Creo Chocolate - Black Sesame Seed Brittle - July 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Creo Chocolate
Black Sesame Seed Brittle 
Good +++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total package
Calories: 233 calories (estimate) in 1/2 package
Cost: $12.75 for 1 package
Purchased from: Creo Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Japan Week.

Sesame seeds (goma) may be native to Africa/Indus Valley/India; but the seeds, oil and flavoring have been used in classical Japanese entrees, rice dishes, desserts and snacks for centuries.

Today's Black Sesame Seed Brittle was from Creo Chocolate (Portland, OR).

Aroma notes for this Good Food Awards winning brittle included: sweet sesame and nut* butter; clean sweet green; faint toffee/caramel; faint dark chocolate; and barely there umami.

Complex texture notes for this impossibly thin (how did they do it?) toffee brittle included: two levels of crunch and chew: the toffee and the sesame seeds. Each piece was fully coated with dark chocolate--providing a thin, smooth and creamy dark layer that complemented the crunchy seed garnish and the brittle interior.

Flavor notes for this addictive, buttery, creamy and crunchy chocolate included: toffee; faint sesame and nut*; dark chocolate; faint sea salt, and umami. And there was a satisfying, subtle seed butter + dairy butter note in the finish. 

This scored well on my preferences for sweetness level (it was not overly sweet); complexity (well-executed, layered flavors; and balance (well-balanced). Extra points for a bit of sesame umami. (Disclaimer: I like savory chocolates.)

Ingredients: Chocolate (Cacao, Organic Sugar, Cocoa Butter), Organic Butter, Organic Cane Sugar, Black and White Sesame Seeds, Sea Salt. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk and Sesame Seeds...Processed in a Facility that Processes Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Sesame Seeds, and Wheat."

*Nut-like "notes" were detected/experienced while tasting; but there were no nut ingredients.

Cacao Space - Ecuador Hacienda Victoria 75% (bar) - July 1, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space
Ecuador Hacienda Victoria 75% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.18 oz. (33.5 g.) / 2.37 oz. (67 g.) in total bar
Calories: 183 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order (with local pick-up)

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

Today's Ecuador Hacienda Victoria 75% (bar) was from Cacao Space (Los Altos (pick-up location), CA). Chocolate maker, Ksenia Arapova, specializes in a variety of single origin cacao-based bars, including some with flavor inclusions.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, spice(s); very faint sweet-tart green; faint roasted/wood; black licorice; and very faint, fleeting coconut biscuit/cookie.

Texture: thick, buttery, smooth.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (dark cocoa, dark fudge), botanicals (roasted greens/wood/nut); black licorice; and faint coconut cookie.

I enjoyed the complexity (rich and unique aroma and flavor notes) in this chocolate bar.

Ingredients: cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar

Maker's notes: "Handcrafted, stone ground, refined sugar free, plant based"

Allergen-related information: None listed.  

Creo Chocolate - Purely Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, Ecuador (bar) - June 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Creo Chocolate
Purely Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, Ecuador (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 125 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Creo Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Purely Dark 85% Dark Chocolate from Creo Chocolate (Portland, OR)

Aroma notes for this attractively packaged bar included: dark chocolate (cocoa, dates, very faint tart-sweet green (oxalis)); faint nut butter, seed/nut; and very faint peanut butter and honey sandwich and sweet green (coconut).

Flavor notes included: dark, bittersweet chocolate (rich cocoa), green herb(s), sweet aromatic wood, nut; diffuse fruit (berry, date, and very faint (almost undetectable) floral banana), coconut-leaning fruits (ice apple, coconut mango, soursop); and brown sugar.

The texture was relatively smoother and creaming especially as I was expecting a bit of astringency from the slightly tangy-bitter flavors from the aroma (and because it was 85% cacao).

I really enjoyed the complexity of aromas and flavors in this bar. It had a little something for everyone. Dark chocolate with plenty of rich cocoa flavor. Balanced bitter and sweet; sweet and faintly sour fruit; and nut and green elements. There was even a trace of green floral. 

It must have been enjoyable--and challenging--for the maker(s) to choose roast and conch profiles that would preserve all the subtle/delicate flavors, and develop/manage other flavors in this fine cacao. 

Ingredients: cacao beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on shared equipment with products containing eggs, wheat, sesame seeds, soy, peanuts (and) tree nuts"

To'ak Chocolate - 75% Cacao 2019 Tasmanian Whisky Cask Ex-Tawny Aged - June 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak Chocolate
75% Cacao 2019 Tasmanian Whisky Cask Ex-Tawny Aged
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: .106 oz. (3 g.) for 1 square / 1.9 oz. (54 g.) in total bar/package of 18
Calories: 21 calories in 1 square
Cost: N/A - holiday gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift from family (thank you Megan and Tony!)

