Cuna de Piedra - 60% Mexican Cacao (Chinantla, Oaxaca) with cinnamon (discs) - June 11, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cuna de Piedra 
60% Mexican Cacao - Chinantla, Oaxaca with cinnamon
Good ++
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.10 oz. (60 g.) in total package of 2 discs
Calories: 130 calories in 1 disc
Cost: N/A - gift from neighbor
Purchased from: N/A - gift from neighbor (Thank you Nallely!)

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

Today's 60% Cacao Mexican (Chinantla, Oxaca)* chocolate disc(s) were made in Mexico by Cuna de Piedra (Nuevo Leon, Mexico). There were two small discs (individually wrapped in blue foil) in an attractive, compact black package.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate with faint floral and gentle earth notes.

The texture was relatively smooth for a drinking chocolate style disc.** The smooth, rich texture made it a great "eating" chocolate as well. (I can't say the same for many other drinking chocolates.)

Flavor notes included: rich dark chocolate with mild/faint green floral notes, and just a little bit of earthiness in one wedge. I enjoyed the authentic, bean-to-bar chocolate flavors (vs. blends of over-roasted cacaos used in many commercial dark chocolates). It also tasted slightly darker and richer (and less sweet -- thank you!) than most 60% cacao chocolates.

The (Ceylon-style) Mexican cinnamon was very subtle, adding a faint warm, wood/spice note, while still allowing the nuanced cacao notes to shine.

I also enjoyed the smaller size disc -- that was easier to break into wedges -- as I usually make small (espresso cup sized) drinking chocolate servings for just a few people.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, Cane sugar, Mexican cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on Equipment that Processes wheat, milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts and eggs."

*I hope to visit Oaxaca (in Southern Mexico) one day. Sampling and studying food history (corn, squash, mole sauces, drinking chocolates) alone would be worth the flight.

** Drinking chocolate discs like this are usually bigger in size and have a more stoneground (slightly granular) texture. These discs are meant to be dissolved in hot water and often mixed with milk to create a creamier, smoother texture.

 

Chocolove - Chili Mole in Strong Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - June 10, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolove 
Chili Mole in Strong Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 3.2 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $3.49 (estimate) for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA 

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

Today's Chili Mole in Strong Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (bar) was from Chocolove (Boulder, CO). 

Mole sauces from Mexico and Central America are typically made with ground chilies and may contain ground nuts, cacao, bread or crackers, corn, tomatoes or tomatillos, onion and other spices, and sometimes a touch of sugar or fruit. The chilies are a must; but other ingredients can vary widely.

Today's Chili Mole bar was inspired by mole sauce(s) and it contained ancho and chipotle chilies, cacao, vanilla and cinnamon. Other ingredients in this thoughtfully executed chocolate included: coffee, pistachio nuts and dried apricots.*

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate bar included: dark chocolate, spices: cinnamon, (slightly smokey/roasted) chili, coffee and very faint vanilla; and faint/diffuse fruit and nut.

The smooth dark chocolate yielded rich, sweet flavor notes. The chilis added flavor depth and were relatively mild (more flavor than heat). The vanilla and cinnamon gave the chocolate a natural sweet, upbeat (fresh baked goods) flavor. The coffee and chocolate** grounded this blend. And the ground nut flecks and tiny apricot bits provided mellow nut and subtle tart-sweet fruit notes, respectively.

I enjoyed the choice of flavors in this 70% bar to create a mole sauce like taste. I also liked that this dark chocolate bar was not too sweet (thank you). A very light touch of sea salt, chilies, coffee and dark chocolate helped balance the sweetness.

Ingredients: "Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Liquor, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin or Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla), Pistachios, Dried Apricots (Apricots, Rice Flour), Coffee, Ancho Chilies, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Chipotle Chilies."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Pistachios, Soy. Made in a Facility That Also Processes Milk, Eggs, Peanuts and Other Tree Nuts."

*Pistachios and apricots originally hail from Central Asia. And coffee had its start in East Africa. However, our food cultures have become very creatively enmeshed.

