Divine Chocolate - Rich Dark Chocolate with Refreshing Lemon 85% Cocoa Sao Tome (bar) - June 10, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Divine Chocolate
Rich Dark Chocolate with Refreshing Lemon 85% Cocoa Sao Tome (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving (9 squares) of bar
Cost: $4.75 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Easy Market, Mountain View, CA

Rich Dark Chocolate with Turmeric and Ginger 85% Cocoa Sao Tome (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving (9 squares) of bar
Cost: $4.75 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Easy Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Ginger and Citrus Theme Week.

Today's pair of Organic Rich Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (Sao Tome) bars with flavor inclusions were from Divine Chocolate.*

Divine's "Rich Dark Chocolate with Refreshing Lemon 85% Cocoa Sao Tome" (bar) had a dark chocolate and citrus aroma with notes of lemon and lime peel(s). This smooth chocolate had a faint bitter citrus flavor note and finish.

The Turmeric and Ginger bar was previously featured and was re-tasted today as a pairing with its lemon sibling. This Turmeric an Ginger chocolate had a lovely, authentic ginger spice (ginger cookie) aroma and tangy, spice flavor, giving the illusion of sweetness beyond its ultra-dark 85 percent but smooth chocolate base. Satisfying and flavorful without being too sweet.

*Divine Chocolate is a Fairtrade cocoa farmers co-operative in Ghana. Divine Chocolate USA is based in Washington, D.C.

Nuance Chocolate - Crystallized Orange 70% Dark (bar) - June 9, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Nuance Chocolate Company
Flavored Series - Crystallized Orange 70% Dark (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.50 for 1 bar + any applicable shipping
Purchased from: Nuance Chocolate, Fort Collins, CO

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Ginger and Orange Theme Week.

Today's Crystallized Orange 70% Dark (bar) was made by Nuance Chocolate (Fort Collins, CO).

The company specializes in small batch, bean to bar chocolates (single origin bars, bars with inclusions and confections/truffles). Today's bar was part of the company's Flavored Series. The candied orange peel* was sourced from Provence, France, and "sprinkled onto a bar of forastero cacao from the Republic of Ghana..." The maker's tasting notes read as follows: "...with "deep and sustained classic chocolate flavors throughout...with subtle layers of cherries and honey."

The aroma of this bar had dark chocolate, sweet malt, citrus notes and a very faint hint of mint/menthol. (The mint was not evident in the taste.) The smooth dark chocolate complemented chewy bits of orange peel, which contributed a balanced but acidic, sweet tangy citrus flavor.

I enjoyed re-sampling this bar later with a glass of ginger tea.

*"Ingredients: cacao, cane sugar, candied orange peel (orange peel, glucose-fructose syrup, sucrose, dextrose and citric acid), cocoa butter."

Moka Origins - Lemon Ginger Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao (Uganda) bar - June 8, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Moka Origins
Lemon Ginger Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao (Uganda) bar
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 2.4 oz. (68 g.) in total bar
Calories; 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Moka Origins, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Ginger and Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Lemon Ginger Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao (Uganda) bar was from Moka Origins (Honesdale, PA). Moka Origins works with cacao and coffee farmers in Africa and the Dominican Republic to source beans for their chocolate and coffee  offerings. 

This ginger-forward bar had robust natural-tasting sweet spicy flavor from a generous helping of candied ginger pieces/shreds on the back of the bar, and lemon citrus flavor notes. The base dark chocolate (made with Ugandan cacao) was smooth and flavorful and complemented the flavor inclusions. And the touch of lemon was just right. (I enjoy a touch of lemon peel in coffee and/or chocolate now and then.) 

If you adore ginger and dark chocolate, this would be a great bar to sample. Some may like their chocolate with slightly less ginger and lemon to better taste the nuances of the cacao. Others will find this bracing blend of quality flavors very satisfying. 

