Chocolate Banquet

ChocolateBet: January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Schluckwerder (Adendorf, Germany)
Qualitats - Marzipan bar
Very Good
Weight: .25 oz. (7 g.)/ 2 oz. (56 g.) total bar (estimate)
Calories: 32.5 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.29 total bar
Purchased from: Crossroads Market, Palo Alto, CA

Day #5 of Chocolate and Almond Marzipan Theme Week dawned with a taste of another chocolate-coated, marzipan filled bar.

Wikipedia.org tells me that German marzipan is generally made by grinding whole almonds with sugar, and then partially drying the paste. (The French apparently combine their grounds almonds with sugar syrup.)
I also learned about an interesting tradition in Switzerland.

"In Geneva, a traditional part of the celebration of L'Escalade is the ritual smashing of a chocolate cauldron filled with marzipan vegetables, a reference to a Savoyarde siege of the city which was supposedly foiled by a housewife with a cauldron of boiling soup." Alas, I won't be able to fly to Switzerland to catch that tradition this year. I'll write that down in my 1,000 chocolate places/things to experience before I die book.

Today's marzipan bar was from Schluckwerder (Adendorf, Germany), a name I could barely pronounce. However, I had no trouble eating this bar, and the quality of the marzipan was quite good -- full of almond paste flavor, without being too sweet, or too dry. Perfect breakfast snack before dashing off to work. Unfortunately, it was still dark outside, and the pictures I took were a bit blurry. So, my apologies to the folks at Schluckwerder.

ChocolateBet: January 25, 2012

2012-01-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

fleurir
1.) Almond Amaretto - Good +
2.) Spumoni - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate) / 9 oz. (252 g.) total box of 18 pieces
Calories: 58 calories (estimate) for 1/2 of 2 pieces
Cost: $34.00 box of 18 pcs. (+ any S&H)
Purchased from: fleurir hand grown chocolates via foodzie

Today's two chocolates hailed from fleurir, in Washington, D.C. I worked my way through this 18-piece assortment box until I reached these two flavors: 1.) Almond Amaretto (containing an almond ganache with amaretto, topped with marzipan); and 2.) Spumoni (cherry ganache with a layer of pistachio marzipan). Both were good, but the Spumoni was more fun. Also, I hadn't tasted pistachio marzipan before. It paired well with the tart cherry and chocolate flavors, bundled into this same little sweet package.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Almond Marzipan Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: January 24, 2012

2012-01-24T20:35:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Anthon Berg
Marzipan bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) total bar
Calories: 220 calories
Cost: $1.49 total bar
Purchased from: Crossroads Market, Palo Alto, CA

For those who like marzipan, I recommend this mork chocolade (dark chocolate) bar filled with marzipan (almond paste), from Danish maker, Anthon Berg.

This half-round bar was covered with a thin layer of smooth dark chocolate, but the clear star here was the center -- not too sweet, not too dry, and lighter than expected.

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

ChocolateBet: January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Mink Chocolates
1.) Queen Cake bar - Good+
Weight: .176 oz. (5 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 24 calories
Cost: $7.00
Purchased from: Mink Chocolates, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2.) Pas de Deux bar - Very Good
Weight: .176 oz. (5 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 23 calories
Cost: $7.00
Purchased from: Mink Chocolates, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Almond Marzipan Theme Week.

I'm working my way through the last of several cleverly named Mink Chocolates bars from Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). Both of today's filled bars were covered with 70% cacao dark chocolate.

The Queen Cake bar was stuffed with marzipan almond paste, and the Pas de Deux bar, my favorite of the two, contained Amaretto and dried cherries in a chocolate ganache base.

ChocolateBet: January 22, 2012

2012-01-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Vosges Haut Chocolat
Plum Pudding Truffles
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/ 6.4 oz. (181 g.) total 16-pc. assortment box
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $43.00 cost of larger holiday box
Purchased from: Vosges.com

Did you get your fill of plum pudding, or sugar plum fairies, over the Christmas holidays last month? If you missed out...Today's Plum Pudding truffles from Vosges (Chicago) would be a great choice. These kicked off Day #1 of Chocolate and Almond Marzipan Theme Week.

These truffles were constructed with layers of flavor - including plum, Armignac and marzipan, and were coated in 65% dark chocolate, and decorated with a shred of silver.

My apologies for the photo (at right). When I bit into these truffles, they didn't hold together, so this pic will give you only a rough idea about the tasty flavor combination within.

ChocolateBet: January 21, 2012

2012-01-22T00:19:00.000-08:00

Sea Link Cafe

Chocolate of the Day:
Premier Nutrition, Inc.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (72 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 280 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $don't have info
Purchased from: Sea Link Cafe, Redwood Shores library branch, Redwood Shores, CA

Some days are more chocolate-full than others.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Nut Butter Theme Week. After a walk, I stopped at the Sea Link Cafe that recently opened inside the local Redwood Shores, CA, branch of the public library, and had some great, Organic rose and jasmine flower tea, and this protein bar. This offering (one of several flavors) from Premier Nutrition (Carlsbad, CA) contained 30 grams of protein; so I felt I could skip having a meat entree today. It was filling and satisfying, but had a hint of an artificial sweetener taste to it -- perhaps because they were using sweeteners other than sugar (like Sucralose).

Madre Chocolate

Nat from Madre Chocolate

On the way home, I visited The Chocolate Garage in downtown Palo Alto, and enjoyed sampling a few more chocolates, and meeting ethnobotanist Nat Bletter from Madre Chocolate (Hawaii). Nat was speaking and talking about his newest Rosita bar at the Garage, and brought a sample of beans from a "white chocolate" relative of the traditional cacao plant with its own unique taste. Very interesting to hear what he's doing. The company's Triple Cacao bar (with cacao fruit, nibs, and dark chocolate) is still my favorite.

ChocolateBet: January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T23:32:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

The Hershey Company
Reese's Select Peanut Butter Cremes
Good +
Weight: .424 oz. (12 g.) 1 piece / 8 oz. (226 g.) total package
Calories: 63 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $ 2.00 (estimate) (Clearance item)
Purchased from: Safeway

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Nut Butter Theme Week. I opened a bag of Reese's Select Peanut Butter Cremes, individually wrapped "Signature Chocolates" that contained milk chocolate covered bite-sized pieces, embossed with an "R" for Reese's.

These small squares, filled with smooth peanut butter filling, had been in my chocolate vault for awhile; but they tasted fresher than I imagined they would, in part due to preservatives.

ChocolateBet: January 19, 2012

2012-01-19T23:16:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

The J.M. Smucker Company
Jif To Go Chocolate Silk - Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread
Good+
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) 1 cup serving / 12 oz. (344 g.) total package of 8 cups
Calories: 250 calories in 1 cup
Cost: $2.99 (sale price) total package
Purchased from: Safeway, Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara, CA

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

From peanut butter maker, Jif, comes Jif To Go Chocolate Silk -- a package of individually sealed, small cups of peanut butter and chocolate flavored spread. Does chocolate flavored spread count as real chocolate? I think so.

You could also use this product as smooth, sweet frosting for your cupcakes. I dunked fresh apple and tangerine slices into my Jif spread. (The tangerine came out ahead in terms of most desirable pairing.)

ChocolateBet: January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Amazing Grass
Green SuperFood Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar
Good
Weight: 2.2 oz. (63 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 270 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.49 total bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods, in Los Altos, CA

Eating chocolate covered wheat grass, barley grass and alfalfa for breakfast didn't sound that exciting, as I don't eat wheat. However, this bar, distributed by Amazing Grass (San Francisco), was marked gluten free, so I gave it a try. Oh, and did I mention it had peanut butter and nuts in it? That helped. This Fair Trade bar was also made with whey protein, and contained higher levels of vitamins and minerals than most chocolate items. It gave me a little bit of a sniffly nose, but then grasses sometimes do that to me. Otherwise, it was a good, healthy way to start the day.

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

ChocolateBet: January 17, 2012

2012-01-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Scream Sorbet
Hazelnut Chocolate sorbet
Very Good +
Weight: 3 oz. serving / 12 oz. total container
Calories: 160 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Scream Sorbet, Oakland, CA

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

Scream Sorbet's (Oakland, CA) Hazelnut Chocolate sorbet contained just five lovely ingredients: water, Inzana Ranch hazelnuts, Askinosie San Jose del Tambo cocoa powder, sugar, and sea salt. The rich, creamy texture and high quality flavors may fool you into thinking you're savoring some very fine ice cream. Worth every penny.

ChocolateBet: January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T21:48:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Scream Sorbet
Chocolate Peanut Butter sorbet
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 3 oz. serving/ 12 oz. container
Calories: 160 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Scream Sorbet, in Oakland, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Nut Butter Theme Week. It was freezing cold outside this morning; had to de-ice my car before heading off to work. Perfect day for something frozen, like Scream Sorbet's Chocolate Peanut Butter Sorbet. This local (Oakland, CA) company makes some of the finest sorbet I've ever tasted; you'll swear you're eating high end gelato or ice cream. I skipped over the Peanut Brittle and Peanut Vanilla to go right for the chocolate flavors. (All the flavors I tasted were exceptional.)

The store's shop on Telegraph Ave. in Oakland was decorated with a curtain in the window made from tiny white plastic spoons. Very creative.

ChocolateBet: January 15, 2012

2012-01-15T19:48:00.000-08:00

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Milkshake Werks
1.) Coconut ice cream gluten-free cupcake
Good
Weight: 1/2 ice cream cupcake
Calories: 290 calories (guesstimate)
Cost: $3.49 for 1 cupcake
Purchased from: Milkshake Werks, Redwood City, CA

2.) Nutella ice cream
Very Good
Weight: 3 oz. /1 Pint container
Calories: 200 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.99 for 1 hand-packed pint
Purchased from Milkshake Werks, Redwood City, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Licorice Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Nut Theme Week -- with a focus on frozen desserts.

It's January, and I'm fighting fire with fire -- or, more accurately, ice with ice cream. Or, if life gives you ice, make ice cream. But, why waste time with bad puns and analogies when we could be talking about chocolate...

Milkshake Werks makes their own ice cream. And I stopped by their shop (in a shopping center off Redwood Shores Parkway, in Redwood City, CA) after a walk; and picked up two items to go.

The first item I tried was their Coconut ice cream cupcake. There wasn't actually any cake in this cupcake. Their gluten-free version, packed in a plastic cup to go, was made with a chocolate cup was filled with coconut ice cream and topped with vanilla and coconut flavored icing -- which looked to me like a blank canvas for other additions. I topped mine with a Gimbal's (San Francisco) gluten-free licorice scottie dog (shown), made with licorice and anise; and some almonds (not shown).

The second item I sampled today: a tiny cup of Milkshake Werks's Nutella ice cream. Nutella (a chocolate and hazelnut spread) is finally getting its due here in California, after years of peanut butter hogging the chocolate and nut butter spotlight. This shop also listed an ice cream called Peanut Butter Explosion that I would've happily tried as well; but, they were out of this flavor when I was there. The Nutella was sweet (a little too sweet for me), but this very creamy, frozen treat really nailed Nutella's essence.

