LIVE kombucha review

Raw & Organic LIVE Kombucha Soda
LIVE Kombucha Soda is 99% raw, organic kombucha

I purchased these at Target, and unfortunately they were out of 2 other flavors they have, but it's a good start! I decided to have one Kombucha drink a day in January, so I was very pleased to find such variety of Kombucha available for me to try! And these were absolutely delicious! I almost felt guilty, as it felt like I was drinking soda.

Bottle top says - Things Are Looking Up

Dreamy Orange

A sweet and tangy blend of vanilla, cream, and orange. As soon as it hits your lips you’ll remember those hot summer days when you enjoyed a dreamcicle in the sun. You can now enjoy the blissfully fresh combination of orange and cream with healthful benefits of kombucha.

LIVE Soda Kombucha is made with raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. It combines the great taste of soda with the raw benefits of kombucha - aiding in digestion and detoxifying the liver. 

Ingredients

Organic Raw Kombucha (Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Tea, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Evaporated Cane Juice, and Organic Kombucha Culture fermented in purified water), Natural Flavors, Organic Stevia Extract (Natural Sweetener).

Review
This was the first flavor I tasted and I was estatic about how delicious it was! It tasted like orange soda (something i haven't had in many years). It was sweet but it wasn't overpowering like the unhealthy soda on the market. Knowing it was healthy I was super pleased with it. What I miss most about soda is the bubbles, and Kombucha naturally carbonates itself.
~ I give the flavor a 10 out of 10.  

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Bottle top says - Enjoy

Pure Doctor

Sweet with a touch of spice, Pure Doctor packs a punch. We concocted this delicious brew for lovers of other 'doctored-up' fizzy beverages, if you know what we mean (wink, wink). You'll recognize the delicious notes of sweet cherry, spicy clove, smooth caramel, and deep molasses for lip-smacking flavor that not only tastes good - it's good for you!
LIVE Soda Kombucha is made with raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. It combines the great taste of soda with the raw benefits of kombucha - aiding in digestion and detoxifying the liver. 

Ingredients

Organic Raw Kombucha (Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Tea, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Evaporated Cane Juice, and Organic Kombucha Culture fermented in purified water), Natural Flavors, Organic Stevia Extract (Natural Sweetener).

Review
This was the second flavor that I anticipated to not be too great, having the title be pure doctor I thought it would be more of a harsh healthy taste (much like my first experience with kombucha...the healthiest one I could find, that I couldn't even swollow). But, i was very pleasantly surprised as it was just as delicious as the orange! I don't know how to describe the flavor other than it was like drinking a soda!
~I give this one a 9 out of 10 as well. I would choose the orange flavor over it if I had to choose.  

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Bottle top says - This Looks Good On You

Living Limon

Living Limon is bright and fruity for a perfectly balanced zest. When you need a drink that will quench your thirst and put a smile on your face, reach for Living Limon. Pleasantly sparkling, this citrusy beverage is more than meets the eye - it's a taste of the good life.
LIVE Soda Kombucha is made with raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. It combines the great taste of soda with the raw benefits of kombucha - aiding in digestion and detoxifying the liver. 

Ingredients

Organic Raw Kombucha (Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Tea, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Evaporated Cane Juice, and Organic Kombucha Culture fermented in purified water), Natural Flavors, Organic Stevia Extract (Natural Sweetener).

Review
This one was good, but not my favorite. It reminded me of beer, maybe the lime and lemon in it...kombucha always reminds me a bit of beer (which is what I don't like about it). But it wasn't horrible!
~I give it a 7 out of 10.   

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Bottle top says - Taste of Wellness

Culture Cola

Culture Cola takes classic flavor known the world over and brings it to you with authenticity we dare you to deny. But this crisp pick-me-up is more than just a refreshing soft drink. It naturally refreshes your whole body!
LIVE Soda Kombucha is made with raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. It combines the great taste of soda with the raw benefits of kombucha - aiding in digestion and detoxifying the liver. 

