Author Archive: Bryn Kirk
Taza Stone Ground Cacao Crunch
May 7, 2018
Cacao Crunch is an 80% dark, stone ground chocolate made by Taza Chocolate.
A couple years ago I reviewed another chocolate by Taza, a very dark (87%) single origin Bolivian bar. I pointed out its unusual texture due to the stone ground processing technique. That texture still prevails in today’s bar and is tightly woven into the whole tasting experience.
Vosges Super Dark Matcha Green Tea
April 18, 2018
The last time I reviewed a Vosges chocolate bar was June of 2009! (Assuming we don't count their sister brand, Wild Orphelia.)
I can’t believe it’s been that long. In that old post, I reviewed Mo’s Bacon Bar, and it was truly shocking at the time. Bacon in chocolate? Inconceivable! That was then. I’d say it’s pretty common place nowadays.
I know I’ve eaten several Vosges bars since then, but apparently I haven’t taken the time to blog about them. Well, that changes today. There are so many good things to crow about when it comes to Vosges Haut-Chocolat.
Hu Kitchen – Simple Dark Chocolate
April 10, 2018
I’m still on my kick to try chocolates made with no cane sugar. In the last couple weeks I reviewed a Raaka chocolate bar sweetened with maple sugar and one sweetened with yacón root.
This week, I’m tasting a 70% dark made with coconut sugar from Hu (as in human) Kitchen. There are three ingredients to this chocolate bar: organic fair-trade cacao, unrefined organic coconut sugar, and organic fair-trade cacao butter.
Raaka Virgin Chocolate – Yacón Root
April 3, 2018
Let’s gets this out of the way first….what is yacón root?? And more importantly, why would I eat chocolate made with it?
Raaka Virgin Chocolate – Maple and Nibs
March 27, 2018
Last week I wrote about my experience with a virgin chocolate bar. For those of you that read my blog, you’re welcome for the double entendre. For those of you who didn’t – get your mind out of the gutter!
To recap, for the previous post I tried a Raaka 82% Bourbon cask aged Tanzanian virgin (as in unroasted) chocolate bar. Absolutely delicious!
Today’s tasty treat will be another Raaka production...
Raaka Virgin Chocolate – Bourbon Cask Aged
March 21, 2018
Virgin chocolate. Bourbon cask aged. Tanzania. 82% cacao. Good Food awards winner.
Okay, this has my attention. But wait, what’s virgin chocolate? And, what’s this about - aged in bourbon casks?
Luck O’ the Irish – Shamrock Truffles
March 12, 2018
I have a little Irish blood in my veins, and just a drop is all you need to celebrate with my family. Each year, we gather together for a splendid St. Patty’s Day meal. While there are many specialty foods associated with St. Patrick’s Day, chocolate is usually not one of them. But it’s top o’ mind at my nearby chocolates shop – Allo! Chocolat.
Dark Chocolate With Passion Fruit Filling
March 6, 2018
While rummaging through my chocolate drawer, I found a bar that had somehow found its way to the very bottom, hidden underneath all the other chocolates. What caught my eye was a square block of chocolate wrapped in bright yellow packaging with large reddish-pink print: “Dark Chocolate with Passion Fruit Filling”.
Sometimes I forget where some of the chocolate comes from that winds up in my chocolate drawer. Did I buy it? Was it a gift from someone? Is it a gift for someone that I forgot to give (that happens to you too, right!?)?
Indulgence Chocolatiers – Porter
February 27, 2018
I’m an avid reader. I especially like a good book series. I’m always eager to dive into the next book even when I’ve barely finished the one I’m reading.
I have the same relationship with chocolate bars from Indulgence Chocolatiers. After I finish one variety of bar, I’m ready to try the next. Out of the nearly 20 different offerings, I think I’ve only had 5 so far.
Casa del Chocolate – Varadero, Cuba
February 19, 2018
Every chocolate I’ve ever tasted comes with a story. This is no exception.
I found chocolate in Cuba! And what an extraordinary experience for me. Born in the mid-sixties in the U.S., everything Cuba has been off limits for my entire life.
Last month I traveled to Cuba with my husband and other alumni from our alma mater, Carroll University. We had a packed itinerary focusing on cultural and educational activities. Our People to People experience was equal parts eye opening and heart opening.