Monday, June 29, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 29, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 cookie
Edna's
Chocolate Chip Macaroon
Good +
Weight: ~ 2.5 oz. (70.75 grams)
Calories: ~250 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.33
Purchased from: Edna's booth at Mountain View (CA) Farmer's Market

I like finding baked goods, with chocolate, that are gluten-free. Since macaroons are one of the few cookies that often have little or no flour in them, it's no surprise that you'll see several macaroon and chocolate variations on this blog. I would have liked a few more chocolate chips in this macaroon, but it is otherwise good.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 28, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 cookie
Edna's
Chocolate Macaroon (gluten-free)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.75 grams)
Calories: ~ 250 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.33
Purchased from: Edna's booth, at Mountain View, CA)

Last year I enjoyed tasting an Edna's gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. So, I bought one of those and two different Edna's macaroons with chocolate in them: an all-chocolate macaroon (today's choice) and a chocolate chip macaroon.

Oh, did I mention that I am on on a "modified" South Beach Diet this week? Bottom line: I eat more vegetables and protein; I stopped eating potato chips; and I still get to eat chocolate every day. Sounds reasonable to me.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 27, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Mars - fling chocolate
Hazelnut
Good + - Very Good
Weight: ~1.1 oz. (31.2 grams)/5.5 oz. (156 g.) in total 10-piece package
Calories: 160 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $?
Purchased from: ?

Nice combination of textures with the light crunchy layer inside.

Friday, June 26, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 26, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

3 pieces + 1 bunny

ethel's chocolate
1.) curvy shape, blue flowers on top (dark ganache) Good +
2.) curvy shape, white flowers on top (jasmine?) Very Good
3.) curvy shape, yellow flower on top (lemonish filling?) Very Good
Weight: ~ 1.2 oz. (31 g.)/2.93 oz. (83 g.) total 8-piece box
Calories: 150 calories for 3 pieces
Cost: $?
Purchased from: ethel's chocolate, Las Vegas, NV

Lake Champlain Chocolates
Placesetting Bunny - Dark
Very Good +
Weight: .6 oz. (17 grams)
Calories: ~90 calories (estimate)
Cost: $?
Purchased from: Whole Foods?

Today I cleared out some chocolates that had been hiding in my chocolate stash pile for awhile, including some spring "shapes" from ethel's chocolate (Henderson, NV), and a chocolate bunny from Lake Champlain Chocolates (Vermont).

I thought I had lost the bunny last month; it reappeared this evening as I was about to drive over to a nice park with a redwood grove -- where frequently there are bunnies that come out to nibble grass in the twilight. Nice coincidence.

ChocolateBet: June 25, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

3 oz.
Robicheaux's Specialty Candy, Inc.
Pecan Turtle Bites
Very Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 grams) in total package
Calories: 450 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: Approx. $4.50 (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: The Mississippi Gift Shop Company, (Poplarville/Greenwood), Mississippi

Nice little bite-sized pecan turtles; oops, whole package is gone.


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 24, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Madame Chocolat
1.) Amour - (dark choc) Caramel Heart
2.) Je taime - (dark choc) Peanut Butter
Weight: ~ 1 oz. (28.3 grams) in 2 pieces
Calories: ~ 150 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: ~ $5.00 for 2 pieces
Purchased from: Madame Chocolat, in Beverly Hills, CA

Fun day trip to L.A. results in over-indulgence in good food and chocolates.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 23, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 bar
Dream Chocolate (Organic)
Lavender Dark Chocolate - 66% cacao
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 grams)
Calories: ~ 187 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $3.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: (Not sure)

Nice strong, natural lavender taste. Very good.

Monday, June 22, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 22, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Jade Chocolates
Dragon's Breath bar (65% cacao)
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (58 grams)
Calories: 300 calories (estimate) in 2 oz. bar
Cost: $?
Purchased from: Rainbow Grocery, in San Francisco, CA

The ingredients in this dark chocolate bar from Jade Chocolates (San Francisco, CA) intrigued me: roasted sesame seeds, lapsang souchang tea, and chili pepper. It is easy for dark chocolate to overwhelm tea flavors. And even though it was somewhat difficult for me to pick out all the flavors in this beautifully wrapped bar, it was great fun to try.

