Choquiero Chocolate - Spicy Chipotle with Cacao Nibs and Cayenne Pepper bar - Apr. 6, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Choquiero Chocolate
Spicy Chipotle with Cacao Nibs and Cayenne Pepper 73% Cacao bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .8 oz. (22.5 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 135 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.59 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Spicy Chipotle with Cacao Nibs and Cayenne Pepper 73% Cacao bar was from Choquiero Chocolate (Grass Valley, CA).* The company sources "Heirloom, Wild, Arriba Criollo cacao from small farmers in Central America.

This organic, fair trade and vegan bar had a dark chocolate aroma with a hint of spicy pepper (chipotle and cayenne). It was studded with crunchy cacao nibs on the back of the bar, sweetened with coconut sugar, and there was a small heat flare in the finish from the cayenne pepper.

*Choquiero is California-based, with roots in a few locations. The company was "born in Oakland in 2013," and this bar was made in Santa Cruz, CA.

Antidote Chocolate - Ginger Pieces 77% slow roasted cacao bar - Apr. 5, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Antidote Chocolate
Ginger Pieces 77% slow roasted cacao
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Ginger Pieces 77% slow roasted cacao, low sugar bar was from Antidote Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

This smooth chocolate was rich, dark and flavorful (bright fruit, berry, dried fruit notes) and was interspersed with balanced, bright spice flavor from small ginger pieces.

This bar could be enjoyed year-round; however it was especially effective in brightening up a gloomy, rainy day outside.

This week's spice-themed chocolate week has been full of bars with either cinnamon or ginger—two very popular inclusions. Tomorrow we'll feature something a little on the "hotter" side.

Elements Truffles - Ecuadorian Dark infused with Turmeric - Apr. 4, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Elements Truffles
Ecuadorian Dark infused with Turmeric (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in bar
Cost: $3.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Ecuadorian Dark infused with Turmeric (bar) was created by Elements Truffles (Kearny, NJ).

The dark square bar had a rich chocolate aroma with a faint hint of coconut, and a creamy, rapid melt. This 85% five-ingredient* offering was sweetened with a touch of honey rather than cane or beet sugar, so it was not too sweet (thank you).

While the golden color of the turmeric** root powder inclusion was not visible, the ultra-dark (85% cacao) chocolate had a warm, slightly bitter flavor from this spice.

Fair trade organic cacao used to make this chocolate was from Ecuador. And cocoa nibs on the back side of the bar added a light soft crunchy texture and concentrated cacao flavor in the finish.

And, like other Elements Truffles bars, it left me feeling somewhat calmer than usual. The lack of an immediate sugar buzz may be one explanation. (Reading about company founder Alak Vasa's interest in Ayurveda and her team listening to vedic chants while they make chocolates at Elements Truffles—and that 25 percent of profits go towards educating underprivileged children—may be another.)

*Ingredients: Organic raw cacao butter, raw honey, organic raw cacao powder, organic turmeric root powder, sea salt.

**Turmeric is a golden yellow spice and medicinal herb made from the orange-yellow tuberous root of the Turmeric (Curcuma longa) plant, and is commonly found in Indian/Asian cooking. It gives curry and other dishes a bright yellow color.

Elements Truffles - Cinnamon Orange Infused with Clove - Apr. 3, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Elements Truffles
Cinnamon Orange Infused with Clove
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Cinnamon Orange Infused with Clove 70% bar was from Elements Truffles (Kearny, NJ).

This square bar had a warm cinnamon and spice aroma, and a creamy, rapid melt.

The blend of flavors included soft, dark chocolate, cinnamon, clove, spice and chewy dried orange pieces—with a light, lingering cinnamon and natural orange finish.

I've found most bars from Elements Truffles to be quite soothing. Perhaps because the company sweetens their bars with honey instead of sugar. Although if you look at the founder origin story, other clues to this conveyed state of mind are revealed:

"Elements Truffles was born at the intersection of two things that make us happy - chocolates and meditation. We are an Ayurveda inspired line of clean chocolates that taste good and does good - for the body, mind, and community." (This is coming from an ex-Wall Street trader who chose to pursue her own chocolate business.)

Tropical Valley Foods - Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger - Apr. 2, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Tropical Valley Foods
Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Ginger (round pieces) were created and distributed by Tropical Valley Foods (Pittsburgh, NY).

These dark glossy rounds were flavorful and refreshing. A relatively thick dark chocolate coating surrounded a slightly chewy, golden, sassy-flavored, natural ginger center.

The bright, spicy flavor of ginger will wake you right up, making these good for a pick-me up snack any time of the day—even breakfast.

No gluten-containing items appeared on the ingredients list.

The Good Chocolate - 65% Dark Ginger bar - Apr. 1, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

The Good Chocolate
65% Dark Ginger bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draeger's Market, San Mateo, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's 65% Dark Ginger bar was made with the company's "Signature Dark" chocolate mixed with granulated ginger (crystallized without sugar). Instead, erythritol, mesquite and stevia were used to sweeten this bar.

The ginger (bits of ginger root and ginger oil) in this dark chocolate tasted authentic. And the bar didn't taste too sweet (thank you).

At less than 100 calories per ounce (88 calories for 1 oz. according to the packaging), this might be a great bar for those either watching their sugar or their weight.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Erythritol, Cacao Butter, Ginger Root, Mesquite Powder, Ginger Oil, Stevia, and Vanilla.

Goodio Craft Chocolate - Chai 50% Cacao bar - Mar. 31, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Goodio Craft Chocolate
Chai 50% Cacao bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: goodio.com (online order)

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

Today's raw, vegan and organic Chai 50% Cacao bar from Goodio Craft Chocolate (Helsinki, Finland) was made from stoneground cacao.

The bar had a coconut aroma. The melt was fairly creamy. And a variety of chai spices* unfolded in a balanced and pleasing way after the first bite.

*Ingredients: cacao beans, coconut palm sugar, cacao butter, coconut flakes, cashew nuts, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, black pepper. (There were no dairy, gluten or soy ingredients listed.)