Saturday, October 30, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 30, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
Hotel Chocolat Ltd.
"Ultimate Advent Calendar - 48 Truffles for Two" - Rum Liquid Caramel(s)
Very Good
Weight: .44 oz. (12.5 g.) (estimate) for 2 pieces / 10.6 oz. (300 g.) total package of 48 pieces
Calories: 66 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ N/A - evaluation samples
Purchased from: N/A - Hotel Chocolat Ltd., London, England, UK

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Christmas-is-Coming Theme Week. I opened the Day #2 flap of  Hotel Chocolat's Ultimate Advent Calendar -- and lifted out two small, well-crafted Rum Liquid Caramel truffles. Caution: if your plan is to share the other truffle with someone else in your life, make sure they are standing in the vicinity when you reach in for your chocolates. It's all too easy to eat that second truffle yourself.

Friday, October 29, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 29, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces/truffles
Hotel Chocolat
"Ultimate Advent Calendar: Truffles for Two"
Very Good
Weight: .44 oz. (12.5 g.) (estim.) for 2 pieces / 10.6 oz. (300 g.) total package of 48 truffles
Calories: 66 calories (estimate)
Cost: $N/A - evaluation samples
Purchased from: N/A - Hotel Chocolate, London, UK

Welcome to Chocolate and Christmas-is-Coming Theme Week. Yes, I know it's early; but advanced planning for the holidays means you could be eating some great chocolates a month or two from now.
 
Today I opened a box of Christmas holiday chocolates from UK-based Hotel Chocolat (London), and unwrapped the company's "Ultimate Advent Calendar - Truffles for Two" offering. This attractively packaged box, designed for grown-up consumers, looks like a winner. Each day/window opened on the calendar yields not one, but two chocolate truffles. So, if you're a kind-hearted person who shares chocolate with loved ones, this is perfect. And for the rest of you -- and you know who you are -- there are two pieces just for you.

Today's two truffles, hidden behind Day #1 flap, were hazelnut-flavored House Milk Pralines I believe. Whether you start with #1 and count up to 24, or count down (from 24 to 1), you'll be able to enjoy flavors such as: Liquid Caramel, Gingerbread, Orange Liqueur, Rum Liquid Caramel, and Mousse au Chocolat. 

Thank you to Hotel Chocolat for the chance to evaluate these holiday chocolates. For those in the U.S., more information can be found at http://www.hotelchocolat.com

Thursday, October 28, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 28, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/2 chocolate skeleton man
Long Grove Confectionery Co.
"The Skeleton"
Good +
Weight: .75 oz. (21.2 g.) / 1.5 oz. (43 g.) total package
Calories: 112 calories in 1/2 skeleton
Cost: $6.25
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

I pried today's chocolate prey -- a small milk and white chocolate skeleton man, out of his orange and black coffin box. I ate his shoes first. Such is your fate if you're a piece of chocolate holiday candy. Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Halloween and Day of the Dead Theme Week.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 27, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces (pumpkins)
Madelaine Chocolate Novelties, Inc.
Peanut Butter Filled Milk Chocolate
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) total package of 5 pieces
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.50 for a package of 5 pieces
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

If only harvesting a crop of real pumpkins was this easy: buy box, open box, unwrap pumpkins, and eat. I love toasting the seeds from freshly carved (real) pumpkins. That carving and roasting process takes about an hour. And I still plan to do that this week for Halloween. In the meantime, getting at the peanut butter inside these foil-wrapped milk chocolate pumpkins takes just seconds.


Note: Each of these five Madelaine pumpkins came wrapped wearing a different "facial" expression.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Halloween and Day of the Dead Theme Week.


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 26, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 chocolate skull
Christopher Norman Chocolates
"Mr. Skull"
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 255 calories (estimate)
Cost: $10.00
Purchased from: Christopher Norman Chocolates, New York City, NY

Mr. Skull's glowing, red candy sugar eyes and mottled appearance made him look a little spooky. But, he was less intimidating when I bit off his little dark and white chocolate jaw.

I rarely eat red meat these days, but three cheers for chocolate cannibalism. Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Halloween and Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) Theme Week.

