Monday, May 31, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 31, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
3 oz. (89.9 g.)
Trader Joe's
Dark Chocolate Nutty Bits
Very Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (84.9 g.)/ 7 oz. (198 g.) total package
Calories: 450 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.99 for total package
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, in Menlo Park, CA

These bite-sized, dark chocolate coated nut nuggets were crisp, light and delicious -- and not too sweet (an added bonus). The "nutty bits" ingredients included: almonds, cachews, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, sweet toffee, a dark chocolate coating, and "just a touch of Fleur de Sel."

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 30, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/2 bar
Jade Chocolates
Terracotta (bar) (41% cacao)
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (58 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Jade Chocolates, in San Francisco, CA

This (new) Terracotta milk chocolate bar from Jade Chocolates, with tamari almonds and pink sea salt, came carefully swaddled in handmade lokta paper from Nepal. The salt mixed in with the chocolate was very subtle, but it was enough to qualify this bar as today's choice for Day #3 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week.

The story behind the mixture of chocolate, tamari almonds and sea salt (the salty and the sweet) is discussed on the back of the wrapper: "The legacy of the terracotta warriors is a tribute to China's first emperor who united the feuding states as one country. To honor him, the opposing flavors of salty and sweet come together in harmony."

Saturday, May 29, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 29, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 cupcake
Kara's Cupcakes
Chocolate Velvet (gluten-free) cupcake
Very Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.75 g.) (estimate) in 1 cupcake
Calories: 350 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.25 for 1 cupcake
Purchased from: Kara's Cupcakes store in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week -- and, also, a big, double-milestone birthday celebration (for my dad and my daughter); so there was a lot of and eating, music, dancing, and general family fun. On the dessert menu this evening were some gluten-free cupcakes. Thank you to Kara's Cupcakes for offering this non-wheat option. I ate this Chocolate Velvet cupcake with some slivered almonds and just a hint of salt, along with some fresh strawberries and a little bit of ice cream.

It was a good thing I got up early this morning to go walking up in Napa wine country. Even so, as I write this, I feel as if I'm about to drop off into a food coma right...about...now.....

Friday, May 28, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 28, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

2 tiles/pieces
Poco Dolce
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.45 g.)/6 oz. (170 g.) total 8-pc. box
Calories: 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ (could not find receipt)
Purchased from: Poco Dolce, in San Francisco, CA

Chocolate, almonds and a hint of salt. It's hard to go wrong with this combination. I've been working my way through this variety box (4 flavors).  I'm saving the ginger tiles for last (for ginger theme week).

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 27, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
.3 oz.
Jade Chocolates
Krakatoa bar
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .3 oz. (8.49 g.)/ 2 oz. (58 g.) in total bar
Calories: 44 calories for .3 oz. (estimate)
Cost: $5.50 for total bar
Purchased from: Jade Chocolates, tasting event, in San Francisco, CA

Sometimes you just have to eat truffles for dinner. Tonight was such an occasion. I attended a Jade Chocolates truffle tasting event, held at Leland Tea Company, in San Francisco this evening. Samples of new Jade chocolate bars were also available. The Krakatoa bar (63% cacao, bittersweet), flavored with black pepper and lemongrass, was one of these new bars (shown above right).

My favorite Jade Chocolates truffle was the Jasmine Tea truffle. I am a sucker for good jasmine chocolates. The other truffle flavors (passion fruit; mint; peanut butter mango; pandan; and several others) were also quite good. Unfortunately, these truffles are not available for sale in stores at this time.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 26, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Alaska Jack's (manufactured for)
Polar Bear Smooch
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 112.5 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ 0.60
Purchased from: Alaska Wild Berry store, in 5th Ave. Mall, downtown Anchorage, Alaska

The Polar Bear Smooch contained "two types of chocolate" and had a peppermint center (shown).