ChocolateBet: January 14, 2012

2012-01-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Absinthe Originale Cocktail w/ Chocolates

1.) Bensons Fine Candies
(Distributed by Heritage Candy Company)
Absinthe Cordials
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)/ 5.0 oz. (141.7 g.) total container
Calories: 55 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ not available
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA

2.) The Cholive Company
Cholive Cocktail Chocolates
Good - Good+
Weight: .32 oz. (9 g.) / 2.54 oz. (72 g.)
total package of 8 dark chocolate truffles + cocktail skewers
Calories: 45 calories
Cost: $ not available
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Licorice Theme Week. Absinthe is an herbal concoction made infamous (and illegal) for a time by alleged ill effects, largely caused by bad batches of wormwood (one of many ingredients in this largely French recipe). Other ingredients commonly used to make absinthe include: star anise, licorice, fennel seed, anise seed, hyssop, angelica, mint.

I tempered this little green cocktail with two chocolates: 1.) a Benson Fine Candies Absinthe Cordial* (an absinthe/anise flavored chocolate covered in a round, green candy shell); and one Cholive (a 55% dark chocolate truffle in the shape of a cocktail olive** -- that came packaged with its own black plastic cocktail pick). Sadly The Cholive Company (Milwaukee, WI) was no longer in business when I checked last.

Despite the chocolates, one tiny sip of this 138 proof liquor was all I needed. Too strong for me.

*Note: For those who can't have wheat -- The Bensons Absinthe Cordials contain some wheat starch.
**This was a perfect example of a chocsimile, a chocolate facsimile of an object or living thing -- in this case a cocktail olive.

ChocolateBet: January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T22:16:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Orgran Natural Foods

1.) itsy bitsy bears biscuits (cookies)
Good +
Weight: 3.0 oz. (84.9 g.)/ 6.2 oz. (175 g.) total box
Calories: 345 calories
Cost: $4.19 for 1 box
Purchased from: drugstore.com

2.) Molasses Licorice
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/ 7 oz. (200 g.) total bag
Calories: 80 calories
Cost: $5.39 for 1 bag
Purchased from: drugstore.com

This 5th day of Chocolate and Licorice Theme Week featured a snack plate of items from Orgran Natural Foods (Australia). Both the company's "itsy bitsy bears" and the Molasses Licorice pieces shown here were gluten, wheat, dairy, egg and yeast free -- and were also vegan.

The crunchy, oven-baked, miniature bear-shaped vanilla biscuits (cookies) were flecked with "choc flavoured bits." And, since I rarely have cookies (due to a wheat-free diet), I enjoyed munching on these sweet ursine bits, interspersed with a few chews of Orgran's dark, robust licorice that contained both licorice powder and aniseseed oil, and had a strong molasses taste (great, if you like molasses).

I can't help but remember that one possible side effect (from eating too much licorice) was a potential drop in one's potassium levels; and molasses is chock-full of potassium. I'm all for a well balanced meal -- even if that meal is just dessert.

ChocolateBet: January 12, 2012

2012-01-12T23:13:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Perugina
Bittersweet Chocolate bar
Good - Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (99.2 g.) total bar
Calories: 73 calories
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: lost info (store/deli), San Francisco, CA

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

I took a nibble of this Perugina (Nestle) Bittersweet Chocolate bar; and I melted the rest to make Perugina chocolate fondue -- flavored with Metaxa Ouzo, a bit of tangerine rind, and a tiny pinch of salt caramel. The hint of salt helped cut/balance this 60% cocoa bittersweet bar that seemed to be more sweet than bitter.

The warm, velvety smooth fondue was an easy to make (microwave and stir) dip for fresh fruit, and a good cold weather treat. I believe this Metaxa Ouzo (a licorice-flavored Greek apertif) was made from anise, licorice and fennel -- in addition to grapes, herbs, berries, mint, wintergreen and hazelnut.

2012-01-11T22:13:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Enzymatic Therapy, Inc.
DGL Ultra - German Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 tablets (approx. 2 grams)
Calories: N/A
Cost: $13.95 for bottle of 90 tablets
Purchased from: Country Sun, in Palo Alto, CA

It's nice to know that there is a "German Chocolate" chewable supplement (with licorice) that's available to provide "soothing, digestive relief" if we need it. And, it was appropriate that I tried this product this week, as today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Licorice Theme Week.

Chocolate is not the only substance with proven health benefits. From what I've read, licorice possesses some anti-inflammatory, stomach soothing properties and other benefits. However, too much of anything is bound to create problems. Possible side effects from eating more than a few ounces of licorice: a chance of elevated blood pressure for those and a possible change/drop in potassium levels. (Note: not all licorice candy is made from real licorice root; some is flavored with anise seed.)

Fortunately, this product from Enzymatic Therapy contained licorice without the sweet component that causes blood pressure issues -- that is, these chewable tablets contained deglycyrrhizinated licorice (with barely a hint of licorice flavor, I might add). And, the German Chocolate flavor (with a hint of coconut and cocoa) was very pleasant. A tasty way to help subdue heartburn.

ChocolateBet: January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Miette (Koppers)
Licorice Lentils
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.)/ 3 oz. (85 g.) (estimate) total bag/package
Calories: 75 calories
Cost: $3.00 for 1 bag
Purchased from: Miette Bakery, in San Francisco, CA

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

What are licorice lentils you ask?

For those living in the U.S., think little round discs of faintly licorice-flavored dark chocolate, coated with black candy shells -- similar to (Mars) MandM's.

These lentils were good by themselves, and/or...as part of a miniature bowl of hot, steaming licorice lentil soup, made with a Tablespoon of chocolate soy milk.* (Don't laugh, it was better than it looked.)

I'm fairly certain these lentils were made by Koppers (Greenwich Village, New York) and then re-sold by Miette Bakery -- a great little San Francisco establishment that carries unique chocolates as well as their own macarons and baked goods.

*Note: Use caution if you melt these in the microwave. Those little candy shells melt at a much higher temperature than the chocolate inside; so you could end up with faint notes of burnt, toasted marshmallow in your "soup" if you're not careful.

ChocolateBet: January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Vosges Haut Chocolat

1.) Verde caramel - 2 pieces - Good + - Very Good

2.) Leaf caramel - 2 pieces - Good+

Weight: 1.2 oz. (33.8 g.)/5.4 oz. (152.8 g.) total 18-pc. asst box (estimate)

Calories: 170 calories (estimate)

Cost: $29.00 for 18-piece box

Purchased from: Vosges Haut Chocolat, Chicago, IL

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Licorice Theme Week. Both of these chocolate-covered caramels from Vosges (Chicago, IL), had licorice tie-ins. The "Verde" -- Mexican guajillo chillies + licorice root + dark chocolate + organic pumpkin seeds, and the "Leaf" (or should that be "Leaves"?) -- Aboriginal anise myrtle + dark chocolate -- were both part of a fun, 9-flavor (2 of each flavor) Exotic Caramel assortment, packaged in a classic Vosges-purple box and bow.

The Verde was a rich caramel in a small package, with subtle hints of flavor -- that I would have liked to have tasted more of -- and topped with an organic pumpkin seed. I would probably not have guessed that one of these flavors was licorice root unless I'd read it on the description sheet tucked in the box.

I had a similar comment about the Leaf -- a caramel with a dusting of faintly green (leaf) powder. I only picked up vague hints of grass/leaf and bubble gum (not sure where that came from). It was interesting, and relatively pleasant. I would have liked to have experienced a bit more of the Aboriginal anise myrtle -- which I believe comes from a medium-sized tree from the rain forests of eastern Australia that has a anise/fennel flavor.

ChocolateBet: January 8, 2012

2012-01-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Askinosie Chocolate
Dark Milk Chocolate with Licorice bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.)
Calories: 85 calories
Cost: $10.00
Purchased from: Askinosie Chocolate, Springfield, Missouri

Today's "Dark Milk Chocolate on My Tongue Mingling with a Sweet Velvety Licorice" bar from Askinosie Chocolate (Springfield, MO), kicks off Chocolate and Licorice Theme Week.

Shawn Askinosie, a small-batch, bean-to-bar maker with an eye toward delivering value to cacao farmers and end consumers, deserves credit for his creative and sustainable packaging. The inner wrap was compostable, and the tie that bound the package was made from "a biodegradable bag of beans shipped to our factory."

This particular chocolate bar was a collaBARation (sic) with a Scandinavian licorice manufacturer (Lakritsfabriken from Ramlosa, Sweden).

And in addition to bits of gluten-free, black licorice from Ramlosa, this milk chocolate bar also contained anise seed pressed into the back of the bar; and Askinosie's single origin cocoa butter, goat's milk powder, sea salt also added flavor.

The front of the bar featured embossed letters, one per square, that spelled out - Askinosie Chocolate. One could spell out a poem, play a game of chocolate scrabble, or write a chocolate ransom note with these letters.

ChocolateBet: January 7, 2012

2012-01-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Gorenjka
Whole Hazelnuts (Celi Lesniki) bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1/2 bar - 1.76 oz. (50 grams)/3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 294 calories
Cost: $ N/A
Purchased from: N/A - gift, thank you Ying

There is only one thing better than a great chocolate bar -- one with a good story behind it.

This Gorenjka (Slovenia) bar, a gift from a colleague at work, came from the same region her husband was from. The milk chocolate that surrounded an array of superb hazelnuts was very smooth, sweet and creamy, in the European style.

I broke open this bar, and it looked just like the picture on the wrapper -- it was studded with great, fresh tasting nuts that perfectly balanced the sweet chocolate.

ChocolateBet: January 6, 2012

2012-01-06T21:06:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Maison Bouche
Eggnog Noir (dark) bar
Good
Weight: 1/4 bar - .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate) / 2.1 oz. (59 g.) total bar
Calories: 78 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Carrying on the eggnog, post-holiday theme from yesterday, I tried Maison Bouche's version of the famous, nutmeg-scented, 'nog combined with dark chocolate. The smooth dark chocolate base was good; however, the flavoring tasted a bit off. It could have been that the expiration date was Christmas-time (a few weeks ago), or that the nutmeg flavoring morphed a bit over time. The Maison Bouche packaging was beautiful as always.

ChocolateBet: January 5, 2012

2012-01-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Ethel M Chocolates
Egg Nog
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.33 (estimate)
Purchased from: Ethel M Chocolates, LAS Airport shop, Las Vegas, NV

'Tis the week to polish off holiday chocolates -- such as this Egg Nog truffle from Ethel M Chocolates (Henderson, NV).

If you're visiting Las Vegas, you can drop by the Ethel M factory shop (and cactus garden that is colorfully decorated with inflatable snowmen and Christmas characters during the holidays). However, even if you're just changing planes at McCarran International Airport (LAS), you can also stop by the company's shop(s) in the airport.

This Egg Nog chocolate had a smooth texture, and an authentic eggnog taste, with a nutmeg-inflected white chocolate/flavored cream style filling.

