KanVela - 58%Dark Milk Mocha with Crispy Rice (bar) - Dec. 25, 2025

Chocolate of The Day

KanVela Chocolate
58% Dark Milk Mocha with Crispy Rice
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cacao, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Rice Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate & Thailand Theme Week. And Merry Christmas from Thailand.*

Today's 58% Dark Milk Mocha with Crispy Rice (bar) was from KanVela Chocolate (Chiang Mai, Thailand).

The company name "KanVela" translates into a "passage of time," an important concept when it comes to the cultivation of foods. You can't (or shouldn't) rush the natural passage of time in agriculture--or making chocolate. KanVela Chocolate makers embrace the growth of cacao trees, the slow roasting process for cacao and coffee (or rice), and (poetically) when the chocolate "is so smooth it could flow through wood." 

Aroma notes: fragrant sweet mocha coffee (lightly roasted Thai coffee) and subtle chocolate

Texture: thick, substantial bar with a creamy melt and mouthfeel interspersed with pieces of (Thai Jasmine) crispy rice

Flavor notes: smooth, thick, dark milk chocolate with relatively light, sweet but still flavorful coffee

I loved that the coffee, rice and cacao were all from Thailand; and I enjoyed the balanced, and delicately nuanced coffee aroma and mocha flavors. 

Maker's tasting notes: "...The soft and delicate fragrance is juxtaposed with the immediate crunchiness of the bar..."

Ingredients: "Cacao nib 40%, Sugar 21%, Cocoa butter $18%, Milk powder 14%, Crispy rice 5%, Ground coffee 2%"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Made in a Facility that processes wheat, sesame, soy, and tree nuts"

*We're on a virtual holiday vacation in Thailand this week, via chocolate (and the magic of YouTube).

Hijita Chocolateria - Toasty Horchata 70% Soconusco, Chiapas Filled with Toasted Rice Almond Butter (bar) - Dec. 24, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Hijita Chocolateria
Toasty Horchata - 70% Soconusco, Chiapas Filled with Toasted Rice Almond Butter (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from, Hijita, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Rice Theme Week. Happy Christmas Eve, to those who celebrate.

Today's "Toasty Horchata - 70% Soconusco, Chiapas Filled with Toasted Rice Almond Butter" (bar) from Hijita, LLC (Austin, TX).

Aroma and flavor notes for this stylishly geometric, disc-shaped, filled dark bar included: ebony-hued dark chocolate (roast-y/toasted cacao beans, green, nut, spice, vanilla bean). 

In appearance, it looked like it could be a beautifully designed (modern, yet timeless) holiday ornament--perfect for Christmas Eve day.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a smooth, stone-ground almond butter filling. (The toasted rice, vanilla bean and cinnamon were almost fully incorporated, so the overall texture was fairly .)

After a few weeks that included many heavily flavored (and sugared and salted) milk and dark chocolates, it was lovely to taste this authentic Mexican dark chocolate, with subtle, traditional flavor inclusions, sweetened with piloncillo.*

I loved that this elegant and satisfying filled bar wasn't too sweet (thank you!)--and that all the flavor inclusions were compatible with each other and spoke with a come-hither whisper. I felt myself leaning in to try to taste more cinnamon, vanilla and rice (horchata). The very slightly smoke-y, roasted notes took me back to watching, smelling (and ultimately tasting) chocolate being made in a Central American forest, many years ago.

Ingredients: "Mexican Cacao, Almond, Cacao Butter*, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Toasted Rice*, Mexican Cinnamon, Mexican Vanilla Bean, Mexican Sea Salt"

Allergen-related information: "Contains Almond. Made in a Facility That Processes Peanuts and Tree Nuts"

*Piloncillo is a traditional, unrefined Mexican sugar, typically made from boiled sugar cane juice. The resulting caramel-colored cone shapes contain traces of molasses and minerals (similar to other unrefined brown sugars), and contribute subtle flavor depth to baked goods, drinking chocolate/chocolates and savory dishes. 

 

Mirzam - Mango Sticky Rice 52% Milk Chocolate (bar) - Dec. 23, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mirzam Chocolate Makers
Mango Sticky Rice 52% Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total

Calories: 166 calories in 1/2 bar (per label)
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate & Rice Theme Week.