Monday, October 25, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 25, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

2 skulls
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Day of the Dead Caramel Filled Mini Skulls
1.) Tequila Caramel Skull - Good +
2.) Red Fire Caramel Skull - Very Good
Weight: 1.71 oz. (47.5 g) / 2.6 oz. (72 g.) total package of 3 skulls
Calories: 200 calories
Cost: $13.00 for package of 3 skulls (including 1 from yesterday)
Purchased from: Vosges Haut Chocolat, Chicago, IL

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Halloween/Day of the Dead Theme Week.

Both Halloween (when children go door-to-door trick or treating, October 31) and El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, Nov. 2) are happening this next week and are observed in California. El Día de los Muertos is an occasion to honor the departed with prayers, sweets, gifts and favorite foods.

As I finish this lovely 3-pack of caramel-filled skulls from Vosges, I can confirm that these chocolates fit very nicely into either holiday tradition.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 24, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 skull
Vosges Haut Chocolat
El Día de Los Muertos package of 3 caramel skulls
Dulce de Leche Caramel Skull
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .86 oz. (24 g.) 2.6 oz. (72 g.) total package of 3 skulls
Calories: 100 calories
Cost: $13.00 total - for set of 3 skulls
Purchased from: Vosges Haut Chocolat, Chicago, IL

Sometimes it's good to be a chocolate cannibal. Eating this Vosges Dulce de Leche caramel filled skull made me feel that way.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Halloween and Day of the Dead Theme Week.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 23, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

3 different chocolates
Christopher Norman Chocolates

1.) Suspicious Cat
Good+ - Very Good
Weight:  1 bite's worth -- .5 oz. (14.1 g.)/ 2 oz. (56.6 g.) total cat
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $15.00
Purchased from: Christopher Norman Chocolates, NYC, NY

2.) One Ghosts (raspberry-flavored) truffle
Good+
Weight: .45 oz. (12.7 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 67.5 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Christopher Norman Chocolates, NYC, NY


3.) One Jack-O-Lantern truffle
Good+
Weight: .45 oz. (12.7 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 67.5 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Christopher Norman Chocolates, NYC, NY

Chistopher Norman Chocolates' "Suspicious Cat" was made of dark chocolate with white chocolate highlights. The 4-inch (10.2 cm) tall cat might have been suspicious of the ghosts and the jack-o-lanterns emblazoned on nearby truffles (from assortment box shown).

Friday, October 22, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 22, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

2 pieces
Christopher Norman Chocolates
1.) Devil truffle - Good +
2.) Black Cat truffle - Good +
Weight: .8 oz. (24 g.) (estimate for 2 pieces)
Calories: 120 calories (estimate for 2 pieces)
Cost: $
Purchased from: Christopher Norman Chocolates, New York City, NY

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Halloween - Day of the Dead Theme Week. Devils and black cats are popular symbols associated with upcoming Halloween festivities. So, I had one of each -- truffle, that is -- decorated with these Halloween-related symbols on top. I had ordered a box of four different seasonal truffles; and tomorrow I will try the jack-o-lantern- or the ghost-decorated truffle.


I thought the cats would get more excited about this theme; but they were more interested in taking an afternoon nap. (Note: Don't worry; I do not let pets eat any chocolate.)

Thursday, October 21, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 21, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) 1/5 bar - Kras - 88% Ghana Cacao Dark Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .48 oz. (14 g.) / 2.4 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 69 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ Not applicable
Purchased from: Not applicable

Thank you to Bill for sharing chocolate brought back from a recent trip to Croatia. Given its high (88 percent) cacao content, this bar was very smooth tasting (not bitter) and had a nutty flavor.

And now, with the second chocolate of the day, we move into "Chocolate and Halloween/Day of the Dead Theme Week."


