ChocolateBet: August 31, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 small cup
The Grand Mayan (Resort)
Hot Chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 3 fl. oz.
Calories: 100 calories (estimate)
Cost:  No charge
Purchased from:  Obtained from The Grand Mayan resort, in Mexico

Today was sweltering, but not too hot for a taste of homemade hot chocolate at this resort in Mexico. This hot chocolate, served in ceramic bowls/mugs, was made from scratch with very hot water, and also contained cinnamon and milk.

I was hoping to try more chocolates from Mexico on this trip. After visiting some Mayan ruins today, so near the birthplace of chocolate, I couldn't help but think there must be more local cacao products, but the shops I visited carried primarily chocolates from the U.S.

Note: Due to travel this month, posts and photographs may be delayed.

ChocolateBet: August 30, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 cookie
Pamela's Products
Espresso Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Good +
Weight .7 oz. (17 g. )/5.29 oz. (150 g.) total package/box
Calories 75 calories for 1 cookie
Cost $4.39 for total package/box
Purchased from Five Seasons Whole Foods Market, in Ocean Springs, MS

To imagine today's chocolate, think of a wheat-free chocolate chip cookie embedded with bits of ground espresso, making it a good choice for a breakfast entree this morning, on the way to the airport.

Note Due to travel this week, chocolate eating will continue, but pictures and posts may be delayed.

ChocolateBet: August 29, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 frozen dessert bar
Blue Bell Creameries, L.P.
Great Divide Bar
Good+
Weight: 2.75 fl. oz. (81 mL)
Calories: 210 calories
Cost: $1.25 (estimate)
Purchased from: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Magnolia Cafe, Theodore, Alabama

I enjoy hunting for chocolates whenever I travel. What I find may be quite everyday to locals, but exotic to me. Today after touring the Bellingrath Gardens in Alabama, I enjoyed a Blue Bell Great Divide frozen dessert bar (chocolate and vanilla), in the company of three other women, from Texas, who were on the house and garden tour. Blue Bell is a Texas company, and it was once difficult to find Blue Bell ice cream and dessert products outside of Texas.

Later in the day, I stopped at a pecan stand to try some boiled peanuts. They did not have any chocolate and nut products there, but we had fun discussing what chocolate covered boiled peanuts might look like.

Note: Due to travel this month, the chocolate eating will continue, but posts and photos may be delayed.

ChocolateBet: August 28, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Terrific Toffee Treats
Walnut - Chocolate Toffee
Very Good
Weight: .7 oz. (19.8 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) total package/bag
Calories: 105 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $N/A
Purchased from: N/A - from Charles C., Terrific Toffee Treats, Santa Clara, CA

Fancy hotels often leave a mint on your pillow. I wasn't taking any chances, and brought my own chocolate to leave on my bed at turn-down time. Today's selection was a piece of Walnut Chocolate Tofee. Even though I dragged this toffee through airports yesterday and wet, humid weather, the piece I had was still crunchy and delicious. For those unable to eat walnuts, Terrific Toffee Treats also offers almond and peanut toffees.

Note: Due to travel this month, chocolate eating will continue, but postings and photos may be delayed.

ChocolateBet: August 27, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Terrific Toffee Treats
Peanut - Chocolate Toffee
Very Good
Weight: .7 oz. (19.8 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g) total package/bag
Calories: 105 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ N/A
Purchased from: N/A - from Charles C., Terrific Toffee Treats, Santa Clara, CA

Today was a travel day. As you may be able to see from the photos,
I was in an airport terminal.

Much better than any airport food was the Terrific Toffee Treats Peanut Chocolate Toffee I had packed in my brown bag lunch. The peanuts added a little extra texture and visual flourish to this crunchy, chocolate-coated treat.

This toffee was made by Charles Christy. Yesterday I sampled Christy's Almond Chocolate Toffee -- today I moved on to the Peanut Chocolate Toffee. And tomorrow I'll sample the Walnut toffee.

