Mirzam - 62% Dark Chocolate with Candied Oranges & Orange Infused Toffee (bar) - June 7, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mirzam Chocolate Makers
62% Dark Chocolate with Candied Oranges & Orange Infused Toffee (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 73 calories in 1/2 bar (per label - 208 kcals per 100 g.)
Cost: $18.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate & Citrus Week, featuring bars and confections with a citrus flavor inclusion.

Today's 62% Dark Chocolate with Candied Oranges & Orange Infused Toffee (bar) from Mirzam Chocolate Makers was "made from bean bar in Dubai, United Arab Emirates" -- "crafted in collaboration with: @zandzdc."

Aroma notes included: lovely aromatic orange (ripe orange fruit, candied orange peel) and dark chocolate.

Texture: lots of crunchy orange toffee bits and creamy smooth dark chocolate.

Flavor notes included: orange-infused toffee bits encased in a smooth dark chocolate bar. 

Citrus lovers will really appreciate this high-end exotic citrus bar. This was a well-executed and balanced orange-zilla dark chocolate confection. The orange had some authentic zing but was not bitter or acidic. The dark chocolate balanced and complemented the sweet citrus elements, and played more of a supporting role. 

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, unrefined cane sugar, cocoa butter, butter, orange sweet oil, orange peel, glucose.

Allergen-related information: Contains dairy (butter). May contain traces of nuts and gluten. 

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - Puffed Quinoa (bar) - June 6, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates
Puffed Quinoa Melk (R) Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 1 oz. (28 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $1.87 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Puffed Quinoa Melk (R) Chocolate Bar was from Sjaak's Chocolates (Petaluma, CA).*

The company was one of the first producers of organic and alternative milk (rice milk) chocolates that I became aware of two decades ago--when I started Chocolate Banquet.

Aroma notes included: subtle cocoa, faint vanilla and faint nut/seed/rice.  

Texture: creamy and crunchy

I liked the gentle flavors; this rice, almond and quinoa likely softened the cacao flavor. The smaller bar size was nice too. And the sweetness level was about right--it was sweet, but somehow not overly so.

Ingredients: Melk Chocolate* (Cocoa Butter*, Rice Milk Powder*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Liquor*, Almonds*, Vanilla Bean Powder*), Puffed Quinoa*. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds

*Sjaak's chocolate shop origins dates back to 1988 with a fine chocolate shop in Eureka, CA. Although founder-owner Jacques Holten's interest in chocolate extends back much further, to his European roots.

In 2004, Jacques and his daughter founded Sjaak's Organic Chocolates with a focus on vegan and Organic chocolates. Sjaak's closed down in their Petaluma location over a year ago; and this chocolate was expired by the time I tasted it. But it still tasted ok to me.

Mezcla - Puff-Crispy Bar - Italian Pistachio Chocolate - June 5, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Mezcla 
Puff-Crispy Bar - Italian Pistachio Chocolate
Good + - Good ++ 
Weight: 1.40 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar/package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar/package 
Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar/package

Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Fremont, CA

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

Today's Mezcla Puff-Crispy (TM) Bar Italian Pistachio Chocolate with pea protein, almond butter & quinoa (bar) was distributed by Eat Mezcla Inc. (NY, NY).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, sweetened cereal, seed, nut, and very faint vanilla/cookie.

Texture: satisfying crispy and crunchy texture. It was light, yet I had a substantial feeling of satiety that comes with a higher protein offering. Smooth almond butter and dark chocolate complemented the crunchy pea protein and quinoa crisps.

This attractively packaged bar provided a convenient source of portable protein (10 grams in 1 bar). 

The pistachio nuts (and hazelnuts) were very subtle; so much so that I almost missed them; but (along with the almond butter) these nuts contributed a nutty background flavor. Other than possibly the "Natural Flavor",* the ingredients list looked quite healthy and authentic.

Ingredients: Pea Crisps (pea protein, rice starch), Tapioca Syrup, Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Powder), Vegetable Glycerine, Almond Butter, Quinoa Crisps (Quinoa), Prebiotic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Tapioca Fiber, Pistachios, Pea Protein, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, Hazelnuts.

Allergen-related information: "Contains Tree Nuts (Almond, Coconut, Hazelnut, Pistachio). Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Dairy, Peanut, Sesame, Soy, Tree Nuts, and Egg."

*Natural Flavor(s) includes a broad category of additives derived from plants and animals and are often added to processed foods. Apologies to the maker, but I find bars with added "Natural Flavor(s)" do not taste as good.

Justin's - Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - June 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Justin's, LLC 
Organic Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37 g.) in total package of 2 cups
Calories: 210 calories in 1 package (2 cups)
Cost: $2.29 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week.

Today's Organic Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups were distributed by: Justin's, LLC (Boulder, CO).

Aroma and flavor notes included: relatively high-quality, balanced dark chocolate, subtle peanut/peanut butter, and faint fruit (authentic fruit (peach, berry), fruity cereal).

Texture: creamy chocolate coating with a slightly thicker/stiffer peanut butter filling, topped with crunchy quinoa pieces.

