Category: Chocolate

Ruby Chocolate: The First Taste…!

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It’s here. Ruby chocolate. Time Cupsoul was gifted a bar from family that traveled to the EU. The Fortnum & Mason bar, “Ruby Chocolate,” was now in hand.

The packaging states, “Made by secret natural chocolate alchemy, Ruby is Milk, White and Dark chocolate’s delicious newfound sibling. Intense berry fruit, gloriously tart, subtly sour-sweet. 47% cocoa solids.”

Time Cupsoul could not wait. Was the historical chocolate bar just moments from the lips?

The bar was enthusiastically unwrapped to unveil a gorgeous rose hue, and small chocolate squares at the ready. It even smelled somewhat floral, yes, again like roses. Time for the first taste. 

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Patric Chocolate: Browned-Butter Bar Happiness

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It’s St. Patrick’s Day today, and the name of this brand is Patric Chocolate, not “St. Patric(k)’s” Chocolate, but let’s go with it; this is some magical Leprechaun-worthy cocoa.

Patric Chocolate is special. It’s “American Handcrafted Chocolate,” est. 2006 by Alan “Patric” McClure out of Columbia Missouri, USA. According to the interior of the chocolate bar packaging, Alan spent a year in France in his mid-twenties learning about chocolate. As of 2017, the brand has been rewarded Good Food Awards every year, making it the most decorated craft food producer in the USA. Impressive.

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SOMA Chocolatemaker: Embodying the Essence of Chocolate

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The 70 percent dark chocolate bar from Dreketi, Vanua Levu Island, Fiji, by Soma Chocolatemaker had a big reputation to live up to…

  1. Time Cupsoul had never eaten chocolate from Fiji
    • According to the brands’ packaging, Fiji’s national flag touts a cacao pod in lions paws (reputation signal and/or national pride, perhaps?) and also explains that, the Fijian concept of “vanua” means the land as an “extension of oneself; including one’s life, sustenance and culture”
  2. The tasting notes on the bar were listed as “chocolate, honey and grapefruit”
  3. The Soma Chocolatemaker chocolate molding is one of the most whimsical in the industry, notable for intricate details and a romantic rendition of the cacao forest (cacao pods, tropical birds, and cacao flowers)

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Musings; Zotter’s Labooko Dark Chocolate, 90% Bolivia

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Good morning from Washington, DC.

Yesterday was a nice 60 degree weather day. Time Cupsoul walked around the National Mall, exploring new coffee and chocolate shops in this great city.

Time cupsouls — experiencing them — are about inspiration and serenity at the same time. It’s about finding the quiet moment and receiving some answers, some clarity.

This week, a friend was relaying that most ingenious ideas are first sparked alone. This means that ideas are less formed in group brainstorming sessions and what’s ideal for breakthrough is to spend time alone and then bring the novelty to a group for feedback. So, this is Time Cupsoul bringing the very soul of “time cupsoul” to you, readers. How can Time Cupsoul’s site be better? What would you like to see more of? What can change? Please send a message or leave a comment on this article.

On to the chocolate…!

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K’UL Chocolate from Minnesota is a Winner

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There’s something beautiful about autumn. It’s the death of the old and hibernation of thoughts. There’s time to decay and time to be reborn. It’s all done with grace and as a dance. Leaves float to the ground gently and create a blanket to hug the earth as the cold weather comes. Like a butterfly cocoon, the beauty of the process is hidden until it’s ready for soft, unfolding exposure.

Fall brings strong desire for hot chocolate and cozy blankets in front of a camp fire. Camp fires bring s’mores. What are s’mores without some delicious chocolate… Chocolate in the cold weather warms the soul.

Continue reading “K’UL Chocolate from Minnesota is a Winner”