Thursday, November 29, 2012

Unreal Brands - Chocolate Caramel bar - November 29, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Unreal Brands, Inc.
Unreal 5 - Chocolate Caramel Nougat Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.09 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Miki's Farm Fresh Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Caramel Theme Week, and today's chocolate covered caramel came in bar form.

A relative newcomer (2010) to the chocolate candy market, Unreal Brands is based in Boston, MA. The company's Chocolate Caramel Nougat Bar looked like an ordinary candy bar, but the company refers to their offerings as "Unjunked" -- made without artificial ingredients, preservatives, GMOs, hydrogenated oils and corn syrups frequently found in store-bought caramels and candy bars.

I enjoyed getting less of a sugar/corn syrup buzz with this Unjunked bar, as I have from other Unreal bars. My favorite Unjunked item so far has been Unreal's caramel bar with peanuts (similar to a Mars Snickers bar), but that may have more to do with my love of nuts, and preference for Snickers bars (over other bars without nuts) when I was young. I still eat a handful of nuts to help balance out sweet items.


Chocolaterie Robert - Caramelo - November 28, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolaterie Robert - Madagascar
Caramelo
Good - Good +
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) in 2 pieces/ 16-piece assortment box
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $ N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift (Madagascar)

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

A big thank you to Toni and Paul for this assortment box of chocolates from Chocolaterie Robert - Madagascar (Antananarivo, Madagascar).

In cacao-growing regions, cacao beans are often shipped to other countries (like Europe or the U.S.) to be made into chocolate. Therefore, it was wonderful to taste some finished chocolates made and sold in Madagascar. Chocolaterie Robert cacao is from the Sambirano River region in Northern Madagascar.

This assortment box contained several flavors, including today's Caramelo (soft caramel with Madagascan Bourbon vanilla pod and cashew nut pieces coated with dark chocolate). Other pieces contained praline, nougatine, ginger, tamarind, brandy, and other flavors.

In sampling this chocolate, and chocolate bars, from Chocolaterie Robert (originally founded by a French couple between 1937 and 1940), I couldn't help but notice what a difference a good quality vanilla makes. Madagascar is known for its vanilla, a member of the orchid family. The sweet, floral flavor of a great Madagascan Bourbon vanilla beats the heck out of lesser substitutes. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Happy Goat - Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramels - November 27, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Happy Goat
Goat Milk + Chocolate with Sea Salt Caramels
Good
Weight: .57 oz. (16.17 g.) in 2 pieces / 4 oz. (113 g.) total package
Calories: 84 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift


Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Caramel Theme Week. These individually wrapped chocolate caramels with sea salt, from Happy Goat (San Francisco, CA), were made in copper kettles and had a bit of taffy chew. However, their most unique attribute was: they were made with goat milk. I detected a very slight goat milk/goat butter taste, but nothing too objectionable.

For a bit of an exotic or tropical twist, try Happy Goat's Goat Milk Caramels flavored with coconut and hint of lime juice (no chocolate in these).

Why goat milk you ask? Sometimes goat milk is easier to digest than cow's milk. The company uses "Grade A goat milk that is Kosher certified," and growth hormones or antibiotics are not allowed. Milk comes from free range goats raised on small California farms.

At the bottom of the "About Us" Happy Goat web page, readers are asked what makes them happy. Today's answer: Eating Happy Goat caramels on a boat on the San Francisco Bay this afternoon.

Thank you to Sunita for gifting me these caramels to feature today. Thank you to Ken for the boat ride.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Smitten Truffles - Vanilla Caramels - November 26, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Smitten Truffles
Vanilla Caramel and Tahitian Vanilla Bean Sea Salt
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) (estimate) for 2 pieces
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $24 (estimate) for 12 pieces (custom box)
Purchased from: Smitten Truffles, at Fall Chocolate Salon in San Francisco, CA

This week features some great salt caramels. From relative newcomer, Smitten (Artisan) Truffles (Portland, OR), came today's Vanilla Caramel and Tahitian Vanilla Bean Sea Salt chocolates, filled with sweet, vanilla bean flavored liquid gold, balanced with sea salt, and covered in dark chocolate.

Today was Day #3 or Chocolate and Caramel Theme Week.


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Lillie Belle Farms - Lavender Sea Salt Caramels - November 25, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lillie Belle Farms
Lavender Sea Salt Caramels
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 3 oz. (84 g.) total 4-piece container
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $12.00
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

I've been looking forward to featuring these lavender-infused, chocolate covered caramels, topped with fleur de sel salt from Lillie Belle Farms (Central Point, OR).