I enjoyed this updated take on classic* peanut butter cups; the flavorful and balanced chocolate used; the textural blend of creamy chocolate, peanut butter and crunchy quinoa; and the thoughtful list of quality and organic ingredients.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Cacao Beans*, Organic Cocoa Butter*, Organic Sunflower Lecithin [Emulsifier]), Organic Peanut Butter (Organic Ground Peanuts), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Quinoa, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Palm Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Sunflower Lecithin. (*Rainforest Alliance Certified) 

Allergen-related information: Contain Peanuts. Produced on Equipment That Also Processes Tree Nuts and Milk.

Harry Burnett Reese, a former employee of Milton Hershey, has been credited with inventing the peanut butter cup in 1928. A century later, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups continue to be a candy staple, and the still-successful original continues to inspire many variations.

Simply Gum - Peanut Butter Crispies - June 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Simply Gum

Peanut Butter Crispies 
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.625 oz. (46 g.) / 4.7 oz. (133 g.) in total package
Calories: 240 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Farm Fresh, online order 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week.

Today's Peanut Butter Crispies were from Simply Gum Inc. (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma and flavor notes included: peanut, chocolate and toffee. 

In texture, aroma and taste these small bars were similar to a Butterfinger* candy bar--made with higher quality (darker) chocolate, quinoa and brown rice, and a lighter (less dense), crispy texture. All this with a shorter list of ingredients.

These treat-sized bars evoked great childhood chocolate memories. The only downside: these were quite addicting. If you open up this relatively large package (that contains an inviting sea of unwrapped bars), you may be tempted to eat more than planned.

I enjoyed the balanced and complementary blend of flavors and textures; and I appreciated the list of quality ingredients and the absence of extra additives--true to the "Simply" company name and mission.

Maker's description: "Our Peanut Butter Crisps are a lighter take on a classic candy -- think nut butter cup meets rice crispies..."

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Organic Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter), Peanut Flour, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Roasted Peanuts, Quinoa, Organic Brown Rice, Coconut Oil, Peanut Oil, Organic Vanilla Bean, Sea Salt

Allergen-related information: Contains Peanuts, Coconut. Manufactured in a facility with products that may contain milk, tree nuts and/or peanuts. Gluten Free. 

*The Butterfinger candy bar was created in 1923 by the Curtiss Candy Company. In the past this brand was owned by Standard Brands, Nabisco and Nestle. Ferrero Group became the latest owner in the U.S. in 2018. It is manufactured internationally by Nestle.

Fruition Chocolate Works - Zorzal Eco Reserve 73% Dark Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberry & Citrus (bar) - June 2, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fruition Chocolate Works
Zorzal Eco Reserve 73% Dark Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberry & Citrus (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Fruition, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week.

Today's Zorzal Eco Reserve 73% Dark Chocolate with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberry & Citrus (bar) was from Fruition Chocolate Works (Shokan, NY).

The cacao used to make this bar was grown on a cacao farm in a bird reserve in the Dominican Republic. The certified "Bird Friendly"* cacao farm designated as "forever wild" inspired the makers to create this bird seed bar.

Aroma and flavor included: rich, sweet (slightly fruity) dark chocolate, seed, nut; dried dark berry (blueberry) and very faint citrus. (Note: this bar did not contain nuts.)

Texture: smooth dark chocolate (covered with a dense riot of) softly crunchy sunflower seeds, interspersed with small chewy fruit pieces (blueberries). Tiny rounds of puffed quinoa added additional, subtle texture.

I enjoyed the blend of flavors--an elevated homage to cacao and birds (and very high-quality bird seed).

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*), Sunflower Seeds, Wild Blueberries, Puffed Quinoa, Lemon Zest, Sugar, Citric Acid, Citrus Essential Oils (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: Contains sunflower seeds. May contain traces of milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and sesame.

*As designated/certified by the Smithsonian National Zoo and Smithsonian Bird Center. This honor is being bestowed on coffee and cacao growing areas/plantations that meet certain agroforestry and forest conservation criteria.

Antidote - Quinoa Crunch 70 Dark (bar) - June 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Antidote
Quinoa Crunch 70 Dark (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: $9.00 of 1 bar
Purchased from: Antidote, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week. 

Today's "Queens of Paradise" - Quinoa Crunch 70 Dark (bar) was from Antidote (Brooklyn, NY).

Aroma notes included: pleasing dark chocolate aroma (with sweet green/fruit) plus malted cereal.

Texture: well-tempered, smooth dark chocolate covered with a layer of crunchy popped quinoa.

Flavor notes included: sweet dark chocolate (with faint fruit/citrus); light, toasted cereal; and a slight bitterness--making the taste balanced bitter (bordering on sharp earth) and sweet in toward the finish.

The overall appearance was nice, and the tiny, golden brown puffed quinoa layer was generous, attractive (golden brown) and well-executed. (The quinoa  didn't crumble off in my lap, thank you.) 

I also appreciated the use of Arriba Nacional cacao, which gave it a complexity beyond most bulk/couverture chocolates.

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate: 70% cacao Arriba Nacional...cacao beans, whole cane sugar, cacao butter, popped quinoa, sunflower lecithin.

Allergen-related information: (Made in a facility that handles milk, soy & nuts.)