Author Archive: Bryn Kirk
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
November 18, 2015
Chia seed is neutral in flavor but provides the thickening and creates a unique texture in this pudding.
This is the recipe for the pudding I used in my review of Penzeys Natural High Fat Cocoa.
Penzeys Natural High Fat Cocoa Review
November 16, 2015
Sometimes I get asked, “Why does cocoa powder come in different shades of brown depending on the brand I buy?” This is a very good observation as cocoa powder comes in a range of colors from light brown to deep brown, from red to black, and many shades in between.
The general cocoa powder making process consists of squeezing out the cocoa butter after the cocoa beans are crushed into liquid form. This liquid, also known as chocolate liquor or unsweetened baking chocolate, is poured into a hydraulic press.
When the chocolate liquor is pressed, the cocoa butter is separated from the cocoa solids. The cocoa solids become hard cakes of cocoa which are then dried, broken apart, and pulverized into a powder.
Divine Dark Chocolate with Raspberries
November 9, 2015
Divine chocolates are made from Ghanaian cacao beans grown by co-operative farmers from Kuapa Kokoo.
Many small farmers own the co-op where they grow cacao in the shade of the tropical rainforest canopy and carefully ferment and dry beans in small batches. The cacao is Fairtrade certified.
Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
November 2, 2015
According to the LÄRABAR® website, their fruit & nut Bars are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Non-GMO. They have manufacturing processes in place to protect against cross-contact with gluten containing products.
The ingredients are unsweetened fruits, nuts, and spices that are minimally processed to be as close as possible to their natural state.
I don’t have any dietary reason to eat Larabar, but I have been curious to try one for a long time. So, I picked up a box in my local grocery store.
Perugina Dark Chocolate Limoncello
October 26, 2015
The Perugina sweetshop began in 1907, in Perugia Italy making sugared almonds.
In 1922, one of the co-founders, Luisa Spagnoli created a confection wrapped in a love note. She called it Baci, the Italian word for kisses. Baci confections are dark chocolate covered gianduia (a creamy chocolate hazelnut center) sprinkled with chopped hazelnuts and topped with a whole hazelnut. They are still wrapped in notes of affection, love and friendship.
Kashi Chocolate Almond and Sea Salt with Chia Chewy Granola Bar
October 19, 2015
The first thing I noticed about the Kashi Chocolate Almond and Sea Salt with Chia Chewy Granola Bar is they don’t skimp on the almonds!
Guittard Soleil D’Or Milk Chocolate
October 12, 2015
The Guittard Soleil D’Or milk chocolate bar is made from Trinitario beans grown in South America.
Cascadian Farm® Organic Crunchy Oats & Cocoa Granola Bar
October 5, 2015
Cascadian Farm is a real place.
It was started by Gene Kahn 40 years ago. According to their website, “Gene wanted to go back to the land and farm in a way that would not harm the natural beauty of the earth or her inhabitants. So he set out to farm organically on a little stretch of land next to the Skagit River in the Cascade Mountains of Washington.”
Guittard L’Harmonie Semisweet Chocolate
September 28, 2015
Guittard chocolate company is based out of California, started in San Francisco by Etienne Guittard in the mid-1800s.
According to their website, www.guittard.com, Guittard left Tournus, France, hoping to strike it rich during the California Gold Rush. He brought chocolate from his uncle’s factory to trade for supplies but soon had the wealthy miners paying for it.
Clif Organic Trail Mix Bar: Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt
September 21, 2015
CLIF® Organic Trail Mix Bars are certified USDA organic. The Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt bar is also gluten free and low glycemic.
According to their website, this particular trail mix bar “is a great tasting snack made with wholesome, organic ingredients. These bars are bursting with organic fruit, roasted nuts and delicious dark chocolate”. (You can get a 12-pack here.)
That sounds really good, but I’ve fallen for well-written marketing fluff before. What I really want to know is, does it taste good?