Tag Archive: dark chocolate
CocoLove Raspberry Bouche Bar
July 24, 2017
Vacationing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming was amazing! The Tetons, the hiking, the biking, the chocolate! The chocolate?
Every vacation destination I make a point to hunt out a local chocolates shop and this was no different. We stayed with family living in Jackson, and they knew where to take me - CocoLove Dessert Boutique. It was full of beautiful creations by pastry chef Oscar Ortega.
Wild Ophelia Barbeque Potato Chip Chocolate Bar
July 10, 2017
I must say, there are some interesting flavored chocolate bars out there (I’m referring to what’s added to the chocolate, not the natural occurring terroir). And by “Interesting” I mean, raise an eyebrow and ask yourself, “who would think of such a thing?”
Today’s bar for example, honey and hickory barbeque potato chips with smoked paprika in 70% chocolate. Hmmm?
Pascha 85% Chocolate Chips
July 3, 2017
Once upon a time, when I was working at a large chocolate manufacturer, I created chocolate chip formulas. Formulas are based on adding ingredients together until they total 100%. A semi-sweet chocolate chip has to contain a minimum of 35% chocolate liquor or cacao mass (by law) so a typical chocolate chip formula might look like this:
Endangered Species Dark Chocolate with Cherries
June 26, 2017
Chocolate and cherry have a long history together. Case in point, chocolate-covered cherry cordials. At least one brand, Cella’s, started making chocolate cherries in 1864 (although large scale production didn’t start until around 1929).
The bar I’m reviewing today is made by Endangered Species brand and is NOT a cherry cordial. It does, however, have that same great taste combination. This is a 72% dark chocolate with bits of dried cherries.
Maca Dark Chocolate by Simple Truth Organic
June 19, 2017
This chocolate bar is a 71% dark chocolate with maca added. The brand is Simple Truth Organic, and it’s found in Kroger stores and manufactured in Switzerland.
After tasting a number of milk chocolates for the Milk Chocolate Lover’s series, I’m happy to be back to the dark chocolate reviews. This chocolate welcomes me back wonderfully.
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – Tanzania 73%
April 4, 2017
Chocolate of the week: Tanzania
Tanzania is a country in Eastern Africa bordered by Uganda and Kenya to the north. Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are to the west, while Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique lie to the south.
Germans brought cacao to Tanzania in the 1880s, and although there is a long history of growing cacao, the yield is fairly small. It’s about half the amount grown in the West African countries of Ivory Coast and Ghana. But Tanzanian cocoa production is growing.
Wine and Chocolate 101: Pairing Advice
March 30, 2017
Chocolate is a treat that many people desire and love to indulge in. It goes with many things, including wine, but needs to be paired accordingly for the best flavours to really come from the combination.
If you’re a wine and chocolate lover but you’ve never really experimented with both together, this expert guide will give you the best pairing advice for both wine and chocolate so you can gain a better tasting experience.
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – São Tomé 70%
March 27, 2017
Chocolate of the week: São Tomé
The island nation of São Tomé & Príncipe is located in the Gulf of Guinea off the western coast of Central Africa. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa.
The main language is Portuguese, having been settled by Portugal throughout the 1600s. The rich volcanic soil is ideal for sugar, coffee, and cacao. São Tomé became independent 1975.
The Portuguese brought cacao from Brazil to Principe and Sao Tomé in the early 1800s.
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – Papua New Guinea 70%
March 20, 2017
Chocolate of the week: Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea.
Chocolates made from the local cocoa beans are somewhat hard to find because the volume of cacao grown and exported from PNG is pretty low compared to other cacao growing nations.
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – Dominican Republic 70%
March 13, 2017
Chocolate of the week: Dominican Republic
Today’s chocolate bar is a 70% dark chocolate from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic shares the tropical island of Hispaniola with Haiti.