ChocolateBet: January 4, 2012

2012-01-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Vosges
Volcano Island Honey Truffle
Good+
Weight: .397 oz. (11.25 g.) /3.7 oz. (106 g.) for 9-piece box
Calories: 60 calories
Cost: $ part of larger, 9-piece assortment box
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Honey. And not just any honey. This Vosges (Chicago, IL) chocolate truffle was filled with a layer of dark chocolate ganache, and a layer of organic honey from the wonderfully seismic and scenic, "Big Island" of Hawaii. (The honey supplier: Volcano Island Hawaii.)

It's always dreamy to think about Hawaii in the middle of winter. I ate this truffle in the cold morning air; I should have warmed it up a few degrees first, to be able to enjoy optimal flavors and texture. Aloha.

ChocolateBet: January 3, 2012

2012-01-03T22:49:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Dilettante Chocolates
Solid Chocolate Salmon
OK
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.), 1 bite /12 oz. (340 g.) total fish
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: N/A - Christmas gift
Purchased from: N/A - Christmas gift - thank you Megan!

All chocolate dinners? They're easier to put together than you think.

Take salmon, a milk chocolate one from Dilettante Chocolates (Kent, WA) for example. It's important to start with fresh fish, and to complement your main dish with a few good side dishes, like corn (popped and drizzled with chocolate), and salad (not pictured - with blood oranges and cocoa nibs). And dessert -- in the form of a chocolate gingerbread molasses cake (to be featured in the future).

May all your chocolate dinners be as fun as this one.

ChocolateBet: January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T23:14:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Dreyer's (Edy's East of the Rockies)
Touchdown Sundae frozen dessert
Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (65 g.) / 1.5 Quarts (1.41 L) in total container
Calories: 140 calories
Cost: $5.29 total container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel Theme Week. So many possibilities, so little time. Some chocolate and caramel ice creams also have coconut oil in small amounts. Today's Dreyer's Touchdown Sundae frozen dessert was such an offering. Little chocolate footballs filled with caramel in a vanilla ice cream base with a fudge swirl.

I don't follow football that closely, but it was bowl game season, and today was the Rose Bowl game (Oregon vs. Wisconsin). I was at work, but I caught the re-cap on the evening news (Oregon won). I did enjoy those little caramel-filled pigskins (footballs), and sipping a cup of "mutt mix" hot chocolate (made with chocolate leftovers + coconut creme).

ChocolateBet: January 1, 2012

2012-01-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Mink Chocolates
"Of Course Siam"bar
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.)/1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 132 calories
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Mink Chocolates, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Happy New Year to all, and I hope you all enjoy pursuing your passion in 2012, whatever it may be.

I had plans to mix a coconut-themed bar and a caramelized pecan in maple syrup bar for Day #8 of Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel week. Both bars were from Mink Chocolates of Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada).

The first bar -- the cleverly named "Of Course Siam" dark (70% cacao), with a passion fruit puree and thai coconut milk ganache, tasted perfectly fine, even after a few months in the chocolate vault. The passion fruit was very subtle and blended well with a light coconut flavored filling.

Unfortunately, the second ("Greetings from Canada: Wish you were here" milk chocolate) bar was no longer fresh enough to evaluate. I should have refrigerated it for the last few months. I look forward to trying it in the future.

The Caramel portion of today's theme week was provided by a cup of hot Creme Caramel decaf tea from Stash Tea (Portland, OR), with milk and coconut cream.

ChocolateBet: December 31, 2011

2011-12-31T20:22:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

Talenti
1.) Caribbean Coconut Gelato
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup
Calories: 190 calories
Cost: $6.49 total container
Purchased: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

2.) 1/3 cup Belgian Milk Chocolate Gelato
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1/2 cup
Calories: 220 calories
Cost: $6.49 total container
Purchased: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Stonewall Kitchen
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel
Good
Weight: 2 Tb. (30 g.) / 12.5 oz. (354 g.) total glass jar
Calories: 120 calories
Cost: $n/a
Purchased: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today I made an ice cream sundae worthy of Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel Theme Week.
It was easy to imagine I was on a sunny, tropical beach somewhere, getting ready to make a toast to the New Year.

I used two different kinds of Talenti Gelato for this dessert. The Talenti Caribbean Coconut Gelato was quite good, but lacked the incredibly smooth and creamy consistency of the Talenti Belgian Milk Chocolate Gelato, due to the very finely ground coconut, and slightly lower fat content. (Note: Talenti also makes a Sea Salt Caramel gelato, but I couldn't locate this one in time for today, Day #7 of Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel Theme Week.

This gelato was fine by itself. However, I decided to guild the lilly by topping these two flavors with some Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce from Stonewall Kitchen. I think a sprinkling of lightly browned toffee coconut and nut bits on the side might have been a better choice.

The Stonewall Kitchen chocolate caramel sauce would be good with vanilla ice cream with sliced fresh banana and chopped nuts.

Happy last day of the year (2011) to all.

ChocolateBet: December 30, 2011

2011-12-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

Chocolates of the Day:

2 pieces
Russell Stover Candies, Inc.
1.) Coconut - Dark Chocolate - Good - Good +
2.) Caramel - Milk Chocolate - Good
Weight: .5 oz. + .434 oz. = .934 oz. (26.6 g.) for 2 pieces
Calories: 126.6 calories in 2 pieces
Cost: $9.99 total bag/package for 4 different chocolates
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

Are you all sick of reading about chocolates yet? I hope not, because this past week, I passed the "I've-eaten-more-than-1,900 different-chocolates" mark (over a period of more than five years). When I started this chocolate adventure, I thought I'd run out of chocolates to try. However, there is almost no chance of that happening. So, join me as I carry on this daily practice into 2012.

On to today's chocolates: two, individually wrapped pieces from a large, Russell Stover (based in Kansas City, Missouri) assortment bag that contained four different flavors. I chose the Coconut and Caramel pieces -- because this is Day #6 of Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel Theme Week. Of the two, I preferred the Coconut covered in dark chocolate; however, eating both pieces together seemed to improve the flavor of both.

Russell Stover is (according to their website) the largest manufacturer of boxed chocolates in North America. Russell Stover and his wife Clara first cooked up small batches of chocolates in their Denver, CO, bungalow in the 1920s; the company has evolved significantly since then. I've found the quality of Russell Stover chocolates to be fairly consistent over time. This may or may not be because of preservatives, or rapid turn-over on store shelves (resulting in fresher chocolates). As companies grow this big, I'm guessing they have all their production and delivery processes down to a science. According to a Funding Universe article (from more than 10 years ago), Russell Stover maintained their own line of refrigerated delivery trucks, to help ensure freshness.

ChocolateBet: December 29, 2011

2011-12-30T00:09:00.000-08:00

Chocolates of the Day:

1.) 1 serving
Trader Joe's
Golden Caramel Swirl in French Vanilla & Chocolate Ice Cream (Super Premium)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (100 g.) / 1 Quart (946 mL)

Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $4.49 total container
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Mountain View, CA

I'll kick off today's entry with a random observation: It's impossible to do a Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel Theme Week without thinking about German chocolate cake frosting. If it didn't already exist as a wonderful complement to chocolate cake, then someone would have to invent it.

What do you call chocolate + vanilla + caramel + ice cream? I'd call it a great start. Now, to make this Trader Joe's Golden Caramel Swirl ice cream an official entry for Day #5 of Chocolate + Coconut + Caramel Theme Week, I sauteed some chopped pecans with coconut shreds in a tiny pan. The result: a great German chocolate topping for ice cream. Unfortunately, my sloppy pan-to-dish presentation and this photo don't do this dessert justice.

2.) 1 piece
Russell Stover
Coconut Wreath
Good +
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.)
Calories: 140 calories
Cost: $0.50 for 1 wreath
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

To amp up the crunchy coconut quotient today, I also enjoyed this Russell Stover Coconut Wreath. Russell Stover has been cranking out chocolates since the early 1920s; and the company's chocolatiers have been experimenting with chocolate, coconut and caramel for quite some time. For a brief moment I felt like I was eating a round, upscale coconut version of a Nestle Crunch bar. This wreath also went well with the above Trader Joe's caramel ice cream.

ChocolateBet: December 28, 2011

2011-12-28T21:22:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 ice cream bar
Magnum
Double Caramel Ice Cream Bar
Good+
Weight: 3.38 fl. oz. (100 mL) in 1 bar / 10.14 fl. oz. (300 mL) package of 3 bars
Calories: 320 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.49 total box of 3
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate, Coconut and Caramel Theme Week.

Magnum Double Caramel bars (from Unilever) looked good. I'd seen the ads. They also fulfilled all the requirements for this week's theme week; they contained chocolate, caramel and coconut (oil). The description on the box read: "Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Dipped in a Chocolatey Coating, Caramel Sauce and Belgian Milk Chocolate."

I hesitated when I saw the word "chocolatey," but these bars were a hearty, well balanced blend of creamy vanilla ice cream, sweet caramel sauce, a Belgian milk chocolate layer, and a thick, smooth chocolatey shell (that contained the coconut oil). So, there was more than enough cacao in this bar to be satisfying. You may, however, want to eat this over a plate/sink as you take bites and the shell fractures.

ChocolateBet: December 27, 2011

2011-12-27T19:13:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2 bars
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Caramel Coconut Bars
Good - Good+
Weight: 2.96 oz. (84 g.)/ 4.5 oz. (126 g.) total package
Calories: 400 calories in 2 bars
Cost: $9.56 (sale price) for total package of 3 bars
Purchased from: Williams-Sonoma, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate, Coconut and Caramel Theme Week. Eating this chocolate combo has been a little like hitting the three-sweet-trifecta. While dark chocolate helps tone down the sugar level, it almost makes my teeth hurt thinking about some of this week's selections.

Today's Caramel Coconut Bars (Barre au Caramel et a la Noix de Coco), sold at Williams-Sonoma stores, included all three theme week flavors in one treat, plus almonds, cranberries and dark chocolate.

This thick, chewy bar was rich tasting (and at 200 calories per bar, it was fairly rich in caloric value as well -- or maybe that's just because I ate two of them). One of these hearty bars would be good for winter sports enthusiasts along with some hot soup.

ChocolateBet: December 26, 2011

2011-12-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Palmer
Swirling Santas and Snowmen
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.)/ 4.3 oz. (122 g.) total bag/package
Calories: 100 calories
Cost: $0.99 total bag
Purchased from: CVS/Pharmacy, Mountain View, CA

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

Palmer is one of the larger maker of novelty and holiday chocolates in the U.S. The company's milk chocolate Swirled Santas and Snowmen, individually wrapped in foil and flavored with caramel, were the object of today's fun and games.

Where was the coconut? you might ask. It was provided by Safeway -- in the form of shredded coconut "snow." (No, that is not yellow snow.)

ChocolateBet: December 25, 2011

2011-12-26T01:29:00.000-08:00

Chocolates of the Day:

Russell Stover
1.) Dark Chocolate and Coconut Cream Santa
Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.)
Calories: 150 calories
Cost: $0.50
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Russell Stover
2.) Caramel Santa - Covered in Milk Chocolate
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.)
Calories: 170 calories
Cost: $0.50
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas. It's time for chocolate Santas -- two different kinds: dark chocolate coconut and milk chocolate caramel. Perfect for Day #1 of Chocolate, Coconut and Caramel Theme Week.

