Tuesday Tastings :: Chocolate Pharmacy

I must admit I was skeptical when I first read about Chocolate Pharmacy’s new product—chocolate without soy, gluten, dairy or sugar! But, they had me at first bite…Jyl Kutsche and Amy Pancake, two vivacious yogis put their heads (and tastebuds) together to create eight raw chocolate flavors, each with a delightfully unexpected spice combination for truly guilt-free treats. We invited the gals over to the studio to help us create cheese + chocolate combinations, and then we couldn’t resist ending our session by cooking up a decadent grilled cheese and chocolate sandwich. Our time with them ended with all chocolate cravings ceased and lots of new knowledge on the healing benefits of spices, many of which they use to flavor their chocolates.

photography by kim jones

Camille joins Amy (left) and Jyl (right) in the kitchen for some taste testing. Each chocolate is named according to its health benefit—Comfy Sweater, “to help you relax,” Finish Line, “to keep you going,” Moon, “for women,” Time Machine, “to keep you young,” Oil Can, “for your joints,” Rattle Snake Bit, “for healing,” Happy Tummy, “to aid digestion,” and Jumper Cables, “to get you going.”

The Time Machine is made with saffron, garlic and sage “to keep you young.”

We paired the Time Machine with a parmesan, and the Comfy Sweater (lemongrass, sweet basil & chamomile) with a brie for a delicious result.

All of the treats from Chocolate Pharmacy are made in bite-sized “bombas” (or truffles) and packaged according to their health benefits.

Jyl and Amy were greatly inspired by the book Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost Health & Beat Disease in creating their flavor combinations.

Yacon syrup is one of the key ingredients throughout Chocolate Pharmacy’s flavor lineup. It comes from the South American Yacon root and with half the calories of sugar, Yacon is often used as an alternative sweetener for diabetics.

Beloved Austin-based yoga instructor, Jyl Kutsche, is also the founder of the non-profit, Community Yoga, which teaches the practice to under-served communities who may not have access to it otherwise. They have programs in prisons and in schools around the city.

Amy’s current favorite spices to work with are black cumin seeds (“it’s a powerhouse healer with research currently being done on its effects on reducing tumors and fighting pancreatic cancer”) and tulsi, often known as “holy basil” for its use in building a strong immune system, but also aiding in depression, respiration, heart disease, diabetes and fighting cancer.

“A chocolate and cheese sandwich is the perfect fusion of texture and taste—you’ve got the ooey gooey-ness of the melted cheese, the crunch of the toasted bread,and the subtle taste notes of the chocolate & spices,” Amy says. “It’s one of those things that just works.”

 

Camille served as taste tester for the finished product—a grilled cheese made with Comfy Sweater chocolate truffles (nicknamed “bombas” by Jyl and Amy) and Brazos Valley Brie, topped with a few pistachios.