Carolina's Chocolate
Who is Carolina?
My Grandmother
CAROLINA MACIAS GARCIA WAS MY GRANDMOTHER. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGED TO BE A PART OF HER LIFE FOR 30 YEARS. CAROLINA'S FAMILY TRAVELED HERE FROM SONORA, MEXICO WHEN SHE WAS 9 YEARS OLD. PONCHO VILLA RENEGADES WERE RAIDING THE AREA FOR SUPPLIES WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE MACIAS RANCHO. SYMPATHIZERS DIVULGED THE LOCATION OF THE HIDDEN SILVER SPOONS AND HORSE BITS TO THE BANDITS. MR. MACIAS SAW THAT IT WAS TIME TO GO. THUS BEGAN CAROLINA'S NEW LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. SHE MET JESUS GARCIA IN TEMPE DURING THE PICKING SEASON, WAS COURTED, MARRIED, AND EVENTUALLY HAD 6 CHILDREN. SHE AND JESUS BUILT HOMES, RAISED THEIR FAMILY AND BECAME RESPECTED CITIZENS IN THEIR MESA COMMUNITY. CAROLINA WAS A LOVING, NURTURING, AND CREATIVE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER. SHE WAS A WONDER TO HER LAST DAY AT THE AGE OF 92.
My Experience with Carolina
Carolina was my mentor and influence in the kitchen, her flavors are expressed in my cooking everyday. She is the reason I became a caterer and now a chocolatier. I've taken the flavors of my heritage and infused them into quality chocolate creating a silky and sultry heat like no other.
Carolina's Chocolate is in honor of her presence in my life, that is why she is on the label. The picture is from 1923, she is 22 years old. Jalisco Jalapeno is Jesus M. Garcia, my grandfather. He loved his green chili, hence the jalapeno in the %31 white chocolate. Smokey Joe is named after my dad, Joe Jaimes. His dark features were an easy fit to the smoky dark richness in chipotle chili.
Why Spicy Chocolate?
A pinch of chili and cinnamon in hot chocolate is as old as the Aztec Culture. Yet, I found none that caught my attention, so I decided to make it myself. The level of heat is based solely on my palate, and I make it as spicy as I like it. In order to create these remarkable flavors, high quality chocolate is used and is blended with a variety of chilis such as Chipotle, Cayenne, Jalapeno, and Ancho. These are the spices and flavors that are reminiscent of my memories in Carolina's kitchen. All spices are fresh from the Santa Cruz Spice Co. in Tomacocori, AZ. and from The Chili Guy in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Many find it surprisingly delicious. Many are fascinated by the combination of chocolate and chili.
I hope many of you venture to try and enjoy the essence of my Southwest heritage in Carolina's Chocolate.
Chocolate Gallery
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Fabulous Suggestions
Splendid recommendation:
1. Add Carolina's to your cheese board
2. Add Carolina's to brownie mix
3. Drizzle it over ice cream
4. Melt Carolina's in your frosting
5. Drag pretzels through melted Carolina's
6. Add a big chip to coffee gelato, hot coffe or hot chocolate
7. Southwest S'mores
8. Spicy chocolate chip cookies
9. Dip strawberries in Carolina's
10. Add to braised short ribs and favorite Mole sauces
Carolina's Chocolate Fabulous Wine Pairings and More:
Any favorite fruit filled reds make for a wonderful experience.
Spicy Sonoran: Oak Ridge Zinfandel AV Reserve Lodi, Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz, Senorio de Nava Crianza, Spanish. Try a Syrah, fruity old vine Zin or blend
Jalisco Jalapeno: Pair this creamy vanilla chocolate with Prosecco, Champagne, and
citrusy Rose
Smokey Joe: The deep rich chocolate and smokey heat blend beautifully with Spanish
Rioja, Italian Chianti, bold red blends, Cabernet or Cabernet Sauvignon, my favorites.
How about a beer? Yes! A chip of Spicy Sonoran or Smokey Joe with a Stout or Porter enhances the caramel and undertones of the beer. Try a Lindermans Framboise with the two dark chocolates, lovely.
Carolina's Chocolate Vendors
Found at all the following locations
AJ's Fine Foods All locations in Phoenix and Tucson www.ajsfinefoods.com
Art House Centro 186 N. Meyer Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701 520-620-1725 www.oldtownartisans.com
Blue Adobe Grille 144N Country Club Dr. Mesa, AZ 480-962-1000 www.Originalblueadobe.com
Eddies Country Store 1753 E White Mountain Blvd. Pinetop, AZ 85935
The Loft Cinema 3233 E Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85716 520-795-0844 www.loftcinema.org
Native Seeds 3061 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 602-230-7015 www.nativeseeds.com
Santa Cruz Chili & Spice 1868 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacaccori, AZ 1 502 398 2591 www.santacruzchili.com
Sphinx Date Co. Palm and Pantry 3039 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale AZ 8251 800-482-3283 www.sphinxdateranch.com
Tracy Dempsey Originals 1325 W. University Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281
602-376-9021 www.Tracydempseyoriginals.com
Tohono Chul Gardens. Galleries. Bistro7366 N. Paseo Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704
520-742-6455 Tohonochul.org
Tops Liquors 403 W. University Dr. Tempe, AZ 480-967-5643 www.topsliquors.com
Tucson Botanical Garden 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712 520-326-9686 www.tucsonbotanical.org
United Nations Association Center 6242 E Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 520-881-7060 www.unasatucson.org
Carolina's Chocolate Flavors
Spicy Sonoran is %64 cocoa, cinnamon and cayenne chili. The perfect cup of Mexican Hot chocolate in a bite.
Jalisco Jalapeno is %31 cocoa butter, cinnamon and Jalapeno. The silky smoothness blossoms into cinnamon, vanilla, cream and butter then ends in smolding sweet heat of jalapeno. Remarkable.
Smokey Joe is %70 dark rich chocolate that envelopes the toungue then sweetens as the chili transforms the flavor to a heated smoky finish.
Salty Senorita is %64 of perfectly balanced chocolate and sea salt.
It's Hot in Arizona!
It's Hot in Arizona!
Due to the heat, No shipping is availble at this time. Shipping will only be November - March for on-line orders. Thank you
Chocolate Facts
Carolina's Chocolate is certified: Gluten Free,
Non-GMO, Fair Trade, Sunflower Lecithin,
Is produced in location where nuts are used
Jalisco Jalapeno uses Dairy, the rest do not.
Publications
Phoenix H&G Magazine, May 2019
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Wine, cheese and chocolate are the keys to a lovely experience, choose local and make it memorable.
