Hot Pink truffle - June 2, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

The Oakland Chocolate Company
Hot Pink truffle
Good+
Weight: .43 oz. (12.16 g.) (estimate) for 1 truffle
Calories: 64 calories (estimate) for 1 truffle
Cost: $2.00 for 1 piece
Purchased from: The Oakland Chocolate Company, Oakland, CA

It was a hot day outside today, on this fourth day of Chocolate and Spicy Theme Week. It seemed like the perfect occasion for a Hot Pink truffle from The Oakland Chocolate Company (Oakland, CA).

This round truffle made with rich and earthy Jamaican cacao beans was constructed in layers. Beneath a dark chocolate exterior was a dark chocolate ganache (creamy filling) flavored with a hint of cayenne pepper. At the very heart: a piece of strawberry. And a tiny pink flame of strawberry garnished the top.

Also radiating pink spiciness (flanking the Hot Pink truffle in the picture above right), were two Pink Peppercorn Caramels, that were quite nice. I will feature this caramel in the future. 

Hot Chili Truffle - June 1, 2013

Chocolate of the Day:

Chocolat Lily
Hot Chili truffle
Good - Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) in 1 truffle
Calories: 60 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - from Chocolat Lily, Portland, OR

Today was the third day of Spicy Chocolate Theme Week.

Different chile peppers yield different results when combined with chocolate, ranging from a blast of heat to a whisper of warmth.

Today's Hot Chili truffle from Chocolat Lily* (Portland, OR) was filled with a creamy dark chocolate ganache that was infused with just the right amount of chili mystery -- not too hot, but enough to offer some subtle yet complex flavor and finish.

*Chocolat Lily was named for a chocolate-colored flower (Frittilaria lanceolata) that grows in the Columbia Gorge area of Oregon.