of a large carton

There's something very satisfying about sipping hot chocolate on a cold, rainy morning.

Today, the cocoa in question was a Chocolate and Raspberry, Artificially Flavored, Hot Chocolate Mix from Land O'Lakes (Arden Hills, MN).

The raspberry artificial flavor wasn't bad as I thought it might be, but I kept wondering what this cocoa would have tasted like with a creamy pat of butter (what Land O'Lakes is probably most well known for).

Endangered Species - Raspberry Orange Creme bar - Feb. 5, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Endangered Species Chocolate
Raspberry Orange Creme Filled Dark Chocolate bar
Good
Weight: .3 oz. (8.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 50 calories in 1/10 bar
Cost: $3.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

This Raspberry Orange Creme Filled Dark Chocolate bar was from Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis, IN).

Each square of this 72% cocoa dark bar was filled with a thin pillow of white, dairy-free creme that was infused with subtle raspberry and citrus flavor.

As with the company's other bars, the label (adorned with a photo of a red panda) called out a promise to donate 10% of net profits to non-profit partners that protect wildlife.

Socola Chocolatier - Raspberry + Pop Rocks bar - Feb. 4, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Socola Chocolatier
Raspberry + Pop Rocks bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in approximately 1/4 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Socola Chocolatier, San Francisco, CA (online order)

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

This luscious and loaded Raspberry + Pop Rocks bar from the creative team (sisters Wendy and Susan Lieu*) at Socola Chocolatier (San Francisco, CA) was full of dark chocolate and red raspberry flavor.

And if you were thinking of pairing this bar with a glass of champagne or sparkling wine...I suppose you could, but there's no need. A light sprinkle of pop rocks (popping candy) took this bar to a whole new fizzy level without adding extra sugar or affecting the flavor.

This bar would make a perfect Valentines Day gift.

*And Harriett the flying alpaca of course (shown as logo at right)

Pacific Chocolate Almond drink + Raspberry Cheesecake - Feb. 3, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Pacific Foods of Oregon, Inc.
Almond Non-Dairy Beverage - Chocolate (+ other added raspberry)
Good - Good +
Weight: 4 fl. oz. (120 mL) (estimate) - part of one small container
Calories: 70 calories (estimate) for 1 mixed drink
Cost: $ lost data (part of multi-pack)
Purchased from: lost data

Today was the second day of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

What's up today? How about a chocolate and raspberry drink, made with almond "chocolate milk" from Pacific Foods (Tualatin, OR) and flavored with a hint of raspberry syrup and Chambord (black raspberry liqueur)?

Shaken, not stirred...and then sipped with an adorable side of Raspberry cheesecake from Dia Desserts (Montanta).

I enjoyed my fancy chocolate raspberry drink. It was flavorful without being too sweet. (This drink was also good with Pacific Food's Hazelnut Chocolate non-dairy beverage and few drops of raspberry syrup.)

The gluten-free cheesecakes were developed by two sisters (thank you Melissa!). Each single-serving, layered cheesecake was packed in a junior sized, glass canning jar, complete with customized (branded) lid. Watch for these lovely treats in Montana this summer.

N.A!* - Chocolate Orange; Raspberry - Feb. 2, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

N.A!* (Nature Addicts)
Distributed by Brands within reach, llc

Fruit and Chocolate - Apple Orange
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in 1 pouch/package
Calories: 110 calories in 1 pouch/package
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A, Brands Within Reach

Fruit Sticks - Apple Raspberry
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in 1 pouch/package
Calories: 100 calories in 1 pouch/package
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A, Brands Within Reach

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Raspberry Theme Week.

These Non GMO, natural tasting N.A!* (Nature Addicts) Apple Orange Fruit nuggets were coated with dark (70% cocoa) chocolate. Distributed by Brands within reach, llc (Mamaroneck, NY), the combination of concentrated tart, fruit flavor and light weight packaging was perfect for a hike.

The Apple Raspberry pieces/strips had no chocolate, but paired nicely with the chocolate orange flavor.