Karu - Jungle Dark 85% Cacao Villa Sofia, Cordoba, Colombia (bar) - June 20, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Karu Chocolates

Jungle Dark - 85% Cacao Villa Sofia, Cordoba, Colombia (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 70 calories in 1/4 bar 
Cost: $13.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Earth, Mountains, Forests & Gardens Theme Week. 

Today's Karu Chocolates Jungle Dark 85% Cacao Via Sofia, Cordoba, Colombia (bar) was made in Bogota, Colombia, and distributed (in the U.S.) by Tropicalia LLC. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this hearty, ultra-dark bar included: dark chocolate (deep, chocolate-y), peppers, and dried fruit (cacao pulp, mango, dark berry).

Texture: thick, rich and creamy melt and mouthfeel

I loved the deep and balanced aroma and flavor notes, and that this bar wasn't too sweet (thank you) or too bitter for an 85%er. 

Last, but not least, this bar was made--with a short list of (just two) ingredients--"in country" (in the same country where the cacao was grown).

Ingredients: Cacao, unrefined cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Produced in facilities processing milk and nuts"

Karu - Dark Milk Single Region Sierra Nevada, Colombia, 60% Cacao (bar) - June 19, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Karu Chocolates
Sierra Milk - Dark Milk Single Region Sierra Nevada, Colombia 60% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Earth, Mountains, Forests & Gardens Theme Week. 

Today's Karu Chocolates Sierra Milk - Dark Milk Single Region Sierra Nevada, Colombia 60% Cacao (bar) was made in Bogota, Colombia, and distributed (in the U.S.) by Tropicalia LLC.

Aroma and flavor notes included: slightly earthy dark milk chocolate (ganache, brownie) with faint and diffuse fruits (sweet, crisp red apple, mango, sweet red berry), and a pleasant dark milk chocolate-y finish.

After enjoying a 100% cacao bar yesterday, today's 60% cacao chocolate seemed very sweet. But I appreciated the relatively subtle, complex flavors. The earth note(s) certainly fit with this week's (Chocolate, Earth, Mountains, Forests & Gardens) theme. 

Last, but not least, this bar was made with a short list of (just three) ingredients "in country" (in the same country where the cacao was grown).

Ingredients: Cacao, cane sugar, milk powder

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Produced in facilities processing milk and nuts"

Cacao Laboratory - Earth Ceremonial Grade Cacao 100% Cacao with Moringa & Chipotle (bar) - June 18, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Cacao Laboratory 
Earth - Ceremonial Grade Cacao 100% Cacao with Moringa & Chipotle (bar) 
Good ++ 
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar 
Calories: 57 calories in 2 squares 
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Earth Theme Week, featuring several chocolates with ties to mountains, forests, plants and gardens.

Today's Earth - Ceremonial Grade Cacao 100% Cacao with Moringa & Chipotle (bar) was made by Cacao Laboratory Corp. (Kingston, NY).  

Aroma notes included: slightly earthy dark chocolate; and--after first cutting open the inner wrapper--it had a pepper-like sharpness (that made me cough if I inhaled too deeply). Typically a sensation like this decreases if the chocolate airs out for about 10+ minutes after opening. (It did take the feisty edge off this bar.)

Flavor notes included a pleasant green/plant taste; fire-roasted, slightly early (mild) pepper; followed by a steep dive into 100% cacao bitter and deep-chocolate-y, dark chocolate. About an hour later, after something to eat, I wanted a second piece/square; and the second piece seemed mellower and even more enjoyable.

Texture: relatively smooth with a very slight, temporary, micron level graininess, and very faint lingering (and balanced) roasted/gently smoked pepper + cacao finish.

I appreciated Cacao Lab's short list of (three) organic ingredients, and the idea of achieving better balance in a world of different forces, with assistance from the four elements (earth, air, fire and water). Their Sacred Elements Blends (line of bars) "were created to help you harness the qualities of the four classical elements..."