Ingredients

Organic Raw Kombucha (Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Tea, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Evaporated Cane Juice, and Organic Kombucha Culture fermented in purified water), Natural Flavors, Organic Stevia Extract (Natural Sweetener).

Review
This one was very soda like. No beer like reminder, just reminded me of bubbly soda, so it was a thumbs up. Still not my favorite, but it was good!
~I give it a 9 our of 10.  

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Revive Rootbeer

Revive Rootbeer is creamy, bold and refreshingly smooth. It makes the perfect topper for rich vanilla ice cream or the just-right sip to quench your thirst after a long, hot day. The undertones of vanilla and bright sizzle of sassafras will take you back to a simpler time - and the health benefits of our raw, organic kombucha will make you feel young again!

LIVE Soda Kombucha is made with raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. It combines the great taste of soda with the raw benefits of kombucha - aiding in digestion and detoxifying the liver. 

Ingredients

Organic Raw Kombucha (Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Tea, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Evaporated Cane Juice, and Organic Kombucha Culture fermented in purified water), Natural Flavors, Organic Stevia Extract (Natural Sweetener).

Review
Personally I'm not a fan of the root beer taste. There are several root beer flavors, but there is one strong flavor that reminds me of Bengay, or Deep Heat...the ointment for sore muscles! This is because I didn't grow up with root beer, and tried it in my early teens, and at first taste the resemblance was uncany! This is what this drink tastes like. 
~I give it a 4 out of 10

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Bottle top says -Kombucha Wellness

Sparkling Ginger

A burst of ginger, spiced just right. When you twist off crown you’ll meet the refreshing and supremely drinkable taste of ginger kombucha. Walking the line between a ginger ale and ginger beer. You’ll enjoy the complexity of ginger spices with lasting refreshment.

LIVE Soda Kombucha is made with raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. It combines the great taste of soda with the raw benefits of kombucha - aiding in digestion and detoxifying the liver. 

Ingredients

Organic Raw Kombucha (Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Tea, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Evaporated Cane Juice, and Organic Kombucha Culture fermented in purified water), Ginger Extract, Organic Stevia Extract (Natural Sweetener).

Review
This drink didn't have the most pleasant taste to me. I don't think I'd purchase it again, I would always choose the Orange over this one.
~I give it a 5 out of 10

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WHAT IS KOMBUCHA

Kombucha is a sparkling probiotic tea, fermented for a fixed period of time to produce a slightly sweet and sour fizzy tonic. It's a living drink that's both delicious and detoxifying (meaning it goes down easy and cleans you right out). It's wellness magic.

KOMBUCHA IS ANCIENT.

Kombucha has ancient Asian origins dating back 2000+ years. Passed around the globe from culture to culture (pun intended), it has provided healthful refreshment for centuries. During the Chinese Qin Dynasty in the 3rd century BC, this Eastern tea was referred to as the Tea of Immortality. Every household had a pot brewing. It's since been known as Sea Treasure, Stomach Treasure, Champagne of Life, Tea Cider, etc. Its current name reportedly stems from a Korean physician, Dr. Kombu, who introduced the tea to the Japanese emperor in 414 AD. The drink quickly became popular in Japan, and Samurai warriors carried it with them in battle for extra stamina and vitality. They called it 'Tea of Kombu,' or, in Japanese, 'Kombu-Cha.'

We prefer to call it, simply, 'the 'booch.'

KOMBUCHA IS WELLNESS.

This potent, fermented tea is recognized worldwide for its detoxifying, energizing, immune-enhancing, digestion-regulating properties. Survivors of the horrific Chernobyl debacle in the 1980s also credit drinking kombucha with helping protect them from radiation exposure. It's said that Nobel Prize winner Alexsander Solzhenitsyn survived while he was in Siberian exile by drinking kombucha.

• Legends of the healing powers of kombucha abound the world over,
• from Asia to Russia to Europe and now the Americas.

KOMBUCHA IS LIVING.

