Vixen Chocolate - The Heart Flight (3 dark chocolate hearts: Desert (Peru), Forest (Uganda), and Island (Vanuatu)) - July 28, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Vixen Chocolate
The Heart Flight
Desert - Sechura Desert Peru - 73% Dark - Good ++
Forest - Semuliki Forest Uganda - 73% Dark - Good ++
Island - Malekula Island Vanuatu 72% Dark - Good ++ 
Weight: .0.77 oz. (22 g.) in total tin of 3 hearts 
Calories: 119 calories (estimate) for 3 hearts
Cost: $22.00 for 1 tin of 3 hearts
Purchased from: The Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate, Fire & Passion Theme Week, part of a month long series of chocolates with tie-ins to the elements: earth, water and fire.

Today's The Heart Flight was created by Vixen Chocolate (Portland, OR). Vixen infuses the message of boldness and passion into their chocolates.* Their packaging is artful and memorable. (Today's black and magenta metal tin could be re-purposed to hold jewelry or other keepsakes.)

This 3-piece flight included three, faceted (gem-cut) chocolate hearts, wrapped in different colored foils (pink, green and blue, respectively) and made using cacao from three different countries: Peru, Uganda and Vanuatu. Each represented a different elemental landscape: desert, forest & island: "3 hearts + 3 origins + ONE bold tasting of place."

Desert Heart - Sechura Desert, Peru 73%

This chocolate was both balanced and bold with nuanced flavors. Chocolate-y with diffuse fruits (dried fruits, citrus). The texture: smooth, relatively creamy, satisfying dark chocolate.

Forest Heart - Semuliki Forest, Uganda 73%

Chocolate-y, relatively sweet/bright, with very faint, well-managed earth notes. The texture: smooth, relatively creamy, satisfying chocolate.

Island - Vanuatu Malekula 72%

Also, chocolate-y with a subtle lushness (sweet green; hidden fruit)--an experience I associate with a single origin/terroir chocolates. Texture: smooth, creamy. (Origin notes: "Grown on the remote island of Malekula, where volcanic soil meets ocean breeze...")

All three were well-managed and executed, and were smooth and sweet, but some individual origin notes were allowed to peek through (thank you).

Ingredients: cacao, cane sugar*, cacao butter* 417 Hz, 528 Hz, 852 Hz, LOVE. (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: (None found on small, 3-piece tin)

*And Vixen also infuses their chocolates with different sound frequencies.

Raaka - "Beet-ing Heart" with cherry & beet center chocolate - Feb. 14, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka 

Beet-ing Heart - with cherry and beet center chocolate
Good ++
Weight: 1.7 oz. (48.5 g.) / 3.4 oz. (97 g.) in total piece
Calories: 285 calories in 1/2 heart
Cost: $18.00 for 1 heart
Purchased from: Raaka, online order

Happy Valentines Day! We're taking a brief pause today from Chocolate & Central America Theme Week to celebrate this heart-themed holiday.

Today's "Beet-ing Heart" chocolate confection was manufactured by Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY).

This heart-shaped confection contained single origin cacao (Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania) dark chocolate, beets and cherries (cherry and beet center).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate-y dark chocolate (dark fudge brownie) and red fruit (dark red berry, cherry) and very faint coconut.

Texture: The raspberry-hued, creamy smooth ganache center was surrounded by smooth dark chocolate.

This attractive chocolate heart was a balanced blend of smooth but flavorful dark chocolate; authentic cherry, very subtle sparkles of tasty lime, and barely detectable beet thoroughly incorporated into a smooth, creamy ganache filling.

I enjoyed this tasty (and a little addictive) Beet-ing Heart. I appreciated the rich, smooth, fudge-y dark chocolate; the short list of organic ingredients; the maker's focus on transparent trade; and the use of single origin (Tanzania) cacao.

Ingredients: organic cane sugar, organic cacao beans, organic cacao butter, organic coconut oil, organic coconut milk powder, organic tapioca flour, organic beet root powder, organic cherry juice, organic sunflower lecithin, organic lime powder, organic brown rice syrup.

Allergen-related information: "gluten free, vegan"

Läderach - FrischSchoggi Heart Caramel Almond - May 3, 2022

Chocolate #2 of the Day

Läderach Chocolatier Suisse
FrischSchoggi Heart Caramel Almond 
Good +++
Weight: 1.167 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total heart
Calories: 187.3 calories in 1/3 of heart 
Cost: N/A - gift from Läderach*
Purchased from: N/A - gift from Läderach

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Mother's Day Series -- featuring one sweet and light and one deeper and darker chocolate each day--reflecting my mother's love of sweets, and my love for darker chocolate. 

Today's FrischSchoggi (Fresh Chocolate) Caramel Almond Heart chocolate was distributed by Läderach Chocolatier Suisse ("UK Lmted.") and produced in Switzerland. (See earlier post today (May 3, 2022) for a write-up on Läderach's lovely, sweet Strawberry-Curd Heart.)

Läderach premium chocolates are manufactured from bean-to-bar in Switzerland, and the company has retail shop locations in U.S. cities, including one in Palo Alto, CA.

Today's, generously-sized, attractively packaged "heart" was one of four Läderach's heart-shaped chocolate offerings (featured this week) for Mother's Day. 

A solid field of ebony-colored, 36% cacao chocolate was decorated with small shards of golden caramel/toffee. When broken apart, the thick, well-tempered chocolate pieces revealed a generous helping of embedded, crunchy (I'm assuming roasted), caramelized almond chunks.

