Jooliettes Date Nibbles - Blood Orange Dark Chocolate (covered diced dates) - May 22, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Jooliettes Date Nibbles 
Blood Orange Dark Chocolate (covered diced dates)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week(s).

Today's Organic Blood Orange (Organic) Dark Chocolate (Covered Diced Dates) snack was distributed by Joolies Superfruit LLC (Coachella, CA). 

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, relatively strong citrus (slightly floral orange juice) and subtle dried fruit (date). 

Flavor notes included: tart, sweet orange; dark chocolate; and softly chewy date centers. There was a very slight graininess in the texture. They were sweet and satsifying.

This week I've enjoyed the sheer variety of date and chocolate combinations. And many of the dates have hailed from here in California. Medjool dates grown in the Coachella Valley are popular (in) snacks and treats.* 

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate* (Unsweetened Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Natural Vanilla Extract*), Dates*, Cane Sugar*, Rice Flour*, Orange Juice Powder*, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Tapioca Syrup*, Natural Flavor*. (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also manufactures products that contain Milk, Wheat, Peanuts, and Tree Nuts."

*My favorite childhood, date-related memory: sampling a date + nutmeg + vanilla ice cream milkshake on a visit to Southern California on a hot day.) And the smell of freshly squeezed orange juice being made that same visit. It was probably too hot for chocolate. (No A/C in the family car back then.)

 

Jooliettes Date Nibbles - Sea Salt Dark Chocolate (covered diced dates) - May 21, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Jooliettes Date Nibbles 
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate (covered diced dates)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $6.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Organic Sea Salt Dark Chocolate (Covered Diced Dates) snack was distributed by Joolies Superfruit LLC (Coachella, CA).

Aroma notes for today's dark chocolate date nibbles included: dark chocolate; sweet-tart green (sugar + oxalis + vanilla); and faint dried fruit (date).

Texture: hearty, soft chew; plump, soft date pieces covered with smooth dark chocolate; with a very faint graininess (possibly from dates/rice flour).

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (with barely there vanilla), dates*, and tiny undulations of sea salt that balanced the sweetness. 

I liked the balance and layering of flavors; and the relatively short list of quality, organic ingredients. 

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate* (Unsweetened Chocolate*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Natural Vanilla Extract*), Dates*, Rice Flour*, Sea Salt. (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that also manufactures products that contain Milk, Wheat, Peanuts, and Tree Nuts." 

*This snack was made using upcycled Ugglies dates.

Gnosis Chocolate - Salted Caramel Filled Raw Chocolate Bar - May 20, 2024

Chocolate of The Day

Gnosis Chocolate 
Salted Caramel Filled Raw Chocolate Bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 193 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Gnosis Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week(s).

Today's Salted Caramel Filled Raw Chocolate Bar was from Gnosis Chocolate (Astoria, NY).

Aroma notes behind this thoughtfully crafted bar included: dark chocolate, very faint fruit (date), and very faint caramel and botanicals.

Texture: smooth (dark chocolate and velvety caramel), yet it was also slightly granular. 

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate and caramel with very faint nut and slightly sweet botanicals (consistent with maca, lucuma).

The sweetness level was relatively high; but it was less than most caramel filled chocolates. And it had less of a sugar buzz. (Thank you!) The salt was very subtle.

Ingredients: "raw cacao beans*, medjool dates*, raw cashews*, virgin coconut oil*, coconut sugar*, raw blue agave*, lucuma*, Balinese pyramid salt, maca root*, Love (* - organic)"

Allergen-related information: (contains cashews; coconut (oil, sugar))

The Conscious Bar - 75% Cacao Espresso Crunch (bar) - May 19, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

The Conscious Bar
75% Cacao - Espresso Crunch (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $81.90 for 7-bar variety pack
Purchased from: The Conscious Bar, online order

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

Today's 75% Cacao Espresso Crunch (bar) was distributed by The Conscious Bar LLC (Miami, FL).

Aroma notes included: strong, roasted coffee and dark chocolate.

