Trader Joe's chocolate selection

[sanrensho]

I have a quick question for anybody who frequents the TJ stores in the Seattle area. A friend is coming up from Seattle and I thought I'd ask her to pick up a few of the higher-end chocolate bars available at Trader Joe's.

Last time I was there, I picked up some Scharffen Berger Semisweet (yellow package) and Valhrona Noir. I have heard that they're also carrying Chocovic?

Could anybody confirm this? Any chocolate fiends out there know if TJ's is carrying Domori, Santander, etc.?

Thanks in advance.

-Kenji (in Vancouver)

[tsquare]

I have a quick question for anybody who frequents the TJ stores in the Seattle area. A friend is coming up from Seattle and I thought I'd ask her to pick up a few of the higher-end chocolate bars available at Trader Joe's.

Last time I was there, I picked up some Scharffen Berger Semisweet (yellow package) and Valhrona Noir. I have heard that they're also carrying Chocovic?

Could anybody confirm this? Any chocolate fiends out there know if TJ's is carrying Domori, Santander, etc.?

Thanks in advance.

-Kenji (in Vancouver)

←

I was at the Queen Anne store last night, but stayed away from the chocolate shelves other than the pistachio dark chocolate brittle/toffee. Typically do see Schar and Val, along with some single origin bars most with TJ labels. Do not recognize Domori or Santander, so I'd guess no. Have you looked at the ChefShop website? They have a local retail store (though it is/has just moved and may be closed at the moment.) They have a bunch of special chocolate, though at top dollar. You might see if she can bring you any Theo chocolate - the new organic chocolate being roasted and processed in Fremont.

Theo

[Ling]

Typically do see Schar and Val, along with some single origin bars most with TJ labels.

How is the quality of the single origin bars at TJ? What are the prices like?

[sanrensho]

tsquare, thanks for the info. I'm pretty much limited to TJ's because my friend is a busy mom w/small kids--she frequents TJ's but anything else would be out of the way. Still, I appreciate the other suggestions and will consider them for when I head down to Seattle.

Can anyone confirm the availability of Chocovic at TJ's?

[BastilaShan]

You can try calling them at their store to check.

Store selections vary actually.

The kirkland store had a different selection of Valrhona chocolates compared to the U.District store.

tsquare, thanks for the info. I'm pretty much limited to TJ's because my friend is a busy mom w/small kids--she frequents TJ's but anything else would be out of the way. Still, I appreciate the other suggestions and will consider them for when I head down to Seattle.

Can anyone confirm the availability of Chocovic at TJ's?

←

[MsRamsey]

The fact that TJ's was carrying something a while back (something like the item you described) is almost a sure bet that it won't be there anymore. If your friend plans a stop at Pike Place Market, there's quite a large selection of chocolate at DiLaurenti's, and also at a nice grocery store/deli in the northern part of the market.

Edited April 20, 2006 by MsRamsey (log)

[mamster]

My TJ's in Seattle carries a couple of Chocovic bars, including one mostly-criollo Venezuelan bar which is excellent. My other favorite bar at Joe's is the Valrhona Le Noir Amer 71%. That's all I know off the top of my head.

[sanrensho]

Thanks BastilaShan, MsRamsey and mamster.

Any opinions on the TJ label single origin chocolates that Ling asked about?

[MGLloyd]

I have used several of the TJ private label chocolates: the 70% cocoa mass bittersweet chocolate and the milk chocolate and some others that I cannot recall. I have only used them for cooking and baking, and not eating per se. Both of them were tasty, had a nice snap upon biting, melted well, tempered well and seemed like an excellent value for the price. I thought that the 70% bittersweet was easily comparable to some of the expensive chocolates I have used, such as Valrhona or Scharffenberger. I routinely shop at the two TJs in Snohomish County, and as was pointed out earlier, inventory can vary by store.

[Bruce Burger]

The TJ in Queen Anne, at least, seems to regularly offer Chocovic's Ocumare and Guaranda single-origin bars. I really like the Ocumare. Here's a review I found of both; I don't know anything about the blog but I do agree with what they say about these bars:

Chocovic bar descriptions

[skyflyer3]

I have used several of the TJ private label chocolates: the 70% cocoa mass bittersweet chocolate and the milk chocolate and some others that I cannot recall.  I have only used them for cooking and baking, and not eating per se.  Both of them were tasty, had a nice snap upon biting, melted well, tempered well and seemed like an excellent value for the price.  I thought that the 70% bittersweet was easily comparable to some of the expensive chocolates I have used, such as Valrhona or Scharffenberger.  I routinely shop at the two TJs in Snohomish County, and as was pointed out earlier, inventory can vary by store.

←

I use the 70% Pound Plus, Bitterweet and Milk chocolate bars from TJ's frequently for baking, and they are a pleasure to work with. I also bought a dark chocolate with almonds Pound Plus bar by mistake, and they are great to eat with, as well.

[duckduck]

Portland Hollywood store carries the Chocovic as well. I just picked up several recently. They have some interesting stuff. I was surprised.

[sanrensho]

How is the quality of the single origin bars at TJ? What are the prices like?

←

I found one review of the TJ Sao Tome Varietal bar here. Price is $3 according to another link.

Thanks for everyone that responded. I've sent off my requests to my friend in Seattle, so hopefully I'll have some new chocolate in a few weeks. I also added the TJ brand "Organic 73%" bar to my list, based on some good reviews I've read.

[Ling]

Valrhona 71% is selling for only $2.69 per 3.5 oz bar at TJs! It was my first time there yesterday so I don't know if it is always that cheap.

I bought more than 10 bars.

ETA: I didn't see Domori or Santander there, but they even have the 85% Scharffen Berger bar, which I don't see too often in Vancouver.

Edited May 27, 2006 by Ling (log)

[mamster]

Not only is it always that cheap, but it used to be $1.99.

[Ling]

At that price, I could afford to eat a bar a day.

[BastilaShan]

TJs has some really good deals, like those Vahlrona choc bars.

That's where I get mine too.