Yep, you heard that right. The beverage you're about to consume is alive. Think of it like this: kombucha is to tea as yogurt is to milk. It's a cultured beverage made from a living blend of healthy bacteria and beneficial yeast called a SCOBY, which stands for Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast. This floppy, rubbery disk is also called the "mother" (as creepy as that sounds). 

Billions of tiny but powerful probiotics (a word which actually means 'for life') live in each 12oz serving of LIVE Soda Kombucha, ready to move into your digestive tract, help keep your tummy clean and boost your immune system by promoting the health of your gut. Our raw kombucha also contains a world of other balancing elements necessary for your well-being:

• Enzymes which help you break down sugars and process nutrients
• B-vitamins your body needs for energy, healing, and brain function (the happy vitamins!)
• Electrolytes that aid hydration
• Antioxidants which reduce cell oxidation, i.e., slow down the aging process and prevent proliferation of ugly intruders like cancer cells
• A number of different organic acids, including lactic acid, which is essential for healthy digestive and liver function; malic acid, which is helpful for liver detoxification; butyric acid, which guards and protects the lining of your stomach; amino acid, the building block of muscular tissue; and others.

Thayers - Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera - I like this toner the best of the three. The smell is incredible and leaves your skin silky soft:)

Indications
Thayers Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula Toner will make your skin bloom. Rose Thayers remarkably soothing Toner is made with rose-petal water, Vitamin E and our proprietary Witch Hazel extract. Toner with Aloe Vera Formula with Vitamin E 12oz bottle. Made of extract from the Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis Virginiana) and a blend of other time-tested ingredients -- these natural elixirs have been a medicine-cabinet fixture for generations.

Thayer Cucumber Witch Hazel - I like this product but out of the 3 varieties I like the smell the least. They all do wonders for the skin though!

Ingredients: Purified Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Certified Organic Filet of Aloe Vera), Glycerin (Vegetable), Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (made from Certified Organic Witch Hazel), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract.

Thayer Lavender Witch Hazel - A wonderful toner to sooth before bedtime.

Ingredients
Purified Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Certified Organic Filet Of Aloe Vera), Glycerin (Vegetable), Fragrance (Natural Lavender), Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (made from Certified Organic Witch Hazel), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract.

Vitamin D- Supplements

Being very conscious about what I put in my body, I am a subscriber to Consumer Lab. A review about Vitamin D caught my attention to share with my readers, because receiving vitamin D daily is so vital!  When living in a cold climate, making it impossible to get skin exposure to natural Vitamin D from the sun, supplementation is an option.  But in order to get the benefits we need, we need to know how good the products are. 

Below are some products reviewed by Consumer Lab that did not meet the labeling

CONSUMERLAB.COM RESULTS FOR VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS
(INCLUDING COMBINATIONS WITH CALCIUM AND/OR VITAMIN K) 

Vitamin D Only:

NOT APPROVED

Found only 31.7% of claimed Vitamin D3

Vitafusion Vitamin D3 (2 gummy bears, 2 per day) Ingredients 

Mfd. by Northwest Natural Products, Inc.

1,000 IU (D3)

NOT APPROVED

Found only 83% of claimed Vitamin D2

DEVA Vegan Vitamin D 800 IU (1 tablet, 1 per day) Ingredients

Dist. by DEVA Nutrition, LLC

800 IU (D2)

Vegetarian and Vegan 

NOT APPROVED

Labeling Infraction³

Nature's Life D-2 2,000 IU (1 vegetarian capsule, 1 per day) Ingredients

Mfd. by NutraPure, Inc.

2,000 IU (D2)
Vegetarian  

Vitamin D, Calcium, and Vitamin K:

NOT APPROVED

Labeling Infraction⁴

Found lead contamination: 3.9 mcg and 5.2 mcg, in servings of 3 and 4 capsules, respectively

AlgaeCal Plus (2 vegetable capsules, 3 to 4 per day)² Ingredients 

Dist. by AlgaeCal Inc

1,200 to 1,600 IU (D3)
540 to 720 mg (calcium from algae)
75 to 100 mcg (K2 MK7)

NOT APPROVED

Labeling Infraction⁴

Pure Essence Labs Ionic-Fizz Super D-K Calcium Plus (1 level scoop powder [7 grams], 1 to 2 per day) Ingredients   

Dist. by Pure Essence Laboratories, Inc.

