Seattle Chocolate - Peanut Butter Crisp milk chocolate truffle bar - Aug. 2, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Seattle Chocolate Company
Peanut Butter Crisp milk chocolate truffle bar
Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 380 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Seattle Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Peanut Butter Crisp milk chocolate truffle bar was from Seattle Chocolate Company (Seattle, WA).

Aroma notes for this gluten free truffle bar included: ground peanuts; milk chocolate; and very, fleeting faint menthol.

Flavor and texture notes included: sweet, very creamy milk chocolate with embedded crispy brown rice bits and subtle (fully incorporated) peanut butter. The textural contrast was nice.

This bar was a somewhat addictive, rich, nutty milk chocolate confection. Sugar was the number one ingredient--a fact that will please some with a sweet tooth, and be less attractive to dark chocolate fans. The flavors complemented each other, but the sugar and milk muffled more nuanced cacao and peanut notes.

Ingredients: "milk chocolate (cane sugar, milk, cocoa butter*, cocoa mass*, organic soy lecithin, natural vanilla), peanut butter (peanuts, salt), crisp rice (brown rice flour, cane sugar, sea salt, molasses), sea salt."

Allergen-related information: "Contains Milk, Soy, and Peanuts." "This product is manufactured in a plant that processes milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and wheat products."

Ragged Coast Chocolates - Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - Aug. 1, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ragged Coast Chocolates
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Good ++
Weight: (Not listed on package)
Calories: (Not listed on package)
Cost: $11.95 for 1 package of 5 cups
Purchased from: Ragged Coast Chocolates, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--featuring a variety of different high-end chocolates, confections and a few protein/snack bars.

Today's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from Ragged Coast Chocolates (Westbrook, ME) garnered a 2023 Good Food Awards win in the Confections category.

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint nuts, and very faint aromatic (jasmine) rice.

Texture: very smooth dark chocolate with silken peanut butter center(s).

Layered flavor notes for these cups included: smooth dark chocolate; the aforementioned, silky, peanut butter center; and light sparkles of (Maine) sea salt.

I loved that these peanut butter cups were not overly sweet (thank you!). I also appreciated the short list of ingredients, the layered flavors and the use of single origin dark chocolate. The levels of salt and sugar were both in the Goldilocks* zone for me.

Ingredients: "Directly traded and sustainably grown bittersweet chocolate from Ecuador (cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, soy lecithin, natural vanilla extract), organic peanut butter, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, Maine sea salt."

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Peanut, Soy" ("Dairy Free")

*The Goldilocks zone is a reference to a European folk tale. In the U.S. version of this tale, a girl (named Goldilocks), breaks into a house belonging to three bears and she eventually finds items inside that are, for her, just right. (The first bowl of porridge left on the table was too hot, the second bowl was too cold; but the last one was just right. The same sequence of events were repeated with the chairs and the beds she found.) 

You might also hear a version of the Goldilocks zone reference from astronomers; e.g., that planet is too hot and that planet is too cold. But conditions on this planet may be just right to sustain life, water or other favorable conditions. (Earth is a great example of being in the zone, and why I've been able to write about a different chocolate every day for almost 18 years now.)

Kize - Peanut Butter Chocolate (bar) - July 31, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Kize
Peanut Butter Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

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

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate (bar) was from KiZE Concepts (Oklahoma City, OK). 

The company offers a series of different flavored bars (most contain chocolates), including one that is just peanut butter + honey.

Aroma notes included: hearty and authentic and nutty peanut butter, faint chocolate, and very faint honey.

Texture: soft, chewy texture (think rich, soft baked peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie drizzled with honey).

I really enjoyed the short list of only 8 ingredients; specifically, the blend of genuine peanut butter, chocolate chips and nuanced, sweet, honey flavors. It tasted like something made fresh from a kitchen, with nothing artificial. 

Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Honey, Chocolate Chips (cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder), Egg White Protein, Dates, Gluten Free, Rolled Oats, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts, Egg, and Tree Nuts (Coconut). Made in a facility that produces peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs

 

IQ Bar - Peanut Butter Chip bar - July 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

IQ Bar
Peanut Butter Chip bar
Good+ - Good ++
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) / 1 Pound, 12.8 oz. (816 g.) in a box of 18 bars
Calories: 160 calories for 1 bar
Cost: $18.49 for box of 18 bars
Purchased from: Costco, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolates --ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolate bars to casual snacks and protein bars.

Today's Peanut Butter Chip bar was made by IQBAR, Inc. (Boston, MA). This bar was part of a larger, 3-flavor, 18-bar variety box.*

Aroma notes for this individually-wrapped bar included: somewhat artificial sweetness, nuttiness (faint peanut), and almost undetectable vegetable protein/starch. The taste and texture were better than the initial aroma.

Texture: This peanut butter-hued protein bar had a relatively soft, very slightly crunchy, chew-- a texture that was interspersed with smooth chocolate chips.

Flavor notes included: light peanut/peanut butter, relatively invisible pea protein crisps, and the occasional flicker of dark chocolate. The pea protein and other additions made this bar more filling and satisfying.

