Fjak - Thailand Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar) - Nov. 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Chocolate
Thailand Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Thailand Theme Week.

Today's Thailand Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar) was made by Fjak Chocolate AS (Hardangerfjord, Norway).

The cacao beans used to make this chocolate were from the province of Chanthaburi, in eastern Thailand, in a region known for gems, tropical fruits, and pepper.

Aroma and flavor notes for this aromatic and unique dark chocolate included: bold, dark chocolate; sharp, peppery fruit (blueberry, fig, pineapple); sweet red bell pepper; distilled spirits; and very faint tart-sweet tropical fruit (mango, passion fruit, mangosteen) vinegar.

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a hard snap (at room temperature (68 degrees F. / 20 degrees C.); and the chocolate had a relatively rapid, yet light buttery, melt and mouthfeel. I braced myself for some fruit astringency (puckery/dry like in some red wines), but the level was relatively low (and/or well-managed).

This, three ingredient, ultra-dark 85% single origin (single region) bar was a transporting, exotic ride. I felt grateful to be able to taste all these vibrant, complex cacao flavors that could have been lost in a more processed, over-roasted blend or a very sweet chocolate. Thank you to the makers at Fjak for a well-executed Thai chocolate, that I enjoyed more with every bite. It's rare when I'm tempted to eat an entire 85% bar; but, this was one of those times.

Fjak tasting notes: "Tropical vibes in a bar: with tasting notes of pineapple, passionfruit and rum, this might be the fruitiest 85% dark chocolate you have ever had."

Ingredients: Cacao beans, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten." Vegan.

Siamaya Chocolate - Coconut Milk Dark Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 12, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Siamaya Chocolate
Coconut Milk Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + 
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.65 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 185 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Thailand.

Today's Siamaya Chocolate Coconut Milk Dark Chocolate (bar) was hand-crafted in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Aroma notes for this gluten free and vegan bar included: chocolate and pleasing, warm, toasted coconut.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate, creamy coconut milk chocolate, and integrated bits of coconut.

Flavor notes included naturally sweet dark chocolate (dark chocolate torte, dark ganache) and (tiny bits of) authentic coconut. This 65% dark coconut milk chocolate was slightly acidic, and was not overly sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, organic cane sugar, coconut, coconut milk, and cacao butter.

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk or nuts.

Pinwheel Craft Chocolate - 62% Coconut "Milk" Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania (bar) - Nov. 11, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Pinwheel Craft Chocolate
62% Coconut "Milk" - Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Pinwheel Craft Chocolate, online order

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

Today's 62% Coconut "Milk" Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania (bar) was from Pinwheel Chocolate LLC (Eagle Mountain, UT). This bean-to-bar chocolate maker "started as a mother/daughter hobby..." Happily for us, this hobby morphed into a small business.

Aroma notes for this bar included: smooth dark chocolate; faint, butter-diffused, warm, woodsy spice; faint red berry; and very faint coconut milk/coconut milk chocolate.

This 62% chocolate had a smooth melt, and a creamy, almost silken mouthfeel and texture. The coconut was fully incorporated into the chocolate. (Not one small chewy coconut shred was detected.)

Flavor notes included: flavorful, sweet then bittersweet dark chocolate; red berry; and very faint authentic coconut. This chocolate had a very satisfying, ("single origin-y"* chocolate-y) finish.

I loved the well-balanced complexity (and harmony of flavors) in this bar, and the fact that it wasn't overly sweet. Most 62% cacao chocolates taste quite a bit sweeter. Unfortunately, that often means that sugar (or sugar and milk(s)) eclipse cacao flavor nuances that may be present. Today's coconut milk bar was neither too sugary, nor overly coconut-y; and it embraced the red berry and rich notes of the Tanzania cacao. It tasted like a naturally sweetened chocolate with much to share.

Maker's tasting notes ("What we taste"): "ripe red raspberries, coconut water, (sometimes cinnamon)" "This bar is also a chameleon -- after certain foods, it has the unmistakable flavor of sweet cinnamon."**

Ingredients: Cacao beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, coconut* (*Organic ingredients)

Allergen-related information: "Made on shared equipment that processes nuts and dairy."

*Single origin chocolates tend to have richer, more unadulterated flavors. And small batch single origin chocolate makers are more likely to want to preserve (and highlight) unique, multi-layered varietal flavors. A big thank you to these makers.

**I later re-tasted this bar with bourbon pecan ice cream and that muted spice note detected in the aroma came into greater focus; and sure enough it was cinnamon.

KOS - Organic Plant Protein - Chocolate Peanut Butter - Nov. 10, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

KOS 
Organic Plant Protein - Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavored  
Good +
Weight: 1.37 oz. (39 g.) / 19 oz. (1.2 lbs.) (546 g.) in total package
Calories: 165 calories in 1 serving of 2 scoops
Cost: $21.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's "Organic Plant Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavored" powdered blend was distributed by KOS Inc. (Santa Barbara, CA). It contained both coconut milk and coconut sugar.

Aroma notes included: cocoa, faint fruit (berry, citrus), and roasted nuts and coffee. The coconut was barely detectable in the mix, with so many other ingredients (peas, peanuts, fruits, vegetables, etc.).

Like most powdered protein blends, when mixed well into water/liquid, it was mostly smooth. It had a little bit of a starchy, powdery taste that tickled the back of my throat; but no objectionable grit.

Flavor notes included: sweet cocoa, faint peanut and pea, and very faint fruit(s). There was a sense of sweetness that often comes with sugar replacements. In this case, coconut sugar, stevia and monk fruit extract served as sweeteners.

The overall taste was good. Extra points for using Organic ingredients. The company suggests "if you're feeling frisky, add a frozen banana."