Note: Due to travel this month, chocolate eating will continue, but postings and photos will be delayed.

ChocolateBet: August 26, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package
Terrific Toffee Treats
Almond - Chocolate Toffee
Very Good
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.) total package
Calories: 600 calories (estimate) in 1 4 oz. package/bag
Cost: $N/A
Purchased from N/A - from Charles Christy, Terrific Toffee Treats, Santa Clara, CA

There are many different variations on toffee, with nuts and without. Charles Christy has perfected recipes for three different nut toffee recipes: almond, peanut and walnut (pictured above right).

Today I tried Charles's Terrific Toffee Treats Almond Chocolate Toffee, and ended up polishing off an entire 4 oz. sample bag that Charles generously donated to Chocolate Banquet. I think this vanishing act (last piece shown, about to disappear, at right) helped demonstrate that this classic, butter crunch toffee was the real thing.

For more information on these toffee products, see http://www.terrifictoffeetreats.com/

Note: I will be traveling out of town in the next few weeks. Rest assured, I will continue to eat a different chocolate each day; however, posts may be delayed.

ChocolateBet: August 25, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
1.) Wild Fennel Truffle - Good + - Very Good
2.) Cardomom Truffle - Good + - Very Good
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) (estimate) in 2 pieces
Calories: 119 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $3.75 for 2 pieces
Purchased from: The Xocolate Bar, in Berkeley, CA

Today I enjoyed two chocolates from (an earlier chocolate field trip to) The Xocolate Bar in Berkeley, CA. I like being able to taste natural spices and flavorings when they're blended and balanced well with chocolate. Both the wild fennel and the cardomom made their presence known in these chocolates.

The Xocolate Bar makes a variety of interesting chocolates (such as banana jerky, ginger bark, and naturally flavored chocolates). However, they may be most well known for their attractive and interesting molded chocolates (e.g. a chocolate buddha). The chocolate coverings are a bit hard and thick on these molded pieces. This means the chocolates hold their shape and don't leak; however, I would be interested to try some with thinner "shells" so I could enjoy more of the ganaches/fillings.

ChocolateBet: August 24, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Furuta Confectionery Co., Ltd.
(Exported by Daiso Industries Co., Ltd.)
Chocolate(s with) strawberry crem (sic) filling
Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (12.66 g.) in 2 pieces / 1.8 oz. (57 g.) total package of 9 pieces
Calories: 69 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $
Purchased from: Daiso store, in Mountain View, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week, and today's chocolate (individually wrapped milk chocolates filled with strawberry cream filling) from Furuta (and brought to the U.S. courtesy of Daiso) hailed from Japan. For anyone in the U.S. not familiar with Daiso, they are a very large worldwide retail chain. Daiso stores are typically packed with economically priced goods ranging from chop sticks and dishes to writing pads and wrapping paper.

It was a very hot day today (over 100 degrees Farenheit). A cool beverage was in order; so I blended some summer-themed iced water, lemonade and frozen berries to accompany these chocolates.

ChocolateBet: August 23, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
Ethel's Chocolate
1.) Raspberry Champagne Tart - Good +
2.) Creme Brulee - Good
Weight: .9 oz. (25.4 g.) (estimate) for 2 pieces
Calories: 135 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.50 for 4 pieces in a box ($3.75 for these two chocolates)
Purchased from: Ethel's Chocolate, Las Vegas Airport, C Gate, Las Vegas, NV

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week, and I sampled two individual chocolates from Ethel's Chocolate, purchased earlier during a trip to Las Vegas. The first chocolate was a Raspberry Champagne Tart, with a raspberry-flavored milk chocolate ganache filling. The second piece was a Creme Brulee milk chocolate, with a cream-type filling.