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

Today's 75% (Ecuador) Cacao 2019 Tasmanian Whisky Cask Ex-Tawny individually-wrapped square was part of a six-flavor, tasting square assortment of chocolates--all made from tree-to-bar in Ecuador by To'ak Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador). 

To'ak specializes in Ecuadorian Nacional cacao. This rare cacao variety was almost lost in the 1900s due to disease and other factors.*

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 75% dark chocolate included: dark chocolate and slightly boozy: slightly sweet whisky, and complex and attractive white wine grape/raisin, honey, very faint wood; faint nut; and faint, diffuse fruit (cacao pulp, red fruit). 

The texture of this tasting square was well tempered, uniformly smooth, thick (in a cool room) and relatively creamy. There was a very faint astringency (dryness) toward the second half/finish.

What a delicious ride this was! The dark chocolate was flavorful but not so strong that it muted the wonderful barrel aged flavors. In case you want to look this one up on the To'ak website, you'll find that full-sized (whisky and spirits) bars are either sold out and/or are priced at more than $200 USD.

The makers have become skilled at cask-aging cacao, adding complexity and enhancing already nuanced flavors of heirloom cacao. You're enjoying a two-ingredient chocolate, but it tastes like there are other flavor inclusions. Their tagline says it all:

"Made like a vintage wine, aged like a whisky, and packaged like a work of art. We work closely with local farmers and artists to make truly unique and unforgettable chocolate." 

Ingredients: "Organic Heirloom Cacao Beans, Organic Sugar"

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

*Witches Broom, a plant gall disease (caused by fungus and other contributing causes) disfigures plants. (It also significantly affected cacao harvests in Brazil in the 1980s.) 

In the maker's words: "As of 2009, pure Nacional cacao was believed to be extinct. Our journey led us to the secluded valley of Piedra de Plata, where we found some of the last surviving trees..."

 

To'ak Chocolate - Palo Santo Aged 75% (2019 Harvest) - June 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak Chocolate
Palo Santo Aged 75% (2019 Harvest) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .106 oz. (3 g.) for 1 square / 1.9 oz. (54 g.) in total bar/package of 18
Calories: 21 calories in 1 square
Cost: N/A - holiday gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift from family (thank you Megan and Tony!)

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

Today's "Palo Santo Aged" (2019 Harvest) 75% Ecuador cacao individually-wrapped square was part of a six-flavor, tasting square assortment--made from tree-to-bar in Ecuador by To'ak Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador). To'ak specializes in high-end, Ecuadorian cacao-based chocolates.

The makers use Ecuador's famed "Nacional" cacao variety, an historically prized cacao that was almost lost in the 1900s due to disease and other factors.*

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 75% dark chocolate included: subtle dark chocolate; herbal/menthol (green mint), coconut; faint nut/seed; and very faint clean, refreshing mineral(s), citrus and aromatic wood.

The texture of this tasting square was well tempered, uniformly smooth, thick (in a cool room) and relatively creamy. 

This unique 75% dark chocolate was bittersweet (with a lot of natural, almost dried fruit (date) sweetness). It tasted sweeter than 75% cacao chocolate in the beginning, and ended with some bitter and earthy notes in the finish. In between we enjoyed a wonderful, balanced and complex flavor ride. 

Maker's tasting notes: "Coconut, mint, citrusy pine, dates"

Ingredients: Organic Heirloom Cacao Beans, Organic Sugar

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

*The disease was Witches Broom, a plant gall disease (caused by fungus and other contributing causes) that disfigures plants. It also significantly affected cacao harvests in Brazil in the 1980s. 

In the maker's words: "As of 2009, pure Nacional cacao was believed to be extinct. Our journey led us to the secluded valley of Piedra de Plata, where we found some of the last surviving trees..."

  

To'ak Chocolate - Kampot Pepper Aged 75% Nacional Ecuador (square) - June 27, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

To'ak Chocolate
Kampot Pepper chocolate square
Good +++
Weight: .106 oz. (3 g.) for 1 square / 1.9 oz. (54 g.) in total bar/package of 18
Calories: 21 calories in 1 square
Cost: N/A - holiday gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift from family (thank you Megan and Tony!)

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

Today's "Kampot Pepper" (2019 Harvest) Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate small square was part of a six-flavor, tasting square assortment--made from tree-to-bar in Ecuador by To'ak Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador). To'ak specializes in high-end, Ecuadorian cacao-based chocolates.