This was the last chocolate I took home with me from a recent trip to Alaska. I found more chocolates there than I thought I would; however, I was not surprised. I have yet to travel to a destination where chocolate is not present in some form.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 25, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 1/2 pieces
Alaska Jack's
Bear Berry Clusters
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.125 oz. (31.8 g.) for 1.5 pieces / 6 oz. (170 g.) total box/package of 8 pieces
Calories: 150 calories for 1 1/2 pieces
Cost: $12.95 for total box of 8 pieces
Purchased from: gift shop in Ted Stevens airport, Anchorage, Alaska

These dark chocolate clusters, with caramel, small bits of pecan and dried cranberries were an Alaska Jack creation. I didn't care for the hydrogenated palm oil, but the Alaska Jack Harper story was interesting. Apparently he got the idea for adding cranberries by watching grizzlies in Denali eat them. I didn't see any live bears in Alaska when I was there earlier this month, but I made up for that by eating quite a few chocolate bear chocsimiles (chocolate facsimiles).

Monday, May 24, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 24, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Alaska Wild Berry Products
1.) Cub Crunch - Milk Chocolate and Almond Toffee
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .459 oz. (13 g.) in 1 small package/piece
Calories: 69 calories (estimate)
Cost: $
Purchased from: downtown Anchorage, Alaska

2.) Alaska Grizzly/Brown Bear - (molded, milk chocolate)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .55 oz. (15.56 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 82.5 calories (estimate)
Cost: 75 cents ($1.50 for 2 pieces)
Purchased from: Alaska Wild Berry Products, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

3.) Alaska Salmon - (molded, dark chocolate)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .55 oz. (15.56 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 82.5 calories (estimate)
Cost: 75 cents ($1.50 for 2 pieces)
Purchased from: Alaska Wild Berry Products, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

The grizzly and salmon chocolates (shown above right) were part of the Alaska Wildlife in Chocolate series, or line, from Alaska Wild Berry Products. I missed seeing either one of these species live, in the wild, during my trip -- so, I took these two chocsimiles (chocolate facsimiles) home with me. Thanks to the staff at Alaska Wild Berry for your help in picking out these chocolates.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 23, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
9 small pieces (rocks)
Manufactured for and Distributed by Alaska Jack's
Chocolate River Rocks
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.)/6.75 oz. (191 g.) total plastic jar
Calories: 75 calories
Cost: $8.95 total jar
Purchased from: gift store at Ted Stevens Airport in Anchorage, Alaska

I wasn't able to visit Alaska Jack's while I was in Anchorage, but the company seemed to have a fair number of products available in stores there. The Alaska Jack's brand included an image of a grizzled prospector (Jack?) -- that evoked the gold rush in the Yukon era.

ChocolateBet: May 22, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
Novelty Mints/Distrib. Tweedie and Storter (Alaska)

1.) Alaska - Milk Chocolate bar (with art from Alaskan artist Jon Van Zyle)
Good - Good +
Weight: .33 oz. (9.3 g.)/ 2 oz. (56 g.) total bar
Calories: 55 calories in 1/6 bar
Cost: $3.50 for total bar
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

2.) Gourmet Milk Chocolate bar - with The Alaska Art of Barbra Lavallee
Good - Good +
Weight: .375 oz. (10.6 g.)/ 2.25 oz. (64 g.) ttl bar
Calories: 56 calories in 1/6 bar
Cost: $3.50 for total bar
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

I enjoyed finding out more about local Alaska artists when I purchased these two chocolate bars at the Cabin Fever gift shop, in downtown Anchorage.

