Unreal - Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar - Aug. 13, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Unreal Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar

Good +

Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g.) in total bar

Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.69 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar was from Unreal Brands Inc. (Boston, MA). 

The company offers updated/healthier versions of chocolate covered candy bars, generally with a much shorter list of ingredients. (Today's certified gluten free and vegan bar listed three ingredients: organic coconut, organic cassava syrup and dark chocolate (later spelled out as dark chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla).)

Aroma notes from this filled bar included: chocolate (dark chocolate ganache (truffle filling)) and sweet coconut. 

The dark chocolate provided a smooth, velvety coating, that contrasted with the chewy, lightly moistened, sweet shredded coconut. These coconut shreds continued to supply an authentic, textural chew that lasted into the finish after the chocolate had melted away.

As expected, the flavor was a blend of dark chocolate and coconut, with one complementing the other. Yes, it was sweet, but not quite as sugary or syrupy sweet as candy bars from the late 1900s. The flavors were balanced and uniform, with very faint, fleeting tropical fruit and nut notes, and a warm blanket of vanilla.

Adults wanting a healthier confection for their families, or wanting to take a trip down candy bar memory lane themselves--without all the preservatives, additives, or "natural flavors"--will appreciate this bar. The fact that some of the ingredients were fair trade was an added plus.

Ingredients: Organic coconut, organic cassava syrup, dark chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut. Made in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, wheat and milk. Made on equipment that processes milk chocolate. Please visit getunreal.com to read our allergen information." (Certified vegan, Certified gluten free; no soy ingredients.) 

Rau - Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix - Aug. 12, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Rau
Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .74 oz. (21 g.) / 7.4 oz. (210 g.) in total box of 10 packets 
Calories: 90 calories in 1 packet/serving
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package/box of 10 packets/servings 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Mind Fuel - Cacao + Coconut MCT Superfood Drink Mix was from RAU (San Diego, CA). The company offers three flavors of plant-based cacao drink mixes (Cacao +; today's Cacao + Coconut MCT; and Cacao + Espresso).

The two founders (Daren and Brian) were some of the first to explore cognitive energy cacao blend beverages. They use organically farmed cacao, and eschew cane sugar or preservatives.

"Our beans are single origin, organic, fair trade, ethically farmed and hand picked to deliver a bold flavor for seekers of epic nutrition."

The Rau team also chose to include the amounts of theobromine* in each serving (80 mg.) and antioxidants (from polyphenols) (120 mg.)--information I appreciated and that's very rarely provided on any other cacao-related product packaging. (Thank you.)

The aroma was attractive with fruit (mango) and subtle chocolate; after adding warm water, the scent was more cocoa forward, with a trace of the tropical fruit/mango and very faint floral (vanilla).

The texture was smooth (once fully stirred in with warm water), almost creamy.

The flavor was very consistent with the aroma with faint fruit (mango and very light, fresh coconut) and rich, smooth cacao--that was relatively low in bitterness or acidity. The sweetness (coconut palm sugar) was tempered by a judicious dash of Himalayan pink salt.  

Overall, I would rank this a superior offering in the increasingly popular, much-hyped category of drinking cacao beverage mixes. I also found the individual packets convenient and portable and the sizes were the perfect portion for me.

Note: Monk fruit extract also supplied sweetness. This small, round fruit from China (aka Luo Han Guo) has the property of minimizing bitter and sour flavors, making it an interesting pairing with cacao. The sweetener (mogrisides) in monk fruit also is thought to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

Ingredients: Organic, fair trade cacao powder; organic, fair trade coconut palm sugar; organic mct oil powder; organic coconut oil powder; organic vanilla powder; himalayan pink salt, organic monk fruit extract.

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut. Certified Organic, gluten free; keto friendly. 

*Theobromine is a plant alkaloid found in cacao (and to a lesser extent in teas, kola nuts, guarana and other plants) that acts as a stimulant. It is a close cousin to caffeine, another stimulant found in plants--most notably coffee (and to a lesser extent cacao, kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana and other plants). (Coffee contains trace amounts of theophylline but no theobromine.)