I enjoyed the coconut Santa the best. I like coconut and I prefer dark chocolate; although, this piece was not shaped like St. Nick. For that matter, the caramel Santa form was only vaguely human-shaped, but if you're in the holiday spirit you won't mind too much.

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend.

ChocolateBet: December 24, 2011

2011-12-24T23:11:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 box
Trader Joe's
Candy Cane Coal
Very Good
Weight: 1.62 oz. (46 g.) / 3.25 oz. (92 g.) total box/package
Calories: 215 calories
Cost: $1.99 total package
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, in Mountain View, CA

Tradition has it that ill-behaved children will receive a lump of coal in the bottom of their Christmas stockings, instead of toys. Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) package of Candy Cane Coal makes light of this story -- with "lumps of crunchy, minty, chocolate delight." And, these tiny pieces of sweet, chocolate covered coal were pretty darn good.

Merry Christmas Eve to all.

ChocolateBet: December 23, 2011

2011-12-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

Chocolates of the Day:

2 pieces
Vosges Haut Chocolat

1.) Marrone Pistachio
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/ 6.4 oz. (181 g.) total 16-pc. assortment box
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ part of a larger holiday assortment box
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

2.) Eggnog and Jamaican Rum
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/ 6.4 oz. (181 g.) total 16-pc. assortment box
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ part of a larger holiday assortment box
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Today I jumped off the chocolate and candy cane theme week bandwagon, but stayed in the holiday spirit with these two truffles plucked from a Vosges (Chicago, IL) assortment box.

The Eggnog truffle (probably my favorite of the two) contained Appleton Estate Rum, Grenadian nutmeg, ginger, and Dominican Republic white chocolate. While this smooth, pretty holiday sweet lacked the cocoa solids to meet my definition of "real" chocolate, it was nice to try something different. The rum and very subtle spice blend made for a nice overall eggnog-inspired flavor.

The Vosges Marrone Pistachio truffle was made with Italian Chestnuts, Sicilian Pistachios and 45% cacao deep milk chocolate. Like so many Vosges chocolates with colorful origin stories, it sounded like there was some helpful field research behind this one. I don't recall sampling many chocolates that incorporate the subtle flavor and interesting texture of chestnuts, so this was a treat.

ChocolateBet: December 22, 2011

2011-12-22T23:55:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Peppermint Candy Cane Truffle
Good+
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) / 6.4 oz. (181 g.) total 16-piece assortment box
Calories: 60 calories
Cost: $part of a larger ($43) holiday truffle assortment box
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Happy holidays to all. I've been building up to a candy cane and chocolate crescendo before Christmas this year. Today's chocolate, a candy cane truffle from Vosges (Chicago, IL), made with 65% dark chocolate, arrived nestled in an attractive, holiday assortment box.

Even though the candy cane bits on top had started to fuse together/melt -- perhaps due to holiday excitement and/or being shipped halfway across the U.S. -- the smooth, dark filling helped pull together the tasting experience.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: December 21, 2011

2011-12-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
Theo Chocolate
Peppermint Stick - Dark Chocolate bar
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.)/ 3 oz. (84 g.) total bar
Calories: 210 calories
Cost: $4.49 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week.
This organic, fair trade, Theo Chocolate dark (70% cacao) bar flavored with peppermint had just the right level of sweetness -- not enough to obscure flavors, not overly sweet.

This bar was just thin enough to make the peppermint and chocolate flavors more accessible (important during winter weather when temperatures, and chocolate, may be colder). The dark "bite" that often marks single origin chocolates with more pronounced flavors/notes arrived later in the tasting curve.

ChocolateBet: December 20, 2011

2011-12-21T02:17:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 small cup
WestSoy
Chocolate Peppermint Stick Soy Beverage
Good - Good +
Weight: 3.5 oz. (99 g.)/ 32 fl. oz. (1 Qt.)(946 mL) total container
Calories: 85 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.29 total container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week - and today's chocolate came in the form of a chocolate (soy) beverage, flavored with peppermint and a mini candy cane garnish. The chocolate WestSoy beverage was creamy and, as advertised, good chilled or warm. I tried both.

ChocolateBet: December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T23:55:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Godiva
Peppermint in Dark Chocolate bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.) total bar
Calories: 230 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.15 (with store coupon)
Purchased from: Kohl's, in Mountain View, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week. Santa's elves were presumably hard at work whipping up candy cane flecks -- from the canes shown on the wrapper -- to create the light pink peppermint filling for these dark chocolate truffle bars. Each of the four squares marked off on this bar were branded with the distinctive letter "G" for Godiva.

I liked that this bar was not too sugary sweet. The texture of the chocolate was what I'll call fudge clay like -- but not in a bad way. The chocolate was substantial enough to prevent any peppermint filling from leaking out of the bar, without being too hard and waxy as overly thick molded coverture chocolate can be. Eminently practical if you're packing this bar for a snack in the cold mornings or the warmer afternoons.

ChocolateBet: December 18, 2011

2011-12-18T20:26:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 sundae
Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream
Peppermint ice cream hot fudge sundae
Good+
Weight: Small size
Calories: 290 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.00 (estimate)
Purchased from: Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week. There are lots of interesting peppermint ice creams out there -- all good candidates for hot fudge sundaes.

Rick's Rather Rich is a great, local ice cream parlor down the road from my house, so I'm a frequent customer there. I dolled up this fresh-tasting Rick's Peppermint ice cream sundae with whipped cream, hot fudge and a cherry in my car -- with a few mini Bob's Candy Canes. OK, it was a bit of a mess, but now it really feels like the holidays.

ChocolateBet: December 17, 2012

2011-12-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 snowman
Russell Stover
Candy Cane Marshmallow Snowman
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)
Calories: 110 calories
Cost: $0.50 for 1 Santa
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

When candy canes start to appear everywhere, images of snowy landscapes and Christmas generally follow. And where there is snow, there are snowmen and snow creatures.

Today's chocolate, Russell Stover's Candy Cane Marshmallow Snowman, captured all these themes in one gooey, crunchy treat. A pink peppermint marshmallow center was coated with chocolate, and then topped with crushed candy cane pieces.

Once unwrapped, the snowman did look rather forlorn without a hat, eyes, nose, and other features. So, the least I could do was pop some googly eyes on the poor fellow, before taking a bite out of him.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: December 16, 2011

2011-12-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
Tootsie Roll Industries
Candy Cane Tootsie Pop Drops
Good - Good+
Weight: .3 oz. (8.5 g.)/ 3.5 oz. (99 g.) total box
Calories: 30 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: $1.00
Purchased from: Target, Mountain View, CA

There's nothing like the fresh taste of peppermint candy canes to usher in the Christmas holidays. Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Theme Week.

This year store shelves seemed to brim over with peppermint and chocolate candy options. Tootsie Roll Industries (Chicaco, IL) is famous for their individually wrapped chewy chocolates, and for Tootsie Pop suckers with the chewable chocolate center inside a hard, bite-able candy globe on a stick.

Today's Peppermint flavored, white and red-striped, Tootsie Pop Drops contained a "Chewie Tootsie Roll Center." These candy drops were more about the peppermint than the chocolate, but it was a fun to try a new variation on a traditional candy. And, as with the Tootsie Pop suckers, good luck trying to patiently suck down to the chocolate center, without wanting to bite them open right away. ("How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?" asked the cartoon wise owl on the old Tootsie TV commercials..."One...two...three...(crunch!)"

ChocolateBet: December 15, 2011

2011-12-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:
1 oz.
Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream and Fudge
Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 grams)
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.95 for total box of fudge
Purchased from: Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream and Fudge, Palo Alto, CA

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Rocky Road Theme Week. I started with some Rick's Rather Rich Chocolate Walnut Fudge -- packed in its own box, with small white plastic knife included. And thought I might build my own rocky road dish, with the fudge as a starting point. Chocolate. Walnuts. All I needed was a marshmallow.

I tried topping the fudge with a strawberry-filled (Hello Kitty) strawberry-filled marshmallow. This didn't work, although it might have, had the strawberry flavor been a bit more authentic. (I forgot I still had a few alpine strawberries in my yard.)

I'd read that rocky road desserts in other parts of the world incorporate chocolate, nuts and marshmallows -- and also cherries, or strawberry sauce. That information (correct or not) was enough to send me off into a creative frenzy of experimenting with variations on this theme.

My conclusion: Rick's Rather Rich Chocolate Walnut Fudge was good all by itself, but it can also be part of a larger dessert tray, or other combination.

I went about messing with left-over rocky road ice cream with strawberry jello and sweetened cherries and whipped cream. It seemed to cry out for a dash of cinnamon on top, and indeed it was better that way. The trick with these mad scientist experiments -- don't take it too far. So, I quit while I was ahead, and ate the whole mess.

ChocolateBet: December 14, 2011

2011-12-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 serving
Walgreen Co.
Rocky Road ice cream
Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup, 118 mL (66 g.) / 1 Pint total container
Calories: 150
Cost: $1.69
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Rocky Road Theme Week, and the price was right for this pint of Walgreens Rocky Road Premium ice cream with mini marshmallows and almonds (similar to Dreyer's Rocky Road recipe I'm guessing). The cost of today's Rocky Road sundae was only about 42 cents -- a good value for rocky economic times, and much less than I have been spending lately on other entries. This reminds me of childhood days when we would ride bicycles to corner grocery stores for ice cream that cost ten cents a scoop. Gone are those days, but the chocolate memories live on.

ChocolateBet: December 13, 2011

2011-12-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 cup serving
Clover-Stornetta Farms, Inc.
Rocky Road ice cream
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1/2 cup (67 g.) (estimate)/ 48 oz. (1.42 L)
Calories: 170 calories in 1/2 cup
Cost: $5.99 total container
Purchased from: Piazzas Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Rocky Road Theme Week. The sun is out today, making ice cream a more desirable chocolate choice once again, given that it is fall/winter season.

Clover-Stornetta Farms (Petaluma, CA) is located in the open spaces north of San Francisco, where there are still some stands of trees, and large fields for dairy cows to roam and munch on green grass. I've always enjoyed driving through this area of rolling hills, pasturelands and farms. Maybe those fond memories make the ice cream taste better too.

ChocolateBet: December 12, 2011

2011-12-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 slice/piece
See's Candies
Rocky Road
Good +
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 450 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.80 for 1 large slice
Purchased from: See's Candies, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Rocky Road Theme Week.

Before there was Rocky Road ice cream -- aptly named after the Stock Market crash and Great Depression of 1929 -- there was Rocky Road-like desserts. See's Candies (based in South San Francisco, CA) sells hearty slices of Rocky Road candy, loaded with large marshmallows, walnuts, and milk chocolate of course. While still quite sweet, it was a bit fresher and lighter tasting than fudge.

ChocolateBet: December 11, 2011

2011-12-11T17:55:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 Small Cup
Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream
Rocky Road ice cream
Very Good
Weight: 2/3 cup (estimate)
Calories: 350 calories (guess)
Cost: $3.85 for Small Cup
Purchased from: Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream, Palo Alto, CA

It was Day #3 of Chocolate and Rocky Road Theme Week today.