Friday, May 21, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 21, 2010


Chocolate(s) of the Day
Wild Berry Products of Alaska

1.) Mt. McKinley - Very Good
1/2 piece
Weight: .7 oz. (19.81 g.)/1.4 oz. (39.62 g.) in 1 whole piece
Calories: 105 calories (estimate)
Cost:
Purchased from: Alaska Wild Berry Products, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

2.) Chocolate Covered (polar, brown and black) Gummy Bears - Good +
6 small bears (2 polar bears, 2 brown bears, 2 black bears)
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 135 calories (estimate)
Cost:
Purchased from: Alaska Wild Berry Products, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

3.) Dark Strawberry Rhubarb chocolate - Good + - Very Good
1 piece
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) 1 piece
Calories: 59 calories (estimate)
Cost:
Purchased from: Alaska Wild Berry Products, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

Thursday, May 20, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 20, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
3 small packages
Will Henri's Farm
Chocolate with Almonds
Very Good + - Yum
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) (estimate) for 3 small packages
Calories: 300 calories
Cost: $3.00 for 3 small packages
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in Anchorage, Alaska

I enjoyed shopping in the Cabin Fever gift shop in downtown Anchorage. Thank you to the staff who pointed out the various local chocolate offerings in the store. Will Henri's Farm is a non-profit in Anchorage that teaches work skills to mentally, emotionally, or physically handicapped individuals. I felt good supporting this cause, and their Chocolate with Almonds offering was very good indeed. The almonds used in this handmade chocolate drops/discs tasted like they were hickory smoked almonds; they created a savory and sweet flavor blend that I really liked.

ChocolateBet: May 19, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
4 truffles
Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge
1.) Raspberry Grove - Very Good
2.) Blueberry Patch - Very Good
3.) Buna Burst - Very Good
4.) Cacao Wow - Very Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) (estimate) for 4 truffles
Calories: 240 calories for 4 truffles (estimate)
Cost: $11.80 for a 4-piece box of truffles
Purchased from: Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, in midtown Anchorage, Alaska

I visited the Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge location in downtown Anchorage last week, and enjoyed trying their salmon and anchovy truffles, as well as a small sample of their drinking chocolate (very good). This was the final batch of truffles -- from the midtown location -- that I took to go when I left the city. They made it home intact after being jostled around and tipped over once during the long trip home to California, so you may see a bit of cocoa powder from the Buna Burst truffle (shown lower right) on the other truffles.

The Buna Burst truffle contained espresso and agave ganache, and was "rolled in dark chocolate," and then "rolled again in cocoa and cinnamon powder." Also shown: the Blueberry Patch truffle (upper right) with bittersweet blueberry ganache; the Raspberry Patch truffle (lower left) with bittersweet raspberry and maple ganache, enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with a luster finish; and the Cacao Wow truffle (upper left) with a dark 72% ganache and organic cacao nibs. Thank you again to the very helpful staff at the counter (in both locations) who helped field questions I had and allowed me to take a picture or two.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 18, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
6 pieces
Alaska Wild Berry Products
Chocolate Covered Blueberry (ies)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package/bag
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $N/A - was given to me at the Marriott (Springhill Suites) in midtown Anchorage, Alaska
Purchased from: N/A, see above

Today's chocolate was a bag of chocolate covered blueberries that I received at the Marriott (thank you to everyone there), when I checked in. I tried some of these when I was flying home the next day (pictured above right on my airplane seating tray at 30,000 feet up), after I had been to Alaska Wild Berry Products in Anchorage.

Alaska Wild Berry Products has at least two locations in Anchorage, Alaska: 1.) a smaller shop in downtown Anchorage (in a shopping mall); and 2.) a larger location, in midtown Anchorage. The latter has a park (featuring a movie theater, reindeer, and other attractions). I visited both locations, while it was too early for the park portion to be open in midtown, I did enjoy seeing the big chocolate fountain. The fountain, visible when you walk in, was made up of a large volume of flowing, melted chocolate, that made its way down (see photo) to a large tub via a series of buckets. Huge slabs of Guittard chocolate were stacked next to the fountain -- presumably to use to replenish the flow, as needed. To complete the scene, Alaskan (stuffed) brown bears played pianos and looked on at shoppers looking for chocolates, t-shirts and other gifts inside the store.

Thank you to Natalie, who happened to be manning a counter at both locations when I popped in and started asking questions; and to other staff, who were also very helpful. I tries these chocolates with blueberry centers on the plane flight home from Alaska today.