Mindo Chocolate Makers - 77% Chocolate with Tropical Fruits & Nuts (bar) - June 7 ,2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mindo Chocolate Makers
Pure 77% Chocolate with Tropical Fruits and Nuts (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 268 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mindo Chocolate Makers, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Ginger and Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Pure 77% Chocolate with Tropical Fruits and Nuts (bar) was made in Ecuador with cacao grown in Ecuador, and distributed by Mindo Chocolate Makers (Dexter, MI).*

The organic, shade-grown Nacional cacao used formed a uniformly smooth dark chocolate, allowing the fruit, nut and spice inclusion items to shine. High-quality pieces of bright, fresh-tasting fruits (pineapple, mango, dried orange peel) were incorporated into the bar. One could still taste the subtle flavor of the fresh macadamia nuts (thank you). And bits of candied ginger added a balanced sparkle to this blend.

The choice of a 77% smooth dark chocolate meant this bar was not overly sweet and that it lacked bold or bitter notes that would have overpowered the other flavors.

"Ingredients: Cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, macadamia, dried pineapple, dried mango, dried candied ginger, dried orange peel."

*Founders Jose Meza and Barbara Wilson of Mindo Chocolate Makers have facilities in both Mindo, Ecuador and in Michigan. (Mindo is a small town in a subtropical cloud forest area on the western slope of the Andes Mountains, about 2 hours from Quito, Ecuador.) 

The founders work with farmers in Ecuador to source fine flavor Nacional cacao. They have fermentation, drying and other facilities on-site in Ecuador, and this facility (as well as their Michigan location) can accommodate small groups for tasting and tours). And because of their presence in a cacao-growing region, they can offer jars of miel de cacao, cacao nibs, Ecuadorian vanilla beans and other interesting cacao-related products on their website.

Volo Chocolate - 73% Dark Chocolate + Candied Orange Peel bar - June 6, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Volo Chocolate
73% Chocolate Orange - Dark Chocolate + Candied Orange Peel (Guatemala) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (36 g.) / 2.5 oz. (72 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar (+ shipping)
Purchased from: Volo Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Citrus and Ginger Theme Week.

Today's 73% Chocolate Orange Dark + Chocolate Orange Peel (bar) was made by Volo Chocolate* (Windsor, CA).

Today's flavorful dark chocolate base (made from cacao grown in Lachua, Guatemala) blended very well with bits of crunchy candied orange peel. The chocolate had an appealing, bold, roasted aroma and flavor with citrus-fruit notes and a slight nutty-fudge chocolate note and smooth texture. The sweetness and citrus-acid levels were balanced with a hint of sea salt, and warmed with a trace of cinnamon. 

Nicely done by (married chefs and chocolate makers) Jeff and Susan Mall--who deepened their interest in chocolate when they lived and worked in Mexico.

"Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Unrefined Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Candied Orange Peel (orange peel, sugar), Baja Sea Salt, Cinnamon."

*Volo Chocolate makes bean to bar chocolate in Sonoma County, CA, an area of northern California known for wine and food. In addition to bars, the company recently made a 62% dark chocolate "Masked 2020 bean-to-bunny" rabbit with a white chocolate face mask (a reflection of Covid-19 social distancing/sequestrations in 2020). This masked rabbit sold out, but was still visible on Volo's website this week. Volo wins my award for most clever use of chocolate and leftover Easter chocolate bunnies in 2020.

Nuance Chocolate - Ginger (vegan) truffle, Grand Marnier truffle - June 5, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Nuance Chocolate
Candied Ginger (vegan) truffle
Good +++
Weight: .44 oz. (12.45 g.) (estimate) in 1 truffle
Calories: 66 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $3.80 for 1 truffle
Purchased from: Nuance Chocolate, online order

Grand Marnier Orange Truffle
Good +++
Weight: .44 oz. (12.45 g.) (estimate) in 1 truffle
Calories: 66 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $3.80 for 1 truffle
Purchased from: Nuance Chocolate, online order

Toasted Almond and Apricot Truffle

Good +++

Weight: .44 oz. (12.45 g.) (estimate) in 1 truffle

Calories: 66 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle

Cost: $3.80 for 1 truffle

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Ginger and Citrus Theme Week.

Today's truffle trio: Candied Ginger (vegan/dairy free), Grand Marnier Orange, and Toasted Almond and Apricot truffles were all made by Nuance Chocolate (Fort Collins, CO).

Candied Ginger (dairy free) Truffle
Ginger and dark chocolate pair well together. Both are strong flavors and balance is key to be able to enjoy both. Truffles are often too sweet, with sugar squashing any flavor nuances of chocolate and inclusion items.