Today's flavorful Mango Sticky Rice 52% Milk Chocolate (bar) was from Mirzam Chocolate Makers (Kakaw Manufacturing Co. LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates). 

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractively packaged* bar included: smooth milk chocolate, fruit (mango) and sweet, fruity rice cereal with very faint coconut oil.

Sticky Rice with Mango is a popular dessert dish across many Asian nations, including India, China and Thailand...where we're headed this week.** And this bar was a fusion of stories and ingredients from many countries.

The rice, mango and coconut found in today's bar have an intertwined history with Arab traders. The company's name (Mirzam) refers to a star that Arab traders followed.

Rice was likely first cultivated in China, but rice in India and Thailand may stretch back as far back as 6,000 BCE. Arab traders brought mangos from South Asia to the middle east and helped expand markets for rice. They also carried coconuts to the middle east from India and SE Asia.

Texture: a blend of creamy milk chocolate studded with crispy, softly crunchy, roasted rice bits. (The mango was completely incorporated into the chocolate.)

Flavor notes included a very satisfying blend of flavors: smooth dark milk chocolate (slightly more flavorful than most milk chocolates and slightly less sweet (thank you!)); complex, authentic, fruity mango, very faint coconut, and slightly malty crispy rice bits. 

The makers elevated (what might have been) a sweet, fruity milk chocolate into a celebration of each of component by sourcing a short list of high-quality ingredients. The choices to use a single origin (India) chocolate (and a slightly darker 52%, vs. for example, a 40-45% cacao milk chocolate) and the Alphonse mango were especially nice. The coconut wasn't intrusive; and the rice added a mellowing flavor and a crispy texture.

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans, unrefined cane sugar, cocoa butter, coconut, mango, roasted rice"

*The background printed on the bar's packaging was inspired by Chinese blue and white porcelain -- complete with a dragon surrounded by clouds and a geometric pattern resembling rows of dragon scales across the top half. 

The dragon(s) amid clouds motif is considered auspicious, and can connote "imperial power and divine connection."

To me, this pattern evoked ancient traditions behind crafting rice and mangos, and crafting beautiful items in Asia--while a world away in the Americas cacao (including cacao pulp/fruit) and maize and ceramics were being celebrated. How wonderful that all these traditions came together (a "divine connection") in such a delicious way today.

**The day after tomorrow, we will segue into Chocolate & Thailand Theme Week.

Compartes Chocolatier - Rice Crispy Treat Milk Chocolate 44% Cacao (bar) - Dec. 22, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Compartes Chocolatier
Rice Crispy Treat - Milk Chocolate 44% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $11.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Compartes Chocolatier, online order 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Rice Theme Week on Chocolate Banquet.

Today's Rice Crispy Treat - Milk Chocolate 44% Cacao (bar) was from Compartes Chocolatier (Los Angeles, CA). 

Compartes offers a dazzling array of different dark, milk and white chocolate bars--most with flavor inclusions, and many with fun entertainment tie-ins as well. They also produce chocolate confections and chocolate dipped fruit collections.

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractively packaged* bar included: sweet milk chocolate with marshmallow rice crispy treats. 

Texture: sweet well-tempered milk chocolate with crispy, slightly crunchy marshmallow rice crispy bits.

This bar was a little too sweet for me, but those with a sweet tooth who like milk chocolate and rice crispy treats will love this relatively addicting bar. 

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk, Soy Lecithin as an Emulsifier, Vanilla), Rice Crispy Treats (Toasted Rice Cereal (Rice, Sugar, Salt, Malt Flavor, Niacinamide, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B2, Folic Acid), Corn Syrup, Fructose, Butter, Marshmallows (Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Gelatin))

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk, Soy. "Made in a facility that handles dairy, peanuts, wheat, egg, soy, tree nuts."

*The package was elegantly illustrated with illuminated palm trees against a dark blue sky lit up with gold stars. A beautiful clear evening sky in Hollywood, with lighting and special effects to dress up a winter night.

Definite Chocolate - Arroz Con Leche with Puffed Rice and Spices (bar) - Dec. 21, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Definite Chocolate
Arroz Con Leche with Puffed Rice and Spices (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar 
Cost: $8.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate & Rice Theme Week.

Today's Arroz Con Leche with Puffed Rice and Spices - Carnival Edition* (bar) from Definite Chocolate, S.R.L. was made in the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic).