** Chocolove describes this bar as "Strong Dark Chocolate" 70% Cocoa (Belgian chocolate). But don't let the used of the word"Strong" scare you off. It was quite smooth.

Mezcla - Mexican Hot Chocolate "Puff-Crispy Bar" - June 9, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Mezcla
Mexican Hot Chocolate (bar)
Weight: 1.40 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: 2.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Fremont, CA

Hola y bienvenidos a mi blog, Chocolate Banquet. Hello and welcome. Today is Day #1 of Chocolate and Mexico Theme Week.

When people think about "Mexican chocolate" they often mention cinnamon and vanilla.*

Today's Mezcla Mexican Hot Chocolate "Puff-Crispy Bar" was distributed by Eat Mezcla Inc. (New York, NY).

Aroma notes included: cinnamon + vanilla cake/cookie; faint chocolate; and very faint cinnamon toast.

I enjoyed the soft, crunchy texture of this bar--made with pea protein crisps and organic, smooth dark chocolate. It reminded me of a Mexican-style hot chocolate with cinnamon, vanilla and a subtle touch of relatively mild chipotle pepper.

The extra protein was satisfying; and despite the slightly sweet aroma and taste, the bar was not overly sugared (Thank you!)

Ingredients: "Pea Crisps (pea protein, rice starch), Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Tapioca Syrup, Sunflower Seed Butter, Vegetable Glycerine, Pea Protein, Organic Quinoa Crisps (Organic Quinoa), Prebiotic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Tapioca Syrup Solids, Coconut Oil, Tapioca Fiber, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Vanilla Extract, Chipotle Pepper"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nut (Coconut). Manufactured on Equipment that Processes Dairy, Peanut, Sesame, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Egg"

*Cinnamon, an ancient spice from SE Asia and neighboring areas, likely arrived in the New World at least 500 years ago, in the 1500s--after it was brought to Europe via Arab and African trading routes. (Although there are some individuals who believe that cinnamon might have arrived in the Americas before the Spanish, Spain usually gets the credit for introducing cinnamon.) Regardless, it has become an integral part of most "Mexican chocolate" beverages and desserts here in the U.S.

Vanilla and cacao, on the other hand, originated in Central and South America and were brought to Europe/and other nations.

 

Wildwood Chocolate - Berry Berry 70% Cacao (bar) - June 8, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Wildwood Chocolate
Berry Berry 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 225 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Healing Arts Center and Spa at Cavallo Point, Sausalito, CA

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week(s). 

Today's Berry Berry 70% Cacao (bar) was from Wildwood Chocolate (Portland, OR). Note: This bar's lovely appearance and the company's name (inspired by a local trail in the Portland area) caused me to have a positive bias--as I love color, nature and trails.

Aroma notes for this visually stunning dark chocolate bar included: big, bright red berry (authentic red raspberry and strawberry), and dark chocolate.

Texture: A very generous layer of lofty (almost airy) light, dried fruit (strawberries, raspberries) sat atop a smooth/creamy dark chocolate base.

Flavor notes included: tart-sweet strawberries and raspberries that complemented bold (slightly earthy/loamy) and relatively smooth dark chocolate. And a very faint touch of vanilla harmonized well with the berries and chocolate.

I enjoyed this very attractive*, well-executed, flavorful 70% cacao bar. The berries were not sweetened--allowing the true fruit flavors to shine. Thank you to Wildwood for not over-sugaring this fruit-flavored chocolate.

Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Dried Strawberries, Dried Raspberries.

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. May contain traces of the following if not listed above due to shared equipment: milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or eggs.

*The Wildwood image of a fern (plant) was embossed on the dark chocolate side; and the red berries provided 100% coverage (and eye candy) on the other side.

That's it Nutrition - Organic Dark Chocolate Fig Truffles 60% Cacao - June 7, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

That's it Nutrition LLC
Organic Dark Chocolate Fig Truffles
Good + -  Good ++
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33 g.) / 20 oz. (567 g.) in total bar
Calories: 70 calories in 1 serving (3 truffles)
Cost: $ N/A - gift from neighbor (Thanks Bill!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from neighbor

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week that has expanded into a second week--with a growing list of fruits being represented.*

Today's Organic Dark Chocolate Fig Truffles were from That's it Nutrition LLC (Los Angeles, CA).