To accompany these chocolates, I poured myself a small bowl of unsweetened, frozen raspberries. I've found that frozen fruit pieces can be refreshing alternative to ice cream or sherbet on a hot day. And raspberries partner well with chocolate. Now, if only I could find an easy way to de-seed these berries without destroying the fruit.

ChocolateBet: August 22, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/3 bar
Chocolate Visions, Inc.
Crimson Cranberry (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33.3 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 171 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.95 for total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week, and today's Crimson Cranberry bar ("61% Bittersweet Chocolate, Cranberries, Applewood Smoked Almonds, Cinnamon and Orange") tasted like Christmas. The festive red wrapper must have helped conjure up the vision I had of a crisp December evening by a fire, sipping orange cinnamon tea, and eating this chocolate. Pictured at right is a cross-section of this bar, with visible pieces of almond and cranberry.

ChocolateBet: August 21, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1/5 bar (3 squares)
World Market
Triple Berry Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 80 calories in 1/5 bar
Cost: $1.99 for total bar
Purchased from: World Market store, in Mountain View, CA

This dark chocolate (64% cacao) bar contained "bold, bittersweet chocolate with flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and a hint of tiny raspberry bits," according to the label. The natural berry flavors and raspberry flakes (used in this bar) certainly did taste better than their artificial cousins that I've tasted in other bars, and were blended smoothly together.

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

ChocolateBet: August 20, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/3 bar
NewTree
Superfruit 65% Cocoa (bar)
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .94 oz. (26.6 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 106 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.99 for total bar
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA

What is a Superfruit bar you ask? NewTree's rendition includes: Belgian dark chocolate (65% cocoa) with cranberries, goji berries, pomegranate, grape and papaya, and a bit of extra fiber (inulin, oligofructose). I found the sum total of all these ingredients to be a very tasty chocolate choice for today -- Day #3 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 19, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package
Kopali Organics
Organic Dark Chocolate Covered Mulberries
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) total package
Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $
Purchased from: (misplaced receipt)

Organic dried mulberries from were the berries in the spotlight today, covered in (organic, fair trade certified) dark chocolate, and the choice for Day #2 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 18, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1.1 oz.
Michael Mischer Chocolates
Blueberry and Dragon Fruit (bar)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.125 oz. (31.8 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 158 calories (estimate)
Cost: $
Purchased from: Michael Mischer Chocolates, in Oakland, CA

While today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Berry Theme Week -- with blueberries being the featured berry today, perhaps the most interesting addition to today's single origin Criollo chocolate bar was the incorporation of dragon fruit. A 65% dark chocolate base made it a bit more difficult to detect a distinctive dragon fruit flavor; however, the unusual fruit added attractive rosy color and a slightly chewy texture.

ChocolateBet: August 17, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
5 pieces
Michael Mischer Chocolates
Five filled chocolates:
1.) Lavender and Honey
2.) Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)
3.) Tamarind
4.) Champagne
5.) Port Wine

Very Good
Weight: 2.25 oz. (63.6 g.) (estimate) for 5 pieces
Calories: 337 calories (estimate) for 5 pieces
Cost: $9.10 (estimate) for 5 pieces
Purchased from: Michael Mischer Chocolates, Oakland, CA


There was no crazy chocolate theme week going on today. Instead I enjoyed an assortment of filled chocolates, purchased earlier  from Michael Mischer Chocolates, located in Oakland, CA.

All these individual pieces were good. However, I do enjoy lavender; and so, no surprise, my favorite chocolate was the Lavender and Honey chocolate (log shape with purple dot), followed by the Lilikoi -- a small dome-shaped chocolate, decorated with a yellow brushstroke. I liked the butterscotch-like caramelized filling with a hint of passion fruit.

I was going to save chocolates #3 - #5 for tomorrow, but they served as my lunch instead. In keeping with my plan to replace all normal meals with chocolate today, I later attended an evening chocolate tasting (dinner) at Fog City News in San Francisco. Thank you to Fog City for the tasting and for carrying a wide variety of interesting chocolates.

