Alberta Co-op Grocery

I’ve been reviewing a lot of chocolate for the e-news lately.  It hasn’t always been easy but I do it out of love for the Co-op.  Most recently I tried the new Coco Besos stone ground chocolate bar from Taza.  This is hands down my favorite bar we sell.  The packaging itself is appealing, shiny pink foil wrapped up in a cream colored label, and it only gets better from there.

Coco Besos is a 70% dark chocolate bar with bits of shredded coconut embedded inside.  It’s quite rich with a wonderfully balanced bittersweet finish, and that’s where the flavor of the coconut comes through.  I also noticed that every few bites I’d get a strong, but not overpowering, taste of the kosher salt used in the recipe.  Take heed, all you chocolate-with-salt lovers out there.  My favorite thing about this chocolate bar, however, is the texture.  It was love at first bite when it instantly crumbled in my mouth and turned into butter.  Words really can’t do it justice but I can’t recommend this chocolate bar strongly enough.

The Taza chocolates aren’t the cheapest in the co-op, but that’s because the company sources all of its cacao direct from farms that adhere to high labor and agricultural standards.  Their direct trade model, in which they establish direct relationships with cacao producers, pay a premium price for the product, and purchase only high quality beans, is certified and verified by an independent third party.  The Tazawebsite includes a plethora of information about their stone ground chocolate and high purchasing standards, and some informative videos to top it all off.

by Anni, Front End Worker

1. Daiya is pretty terrific.

2. The wedge style Daiya is for eating uncooked (like on a cracker or something).

3. The the shredded Daiya and *new* sliced Daiya are for eating melted. Don’t even try them uncooked, they will just make you so mad.

4. You should use shredded Daiya like you would use shredded cow cheese. Perhaps you might want to use it in lasagnas or quesodillas or burritos or casseroles or pizzas. Maybe you will also want to sprinkle it on top of chile or potato soup or a big bowl of pasta. Just make sure it is melted before eating. And also make sure you are ready to be delighted by deliciousness.

5. You should melt sliced Daiya. Seriously, melt it! I know you’re gonna wanna relive your childhood and shove it in your mouth like it’s a piece american processed plastic cheese and you’ve jumped off the shame train two stops back…BUT IT ISN’T WORTH IT.

6. Sliced Daiya doesn’t taste good if it isn’t melted, but when it is melted it tastes FANTASTIC. MAGIC.

7. Here are some ways that you are going to use sliced Daiya: grilled cheese sandwish, another grilled cheese sandwich, a tuna-free melt (see recipe below), the swiss variety melted on top of french onion soup, another grilled cheese sandwich, a meatless-ball sub, some sort of other hot sandwich, another grilled cheese sandwich.

8. The only time you will not melt sliced Daiya is when you toss a slice on top of a cat’s head and then take a photo for the internet.

9. Sliced Daiya and Daiya wedges have palm oil in them. Palm oil is a big hot mess when it comes to its social and environmental impacts, though Daiya claims that they use sustainable sources. I reconcil my concerns about palm oil by enjoying Daiya as an occasional treat rather than a regular habbit.

10. Tuna-Free Melt Recipe:

Into a medium bowl, add 15 oz. chickpeas, 1/4 cup veganaise, 1 tbs mustard, 1 1/2 tbs vinegar, and 1tsp salt. Mash mixture with the back of a large fork until the chickpeas are broken up but not smooth. Into the work bowl of your food processor, add 1/4 cup celery and 1 torn sheet of nori. Pulse until finely chopped. Add the celery mixture to the chickpea mixture along with 1 tbs chopped chives, a pinch of cayenne, and a bit of black pepper. Let sit for about 30 minutes until flavors meld. This is now your faux tuna.

Lightly toast two slices of bread. Spread faux tuna on one slice of toast. Place two pieces of sliced Daiya on the other slice of toast. Broil topped toast until faux tuna is warm and Daiya has melted. Put Daiya toast on top of faux tuna toast. Eat.