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate and dried fruit (fig).

Flavor notes included: chocolate and softly chewy and almost earthy, whole dried fruit (fig). The fig was the star of the show; and the 60% dark chocolate covering/shell complemented the fruit well.

I liked that this chocolate covered fruit was authentic tasting (made with a short list of organic ingredients), and was not overly sweet. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Organic Figs, *Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter).

Allergen-related information: May contain occasional stem, seed or pit fragments. Certified Gluten Free, Certified Organic, Certified Paleo, Fair Trade Certified Cocoa.

In the earlier years of Chocolate Banquet, I ran week-long and month-long chocolate series that included flavor inclusions in alphabetical order (from A-Z). It was fun to hunt for all these different chocolates (Apple, Banana, Cherry, Durian...etc.)  

It also proved that chocolate makers are very creative, chocolate is incredibly versatile--it can be sweet or savory; bitter, sour and/or sweet, and can mix with almost every food and liquid in some form.

Wildwood Chocolate - Orange Confit and Cherries 70% Cacao (bar) - June 6, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Wildwood Chocolate
Orange Confit and Cherries
Good ++
Weight: 1.58 oz. (45 g.) / 3.17 oz. (90 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Healing Arts Center and Spa at Cavallo Point, Sausalito, CA

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

Today's Orange Confit and Cherries 70% Cacao (bar) was from Wildwood Chocolate (Portland, OR).

Aroma notes for this bar included: hearty dark chocolate (balanced, relatively heavily roasted* cacao),  and diffuse fruit(s) (stone fruit and citrus).

I enjoyed this blend of smooth, rich, dark bittersweet chocolate; plump and moist dried cherries; and long strips of very softly chewy, candied orange peel. 

Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Dried Cherries (may contain pits), Orange Confit (orange peel, glucose syrup, sugar).

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy. May contain traces of the following if not listed above due to shared equipment: milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or eggs.

* I used to be a fan of dark roasted items (e.g. espresso roast coffee, barbequed foods with little flecks of char). However, if I now prefer to taste the more nuanced, delicate fresh flavors in foods. And that includes cacao. A heavier roast may mean losing some objectionable flavors; but it will also mean that floral and some fruit, spice and botanical notes will be lost.

Zotter - Strawberry Pistachio 50% Milk Chocolate (bar) - June 5, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Strawberry Pistachio 50% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++

Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 390 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotter, online order

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

Today's Strawberry Pistachio 50% Milk Chocolate filled strawberry marzipan and pistachio almond praline (bar) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma notes for this filled fruit and nut milk chocolate bar included: berry (strawberry fruit leather, strawberry jam and nut cookie); chocolate; and very faint vanilla and spice.

The sweet, soft nougat center had two distinct layers (strawberry marzipan and pistachio-almond praline). I enjoy layered textures and flavors in desserts. Both layers were a pleasant match with the sweet, creamy milk chocolate outer covering. This bar had an upbeat (bright sweet) summer berry flavor and a sweet nutty layer; and the nuts helped balance the sugar(s) a bit.

The sugar level in today's layered bar was high. (I like to taste the chocolate and fruit flavors. And it's harder to do that when sugar is the number one ingredient.) But that didn't stop me from eating the entire fruit and nut milk chocolate confection.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar**, Marzipan* (Almonds*, Sugar*, Invert Sugar Syrup*), Cocoa Butter, Almonds, Cocoa Mass, Dry Whole Milk, Pistachios (5%), Strawberries (4%), Strawberry Concentrate (4%), Dried Strawberries (4%), Dry Skim Milk, Dry Sweet Whey, Butter (Cream), Dark Brown Cane Sugar, Lemon Juice, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lecithin (Soy), Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder, Lemon Powder (Lemon Juice Concentrate, Corn Starch, Sugar), Rose Petals, Cinnamon.

* = Organic (91% Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds, Milk, Pistachios, Soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes other tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, sesame and gluten.