1,000 to 2,000 IU (D3)
250 to 500 mg (calcium lactate)
45 to 90 mcg (K2 MK7)  
Vegetarian
Assorted minerals  

Vitamin D and Calcium:

NOT APPROVED

Found only 43.9% of claimed Vitamin D3

Kirkman Calcium/Magnesium Liquid (2 teaspoons [10 mL], 1 per day)
Ingredients  

Mfd. by Kirkman

41 IU (D3)
311 mg (calcium carbonate)  

Vitamin D and Vitamin K: 

  

NOT APPROVED

Labeling Infraction⁴

Found only 73.6% of Vitamin K2 

DaVinci Laboratories of Vermont Vitamin K2 Plus (1 capsule, 1 to 2 per day) Ingredients   

Dist. by DaVinci Laboratories of Vermont

200 to 400 IU (D3)
50 to 100 mcg (K2 MK7)   

Consumer Tips:

What to Consider When Buying:
Before buying a vitamin D supplement, be aware that vitamin D can be obtained in sufficient amounts from exposure to sunlight, fortified milk (400 IU per quart or 100 IU per cup), and other fortified foods (e.g., many breakfast cereals and nutrition bars, some brands of orange juice, yogurt, margarine, and soy beverages). Fatty fish are also good sources of vitamin D. Small amounts of vitamin D are found in beef liver, cheese, egg yolks, and mushrooms.

Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D. It was recently estimated that getting the equivalent of a 1,000 IU dose of vitamin D requires exposing the face, hands and arms to full sunlight at noon for 6 to15 minutes in Miami or 9 to19 minutes during non-winter months in Boston, based on a darker-skinned Caucasian. Times are shorter by about 33% for people with very fair skin and double for those with dark skin.  To get only 400 IU, times would be 40% as long. All of these exposures are significantly less than the amount required to cause sunburn. Nevertheless, the researchers who made these calculations suggest that oral supplements of vitamin D would probably represent the safest way to increase vitamin D status due to the difficulty getting just the right amount of sun exposure and the detrimental side effects of UV exposure.¹²

Furthermore, inadequate vitamin D intake is common in people who live in northern climates (north of a line from Boston to the northern border of California), especially if they are dark-skinned. Also, increased concern about skin cancer has caused people to avoid the sun or use sunscreen. This creates a potential risk of reduced vitamin D. Americans aged 50 and older are at increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency because, as people age, skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently and the kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D into its active hormone form. People who are obese also tend to have a low plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as subcutaneous fat may sequester the vitamin. Consequently, many people may benefit by taking vitamin D as a supplement either alone or in combination with a calcium supplement. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, people with reduced ability to absorb fat in the gut may also require vitamin D supplementation.

When buying vitamin D, be aware that it is measured in International Units (IU) of vitamin D activity or as micrograms of cholecalciferol (D₃) or ergocalciferol (D₂). One microgram is equivalent to 40 IU.

 

A small news article appeared in 2010 regarding research on the content of vitamin D supplements presented at a Multiple Sclerosis conference by a team at Johns Hopkins University. The results showed the mean actual dose in 10 supplements to be only 33.5% of the labeled dose, with a range from 0.24% to 81.7%. ConsumerLab.com contacted the research team to learn more about the findings. We spoke with Dr. Norman Haughey who oversaw the testing. It appears that the report was preliminary: The team had not yet performed extraction efficiency testing, i.e., making sure that they got all of the vitamin D out of the tested samples. Poor extraction recovery will yield low results and is a well-known problem with vitamin D in supplements where other components of the product can interfere with measurements. As noted earlier, we were not able to accurately measure the amount of vitamin D in one product for this reason.