2.) 1 small package - Simply Sinful Candy - Toffee - with Dark Chocolate and Almonds
Very Good
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) (estimate) in sample
Calories: 128 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ N/A - samples were being handed out at festival
Purchased from: Simply Sinful Candy booth, at the Waterfront Festival - Art, Wine and Chocolate; Suisun Bay, CA

Earlier this month, I attended the Waterfront Festival in Suisun Bay, CA. Toffee chef Patsy Anderson (pictured right) and associates, from local company Simply Sinful Candy, were handing out samples of their toffee made from local ingredients. (Their sugar, for example, comes from the C and H Sugar Factory nearby.)

Their Simply Sinful (devil) logo inspired me to hold off on eating this toffee until today -- Day #1 of Chocolate and Halloween/Day of the Dead Theme Week. Halloween is, after all, the one acceptable holiday for devils. Simply Sinful's Toffee also comes in pecan and other flavors.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 20, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 tin
Dean and DeLuca
Dark Chocolate Orange Peel
Very Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) total container, tin
Calories: 400 calories (estimate) for 1/2 tin
Cost: $9.00 for total container
Purchased from: Elements (gift shop), Aria Resort, CityCenter; Las Vegas, NV

Dean and DeLuca's round silver tin filled with Dark Chocolate Orange Peel pieces concluded (Day #7 of) Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

I thought I tasted a hint of cinnamon along with the orange oil used to flavor these dark gems -- providing a nice tie-in for the holidays, now that we're slouching toward Thanksgiving. Part of me still wants to cling to the false notion that it must still be summer--ish; but I had to don a warm coat this evening, so it's time to move on. Tomorrow I'll be starting to embrace the Fall/Winter holiday season with a warm chocolate Halloween/Day of the Dead hug.

ChocolateBet: October 19, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

5 sticks
Sweet's
Orange Sticks
Good +
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) / 4.1 oz. (116 g.) total package
Calories: 160 calories in 5 sticks
Cost: $1.99 + shipping for online orders
Purchased from: Sweet's / Sweet Candy Company, Salt Lake City, UT

Sweet's has been a family business since 1892, if I understand their materials correctly, making them one of the longest running family businesses in the candy industry. Their orange sticks, with fairly natural tasting orange gel centers, were dipped in dark chocolate. Other types of chocolate covered sticks (e.g. raspberry) are also available from the Salt Lake City-based company.

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Monday, October 18, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 18, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
Jean Philippe Patisserie
Sevillian
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .9 oz. (25.47 g.) (estimate) for 2 pieces
Calories: 130 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.00 for 2 pieces
Purchased from: Jean Philippe Patisserie, Aria Resort at CityCenter, Las Vegas, NV

No matter what your chocolate preference, it is worth a visit to Jean Philippe's Patisserie, in either the Bellagio or Aria Resort location, if you're in Las Vegas. Impressive decor and chocolate fountains and/or sculptures can be found inside. And, for those even mildly tempted by marzipan I recommend Jean Philippe's dark chocolate coated, brightly decorated, orange marzipan Grand Marnier ganache chocolates. These survived my trip home from Las Vegas, and I enjoyed them today, Day #5 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 17, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
ethel's chocolate/Ethel M Chocolates
Orange Liqueur
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00 for 1 piece
Purchased from: Ethel's Chocolate, Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel; Las Vegas, NV

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week. Las Vegas is a great chocolate town, and Ethel's Chocolate is a well-known chocolatier in this area. I was walking through the Flamingo resort, having just purchased an Ethel's Orange Liqueur chocolate. As I bit into this barrel-shaped, filled dark chocolate -- decorated with orange flecks on the outside, and with a creamy, orange filling on the inside -- I noticed some movement in the background. Yes indeed, those were live flamingos.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 16, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) 1/4 bar
Godiva
Truffle Bars - Dark Chocolate with Creamy Vanilla Filling
Good +
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 1.4 oz. (40 g.) total bar
Calories: 57 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

2.) 1/4 bar
Godiva
Truffle Bars - Oranges and Cream in White Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.) / 1.4 oz. (40 g.) total bar
Calories: 57 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

Truffle Bars from Godiva are currently available in chocolate and orange ice-cream inspired flavors. This fact came in very handy as today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week. 

