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.