Cru Chocolate - Peppermint Drinking Chocolate - Feb. 28, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Cru Chocolate 

Peppermint Drinking Chocolate 
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total package

Calories: 360 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces (1 package)

Cost: $8.99 for 1 package  

Purchased from: FarmFresh (add-on to produce delivery service)

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

Today's small box of Peppermint Drinking Chocolate (wheel set of 2) was from Cru Chocolate (Roseville, CA). I enjoyed tasting one (gold foil-wrapped) chocolate "wheel" by itself; and I prepared the second wheel into hot drinking chocolate with whole milk.

Aroma and flavor notes for both pieces included: smooth, but flavorful dark chocolate, with sweet peppermint. 

The second wheel had especially rich, satisfying chocolate (cocoa) notes when prepared with milk to made a 6 oz. mug of hot drinking chocolate. The heat seemed to bring out the cacao nuances. And the milk also helped balance the sweetness of the peppermint candy and sugar.

Texture: The first ("dry") wheel had slightly rough/rugged with sugar crystals/candy bits, but still had a smooth melt. This chocolate was smoother and creamier when blended with (dissolved into) warm milk. 

I appreciated the maker's short list of only three ingredients, and use of organic sugar. While peppermint candy flavors tend to overpower subtle cacao nuances, I could still taste the balanced complexity of the cacao -- chocolate-y; faint and diffuse fermented cacao/tropical fruit; and barely detectable balanced, light earth/clay -- in between sweet ripples of mint.

Maker's Tasting notes:

Intensity: Light. 50% cacao

Style: North American

Body: Smooth & silky

Nose: Fresh mint

Mood: Fresh happy cheer

Suggested liquid: Whole milk

Preparation: Melt and mix 1 wheel into 6 oz. of suggested liquid. Enjoy.

Ingredients: Fermented cacao beans, organic cane sugar, peppermint candy

Allergen-related information: Manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts and milk.

Moonstruck Chocolate - Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 27, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Moonstruck Chocolate
Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45.5 g.) / 3.2 oz. (91 g.) in total bar
Calories: 245 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate (bar) was manufactured by CW Moonstruck LLC (Portland, OR).

Aroma and flavor notes for this attractive seasonal confection of a bar included: dark chocolate (fudge, ganache), peppermint candy and very faint vanilla.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate melded with a field of crunchy, crushed peppermint candy pieces.

This Peppermint Bark bar was a balanced, authentic blend of flavors and textures. 

As with most sweet chocolates or chocolates with candy bits, the additional sugar can make them a bit more addictive (more-ish). For those with a sweet tooth, this may not be a plus and not a problem.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavor), Crushed Peppermint (Cane Sugar, Corn Syrup, Peppermint Oil, Red 40).

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Soy. Manufactured on Shared equipment. May contain traces of milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, sesame, and tree nuts."

  

Loon Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate Peppermint Candy (bar) - Feb. 26, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Loon Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate Peppermint Candy (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 391 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order  

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

Today's Loon Chocolate Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch 70% Dark Chocolate Peppermint Candy (bar) was manufactured by White Birch Living LLC (Manchester, NH).

Aroma and flavor notes for this winter seasonal bar included: rich dark chocolate and peppermint candy.

Texture: smooth, dark chocolate with a generous layer of crushed, crunchy candy cane pieces.

The peppermint candy was crunchy and minty sweet; but, I wanted to taste more dark chocolate. It told me something (positive) about the cacao used, when I found myself prying off peppermint pieces to try to enjoy more of the 70% dark chocolate underneath.

I appreciated the use of organic ingredients, and the lack of artificial ingredients and colorings in this bar.

Ingredients: Organic Cacao, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Peppermint Crunch (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Natural Peppermint Flavor, Organic Vegetable and Fruit Juice Concentrate for Color (Radish, Apple and Blackcurrant)).

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a Facility That Uses Almonds, Milk and Wheat" "Gluten Free, Soy-Free, Vegan"

TCHO - Merry Mint - Fudgy Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Single Origin Ghana 70% Cacao (bars) - Feb. 25, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

TCHO

Merry Mint - Fudgy Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Single Origin Ghana 70% (bars)
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total package of three bars
Calories: 220 calories in 2 bar(s) (2/3 package)
Cost: $31.99 for 1 holiday gift box (today's bar was part of a larger order)
Purchased from: TCHO, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's package of three "Merry Mint" - Fudgy Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Single Origin Ghana 70% Cacao (bars) was from TCHO Ventures Inc. (Berkeley, CA).

Aroma notes for the two (of three) individually-wrapped small bars I enjoyed included: dark chocolate (fudge); mint (peppermint) and very faint vanilla.

Texture for this dairy-free chocolate: smooth, buttery with a thick, satisfying melt and mouthfeel.  

Flavor notes included: fudgy dark chocolate infused with relatively minty peppermint and faint vanilla.

I appreciated the use of single origin cacao (from Ghana) and the relatively short list of organic and quality ingredients. 

I also enjoyed the festively pink/red and gold outer packaging for this winter holiday offering that was attractively merry and bright--as well as the three bars (making these great gifts or just easier to share a package with friends). Note: these Merry Mint bars may have been seasonal, as I could no longer see them online on the TCHO website.