Texture and flavor notes included: crunchy espresso roast coffee bits; faint/mild, fleeting, green pepper; and smooth dark chocolate. The relatively fibrous, roasted espresso bean texture and flavor lingered into the finish.

I liked the short list of organic ingredients. In today's bar the strong coffee (espresso) dominated the texture and flavor profile--making it difficult to pick up the nuances of the (fully incorporated) dates and dark chocolate. Although I did enjoy the espresso-in-chocolate taste more than the initial (strong) aroma. This would be an interesting bar for espresso, mocha and/or coffee fans to try. 

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Coffee Beans, Organic Dates, Organic Cacao Butter

Allergen-related information: "Made In A Facility That Handles Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, And Tree Nuts."

The Conscious Bar - 75% Cacao Creamy Tahini (bar) - May 18, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

The Conscious Bar
75% Cacao - Creamy Tahini (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $81.90 for 7-bar variety pack
Purchased from: The Conscious Bar, online order

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

Today's 75% Cacao Creamy Tahini (bar) was distributed by The Conscious Bar LLC (Miami, FL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, nut butter, sesame peanuts--and very faint, fleeting bitter fruit vinegar (that dissipated over a short time).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a velvety nut-butter creaminess. Both dates and tahini were fully incorporated into the chocolate.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate; subtle tahini (toasted, fully ground sesame seeds with creamy nut butter-like texture). Not too sweet (thank you!). The flavors were not too bold (nothing spikey or off that I could taste). And it was mellow without being too blah. 

I enjoyed the blend of these three ingredients (cacao, date and sesame). It was well balanced and executed. And I appreciated the maker's choice to fully blend them together, resulting in a creamy, smooth end product. (I normally like layered flavors and textures, but this was a great choice here.)

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Dates, Organic Tahini, Organic Cacao Butter

Allergen-related information: "Made In A Facility That Handles Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, And Tree Nuts."

The Conscious Bar - 75% Cacao Orange Blossom (bar) - May 17, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

The Conscious Bar
75% Cacao - Orange Blossom (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $81.90 for 7-bar variety pack
Purchased from: online order

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

Today's 75% Cacao Orange Blossom (bar) was distributed by The Conscious Bar LLC (Miami, FL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate and orange (oil).

The texture was relatively smooth. (The dates were fully integrated with the chocolate.)

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate and orange (fruit, extract, blossom).

Once again, I appreciated the short list of organic ingredients, and the 75% dark chocolate and date blend in The Conscious Bar's 7-bar variety pack I've sampled this week. (The chocolate was naturally sweet, but too sweet; not too bold or blah.)

The orange oil was pleasant, and even complex (floral). In general orange is a flavor that harmonizes well with dates and chocolate; but it may be a bit strong for someone who is hunting for (fruit, floral or other) inherent nuances present in the cacao.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Dates, Organic Cacao Butter, Pure Orange Oil

Allergen-related information: "Made In A Facility That Handles Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, And Tree Nuts." 

The Conscious Bar - 75% Cacao Almond Sea Salt (bar) - May 16, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

The Conscious Bar
75% Cacao Almond Sea Salt (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $81.90 for a 7-bar variety pack
Purchased from: The Conscious Bar, online order 

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

Today's 75% Cacao Almond Sea Salt (bar) was distributed by The Conscious Bar LLC (Miami, FL).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate (very slightly fruity, dark ganache) and nuts (almonds).

Texture: Smooth chocolate interspersed with a generous, uniform constellation of crunchy almond bits. (Note: the dates were fully incorporated into the chocolate.)

Flavor notes included: chocolate (smooth, dark; chocolate-y), with roasted almond texture and flavor, faint fruit (date), and a judicious pinch of sea salt. 

The balance of flavors and the sweetness levels in this week's bars (by The Conscious Bar) have been just right (for me at least) this week. 

The natural sweetness from the dates is enough to be very pleasant. The chocolate is smooth, but still with some complexity in terms of flavor(s)--almonds in today's case. And, their 75% dark chocolate choice is not so bold that it will scare milk chocolate fans.

I also appreciated the use of a short list of quality, organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Almonds, Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Dates, Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: "Made In A Facility That Handles Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, And Tree Nuts."