ChocolateBet: August 16, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

2 slices cake + other items
Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Amy's Cakes - Chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 3.06 oz. (86.8 oz.) / 11 oz. (312 g.) total cake
Calories: 300 calories for cake (+ 75 calories for peach pomegranate jam sauce and light whipped cream)
Cost: $5.99 for total cake
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

To celebrate, I tried a piece of Amy's Gluten Free, Non-Dairy, and Vegan Chocolate Cake. You might think you'd be missing out with a label with so many omissions; but you'd be wrong. This chocolate cake was moist and delicious, and provided a great base for peach pomegranate sauce and whipped cream.

ChocolateBet: August 15, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
3 chocolate covered figs (+ pomegranate wine and juice)
Wine Country Chocolates
Good +
Weight: 1.8 oz. (50.9 g.) (estimate) / 3.6 oz. (101.8 g.) (estimate) in total package of 6 figs
Calories: 230 calories (just for 3 figs)
Cost: $6.00 for total package of 6 figs
Purchased from: Wine Country Chocolates, in Sonoma, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week; and today's chocolate banquet took on a vaguely Mediterranean flavor.

A bowl of chocolate covered figs, topped with whipped cream, pistachio nuts, strawberry slices, and spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), was accompanied by pomegranate wine from Armenia.

Honest Ade Pomegranate Blue juice drink provided a refreshing, non-alcoholic tasting addition to this mix. No wonder I was ready for a nap afterwards.

ChocolateBet: August 14, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/32 of a bar
Bartons Confectioners
Exquisite Pomegranate Chocotini bar
OK + - Good
Weight: .109 oz. (3 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (99 g.) total bar (8 squares)
Calories: 15 calories (estimate) for small bite of 1 square
Cost: $3.49 for total bar
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA

Bartons alcohol-free, milk chocolate rendition of a pomegranate chocolate martini was nicely packaged, with a bar easily broken into 8 squares for tasting. The consistency of the squares was smooth; however, I found the artificial flavors used in this bar a bit overwhelming. This is the only offering in Bartons Exquisite Chocotini line that I've tasted to date; I may try one of their other (Strawberry Lemonade, Black Raspberry, or Mojito) Chocotini bars in the future.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 13, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/6 bar
Nirvana Belgian Chocolates
Organic 72% Dark Chocolate with Pomegranate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .58 oz. (16.6 g.)/3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 90 calories for 1/6 bar (estimate)
Cost: $6.95 for total bar
Purchased from: ?

Today's (72% cocoa) Dark Chocolate Pomegranate bar was made from organic Trinitario cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic, and vanilla from Madagascar. For those interested in more origin details: according to the label, this bar was produced in Belgium by Klingele Chocolade, and was certified organic by IMO, Switzerland.

Last week I was scrambling to find chocolates that would qualify for a chocolate and pomegranate theme week. However, I need not have fretted; today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week, and my chocolate vault is now well-stocked after a successful chocolate and pomegranate hunting safari. If I'd waited a few more months (when pomegranates come back into season in California), I could have incorporated some fresh pomegranate (fruit) into the list of chocolate choices. I'll have to consider growing seasons when I plan other produce-related theme weeks in the future. Coming up later this week: peach and pomegranate jam sauce and whipped cream on a gluten-free chocolate cake, and chocolate-covered figs paired with pomegranate wine.

ChocolateBet: August 12, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1.2 oz. serving (6 squares)
World Market/Cost Plus, Inc.
Pomegranate Dark Chocolate (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.)/3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 176 calories in 6 squares
Cost: $1.99 for total bar
Purchased from: World Market store in Mountain View, CA

World Market offers a line of very reasonably priced dark chocolate items. This pomegranate and vanilla flavored bar also seemed to have a very slight, not unpleasant coconut flavor note. Altogether, this 64% cacao bar was a great choice for Day #3 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: August 11, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
One (1.5 oz.) serving
Trader Joe's
Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) in total container
Calories: 200 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $2.99
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, in Menlo Park, CA

I enjoyed these dark chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds. They had just the right amount of flavor and texture for my taste. Day #2 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week also found me hunting for pomegranate and chocolate-related items for the remaining five days of this week. Fortunately, I found several items at the local Bevmo (beverage chain) and Piazza's Market (local supermarket). Yes, interesting and unique chocolates abound in large suburbs and cities this year.