I liked the relatively short and thoughtful list of ingredients; the fact that each bar contained 12 grams of Protein and 3 grams of (Net) Carbs; and that this protein bar didn't taste sugary sweet. I also liked that they called out the Magnesium** levels in their bars. I also liked the use of Stevia (vs. other sweetener alternatives in this particular bar).

Ingredients: "Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds), Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber), Protein Blend (Pea Protein Crisps [Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch], Pea Protein), Natural Flavors, Peanut Flour, Coconut Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa, Cocoa Butter, Sea Salt, Lion's Mane, Stevia Plant Extract, Vitamin E"

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Peanuts, Almonds, Coconut" (Non-GMO Certified, Gluten Free, Vegan and Kosher)

*The two other flavors in this box were Chocolate Sea Salt and Almond Butter Chip.

**Dark chocolate naturally contains relatively significant levels of iron and magnesium -- one of the many reasons why some people crave chocolate. I find it difficult to get all the calcium and magnesium I need; so it was a plus to see the levels listed--15% Daily Value for Magnesium was not bad for this bar; and the amount would be higher for bars higher in dark chocolate. (You might not find this level of detail on some craft chocolate labels.)

To'ak - Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts 65% (bar) - July 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak 
Alchemy Salprieta Peanuts (bar)
Good++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package of 4 smaller bars
Calories: 336 calories in 1 package
Cost: $16.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: To'ak, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a week that includes a variety of chocolate and peanut/peanut butter offerings--ranging from ultra-high end bean-to-bar chocolates to casual snacks.

Today's Alchemy Salprieta* Peanuts (bars) were made by To'ak (Tierra & Arbol S.A.S.; Quito, Ecuador). The company started "from a rainforest conservation project in Ecuador and has become"...a global pioneer in the world of "luxury dark chocolate."

Aroma notes included: roasted nuts (peanuts), chili pepper and warm spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander/cilantro), and a very faint, fleeting menthol note that disappeared after re-tasting.

Texture: The flavor inclusions were almost all fully incorporated, leaving just tiny bursts of welcome flavor(s); although there were a few very hard, very tiny light-colored bits. (Corn perhaps?)

Flavor notes included: complex, almost sparkling flavors (like light streaming through a forest) that revealed themselves a bit at a time. Tiny salt crystals, tiny grains of nut, tiny atoms of spice, and dark chocolate nuances that included chocolate and tropical fruit. (The heirloom cacao used to make this bar was from Piedra de Plata, Manabi, Ecuador.)

What a beautiful ride. I loved the intriguing range of complex and subtle flavors in this bar. And, like all great rides, it was over too soon.

Ingredients: "Dark chocolate (65% heirloom cacao, 35% cane sugar), peanuts, salprieta (peanuts, achiote, cilantro, sea salt, and ground heirloom corn), achiote paste (achiote, sea salt), cilantro, cacao butter"

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

*Salprieta is a mix of ground (usually toasted) peanuts, corn and spices. It is used as a condiment in Ecuador. 

Simply Protein - Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bar - July 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Protein
Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.82 oz. (80 g.) / 5.64 oz. (160 g.) in total box of 4 bars
Calories: 340 calories in 2 bars
Cost: $7.99 (estimate) for 1 box of 4 bars
Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week--a series that encompasses bean-to-bar chocolates...and a few snack and protein bars with peanuts/peanut butter and chocolate.

Today's Simply Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Snack Bars were distributed by Wellness Natural USA Inc. (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes included: light cocoa and peanut. There were visible peanut halves embedded into the bar. There wasn't a lot of chocolate flavor; but the unsweetened chocolate that was there added--the 5th ingredient on the list--added some richness and depth to this plant protein peanut bar blend.

The texture was light, crispy and crunchy (soy crisps, brown rice crisps).

I liked that this bar contained 12 grams of protein (making it feel more satisfying), and that wasn't too sweet. (There were Net 2 grams of added sugars in each bar.) It also had a relatively short list of ingredients for a snack bar.

Ingredients: Soy Protein Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt), Peanuts, Inulin, Vegetable Glycerin, Unsweetened Chocolate, Brown Rice Crisps (Brown Rice), Natural Peanut Butter (Peanuts), Cane Sugar, Peanut Oil, Sunflower Oil Blend [Sunflower Oil, Antioxidants (Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract)}

Allergen-related information: Contains Soy, Peanuts. Made in a Facility That Also Uses Tree Nuts, Sesame.

Mezcla - Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter (bar) - July 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Mezcla
Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week, and to Day #1 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week.

Today's Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter Puff-Crispy Bar (TM) was distributed by Eat Mezcla Inc. (New York, NY). The packaging included a lovely illustration of Peruvian wildlife (birds, butterflies)--from Peruvian artist Cesar Caycho.

Aroma notes for this plant protein bar included: peanut and chocolate, faint warm spice (vanilla, cinnamon), and very faint coconut and grain/pea protein.

The texture was crispy, slightly chewy and crunchy. And the peanut, chocolate and protein crisp flavors tasted harmonious and authentic.

Ingredients: Pea Crisps (pea protein, rice starch), Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Tapioca Syrup, Peanut Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Protein, Prebiotic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Tapioca Syrup Solids, Organic Quinoa Crisps (Organic Quinoa), Peanuts, Tapioca Fiber, Coconut Oil, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt.

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