Fennel is one of those things that I have a hard time wrapping my mind around. It's just that it seems to come in so many forms, leaving me wondering exactly what it is. I see it on menus all of the time, and I never know what to expect. Sometimes I can detect a hint of its anise-seed-like flavor but find no trace of its origins. Other times it appears in the form of bok-choy-esque-leaves garnishing a filet of salmon. It can sometimes look like a weed. Occasionally it'll be listed as an ingredient, yet I can't seem to find it either by sight or by taste. I'll admit that I was hoping I'd find delicate green slivers of it in this bar. I've encountered a lot of unique chocolate combos in the past, but never chocolate paired with a vegetable, at least not in bar form. Wouldn't that be something? But alas, the fennel in question here deals with the seeds, which are scattered throughout the bar along with hefty chunks of almonds. Not to worry, chocophiles. Once I tasted it, my disappointment was short-lived.
If I had to describe this bar in one word, that word would be "granola." I feel like that term has taken on a derogatory tint, but that's not how I mean it. I would also describe my 4th grade Girl Scout troop leader, Gretchen, as granola, and I worshipped her. There is a certain integrity to being granola, and in the case of this bar, that integrity means that it is all-natural to the max. This bar is vegan, GMO-free, gluten-free, and made with organic cacao. The whole thing is raw, including the almonds and the fennel seeds. Generally speaking when you find nuts and/or seeds in a chocolate bar, they will be roasted and salted, so this is pretty unique. Many dark chocolates have strong berry notes, but the character of this bar is super grassy and earthy. Due to the fennel seed, it tastes slightly like licorice. It is mature tasting, and I'd recommend it to those who often enjoy dark chocolate, as I do, but are looking for something off the beaten path, as I was.
These bars cost between $6 and $8 per 2.3 oz. bar. They're a little spendy, but in the raw chocolate community you'll find that's about the average, as making raw chocolate requires a lot more work than non-raw. You can find Antidote chocolate at Whole Foods and at most organic/health food stores. You'll know it's Antidote by the colorful packaging and the description of a god or goddess on the back : )
This will be my last post for the next couple of weeks, as I am bound for Italia and will be without a computer. Until next time I wish you buon appetito, chocophiles! Thanks for reading. See you in May!