Moonstruck Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Hot Cocoa is an ancient treat that dates back to at least 500 B.C., when Mayans were grinding up cocoa seeds and mixing them with water and other ingredients, including cornmeal and peppers. Our modern version of hot chocolate came into fashion in 1828 when the first cocoa powder was extracted. This also led to the first chocolate bar, which was made by combining cocoa powder and cocoa butter that had been separated from the cacao seeds. While this is a lot of chocolate history, it sets the stage for cold fall nights with hands warmed by a steaming cup of hot cocoa.
The Terps
Close Encounter Confections S’mores Mushroom Bar Made with full fruiting bodies (this means mushrooms) that are homogenized into the chocolate, these bars are made in small batches in a craft environment, without any mushroom extracts or mycelium filler. The bars have premium ingredients, including couverture milk chocolate, graham cracker crumbles, and the same mini candy marshmallows that are found in instant hot cocoa. With an eighth of fruiting bodies in the bar, a single square is a starting microdose, while those seeking more immersive experiences can eat up to a whole bar for a hero dose. Close Encounter Confections always uses a multi-strain blend of mushrooms for a balanced, entourage-style experience with a wider array of effects and potency.
The Pairing
Mushrooms and chocolates pair wonderfully together, with the flavor and texture complementing each other for a delicious experience that is nothing like eating a raw mushroom. These bars taste like gourmet coffee shop chocolate, with a smooth and soft bite, a perfect kiss of graham cracker and marshmallow delivering a layered mouthfeel. There’s no hint of the psychedelic treat inside, so it’s hard to start with one square, but eaten with a rich and warming cup of cocoa sends the mind and body into a floaty, gentle euphoria that’s sparkly and slightly trippy. Eating a few more squares enhances the effects, launching a full trip that’s stable, dosed and consistent — perfect for a fall melt by the fire.
