Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws - Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters - June 10, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38.25 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76.5 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Almond & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image three brown bears crossing a stream (or looking for fish perhaps) with a pine forest and snow-capped mountains in the background.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: smooth dark (chocolate-y) chocolate; faint roasted nut (almond); vanilla; and very faint salt.

Texture: The base chocolate had a relatively smooth texture. Almond bits added an attractive, soft crunch.

A very subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--was used to sweeten this chocolate instead of sugar. And that sweetness felt balanced and authentic. 

Bears' favorite foods include berries and nuts; so I'm sure they'd approve of this offering.*

The individually-wrapped "claws"/paws made them practical for sharing chocolate with others.

An additional plus with Wild West Chocolate offerings: they're made with Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Oatmilk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Roasted Almonds+, Sea Salt. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 39% of Product.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Almonds. "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy." 

*Maybe. We (humans) can process small amounts of slightly bitter alkaloids--defensive compounds that plants produce to deter animals/insects from eating them. These alkaloids include caffeine in coffee and theobromine in cacao. Bears (dogs, cats and other animals) have a more limited capacity to process theobromine; and they can get very sick after eating too much dark chocolate. 

Animals that enjoy the pulpy cacao fruit (that surrounds cacao seeds (aka beans) inside cacao pods) include monkeys, birds...and, yes, bears. Spectacled Bears (aka Andean Bears) in South America may eat as many as 300 different plants in the wild, including many different fruits, and nuts. They have been known to visit/raid cacao plantations/farms for the pulpy fruit inside cacao pods. They spit out the bitter cacao seeds (beans), helping disperse seeds in the wild.

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws - Huckleberry & Cashew 50% Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters - June 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Huckleberry & Cashew 50% Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) / 2.96 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 320 calories in 4 pieces
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Huckleberry & Cashew Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of an impressive brown bear standing in tall grass with snow-capped mountains in the background.*

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: chocolate; dark sweet berries; faint vanilla; and very faint nut and oat. 

Texture: The base chocolate was relatively smooth, with a slight oatmilk-y texture. The cashew chunks added an attractive, soft crunch.

I liked the huckleberry (and blueberry) flavor additions (extracts); the very subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--used to sweeten this chocolate instead of sugar; and the small, rich, roasted cashew pieces. The individually-wrapped "claws" made them practical for sharing with others.

One last big plus with all the chocolates from Wild West Chocolate: they're made with Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Oatmilk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Roasted Cashews+ (Cashews, Salt), Huckleberry Extract+, Blueberry Extract+. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 39% of Product.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Cashews. "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy." 

*The photo of this powerful-looking bear made me think: this is not the bear I'd want to meet while hiking or camping in the wilderness; but it sure looks great in nature. One early morning, years ago, a Black Bear (near Yosemite National Park in California) walked into my tent when I was still in my sleeping bag. This nose-to-nose encounter was enough for me. (You know you're too close to a bear when you can smell what it just ate for breakfast.)

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters Raspberry & Hazelnut - June 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Raspberry & Hazelnut Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters
Weight: 2.46 oz. (70 g.) / 2.96 oz. (84 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories in 5 pieces
Cost: $8.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Bears Week. 

Today's Bear Claws - Raspberry & Hazelnut Organic Oatmilk Chocolate Nut Clusters were from Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of a mother bear and two cubs.

Aroma and flavor notes for these individually-wrapped bear claws included: chocolate, (red) raspberry, faint vanilla and very faint nut. 

Texture: These bear claws broke with a well-tempered snap. The base chocolate was smooth, with barely detectable oat/fruit astringency. The small hazelnut chunks added a satisfying crunch.

I liked the raspberry flavor (powder and extract) as well as the subtle and authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--used to sweeten this chocolate, and the small nutty chunks of hazelnut. Also the individually-wrapped pieces made them practical for hiking snacks and sharing with others.

Interesting side note: I liked these bear claws better than the similarly flavored Raspberry & Hazelnut bar earlier this week. Not sure why. Both were good. I'm pretty sure both people and bears would/will approve of these bear claw shaped chocolate nut clusters.

One last big plus with all the chocolates from Wild West Chocolate: they're made with Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Oatmilk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Hazelnuts+, Freeze-Dried Raspberry+, Raspberry Extract+. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 37% of Product.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Hazelnuts. "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy."

Cluizel Paris - Ourson Guimauve Orange & Cannelle Marshmallow Bear - June 7, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Cluizel
Ourson Guimauve Orange & Cannelle Marshmallow Bear
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bear
Calories: 191 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bear
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bear
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Bears Theme Week. 

Today's Ourson Guimauve Orange & Cannelle (Orange & Cinnamon) Marshmallow Bear was from Cluizel (Paris, France).

This little French bear was last seen (in one piece) in my house in California this morning. By evening, only the memory of chocolate, bergamot orange and cinnamon remained. Quel dommage. (What a shame.)