ChocolateBet: May 17, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
3 pieces/truffles
Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge
1.) Orange Drop - Very Good
2.) Purple Infusion - Very Good ++
3.) Margarita Zing - Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 1.2 oz. (33.96 g.) in 3 truffles (estimate)
Calories: 180 calories (estimate)
Cost: $11.80 total - for a 4-piece box
Purchased from: Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, in midtown Anchorage, Alaska

Earlier this week, I visited the (newer) Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge location in downtown Anchorage. Today I visited the Lounge located in midtown Anchorage  -- for another round of new truffles. Both Chocolate Lounge locations offered their own chocolate truffles and two types of drinking chocolate; and both stocked a wonderful variety of chocolate bars and other items from many different parts of the world. (The midtown location also had space for a few more tables and some additional gift items.) My favorite of today's batch listed above was the Purple Infusion (with a lavender-infused ganache, and lavender petals/buds on top). The Modern Dwellers truffles I tasted were made with a skillful blend of flavors and textures. The lavender petal garnish provided just the right light, crunchy texture on top, and an additional burst of taste. The Purple Infusion truffle was a great choice for lavender lovers.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 16, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Northern Delights
1.) Alaskan Black Bear Paw
(1/2 piece) - Good +
Weight: .63 oz. (17.6 g.) /1.25 oz. (35.4 g.)  total package
Calories: 97 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.50 for 1 bear paw/package
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in Anchorage, Alaska

2.) Alaska Gold Nuggets
2 small pieces/nuggets - Good
Weight: .1 oz. (2.8 g.) / .5 oz. (14 g.) total package
Calories: 15 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.95 total package
Purchased from: Cabin Fever, in Anchorage, Alaska

The Cabin Fever shop in downtown Anchorage was chocked full of interesting items from Alaska, not the least of which was several chocolates that were new to me. Two of these (above) were from Northern Delights (based in Eagle River, Alaska I believe).

I didn't get to pan for gold or see a bear on my trip to Alaska. So eating realistic, chocolate facsimiles (chocsimiles) of both was the next best thing. There were three types of Northern Delights bear paws available: black bear, brown bear and polar bear. I chose the black bear paw -- a dark chocolate, realistic looking paw with roasted almonds for claws, that was filled with caramel. I enjoyed splitting this was Edith, who I met on a day cruise today and who was visiting Alaska also (from Mexico). The second Northern Delights item was a small metal miner's pan, filled with chocolate facsimiles (chocsimiles) of gold nuggets nestled inside. This clever packaging called to mind the various gold rushes that helped lure many to the Western U.S. in the past.

ChocolateBet: May 15, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
Alaska Cake Studio
1.) Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Truffle - (1/2 piece) OK + - Good
2.) Lemon Flower (1 piece) - Very Good
3.) Berry Mousse Cup (1/2 cup) - Good + - Very Good
Weight:  2.4 oz. (69 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 365 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.95 total for all 3
Purchased from: Cake Studio, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska, is a great walking city. It was during a stroll through the downtown area that I walked by the Cake Studio - Bakery and Boutique. Like many places in Anchorage, it had a nice neighborhood feel, with tables where you could sit and enjoy items you'd purchased there, while reading a local newspaper and enjoying a cup of coffee. The berry mousse (in a dark chocolate cup) was tasty; and the flower-shaped lemon flower chocolate was probably my favorite.

Note: Entry photographs will be delayed due to travel in Alaska this week.