I decided to sample these two Godiva bars with a small taste of The Macallan 12-year old single malt scotch whiskey. Sample sips were available on the show floor at BlogWorld Expo (Las Vegas). I recommend trying both scotch and chocolate(s) separately first, to be able to fully appreciate each. However, as far as combining the two -- the Godiva vanilla-filled dark chocolate Truffle bar paired particularly well with the scotch.

Note: Due to travel this week, photo posts will be delayed.

Friday, October 15, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 15, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

4 pieces
Droste (Holland)
Pastilles - Milk/Orange Chocolate
Good +
Weight: .71 oz. (20 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total package
Calories: 115 calories in 4 pieces
Cost: $3.99 total package
Purchased from: Piazzas Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today's choice for (Day #2 of) Chocolate and Orange Theme Week came from Europe. Holland-based Droste's smooth, round chocolate pastilles are available in different flavors. These pastilles were milk chocolate with "natural orange" flavoring.

Thank you to those who helped evaluate these with me at the BlogWorld Expo show. It's always fun to make new chocolate/travel friends.

Note: Due to travel this week, photo posts will be delayed.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 14, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1/3 bar
Alter Eco
Dark Chocolate Twist - Crystallized Orange Peel (bar)
Very Good +
Weight: 1.17 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 192 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.19
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, in Cupertino, CA

Today marked the first official day of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week. However, the celebration started earlier -- last night to be precise -- when I enjoyed an excellent Grand Marnier souffle with chocolate sauce. (See yesterday's 10/13/2010 post for more details.)

This fair trade dark bar from Alter Eco (El Ceibo Cooperative, Bolivia), was very good. The small bits of orange peel added just the right amount of flavor, without being too sweet or too bitter.

Note: I am traveling this week; photo posts will be delayed.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 13, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) Bissinger's Naturals
Dark Chocolate Covered Molasses Puffs
Good +
Weight: .39 oz. (11.25 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) total package
Calories: 45 calories in 1 piece, or puff
Cost: $8.99 for total package
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

Today is Day #7 of Chocolate and Air Theme Week. These puffs were similar to chocolate-coated honeycomb pieces, and were described as "light, airy puffs of molasses covered in Bissinger's Dark Chocolate." This product was also gluten-free.

----------------------

Postscript: Later in the day, I flew East for Chocolate #2 of the day...


2.) The Eiffel Tower Restaurant
Grand Marnier Souffle with chocolate and Grand Marnier sauces
Very Good + - Yum
Weight: 4 oz. (estimate) for 1 serving
Calories: unknown (sometimes it's better not knowing)
Cost: Approximately $15.00 + tax, tip
Purchased from: Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris, Las Vegas, NV

To celebrate the end of Chocolate and Air Theme Week, and the beginning of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week, there was really only one choice: fly directly to Paris, where the souffles are magnifique.

High atop the city, in the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, I enjoyed a Grand Marnier Souffle, expertly finished with chocolate and Grand Marnier sauces by Noel at the bar. Does it matter that I was in Paris, Las Vegas, instead of France? No, not one bit.

This souffle was excellent, and the view was too.


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 12, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 Whif
ArtScience Labs/ LaboGroup International
Le Whif - Chocolate Mint
Good - Good +
Weight: 0.03 oz. (0.9 g.) in 1 Whif
Calories: 0 calories
Cost: $7.49 for a 3-pack (3 different flavored Whifs)
Purchased from: NewLeaf Chocolates, in MA

Today is Day #6 of Chocolate and Air Theme Week. In honor of this day, here's a chocolate math test question for you: How many whifs in a Whif? Answer: There are approximately eight whifs/puffs for each Le Whif -- a small, lipstick-sized unit that dispenses chocolate, inhaler-style. (For those not used to chocolate in this form, instructions are included.) Today's Le Whif flavor was Chocolate Mint, which I purchased as part of a Le Whif 3-pack (with three different flavors).
------------------