I elected to pursue a theme week packed with cold ice cream entries during a week with somewhat frosty weather. But, evening temperatures rarely dip below 40 degrees (F) for too long where I live. And, I was looking forward to sampling the Rocky Road ice cream at the local ice cream shop -- Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream (Palo Alto, CA).

I sat down at Rick's to enjoy a Small cup of their Rocky Road (made with toasted almonds instead of walnuts), and I wasn't disappointed. Play it again Sam.

ChocolateBet: December 10, 2011

2011-12-10T10:08:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/3 cup
Dreyer's
Rocky Road
Weight: 1/3 cup (44 g.) / 1.5 Quarts (1.41 Liters)
Calories: 80 calories (estim.)
Cost: $3.99 (sale)
Purchased from: CVS Pharmacy, in Mountain View, CA

To continue from yesterday's post, there were two companies who created Rocky Road ice cream about the same time during the Great Depression in the U.S. (1929 - post-Stock Market crash). Both companies (Fentons Creamery, and Dreyer's/Edy's*) were/are based in Oakland, CA -- across the Bay from San Francisco. Then, as now, chocolate and good food and drink help boost spirits during rocky financial times.

Dreyer's Rocky Road recipe includes chocolate ice cream, miniature marshmallows and toasted almonds. (Fenton's uses walnuts.) Dreyer's also offers soft lower fat/lower calorie versions of their ice cream -- such as today's Slow Churned Light Rocky Road ice cream -- with approximately "1/2 the fat, and 1/3 the calories as regular ice cream." I like chocolate and nut flavors, and thought the toasted almonds that I did taste worked very nicely.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Rocky Road Theme Week.

*Note: Dreyer's is now owned by Nestle.

ChocolateBet: December 9, 2011

2011-12-09T22:42:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 cup serving
Fentons Creamery
Rocky Road ice cream
Good ++
Weight: 1/2 cup / 1 Pint container
Calories: 220 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.50 for 1 pint
Purchased from: Fentons, in Oakland, CA

In 1929, after the stock market had crashed and the U.S. was experiencing the Great Depression, times were hard. According to legend, two ice cream makers in in the East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) wanted to soothe people's spirits and give them something to smile about. Thus, Rocky Road ice cream was born.

Fentons Creamery (Oakland, CA) claims it was the first to create this chocolate ice cream flavor with marshmallows and walnuts (as well as two other flavors: toasted almond and Swiss milk chocolate).

If you visit Fentons Creamery in Oakland, be prepared. Their ice cream sundaes are large and delicious.

I had trouble scooping out my serving today from the hand-packed pint container I took home. This was serious, dense chocolate ice cream, chock full of cut walnut and marshmallow pieces, as promised.

Today was the first day of Rocky Road Theme Week. Tomorrow I will feature the cross-town company (Dreyer's), that also claims it originated Rocky Road ice cream.

ChocolateBet: December 8, 2011

2011-12-08T12:20:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 teaspoon
Liberty Richter
Mr. Sprinkles
Good - Good+
Weight: .14 oz. (4 g.) in 1 tsp. / 6 oz. (175 g.)
Calories: 20 calories
Cost: Lost info
Purchased from: Lost info

Even though it's almost Winter, and I'm wearing a sweater, I still find ice cream attractive.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week, and I topped a small scoop of Black Walnut ice cream with whipped cream and milk chocolate sprinkles (made in Holland, Distributed by Liberty Richter, Saddle Brook, NJ), courtesy of Mr. Sprinkles. This red baseball-cap wearing clown, with the big yellow bowtie and grin has been patiently waiting in my chocolate vault. And today, it's hats off to Mr. Sprinkles.

ChocolateBet: December 7, 2011

2011-12-07T11:38:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/4 bar
Vosges Haut-Chocolat
Banana Victoria Bar
Good +
Weight: .75 oz. (21.25 g.)/ 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 105 calories
Cost: $7.50 total bar
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week. So far, this week's chocolates have veered toward the brownie and fudge end of the chocolate spectrum. While these are great ways to incorporate walnuts into chocolate, there are countless others -- such as adding bananas to the mix. Today's chocolate of the day, a Banana Victoria Bar from Vosges (Chicago, IL) does just that.

This Vosges bar was created using a 62% cacao dark chocolate base, and add-in ingredients included dried, organic bananas; organic California walnuts; and Grenadian nutmeg. I wasn't able to detect the nutmeg (which I like, and was looking forward to tasting); the small pieces of walnut played second fiddle to slightly chewy micro-bits of dried banana. A fun bar.

ChocolateBet: December 6, 2011

2011-12-06T20:31:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 serving
McJak Candy Company, LLC
Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.)/ 8 oz. (226 g) total pkg./box
Calories: 180 calories
Cost: $2.99 (sale price)
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

It's December, and Christmas is upon us. As Santa's semi-truck lurches into town, stores fill with chocolate seasonal items, life feels more abundant -- and my waistline is expanding.

The film A Christmas Story, was a humorous slice-of-life that depicted a family preparing for the holidays: a young boy lusting after a beloved toy (that he hoped Santa would bring); the same boy accidentally using the F-word (Ohh, Fudge, he meant); and a riotous scene where a pack of dogs from next door ruin a Thanksgiving turkey feast.

This box of Chocolate Walnut Fudge from McJak Candy Company (Medina, OH - apparently close to where A Christmas Story was filmed), was thematically co-branded with images from the Warner Bros. film.

The fudge was good, honest fudge: sweet and smooth, with a healthy does of texture and flavor from embedded walnut pieces.

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

ChocolateBet: December 5, 2011

2011-12-05T16:12:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
Bloomsberry and Co.
Mother's Little Helper (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (99 g.)
Calories: 157 calories
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Lost info

It was a cold, dark, Monday morning, and I rummaged around in my chocolate vault until I found the cleverly labeled "Mother's Little Helper," a 55% cocoa bar from Bloomsberry and Co. (Salem, MA) -- with subtle fruit/berry and hot chocolate notes. This bar did help me (feign wakefulness during a 7 a.m. meeting), and made for a fun snack all by itself...

...However, because today was also Day #4 of Chocolate and Walnuts Theme Week -- and because I can't resist soldering new flavors together, I incorporated the rest of this Mother's bar into a batch of (gluten free) chocolate brownies with cinnamon dusted walnuts, and trail mix with dried fruits, peanuts, almonds and walnuts. I also added a dash of rich, sweet blackberry balsamic vinegar to up the PBJ quotient. Sadly, mother's brownie fruitcake recipe will be impossible to replicate, as I rarely write down recipes as I'm inventing them.

ChocolateBet: December 4, 2011

2011-12-04T11:28:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
The Oakland Chocolate Co.
1.) Triple Chocolate Brownie Truffle - Very Good
2.) Acorn Bonbon - Very Good
Weight: .9 oz. (25.5 g.) (estimate for 2 pieces)
Calories: 135 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.00 ($2.00 per piece on average)
Purchased from: The Oakland Chocolate Co., Oakland, CA

Nancy Nadel at The Oakland Chocolate Co. (Oakland, CA) works with farmers in Jamaica to obtain cacao to create chocolates like today's Triple Chocolate Brownie Truffle and Acorn Bonbon -- a tribute to the oak trees full of acorns, that once blanketed the San Francisco Bay Area.

Walnuts, like those that adorn the top of today's Brownie truffle were introduced to California, and became a large cash crop, with large groves in the Central Valley. I grew up climbing big walnut trees in our backyard. The young walnuts were great for fun and games and made dark stains on our clothes that were difficult to remove. Occasionally a few walnuts stayed on the tree long enough to ripen to the edible stage, and they were cracked open and incorporated into walnut and apricot children's tea parties, occasionally attended by squirrels -- like the one at my back door, shown below right.

The Triple Chocolate Brownie truffle had a rich, dark fudge-like center, and the Acorn Bonbon was filled with walnut, maple and honey. I recommend both.

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

ChocolateBet: December 3, 2011

2011-12-03T11:20:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz. serving
Torn Ranch, Inc.
Mashuga Nuts - Double Chocolate Walnuts
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/ 4.5 oz. (128 g.) total pouch
Calories: 150 calories
Cost: $3.50 (estimate) (sale price)
Purchased from: Andronicos, Palo Alto, CA (going out of business sale)

Half the fun of this Mashuga Nuts product was reading all the clever text on the pouch. (For example: "Warning: Do not use in libraries or places of worship." or "So good you probably don't even deserve it.") Someone had fun with designing this package. The Double Chocolate Walnuts flavor was one of at least four different flavors from the Mashuga Nuts line, offered by Torn Ranch (Novato, CA).

These Mashuga Nut walnut pieces were covered with a layer of egg whites and cocoa powder -- a light, sweet meringue coating. I'd forgotten how the most basic combination of chocolate and walnuts evokes the taste of brownies. And, in fact, this package reads: "The best of the brownie without the rest of the brownie."

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Walnuts Theme Week.
(photos today may be delayed due to system upgrade)

ChocolateBet: December 2, 2011

2011-12-02T09:49:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

6 cookies
Baba Joon's Chocolate Chewies
Walnut - Little Chocolate Miracles
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2.75 oz. (78 g.) /
Calories: 444 calories
Cost: $6.99 for 1 bag
Purchased from: De Martini Orchard, in Los Altos, CA

Today's diminuitive, rich, chewy chocolate treats were part of Baba Joon's Chocolate Chewies line of gluten-free and dairy-free items. These brownie-like, cookie-shaped Walnut "little chocolate miracles" were packed with chopped walnut pieces, and are now in the running for best gluten-free chocolate cookie (that I've tasted in 2011). Ingredients: sugar, walnuts, egg whites, cocoa, gluten free vanilla, salt. (Baba Joon's is based in San Jose, CA.)

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Walnut Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: December 1, 2011

2011-11-28T01:56:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
thinkThin Products
thinkThin bites - Cookies and Cream
OK
Weight: .088 oz. (2.5 g.) - 1 bite / 4.4 oz. (125 g.) total box/package
Calories: 10 calories
Cost: $5.69 total box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

This thinkThin Cookies and Cream "portion control" snack (100 calorie bar) is, loosely speaking, a gluten-free cookie. The picture of the cookies on the box is reminiscent of small Oreo brand chocolate sandwich cookies. The gluten-free bar inside the wrapper is covered with a white chocolate-like coating, and the filling is chocolatey-dark -- more similar to an inside out chocolate sandwich cookie. The maltitol may help hold sugar and calories down, but the taste takes some getting used to. I think I'd prefer just a little less sweetener overall.

Note: Due to travel and lack of Internet connectivity this week (which usually results in delays in posting), I'm trying something new: posting 2-3 planned entries in advance. (I updated this post after I returned home.)

ChocolateBet: November 30, 2011

2011-11-28T01:47:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

6 cookies
Home Free
mini crunchy chocolate chocolate chip cookies
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/ 5 oz. (143 g.) in total box
Calories: 130 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.29 total box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today is Day #6 of Chocolate and Gluten-free Cookie Theme Week.
These Gluten Free, Nut Free cookies are from Home Free.

As billed, these miniature, whole grain cookies where crunchy, without being too crumbly, and were quite good. The only note of caution: these contain gluten-free oat flour -- which some gluten-free diets can accommodate and others can't.