Although I've found theobromine to be much less jarring than caffeine, people's individual reactions may vary. Some people are sensitive to cacao (which does contain a very small amount of caffeine as well as theobromine); but they can drink all the coffee they want with seemingly no ill effects. I'm the opposite. I love coffee, but it doesn't love me. (I can't seem to process the caffeine and acids.)

 

Taza Chocolate - Dark Bark 80% Dark Organic Chocolate Thins - Coconut Almond - Aug. 11, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate

Dark Bark 80% Dark Organic Chocolate Thins - Coconut Almond

Good +

Weight: 1/4 package (29 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 cup (1/4 package) serving 

Cost: $3.99 for 1 package

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Organic Dark Bark Coconut Almond 80% Dark Chocolate Thins were from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). The chocolate maker offers a variety of bars, discs and treats that are made with stone-ground, bean-to-bar chocolate. 

These Chocolate Thins (shards of bark topped with tiny coconut and almond bits) had an aroma with dark chocolate, green, maple (tree syrup) and fermentation notes.

The texture was a blend of thick, creamy dark (bold but smooth) stoneground dark chocolate and a slightly crispy and crunchy texture (from tiny bits of almond and puffed quinoa).

Flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above, with a deeper, richer dark chocolate experience with faint, fleeting olive-earth notes and very faint coconut.

The 80% cacao Organic dark chocolate was bold, balanced and not too sweet, with balanced bitterness and acidity. The chocolate flavor was rich enough that it took center stage; other flavor inclusions played very minor bit parts.

If you're looking for a snack with a less processed, deep dark, dense but satisfying chocolate flavor--and with very little bright, buzzy sugar, and no preservatives, emulsifiers, vegetable gums or other unnecessary ingredients--this might be for you.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic puffed quinoa, organic almonds, organic toasted coconut, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Contains almonds and coconut. May contain traces of other tree nuts and sesame seeds." Certified Organic and gluten free. Also: "dairy free, soy free, vegan" and Pareve (OU).)

Taza Chocolate - Wicked Dark, 95% Dark with Toasted Coconut Organic Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Taza Chocolate

Wicked Dark - 95% Dark with Toasted Coconut Organic Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Wicked Dark - 95% Dark with Toasted Coconut Organic Dark Chocolate was from Taza Chocolate (Somerville, MA). 

The chocolate maker is known for stone-ground, bean-to-bar chocolate, and a commitment to fair and transparent trade. Today's bar was made with Certified Organic and "Taza Chocolate direct trade certified" cocoa. (Country of origin not specific on wrapper.)

The aroma for this three-ingredient bar included: fruity, authentic fresh coconut, dark chocolate (ultra-dark chocolate brownie, chocolate ganache), and subtle green (tree/maple syrup and green floral botanical) notes.

The texture was uniform and consistent with stone-ground chocolate (larger particle size), with a very slight chewiness--from the visible tiny shreds of embedded, toasted coconut.

The flavor was uniform, dark stone-ground (less processed) chocolate with bold, but smooth, flavor. It was not too bitter and had a well-balanced fruit acidity. This refreshingly un-sweet,* flavorful bar ended with a warm, deep cocoa finish. This "Wicked" bar was also pretty Wonderful, and much more approachable than it sounds--in case you want to share it friends fearful of very dark chocolates.

Maker's notes: "stoneground, bold flavor"

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic coconut, organic cane sugar.

Allergen-related information: "Contains coconut and traces of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and pecans." Certified Organic and Gluten Free; dairy free; soy free; vegan; pareve (OU).

