Friday, August 31, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 31, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Trader Joe's
Dark Chocolate Nibs
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1/4 oz. (7 g.)/ 1 oz. (28 g.) total container
Calories: 35 calories (estimate) in .25 oz. serving
Cost: $
Purchased from: Trader Joe's

Cacao was, at one time, used for currency in Latin America. If that's true, today's Dark Chocolate Nibs (cacao nibs covered in 65% dark chocolate) from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) could have been the gold nuggets of that time.

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Nibs Theme Week.



Thursday, August 30, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 30, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolate and More
Cocoa Nibs
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) (estimate for total bag)
Calories: 65 calories (estimate) in 1/2 oz. (14 g.) serving
Cost: $ N/A - gift from friends - Thank you Claire and Naomi (approx. 6 Euros for 100g. bag)
Purchased from: N/A - gift from friends (brought back from Germany)

Ah, a humble little bowl of nibs -- ground bits of cocoa beans, where chocolate making often begins. These slightly nutty flavored, slightly sweet, earth-colored gems were also good eating by themselves.

Thank you to Claire and Naomi for sharing these very lightly sweetened (with cacao blossom syrup) nibs, from Chocolate and More Munchen (Munich), Germany. I can't read German, but from looking at their website, this shop looks like a fun place to go for chocolate(s).

I really enjoy cacao in this less processed, more versatile form. Nibs are good on salads and savory dishes too. One serving of these cacao nibs kept me humming along this morning.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Nibs Theme Week.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 29, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

World Classics trading company/World Brands, Inc.
Chocolate Obsession bar with cocoa nibs
Good - Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 105 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ N/A
Purchased from: N/A

This morning I bid adieu to chocolate and peanut butter week, and kicked off the first day of Chocolate and Nibs Theme Week with this Chocolate Obsession bar from World Classics/World Brands, Inc. The cacao nibs, embedded throughout a 69% cacao Swiss dark chocolate base, added a welcome touch of taste and and crunchy texture.



ChocolateBet: August 28, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

got milk? magic milk straws - distributed by FMMI
Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavored Straws
Good
Weight: .32 oz. (9 g.) / .95 oz. (27 g.) in total package of 6 straws
Calories: 32 calories in 2 straws
Cost: $ info no longer available
Purchased from: Lucky, in Union City, CA

If cows could make chocolate peanut butter flavored milk, I'm sure they would. Today I enjoyed the next best thing. Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavored Straws (distributed by Food Market Merchandising, Inc. (FMMI)), allowed me to create my own nutty chocolate milk as I sipped liquid up through a clear plastic straw that contained a myriad of tiny chocolate beads. As I sipped up milk into the straw, the beads gradually dissolved.

I've tried these ("got milk?" magic milk) plastic straws with regular cow's milk and with almond milk. Both are good, but the cows may be happy to know I enjoyed their version the best.

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Monday, August 27, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 27, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Sweet Nature Foods
Anson's Mad Patty
Good - Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ information misplaced
Purchased from: information misplaced

This milk chocolate covered peanut butter Mad Patty was just the right size for a two-bite snack. Not too heavy, and well balanced between nutty and sweet, this Anson's chocolate from Sweet Nature Foods (Mill Valley, CA), was just right.

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 26, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Hammond's Candies
PB and J Sandwich (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: .84 oz. (23.6 g.) in 2/5 bar / 2.1 oz. (59 g.) total bar
Calories: 120 calories in 2/5 bar
Cost: $2.69 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

I like distinct layers of flavors inside a bar or truffle. It's an opportunity to taste these flavors separately and together. In today's case, I could see and taste the peanut butter layer and the seedless raspberry jelly layer inside this milk chocolate PB and J Sandwich bar from Hammond's Candies (Denver, CO).

The design and type face on the company's packaging reflects a distinguished candy-making history, that stretches back to the 1920s.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.



Saturday, August 25, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 25, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Jer's Chocolates
Gourmet Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars - Cara Mella
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) in 1 bar / 3.0 oz. (85 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 total package of 2 bars
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

I could have had two Cara Mella dark chocolate peanut butter bars from Jer's Chocolates (Solana Beach, CA) if I wanted them today. Made with U.S. Valencia peanut butter, the bars filling contained a blend of a slightly crunchy/crispy layer (likely the crisp rice), and thick creamy elements. Each package came with two individually wrapped bars. However, after one bar I felt full.

This sense of being overstuffed could have come from a generous portion size, or from some of the ingredients in these bars. A note to those eating gluten free, while no wheat or gluten ingredients were listed on the wrapper, consumers were advised that these bars: "May Contain Trace Amount of Almonds, Pecans, Cashews and Wheat Flour."

The head confectioner, Jer (Jerry Swain), started his business with peanut butter and chocolate balls and, after winning awards, began making a line of bars that has included the Cara Mella; the Pretzo Change-O (with pretzel bits); Toffee Break; and the Original Incredibar flavors.
 
Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Friday, August 24, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 24, 2012


Chocolate of the Day: 

Poco Dolce
Peanut Butter Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 1.763 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 158 calories in 3/5 bar
Cost: $7.00 total bar
Purchased from: Golden Gate Bridge Cafe, in San Francisco, CA

You know those "Got Milk" commercials where someone is eating peanut butter and reflexively grabs for a glass of milk only to find that they're out of milk? I felt a little like that today after eating this Peanut Butter Bar from Poco Dolce (San Francisco, CA). "Hey, where's my water?" I pondered.

This bar was rich, dense and creamy, just like the natural peanut butter it contained. Said peanut butter was thoroughly blended into a base of bittersweet chocolate, and seasoned with the occasional tiny burst of grey salt -- that helped balance the sugar in the chocolate.

Poco Dolce, Italian for "little sweet," focuses on artfully blending sweet and savory flavors in their chocolate bars and bittersweet tiles, and they were successful here.

I bought this bar last month during a walk across Golden Gate Bridge. The inner sealed pouch kept this bar in great shape.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 23, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wild Ophelia
Peanut butter and banana milk chocolate bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in San Mateo, CA

I like monkeys; they make me smile. And I can't help but think of them when I eat combinations of peanut butter, chocolate and banana. I enjoyed the bites of this bar from Wild Ophelia (Chicago, IL) that had chewy, flavorful bits of Williams banana (from Uncle Mikey's Hawaiian Foods).

The 41% cacao milk chocolate bar base had a mild taste with a mouthfeel that felt slightly emulsified (perhaps due to the addition of some soy lecithin). The creamy, organic peanut butter contributed to the smooth texture, and added a pleasant nutty flavor.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.




ChocolateBet: August 22, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Raley's
Hit the Trail - Peanut Butter Chip and Chocolate Trek Mix
Good +
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) total bag/package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: $5.99 for total package
Purchased from: Raley's, in Incline Village, NV

Nothing like chocolate and great scenery. Given that I was in the Sierra mountains (that straddle California and Nevada) today, this Trek Mix was a great choice for a hike. Filled with generously sized toasted almonds and cashews, as well as milk chocolate stars, peanut butter chips and dried cherries, this "Hit the Trail" mix from Raley's hit the spot. I also shared a few nuts with a small group of blue jays who dropped by.

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week. 

Preview - The Chocolate Bar


- Preview - 

The Chocolate Bar
Truffle plate
Good +
Weight: not known (5 truffles + sauce)
Calories: blissfully unaware of this number
Cost: $7.00 for plate of 8 truffles
Purchased from: The Chocolate Bar, at Northstar/Truckee, CA

Chocolate in northern Nevada? Why yes. And not just milk chocolates modeled after gold and silver nuggets, log cabins, or tiny versions of Lake Tahoe.

An elegantly designed bar and restaurant, The Chocolate Bar we visited on this warm August afternoon was located at Northstar (near Truckee, CA), in the village area with several shops. The Bar was next to a ski area gondola lift and is likely bustling with activity and skiers during the winter ski season. (There was also a Chocolate Bar in Reno, NV, not far away from this location.)

The Chocolate Bar seemed more geared to adults, serving chocolate drinks, including a chocolate martini. Desserts included chocolate fondue and house-made chocolate truffles. After a lunch entree that also contained a hint of chocolate in a sauce, we finished up our meal with 8 truffles, on a white plate that had been drizzled with white chocolate and raspberry sauces. Nice presentation.


I'm planning to return later this year to include at least one of these chocolate items as my Chocolate of the Day.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 21, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Zingerman's Candy Manufactory
ZZang! Candy Bar (Original flavor)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.875 oz. (53.25 g.) / 2.5 oz. (71 g.) total bar
Calories: 225 calories in 3/4 bar
Cost: $5.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Heath Ceramics, in Sausalito, CA

Thank you to the staff at Heath Ceramics (Sausalito, CA) for recommending this ZZang! Original bar from Zingerman's (Ann Arbor, MI). Tucked away near the cash register in Heath's gift store (a shop that carried ceramic dishes and tiles), this high-end candy bar looked intriguing.

The first bite of this bar was enough to detect higher quality ingredients than those in many mass-marketed, popular candy bars. The ZZang! bar was stuffed with satisfying layers of "butter roasted peanuts, caramel and peanut butter honey nougat" -- and dipped in dark chocolate. Hard to go wrong with this winning combination of flavors and textures.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.




Tuesday, August 21, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 20, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Unreal Brands, Inc.
Unreal Peanut Butter Cups
Good +
Weight: .53 oz. (15 g.) in 1 cup/ 6.3 oz. (180 g.) total package of 12 cups
Calories: 75 calories in one cup
Cost: $5.39 (estimate) for total package/bag
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

Yesterday I tried my first "unjunked" candy bar offering from Unreal (the company's caramel with peanut nougat bar).

Today I sampled an Unreal Peanut Butter Cup, similar to a Reese's peanut butter cup with the sugar dialed back ever so slightly. Like other Unreal candy, this individually wrapped cup was sweetened with agave and contained some inulin fiber. And it was made without corn syrup, GMOs, and ingredients that some might find less desirable.

Today was the first day of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 19, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Unreal Brands, Inc.
Unreal Chocolate Caramel with peanut nougat
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in 2 bars/ 8.5 oz. (240 g.) total package
Calories: 200 calories in 2 bars
Cost: $5.39 total package of 9 bars
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

Great concept. Take popular chocolate candy bars and subtract what some may find less desirable ingredients, such as corn syrup, preservatives and extra added lactose. And add agave syrup and other ingredients instead. Less sugar rush than, say, a Snickers bar, although just as good. Unreal Brands was doing just that, with their "unjunking" philosophy.

One shiny, pink and black Unreal (bag) contained nine individually wrapped, snack sized, chocolate caramel with peanut nougat bars.

Note: Information and photos were delayed this week due to travel.

ChocolateBet: August 18, 2012

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
1.) Fleur de sel caramel
Good +
Weight: .3 oz. (8.49 g.) (estimate for 1 piece)
Calories: 45 calories (estimate for 1 piece)
Cost: $1.50 each
Purchased from: Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, Sacramento, CA

2.) Grapefruit fennel pollen caramel
Good +
Weight: .3 oz. (8.49 g.) (estimate for 1 piece)
Calories: 45 calories (estimate for 1 piece)
Cost: $1.50 each
Purchased from: Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, Sacramento, CA

It was 103 degrees (F) in Sacramento, CA today -- and I trotted from the air conditioned Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates shop back to the car to photograph and eat these two caramels before they melted and slid out of my grasp.

The fleur de sel caramel was well balanced: not too sweet, not too salty. The salt caramel filling was very soft, which I liked.

The grapefruit fennel pollen caramel, also well balanced, was a tiny symphony of citrus and herbal flavors. The caramel filling was less free flowing and a bit stiffer than the fleur de sel caramel -- probably better for this hot day.

Today was Day #12 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Week(s).

Note: While the chocolate eating continued, posting of information and images were delayed this week, due to travel.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 17, 2012


Chocolate of the Day: 

Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
Vanilla Bean Toffee Almond Dessert Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.15 g.) piece/ 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1/2 oz. piece
Cost: $7.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

The (70% cocoa content) Vanilla Bean Toffee Almond bar from Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates (Sacramento, CA) was a tiny symphony of caramelized butter, sugar, Tahitian vanilla beans and toasted almond bits in bittersweet chocolate. This dessert bar was a treat by itself, and also paired with a small mocha, gluten-free brownie square and a mini-scoop of high-quality, vanilla ice cream.

Today was Day #11 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Week.






Thursday, August 16, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 16, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Chocolats Genevieve Grandbois
Caramel a la fleur de sel
Very Good
Weight: .39 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 58 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $ N/A - gift/share
Purchased from: N/A - gift/share

Today was Day #10 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Weeks.

I've enjoyed chocolates during the past few weeks that have run the gamut between caramel and toffee. Sometimes a caramel was like a toffee, and a toffee was like a caramel. Both involved fusions of sugars and usually some fat or butter. Caramel in the U.S. is often gooey, and toffee is often more like a crunchy brittle. Both can be made lovely by a dark chocolate covering and a little fleur de sel. And such was the case today.

Today's thin, Caramel a la fleur de sel from Chocolats Genevieve Grandbois (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) was, despite the simple plastic bag enclosure, elegant, and also well balanced and satisfying. Not too sweet, not too salty. Just the right textures -- a crunchy caramel layer, a smooth, dark chocolate covering, with just a hint of crispness from a few, well placed, tiny shards of sea salt.

Thank you to Sunita for bringing back this chocolate from Montreal to share.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 15, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Crispy bar - Andy's Dandy Candy
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) total package
Calories: 200 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $2.79 total package (2 bars/pieces)
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

If you're in the mood for a higher quality candy bar, you might want to try the Crispy bar, part of Andy's Dandy Candy bar line from Amy's Kitchen Inc. (Petaluma, CA). The product line moniker was inspired by Amy's father, Andy -- who was the son of a candy maker.

Today I enjoyed both Crispy bars (there were 2 bars in one package), part of the relatively new organic Andy's Dandy candy bar product line. Organic and gluten free, the Crispy bar contained rice crisps and almonds for a bit of texture, caramel, and a milk chocolate coating. The tiny amount of sea salt used was barely detectable, but was enough to enhance the caramel. Also notable: no high fructose corn syrup, preservatives or GMOs.

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Weeks. 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 14, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Vosges
Bapchi's Caramel Toffee Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1/2 bar (4 squares)
Cost:  $7.99 (estimate)
Purchased from: Vosges

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Weeks.

Indoors, away from the hot sun and ready to take a work break, I unwrapped this Vosges bar. The 45% cacao "deep milk chocolate" Bapchi's Caramel Toffee Bar contained little pieces of crunchy toffee, and traces of walnut and pecan nut bits. (No gluten ingredients.)

I liked the thickness (or I should say the thinness) of this bar. Some bars are so thick it's hard to access the flavor profile. One bite of this caramel toffee bar melted easily in my mouth.


Monday, August 13, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 13, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Coracao Confections
Kaffir Lime Caramel Bar - Dark Chocolate
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 360 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

I loved this exotic, strangely refreshing Kaffir Lime Caramel bar from Coracao Confections (Emeryville, CA). Made with organic, raw coconut palm sugar, cashew butter and cacao butter, the caramel filling in this vegan, gluten and dairy free, bar was surrounded by 81% raw cacao dark chocolate. The combination of the dark chocolate and the coconut and the kaffir lime leaves was well executed -- the best of its kind that I've sampled to date.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Weeks.


Sunday, August 12, 2012

ChocolateBet: August 12, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Tootsie Roll Industries
Tootsie Roll - Caramel - Limited Edition
Good
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) / 7.2 oz. (204 g.) total bag
Calories: 60 calories in 1 Tootsie Pop
Cost: $0.99 total package
Purchased from: 99 Cents Only Store, Pinole, CA

Today I reached into the chocolate past to taste a sentimental favorite -- a Tootsie Pop from Tootsie Roll Industries (Cambridge, MA). Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Caramel and Toffee Theme Weeks.

Somewhere between 65 and 70 licks, I gave in to the urge to bite into the artificially flavored caramel candy shell to get to the chewy, fudge center. If I'm not mistaken, the fudge center was smiling back at me. One bag of these economical and satisfying Pops was on sale for 99 cents; and each one was only 60 calories.
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