If a lot of chocolate bars seem like a synthetic mass of overprocessed sweeteners to you, think outside the bar. Pick up a Chocolate Mexicano Disc — that’s right, a disc — made by Taza Chocolate.
This is pure, authentic artisanal chocolate with a rustic texture — crafted to burst with unexpected flavors. The stone ground organic cacao’s mixed with organic sugar plus a few other organic ingredients for flavor — which means that you can count all the ingredients for these chocolate discs on one hand!
The semi-sweet dark chocolate has a slightly crumbly, granular texture. My unexpected favorite is the Salt and Pepper flavor, which gives the disc a little extra crunch and spice. I also loved the Guajillo Chili flavor — which gave the chocolate a nice extra kick.
Unlike the not-so-good-for-you chocolate bars that make you crave more sugar as soon as you eat it, Taza Chocolate Mexicano Discs really do satisfy. A half a disc will satisfy your choco-cravings — and make you feel about the pure ingredients too.
Taza has its own “direct trade” program — which sounds akin to fair trade practices, though the company’s got no third-party certification to back up its claims (for more on the fair trade certification debate, read these posts). Still, Taza appears to be a company dedicated to organic and fair trade practices. According to their website, Taza pays above fair trade organic prices for cacao and visits its farms and co-ops — all exclusively certified organic — at least once a year.
Chocolate Mexicano Discs are sold in pairs, packaged in a simple, waxy paper wrap held together by a sticker. I got mine at The Detox Market in Venice, but Taza Chocolate can also be found at Co-opportunity and a number of local stores. Or shop Taza Chocolate’s online store. A Chocolate Mexicano Disc can be yours for $4.50.
Earlier:
>> nicobella vegan organic chocolate truffles: Decadence with antioxidants
>> TCHO: Pure dark chocolate made decadently flavorful
>> Coco-Zen Berries and Chocolate: Fair trade truffles for locavores
Looks yummy!
Comment by Phoebe — November 18, 2010 @ 7:06 am
SWEET! Oh you must love your job!
Comment by Electric Car Muse — November 18, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
I couldn’t get over to the Taza online store fast enough — and I couldn’t leave fast enough because when ordering direct from tazachocolate.com that $4.50 becomes $26.52 with the cheapest shipping option offered (UPS 2-day). Glad it’s available locally.
Comment by Will Campbell — November 19, 2010 @ 7:07 pm