ChocolateBet: June 21, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

4 pieces/tiles
Poco Dolce
Bittersweet Chocolate Tiles with sea salt - Burnt Caramel
Very Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (84.9 g.)/6 oz. (170 g.) in total 8-piece package
Calories: 450 calories (estimate) in 1/2 box
Cost: $19.95 for total 8-piece box
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

Another chocolate winner with salt. These tiles were a very nice blend of chocolate, toffee-caramel center and sea salt. And, unlike some chocolates where a slight unevenness of flavors can take away from the experience, the subtle rise and fall and interplay of chocolate, caramel and salt was wonderful here.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 20, 2009




Chocolate(s) of the Day:
~ 3 oz. total from 3 different bags
Peak Concepts (Denver International Airport)
1.) Colorado Bear Poop - Good
2.) Colorado Moose Droppings - Good +
3.) Colorado Buffalo Chips - Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 grams) from each bag = 3 oz. (~84.9 grams) total
Calories: ~ 450 calories in 3 ounces (84.9 grams) (estimate)
Cost: $4.99 x 3 different bags = $14.97 total
Purchased from: Peak Concepts/Store in Denver International Airport (B gates)

These three (animal scat themed) chocolates, sitting next to each other on the shelf, seemed to cry out for some kind of comparison taste test. So, far be it for me to shrink from this opportunity. I have no pride. I will try just about any product with chocolate, once.

Results: The Moose droppings (chocolate panned peanuts) win by a nose. Although the Bear (see illustration on bag) looks the most content with his lot, his bliss did not seem to translate into a better product. And, the buffalo must be confused, because his "chips" looked exactly like the Bear Poop (both bear and buffalo products were chocolate covered pralined peanuts coated in white powdered sugar).

ChocolateBet: June 19, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Saratoga Chocolates
Le Jardin de Chocolat (dark)
Very Good
Weight: 3 oz. (~84.9 grams)
Calories: ~ 450 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: (Draegers?), in CA

I am always excited to hear about a local chocolate I haven't tried yet. This dark chocolate version of the Le Jardin de Chocolat bar contains dried apricot, ginger, orange peel, almonds, and pistachio nuts. I like the combination of ingredients that all have a connection to this area of California.

For all those who roll your eyes at nostalgic food memories, you can stop reading here. But, I lived the list of local Bay Area/California ingredients in this bar.
  • Apricots: I grew up on a street with remnants of apricot orchards. Apricot fights anyone?
  • Almonds: I attended Almond Elementary School, located on (where else) Almond Avenue.
  • Pistachios: Pistachio nuts purchased at the local supermarket back then still had shells that were dyed red, but I remember prying open these nuts and ending up with red fingers.
  • Oranges: Yes, we had a big fat orange tree in our back yard. This was California after all.
  • Ginger: My exposure to candied ginger came later, mostly through Asian-American friends and shops, and eating delicious Chinese food in downtown Mountain View (which was much more rustic back then).

Thursday, June 18, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 18, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

1/4 bar
Coco-luxe Confections
"Good Fortune" - dark chocolate (bar) with ginger, fortune cookie pieces
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .625 oz. (17.5 g.) in 1/4 bar /2.5 oz. (70g.) total bar
Calories: ~ 94 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sugar Shack, in Menlo Park, CA

I like the classic americana theme and flavors that Coco-luxe has created. The homemade fortune cookie pieces are a nice touch to this Asian-American themed bar. I couldn't taste the crystallized ginger, but then I like stronger flavors, and I may have just missed it. It's probably just fine for those who don't want to be overpowered. I recommend warming up this dark chocolate bar a few degrees or breaking it into smaller pieces before tasting this; otherwise it can be a bit hard when you bite into it.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 17, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 small bar
BonBonBar
Single Malt Scotch Candy Bar
Very Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.)/9 oz. (254 g.) in box of 6 bars
Calories: ~ 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: ~$30.00 for a box of six bars (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Foodzie/BonBonBar, in Los Angeles, CA

Talisker single malt Scotch mixed into an adult candy bar that is topped with just a sprinkle of sea salt? What's not to like here?

ChocolateBet: June 16, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces/truffles
Neo Cocoa
Toasted Coconut Truffle
Very Good+
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total 10-piece assortment box
Calories: ~120 calories in 2 truffles (estimate)
Cost: $27.00* (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Foodzie/Neo Cocoa; both compaonies are based in San Francisco, CA

These truffles were a very nice rendition of chocolate and coconut.

