{cocoa}

The Around Dublin team recently ventured out to the The Gardner in Berkeley for a chocolate tasting event in search of the best chocolate available in the Bay Area and found a brand new offering by a San Francisco-based company called {cocoa}. Launched in May, {cocoa} specializes in exclusive and unique chocolates that are both an art form and experience to taste. Owner and purist Jewel Zimmer scours the world in search of cocoa beans that are sourced directly from the producers. The Around Dublin team gladly plunked down $40 to purchase the IND/32 Rose 70% as the perfect pairing to a boldly roasted cup of Peet’s coffee.

Here is a listing of their just released collection entitled “absolute”:

• IND/32 Natural 67% from Santo Domingo has natural characteristics of licorice root followed by red fruit and currants.
  Dark chocolate + cocoa extract – rich in aroma and velvety in texture, this chocolate symbolizes ownership.

• IND/32 Rose 70% from Congo has natural characteristics of cara cara orange and honeysuckle.
  Dark chocolate + cocoa extract + rose essence – permeates an expression of requited love and poetic femininity.

• IND/32 Bergamot 68% is wild harvested in Bolivia; this chocolate offers delicate characteristics of floral and citrus.
  Dark chocolate + cocoa extract + bergamot essence – is an heir to lucidity and perfection.

• IND/32 Brulee 66% from Venezuela has strong characteristics of cognac and honey.
  Dark chocolate + cocoa extract + burnt sugar + sea salt- a master of its game, armed with refinement and unique with distinction.

While {cocoa}’s chocolates aren’t currently sold at any Tri-Valley retailers, they may be setting up a selection at this year’s Day on the Glen in September. Additionally, you can order from their absolute line on {cocoa}’s website.

Bittersweet

Located in the exclusive enclave of Danville in the Rose Garden shopping center, Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe offers arguably the best overall selection of artisan coffee and chocolate in the Bay Area. If you haven’t been to Bittersweet before, the Around Dublin team recommends that you try the Bicerin to experience a mocha so incredible that your scalp will tingle from the rich espresso and chocolate after one sip. While Bittersweet seems to be doing good business, they are in a struggling shopping center that recently lost an anchor and many other tenants due to a tough location hidden behind the Denny’s right off of I-680. Bittersweet would be perfectly situated in the upscale and highly-visible Grafton Station or the hopefully-soon-to-be-built Promenade in Dublin.