 

Chlorella

Four reasons to add chlorella to your diet

Chlorella is a green algae that is considered to be one of the most powerful superfoods known to man. Chlorella contains vasts amount of chlorophyll within its cell walls. The cell walls of chlorella are tough and indigestible, so many chlorella producers break the cell walls before selling the product. Broken cell chlorella releases the nutrients inside the cell walls so the human body can use them. Besides being possibly the richest source of chlorophyll on Earth, chlorella is also very high in plant protein. Chlorella contains fifty-eight grams of protein per one hundred grams of weight. By comparison, beef and chicken have twenty-four to twenty-eight grams of protein per one hundred grams of weight. Chlorella is a pain reliever, reduces hypertension, enhances the immune system in some cases, and chelates heavy metals.

Chlorella has been found to reduce pain

In 2000, a pilot study was conducted in which fibromyalgia patients consumed 10g of a commercially available chlorella tablet and 100mL of chlorella in liquid form. Symptoms were measured at the beginning of the trial, and again after one and two months of treatment with chlorella. After two months on chlorella, the fibromyalgia patients reported a significant 22% reduction in pain and tenderness. One-third of the patients believed their health was better after taking chlorella. Scientists involved with this study stated that a full double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was warranted.

Chlorella reduces or stabilizes blood pressure, even when medication is stopped

In another clinical study, patients with hypertension were given 10g chlorella tablets and 100 mL chlorella extract for two months. Patients were taken off all blood pressure medications, then treated with chlorella. One-fourth of the patients saw a decrease in blood pressure after taking chlorella for two months. The other three-fourths did not see a rise in blood pressure, despite being taken off their blood pressure medication.

Chlorella enhances the immune system after flu shots in some adults

In a clinical trial performed in 2003, patients who had received flu shots were given chlorella to see if the algae improved immune system function. The subjects, all over the age of fifty, took either a placebo or chlorella for three weeks before being injected with a flu vaccine. At one week and three weeks after receiving the flu shots, patients between the ages of fifty and fifty-five who had been taking chlorella had two to four times more antibodies than the placebo group. Results were insignificant for older adults in the study.

Chlorella has potential as a heavy metal chelator

A study involving rats showed the potential chlorella has for counteracting heavy metal poisoning in humans. Male rats were given cadmium chloride, a toxic metal compound used in yellow dye and photocopying. Some rats were also fed chlorella powder, while other rats were used as the control group. Cadmium was found in the bloodstream, liver, kidneys, and small intestines of the rats. However, there was a remarkable increase in cadmium in the urine and feces of the chlorella-fed rats. In addition, tissue damage was less in the chlorella group. The research group concluded that chlorella can be considered an appropriate counteragent for heavy metal poisoning.

Powders from nuts.com

Here are a few powders I purchased from nutsonline.com 

Super healthy smoothie boosts!

Gojo Berry powder

Mix 1-2 tablespoon of this powder with smoothies, teas, drinks, and yogurts for a sweet, healthy snack.

Goji berries are known as a superfood because of their high concentration of nutrients and antioxidants. They are believed to enhance the immune system, eyesight, the liver, and many other organ systems in the body. The antioxidants in goji berries are thought to promote longevity.

Our goji berry powder contains the nutrients of goji berries, concentrated into a powder, including high amounts of fiber and minerals. 

Pumpkin Seed Powder

 A great protein boost for smoothies!

 Certified: Gluten-Free

Pumpkin seed powder is a balanced source of good proteins. In addition to protein, they are an excellent source of iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, fiber, oil, and minerals. Pumpkin seed powder is an excellent supplement to help aid in the health of the prostate.

Organic Wheatgrass Powder

A great nutrition boost for smoothies!

Organic wheatgrass powder is all natural whole leaf organic wheatgrass bound into a perfect powder. Considered one of the most potent leafy green vegetables, wheatgrass powder is packed with beta-carotene, calcium, chlorophyll, fiber, iron and vitamin K and is non-GMO.