Greetings to those who celebrate chocolate festivities and holidays. Chocolate Week in the UK (October 11 - 16), will be coming to a heady peak this weekend with "Chocolate Unwrapped" (October 16 - 17) in London; this event sounds like a mix of chocolate feast, art exhibit, talks by experts, and general fun. I'm sorry I can't be there to sign the chocolate wall. Meanwhile I plan to engage in some chocolate-hunting adventures while at BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Monday, October 11, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 11, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 bar
Nestle
Aero bar - "Made with Real Peppermint"
Good +
Weight: 1.44 oz. (41 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 220 calories
Cost: $2.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Have you felt the bubbles melt? (Laissez fondre les bulles?) This is the question posed on the Nestle Aero Peppermint bar wrapper. Despite my best efforts to feel these bubbles melting, by eating an entire bar, I'm not sure I can answer this question. However, I can say that this bar's bubbly green center (pictured at right) enveloped in milk chocolate, did taste relatively light, minty, and refreshing, compared to the all milk chocolate Aero bar.

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

Sunday, October 10, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 10, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
1/2 bar
Nestle
Love (Milk Chocolate) bar
Good +
Weight: .74 oz. (21 g.)/1.48 oz. (42 g.) total bar
Calories: 110 calories
Cost: $?
Purchased from: ?


This Nestle Love bar was waiting in my chocolate vault, for just the right occasion. Today (Day #4 of Chocolate and Air Theme Week) was a good match; but, even more appropriately, today we attended a wedding. Perfect opportunity to share the Love -- bar, that is. This Love bar seemed very similar to Nestle's Aero milk chocolate bar, but I'm counting this as a different product/chocolate.

Chocolate of the Day, #2:
Just in case the Love bar formula was too close to a regular, milk chocolate Aero bar, I also enjoyed a teaspoon of chocolate frosting from a chocolate and salt/fleur de sel cupcake at the wedding reception. (These cupcakes could have been from Kara's Cupcakes; but I can't be 100% sure.)

Saturday, October 9, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 9, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 Whif
ArtScience Labs - Le Labotoire
Le Whif - Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: 0.01 oz. (0.3 g.) / 0.03 oz. (0.9 g.) total package of 3 different Whifs
Calories: 0 calories
Cost: $7.49 for 3-pack (plus cost for shipping if ordered online)
Purchased from: NewLeaf Chocolates, based in Arlington, MA (online order)

Today's chocolate was perfect for Day #3 of Chocolate and Air Theme Week. It was not only "as sweet as chocolate (and) as light as air," but this product also delivered its organic chocolate payload via an inhaler size tube, known as a Le Whif. I followed the instructions, and upon gently inhaling I did detect an authentic chocolate taste. I give the inventors of Le Whif points for clever design and packaging. The novelty value to calorie ratio is high, even if the calorie ratio to price is not. There are not many zero calorie chocolate products you can have guilt-free fun with if you're watching your weight.

The NewLeaf Chocolates site was stocked with interesting (primarily organic) chocolates, and this LeWhif product arrived very quickly after I ordered it.

Friday, October 8, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 8, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1/6 bar
Bubble Chocolate, LLC
Dark Chocolate (60% Cocoa) bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .47 oz. (13.3 g.)/ 2.82 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 67 calories
Cost: $2.99 for total bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, in Los Altos, CA

More "Bubbles Wrapped in Chocolate(R)" today -- for Day #2 of Chocolate and Air Theme Week. Yesterday's selection was Bubble Chocolate's Milk Chocolate bar; and today's choice was the company's Dark Chocolate (60% Cocoa) bar.

It was a bit strange to lift this fairly large bar out of its packaging and to notice how relatively light the bar was. Credit the bubbles for that. These bubbles were visible (or at least implied, since the air wasn't really visible) in the photo (at right), that shows a cross-section of this bar.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

ChocolateBet: October 7, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1/3 bar
Bubble Chocolate, LLC
Milk Chocolate (38% Cocoa) bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .94 oz. (26.6 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 146.6 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $3.29 total bar
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA


Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Air Theme Week! Bubble Chocolate's Milk Chocolate bar kicked off this theme week. A cross-section of this (38% Cocoa) milk chocolate bar (showing the "Bubbles Wrapped in Chocolate") is shown at right. This bar did have a unique light, melty mouth-feel/texture and taste. Tomorrow, I will try the (60% Cocoa) dark chocolate version of this bar.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...