Zotter - Hazelnut Kiss (bar) - Mar. 16, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Zotter Classic - Hazelnut Kiss (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: zotterusa, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's Zotter Classic Hazelnut Kiss bar was made by Zotter in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US, LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma notes included: rich roasted nut butter and subtle dark or dark milk chocolate.

This bar had a very appealing smooth, creamy melt and texture. The hazelnuts were completely incorporated into the dark milk chocolate (no nut bits).

Flavor notes included: sweet dark milk chocolate and faint chocolate nut (hazelnut) spread.

I enjoyed the rich, roasted hazelnut nut butter aroma; and the ground hazelnuts also balanced the relatively sweet chocolate.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Butter**, Cocoa Mass**, Hazelnuts**(13%), Dry Whole Milk, Dry Skim Milk, Dark Brown Cane Sugar**, Lecithin (Soy)*, Vanilla Bean Powder*, Salt, Cinnamon**, (*Organic - 87% Organic) (** = Organic, and Fair Trade/Fair Traded)

Allergen-related information: Contains hazelnuts, milk, soy. Manufactured on equipment that processes other tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.

Holm Made Toffee Co. - Oregon Hazelnut Toffee - Cardamom & Vanilla - Mar. 15, 2024

 Chocolate of the Day

Holm Made Toffee Co.
Oregon Hazelnut Toffee - Cardamom + Vanilla
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 4 oz. (114 g.) in total package
Calories: 620 calories (estimate) in 1 package
Cost: $10.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: FarmFresh, online order 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's Hazelnut Toffee was from Holm Made Toffee Co. LLC (Bend, OR).

Aroma notes included: buttery toffee, nuts, and faint chocolate and warm spices (vanilla).

The texture for the toffee was perfect, i.e. in the Goldilocks* zone. It was crunchy toffee that wasn't too hard or too soft. It was just right.

Flavor notes included: rich buttery toffee, smooth dark chocolate, wonderful cardamom and warm vanilla.

I really enjoyed this flavorful confection. The green cardamom, hazelnut and brown sugar toffee flavors were especially good. (I love fresh cardamom.) I felt I was enjoying the best possible blend of authentic warm chai tea with smooth dark chocolate (a touch of rich cocoa) and high-quality hazelnuts. 

Warning: addictive. Don't eat when you're very hungry.

Ingredients: "Butter [cream (milk) & salt], pure cane sugar, Oregon hazelnuts, dark chocolate [unsweetened chocolate, sugar, sunflower lecithin and vanilla], green cardamom, pure vanilla extract"

Allergy-related information: Contains hazelnuts, dairy (cream/milk)

*Goldilocks zone refers to a character in a European fairy tale. In the modern version I grew up with (Goldilocks and the Three Bears) a girl named Goldilocks enters a bear family home and, finding them out, samples their three bowls of porridge, chairs and beds. She finds the porridge(s), in sequence, too hot, then too cold, and finally--just right! (Same sequence with the chairs and beds.) Today the term "Goldilocks zone" pops up in several contexts (including food, ecology and various sciences).

 

Zotter - Praline Variation - Dark Milk Chocolate 60% filled (almond, hazelnut praline) bar - Mar. 14, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Zotter
Praline Variation - Dark Milk Chocolate 60% filled with almond, hazelnut praline (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 400 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: zotterusa.com, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Hazelnuts Theme Week.

Today's "Praline Variation" (bar)--Dark Milk Chocolate 60% filled with almond and hazelnut praline-- was made in Austria, and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma notes included: sweet chocolate and nut butter (almonds, hazelnuts).

I liked the slim, flavorful layers in this "hand-scooped," filled bar. Melt-away, creamy dark milk chocolate encased a sweet almond and hazelnut praline center with occasional crunchy sweet crystals.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark milk chocolate and authentic nut praline (almond and hazelnut), with very faint warm spice, green, floral and citrus notes. 

The subtle notes were very thoughtfully cultivated by the maker. Very small quantities of vanilla, cinnamon, rose petal and lemon were added, and enhanced/mirrored naturally occurring cacao notes. Dark brown sugar (vs. refined cane sugar) also added some subtle flavor depth. 

Warning this bar might be slightly addictive. 

Ingredients: Cane Sugar**, Cocoa Mass**, Cocoa Butter**, Almonds (13%), Hazelnuts (12%), Dry Whole Milk, Butter (Cream), Dry Sweet Whey, Dry Skim Milk, Dark Brown Cane Sugar**, Lecithin (Soy)*, Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder**, Cinnamon**, Rose Petals*, Lemon Powder* (Lemon Juice Concentrate*, Corn Starch*, Sugar*) (* = Organic; 90% Organic) (**Organic, Fair Trade)

Allergen-related information: Contains: Almonds, Hazelnuts, Milk, Soy. Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs, Sesame and Gluten.