Exquisito Chocolates - "Rumbelievable" Flor de Cana Rum Truffles - Dec. 27, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Exquisito Chocolates

"Rumbelievable" Flor de Cana Rum Truffles

Good +

Weight: .98 oz. (27.7 g.) / 3.92 oz. (110.9 g.) (estimate) in total box of 8 truffles 

Calories: 147 calories (estimate) in 2 truffles

Cost: $24.00 for 1 box of 8 truffles

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Today's "Rumbelievable" Flor de Cana* Rum Truffles were from Exquisito Chocolates (Little Havana, Miami, FL). Located in South Florida, Exquisito sources cacao and other ingredients from the Caribbean and Central and South America.

These hand-painted, single origin dark chocolate (Ecuador) confections were colored a beautiful, swirling turquoise sea blue. Nestled inside was a creamy, chocolate ganache (filling) infused with Flor de Cana* premium rum from Nicaragua. 

These truffles had a rich, dark chocolate (almost brownie) flavor with a hint of rum--more satisfying, layered flavor than alcohol.

Ingredients: (No ingredients list with box). Ingredient description included: organically cultivated cacao, unrefined cane sugar, fair trade cocoa butter, cream.

Allergen-related information: (None printed on confection box.)

*"Flor de Cana" (Spanish for sugarcane flower) is a brand of premium rum manufactured and distributed by Compania Licorera de Nicaragua (Managua, Nicaragua)--a company with origins that stretch back to the late 1800s.

Oodaalolly - Coconut Milk Chocolate with Kasama Rum 46% (bar) - Dec. 26, 2021

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Oodaalolly, LLC

Coconut Milk Chocolate with Kasama Rum 46% (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar

Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar ($24 for set of 3 bars)

Purchased from: Oodaalolly, LLC, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Coconut Milk Chocolate (bar) infused with Kasama Rum* was from Oodaalolly, LLC (El Cerrito, CA). This was part of a three-bar Christmas Collection (that also included Kasama Cacao 70% dark chocolate, and White Chocolate with Pineapple Chunks (bars)--all with a very subtle hint of Kasama Rum.

Oodaalolly chocolate maker and company founder, Hernan Lauber, sources cacao from (a co-op) in the Davao region of the Philippines to make his chocolates. 

The aroma notes for this bar included: sweet, rich milk chocolate, coconut, caramel, and faint fruit (pineapple).

The 46% cacao chocolate had a smooth, relatively creamy texture and slow melt (at 65 F. degrees room temperature). The rich coconut milk chocolate flavor was sweet with some interesting complexity (richness from coconut milk, a mild fruitiness), and a relatively low acidity and minimal bitterness. 

The Kasama Rum infused cacao was very faint, but likely added to the subtle complexity. There was no detectable alcohol flavor. 

Ingredients: "Sugar, Kasama Cacao, coconut milk powder, cocoa butter."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses milk, soy, peanuts and/or tree nuts for Oodaalolly LLC..."

*Kasama Rum is produced in small batches by Alexandra Dorda (who has Polish and Filipino roots). Ingredients (sugar cane, other) from the Philippines are sent to Poland for distillation, aging in oak barrels/finishing. Tasting notes: "Kasama has all the flavors of the tropics: pineapple, a hint of vanilla and just a pinch of sea salt." ("Kasama is a tagalog verb that means to be together.") 

Oodaalolly - 70% Kasama Cacao dark chocolate (bar) - Dec. 24, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Oodaalolly, LLC

70% Kasama Cacao, dark chocolate infused with Kasama Rum (bar)

Good +

Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar

Calories: 218 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar ($24.00 for 3 bar set)

Purchased from: Oodaalolly, LLC, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Today's 70% Kasama Cacao dark chocolate (bar) infused with Kasama Rum* was from Oodaalolly, LLC (El Cerrito, CA). This was part of a three-bar Christmas Collection (that also included Coconut Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate with Pineapple Chunks bars)--all with a very subtle hint of Kasama Rum.

Oodaalolly chocolate maker and company founder, Hernan Lauber, sources cacao from (a co-op) in the Davao region of the Philippines to make his chocolates.

The aroma notes for this bar included: warm cocoa, spices, nut and tart lemon green herb (oxalis, sorrel). And the 70% cacao chocolate had smooth, balanced and naturally sweet dark chocolate flavor, with a very mild fruitiness, relatively low acidity and minimal bitterness.

Ingredients: "Cacao, coconut palm sugar, cocoa butter."

Allergen-related information: "Made in a facility that uses milk, soy, peanuts and/or tree nuts for Oodaalolly LLC..."

*Kasama Rum is produced in small batches by Alexandra Dorda (who has Polish and Filipino roots). Ingredients (sugar cane, other) from the Philippines are sent to Poland for distillation, aging in oak barrels/finishing. Tasting notes: "Kasama has all the flavors of the tropics: pineapple, a hint of vanilla and just a pinch of sea salt." ("Kasama is a tagalog verb that means to be together.")