If you like lavender, you'll probably find these were delicious as I did. Just the right balance of goo and chew in the caramel center, usually the result of carefully made small batches.

Thank you to Sunita at The Chocolate Garage (Palo Alto, CA) for carrying these. Otherwise, I might have been tempted to drive 10 hours north to pick some up.

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

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Monique's - Fleur de Sel Caramels - November 24, 2012


Chocolate of the Day:

Monique's Chocolates
Salt/Fleur de Sel Caramels
Good+
Weight: .78 oz. (22 g.) (estimate) for 2 pieces
Calories: 116 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $2.00 each (estimate)
Purchased from: Monique's Chocolates, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Caramel Theme Week. In the last several years, there has been an increase in the number of chocolates and caramels with salts from every corner of the globe.

Today's salted caramels from Monique's Chocolates (Palo Alto, CA) were substantial, chewy gems, topped with just the right amount of coarsely ground salt crystals for added taste and texture.

I bought a few of these caramels "to go." They were cleverly packed in a small, customized Chinese restaurant-style take-out container.


Friday, November 23, 2012

World Market - Sweet Curry and Salt bar - November 23, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

World Market/Cost Plus
Milk Chocolate Indian Sweet Curry with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt bar
Good+
Weight: .75 oz. (2 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 114 calories (estimate) in 1/4 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) in 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market/Cost Plus, Reno, NV

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Day. Most of this week has been dedicated to World Market's exotic collection of chocolate bars with sea salt. Today's Milk Chocolate Indian Curry bar was a rich, roller coaster ride of a tasting experience, alternating between sweet milk chocolate, Indian spices and sea salt.

I shared this bar on a hike today and it disappeared quickly, before I had a chance to photograph the unwrapped chocolate bar. Ah well, that occasionally happens with chocolate. 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

World Market - Ginger Wasabi and Lime Salt bars - November 22, 2012

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

World Market/Cost Plus
1.) Dark Chocolate Ginger Wasabi with Mediterranean Sea Salt bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 110 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market/Cost Plus, in Reno, NV

2.) White Chocolate Key Lime with Bolivian Rose Sea Salt bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 113 calories (estimate) in 1/4 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) in 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market/Cost Plus, in Renio, NV

To all those living in the U.S., a very Happy Thanksgiving Day -- the annual occasion to give thanks and enjoy lots of good food and drink. The feasting started early with our family crowd. However, I did find time to sample two more bars from World Market's exotic sea salt collection.


First was a Dark Chocolate bar flavored with bursts of wasabi heat, and slight hints of ginger, punctuated by small flare-ups of Mediterranean sea salt. This was a somewhat uneven bar, but interesting and worth trying for the fun of it. I shared this bar with a few family members. My sister liked it because she liked wasabi, but not ginger (and the ginger was less strong).

The second, white chocolate, bar was flavored with tiny bursts of key lime and lighter touches of salt. My young niece liked this bar, as a lighter alternative to dark chocolate.

Thank you to tasting help from the DeBra's, and other extended family members.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

World Market - Tellicherry Pepper and Salt bar - November 21, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

World Market/Cost Plus
Dark Chocolate Cracked Tellicherry Pepper with Brazilian Coast Sea Salt (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.)/ 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) in 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market/Cost Plus, in Reno, NV

Salt and pepper bars can be surprisingly good. Today's World Market (Oakland, CA) dark chocolate bar contained little grenade bursts of flavorful, black Tellicherry peppercorn pieces, that harmonized with an overall Brazilian sea salt palette. Both salt and pepper stood out nicely against the dark chocolate base. The bar was optimally thin to exposure the most flavor while tasting.

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







Wednesday, November 21, 2012

World Market - Strawberry Salt bar - November 20, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

World Market/Cost Plus
Dark Chocolate with Dried Strawberry Bits with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt bar
Good
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 113 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: World Market/Cost Plus, Reno, NV

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

When I visited the World Market/Cost Plus store in Reno, NV, several weeks ago, they had a new, attractively packaged, "exotic collection" of chocolate bars with different flavors and sea salts from different parts of the world. I'll be featuring some of these bars this week.

I liked the flavor pairing in today's bar -- dark chocolate, freeze dried strawberry bits and Himalayan sea salt. However, the two squares I tasted were almost too salty. It's been my experience that salt can sometimes be unevenly distributed in similar bars. I'll be curious to see if this is an issue with the other bars in this line.