These concerns were put at ease when I bit into today's plump Candied Ginger (vegan/dairy free) truffle with rich dark chocolate truffle flavor depth and texture I could sink my teeth into. Nutty, roasted coffee and true chocolate notes were followed by just the right amount of natural ginger flavor. Balanced rich flavors that lingered into the finish. 

Nuance Chocolate makes bean to bar chocolate and also offers single origin truffles (currently, Ghana and Nigeria truffles). And this comes through in the flavor depth of their confections. No bland mass-produced chocolate here.

Grand Marnier Orange Truffle

I found the same rich, deep chocolate flavor profile (rich, well balanced with slightly tart orange Grand Marnier liqueur) when I tasted Nuance Chocolate's Grand Marnier truffle. Again, it was a confection, but it wasn't too sweet; thank you!). Its strength was in the powerful and perfectly balanced flavors. 

Toasted Almond and Apricot Truffle

Last, but not least, I also enjoyed a flavorful Toasted Almond and Apricot truffle with visible bits of bright orange fruit. (I grew up in California surrounded by apricot orchards, ate chocolate covered apricots as a child, and I appreciate this sassy, tart fruit.) An apricot may have more fruit pulp pectin,* but it's only one small flavor jump away from a tangerine; and it may be the closest a stone fruit gets to being citrus. (Both apricots and citrus fruit originated in Asia/China, and it's thought that apricots were brought to Persia later. They arrived even later in California via Spanish missionaries.) 

* Pectin is a naturally-occurring gel-like substance and form of soluble fiber, that is found in some fruits (apples, apricots and some others) and citrus peels. Harnessed properly it puts the "gel" in jelly and jam. Fruits high in pectin also tend to make great fruit leathers.

The Oakland Chocolate Company - Sorrel Ginger Tea Truffle, Orange Truffle - June 4, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

The Oakland Chocolate Company
Sorrel Ginger Tea Truffle
Good +++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece/truffle
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $2.50 for 1 piece
Purchased from: The Oakland Chocolate Company (online order)

Orange Truffle (Vegan)
Good +++
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece/truffle
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $2.50 for 1 piece
Purchased from: The Oakland Chocolate Company (online order)

Welcome to the first day of Chocolate, Ginger and Citrus Theme Week.

Today's Sorrel Ginger Tea Truffle and Orange Truffle were made from bean-to-bonbon (with Jamaican cacao) by Nancy Nadel at The Oakland Chocolate Company, LLC (Oakland, CA).

The Sorrel* Ginger Tea Truffle was covered in smooth dark chocolate and filled with a light, soft, creamy and mild filling (with no chocolate solids). I enjoyed the layers of great, natural flavor. A small piece of candied ginger gave this chocolate some pizazz. Unless you were told what mild leafy vegetable might have been infused into this mix, you'd probably never guess. The sorrel added a very subtle, almost sweet, very light lemon-green/lettuce flavor.

The second chocolate, an Orange Truffle, had a very creamy, satisfying melt and texture. It was also vegan; so the smooth tasting dark chocolate ganache (filling) was not made with traditional cream. It may leave you wondering how was this texture achieved without cream? This dark confection had a natural chocolate and orange aroma and smooth chocolate flavor. A small shred of candied orange peel on top added orange accent flavor. And, this chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!). 

These are my kind of truffles. Hats off to chocolate maker Nancy Nadel for her chocolate making skills and novel, balanced flavor inclusions in her bars and bonbons year after year. (Sorry I missed the Loquat Ginger Jam truffle when I was ordering these truffles online. That would have fit nicely in this week's ginger and citrus line up as well. I am a huge loquat fan.) One can see how living in California, having neighbors with fruit trees and selling chocolates at a Farmer's Market or two over the years can light up a number of fruit and botanical possibilities. But, not every maker would take the next step and actually pursue so many successful flavor blends.

*Sorrel is a leafy vegetable often eaten in salads and used as a cooking herb. Its taste has been likened to green spinach with a hint of lemony, kiwi or wild strawberry tang. The plant's light, sour grass-like tartness is largely from oxalic acid.