Aroma and flavor notes for this dark chocolate coated marshmallow confection included: subtle dark chocolate, very slightly bitter (bergamot) orange and warm cinnamon and sweet marshmallow.

Texture: a thin layer of smooth dark chocolate surrounded a fluffy, very slightly chewy marshmallow filling 

Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Bean, Water, Glucose Syrup, Inverted Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Setting Agent (bovine gelatin), Orange for decoration, Bergamot Powder, Emulsifier (rapeseed lecithin), Cinnamon, Bourbon Vanilla Pod. 

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of shelled tree nuts, milk, gluten"

Wild West Chocolate - Bear Claws - Mint & Cacao Nib (clusters) - June 6, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Wild West Chocolate
Bear Claws - Mint & Cacao Nib (clusters)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.35 oz. (38.25 g.) / 2.7 oz. (76.5 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 3 pieces (servings)
Cost: $6.75 for 1 package
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Wild West Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate & Bears Theme Week.

Today's individually-wrapped Mint & Cacao Nib Bear Claws (clusters) were distributed by Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT).

Aroma and flavor notes included: balanced, aromatic mint; dark chocolate; and faint vanilla.

Texture: smooth (almost velvety) base chocolate was studded with a generous helping of crunchy cacao bean nibs. For those not familiar with cacao beans, these tiny roasted cacao bean shards (nibs) may be puzzling. They are what chocolate is made from. And they add bits of authentic cacao flavor to dark chocolate.

The "festive crunch of the cacao nibs and the cool peppermint flavor" were designed for the holidays, but this dark chocolate + mint offering could be enjoyed any time of year. 

I liked: that the mint in these bear claws was balanced (not too overwhelming); the substitution of sugar with a mixed fruit powder blend (that added subtle and balanced flavor complexity); and the use of Organic, Regenerative Organic Certified and Fair Trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Cacao Nibs+, Natural Creme de Menthe Extract. (+ Organic; ++ Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 77% of Product.)

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy."

West West Chocolate - "Grizzly" Raspberry & Hazelnut 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar) - June 5, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
"Grizzly" Raspberry & Hazelnut 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar)
Weight: .77 oz. (22 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $21.25 for 3-bar pack (Approx. $7.08 for 1 bar)
Purchased from: Piazzas, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Wild West Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate & Bears* Week. (Bears were heavily represented in the Wild West/wilderness chocolate category, and have taken over for their own theme week.)

Today's "Grizzly" Raspberry and Hazelnut 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar) was from  Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of a grizzly bear.

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: chocolate, strong berry (raspberry) flavoring, faint vanilla and very faint nut. 

Texture: The base chocolate was smooth, with a touch of oat/fruit astringency (dryness). Hazelnut pieces added some crunch.  

I liked how the relatively dominant raspberry fruit flavor (powder and extract) flowed into the gentler, authentic fruit blend (date, mulberry, peach and mango powders)--that Wild West uses to sweeten all their chocolates and provides balanced and attractive background fruit complexity.

Bears do love berries; and this berry-forward bar might attract one if left unguarded in a picnic basket, or on a front porch.*

I also appreciated the use of Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Oatmilk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Hazelnuts+, Freeze-Dried Raspberry+, Raspberry Extract+. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 61% of Product.)

Allergen-related information: Contains Hazelnuts. "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy."

*Bear Stories

Living in the West, I have bear stories. But, none so timely as today's. As I was writing this post--to kick off Chocolate & Bears Theme Week--I received a text from a friend. A bear had shown up at her front door in Tehachapi, almost 300 miles away in Southern California. I enjoyed both the Grizzly bar and my friend's photo of a porch bear (a brown/cinnamon-colored Black Bear) simultaneously. Thank you Internet.

Wild West Chocolate - "Snakebite" Pepitas, Cayenne & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark (bar) - June 4, 2026

Chocolate of The Day 

Wild West Chocolate
"Snakebite" Pepitas, Cayenne & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Weight: .77 oz. (22 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $4.49 (sale price) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Piazzas, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Wild West Theme Week.

Today's "Snakebite" Pepitas, Cayenne & Sea Salt 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar) was from  Wild West Chocolate, LLC (Missoula, MT)--and featured an image of a rattlesnake.

Aroma notes: included very slightly smokey/roasted cacao; faint seed/nut; and diffuse fruits (stone fruit, berry, date) and vanilla. The flavor notes were similar, with a deeper dive into rich, gently complex chocolate, a bit of chili heat, and faint vanilla.  

Texture: The base chocolate was smooth, almost creamy, with a satisfying texture and melt. The smoothness was interspersed with crunchy bits of pumpkin seeds (pepitas). 

I liked the balanced, hearty dark chocolate and the sweetness/fruit sweetener blend (date, mulberry, peach, mango). The spicy cayenne added a little chili heat--not enough to burn.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date++, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Vanilla Extract+), Pepitas+, Cayenne Pepper, Salt. (+ = Organic; ++ = Regenerative Organic Certified; Cocoa Liquor and Cocoa Butter: Fair Trade Certified 61% of Product.)

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy."