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.
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