Bar of the Week: Theo's Fig Fennel & Almond

Throughout the month of June we'll be featuring "inclusion" bars--that is, chocolate bars with extra flavor or texture thanks to added nuts, fruit, salt, spices, and the like.   First up is the Fig, Fennel, & Almond bar from Seattle's own Theo Chocolate. 

This bar of 70% dark chocolate includes slivers of almond, pieces of sweet fig, and just a hint of cool, herbal fennel.  Like all of Theo's chocolates, it's certified organic and fairtrade, plus this particular bar is gluten free, soy free, dairy free, and vegan!  A great treat for those with restricted diets, and one that omnivores will enjoy as well. 

We'll be offering samples of Theo's Fig Fennel & Almond on Saturday, June 5th.  Stop by and take it for a spin!

Bar of the Week: Coppeneur's Hacienda Iara

Our final bar of the week for "Ecuador Month" comes from German micro-batch maker Coppeneur.  The beans for the Hacienda Iara bars grow on an organic plantation that specializes in Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cacao.  The bar is 72% dark chocolate and contains only cacao, sugar, and cocoa butter, setting the stage for intense flavors of fruit, tropical flowers, and roasted nuts. Join us on Saturday, May 29th, to try Coppeneur's Hacienda Iara. 

Bar of the Week: Valrhona's Alpaco

On Saturday, May 23, we'll be offering samples of Valrhona's Alpaco, a 66% dark chocolate made from Ecuadorian Arriba cacao.  Expect delicate notes of jasmine and orange blossom grounded by a "stately" chocolate base.

Our house-made Ecuadorian truffle is also made using Valrhona Alpaco, and, for the month of May, we're offering Alpaco drinking chocolate.

Bar of the Week: Pacari's Manabi

Our "Ecuador Month" continues with the Manabi bar from Quito-based Pacari Chocolate.  Pacari is a family-owned company that partners with small farms to produce certified organic and kosher chocolate using Arriba Nacional cacao.   The Manabi bar is 65% dark chocolate with assertive notes of nuts and citrus and a long finish. 

We'll be offering samples of Pacari's Manabi on Saturday, May 15th.

Bar of the Week: Republica del Cacao's El Oro

Our "Ecuador Month" continues with the El Oro bar from Republica del Cacao.  Among biodiverse Ecuador's many treasures is the Arriba cacao bean, a strain noted (and named) for its remarkable aroma.  Begun in 2004, Republica del Cacao aims to preserve and develop the Arriba bean and Ecuador's historic cacao industry. Through extensive research the company was able to identify three regions that produce outstanding cacao.  They've since partnered with small farmers in those areas to improve planting, harvesting, collection, and fermentation techniques. 

Depending on the region where it is grown, Arriba can develop a range of different flavor profiles.  Of Republica's range of region-specific bars, the El Oro is distinctly delicate and aromantic, with floral and fruity notes and a faintly roasted undertone. 

Come by on Saturday for a taste of El Oro!