Ragged Coast Chocolates - Almond Sea Salt - Bittersweet Chocolate, Roasted Almonds, Maine Sea Salt bark - Aug. 30, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Ragged Coast Chocolates
Almond Sea Salt - Bittersweet Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Maine Sea Salt Bark
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2 oz. (58 g.) in total package
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $5.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: Ragged Coast Chocolates, online order

Ahoy, and welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week.

Today's Almond Sea Salt - Bittersweet* Chocolate, Roasted Almonds & Maine Sea Salt Bark was from Ragged Coast Chocolates (Westbrook, ME).

Aroma notes included: bittersweet dark chocolate; faint sweet shortbread nut cookie; roasted nut; and very faint (barely detectable) tart (lemon-green oxalis).

Flavor notes for this relatively thick, smooth dark chocolate made with Latin American cacao included: bittersweet dark chocolate (sweet but earthy--loamy soil with sour milk/yogurt); crunchy (whole and pieces of) roasted almonds that helped balance and mellow the dark chocolate--along with the faint sparkles of sea salt. 

I liked the almonds and the sea salt. In fact I wouldn't have minded tasting a version with even a bit more Maine sea salt. I also enjoyed looking at the tiny twinkles of salt that could be seen against the field of dark brown. 

It's hard to not wax poetic about the sea. Coming from another salt-making, coastal region (the San Francisco Bay in Northern California), I imagined the Maine sea salt crystallizing in the summer sun in the Gulf of Maine as I was eating this chocolate--3,000 miles away. Chocolate is a form of virtual travel.

Maker's description: "The endless ocean drifts through every moment of life on Maine's ragged Coast. It's only natural that we'd harvest its spirit to share with you. This rich, almond-studded bar sparkles with Maine sea salt and the sweet taste that comes from the sun-kissed coast."

Ingredients: Single Origin Latin American Bittersweet Chocolate (cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), Organic Almonds and Maine Sea Salt.

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: Soy, Nuts, Milk, and Coconut. Contains: Almonds" 

*While no cacao percentage was listed, bittersweet chocolate is typically around 70% cacao; but it can be as high as 80%. (Semisweet chocolate is typically around 60% cacao. Both are used for chocolate bars, confections, and baked goods.)

Harbor Sweets - Harbor Lights Cranberry and Raspberry Truffle(s) in Dark Chocolate - Aug. 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Harbor Sweets
Harbor Lights Cranberry and Raspberry Truffle in Dark Chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 1.43 oz. (40.5 g.) / 2 7/8 oz. (81 g.) in total package of 8 pieces
Calories: 222 calories (estimate) in 4 pieces
Cost: $12.95 (+ shipping) for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week, including craft chocolate bars as well as some novelty sea-themed chocolates.

As we approach Labor Day (and the end of summer), here in northern California, strolling down a beach and being awed by the ocean seemed appealing. It also made me think of the importance of lighthouses and navigational buoys on the often rough Pacific coast. (Some historic shipwrecks in the San Francisco Bay Area are still viewable at low tide.)

On a related, sweeter note, today's Harbor Lights Cranberry and Raspberry Truffle(s) in Rich Dark Chocolate from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA) were topped with the embossed image of a lighthouse. The company offers a variety of sea-themed chocolate confections.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped (in gold foil) two-tone truffles included: sweet dark chocolate (outer covering and creamy dark ganache filling), tart-sweet fruit (berry, cherry), faint vanilla, and barely detectable oxalis (tart green herb, sour grass).

The foundation (bottom layer) of this truffle was creamy, solid, white chocolate with a warm, welcoming vanilla flavor. And both the dark and white layers of chocolate complemented the sweet, tart cranberry and raspberry flavors (and touch of buttermilk) very nicely.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Butterfat (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Milk fat, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), Heavy Cream (Cream, Carrageenan, Mono and Diglycerides, Polysorbate 80), Blended Red Raspberry and Cranberry Juice Concentrate, Butter (Cream (Milk), Salt), Buttermilk (Cultured Pasteurized Fat Free Milk, Salt, Sodium Citrate), Salt. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and Soy. This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame.

 

Harbor Sweets - Dark Chocolate Lobster - Aug. 28, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Harbor Sweets
Dark Chocolate Lobster
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3.32 oz. (94 g.) in 1 lobster
Calories: 480 calories (estimate) in 1 lobster
Cost: $13.95 (+ shipping) for 1 lobster
Purchased from: Harbor Sweets, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week, including craft chocolate bars and a few novelty sea-themed chocolates.

Today's Dark Chocolate Lobster was from Harbor Sweets (Salem, MA). The company offers a variety of sea-themed chocolate confections.