Eco utensils

On my journey to more eco living, I decided to pick up a more "green option" for my utensils, and to upgrade the cutting board I have been using (which was made of plastic)

The items I purchased were both made of Bamboo.

The first was a Bamboo Utensil Set...I had actually been looking for a small wooden spoon! And this was even better.  Recently I have been using the chopsticks a lot with my raw pastas...and loving it:)  This set is actually a To-Go ware set, that comes in a holder made out of recycled material, and also has a clasp to attach it to something on the go. 

The next item is a bamboo cutting and serving board.  Apart from being beautiful, it's durable, and doesn't stain or absorb odors. Its simple care instructions include wiping down with soap and water, drying and for preserving to wipe it down with oil ( I used coconut oil...makes it smell great too:)

Dark Chocolate Review 2

Unlike my first chocolate review, I couldn’t compare the nutrition of each of these because they all came in different size bars and different serving sizes as well, so I will include their ingredients instead.   Like the first review I taste tested them at room temperature, so they all melted very well in my mouth without much effort.  I taste tested 3 organic bars and 3 that weren’t organic but had 70%+ cocoa, so I gave them a try too.

The 6 dark chocolates chosen to review were:

74% Dagoba organic dark chocolate- xocolatl, 3oz (85g) -$2.99

73% Dagoba organic dark chocolate- conacado, 3oz (85g) -$2.99

70% Newman’s Own Organics- super dark chocolate, 3.25oz (93g) -$3.39

70% Endangered Species- dark chocolate with deep forest mint, 2oz (56g) -$2.95

72% Endangered Species- supreme dark chocolate, 2oz (56g) -$2.95

77% Chocolove- extra strong dark chocolate xoxox, 3.2oz (90g) -$2.65

74% Dagoba organic dark chocolate- xocolatl

Smoothness – silky smooth melt in your mouth texture

Smell- a cocoa smell like you would expect in most dark chocolate

Taste- for a 74% chocolate I really enjoyed it! I thought it would be too bitter but it was delicious.  It has a similar tangy taste like the Green & Black’s Organic chocolate previously reviews (an acquired taste that I have grown to really like).  It’s almost like a slight burnt taste, but pleasant.

Ingredients – Organic dark chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa, organic non-gmo soy lecithin, organic milk (less than 0.1%).

Conclusion- I would definitely add this to my chocolate list. It tasted great and I loved the fact that it was all organic.  It’s the highest cocoa % so that’s a plus too, for more healthy benefits.

73% Dagoba organic dark chocolate- conacado

Smoothness – silky smooth melt in your mouth texture with little crunchiness flakes. It contained cacao nibs in it.

Smell- like dark chocolate with a hint of chili smell.

Taste- definitely the most unique of the bunch! I went out on a limb to try something different…dark chocolate with chili. And yes it was very spicy chocolate!  As much as I Love my food spicy, I can’t say spicy hot chocolate is on my favorite list yet (maybe it will grow on me).

Ingredients – Organic dark chocolate (cacao beans), organic sugar, organic cocoa, organic cacao butter, non-gmo soy lecithin); organic cacao nibs, organic chili powder, organic maca, organic citrus oil, organic nutmeg oil, organic vanilla extract, organic milk (less than 0.1%).

Conclusion- I loved the fact it was all organic, and even had maca and nutmeg, but the chili was a little much for me, and something I’d need to get used to…although chilies are healthy, not so sure I want them in my chocolate.

70% Newman’s Own Organics- super dark chocolate

Smoothness – silky smooth melt in your mouth texture

Smell- smelled a little sweeter than most dark chocolate, but still had the cocoa smell

Taste- very delicious, I would say one of my favorites so far.  It had a very creamy buttery taste…made you feel like you’re eating something very rich and savory. 

Ingredients – Organic dark chocolate (Organic chocolate liquor), organic evaporated cane juice, organic cocoa butter, organic soy lecithin, organic vanilla.