Monday, November 19, 2012

Vosges - Mash Bill Collection - November 19, 2012

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Vosges Haut Chocolat
1.) Bourbon Truffle - Good
2.) Whiskey Truffle - Very Good
3.) Scotch Truffle - Good
Weight: 1.13 oz. (32.3 g.) / 3.42 oz. (97 g.) in 9-piece box
Calories: 157 calories for 3 truffles
Cost: $26.00 for total 9-piece box
Purchased from: Vosges.com, Chicago, IL

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week. Some chocolates are decorated with a visible dash of salt crystals. Other chocolates, like some of today's, contain just a trace, or can benefit from a tiny dash of tasting salt on the side.

The ingredients list printed on the Mash Bill Truffle Collection from Vosges Haut Chocolat (Chicago, IL), contained sea salt as an ingredient, but it was unclear which of the four* flavored truffles contained salt; it was very subtle. No matter. I found a pinch of (additional) sea salt was especially good with the deep milk chocolate (45%) Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Truffle that was topped with finely chopped pecan bits.


My favorite of the three truffles I tried was the dark chocolate (62% cacao) Templeton Rye Whiskey Truffle with tart cherry (which I particularly liked) and tobacco. The whiskey also harmonized well with the dark chocolate ganache.

The deep milk (45%) Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Scotch truffle contained traces of coconut, cocoa nib caramel and pineapple, a bold combinations of flavors.

* Note: I did not sample the Rogue Chocolate Stout Truffle, the fourth in this collection, due to concerns about possible wheat/gluten.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Fruition Chocolate - Milk Fleur de Sel bar - November 18, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Fruition Chocolate
Dark Milk Chocolate with Fleur de Sel (bar)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving
Cost: $6.67 (approximate subscription cost per bar)
Purchased from: Standard Cocoa, New York, NY

Today's chocolate was a Dark Milk Chocolate bar with Fleur de Sel from bean-to-bar maker, Fruition Chocolate (Shokan, NY). This dark milk (56%) bar, made from Peru cacao, was a good choice for Day #7 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

The fleur de sel (salt), and perhaps the whole milk powder, in this bar seemed to nicely soften out or balance some of the acidity I've tasted in other Fruition chocolate bars.

Acidity is a very general term. Some is needed to make fine chocolate interesting, but a high acid level can overwhelm other natural flavor notes. Like many craft or artisan foods and beverages, especially where fermentation and drying and/or roasting processes have occurred, care must be taken; and many wonderful, and occasionally surprising, results are possible. Combine chocolates with other complex food and drink, and you multiply the possibility of interesting interactions.

Thankfully, Bryan Graham, the force behind the small batch workshop in the Catskill Mountains of New York that is Fruition Chocolate, pays attention to slow roasting and stone grinding of small batches of beans. While other notes may occasionally take a back seat when milk and salt are added, this bar is well balanced.





Monique's - Peru truffle, drink - November 17, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Monique's Chocolates
1.) Peru truffle
Good +
Weight: .48 oz.  (13.5 g.) (estimate) for 1 truffle
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) for 1 truffle
Cost: $2.00 (estimate) for 1 piece
Purchased from: Monique's Chocolates, Palo Alto, CA


2.) Liquid Chocolate made with Peru chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 6 oz. cup (estimate)
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.00 for 1 cup
Purchased from: Monique's Chocolates, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week. And, it was a great, Peru-inspired day. My quest for new chocolates frequently allows me to travel to different parts of the globe, without leaving home to do so.

Earlier in the day, I took a hike in the hills, and photographed a tule boat building workshop (and paddled around in a finished boat at the end). While these boats (example pictured above right) were native to California, one might see similar boats on Lakes in Peru.

On the way home from the tule boat workshop, I enjoyed a nice Peruvian dinner at Estampas Peruanas restaurant (Redwood City, CA) that included a refreshing deep purple glass of chicha morada (a non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn and usually topped with diced apple, pineapple or other fruit). Their postres (desserts) looked delicious. I took home some rice pudding and mazamorra morada (Peruvian purple corn pudding, similar to the purple drink described above, only in thicker form), layered the two desserts in a glass, and topped with a sprinkle of Peruvian cocoa nibs for a dessert deluxe.

And, last, but certainly not least, I stopped at Monique's Chocolates (Palo Alto, CA) for Peruvian chocolate. Mark West at Monique's specializes in single origin truffles from various countries. He also makes specialty confections and very nice drinking, or liquid chocolate (served hot or cold, your choice). I enjoyed a Peru truffle and a cup of iced liquid chocolate made from Peru chocolate and 1% milk.