Aroma and flavor notes for this generously-sized, dark chocolate replica of a salt water crustacean included: deep, dark, fudge-y chocolate (dark chocolate candy, dark chocolate syrup), very slightly smoke-y vanilla, and very faint caramel and nut notes.

The dark chocolate had a uniform texture and flavor, and was interspersed with soft and slightly crunchy elements. Embedded in the solid chocolate center there were pieces of caramel with pecan, toasted almonds, and "almond buttercrunch toffee."

This lobster was sweet, but not ultra-sweet (thank you). The dark chocolate had a little roasted oomph and vanilla to it, and wasn't too bitter. (The cocoa used was alkalized, to control acidity and bitterness. This relatively common process is used to tame dark chocolates and mellow hot cocoa mixes, especially if some of the cacao is not of the highest quality.)*

I enjoyed the realistic lobster shape, posing this on a plate with garnishes, and the fact that I didn't have to drop a real live lobster in a pot (a traumatic childhood experience for me) to imagine this wondrous creature roaming around the sea bottom. 

I was less fond of the additives and emulsifiers in the ingredient list. (But the touch of honey was nice.)

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor processed with Alkali, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Butterfat (Milk), Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Sugar, Butter (Cream (Milk), Salt), Pecans, Almonds, Cream (Light Cream and Disodium Phosphate), Tapioca Syrup (Tapioca Starch), Evaporated Milk (Milk, 0.5% or less of: Dipotassium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Vitamin D3), Light Brown Sugar, Wildflower Honey, Vanilla, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Baking Soda. 

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Almonds, Pecans and Soy. This product is prepared in a facility that handles soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts and sesame.

*People often ask me why they should spend $13 on a bar of chocolate. In today's case, you're paying for the novelty shape, and 94 grams  (a lot) of chocolate. 

Taste a few single origin dark bars (made with just two ingredients) side-by-side with dark chocolate blends that have been more highly processed, and contain emulsifiers, additives and preservatives, and let me know if you can tell the difference.

Seahorse Chocolate - Dark Milk Vegan 65% (bar) - Aug. 27, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Seahorse Chocolate
Dark Milk Vegan 65% (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 271 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Spinnaker Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week.

Today's Dark Milk Vegan chocolate (bar) was crafted by Seahorse Chocolate (Bend, OR).

Aroma notes for this Good Food Awards winner included: dark milk chocolate, and subtle, authentic coconut milk.

This bar broke with a gentle snap; had a slow, thick, luxe melt and a silken, creamy texture; and it had a relatively long (textural and flavor) finish.

Flavor notes included: deep, dark chocolate (fudge brownie; smooth dark chocolate-y ganache; subdued, authentic coconut milk; and barely there, diffuse fruit candy/jam/marmalade and roasted coffee/mocha.

The taste was close to a deep, dense, higher-end Forastero and/or Trinitario variety cacao and tasted  darker than many 65% cacao chocolates (more like 72% cacao or even 75% cacao bars).*

Well-balanced, relatively bold and flavorful yet also very smooth, this is a dark milk vegan bar for true dark chocolate lovers.

Maker's tasting notes: "Reminds us of: Fudge, candied pear, licking brownie batter spatula" and "Reminds us of: Fudge, Orange, Lee Hazlewood's vocals"

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Coconut Milk, Organic Sugar 

Allergen-related information: "Vegan, Gluten Free" 

*Cacao percentages can be useful if you're buying dark chocolates. However, "darkness" depends on many factors, including variety/ies of cacao used, origin, and choices made in the growing, fermenting and processing of said cacao(s). All 70% dark chocolate bars will not taste the same. Some will taste light and bright; others deep and dense. And some will taste sweeter or more bitter than others. Sometimes a 65% chocolate can taste like 75% chocolate, and vice versa.

Spinnaker Chocolate - 70% Uganda with Nibs (bar) - Aug. 26, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Spinnaker Chocolate
70% Uganda with Nibs (bar)
Good +++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Spinnaker Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week. 

Today's 70% Uganda with Nibs (bar) was crafted by Spinnaker Chocolate (Seattle, WA).

This well-made bar was similar to yesterday's 70% Uganda bar (without nibs) from the same maker. It was slightly tangy, chocolate-y, flavorful and creamy, and was made with a very short list of high-quality ingredients. 

Aroma notes for today's chocolate included: chocolate-y, with very faint, diffuse tangy fruit (pickled green fig and berry jam).

The appealing texture was an elegant blend of creamy and crunchy.

Flavor notes included: chocolate (dark chocolate ganache) with subtle tart-sweet red berry. 

The sprinkle of nibs added a great, pure, and smooth cacao flavor that was well integrated with the smooth chocolate. And there were no "off" notes in the cacao nibs, which tells me that special care was taken in the sorting and processing of the cacao beans (and nibs).

I enjoyed the balanced complexity in both yesterday's and today's Uganda 70% dark chocolates; and the added texture and authentic cacao flavor of the nibs in today's bar. 

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Nibs

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that uses milk powder and nuts."

  

Spinnaker Chocolate - 70% Uganda (bar) - Aug. 25, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Spinnaker Chocolate
70% Uganda (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories (per label) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Spinnaker Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and The Sea Theme Week.

Today's 70% Uganda (bar) (Batch 329.3) was made by Spinnaker Chocolate (Seattle, WA). The family-owned and operated company offers a variety of single origin chocolates.

Seattle is perched on Puget Sound that connects to the Pacific Ocean. And the company's sea blue packaging is adorned with images of a sailboat on top, and waves below. (I hope these chocolate makers are able to enjoy some time on the water occasionally.)

Aroma notes included: chocolate, cream, fruit (citrus, berry, fig), very faint herbal (citrus leaves, oxalis).

Texture: smooth and creamy. 

Flavor notes: shades of true chocolate (creamy fudge, slightly tart ganache and slightly fruity fudge brownie) with very faint citrus flower-herbal, clean mineral and fig and berry jam. There was no dairy/cream in this bar, but it did have a slightly sour, authentic cream/buttermilk and orange taste, and creamy texture. And it had a long, pleasing chocolate-y finish.

I really enjoyed this well-executed, single origin Uganda 70% bar. It was a true chocolate magic carpet ride. Balanced, slightly tangy and fruity secondary notes supplied a satisfying depth of flavor. I liked the complexity achieved with just two ingredients. The sweetness level also seemed right where it should have been for this cacao--enough sugar to brighten up some of the naturally occurring flavors, but not so much to mask chocolate nuances.

Ingredients: Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar

Allergen-related information: "Processed in a facility that uses milk powder and nuts."

 

Kessho - Salted Plum Dark Chocolate 59% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar) - Aug. 24, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Kessho Craft Chocolate 
Salted Plum Dark Chocolate 59% Cacao Semuliki Forest, Uganda (bar) 
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar*
Calories: 163 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

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

Today's Salted Plum Dark Chocolate 59% Cacao Semuliki Forest Uganda (bar) was from Kessho, LLC (Austin, TX). 

The company was founded in 2019 by Mark Huetsch (who spent 14 years in China) and Liang Wang (who was raised in Beijing and studied pastry in Japan).  The name Kessho (a Japanese word meaning crystal) "pays tribute to the crystalline structure of chocolate."

Kessho offers a variety of chocolate items--many of which, like today's Salted Plum chocolate, reflect Asian-inspired flavor inclusions and pairings. The name Kessho (a Japanese word meaning crystal) "pays tribute to the crystalline structure of chocolate."

Aroma and notes for this Salted Plum Dark Chocolate 59% Cacao bar--made with cacao (hybrid of Trinitario and Forastero) grown in the Semuliki Forest area of Uganda--included: dark chocolate with faint tart citrus-green (oxalis) and tangy stone fruit (plum).

Texture: smooth, thick, creamy, fudge-y texture with a luxe melt.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate (fudge, ganache); faint loamy earth and very faint sour yogurt (there was no milk in this chocolate); and citrus leaves**. 

The salt level seemed very low in the first bite; happily there was a bit more salt and sweet tangy plum fruit in subsequent bites. (Salted plums (umeboshi) are known for tangy, sour, salty and citric flavor(s).)

I liked trying this flavor combination and how the flavors fluxed just a bit through the tasting experience. This bar would be great in a chocolate and salt themed tasting flight. Even just a little salt really helped ground and balance the tangy/sour and citrus flavors.

Maker's flavor profile notes: "Cinnamon, fig, oolong" (tea leaves)

Ingredients: Whole cacao beans, sugar, cocoa butter, plum powder, salt 

Allergen-related information: Made in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, wheat, sesame and eggs

*If calories aren't listed on a bar, I will sometimes weigh chocolates to help estimate the number of calories (kcals). When I weighed this unwrapped bar on my scale, it was 69 grams (vs. 60 grams on the label). Definitely not a problem to have more chocolate than advertised. I'll also check my scale.  

**I associated the citrus leaf-like flavor in this salted plum chocolate with the fresh infusion teas (tisanes) I make from Meyer Lemon leaves and other citrus leaves from my yard.