Is Zen Chocolate Real?

Then again, chocolate was regarded as a form of medicine, and truth be known, it was actually a form of currency from the fruit of the cacao trees around 4,000 years ago. The Aztecs were onto something, and no wonder why the "Golden Ticket" is ever so elusive and valuable. Another fun fact: Ruby Chocolate became so popular, that it is low on supply; no different to certain types of honey. (Then again, we still have white, milk, and dark varieties to feast on, and to enjoy).

This article is not so much on the history of chocolate, but more on how chocolate is likened to being a mini-feast, as well as a "zen like" meditation combined. Although chocolate is not really a form of currency anymore (gold chocolate anyone?) it can still be regarded as a form of medicine, and eating a couple of pieces slowly and mindfully is an obsession, and can be likened to a big Spring (or fall) feast. Create your own thanksgiving with Chocolate, anytime and anywhere. Then again, Psychology Today reports that dark chocolate is a form of antidepressant, where 70% of subjects in a study of 13,000 people were not depressed after enjoying some dark chocolate. Neuroscience News confirms these facts.

Furthermore, the National Institute of Health states that dark chocolate also contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Of course, the more bitter the chocolate (as in the total percentage of cocoa butter/solids), the better the chocolate is. If white and/or milk chocolate is for you, then you do you. Additionally, having run chocolate tours in the past for around ten months; each and every tour (that would accommodate a maximum of 15 people) was booked out, and even enjoying the sit down experience in a group (enjoying some hot chocolate) was a treat and feast wrapped into one.

It just goes to show that chocolate is popular, and it also brings us together.

When people are out and about having a marvellous time (based on the feedback gathered from such guests); then it is safe to say (and not to assume) that they are relaxed.

There are natural medicinal benefits to dark chocolate in particular, and with any form of feast; anything in moderation is key. This begs the question as to whether or not chocolate is another form of zen? Then again, according to herb.co, zen chocolate is real, and Zen C*nn*bis is a thing, and guess what it is? That's right, a chocolate bar (or block to feast on). More information on this piece of history can be found by clicking here.

Having done a bit of research on this possibility, things suddenly catch you by surprise. There are a myriad of wellness feasts knocking on our domain, from acai bowls to coconut mylk, and interestingly enough, zen chocolate is now a thing. Nothing wrong with Hershey's, Dairy Milk, and Milky Bars; however a more luxurious form of chocolate has launched, and it could be here to stay. A delightful example can be found by clicking here.

Of course, this is great news for around 88% of people in the United States of America alone, of who confess to chocolate being their vice, according to the Chocolate Professor; and the idea of exotic forms of chocolate to feast on (from one nibble at a time, to the entire bar) is apparently in vogue.

Then again, the Whittakers range of zen chocolate with herbs and other fruity flavour nodes was launched in New Zealand in 2022, and already in Australia, this product line is brand new in Coles Supermarkets (as at the time of writing), and it is quite literally flying off the shelves, despite paying $5.50 AUD for a block of 10 squares. Flavours that evoke that concept of zen range from Orange & Mandarin, to Peppermint & Lavender. As they say, curiousity definitely kills the cat. Therefore yours truly has been inclined to try them out, and here is the (final) verdict:

Revive: Ginger & Mandarin

The only zen chocolate block in the Whittakers product line that is dark chocolate, with 62% cocoa, with little chunks of sweet mandarin pieces with ginger. Despite being a dark chocolate bar, this product was way too sweet, and hence not quite worth $5.50 AUD per bar. The ginger aroma is subtle, and this product is sweeter than all of the other milk chocolate varieties. The mandarin pieces are even sweeter than sugar in my humble opinion. This one is a clear miss. Furthermore, and as a result, yours truly did not bother trying out the Reflect: Sea Salt & Caramel Brittle one, as I am not a fan on either of those flavours in food. In other words, a bit of sea salt in some Lindt dark chocolate is ok, but not really in milk chocolate. The flavour nodes would be too sweet and salty, and hence have a bot of a strange mouthfeel. Score: 3/10 (for the dark chocolate one.)

Restore: Pear & Manuka Honey

One of my favourites. I have consumed two bars of this chocolate in the past couple of weeks. This product is like a glorified Peppermint Crisp, but much more gourmet. Real bits of pear jelly chunks are enjoyed, and they are slightly chewy, with the right amount of chewyness and flavour, enjoyed with a smooth texture, despite the chewy aspect. Manuka honey is known to be good for the skin. These flavour combinations are bang on, and not overpowering, and the chocolate itself is creamy. Furthermore these "zen" milk chocolate bars (all of them, and all with 33% cocoa) are nowhere near as sweet as the dark version. That is incredibly surprising to say the least. So worth AUD $5.50. Just be careful not to consume this particular bar at one sitting, as it is incredibly easy to do. Score: 7/10

Relax: Passionfruit & Chamomile

Then again, Chamomile tea is a perfect herbal brew to drink in order to relax, and it helps alleviate menstrual cramps. Combining this tea flavour in a chocolate bar ignites a "zen" chocolate lovers level of curiosity. It works well with the passionfruit flavour. It (the passionfruit flavour) is strong; yet it does not pop like other passionfruit products. If it did, this bar would be too sweet to feast on. This one literally melts in your mouth, and the design of this bar is preferred for yours truly. It (the product design) exudes slightly more of a zen like exuberance than the other bars. Score: 9/10. My favourite of them all.

Refresh: Peppermint & Lavender

A good concept, although there are a few MasterChefs in a feast community that may not be thrilled with the use of Lavender in food. It does not really matter with this particular "zen" chocolate bar, because the peppermint flavour is stronger, but again it does not overpower. This is like an after dinner mint that can be consumed anytime, and you will not end up smelling like a peppermint. Apparently Yakima Peppermint Oil is used, and strong aromatherapeutic properties are shared with such. Yakima is named after a river in Washington. This oil is apparently extracted by Mentha piperita, the steam distillation of this mint. It enjoys many benefits, and also assists in travel sickness. This is one heck of a zen chocolate bar. Score: 8.5/10.

I am sure that there are other ranges of zen chocolate out there. What do you think? Is this chocolate that you would consume? Why or why not? There is nothing wrong with sticking with Hershey's or Dairy Milk. The Restore, Relax, and Refresh ranges provide great value for money, in my humble opinion, for when you really get into the flavour nodes; and such are a mindful feast on every mouthful. Let them melt in your mouth, while enjoying the smooth textures as well.

Who knew that I would be writing and publishing my 100th Vocal Media article on one of my two addictive foods to feast on (despite being on magnesium supplements); but here we are. Thank you for your support lovely readers. More to come.