Theo Chocolate’s “Bread and Chocolate Bar”

It may seem counter-productive for a fitness website to endorse chocolate.  Even with all of the information on chocolate and the antioxidants it can hold, the truth is not all chocolate is created equal.  (And not all of it really holds antioxidants).

In fact, you may not realize that much of the world’s chocolate comes from cocoa brokers in mass and then alkaline (acid) is added to erase the flavor of the bean.  Thus enabling the cacao to all taste the same, rather than the soil from which it draws nutrients and takes on it’s unique flavor – much in the same way coffee beans do.   This is to maintain a products branding rather than the integrity of the bean itself.  That alone can compromise the actual “antioxidant” level of the bean.  Not to mention what is added to the chocolate from then on out.

Enter Theo Chocolate.  Theo (it’s named derived from the scientific name for the cocoa or cacao tree) is the only “Organic, Fair Trade, from bean-to-bar chocolate factory” in the United States.  And, trust me, Theo chocolate is FULL of antioxidants.  Mainly because it does not compromise the nutritional value of the cacao seeds (also known as beans) which Theo buys from around the world.  Beans that Theo then uses to create an array of chocolate goods, from bars to individual artisan confections.  So, when you eat a Theo Chocolate bar you will note that they utilize the full flavor and nutritional zing of every bean.   (I’ve never tasted any chocolate that is both so rich in flavors and fills me up, just like any other actual food).

And, depending on where the beans they use come from, the flavor of the bar varies.  But, never fear, they have this down!  Each bar of the same kind tastes fantastically the same, bite after bite.  You can try different chocolate from different parts of the globe, tasting and comparing the different ambience (if you will) of each region’s unique cacao flavor.

Even their site touts the true niche they have carved in a bloated chocolate market. “Theo’s small batch chocolate production is truly an art form. We take great time and care to steward our cocoa beans through the entire manufacturing process, add only the finest, sustainably produced ingredients, and are proud to offer chocolate we can guarantee is equal parts ethical and delicious!”

So, with no further ado, I give you our May Chocolate of the Month: Theo Chocolate’s “Bread and Chocolate Bar”.  A little salty, a little sweet, and every bite delicious! You can also pick it up on Amazon here.