Ingredients: Organic Pea Protein, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Flax Seed, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Inulin, Organic Acacia Gum, Himalayan Salt, Organic Quinoa, Natural Chocolate Flavor, Organic Stevia Extract, Organic Fruit and Veggie Blend (Organic Apple, Organic Carrot, Organic Cranberry, Organic Orange, Organic Broccoli, Organic Shitake Mushroom Extract, and Organic Tomato), Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein, Organic Monk Fruit Extract, Organic Chia Seed Seed, Digestive Enzyme Blend (Amylases, Lactase, Preteases, Lipase, Cellulase), KOS Vitamins and Minerals Blend (DL-Alpha Tocopherol, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Zinc Oxide, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate, Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Oxide, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Phylloquinone, Chromium Picolinate, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin).

Allergen-related information: "Contains Peanuts and Tree Nuts (Coconuts). Made in a facility that may also process eggs, dairy, soy, tree nuts, sesame, peanuts, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and wheat products."

Marana Craft Chocolate - Passion Fruit and Coconut Chocotejas - Nov. 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Marana Craft Chocolate
Chocotejas - Passion Fruit and Coconut Chocolate 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .99 oz. (28 g.) / 17.82 oz. (504 g.) in total box of 18 pieces
Calories: 130 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $52.00 for 1 box of 18 pieces
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Passion Fruit and Coconut Chocolate was part of an 18-piece chocolate confection box from Marana Craft Chocolate (Lima, Peru).

Aroma notes for today's traditional Peruvian-style chocolate confection (chocotejas) included: subtle chocolate (rich, dark chocolate with very faint earth and fig); bright, aromatic tropical fruit (passion fruit); and faint, authentic coconut.

This small bar sized confection was covered with a smooth, dark chocolate shell and the generous center  full of authentic coconut shreds and fruit (passion fruit caramel) offered flavor and chewy texture from start to finish.

Flavor notes were amplified versions of the aroma notes and included rich, bold 70% dark chocolate (that seemed more like 75-80% cacao); bright, tart-sweet, fresh passion fruit (infused into a light milk caramel) and authentic coconut--the subtlest of the three flavors in this chocolate.

I also "heard"* a festive Latin American street music ensemble while I was enjoying this chocolate. (A few celebratory brass instruments, a woman dancing in a bright passion fruit colored dress, percussion (dark chocolate) and a flute/wind or light stringed instrument (coconut palms perhaps)).

I loved the range of layered, authentic flavors in this chocolate.

Ingredients: Passion fruit milk caramel [milk caramel (whole milk, sugar, agar, disodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), passion fruit pulp (passion fruit, ascorbic acid - E300)], 70% dark chocolate (cacao mass, sugar and cocoa butter) and coconut.

Allergen-related information: Contains: milk, coconut.

*Sometimes one of our senses will activate another sense in our body. For most people this may be due to activated memories--that include a certain combination of sight, smell and/or touch. In more vivid examples a person might experience something called synesthesia.

A person with synesthesia (an estimated 1% of the population) experiences one sense with, or through, another sense. They may see certain images when they see certain sounds. They may hear music and see shapes or colors. Not surprisingly, there are artists who perceive senses together like this, and this extra ability might even be an asset. 

About 10% of small batch, single origin craft chocolates I eat are "transporting" in some way for me. They conjure up combined sense memories: the feeling of being in a specific type of forest or jungle or climate); the smell and taste of fresh cacao fruit pulp or other fruit or plant; images (the sights of trees, fruits, people, wildlife) and sounds (usually stillness and or wildlife in a forest); and rarely (like today) music and movement/dancing. Combined sensations sometimes feel implied or imagined. 

I might have a mild case of chocolate synesthesia. Or some less processed chocolates may just have magical transporting properties. Maybe after a few thousand more chocolates I'll find out.

Lovo - CoconutMilk Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

LOVO
CoconutMilk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1 serving (9 pieces) of bar
Cost: $5.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's LOVO CoconutMilk Chocolate (bar) was made in Switzerland and manufactured for Radically Good Food Co. (Toronto, ON, Canada). 

Aroma notes included: chocolate (flavorful milk* chocolate, warm rich cocoa), coconut milk and very faint sweet green and faint sweet dried palm fruit (dates).*

The texture was creamy, then velvety, with a light, almost airy, mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included the aroma notes above but with more rich chocolate and coconut milk.

I liked the well balanced and complementary flavors, but this chocolate was a bit too sweet for me. (Sugar was the number one ingredient.)

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa mass*, cocoa butter*, organic coconut milk powder (organic coconut milk, maltodextrin), organic coconut flakes. (* Rainforest Alliance Certified)

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Coconut. Produced on equipment that also processes products containing milk, almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts."

*This plant-based and coconut milk-based chocolate did not contain milk or dates.

Simply - Coconut Almond Chocolate Date Bar - Nov. 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Gum, Inc.
Coconut Almond Chocolate Date Bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Coconut Almond Chocolate Date Bar was distributed by Simply Gum, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY).

Made with a relatively short list of ingredients

Subtle aroma notes for this bar with a pleasant, substantial chewy texture included: chocolate, coconut, and dried fruit (date).

Flavor notes included: light chocolate (thin surrounding layer); and at the core of this bar: coconut, mild nut (almond) and sweet date. There was a very faint coconut cookie/macaroon quality--made better by the addition of almonds and chocolate--and (an imagined) vanilla flavor.

Another plus: it wasn't overly sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: Organic Deglet Noor Dates, Organic Dessicated Coconut, Roasted Almonds, Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cacao Butter), Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: "Contains Coconut. Made in a facility that also processes wheat, peanut, almond, cashew, and pecan. May contain pits and/or fragments of shells."