Monday, June 15, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 15, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Neo Cocoa
Almond Butter topped with Smoked Salt
Yum
Weight: ~ .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total 10-pc. assortment box
Calories: ~60 calories in one piece (estimate)
Cost: $27.00* (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Foodzie/Neo Cocoa, San Francisco, CA

I'm toting around chocolates, on a business trip this week. It's 100 degrees Farenheit where I am. I'm being careful to leave chocolates only in air-conditioned spaces (that is, not in the rental car). So far, so good. No melted chocolate. I seem to like most chocolates with a little sea salt on top. This one was very good.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 14, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bon bon
Gateau et Ganache
Le Caramel Doux
Very Good +
Weight: ~.5 oz. (14.1 g.)/~4 oz. (113.2 g.) 8-pc. box
Calories: ~75 calories in 1 bon bon
Cost: $18.00* for 8-piece box
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

I can almost taste a bit of caramelized/browned sugar in this caramel center. The vanilla blended into the mix and was tough to pick out. The overall caramel flavor was sweet, but very nice.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 13, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 bon bon
Gateau et Ganache
Le Caramel
Very Good +
Weight: ~.5 oz. (14.1 g.)/~4 oz. (113.2 g.) total 8-piece box
Calories: ~75 calories for 1 bon bon
Cost: $18.00* for box of 8 bon bons
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

I was taking a 10-minute quiet break to eat this pleasing heart-shaped chocolate, with a nice hint of brandy, when I was interrupted by the meowing of two cats who wanted their dinner. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Friday, June 12, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 12, 2009



Chocolate of the Day:
1 bon bon
Gateau et Ganache
La Vanille (Vanilla with Dark Rum)
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: ~.5 oz. (14.1 g.)/~4 oz. (113.2 g.) ttl 8-pc. box (estimate)
Calories: ~75 calories (estimate) in one bon bon
Cost: $18.00* for total box of 8 bon bons
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

I like chocolate; I like vanilla; and the dark rum is a nice touch.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 11, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle/piece
Neo Cocoa
Warm Ginger Root
Very Good + - Yum
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total 10-piece assortment box
Calories: ~ 60 calories in 1 truffle (estimate)
Cost: $27.00* (+ shipping) online order
Purchased from: Foodzie/Neo Cocoa, San Francisco, CA

This truffle has to be at or near the top of my list of chocolates flavored with ginger. As the name implies, this Neo Cocoa flavor has enough ginger to be nice and warm, but not too hot: "Warm Ginger Root (is made with) fresh ginger infused cream, bittersweet chocolate ganache, and cocoa powder." What's not to like about that?

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 10, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 bon bon
Gateau et Ganache
La Cannelle - Cinnamon
Very Good +
Weight: ~.5 oz. (14.1 g.)/~4 oz. (113.2 g.) ttl 8-pc. box (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories in 1 piece/bon bon
Cost: $18.00* for total box of 8 bon bons
Purchased from: Piazza's, in Palo Alto, CA

Very nice smooth chocolate with well-blended cinnamon flavor.

ChocolateBet: June 9, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Neo Cocoa
Freshly Zested Lime truffle
Very Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total 10-piece box
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $27.00 (+ shipping for online order) for total box
Purchased from: Foodzie.com site/Neo Cocoa

I really enjoyed the citrus flavors in this truffle.

Monday, June 8, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 8, 2009



Chocolate of the Day:

1 bon bon
Gateau et Ganache
La Lavande (Lavender Earl Grey Tea)
Very Good +
Weight: ~ .5 oz. (14 g.)/4 oz. (113 g.) in total box of 8 bon bons
Calories: ~ 75 calories in one bon bon
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

I like herb and floral flavors a lot. My versions of this bon bon would likely be whole sprigs of lavender lightly coated with some dark chocolate - a bit disgusting for most people.

So, I really respect chocolatiers who are highly skilled at balancing flavors. This chocolate was very good, and nicely balanced; although the Earl Grey tea part of the flavor was subtle enough that I almost missed it. (Darn, I guess I'll have to buy some more to see if I wasn't paying close enough attention.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 7, 2009 - 1,000 Days



Chocolate of the Day:

3 bon bons
Gateau et Ganache
La Passion (Passion Fruit)
Very Good + - Yum
Weight: ~1.5 oz. (42 g.)/4 oz. (113.2g.) in total box of 8 bon bons
Calories: ~ 225 calories for 3 pieces
Cost: $18.00* for total box of 8 bon bons
Purchased from: 1 piece from Piazzas, Palo Alto, CA; and 2 pieces from Gateau et Ganache

Anni Golding decided to transition from a career in high technology to start Gateau et Ganache. Her "La Passion" passion fruit-flavored chocolate seemed like a great choice for my 1,000th chocolate today. Thank you to Esther Shih, and everyone who helped celebrate my 1,000th day of chocolate at Far East Living (boutique and gallery) in Palo Alto, CA. Chocolate is more fun when it's shared. And we certainly enjoyed this passion fruit-flavored bon bon today. Special thanks to local businesses who donated chocolates, time and services for this event that benefited two local non-profits.