Friday, November 16, 2012

Navitas Naturals - Cacao Nibs - November 16, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Navitas Naturals
Cacao Nibs
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) total package
Calories: 140 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving

Behold the humble cacao nib. These tiny, ragged pebble-sized raw ingredients are behind finished chocolate products, popular bars and confections. Unsweetened cacao nibs are also wonderful all by themselves or as a rich, crunchy topping for desserts, salads and savory dishes.

Today's Mayan Superfood, Organic Raw Cacao Nibs were from Navitas Naturals (Novato, CA). The company obtained their cacao beans from farmers in the Amazonian lowlands of Peru.

I crunched on a small handful of these nibs plain; they had a very nice nutty, earthy flavor. I also sprinkled some on top of ice cream. And, I made a gluten-free, distant frozen relative of a Peruvian sandwich cookies (with dulce de leche ice cream filling).

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




Thursday, November 15, 2012

Castle Rock - Chocolate Paddington Bear November 15, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Chocolate Paddington Bear Lollipop
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.4 g.) (estimate) for 1 lollipop
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) for 1 lollipop
Cost: $1.65 plus shipping
Purchased from: Castle Rock Chocolatier (eBay store), Cody, WY

It was Day #4 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week; and time to talk about Paddington Bear. If you've never read the popular childhood stories about this small stuffed bear (that first appeared in 1958),  you're missing out.

Paddington Bear (and his trademark hat) hailed from deepest, darkest Peru, and was so named because his debut as a character occurred when he arrived at Paddington Station in London.

The bear's favorite foods included hot chocolate and orange marmalade. So, I enjoyed a plate with these items, after I'd eaten a Chocolate Paddington Bear Lollipop from Castle Rock Chocolatier (Cody, WY).

The lollipop had a satisfying chocolatey flavor. Cheers Paddington, and happy 54th birthday to you this past month.

Thank you to Chauntelle at Castle Rock for a careful packing job, and for two chocolate Thanksgiving pilgrim lollipops who accompanied Paddington on his journey to California.




Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Fruition Chocolate - 70% dark bar - November 14, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fruition Chocolate
70% Cacao Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: .696 oz. (20 g.) / 2.11 oz. (60 g.) total bar
Calories: 104 calories (estimate) for 1/3 bar
Cost: $6.67 (approximate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Standard Cocoa, New York, NY

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week. You may notice that today's bar was the third chocolate this week from Fruition Chocolate (Shokan, NY).

Fruition Chocolate Works and Confectionery, is a bean-to-bar operation. They roast and stone grind organic and fairly traded cacao beans and make their chocolate from "scratch" vs. buying pre-made chocolate as most chocolatiers do. Founder Bryan Graham has specialized in single origin chocolate from Peru.

This 70% cacao bar was smooth, with a rich acidic bite and array of flavor notes. The tasting notes on the bar's label read:
"A roller coaster of flavors, bright and assertive with a lengthy dark roast finish."

I received this Fruition Chocolate bar (1 of 3) as part of a subscription offered through Standard Cocoa, a company that will send you new craft chocolate bars each month. What's not to like about receiving a box of good chocolate on a regular basis?





Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Fruition Chocolate - Jalapeno Corn Nuts - November 13, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fruition Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Coated Jalapeno Dusted Corn Nuts
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 4 oz. (113 g.) total package
Calories: 138 calories (estimate) for 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving
Cost: $15.00 for 1 package
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week. Toasted corn, peppers, chocolate...I can imagine eating all these foods in Peru, or a local Peruvian restaurant. How wonderful that they all came together in the form of today's Dark Chocolate Coated Jalapeno Dusted Corn Nuts from Fruition Chocolate (Shokan, NY).

Similar in style and execution to Fruition's dark chocolate coated orange scented cranberries (featured yesterday), the 66% Peruvian chocolate did not dominate, but rather enhanced the core ingredients and well balanced flavors. Slightly savory, salty and spicy, these hit the spot. In an all-chocolate dinner (yes, these dinners do exist), these corn nuts would be a nice appetizer, tapas plate, or side dish.