The makers use Ecuador's famed "Nacional" cacao variety, an historically prized cacao. (In the 1900s, disease diminished cacao harvests for decades. Happily, this rare variety still exists.*) And today's chocolate was blended with Kampot Pepper (a black peppercorn cultivar from Cambodia).

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 75% dark chocolate included: subtle dark chocolate; faint spice and aromatic black/green peppercorn; aromatic wood; clean mineral; and very faint nut; and faint, diffuse sweet citrus fruit (orange). The nuanced, aged pepper flavors were fantastic with this chocolate. There was no fiery heat, just lots of wonderful flavor.

The texture of this tasting square was well tempered, uniformly smooth, thick (in a cool room) and relatively creamy. 

Sugar was used judiciously; that is less sugar allowed these truly unique and wonderful aged pepper and cacao flavors to really shine. (Thank you!) 

Maker's tasting notes: "Black pepper, woody, citrus, brown fruits"

Ingredients: Organic Heirloom Cacao Beans, Organic Sugar

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

*The disease in this case was Witches Broom, a plant gall disease (caused by fungus and other contributing causes) that disfigures plants. It also significantly affected cacao harvests in Brazil in the 1980s. 

In the maker's words: "As of 2009, pure Nacional cacao was believed to be extinct. Our journey led us to the secluded valley of Piedra de Plata, where we found some of the last surviving trees..."

 

To'ak Chocolate - Rain Harvest Ecuadorian Cacao series (2018, 2019, 2021 Harvests) - June 26, 2024

Chocolate(s) of the Day

To'ak Chocolate
1.) Rain Harvest 2018 Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate 74% Cacao (square) - Good ++
2.) Rain Harvest 2019 Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate 75% Cacao (square) - Good ++
3.) Rain Harvest 2021 (18 Hrs.) Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate 75.5% Cacao (square) - Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .318 oz. (9 g.) for 3 squares / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar/package
Calories: 63 calories in 3 squares
Cost: N/A - holiday gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift from family (thank you Megan and Tony!)

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

Today's series of three "Rain Harvest" Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate small squares were from different cacao harvests (years). All three were made from tree-to-bar in Ecuador by To'ak Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador). The company specializes in high-end, Ecuadorian cacao-based chocolates.

The makers work with Ecuador's famed "Nacional" cacao variety, a popular cacao dating back to the 1800s.* (In the 1900s, disease adversely impacted cacao harvests for decades.**) Today's three chocolates presented a great opportunity for a side-by-side, tiny chocolate tasting flight.

Aroma and flavor notes for Rain Harvest 2018 (74%) attractively packaged bar included: relatively subtle dark chocolate, very faint molasses, fruit (peach jam and and very, very faint cake/soda cracker); and it was the earthiest of the three. 

The 2019 Rain Harvest (75%) chocolate had similar notes but it also had some nuanced sweet green and mellow nut notes; the stone fruit note was a little less peach and a little more plum; there was a faint, fleeting soda cracker note; and a slight decrease in earth.

Lastly, the 2021 Rain Harvest (75.5%) was a tiny bit less sweet, and had more green (oxalis) and mellow, sweet nut, and slightly less fruit (more sweet green banana and less stone fruit). It also had a faint, clean mineral flavor that was nice/refreshing; and had "18 hours" (of what I assume was conching*** time). I'm not sure how this compared with the times selected for the first two chocolates.

The texture for all three was similar: well tempered, uniformly smooth, thick (in a cool room) and relatively creamy. 

I really enjoyed tasting all three side-by-side. I felt like I could taste the maker's choices as they were making skilled and subtle adjustments with each batch. 

I liked the third (2021 harvest) just a bit better. I tend to like green, floral and fruit flavors, and slightly less earth. I appreciated the complexity and coaxing out of natural cacao flavors; and that the restrained sugar levels that allowed the flavors to really shine. (Thank you!) 

Ingredients: Organic Heirloom Cacao Beans, Organic Sugar

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

*In the maker's words: "As of 2009, pure Nacional cacao was believed to be extinct. Our journey led us to the secluded valley of Piedra de Plata, where we found some of the last surviving trees..."

** The disease in this case was Witches Broom, a plant gall disease (caused by fungus and other contributing causes) that disfigures plants. It also significantly affected cacao harvests in Brazil in the 1980s. 

***It should be noted that conching time for cacao being made into chocolate may vary a lot, from a few hours to almost 90 hours. For a very fine-flavored cacao a long conch time might cause loss of volatile (e.g. floral) and prized flavors even though the texture might be very smooth and creamy with longer heating/processing times. On the other hand, a more acidic or less fine cacao may benefit from longer conch times (to lose less desirable flavors). There are often trade-offs to be made between taste and texture.