I was asked today if I will stop eating chocolate now that I've hit the 1,000 mark. Nope. My next goal is to eat my weight in chocolate -- a milestone I will likely reach before mid-2012. So, stay tuned to read about more chocolates for at least another few years. I'll be looking to see if there really are 2,000 different chocolates out there around the world.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 6, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Neo Cocoa
Crushed Bittersweet Nib
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: ~ .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total box of 10 pieces
Calories: ~ 60 calories in 1 piece (estimate)
Cost: $27.00 for 10-piece box (+ shipping for online order)
Purchased from: Foodzie.com site/Neo Cocoa

Take a nice high-end, bittersweet ganache and then coat it with....Wait a minute, why do you need to coat it with anything? I like this idea.

Chocolate countdown: One more day (tomorrow, June 7), I will eat my 1,000th different chocolate.

Friday, June 5, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 5, 2009



Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Gateau et Ganache
Le Palet d'Or (Dark Chocolate from Madagascar)
Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate)/~ 4 oz. (113.2 g.) total 8-piece box (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $18.00* for total box of 8 bon bons
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

Chocolate countdown: 2 more days until I eat my 1,000th chocolate

ChocolateBet: June 4, 2009



Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Gateau et Ganache
La Rose - Dark Chocolate with Rose
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: ~ .5 oz. (14.1 g.)/~4 oz. (113.2 g.) (estimate) total box
Calories: ~ 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $18.00 for total assortment box of 8 bon bons
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

I like floral flavors, and this rose-flavored (and rose-shaped) chocolate. Gateau et Ganache is based near where I live, and the fact that I am only now tasting these chocolates, after almost 1,000 days, shows how much chocolate abundance there is in the world.

Chocolate countdown: 3 more days until I eat my 1,000th different chocolate in as many days.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 3, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

7 pieces
Marich Confectionary Co.
Chocolate Pears
Good +
Weight: ~1.4 oz.(40 g.)/8 oz. (227 g.) total bag (estim.)
Calories: 180 calories in 7 pieces
Cost: $3.69 for total package
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

Pears and chocolate. I'm a little surprised this combination works, as pears have a pretty subtle flavor. But, it seems to work, and this is not the first pear-related chocolate that I've had.

Chocolate countdown: 4 more days until I eat my 1,000th chocolate in as many days

ChocolateBet: June 2, 2009


Chocolate of the Day:

2 oz.
Crave Chocolatier
"Chili Fire Chips Drenched in Chocolate"
Good +
Weight: 2 oz.(56 g.)/~9 oz. (255 g.) total bag (estimate)
Calories: 300 calories (estimate) in 2 oz.
Cost: $10.00 (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Crave Chocolatier, Birmingham, Alabama

I'm working my way through the chip family. I've enjoyed chocolate-covered potato chips, and Fritos. This is the first time I've sampled spicy tortilla chips drenched in chocolate.

I enjoyed the combination (and as usual I salute anyone trying something a bit different with chocolate). I wonder how crushed pieces would be drizzled over chicken mole?

Chocolate countdown: 5 more days until I've eaten my 1,000th different chocolate in as many days.

Monday, June 1, 2009

ChocolateBet: June 1, 2009



Chocolate of the Day:

27 pieces
Meiji Seika Kaisha (Japan)
Gummy Choco - Apple flavor
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) serving/3.7 oz. (106 g.) in total tube container
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) in one 27-piece serving
Cost: $?
Purchased from: Mountain View Market, in downtown Mountain View, CA

Imagine small apple juice gel spheres surrounded by milk chocolate coatings. It's not every day that you see chocolate combined with apple (anything), except for those big caramel apples dipped in chocolate and sprinkles or nuts. So, I was interested to try these. And, to Meiji's credit, you can detect some actual apple taste. Unfortunately, due to the round (cardboard tube) container, I wasn't able to scan what this packaging looked like. I was able to scan the end label, and a bit of a Meiji cartoon chick frolicking amongst the gummy choco apple pieces. Alas, that was all.

Chocolate countdown: 6 more days until I eat my 1,000th different chocolate in as many days.
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