Indeed, I did feel more grounded within about 10 minutes after sitting and eating today's chocolate. (The physical absence of a sugar buzz helped with that feeling.) Eating a 100% unsweetened chocolate is also a much slower, arguably more deliberate, experience than scarfing down the average, sugar-sweetened ("more-ish") chocolate.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Rich leather, smoke"

Ingredients: Theobroma cacao*, moringa*, chipotle* (*organic)

Allergen-related information: Processed on equipment that also processes nuts

*Notes about the 3 ingredients: 

Cacao: single origin cacao (sourced from Manabi, Ecuador)

Chipotle peppers (native to the Americas) are smoke-dried jalapeno peppers--a process that gives them a mellower, richer flavor. 

Moringa is a nutritious, drought-resistant tree originally from northwestern India. While not native to the Americas, it is now widely grown in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and other countries.

Wild West Chocolate - Prairie Oat Organic Oatmilk Chocolate 50% Cacao (bar) - June 17, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Wild West Chocolate
Prairie Oat - Organic Oatmilk Chocolate with Toasted Oats 50% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar
Calories: 340 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.08 (approx.) for 1 bar - Part of a 3-bar pack for $21.25
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & Earth Theme Week (including chocolates that have ties with mountains, forests and gardens...and at least one chocolate related to plains and prairies.

Today's Prairie Oat Organic Oat Milk Chocolate 50% Cacao (bar) from Wild West Chocolate (Missoula, MT) managed to represent earth, wind and water elements.

I find undulating wind-driven waves rolling through grasses (or large wheat/oat fields) mesmerizing. City dwellers like me need to drive several hours to enjoy wind dancing through oceans of prairie grasses. Happily, this bar conjured memories of wide open prairies and waving oat grasses catching golden light.

Today's Prairie Oat - Organic Oatmilk Chocolate with Toasted Oats 50% Cacao (bar) was from Wild West Chocolate (Missoula, MT).

Aroma and flavor notes included: subtle chocolate, very faint fruit, and a satisfying oatmeal-like flavor.

I don't care for the slightly dry/gritty texture and flavor of some oat milk* chocolates--or the fact that any "milks" can mask/dull subtle cacao flavors. 

However, the oatmilk bars from Wild West Chocolate haven't given me this experience. And the whole oats (that covered the back side of today's Prairie Oat bar) were pleasant (not too rough, and imparting a mellow oat flavor)--making the whole oat experience quite enjoyable. And I believe the company's blend of fruit powders (used to sweeten the chocolate instead of sugar) provided a good balance with the oats.

Ingredients: Organic Oat milk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date+, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Oat milk+, Vanilla Extract+), Gluten-Free Oats+. (+Organic Ingredients; ++47% Fair Trade Ingredients, Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA

Allergen-related information: Contains Gluten Free Oats. "Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Made with 100% fair trade and sustainable cocoa. Manufactured on equipment that processes tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat and soy."

*Bottom line: Making a good oat milk chocolate is not easy. You have to get those starches and saponins, particle sizes, temperatures, interactions with cacao flavors, etc. just right.

Wild West Chocolate - Snowcapped Coconut 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar) - June 16, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Wild West Chocolate

Snowcapped Coconut 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.6 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65.2 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.08 (approx.) for 1 bar - 1 of 3 bars for $21.25 
Purchased from: Wild West Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate & Earth: Mountains, Forests & Gardens Theme Week. (The next 4 weeks will focus on chocolates related to the elements: Earth, Water and Fire.) 

Today's Snowcapped Coconut 50% Cacao Oatmilk Chocolate (bar) was from Wild West Chocolate  (Missoula, MT).

This chocolate was "inspired by the majestic peaks of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains" and was "blanketed with a whimsical flurry of organic coconut flakes."

Aroma and flavor notes for this vegan dark oatmilk bar included: smooth dark chocolate, faint diffuse fruit (berry, tropical fruit, and barely-there citrus (sweet tangerine)), and very faint coconut.

Texture: creamy smooth chocolate with a dusting of very fine-textured coconut "snow" on one side. 

I enjoyed the balanced blend of very subtle fruit, smooth chocolate, and very light and authentic coconut "snow."

