Xocolatl LLC - Wam & Cozy Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves & Cardamom 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - May 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl LLC
Warm & Cozy Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves & Cardamom 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate & Warm Spices Theme Week.

Today's Warm & Cozy Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves & Cardamom 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA). (See previous post to read about the Uganda part of today--a single origin Uganda 75% Cacao bar from this same chocolate maker.)

Aroma notes included: appealing, slightly woodsy, and very slightly earthy, dark chocolate with subtle, comforting warm spice(s) (cinnamon, ginger).

Texture: pleasing smooth texture and melt with fully integrated spices (no detectable spice grit).

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, and an integrated blend of warm spices (cinnamon, ginger, and even fainter clove).

I enjoyed the balanced, albeit subdued spice flavors in this bar; the choice to create a darker than average (70% vs. 50-60% cacao) spice-flavored chocolate using a high-quality cacao (no sources specifically identified on packaging/label). I also appreciated the short list of ingredients

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (* organic)"

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes peanuts, soy, wheat & tree nuts (almonds, coconut, hazelnut, pecan)." "Vegan"

  

Xocolatl LLC - Uganda 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) - May 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Xocolatl LLC
Uganda 75% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Uganda Theme Week, and Day #4 of Chocolate & Warm Spices Theme Week.

Today's Uganda 75% Dark Chocolate (bar) was made by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA). (See next post for the warm spices half of the day--a spice bar from this same chocolate maker.)

Aroma notes included: chocolate (cocoa, rich hot chocolate), faint almost fruit (cacao pulp, mango), and almost nut (almond).

Texture: pleasing smooth texture and melt.

Flavor notes included: very tasty dark chocolate with rich, smooth and chocolate-y flavor (with glimmers of earth, tropical fruit (mangosteen, very light citrus), very faint floral spice (cardamom) and light nut/seed.

I loved the attractively complex and balanced flavors in this bar; the choice to create a 75% cacao chocolate using a high-quality cacao (from the Semuliki Forest in Uganda, sourced from Latitude Trade); and the very short list of (only three) ingredients

The well-balanced unique and bolder flavors were managed (but not overly managed) and were allowed to dance with each other a bit; in a pleasing, artful way. E.g., there was a very slight bitterness (that you might taste in a certain edible mushroom and nut combination). It felt like it belonged there, rather than taking you out of the tasting experience. This intriguing chocolate had me leaning forward while tasting. Loved the fleeting fruit and spices as well.

Maker's tasting/profile notes: "Robustly dark, bitter nuts, tart orange, cardamom."

Ingredients: "Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (* organic)"

Allergen-related information: "Made on equipment that processes peanuts, soy, wheat & tree nuts (almonds, coconut, hazelnut, pecan)." "Vegan"

 

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar) - May 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Uganda Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Spices Week.

Today's Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).* (This bar was a collaboration with Viscon Cellars (Seattle, WA).

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzururu; Semuliki Forest; Harvest year: 2022.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, (chocolate-y); warm spice (cinnamon); faint, diffuse tropical fruit (light citrus, passion fruit) and stone fruit (very faint plum jam); and spicy pepper. The Long Pepper was slightly spicier than black peppercorns found in the U.S.; and had a very faint warm spice (ginger-like) note.

Texture: smooth, with a relatively buttery melt.

I enjoyed the well-executed, balanced flavors, the short list of ingredients, and the sweetness level--that added a slight brightness to the spice flavors. (It was sweet without being overly so.)

Maker's tasting notes: "This chocolate has a soft but highly-complex woodsy spice that complements the aromas of sweet tobacco and ripe plum of Viscon's 2022 Paradigm (100% Malbec) wine. 

Successful chocolate and red wine pairings require skill. Fortunately, this bar was designed by a chef and chocolate maker who possessed that skill.

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, cassia cinnamon, long pepper.

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: the company is planning to relocate to Chisholm, MN.  

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Sobolo 60% Cacao (bar) - April 30, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Sobolo 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Uganda Week; and Day #2 of Chocolate and Warm Spices Theme Week.

Today's Sobolo 60% Cacao (bar) (Batch #000000110824) was made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).*  

The cacao used to make this bar was from Uganda (Rwenzururu; Semuliki Forest). Harvest year was 2022. And the cacao variety/ies were: "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado."

The cacao was from Eastern Africa; but this bar also contained ingredients with West African, Caribbean and spice island roots.

Aroma and flavor notes included: balanced, slightly woodsy, chocolate-y dark chocolate with bright citrus, floral (hibiscus) and very faint, bright, sweet pineapple, warm spice (ginger) and herbal/peppercorns.

In addition to the expected bright, tart sweet hibiscus and warm spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, etc.) there were two more fun, subtle exotic spice flavors: prekese (a member of the pea family, with large woody looking pods, from Ghana that is naturally sweet), and grains of paradise (also from West Africa and that have wonderful peppercorn and spice flavors).

Texture: smooth, with a very faint, fleeting mild trace of astringency (possibly from hibiscus/sorrel/sobolo).

I really enjoyed the thoughtfully created and executed, bright, sweet and tasty bouquet of flavors in this bar. The flavor inclusions conjured up a sweet, exotically-spiced tropical drink on a magical island somewhere that was pleasingly, authentically tart-sweet--without being too tart or too sweet or too spicy. And all these flavors were very complementary with (and were grounded by) the underlying, very slightly earthy/woodsy dark chocolate.

We may not have magical time machines or teleportation devices; but sometimes chocolate can be transporting. This one belongs in the virtual travel category.

Maker's tasting notes: "An Inspired Flavor...There is a staple beverage of West Africa and the Caribbean that has many names: sobolo, zobo drink, bissap, sorrel drink, roselle, wonjo, folere, dabileni, tsobo, agua de Jamaica...All the versions feature hibiscus, with lots of fruit, spices, and ice."

Ingredients:  Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, hibiscus, prekese, freeze-dried pineapple, ginger, grains of paradise, dried lemon juice, dried lime juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, paprika, clove, peppermint leaf.

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: the company is planning to relocate to Chisholm, MN.   

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Black Pepper + Clove 60% Cacao (bar) - Apr. 29, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Black Pepper + Clove 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Uganda Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Warm Spices Week.

Today's Black Pepper + Clove 60% Cacao (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).*

Collaboration with Aluel Cellars of Seattle, WA.

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzururu; Semuliki Forest; Harvest year: 2022.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark (chocolate-y) chocolate, bright black pepper, citrus, red wine/sangria, and clove. It was a bit on the sweet side for me; but rather than dampen the spices and chocolate too much, it added an uplifting brightness. 

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a buttery melt

I liked the rich, well-balanced complexity, and the long satisfying flavor finish. This chocolate was designed by a chef; and it would make a great after dinner chocolate, dessert pairing, possible red wine pairing**, or a decadent warmer-upper to take on a hike/walk.

**Maker's tasting notes: "Aluel's full-bodied flagship "Coat of Arms" (a Bordeaux-style red wine) can stand toe-to-toe with a little heat, and plays well with the lingering fruitiness and tongue-tingle spiciness in this chocolate bar."

Ingredients:  Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, black peppercorns, clove buds.

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: the company is planning to relocate to Chisholm, MN.  

Chocolate Spiel - 60% Uganda (bar) - Apr. 28, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Chocolate Spiel
60% Uganda (bar)

Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (27 g.) in total bar
Calories: 137 calories (per label) in 1 bar
Cost: $7.00 (estimate) in 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Spiel, online order

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

Today's 60% Uganda (Semuliki) bar was from Chocolate Spiel (Seattle, WA).

Aroma notes for this attractively "painted"* chocolate were relatively faint and included: smooth dark chocolate and very faint, diffuse fruit.

Texture: smooth and creamy, with a buttery melt.

Flavor: appealing sweet dark chocolate (chocolate-y), sweet, light, diffuse, slightly tart fruit. Relatively low in bitterness, and the natural fruit sweetness was well-balanced--gently tart without being too acidic.

Maker's tasting notes: "dates, fig and raisin"

Ingredients: cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, colored cocoa butter

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and gluten.

*Chocolate Spiel bars and confections are decorated with colored cocoa butter(s). Some painting designs are colorful spatter patterns, others have just a few colors and/or include lines/dribbles. All these miniature works of art have a playful feel to them. (Note: for some single origin bars, there is an "no color" option.)

Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar) - Apr. 27, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co. 
Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Uganda Week.

Today's Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar) (Batch 000000022124) bar was made by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).*

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzori, Kisinga microlot). Harvest year: 2022.

Aroma and flavor notes included: a relatively faint aroma, but the dark chocolate (true chocolate-y) flavor was rich and satisfying as were the subtly complex secondary notes: mixed citrus (orange, kumquat, Meyer Lemon, candied pink grapefruit) marmalade, toasted nuts (Brazil nut, almond butter), dates; and very faint, very fleeting herbal-floral (almost jasmine).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a satisfying melt, with a very small amount of balanced dryness/astringency toward the finish.

I enjoyed the chocolate-y flavor and relatively subtle complexity in this bar and appreciated the opportunity to try this Kisinga Uganda cacao (micro-batch bar). I found myself leaning forward and going on a tasting treasure hunt through a tropical forest when I tried this chocolate.

The sweetness level (78% cacao) seemed like a good choice for dark lovers. The cacao had natural fruit sweetness (and well-balanced tartness, acidity, and characteristics of a fine Trinitario cacao). Less cacao and more sugar might retain a sense of citrus brightness, but mask some valuable/interesting flavor nuances.

Maker's tasting notes: "This origin yields chocolatey dense/rich flavors of baked dates, candied lemon and grapefruit peels, and almond butter."

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter. 

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: Intrigue may be relocating to Chisholm, MN soon. But, online orders will still be possible according to the owners.