Note: Because I will be traveling and/or may not have regular Internet communications, I am posting 2-3 day's worth of planned chocolates-of-the-day in advance. (I updated this review after returning home.)

ChocolateBet: November 29, 2011

2011-11-28T01:43:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

4 cookies
Mary's Gone Crackers
Love Cookies - Double Chocolate
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.8 oz. (52 g.)/5.5 oz. (155 g.) total box
Calories: 260 calories for 4 small cookies
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Andronicos (store closing sale), in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.
Yesterday I sampled the Chocolate Chip version of these wheat- and gluten-free cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers. I liked these a little bit better, but these Double Chocolate Love Cookies were good too. These were crunchy and a bit crumbly. Thumbs up for Mary's philosophy of adding healthy and hearty seeds and grains to their gluten-free crackers and cookies.

Due to travel this week and possible lack of Internet availability, I am posting this planned entry "in advance" -- or, I'm trying to perfect the art of chocolate time travel.

Note: I completed this review during my trip and updated this post after returning.

ChocolateBet: November 28, 2011

2011-11-28T00:41:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

4 cookies
Mary's Gone Crackers
Chocolate Chip Love Cookies
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: .9 oz. (26 g.)/ 5.5 oz. (155 g.) total box
Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Andronicos, Palo Alto, CA (closed now)

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.
These Organic, Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers (based in Gridley, CA) were crunchy and satisfying. When I opened the inner wrapping (for one of two individually-wrapped bags), I thought I smelled and tasted molasses, and then a faint flavor of sweet coconut.

Mary's also offers a line of gluten-free crackers that are made from whole grains and seeds and that have a very hearty taste and texture that I've enjoyed with cheeses. Like the crackers, I felt like I was enjoying cookies that were healthy, without any compromise in taste, and without the pasty mouth-feel that sometimes accompanies gluten-free flour substitute mixes.

ChocolateBet: November 27, 2011

2011-11-28T00:23:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
The Kallari Chocolate Project
(Produced at Ecuatoriana de Chocolates SA)
1.) 75% cacao - single source organic chocolate bar - Good+
2.) 85% cacao - single source organic chocolate bar - Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.)
Calories: 148 calories (estimate)
Cost: N/A - samples (thank you Sunita)
Purchased from: N/A samples from The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today I sampled two dark (one 75% cacao and one 85% cacao), single source, organic chocolate bars, that were produced in Ecuador. The first, the 75% bar, was dark and smooth, with a pleasing vanilla flavor taste -- good for those that like vanilla with their chocolate, maybe not as good for those who don't. The second, the 85% bar had a uniformly deep, dark flavor, but without much flavor arc (that is a define-able and enjoyable beginning, middle and end/finish).

Because today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week, I also melted some of the 75% bar -- into which I dipped gluten-free, Italian-style Pignoli (Pine Nut) cookies with a lovely, warm almond scent and taste. I think these flavors paired relatively well with the vanilla notes in the chocolate.
This little plate of 3 small dipping cookies disappeared in a hurry.

ChocolateBet: November 25, 2011

2011-11-25T10:10:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
B.T. McElrath Chocolatier
Passion Fruit and Tangerine Bar
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.)/ 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ Lost info
Purchased from: Lost info

I'm interested in combinations of chocolate and passion fruit. It's hard to make this mixture work. This Passion Fruit and Tangerine bar from B.T. McElrath (Minneapolis, MN) was a good attempt, but swirling white and dark chocolate together confused my taste buds. White chocolate is a good base to let citrus flavors shine through; a heavier solid base of dark chocolate might have wiped out the fruit flavors. However, the two chocolates (and two fruits) might have been one flavor too many.

Change of Subject: Cookies Anyone?
Since today was also Day #1 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Week, I took the rest of this bar and cut it up into chunks -- to mix into a gluten-free cookie mix, and added some tangerine olive oil to boost the citrus/fruit flavor. The result: some interesting tasting cookies, studded with passion fruit-tangerine chocolate chunks. There must be an infinite number of variations on chocolate chip/chunk cookies.

My apologies to purists, but recycling chocolate bars to make cookies and chocolate fondue/sauce is a great way to experiment and prevent chocolate from going to waste.

ChocolateBet: November 24, 2011

2011-11-24T23:00:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Organic Peanut Butter Bonbon bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.50 total bar
Purchased from: Vosges.com; Chicago, IL

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the U.S. and to those who celebrate by enjoying a large meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and, oddly, very little chocolate. I had planned to make a Kahlua pecan pie, or a chocolate walnut pie, but ran out of time.

Instead, before spending time with family, I gave thanks for a world full of chocolate -- and showed further gratitude by trying a Vosges Organic Peanut Butter (45% cacao) bar three different ways: 1.) by itself; 2.) with some sliced, fresh banana; and 3.) as part of a bacon and lettuce sandwich on toasted multigrain (gluten-free) bread.

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: November 23, 2011

2011-11-23T22:49:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

4 pieces
Christopher Michael Chocolatier
Piggy Caramels in Dark Chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) (estimate) / 3 oz. (84.9 g.) package/box of 6 pieces (estimate)
Calories: 300 calories (estimate)
Cost: $10.00
Purchased from: Christopher Michael Chocolatier

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

Doth not the name "Piggy Caramel" speak for itself? Well, I'll spell it out anyway. These were bacon caramels covered in dark chocolate; and while I normally like pairing bacon with a deep milk chocolate, these darker versions were just fine, with small flecks of bacon embedded in a caramel center.

ChocolateBet: November 22, 2011

2011-11-22T20:01:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1.) Norcal Gourmet LLC (see also Truffili di Pelligrini)
Dark Chocolate Mousse Truffles - with Himalayan Sea Salt
1 piece
Good
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.)/ 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total package of 5 pieces
Calories: 60 calories
Cost: $ (lost info)
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

These Dark Chocolate Mousse Truffles were sprinkled with pink Himalayan sea salt. They had a smooth chocolate filling with a thin wafer layer at the base of the truffle. I ate around the wafer layer (to avoid possible wheat ingredients), and replaced with a layer of bacon lollipop. Here's where the bacon comes in today...

2.) Das Foods LLC
Maple Bacon Lollipop(s)
2 lollipops
Good
Weight: .6 oz. (16 g.) for two
Calories: 50 calories
Purchased from: Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

These maple-based lollipops, from Das Foods LLC, had tiny, visible flecks of bacon embedded in them, and were not bad -- a refreshing change from fruit flavored 'pops -- and much more appealing than the suckers with the (gummy and real) bugs/worms in them.

3.) Accoutrements
"Bacon" Breakfast Floss
1 foot piece
Weight: N/A
Calories: N/A
Purchased from: Fremont Diner, Sonoma, CA

There was no real bacon taste that I could detect when I used this Bacon floss, but the 3-piece Breakfast Floss set (Waffles, Bacon, and Coffee) was a clever offering.

ChocolateBet: November 21, 2011

2011-11-21T21:48:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2/3 bar
Christopher Michael
Sizzling Bacon Bar
Weight: 1.848 oz. (52.8 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 277 calories
Cost: $7.00 total bar
Purchased from: Christopher Michael, Newport Beach, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

This Sizzling Bacon Bar -- made with milk chocolate, bacon, popping candy and sea salt -- from Christopher Michael (from Newport Beach, CA) was great. Nicely balanced bacon, milk chocolate and salt flavors. There was no sign of the popping candy -- that was to supply the "sizzling" part, but I didn't miss it that much.

ChocolateBet: November 20, 2011

2011-11-20T22:37:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
Xocolatl de David
Bacon + Chocolate bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) total bar
Calories: 159 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, San Francisco, CA

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

Xocolatl de David (Portland, Oregon) makes several interesting bars -- among them, this Bacon + Chocolate bar, made with 72% Cacao from Ecuador. You could see identifiable pieces of bacon, with a recognizable bacon bite -- not too fatty, not too dry and chewy. Close to just right. The chocolate was quite good, with a very faint nutty taste. (Although my preference with bacon would be a deep milk with just a hint of salt.) Often cacao with "nutty" flavor comes from Ecuador and Peru.

ChocolateBet: November 19, 2011

2011-11-19T23:35:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

3 pieces
Snake and Butterfly
Maple and Bacon Caramels
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) total package of 4 pieces (estimate)
Calories: 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.00 total package of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Snake and Butterfly, Campbell, CA (at Chocolate Salon, in Francisco, CA)

These chocolate coated caramels from bean-to-bar chocolate maker Snake and Butterfly (Campbell, CA) had serious tiny hunks of bacon and genuine maple syrup and butter flavor -- in short, what I want to experience in confections and truffles with fun add-in ingredients.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: November 18, 2011

2011-11-18T21:11:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package
Vosges
Mo's Uncured Bacon Caramel Toffee
Very Good
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.) total box/package
Calories: 750 calories
Cost: $12.00 total box/package (+ any shipping)
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Was it really "crunchy, smoky, sweet love"? Maybe. I ate a whole stack of Mo's Uncured Bacon Caramel Toffee, from Vosges (Chicago), for dinner.

The little pile of 45% deep milk chocolate squares with hickory smoked uncured bacon and alderwood smoked salt quickly disappeared. These sweet and savory crunchy squares could be eaten for breakfast or lunch as well -- although I recommend adding some vegetables and fruit to this chocolate bacon entree/dessert.

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

ChocolateBet: November 17, 2011

2011-11-17T21:09:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/3 bar
zotter
Coffee-Plum with Caramelised Bacon (bar)
Good - Good+
Weight: .81 oz. (23.1 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 121 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

"What is this odd riot of different flavors going on in my mouth?" I asked myself after the first bite of this Coffee-Plum bar with bacon (also with hazelnuts, wine, rum and spices).

I found myself coming back to this filled, "hand scooped" bar from zotter (Austria), and re-tasting it throughout the evening. It's getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas in the U.S., and perhaps this bar was inspired by a bit of holiday spiced plum fruitcake. I couldn't taste any bacon; however, the filling was pretty finely ground, so it was difficult to spot any one flavor ingredient.

I loved the singing plum wearing the bacon jacket on the label.

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

ChocolateBet: November 16, 2011

2011-11-16T19:32:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 pig
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Flying Chocolate Pig
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) total package
Calories: 180 calories
Cost: $8.00
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

I've been planning a date with this Vosges pig for awhile. Who wouldn't want to eat a flying chocolate pig with bacon?

Today was also an eat-breakfast-for-dinner day -- so the pig (made with hickory smoked uncured) bacon (and alderwood smoked salt) landed on a short stack of Van's blueberry (gluten free) waffles and fresh blueberries.

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: November 15, 2011

2011-11-15T21:19:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package
Sonoma Chocolatiers
Sonoma Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.3 oz. (36 g.) 1 package
Calories: 195 calories
Cost: N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week.

The Sonoma Bar (from Sonoma Chocolatiers, based in Sebastopol, CA) was shaped like a cluster of grapes -- grapes made from 62% Scharffen Berger chocolate that is. Pressed into the back of said grapes: organic almonds, organic walnuts, organic dried apricots and organic dried cherries -- but no blueberries.