*2 grams of added sugar per (1/2 bar) serving 

Carstens - Dark Chocolate Filled with Coconut Cream - Aug. 9, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Carstens

Dark Chocolate Filled with Coconut Cream (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: 1.18 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar

Calories: 160 calories in 1/3 bar

Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Filled with Coconut Cream (bar) was from Erasmi and Carstens GmbH (Lübeck, Germany). And the Carstens brand has roots that extend back to 1845.*

The blend of coconut cream filling and dark chocolate in this bar delivered an above average confection experience. The texture of both filling and outer layer was smooth and well executed, the chocolate was chocolate-y (dark brownie), and the very finely grated coconut tasted like coconut. Was it sweet? Indeed it was quite sugary, and a little addicting in a high-end candy kind of way. But, the dark chocolate helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate liquor, grated coconut, glucose syrup, cocoa butter, water, coconut fat, emulsifier, sunflower lecithin, humectant, invertase. 

Allergen-related information: Contains: coconut. "May contain almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, wheat, soy, milk and egg"

*Early on the German company also manufactured a variety of foods, including canned foods. However, since the early 1900s, the company is best known for its chocolate and (Lübeck(er)) marzipan offerings. 

They also offer chocolates with hazelnut and nougat, praline marzipans, fruit flavored chocolates, and the traditional Katzenzungen ("cats tongues")--a name that may mystify outsiders. Don't worry, no malice or real cats involved. It refers to the elongated oval shape of the chocolate pieces. Boxes of/packaging for Katzenzungen are typically adorned with images of adorable cats.

Raaka - Winter Spice Hot Chocolate Unroasted Dark Chocolate - Aug. 8, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka
Winter Spice Hot Chocolate Unroasted Dark Chocolate
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) (1/4 cup) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total package
Calories: 118 calories in 1/4 package (dry mix only)
Cost: $12.00 (sale) for 1 package
Purchased from: Raaka.com, online order 

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Tanzania Theme Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Certified Organic Winter Spice Hot Chocolate Unroasted Dark Chocolate mix was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

The cacao used to make this blend was from Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania, Africa.

Aroma notes for this blend included: sweet-tart red fruit (red berry) and dark, chocolate-y chocolate. Once blended together with hot milk, the resulting warm beverage had a relatively creamy melt and texture.

The balanced, subtle chocolate and cocoa flavors were accented with gentle warm spice, vanilla and faint coconut notes. A judicious dose of coconut sugar provided mild, balanced and warm sweetness. (Coconut milk powder also may have contributed to a relatively smoother, creamier mouthfeel than some other artisan cocoa mixes.)

Ingredients: organic cacao powder, organic coconut sugar, organic coconut milk powder, organic cacao, organic cacao butter, organic cinnamon, organic vanilla, organic nutmeg.

Allergen-related information: (Contained coconut.)

 

Raaka Chocolate - Pure Cacao & Coconut Swirl 70% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate - Aug. 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka Chocolate 
Pure Cacao and Coconut Swirl Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Tanzania Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Pure Cacao and Coconut Swirl 70% Cacao Unroasted Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Raaka Chocolate in Brooklyn, New York.

Most cacao and coconut blends are very sweet chocolate confections. I was attracted to today's bar, because this bar was made with 100% (unsweetened) cacao and was paired  with a lightly (coconut sugar) sweetened component.

The swirling of coconut and dark chocolate flavors to create the finished bar was attractive. The aroma was a bit variable, depending on whether you smelled the ultra-dark portion of the swirled bar or the sweeter ivory-hued swirl. The aroma notes included: varied a slightly waxy (on a cold morning) ultra-dark chocolate, subdued coconut, and unsweetened cocoa + vanilla chocolate. 

The texture was relatively creamy + slightly waxy (again, when tasted at a room temperature of 65 degrees F. (18.3 C.)).

The flavor(s) grew on me. I enjoyed the unsweetened, authentically chocolate-y-candy-bar-cocoa flavor (from Tanzanian cacao) elevated by the lightly sweetened (with coconut sugar) ivory-hued swirl with vanilla and maple-caramel notes. 

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cacao butter, organic coconut sugar, organic toasted coconut, organic sunflower lecithin, sea salt, organic vanilla.

Allergen-related information: Certified Organic and Kosher. Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free.