Conclusion- I think the added vanilla really made a difference in the taste of this chocolate, it was very yummy with a little more of a sweetness to it.  It was also all organic which put it at the top of my list.

70% Endangered Species- dark chocolate with deep forest mint

Smoothness – silky smooth melt in your mouth texture

Smell- like mint chocolate…and I love mint chocolate! Reminded me of peppermint patties which was one of my all time favorite (healthier option) chocolate.  Also reminds me of a mink lotion bar I just purchased (I need to get used to all the mint scent items I receive to smell like each other, because they’re all made of pure mint so all smell very similar).

Taste- with the blend of mint and dark chocolate it had a very cool and refreshing taste…quite the opposite of the chili chocolate above.  However both kinda clear your sinuses…which makes for an interesting experience.

Ingredients – bittersweet chocolate, chocolate liquor, unbleached water-filtered beet sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla, natural mint flavor.

Conclusion- I wish it was organic, but it gets a plus for the fact that 10% of the net profits are donated to help support species, habitat & humanity.  I love the mix of mint in chocolate so I really liked this one. I would have liked it even better if the chocolate was half the thickness…it was a little thicker chocolate than the previous ones.  So if I had any suggestions to change it I would say to make it thinner and compensate by making it larger (like Lindt, Godiva, Ghirardelli etc).  

72% Endangered Species- supreme dark chocolate

Smoothness – silky smooth melt in your mouth texture

Smell- sweeter than most dark chocolate smells, in spite of it being 72% cocoa. I supposed the vanilla added to that.  Although there are no nuts in it, I would describe the smell to be slightly nutty.  Wonderful aroma.

Taste- very delicious chocolate. Not too cocoay, yes a slight chalky taste, not texture though…hard to describe.  I would rate it at the top if only it was all organic like the first 3.

Ingredients - bittersweet chocolate, chocolate liquor, unbleached water-filtered beet sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla.

Conclusion- like the mint one, I found this to have the same texture, and although very different smells and tastes, both the Endangered Species ones smelled and tasted great.   I would definitely get this one again if I craved some chocolate and had no organic options.

77% Chocolove- extra strong dark chocolate xoxox

Smoothness – silky smooth melt in your mouth texture

Smell- like you would think dark chocolate would smell, although not a very strong aroma.

Taste- definitely noticeably the darkest chocolate of the bunch.  Was clearly the least sweetest chocolate, so not quite as enjoyable.

Ingredients – cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin. (May contain traces of milk and nuts).

Conclusion-  When I opened the wrapper the outer paper had a love poem written on it…I like fun things like that (like dove promises).   The smell and taste however was a little too blah for me. I had to sniff really hard to smell it, and it was more so un-sweet than bitter.  The Green and Black’s organic chocolate that I reviewed in my last chocolate review was darker tasting but had a bitter/taniness to it that made it very enjoyable, but this one seems to be lacking in a taste bunch.  I probably wouldn’t purchase this one again.  It reminded me of a chocolate that would be used more for baking with.

Overall Conclusion

I would put the Chocolove 77% dark and Dagoba xocolatl 74% dark at the bottom of my list, amongst these reviewed today.  I don’t think I would purchase those 2 again.  Unfortunately the Chocolove had the highest cocoa % and best value in price per ounce of chocolate, but all in all I find them all expensive for one bar!  I would then put the Dagoba conacado 73% dark along with the Newman’s Own Organics on the top of my list. The Dogoba conacado one had more of a dark tangy taste that I’ve grown to love, and the Newman’s Own almost resembled milk chocolate to me (almost too buttery)…it was creamier and more buttery much like Lindt which I need to be in the mood for.  

The two Endangered Species chocolates were also very delicious, but they didn’t make it at the very top of my list because they weren’t organic and were thicker than I like. Also their very slight chalky taste docked a point with me.   So all in all if I were to pick just one out of the 6 to purchase again I would choose the Dogoba conacado 73% dark chocolate one, in spite of it being the most expensive per ounce.  I would choose the Newman’s one second because I don’t always crave the super creamy butteriness of it.