Tag Archive: dark chocolate
Hammond’s Chocolate Bars
September 6, 2017
Once again we get to my birthday, and here come the gifts of chocolate!
Yay, I have new chocolate bars to try and this time they are made by Hammond’s Candies in Denver, CO.
According to their website, www.hammondscandies.com, Hammond’s has been in business for more than 90 years. In 1920, Carl T. Hammond, Sr. founded Hammond’s Candy Company in Denver, Colorado. His first candy creation was the Honey Ko Ko - a chocolate topped with shredded coconut.
The Chocolate Trader: Dark Chocolate with Olive Oil and Sea Salt
August 22, 2017
Here’s a little Milwaukee, Wisconsin history. In 1916, Joseph and Lottie Helminiak, founded Quality Candy Shoppes on Mitchell street in Milwaukee. Over the next 100 years, the company has grown, been through some changes, and became well known in Wisconsin.
In the 1960’s, Quality Candy bought Buddy Squirrel, a nut roasting and gourmet popcorn company, also located in Milwaukee. It became Quality Candy/Buddy Squirrel. Later, it was purchased and renamed Buddy Squirrel, LLC.
7th Street Confections Dark Chocolate Thins
August 14, 2017
7th Street Confections is a new line of “better for you” treats from the long established Pearson’s Candy Company. The line up of Dark Chocolate Thins include flavors such as Raspberry & Quinoa; Strawberry; Blueberry & Almond; and Pineapple & Toasted Coconut.
Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Bourbon Caramel
July 31, 2017
Ghirardelli recently introduced a new variety of chocolate square; Dark Chocolate Bourbon Caramel. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, I think this is another example of “sounds better than it is”.
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.