Variations on rice pudding exist worldwide. A version of rice pudding from North Africa made its way to Spain in the 700s (AD). And, centuries later, the Spanish brought arroz con leche to the New World (Latin America and Caribbean nations). In the Dominican Republic it's a popular dish enjoyed during Christmas, Carnival* (February) and Lenten holidays.

In its most basic form, arroz con leche is a blend of rice, milk, sugar and cinnamon. International variations may include: additional spices (cloves, allspice, ginger); vanilla; coconut; raisins; caramel; rum; and fruits (lime, orange, cherry).

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, dark milk chocolate, subtle spices and faint citrus (lime, orange). The puffed rice mellowed the chocolate without masking the notes I really enjoyed.

I loved the authentic and subtle flavor complexity (warm spices and light lime) in this smooth but dark milk chocolate. I also appreciated the short list of ingredients, and the maker's choice to use single origin (DR) cacao. This chocolate hit squarely in the Goldilocks zone. (Not too this. Not too that...It was just right.)

Ingredients: "Cane sugar, cacao, cacao butter, milk powder, puffed rice, spices, sea salt, lime peel."

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. Made in a facility that handles nuts & milk.

*The packaging for today's bar was adorned with images of the colorful masked Lechones de Santiago characters one sees during Carnaval.

Domori - Milk Chocolate with Puffed Rice (bar) - Dec. 20, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Domori
Milk Chocolate with Puffed Rice with Criollo Cacao (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: unknown (not found on label)
Cost: $N/A - "bonus bar" from Bar & Cocoa 
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa (part of a larger order) 

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

Today's Milk Chocolate with Puffed Rice with Criollo Cacao was from Domori (None (TO) Italy.

Aroma and flavor notes for this sweet treat included: sweet milk chocolate and puffed rice.

Texture: soft and very creamy milk chocolate and softly crunchy puffed rice

Those with a sweet tooth and like creamy textures will appreciate this milk chocolate. This candy-like bar was quite milky and sweet (a bit too much for me, a dark fan). Even though the puffed rice was slightly caramelized, it helped balance the very sweet 38% milk chocolate. 

Ingredients: "Milk chocolate 90% (sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, cocoa mass (of which Criolla mass (is) 3,5%), emulsifier, sunflower lecithin), caramelised puffed rice 10% (rice, sugar, glucose/fructose syrup), Cocoa solids 38% min. - Milk solids 24% min. in chocolate."

Allergen-related information: Gluten Free. May contain nuts and soja (soy)

Raaka - Pumpkin Spice Dipped Waffle Cone - Crispy Cone in Dark Chocolate - Dec. 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka
Pumpkin Spice Dipped Waffle Cone - Crispy Cone in Dark Chocolate
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total package/bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1 waffle bar
Cost: Missing information
Purchased from: Missing information

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

Today's Pumpkin Spice Dipped Waffle Cone - Crispy Cone in Dark Chocolate was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY). 

Aroma and flavor notes for this tasty, seasonal treat included: chocolate, cookie, pumpkin, and pumpkin spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger). 

Every element of this chocolate was executed thoughtfully with quality ingredients. The maker's choice of single origin 54% cacao (Semuliki Forest, Uganda) gave this chocolate a bit of flavor depth and oomph that I liked. I also appreciated the pumpkin flavor (use of real pumpkin powder) and the authentic pumpkin spice(s).

Last, but not least, was the texture. This bar was a great blend of smooth, creamy dark chocolate and crispy-crunchy (flat) waffle cone/cookie. I loved the skillful waffle-cookie execution and texture achieved -- using rice and brown rice flours (plus other GF flours/seed meal, and a hint of apple puree for coherence).

Maker's notes: "Comforting as your favorite hoodie. Autumnal bliss."

Ingredients: "cacao beans*, cane sugar*, cacao butter*, waffle cone* (cane sugar*, coconut oil*, apple puree*, rice flour*, brown rice flour*, tapioca flour*, millet flour*, flax seed meal*, arrowroot powder*, pumpkin*, cinnamon*, baking powder, inulin*, xanthan gum), pumpkin powder*, cinnamon*, nutmeg*, ginger*, vanilla bean* (*Organic) 54% Cacao Dark Chocolate"

Allergen-related information: "Gluten Free, Vegan"