For many centuries, cacao, corn and peppers have evolved together in Latin/South American countries that spanned lowland jungles and coastal regions to the foothills of the Andes mountains. All this, long before chocolate was being made in Europe. These foods were commonly found together in hot and cold thick beverage form originally. Peruvians have long enjoyed canchas (large kernels of toasted maiz (corn)), and likely some form of popcorn. So, today's snack seemed like a natural fusion of "New World" ingredients, now made by Fruition Chocolate in small batches in the Catskill Mountains of New York, that were shipped out to California.

www.worldatlas.com
Someday I will do a theme week on chocolate and transportation. Chocsimiles (chocolate facsimiles) of trucks, ships and trains are but a few possibilities for this week. But, in the meantime, I am focused on Peruvian chocolate, and the coat of arms (shown at right) in the center of the Peruvian state flag. The horn of plenty (golden shape under the llama and chichona tree), dovetails with my feeling that life is filled with natural beauty (not to mention chocolate). May it ever be so.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Fruition Chocolate - Orange Cranberries - November 12, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Fruition Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Coated Orange Scented Cranberries
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 5 oz. (141 g.) total package
Calories: 135 calories (estimate) for 1 oz. serving
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bag
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #12 of Chocolate and All Things Orange Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.


The stars of today's chocolate were the orange scented cranberries, from bean-to-bar maker Fruition Chocolate (Shokan, NY). These tart, sweet, slightly chewy red bursts of holiday-appropriate flavor were surrounded by a coating of 66% cacao, orange-infused chocolate from Peru.

Fruition makes chocolate in small batches, from organic, fair trade cacao beans.

SF Chocolate Salon - Nov. 11, '12

San Francisco Fall Chocolate Salon
Nov. 11, 2012

Yesterday I spent hunting for new chocolates at the Fall Chocolate Salon in San Francisco. This event, one of two annual Chocolate Salons in the city, was held at Fort Mason. We were so focused on tasting, we scarcely gazed up at the sailboats and blue sky outside. Such is the power of chocolate.

I enjoyed attending parts of three talks. The first talk was about decorating chocolates, followed by Art Pollard (Amano Chocolate) speaking about Organic and Fair Trade. Pollard shared some of the challenges associated with certification and pricing.

Third, Elyce Zahn (CocoTutti) demonstrated the significance of ingredients in fresh and flavorful truffles/bonbons by handing out small tasting experience kits with starter components such as small discs of dark and milk chocolate, a fresh raspberry, a dab of sweet raspberry puree (yum); and finished raspberry and coffee flavored truffles.

Speaking of fruit, we marveled at some giant caramel and chocolate covered apples from Rachel Dunn Chocolates (Concord, CA), and some beautifully decorated, sizable dessert bowls made entirely of chocolate.

Newcomers to this Fall Show included Smitten Truffles (Portland, OR) and Marti Chocolatt (Los Angeles, CA).

Otho at Smitten handed us samples from 4 tiny vats of ganache used to fill 4 different truffles: Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Bean; Water Avenue Brazilian Coffee; Kalamansi (Lime) and Creme Honey; and Vanilla Caramel and Tahitian Vanilla Sea Salt.

Marti Chocolatt Chocolatier, Tonet Tibay, presided over a variety of exotic and well-executed flavored truffles -- that included Durian, Ube, Pandan, Pina, and Calamansi lime.

Socola delivered a few wonderful new flavors, as always. Their mint truffles were the epitome of fresh and natural tasting mint leaves harvested from the garden.


Snake and Butterfly (a Bay Area bean-to-bar maker) and Tea Room Chocolates (organic, tea infused bars, based in Novato, CA) had tables full of good chocolate choices, as did Amano Chocolate (single origin bars and drinking chocolate).

Saratoga Chocolates (Saratoga, CA) had a good line-up, including their Blueberry-tini chocolates (blueberries infused with blueberry vodka and coated with dark chocolate), and assorted truffles, dipped apricots and toffee squares.

Sixth Course's Wine and Spirits collection (sold out) was wonderful, as were their caramels, with skillful incorporation of local ingredients (St. George Single Malt whiskey), herbs (rosemary, and sage and brown butter caramels). A new line of candy bars will incorporate favorite flavors.

The selections at the Feve Chocolatier (San Francisco) table looked great, but at least 3 of their truffles contained wheat (a lovely thin wafer) -- that I can't have; so I had to pass on these.

Attractive bags of fresh toffee were available from several vendors -- such as Toffeeology and Toffee Talk, most with nuts, some with nibs.

Thank you to organizers and vendors and local chocolate Meetup group. Those chocolatiers mentioned above were a small sampling of the total; apologies to those I've not mentioned by name. Thank you to Elise for tasting company and good conversation throughout the day.




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