I appreciated the use of Organic ingredients; the fruit powder blend used to sweeten the chocolate; and that this oat milk bar did not taste "oat-y". It was sweet, but not too sweet--allowing greater appreciation for the subtle chocolate and other flavors.

Ingredients: Organic Oatmilk Chocolate (Organic Fruit Blend [Powdered Date+, Powdered Mulberry+, Powdered Peach+, Powdered Mango+], Organic Cocoa Liquor++, Organic Cocoa Butter++, Oatmilk+, Vanilla Extract+), Coconut+.  (+Organic; ++49% Fair Trade ingredients)

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

Seattle Chocolate Co. - Maeve Hungry Blackberry Dark & White Chocolate Truffle Bar - June 15, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Seattle Chocolate Co. 
Maeve Hungry Blackberry Dark & White Chocolate Truffle Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Copperfield Books, Petaluma, CA

Welcome to the final day (Day #11) of Chocolate & Bears Theme Week--filled with many fun items. Some items, while not chonicled here on Chocolate Banquet, deserve an honorable mention for their bear themes.

Today's Maeve** Hungry Bear Blackberry truffle bar was from Seattle Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). The original company (founded in 1991) offers a line of chocolate bars (including filled chocolate truffle bars) and confections.

Aroma and flavor notes for this sweet, slim, filled bar included: sweet dark milk chocolate, subtle berry (blackberry) with a soft, sweet (candy-level sweet) light vanilla and berry white chocolate filling.

The blend of dark and white chocolate added layered flavors. The blackberry flavor was relatively pleasing and authentic (all the berry, none of the seeds). However, the overall sweetness level was way too high for me. 

Texture: soft, thin layer of mild dark chocolate and soft vanilla and berry filling

Ingredients: white chocolate (cane sugar, cocoa butter*, milk, soy lecithin, natural vanilla), dark chocolate (cocoa mass, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, organic soy lecithin, organic vanilla), coconut oil, blackberry powder, natural flavor, sea salt, citric acid. (*Rainforest Alliance Certified.)

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soy, and coconut. This product is manufactured in a plant that processes milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and wheat products. *Rainforest Alliance Certified.

*Honorable mentions included: Hot Chocolate with whipped cream at the Black Bear Diner (a place loaded with carved wooden bears and bear-a-phernalia, and Cacao & Cashew Butter Crunch Granola from Bear Naked Granola with a lovely black bear logo.

**Maeve Chocolate and the Maeve Logo are Trademarks of Seattle Chocolate Co. (The company re-branded their name to Maeve Chocolate in 2025.)

Eigen Chocolate - Dulce de Oso 54% Brown Butter Milk Chocolate (bar) - June 14, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Eigen Chocolate
Dulce Del Oso 54% Brown Butter Milk Chocolate (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 1 bar 
Cost: $7.50 for 1 small bar
Purchased from: Eigen Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Dulce Del Oso 54% Brown Butter Milk Chocolate (bar) was made at Eigen Chocolate (High Point, NC). 

The makers sourced their cacao from Osito Coffee and Cacao in Colombia.

Aroma notes included: sweet, rich, dark milk chocolate (drinking chocolate), buttery toffee and caramel. The flavor notes were similar, but with more rich chocolate-y (brown butter chocolate ice cream) flavors and very faint tropical fruit (cacao fruit, passion fruit) and very faint pomegranate.

Texture: creamy, velvety dark milk chocolate with a satisfying buttery melt and mouthfeel.

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Fudge, Butterscotch, Tropical Fruit" "...ultra-rich butterscotchy-fudgy milk chocolate with a toasted brown butter finish."

I enjoyed this authentic, flavorful and buttery dark milk chocolate with balanced, single origin complexity. Perfect for those with a brown butter chocolate ice cream sweet tooth who also appreciate gentler (less bitter), high-end, deep cacao flavor(s).

Ingredients: Cacao nibs, Organic cane sugar, Organic A2/A2 whole milk powder, Organic cocoa butter

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