Author Archive: Bryn Kirk

Malie Kai Chocolates

Did you know that Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. where cacao can grow?

Cacao has been grown in very small amounts in Hawaii since the 1850s. Most of it was grown on the Big Island.

Malie Kai Milk ChocolateMalie Kai Chocolates is a small company producing chocolates grown on Oahu, specifically, the famous North Shore.
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Is Expired Chocolate Still Good?

Recently I received a question from a reader wondering if a rather large supply of chocolate, 2 years past expiry, would still be good to use. 

It's a good question.  And it doesn't really matter the quantity of chocolate.  Here's my answer...

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Equal Exchange Very Dark Chocolate

The Equal Exchange brand Very Dark Chocolate (71% Cacao) is organic and uses 100% fair trade ingredients. Equal Exchange Very Dark ChocolateThe chocolaty richness of this bar is absolutely excellent. I love the fruity notes that come right away at the beginning and the soft, vanilla cocoa that lingers in the finish. This is one of my favorite chocolates and at 71%, is the best in that percentage range.

This bar is made from cacao from farmer owned co-operatives in CONACADO, a famous cocoa growing region in the Dominican Republic, and CACVRA, in Peru.
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Theo Chocolates and Jane Goodall

What Do Theo Chocolates and Jane Goodall Have In Common?

Jane Goodall - Good For AllAccording to the Theo Chocolates website, "The partnership between Theo and Jane Goodall is inspired by 'Cocoa Practices,' a ground breaking Theo Chocolate initiative that brings together small scale cocoa farmers, larger producers, and non-governmental organizations from the world's cocoa producing regions."

Jane Goodall is a United Nations Messenger of Peace. She puts her stamp of approval, "Good For All" seal , on products she feels reflects her personal commitment to supporting the environment, and high quality, ethically produced products from the developing world.
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Theo Mint Dark Chocolate

Theo Mint Dark ChocolateThe Theo Dark Chocolate bar with Mint is made with 70% dark chocolate and a unique blend of spearmint and peppermint.

I love mint. It's one of my top 5 favorite flavor combinations with chocolate. I couldn't imagine enjoying a mint chocolate bar that wasn’t traditional 100% peppermint.  You just don’t mess with tradition!

However, I really liked the unusual blend of spearmint with the peppermint. 
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Jelly Belly Chocolate Dips

Jelly Belly makes chocolate coated jelly beans called Chocolate Dips, and they are addicting!

Jelly Belly Chocolate DipsNever before had it crossed my mind, while eating a jelly bean, that it might taste better wrapped in chocolate.  And, yet, here I am munching on Very Cherry flavored Chocolate Dips and I can't stop.  The whole bag is gone, and so is my shapely waist. 🙂

These jelly beans weren't just grabbed off the line and thrown under a chocolate curtain. The jelly beans have definitely been altered because there is no hard sugar shell.  The bean has been panned (rolled around in a revolving drum while being sprayed with a thin chocolate coating) with the chocolate covering the gooey jelly bean center.

The dark chocolate coating is a real chocolate made with cocoa butter.  The chocolate by itself lacks a strong chocolatey flavor.  Nonetheless, it is chocolatey enough!  Besides, you don't want to melt away the coating first.  Instead, chew up the combination together to get the full enjoyment of fruit and chocolate.  The texture is perfect.

I thought the cherry Jelly Bellies was evenly balanced, neither the chocolate nor the cherry overpowering the other. 

In addition to cherry, there are orange, raspberry, coconut, strawberry, and mint flavors. 

To me, jelly beans are really sweet, too sweet, and I can eat only a few.  The best thing about the chocolate dips is that the sweetness is toned down and a pretty authentic flavor replaces it.

The six flavors of dips get an OMG! declaration from me.

Giving Thanks

By the time American Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving, cacao was largely unknown outside of Meso-America.  The unfortunate side-effect of this timing is that chocolate would not have been present at that original Thanksgiving dinner.  thanksgiving meal - no chocolateTherefore, it's not part of the American traditional Thanksgiving meal. 🙁

Well, I guess it doesn't really matter.  In the grand scheme, today is a day to stop and give thanks for the many blessings we have received.  Chocolate is still one of those blessings.  And so are you! 
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Chocolate Pecan Pie

Wow, it's November already.  As we're beginning the approach on the upcoming holiday season it's time to start thinking about great holiday recipes to share with guests.

Pecan pie is one of those desserts that is popularly served at Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.  It is also considered a specialty of Southern U.S. cuisine. 

Pecan pie is typically made of corn syrup and pecan nuts, but you're on my website and that means you expect chocolate.  So here's a chocolate pecan pie recipe for you to enjoy.  And, this one is quite simple to make.
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Ghirardelli Intense Dark Toffee Interlude

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Toffee InterludeOctober is Breast Cancer awareness month and Ghirardelli is using the power and popularity of chocolate to make a difference.  Each time you purchase an Intense Dark chocolate bar, Ghirardelli will donate $1.00 to the National Breast Cancer foundation.  After enjoying one of the many varieties of Intense Dark, don’t throw away the wrapper until after you’ve entered the code on their website.  The code is printed on the inside of the packaging.

It is hard to choose my favorite among the Intense Dark varieties because they’re all so good! 

I most recently had the pleasure of eating Toffee Interlude.  This rich, bold chocolate surrounds crunchy toffee pieces and caramelized almonds.  The buttery and caramel flavors blend nicely with the soft sweetness of the chocolate and the hint of salt from the almonds. 
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Chocolate Pecan Caramel and Petite Sirah

Bogle Petite SirahDuring a recent chocolate and wine tasting program, I introduced the pairing of a dark chocolate covered pecan and caramel cluster with a Bogle Petite Sirah. 

Looking for a wine that would work with cluster, I described what I needed and then took the suggestion from a very knowledgeable wine guru.   But up until serving it, I had not tried this particular combination.  This always makes me a bit nervous because I am using something unfamiliar, yet I’m simultaneously excited to try something new.

The pairing did not disappoint!  This wonderful twosome worked great in the tasting and would also be a very satisfying after dinner treat.
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