ChocolateBet: May 14, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
6-piece box
Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge
1.) Salmon Surprise truffle - Very Good +
2.) Anochovy Amour - Very Good
3.) Indian Bop - Very Good + - Yum
4.) Tokyo Tango - Very Good+
5.) The Berbere - Very Good
6.) Romantic Rose - Very Good
Weight: 2.4 oz. (69 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 365 calories
Cost: $16.80 (estimate)
Purchased from: Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, in downtown Anchorage, Alaska

Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge offered attractive and unique truffles, with artfully blended flavors and textures from Alaska. I was really looking forward to trying the salmon truffle in particular, and I was not disappointed. For those who enjoy mixing salty or smoky flavors with chocolate, I recommend this one. The anchovy truffle was a beautiful irridescent blue and topped with a crunchy little fish (pictured at right). I enjoyed the Indian Bop very much. The Tokyo Tango had just the right amount of ginger, nori, and wasabi nose burn for my taste; but then I like wasabi. The Romantic Rose flavoring was almost too subtle, but eating it after two truffles with stronger flavors probably didn't help this fact.
Note: Entry details and photographs will be delayed due to travel in Alaska this week.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 13, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece/coin
Vegas Image
Milk Chocolate Jackpot - Milk Chocolate Quarters
Good +
Weight: .16 oz. (5 g.)/"2 oz. (60 g.)" total package of 12 milk chocolate, silver foil-wrapped "quarters"
Calories: 27.5 calories in 1 silver foil-wrapped quarter
Cost: $4.99 for total package
Purchased from: Hudson News, Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas themed chocolates seemed to be a fitting way to end (Day #7) Chocolate and Fun and Games Theme Week. This may be one of the only slot machines where you're guaranteed to be a jackpot winner.

ChocolateBet: May 12, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 card/piece
Astor Chocolate Corp.
Playing Cards - A Milk Chocolate Souvenir
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .22 oz. (6.2 g.)/2 oz. (56 g.) total package of 9 "cards"/pcs.
Calories: 32.2 calories in 1 card
Cost: $6.99 for box/package of 9 cards
Purchased from: Hudson News, Las Vegas Airport, Nevada

The Joker was a perfect chocolate card choice for Day #6 of Chocolate and Fun and Games Week. The chocolate itself was quite good, for a novelty item -- where the value of the packaging and cleverness is often of higher than the quality of the chocolate.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 11, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) Splendid Chocolates - Milk Chocolate Reindeer
(1 pair of chocolate reindeer antlers)
Good
Weight: ~ .3 oz. (8.49 g.) in 1 set of chocolate antlers; (1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 reindeer)/ 5.6 oz. (160 g.) in total package of 4 reindeer
Calories: 45 calories in 1 set of chocolate reindeer antlers
Cost: $0.69 (post-holiday sale)
Purchased from: World Market/Cost Plus, in Mountain View, CA

2.) Pieterman - Holland - Chocolate Flavoured Crayons
(1 crayon)
OK+ - Good
Weight: .087 oz. (2.5 g) in 1 crayon; .87 oz. (25 g.) in total package of 10 crayons
Calories: 13 calories (estimate) in 1 crayon
Cost: $2.50 per package of 10
Purchased from: Candy Baron, at Pier 39, in San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Fun and Games Theme Week. Today's chocolates came from Canada (reindeer) and Holland (crayons).

Reindeer Games....No, not the movie, but an animated holiday TV special with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, from many years ago. That's what came to mind when I looked at these Splendid Chocolates milk chocolate reindeer that I purchased during a blow-out post holiday sale a few months ago. I couldn't say no to a package of four tiny reindeer who seemed to be pleading through the clear plastic wrap. Save us! -- for a limited time only, 69 cents.

The Urban Dictionary (see urbandictionary.com site) defines "Reindeer Games" as activities that are enjoyed by a clique or a select group. (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer wanted to be like the other reindeer and play in their reindeer games.) I ate just the antlers from one reindeer (before picture), because I was having two chocolates today. So, now I have a doe (after picture). This was probably not what poor Rudolph had in mind.

Moving on to the second chocolate of the day...Please don't eat the crayons. As children, we learned that crayons, paste, and bugs were off the menu about the time we started to toddle around upright. Well, rules were made to be broken. These Pieterman crayons are edible; and it was fun to try to draw with them on hard surfaces. Parents will appreciate this. (Probably not.)