ChocolateBet: August 10, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 truffles
The Xocolate Bar
Pomegranate Truffles
Good - Good +
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) (estimate) 2 truffles
Calories: 124 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.50 for 2 truffles
Purchased from: The Xocolate Bar, in Berkeley, CA

White chocolate shells -- with a red pattern across the top, these Pomegranate Truffles from the Xocolate Bar had a dark chocolate ganache. The milder and sweeter white chocolate coating helped balance out the darker, tangy filling.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Pomegranate Theme Week. The challenge will be to find seven chocolate and pomegranate items, that I haven't eaten before. Pomegranate items are relatively uncommon (and the fruit is currently out of season here -- silly me). So, I may have to do some serious hunting.

ChocolateBet: August 9, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 brownies + savory walnuts
Pamela's Products Inc.
Ultra Chocolate Brownie Mix
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) of mix / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total package of dry mix
Calories: 360 calories in 2 brownies (prepared with olive oil)
Cost: missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Olive Theme Wk. It is more time-consuming to prepare chocolate items from scratch, or assembling them from a variety of ingredients. However, this week's olive theme seemed to call for it. Fortunately, mixes exist -- and gluten-free ones at that, such as this chocolate brownie mix from Pamela's Products. I incorporated Star extra virgin olive oil into this mix; and I ate the finished brownies with some savory walnuts I made (with rosemary, Italian herb mix, olive oil, and salt).

In the future, I hope to make other chocolate and savory items, e.g. a (gluten-free) olive oil and herb bread, with some chocolate chunks; or a chocolate mousse made with olive oil and sea salt. As always, there seems to be endless possibilities with chocolate.

ChocolateBet: August 8, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1.2 oz. (4 squares)
Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co.
67% chocolate bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 2.75 oz. (77.8 g.) total bar
Calories: 174 calories (estimate)
Cost: $
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Olive Theme Week, and today's chocolate choice was a chocolate bar from Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co, based in Nashville, TN. The company handcrafts their bean-to-bar line of bars. Some stone ground bars are a bit too coursely textured for me; but this 67% bar was nice and smooth.

I look forward to trying other Olive and Sinclair bars in the future -- especially those inspired by flavors from the Southern United States (salt and pepper, coffee, and others).

Some may argue that a brand name (the "Olive" in Olive and Sinclair) doesn't technically count as real "olive" content; so, I tasted this 67% bar with a very small amount of Ascolano Olive Oil from The Olive Press (bought earlier in Sonoma, CA). This bar was made from three simple ingredients: cacao beans from Ghana, brown sugar, and cocoa butter. That is, until I adulterated one square of this bar with olive oil and a tiny amount of salt and herbs. The sacrificial square is pictured, above right. The more subtle notes in both the chocolate and olive oil did get lost when mixed together; but I enjoyed pairing them nonetheless.

ChocolateBet: August 7, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
The Xocolate Bar
Kalamata Olive Caramels
Very Good
Weight: .8 oz. (22 g.) in 2 pieces (estimate)
Calories: 120 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.50 for 2 pieces
Purchased from: The Xocolate Bar, in Berkeley, CA

These caramel-filled chocolates really did have an olive taste. I like olives, so this was fine by me. I don't know how The Xocolate Bar's chocolatier achieved this result, as there were no visible olive bits or ingredients. However, I am honored to include this chocolate as today's (Day #5's) selection in Chocolate and Olive Theme Week.