Zotter - Oh Thou Joyful Day - Dark chocolate 70% with Marc de Champagne ganache (bar) - Dec. 23, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Oh Thou Joyful Day - Dark chocolate 70% with Marc de Champagne ganache (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotterusa.com

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Today's "Oh Thou Joyful Day" Dark chocolate 70% with Marc de Champagne ganache (bar) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

This bar had the aroma of a dark, sinful chocolate dessert (dark chocolate mousse or souffle with spirits).

The filled bar was covered in a relatively bold but smooth, bittersweet 70% cacao dark chocolate. Inside was a chocolate ganache (filling) infused with Marc de Champagne.*

Chocolate blended with an authentic Champagne flourish made for an elegant, spirited dessert for the holidays.

Ingredients: Organic, fair traded cocoa mass; organic, fair traded cane sugar; milk; organic, fair traded cocoa butter; organic Marc de Champagne; organic glucose syrup; butter (cream); dry whole milk; dry skim milk; salt; organic soy lecithin; organic vanilla bean powder.

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk, soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, milk, and sesame." 

*Marc de Champagne refers to a grape-based, fermented and distilled beverage (French Eau de Vie)/brandy made using grape pomace, in the Champagne region/province of northeastern France. (This bar contained alcohol.)

Mutari Chocolate - Venus Spirits Rye Whisky-Brown Butter (truffle) - Dec. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Mutari Chocolate
Venus Spirits Rye Whisky-Brown Butter (truffle)
Good +++
Weight: .49 oz. (14 g.) (estimate) in one truffle
Calories: 73 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 truffle

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

Today's flavorful Venus Spirits Ry Whisky-Brown Butter craft chocolate truffle was created by Mutari Chocolate (Santa Cruz, CA).

During a recent visit, the company's factory + shop (retail) location was offering a dozen different single origin chocolate bars, both traditional (dairy) and vegan confections (craft chocolate truffles); baked goods; and drinking chocolates.

Today's truffle infused with whisky (from Santa Cruz neighbor Venus Spirits) had a subtle but rich and attractive aroma. 

A gold accented, dark chocolate shell was filled with a balanced, boozy, creamy soft chocolate ganache with a light touch of savory (brown butter and salt). Warning, these truffles are mildly addictive.

Ingredients: (Not available on truffle assortment box ID card). Elements identified by name: Venus Spirits Rye Whisky, brown butter

Allergen-related information: (no label; but identified as containing dairy)

Rebbl - Dark Chocolate Protein Plant-Powered Elixir (+ Hazelnut Nog) - Dec. 21, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Rebbl 
Dark Chocolate Protein Plant-Powered Elixir 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 12 fl. oz. (355 mL) in 1 bottle
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bottle  
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Today's bottle of Dark Chocolate Protein Plant-Powered Elixir was distributed by Rebbl (Emeryville, CA).

This chilled beverage had an appealing chocolate-y aroma and flavor, with faint, but not objectionable plant protein notes. (Other plant extracts or ingredients included ashwagandha,  reishi mushroom, maca root and vanilla.)

The texture was creamy and smooth and it was a great mixer/complementary beverage with a batch of homemade Holiday Hazelnut "Egg-not" Nog.*

Ingredients: Organic coconut milk (water, organic coconut creme); organic, alkalized cocoa powder; organic pea protein; organic coconut sugar; organic inulin (prebiotic fiber); organic vanilla extract; pink salt; organic ashwagandha extract; organic maca extract; baker's yeast beta-glucan; organic stevia extract; organic reishi mushroom extract; gellan gum. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut." "Not intended for small children or anyone sensitive to caffeine. If pregnant or breast-feeding, please consult your healthcare professional before consuming."

*Hazelnut Nog (Egg-not) - This homemade holiday beverage was made with a base of Pacific Foods Hazelnut beverage + freshly ground nutmeg, a dash of cinnamon, and a splash of spiced rum. It was enjoyed separately, and mixed with Rebbl Chocolate elixir.

Zotter - Plum and Nuts 100% Cacao filled with plum cream, hazelnut praline (bar) - Dec. 20, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Plum and Nuts 100% Cacao filled with plum cream and hazelnut praline (bar) 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $7.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotterusa.com

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

The aroma notes for this bar included spices (dates, vanilla, and sweet saffron), chocolate and nut (hazelnuts, roasted almond)

The filled bar was covered in an ultra-dark (100% cacao) shell. Bold, balanced, bittersweet (with a slight roasted note), this chocolate shell broke with a well-tempered snap, revealing a rich, flavorful center with plump pieces of dried plum, lightly spirited (rum) notes, and an occasional glimmer of hazelnut, date and vanilla.

A sophisticated, fruit-sweetened, spirited dark bar with grown-up flavors for the holidays. Not overly sweet. Sugar plum fairies, all grown up.

Ingredients: Organic, fair traded cocoa mass; organic dried plums; organic, fair traded hazelnuts; organic, fair traded date sugar; organic, fair traded cocoa butter; organic, fair traded rum; organic hazelnut oil; organic soy lecithin; organic, fair traded cinnamon; organic vanilla bean powder; salt

Allergen-related information: "Contains hazelnuts, soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes other tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, and sesame."