So, I ate this bar with two other fruit and nut mixes that did have blueberries. One of these mixes contained edamame, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and was infused with blueberry, pomegranate and strawberry.

Thank you to Alec for donating this bar to Chocolate Banquet.

ChocolateBet: November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T23:08:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
Saratoga Chocolates
Blueberry-tini
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) total tin/container
Calories: 139 calories (estimate)
Cost: $12.00 total container/tin
Purchased from: Saratoga Chocolates, Saratoga, CA

Yesterday I attended the International Chocolate Salon in San Francisco, and found a great last minute addition for Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week, at the Saratoga Chocolates table (shown).

What is a Blueberry-tini you ask? Answer: dried blueberries infused with "Stoly's" blueberry vodka, and then enrobed in dark chocolate. The tiny Blueberry-tini clusters in this tin represented one of the best chocolate and blueberry combinations I've tried. The taste of vodka was very faint, but pleasant. These unique chocolates were, I was told, fairly time-consuming to make, due to several steps -- the drying, the infusing, the drying again, the enrobing, etc. Well, I think it was worth it. (Easy for me to say; eating them was no trouble at all.)

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week.

SF Chocolate Salon, Nov. 13, 2011

2011-11-13T23:06:00.001-08:00

International Chocolate Salon
Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA

One of the pleasures of living close to a major city like San Francisco, is being able to attend the Chocolate Salons that are held here. This year's event was another opportunity to meet chocolate makers and chocolatiers from the SF Bay Area and beyond.

We had fun talking with Salon newcomer Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco); Nat from Madre Chocolate (on his way back to Hawaii); Art Pollard from Amano; and a few different toffee and brittle makers who were incorporating chocolate and cacao nibs into their offerings.

Saratoga Chocolates (Saratoga, CA) was featuring a Blueberry-tini item that will be tomorrow's entry -- just in time to be included in Chocolate and Blueberry Theme Week.

I also stocked up on a chocolate and bacon caramel item from Snake and Butterfly (Santa Clara, CA) for this week's bacon theme week, that will start in a 2-3 days.

And, I'm looking forward to writing about the Thai Basil chocolates from Jade Chocolates (Burlingame/San Francisco, CA), and other chocolates too numerous to list here.

We also had fun meeting a few winemakers and doing some impromptu tasting. The SLO crew from San Luis Obispo were pouring their "Sexual Chocolate" red blend. (Their mascot, a palm-sized turtle named Walter, was taking a nap in his crate by the time we reached their table.) It was a great opportunity to talk with some creative makers with great flavors who may not have a storefront.

ChocolateBet: November 13, 2011

2011-11-13T22:53:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1.05 oz. serving
Corfias Chocolats Fins
Bleuets sauvages - Wild blueberries
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g.) total package
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.99 total package
Purchased from: airport shop, Dorval airport, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Today's almost irridescent, dark chocolate-coated St-Jean blueberries (from Corfins Chocolats Fins), came from up north in Quebec. If they spoke a language, it would almost certainly be French.

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

ChocolateBet: November 12, 2011

2011-11-12T09:12:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 serving
Dilettante Chocolates
Fruit Medley
Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) total package
Calories: 190 calories (per label)
Cost: $2.99 total bag (marked down)
Purchased from: Marshalls in Mountain View, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week.

Today's chocolate choice: a chocolate covered Fruit Medley, consisting of 4 dried fruits: strawberries, cherries, apricots and, of course, blueberries.

The fruits in the Fruit Medley, from Dilettante Chocolates (Kent, WA), were coated with either white, milk or dark chocolate, and a different colored glaze, depending on fruit type. I believe the blueberries were coated in milk chocolate, and enhanced with a bit of natural blueberry flavoring. They were also the best-tasting chocolate fruit in this bunch. A little festive fruit color (albeit artificial) was good for a day like today, as it was dark and gloomy outside.

ChocolateBet: November 11, 2011

2011-11-11T22:50:00.001-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 serving
Marra Bros.
Chocolate Blueberries
Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) total container
Calories: 100 calories
Cost: $7.99 total container
Purchased from: DeMartini Orchard, in Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week. These milk chocolate covered blueberries from Marra Bros. (Morgan Hill, CA) were pretty good -- just sweet enough, and not so sweet that I couldn't detect natural blueberry taste.

ChocolateBet: November 10, 2011

2011-11-10T20:25:00.001-08:00

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) 1 serving
Gourmet Nut
Body Boosting Antioxidant Mix
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/ 9 oz. (255 g.) total bag
Calories: 165 calories
Cost: $3.99 total bag/package
Purchased from: Marshalls, Mountain View, CA

2.) 1 serving
TCHO
99% Limited Edition Peru-Ecuador
Good
Weight: .535 oz. (15 g.)
Calories: 77 calories
Cost: $3.99
Purchased from: TCHO, in San Francisco, CA

Today was the second day of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week. I was excited to find a trail-style mix with nuts, dark chocolate chips, dried blueberries, and other dried fruits.

This Antioxidant Mix from Gourmet Nut was very good. Only one problem. For some odd reason, there were no dark chocolate chips in this bag. So, I ate this mix with a 99% Limited Edition small dark chocolate (Organic, Fair Trade) bar/square from TCHO (San Francisco, CA). The cacao in this bar hailed from "Peru-Ecuador" and it tasted somewhat acidic and flat, but richly dark nonetheless -- with no sugar to interfere with or soften this flavor.

ChocolateBet: November 9, 2011

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 serving
Cape Cod Provisions
Harvest Sweets - All Natural Milk Chocolate Covered Blueberries
OK+ - Good
Weight: .62 oz. (17 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total package
Calories: 81 calories
Cost: $3.49 total package
Purchased from: Marshalls, in Mountain View, CA

As a carry-over from the Garden Grown theme this past week, this week I'm zeroing in on one backyard crop in particular -- blueberries. Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week.

These dried blueberry pieces were coated in milk chocolate. The result was sweet, but not particularly great. In fairness to the manufacturer (Cape Cod Provisions), I bought these at a discounted price/store chain, so it was difficult to tell if these were a tad on the old side.

ChocolateBet: November 8, 2011

2011-11-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2 tiny bars
Maison Bouche
Geranium Bourbon
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) for 2 pieces / 3 oz. (84.9 g.) for box of 12 (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $18.99 for 12-piece box
Purchased from: Miette Bakery, Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week. Geraniums are well-suited to the Mediterranean climate where I live, and I've enjoyed having a small bush or two of these sun-tolerant blooms in my backyard. I haven't tried to mix them with chocolate myself (although I plan to in the future). In the meantime, I enjoyed these tiny, individually wrapped, milk chocolate Geranium Bourbon bars from Maison Bouche (Oakland, CA).

ChocolateBet: November 6, 2011

2011-11-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Chocolate Visions
"Wild" Strawberry
Good
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 120 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.00 - for 2 pieces
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, in Scotts Valley, CA

I have tiny "Swiss" mountain strawberries growing in my yard. They are great for snacking -- for several months of the year here in California; and they're much hardier than the larger strawberries one sees in grocery stores.

I've never made strawberry vodka from my little yard berries (by soaking them in vodka for several weeks or months). That is the first step in making "wild" strawberries -- a la today's chocolates from Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA), where homemade strawberry vodka was mixed with cream and Belgian bittersweet chocolate. The quality of chocolate was high and the concept was fun; but don't expect a fresh strawberry taste or texture. These might be enjoyable with a warm scone or English Muffin with strawberry preserves,

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: November 5, 2011

2011-11-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolate Visions
Herbal Mint
Very Good - Very Good+
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, in Scotts Valley, CA

One of the most invasive plant outbreaks I experienced in my tiny yard garden was an overgrowth of spearmint. I spent years tearing this out. However, now I'm a little sad because I have no mint anymore -- which is why this refreshingly natural tasting Herbal Mint chocolate from Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA) was so welcome today. The addition of floral olive oil (from Aptos, CA), helped enhance this flavor.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: November 4, 2011

2011-11-04T23:59:00.001-07:00

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) 1/8 bar
NewTree
Apricot - Cocoon (Milk Chocolate) bar
Good
Weight: .22 oz. (6.2 g.) / 1.76 oz. (49 g.)
Calories: 35 calories
Cost: $N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - sample from Chocolate event

2.) 1/2 piece
Baba Joon's Chocolate Chewies/C'est Si Bon
California Apricot Chocolate Chewies
Good
Weight: .22 oz. oz. (6.5 g.) / 7.5 oz. (212 g.) total bag of 14
Calories: 18 calories
Cost: $6.99 for total bag of 14 pieces
Purchased from: De Martini Orchard, in Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week.

I grew up in a sub-division (residential neighborhood) that had been carved out of an old apricot orchard. And I remember eating freshly picked (as well as chocolate-covered) apricots; prunes were also big

in the "Valley of Hearts Delight" -- the agriculturally rich area which is now known as Silicon Valley.

So, it was fitting that chocolate and apricots were part of this week's garden grown theme -- in the form of 1.) a NewTree Apricot milk chocolate bar, and 2.) a gluten-free, apricot and egg white chewy cookie with cocoa powder from California.

ChocolateBet: November 3, 2011

2011-11-04T23:58:00.001-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolate Visions
Lemon
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, from Scotts Valley, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week.
I feel very fortunate to live in a state (California) where it's fairly easy to grow citrus fruits. I happen to love combinations of dark chocolate and lemon. Today's chocolate, from a Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA) assortment box, had a fresh, authentic lemon taste. I believe this chocolate also had a bit of olive oil in it as well.

ChocolateBet: November 2, 2011

2011-11-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolate Visions
Tarragon
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, Scotts Valley, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week. I've successfully grown several herbs in my yard, and attempted to grow a few others. Tarragon fell into the latter category; however, I may try again.

Today's Tarragon chocolate, made with Belgian bittersweet chocolate, from Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA), inspired me to consider re-planting this herb.

There was a nice flavor arc to this chocolate -- especially noticeable when chocolates are as fresh as these were. Under-appreciated no more. This chocolate was part of a larger 24-piece assortment box. I plan to go back for a second batch -- to try the rest of the herbal flavors.

ChocolateBet: November 1, 2011

2011-11-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Chocolate Visions
Rose
Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.00 ($2.00 each)
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, in Scotts Valley, CA

How many fruits, herbs, flowers and vegetables from your garden can you combine with chocolate? I'm tempted to answer: an unlimited number!

As the weather gets colder, I'm missing late summer harvest produce items already. So, this week I'm focused on combining chocolate with items I might have grown in my own garden here in Northern California.

Today is the kick-off day for Chocolate and Garden Grown Theme Week -- beginning with this Rose, from Chocolate Visions (based in Scotts Valley, CA). Infused with Rose Otto Oil, and plucked from a larger assortment box, this dark chocolate piece with smooth dark ganache was great if you like natural floral flavors; this tasted fresh from the rosebush in the back yard.