Ingredients: Cacao Beans*+, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*+, Coconut Oil*, Sunflower Lecithin*, Peppermint Oil*, Vanilla Beans* (*=Organic, += Fair Trade Certified(TM))

Allergen-related information: May contain tree nuts. Certified Kosher Pareve by Earth Kosher.

SOMA chocolatemaker - Minty Bar dark milk chocolate - Chocolat au lait noir 51% (bar)

Chocolate of the Day

SOMA chocolatemaker
Minty Bar - dark milk chocolate - Chocolat au lait noir 51% (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Minty Bar - dark milk chocolate - Chocolat au lait noir 51% (bar) was from SOMA chocolatemaker (Toronto, ON, Canada).

Aroma notes for this bar included: sweet, smooth peppermint/spearmint dark chocolates from childhood. 

Texture: buttery smooth and creamy dark milk chocolate

Flavor notes included: smooth, rich dark chocolate (made using the company's "dream machine" cacao blend) infused with mint + very faint mint with vanilla marshmallow. 

I found this chocolate very satisfying. The smooth, creamy texture contributed to this enjoyment of this blend of flavors. Warning: this bar can be highly addictive, especially if you're hungry.

I also loved the squirrel (standing up and holding mint leaves) printed on the outer packaging. (Squirrels have broken into boxes of chocolates delivered to my front door in years past, so chocolates with squirrel images make sense to me.)

And I enjoyed the jungle pattern on the bar--with SOMA's hidden bird-like mascot wearing a shoe. This little creature is also seen next to the company tagline: "travelling without moving." (Chocolates from around the world provide lots of virtual travel opportunities here on Chocolate Banquet.)

Maker's Tasting Notes: mint, chocolate cake, caramel

Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Cacao Nibs, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Natural Vanilla, Organic Mint Oil, Salt

Allergen-related information: May contain trace amounts of peanuts & tree nuts. Contains dairy & cane alcohol (mint extract). 

*The squirrels in question knew exactly which box to tunnel into; and (no surprise) they went for the chocolates with nuts.

The Functional Chocolate Company - Mellow Mint Truffle Carefree Chocolate (bar) - Feb. 23, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

The Functional Chocolate Company 
Mellow Mint Truffle flavor Carefree Chocolate 60% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 252 calories in 1 bar (6 squares)
Cost: $6.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vitacost, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Mellow Mint Truffle flavor Carefree Chocolate 60% (bar) was made for The Functional Chocolate Company LLC (Evergreen, CO). It contained a blend of inclusions (see ingredients list) to help reduce stress.

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet and smooth dark chocolate infused with refreshing mint flavor--that extended into a pleasant, light (non-astringent) green tea (and very slightly floral - vanilla, sweet herb (lemon balm) and flower (chamomile) finish.

The English peppermint was nice (not too overwhelming.) And I was happy to taste another member of the mint family--lemon balm--in this chocolate.

The texture was relatively smooth, with a very faint (barely detectable) finely ground (powdered) herb/leaf granularity in one or two bites that did not bother me in the least.

I enjoyed this chocolate mint bar. The flavors were authentic, balanced and...yes, mellow. (Nothing was too intense or spiky.) It was sweet, but not overly so.

Note: I did not experience any noticeable effects from the "proprietary calming blend" in this bar; however, if you have any medical conditions, please read information listed below.

Ingredients: "Ethically Sourced Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Cocoa Mass, All Natural Pure Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Non GMO Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Vanilla Extract), Natural Flavors"..."L-Theanine, Pharma Gaba(R) - Gamma Aminobutyric Acid, English Peppermint Oil (Black Mitcham), Passion Flower Extract, Lemon Balm Extract, Chamomile Extract, Organic Madagascar Vanilla Extract, Kava Kava CO2 Select Extract (60% Kavalactones), Ancient Sea Salt w/54 Trace Minerals"

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that processes milk, soy, tree nuts and peanuts. Consult your doctor before use if you are on medication, have a medical condition or are pregnant or nursing."

Summerdown Farms - Peppermint Milk Chocolate 37% Cocoa (bar) - Feb. 22, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Summerdown Farms Ltd.
Peppermint Milk Chocolate 37% Cocoa with English Black Mitcham peppermint (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 279.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zombierunner Coffee, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Mint Theme Week.

Today's Peppermint Milk Chocolate 37% Cocoa with English Black Mitcham peppermint (bar) was from Summerdown Farms Ltd. (Hampshire, UK).

This "smooth chocolate with a cooling finish" was made using a single origin Colombian cacao; although it was difficult to tell because this was a relatively low cacao percentage (37% cacao) bar. (Cocoa mass was the fourth ingredient.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark milk chocolate and mint.

Texture: smooth, creamy texture with a relatively (cocoa) buttery melt and fatty/buttery mouth feel.

For those with a sweet tooth, this may be an enjoyable chocolate confection. Sadly, this bar was relatively sweet and almost bland for me, despite the vanilla and mint flavourings. It did have a nice, balanced, authentic mint finish and the chocolate was relatively smooth.

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa mass, natural flavouring (vanilla, Black Mitcham peppermint oil), emulsifier (soya lecithin).

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