Monday, May 10, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 10, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/3 bar
The Walt Disney Family Museum, LLC
Milk Almond Chocolate Bar
Good +
Weight: .66 oz. (19 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) total bar
Calories: 57 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $2.50
Purchased from: The Walt Disney Family Museum, in San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Fun and Games Week. Walt Disney brought Mickey Mouse and many other critters to life in his animated cartoons, to the delight of millions. This milk chocolate and almond bar pays tribute to the man, the mouse, and The Walt Disney Family Museum based in San Francisco, California, where I visited recently. The Museum contained an interesting collection of Disney memorabilia. Items on display included one of the few multi-plane cameras that were used to shoot elaborate multi-layered animated scenes. This camera can be found near the gift shop, where I bought this chocolate bar.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 9, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Gamesformation/Ferrara Pan Candy Company
Good
Weight: .17 oz. (5 g.) (estimates) / 5.4 oz. (154 g.) net weight, total box
Calories: 26 calories (estimate)
Cost: $21.95
Purchased from: Company of Nuts and Candy, in San Diego, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Fun and Games Theme Week. What chess piece has a horse's head? Why, a Knight of course. This trivia question and more were included in the game of Trivial Pursuit -- the Chocolate Edition that is. Each of the 32 "cards" was a thin, wrapped rectangle of chocolate.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 8, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/5 bar
Wonka Exceptionals
Domed Dark Chocolate Bar
Good
Weight: .7 oz. (19.84 g.)/3.5 oz. (99.2 g.)
Calories: 102 calories in 1/5 bar
Cost: $1.99 (sale)
Purchased from: Walgreen's, in Palo Alto, CA

I was enticed by the idea that I might win a trip around the world. However, alas, there was no golden ticket inside this Wonka Exceptionals bar.  Even so, this dark chocolate bar with "milk chocolate medallions" topping each square, and a pleasant fudge-like consistency, was still fun to open and to eat. Make sure you have someone to share this with, as it is a lot of chocolate for just one person. Fortunately, I was able to give some to friends after a movie, otherwise I would have ended up having to toss the rest.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Fun and Games Theme Week.

Friday, May 7, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 7, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
2 oz. total
Coco-luxe Confections
1.) Country Fair Peanuts
Very Good
1.5 oz. (42 g.)/3 oz. (84 g.) total package
Calories: 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.50 for total bag/package
Purchased from: Coco-luxe Confections, in San Francisco, CA

2.) Block Party Almonds
Very Good
.5 oz. (14.15 g.)/3 oz. (84 g.) total package
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.50 for total bag/package
Purchased from: Coco-luxe Confections, in San Francisco, CA

Coco-luxe's Country Fair Peanuts (cayenne candied peanuts in milk chocolate) had a mildly addictive quality to them. "I'll just have a few" turned into "I'll just have 1.5 oz." To anyone who might be sensitive to spicy items: the cayenne flavor was quite mild in these. I also had a few Coco-luxe Block Party almonds, which I'd tried last month (4/7/2010) as part of a wine and chocolate tasting. I like them because they're not overly sweet.

Today concluded (Day #7 of) Chocolate and Spicy Theme Week, and marked the beginning of Day #1 of Chocolate and Fun and Games Theme Week.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

ChocolateBet: May 6, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 bar
Cowgirl Chocolates
Spicy Dark Lime Tequila - Chocolate Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) in total bar
Calories: 179 calories
Cost: $2.99 for total bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

This spicy lime tequila bar was a fitting follow-up to El Cinco De Mayo festivities yesterday, and a good choice for Day #6 of Chocolate and Spicy Theme Week. Once again, I have to say I really like these smaller sized bars. They're perfect for enjoyment without overindulgence.

Cayenne pepper supplied the spicy kick, and added to the lime tequila oil used to flavor this dark chocolate (55% cocoa) item. I ate a few squares, and melted the rest in milk. Later, I drank this special chocolate milk chilled with a sprig of mint. Not bad, not bad at all.
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