ChocolateBet: October 31, 2011

2011-10-31T23:59:00.001-07:00

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.) 1 witch monster pop
Long Grove Confectionery Co.
Monster Pop
Good+
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.)
Calories: 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.69
Purchased from: Whole Foods, in Los Altos, CA

2.) 1 piece
Chocolate Visions
Pumpkin
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) /piece
Calories: 60 calories
Cost: $2.00
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, Scotts Valley, CA

Halloween is a major holiday for chocolate consumption in the U.S., so Happy Halloween all! Listed here are some items from my Halloween treat plate.

Long Grove Confectionery makes several novelty, Halloween and holiday chocolate items. This witch monster pop was good chocolate Halloween fun. I enjoyed this witch monster with two Salted Bourbon Caramels -- a carryover from Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week (from Salted Caramel, Chicago, IL).

And Pumpkin too!

The Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA) seasonal Pumpkin chocolate had a very authentic pumpkin pie taste. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some real pumpkin mixed in with pumpkin pie spices. (Postscript: They roast and puree "Cinderalla" pumpkins and mix with dark chocolate, butter, cream and spices.)

ChocolateBet: October 30, 2011

2011-10-30T23:27:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bottle
Anthon Berg
Cutty Sark (chocolate bottle)
Good
Weight: .55 oz. (15.6 g.)
Calories: 80 calories (estimate)
Cost: $14.99 total package of 16
Purchased from: BevMo, in Mountain View, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week. This small, foil-wrapped "chocsimile" (chocolate facsimile) of a Cutty Sark bottle (from Anthon Berg) contained a whiskey-flavored filling inside a harder chocolate bottle shell.

During a visit to Amador County (California) to the historic towns of Sutter Creek, Volcano, Jackson and others small settlements dating back to the 1800s/California gold rush days, I enjoyed a stop at a cheese and wine shop, and a confectionary/ice cream store. I wanted to combine a bite of cheddar cheese with Irish Whiskey and some chocolate. But, the closest bit of cacao that I could find was a chocolate milkshake -- not the best chocolate match with this cheese. I'll try this with different chocolates when I get home.

ChocolateBet: October 29, 2011

2011-10-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/5 bar
Mink Chocolates
"Open in Case of Emergency" bar
Good - Good+
Weight: .352 oz. (10 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total bar
Calories: 46 calories
Cost: $7.00 (approx.)
Purchased from: Mink Chocolates, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

OK, it was not a true emergency. But, it was Day #6 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week.

So I broke open this "Open in Case of Emergency" dark (70% cacao) bar -- made with fresh mint and Kentucky Bourbon whiskey -- from Mink Chocolates (Vancouver, B.C., Canada).

I ordered a whole library of Mink bars awhile back after visiting their store in Vancouver (a few blocks up from the Convention Center). I've been gradually sampling these fun bars, in small chocolate sips. I may have to reorder the last few volumes in the cleverly titled set, as it's been a few months -- and, unlike a good hardcover book, fresh or filled chocolates are more perishable.

ChocolateBet: October 28, 2011

2011-10-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolate Visions
Single Malt
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, in Scotts Valley, CA

Life is good when you can enjoy a theme week involving chocolate and single malt whisky.

Today's Single Malt chocolate from Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA) was gathered while on a chocolate and wine field trip in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California last weekend. (Picture from Ridge Vineyards overlooking Silicon Valley, bottom right).

Chocolate Visions makes bars and truffles with added flavors and ingredients, including several flavored with local wines. (You'll see these next week.) But the Single Malt chocolate with the red lion was the perfect choice for today (Day #5 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: October 27, 2011

2011-10-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
fleurir
Irish Coffee
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $34.00 for 18-piece box (+ any shipping)
Purchased from: fleurir, via foodzie.com

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week.

As the weather gets colder, visions of rich hot chocolate drinks spiked with whiskey start dancing in my head. And, chocolates like today's "Irish Coffee" from fleurir (based in Washington, D.C.) encourage this thinking. A milk chocolate ganache with Irish whiskey, Irish cream, and coffee, this Irish Coffee was a delicious rendition of the hot drink by the same name -- condensed down to a small square.

ChocolateBet: October 26, 2011

2011-10-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
"Whisky" (filled chocolate)
Very Good
Weight: .49 oz. (13.8 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 72 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.35 (with discount)
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week. Some whisky-flavored chocolates are so mildly flavored, you'd have to strain to taste any alcohol. Not so with this tiny, half-barrel shaped, foil-wrapped chocolate. I took one small bite, and quickly had to shove the rest in my mouth to prevent the authentic-tasting, liquid whisky filling from dripping onto my lap. Sadly, this meant, no picture was taken of the chocolate itself.

Note: I neglected to ask Fog City News for the maker/brand name. I will fill this in later.

ChocolateBet: October 25, 2011

2011-10-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/4 bar
zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur GmbH
Scotch Whisky - Highland Harvest (bar)
Very Good - Very Good+
Weight: .62 oz. (17.5 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 93 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, San Francisco, CA

The chocolate choice for Day #2 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week: a blend of cacao, organic cane sugar, milk, Scotch whisky -- from the Highlands region of Scotland no less (at least I think it was). All this came in the form of an organic, filled chocolate bar from Austrian-based, bean-to-bar maker: zotter.

ChocolateBet: October 24, 2011

2011-10-24T23:14:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolat Moderne
"The Player" bonbon - Single Malt Scotch
Good+
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) total pkg. of 5
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $15.95 for package of 5 bonbons
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Today's "The Player" bonbon with Dark Single Malt Scotch Ganache was the kick-off chocolate for (Day #1 of) Chocolate and Whisky (or Whiskey if you're Irish) Theme Week.

This heart-shaped chocolate, decorated with a white and purple decorative smear across the top, was part of Chocolat Moderne's Devotion collection of 5 bonbons.

ChocolateBet: October 23, 2011

2011-10-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1 serving (4 pieces)
Trader Joe's
Gone Bananas!
Very Good
Weight: 1.52 oz. (43 g.)/ 8 oz. (227 g.) total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving (4 pieces)
Cost: $1.99 total package
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, in Mountain View, CA

Deep in the jungle where cacao and bananas are grown lurks a... sock monkey. Well, outside of said monkey being featured on a box of Trader Joe's "Gone Bananas!...one piece at a time" (chocolate covered frozen banana slices) I'm not sure that's true; but it's fun to imagine.

Hats off to Trader Joe's once again for providing quality chocolate items at a reasonable price. These banana slices (product of Thailand) are to be enjoyed frozen (and not defrosted) -- per the sock monkey's instructions. I agree with the monkey; these are best served right out of the box.

Please Note: I added the nuts in the photo (at right) as a garnish. These banana slices do not contain nuts.

Oh my goodness, after double checking my chocolate spreadsheet tracker (yes, I do have one), I realized I might have eaten a similar item from Trader Joe's before (another Gone Bananas! item). So, to prevent a possible repeat, I sampled an "My Goodness Bar" (a 61% bittersweet chocolate bar with honey roasted peanuts and toasted coconut) from Chocolate Visions (based in Scotts Valley, CA). It was very good as well.

ChocolateBet: October 22, 2011

2011-10-23T01:41:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
Chocolate Visions
Peanut Butter Banana Bonanza
Very Good
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 262 calories (estimate)
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week. Peanut butter and chocolate pair well together, and today's Peanut Butter (and 61% dark chocolate) bar with banana chips from Chocolate Visions was a winning combination.

I purchased this Peanut Butter Banana Bonanza bar as part of a chocolate walk in San Francisco today - which included a tour at TCHO, and stops at Recchiuti, Scharffen Berger, and Fog City News -- where I found today's bar, a perfect match for peanut theme week.

And, today's gratuitous monkey tie-in: a monkey finger puppet from a Latin American street vendor on Market Street in San Francisco. It's become a tradition; any Chocolate Banquet blog posts incorporating chocolate and peanuts, peanut butter, and/or bananas also seem to attract monkeys.

ChocolateBet: October 21, 2011

2011-10-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Nature's Path Foods
Crispy Rice Peanut Choco Drizzle (bars)
Good++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 6 oz. (168 g.) total package
Calories: 120 calories
Cost: $3.99 (sale) total package of 6
Purchased from: Safeway, in Menlo Park, CA

Today's individually-wrapped, gluten-free Crispy Rice Peanut Choco Drizzle ("EnviroKidz Organic") cereal bars hailed from Nature's Path Foods, based in Blaine, WA.

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

I would have bought this box of bars -- that contained organic chocolate icing and organic peanut butter -- for chocolate and peanut theme week anyway, but the picture of the lemur on the front of the box sealed the deal. Why? Because I'm finding ways to force fit monkeys (I'll include lemurs too) and bananas into this theme week as well.

Random monkey/banana fold-in factoids:
- Monkeys have been known to enjoy the fruit from cacao trees.
- Cacao fruits are harvested, split open and scooped out. The fruit pulp and seeds are put into vats, baskets and/or other containers to ferment; and banana leaves often cover this mass during this fermentation process -- the first steps in making chocolate.
- Lemurs do eat bananas and other fruits where they live in Madagascar; ironically they are suffering from habitat loss because of slash-and-burn agriculture to clear the way for vanilla and cacao plantations.

ChocolateBet: October 20, 2011

2011-10-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 cup
Double Rainbow
"It's A Goody" ice cream
Good - Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (105 g)/ 1 pint container
Calories: 350 calories in 1/2 cup
Cost: $4.99 total container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week. In this case, the peanut was in the form of ribbons of peanut butter running through vanilla ice cream, studded with fudge chips. That would be a description of "It's A Goody" ice cream from Double Rainbow (San Francisco).

And if you want to monkey it up a bit, you can add a few slices of banana. I was tempted to do this, but this would have been one flavor too many. For some reason there was a mint flavor to this ice cream -- leading me to wonder whether some mint chip ice cream bled over into a batch of this It's A Goody flavor.

ChocolateBet: October 19, 2011

2011-10-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

2/5 bar
Green and Black's
Peanut and Sea Salt (bar)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 2/5 bar
Cost: $2.29 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week -- with some deference to bananas and monkeys as well. Yes, well, one sort of leads to the others. (See yesterday's post.) In this case, I ate some banana slices with today's peanut chocolate choice.

This Peanut and Sea Salt bar from Green and Black's was made with organic milk chocolate (37% cocoa content) and sweet, caramelized peanuts. And the Sea Salt? It was very subtle; I couldn't really taste it. Too focused on the organic sugary side I guess.

ChocolateBet: October 18, 2011

2011-10-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
fleurir
Peanut Butter, Banana
Good+
Weight: .4 oz. (11.3 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 59 calories (estimate)
Cost: $34.00 box of 18 pcs. (+ any shipping, handling)
Purchased from: fleurir, via foodzie.com

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Peanut Theme Week. This Peanut Butter, Banana chocolate from fleurir (Wash., D.C.) had layers of peanut butter and banana ganache, which generally adds to the tasting experience.

It's very difficult to bring peanuts and chocolate together without my imagination wandering off to bananas, and then monkeys. Monkeys may not eat processed chocolate, but they do eat (and help disperse the seeds) of the cacao fruit that grows in Latin American countries. So, maybe we owe monkeys a small debt of gratitude for helping spread and bring to the attention of man this fruit with the lovely seeds. So, I'm incorporating a little monkey thank you during the rest of this chocolate and peanut theme week.