Chapter Fifteen: Coconut Caramel

We obtained the Dark Chocolate Coconut Caramel bar as a part of a chocolate shopping frenzy at Trader Joe’s.  In light of our recent tasting of the Black Salt Caramel bar, we’re excited to try another caramel filled option.  Like all chocolate bars from Trader Joe’s, this is another budget friendly choice.

Tasting No.: 13

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Bar: Coconut Caramel

Initial Impressions:

The snap was firmer than the base bar due to the squares not being completely filled with caramel.  The golden brown caramel quickly oozed out and was a thin consistency.   The chocolate was slightly less red than our base bar but the most striking feature was the strong toasted coconut scent.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – burnt molasses, salt

Middle – burnt coconut

After – burnt rose

Texture:

While we found the coconut flavor to be overwhelming, the coconut shavings made for a pleasant textural element.  The packaging mentioned cacao nibs which could be adding to the texture experience, but they were difficult to distinguish. 

Overall:

For being the same percentage as the base bar, it was sweet to the point of being sickly sweet.  Between the amount of corn syrup and sugar and the strong coconut flavor, it was almost too much for us. We finally concluded that this bar is more of a candy bar than a chocolate bar.

Rating: 3/10



*Notes:

Purchased at Trader Joe’s

Price range under $3

This bar isn’t going to satisfy your chocolate craving, dark chocolate lovers should look elsewhere.  It is an adventurous combination to taste if you’re looking for a sugar fix but if it's coconut you're after we highly recommend the Bovetti bar from Chapter 6.

Next week we'll be tucking into another Guittard bar, see you then!

For now savor: “The Duchess set about studying Annette and shortly found her adversary's tragic flaw. Chocolate.”  William Goldman – The Princess Bride

Chapter Thirteen: Passionfruit & Plantain

We’ve been eyeing these filled bars for a while now and decided to take a break from our typical tastings to try two filled bars from World Market with absolutely no idea of chocolate percentage.  Since they differ so much from our base bar, we thought it was best to compare these to one another rather than using our usual method.  The bars are Dark Chocolate with Passion Fruit Filling and Dark Chocolate with Caramelized Plantain Filling.

Tasting No.: 11

Dark Chocolate with Carmelized Plantain Filling

Dark Chocolate with Passion Fruit Filling

Initial Impressions:

Very firm snap, thick squares, the color of the chocolate was so similar that it leads us to believe that they used the same chocolate for both bars.  The plantain bar smells spicy while the passionfruit smells acidic, both have a firm bite.

Plantain Flavor Profile:                            Passionfruit Flavor Profile:

Initial – fruity                                             Initial – lemon

Middle – caramel banana bread              Middle – passionfruit

After – plantain, apple                              After – fruit preserve

Texture:

After the initial firmness of the chocolate, the filling was the consistency of fruit preserves.  The chocolate itself was smooth.

Overall:

Much like the Coconut Caramel bar that we'll review in a few weeks, these bars are more of a candy bar where the chocolate acts as a vessel or binding ingredient for the focal point, the fillings.  This was cemented by our struggle to truly taste the chocolate because the fillings were so prominent. While we enjoyed these bars, we feel they are more for nibbling and sharing with a large group of people rather something you’d eat by yourself; this is also due to the filling making these bars not an easy item to tote around.

Rating: 5/10

*Notes:

Purchased at: World Market

Price range under $3

These are good bars to have in place of a dessert; share them at a potluck or at your next gathering of friends.

Would you ever think to pair pine tree oil with chocolate?  Check in next week to read our adventures with this unique chocolate combination.

For now savor: “Strength is the capacity to break a Hershey bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.” Judith Viorst – Love & Guilt & The Meaning of Life

Chapter Twelve: Haut Chocolat

We bought the Vosges Haut Chocolat 70% Black Salt Caramel Bar honestly for the packaging.  After reading a little more about this brand, we were excited to partake of the tasting adventure laid out on the back of the packaging which asked us to breathe, see, smell, snap, and taste as a part of the total experience of the bar.

Tasting No.: 10

Vosges Haut Chocolat 70% Black Salt Caramel Bar

Initial Impressions:

For being a filled bar, there is still a substantial snap which then turns into goo.  The caramel aroma was pleasantly prominent but not overwhelming or cloying.  It was darker and browner when compared with our base bar; the caramel was a deep, burnt orange.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – citrus

Middle – caramel, butterscotch, butter

After – burnt, smoke

Texture:

This bar was creamy and silky smooth, the chocolate melted into the caramel which was perfectly proportioned.  The black salt used in this bar is from the ocean surrounding Hawaii and contains volcanic charcoal which lends to the burnt smokey flavor that reminds Gaby of flan.  It was difficult to compare it with our base bar since it was a filled bar.

Overall:

We both enjoyed this bar thoroughly, but agreed that it wasn’t an everyday sort of bar.  This is the perfect bar when you’re in the mood for some gooey delight but we typically prefer a solid chocolate bar to fulfill our cravings.  This would make a nice gift, but be sure to keep it cool or it will melt!

Rating: 7.5/10

*Notes:

Purchased at World Market

Price range under $7

This bar will satisfy a sweet tooth like no other.  Eat it with some strong black tea to cut the sweetness.

Next week we’ll be tasting another filled bar; this one is passionfruit!

For now savor: “Researchers have discovered that chocolate produced some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are.” – Matt Lauer, NBC’s Today Show

This bar was 63% fairly traded.  Remember, fairly traded chocolate is a responsible way to support farmers by ensuring that the chocolate that you consume has been bought for a fair price.  By choosing to purchase fair trade chocolate, you can honor the cocoa tree growers and support their way of life which in turn leads to better chocolate.