Chocolate Review 15 - Theo Venezuela Limited Edition Dark Chocolate Bar 91%

Note to self - next time I visit Seattle, I must include in my itinerary a Theo Chocolate Factory tour!

Last time I ate a bar that was more than 90% cacao, I almost melted it for baking. When I found this bar at Sur La Table, the "Limited Edition" sticker caught me hook, line and sinker. I fall for that kind of branding all the time! But I also love Venezuelan Chocolate.

First - a little bit about Theo Chocolate (and straight from their website):

"We are proud to be the first roaster of Fair Trade Certifiedâ„¢ cocoa beans and the only roaster of organic cocoa beans in the United States".

Okay - conscientious and different. It bodes well for the environment and our tummies. But what about the taste?

I can tell you that the bar itself smells fabulous. Once you bust open the wrapping, a rich, deep chocolate aroma lingers close by. It's a fairly thin bar, with a healthy snap. The aftertaste is coffee-like - heavy and satisfying.

Sugar-fiends might balk at its lack of sweetness, but most dark chocolate lovers will enjoy the lack of harsh bitterness in this high percentage bar. Though the company says otherwise, I believe that you have to already have an appreciation for dark chocolate to understand its greatness.

Price: $5.95
Rating: 5 cacao beans out of 5

I love my dog

At Tilden Park

Originally uploaded by EileenRose

Tom thinks she looks like a caped crusader. I think it's the best picture ever!

E

Chocolate Review 14 - E. Guittard Quetzalcoatl

The 72% cacao mass attracted me to this particular bar. But I'll admit, I wasn't impressed on my first bite. Still, I kept it around and on the 3rd try I've decided this is a good bar.

It's not sweet, and it reminds me slightly of baking chocolate. For me, its got a husky, wood-like quality - definitely earthy.

This chocolate bar doesn't want your approval. It stands on its own and doesn't really give a shit what you think. It's rough on the edges, but has a soft heart.

If you can take it, buy it and see what you're worth.

Cacao Beans: 4 out of 5
Price: $2.99

Missed a week!

Oops! i already broke my own promise of writing here once a week. Honestly, I thought I had posted something witty and exciting in the midst of my really BUSY past couple of weeks.
I have had a lot on the brain lately...family, work, home - you know, the usual. I think the difference is, I'm prioritizing what is important and healthy for my life. I'm pretty sure age (I just turned 34) has a lot to do with it.

I guess real bloggers let it all go, and give you the insight on their lives, but I'm just not there yet. I'm here and I'm cryptic, and that's the way it's gotta be for now. Hordes of people aren't reading this blog, but I guess I'm just trying to protect any privacy I have.

Overall, life IS good and hopefully just getting better. I think I finally have a grip on what I need and want to do.

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iPhone up and running!

Just an update - after much time, pain and sorrow (seriously), my iPhone is activated and running well.  AT&T did walk us through the process of detecting a bad SIM card, and helping us along the way for eventual iPhone victory.

I really do like the phone.