The aroma for this chocolate: sweet dark chocolate (fudge nut brownie) with brown sugar/caramel, nut (almond), faint green, very faint lemon herb (oxalis) notes. I applaud the makers for allowing some of the pure cacao notes to shine through. (Over-processed cacao often leads to rather bland chocolate with an absence of flavor complexity.)

Yes, this was relatively sweet dark** chocolate, but it exceeded my expectations. The well-balanced, contrasting/layered flavors and textures resulted in an addictive blend of chocolate (that tasted much darker--more like 50%--than 36% cacao), nut and caramel. 

Vanilla added chocolate baked goods-like warmth and flavor depth. And a light touch of salt meshed nicely with this chocolate, vanilla, caramel and nut blend--adding addictive sweet+salt snack appeal that also helped balance the sweetness. Definitely a great gift for Mother's Day. 

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa paste, almonds (15%), cocoa butter, glucose, butter (milk), soy lecithin, vegetable oils (rapeseed), salt, Natural Flavors, sunflower lecithin. (Chocolate with 36% cocoa min.). 

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk, nuts (almonds), soy ingredients.) "May contain egg, other gluten (inclu. wheat), other nuts." 

* Pricing and availability: Pricing for this dark chocolate Caramel-Almond Heart online was listed as $15.90 (USD) on Läderach's website. Note: This and some other Mother's Day items were already listed as out-of-stock; although retail stores may still have inventory. So, it would be best to act soon if you're interested in these Mother's Day gift chocolates. 

**Chocolates marked as "dark chocolate" in the U.S. generally start at 50-55% cacao (solids) and go all the way up to 100% cacao bars/chocolates. (A 55% cacao chocolate might contain as much as 45% sugar; and 100% cacao items contain just cacao, with no added sugar.)

Läderach - FrischSchoggi Heart Strawberry-Curd - May 3, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Läderach Chocolatier Suisse
FrischSchoggi Heart Strawberry-Curd 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.167 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total heart
Calories: 192 calories in 1/3 of heart 
Cost: N/A - gift from Läderach
Purchased from: N/A - gift from Läderach

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Mother's Day Series that includes two chocolates each day. One sweeter chocolate (this post), and one on the darker side (separate post)--reflecting my Mother's love for sweet confections, and my love for darker chocolates.

Today's FrischSchoggi (Fresh Chocolate) Heart Strawberry-Curd chocolate was distributed by Läderach Chocolatier Suisse ("UK Lmted.") and produced in Switzerland. 

Läderach premium chocolates are made from bean-to-bar in Switzerland, and the company has retail locations in U.S. cities, including a shop in Palo Alto, CA.

Today's attractively packaged confection (individually-wrapped heart in clear wrapper with a pink bow) was one of Läderach's featured heart-shaped items for Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8, 2022 in the U.S.).

The pretty blush-pink heart was topped with tiny red, pink and ivory rose-colored pieces. 

The aroma for this chocolate: subtle sweet chocolate aroma with fruit (tart-sweet/tangy berry, strawberry), and vanilla notes. 

This confection was a blend of satisfying creamy sweet and slightly crunchy (from crisped rice) texture and taste. A touch of cocoa powder added faint chocolate (think milky/creamy hot chocolate) flavor to this fruity and flavorful heart. (Note: This is not gluten-free.*)

Ingredients: (Chocolate with strawberries, "curc" (curd) cheese, rice crispies cocoa 36% min.). Sugar, cocoa powder, whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, dextrose, rice flour 1%, strawberries 1%, curd powder (milk), maltodextrin, citric acid, Natural Flavor, lactic acid, wheat malt flour, soy lecithin, corn flour, wheat flour, modified starch, calcium lactate, Natural Flavors.

*Allergen-related information: (Contained milk, gluten (wheat, malt), soy ingredients.) "May contain egg, other gluten (inclu. wheat), other nuts."

Läderach - FrischSchoggi Heart Cherry-Raspberry - May 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Läderach Chocolatier Suisse
FrischSchoggi Heart Cherry-Raspberry
Good +
Weight: 1.167 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total heart
Calories: 187 calories in 1/3 of heart
Cost: N/A - gift from Läderach*
Purchased from: N/A - gift from Läderach, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to a 3-day Chocolate and Mother's Day** series from Läderach Chocolatier Suisse.

Today's FrischSchoggi (Fresh Chocolate) Heart Cherry-Raspberry chocolate was distributed by Läderach ("UK Lmted.") and produced in Switzerland. 

Läderach "premium chocolates are manufactured from bean-to-bar" in Switzerland; and the company has retail shop locations in the U.S., including one in Palo Alto, CA.***

Today's attractively packaged confection was one of Läderach's heart-shaped items featured for Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8, 2022).

The generously-sized heart was attractively designed with a multi-hued upper layer (ivory-pink field topped with red rose and cocoa-colored (covered tiny waffle) pieces) atop a solid, dark chocolate base layer. There was something in this celebratory spring confection for white, milk and dark chocolate fans.

The aroma for this chocolate included subtle sweet chocolate, with faint red fruit (cherry, berry) and faint fruit-floral notes.

Flavor complexity was achieved via contrasting layered flavors and textures. Small pops of sweet-tart cherry and diffuse sweet mixed berry (blackberry, raspberry) added bright fruit notes. The small coated waffle pieces added soft crunchy texture. 

The darker 56% cacao chocolate layer helped balance out the sweetness in the white chocolate. Small quantities of malt and vanilla added subtle, mellow warmth.

Ingredients: (Decorated chocolate with sugar-coated waffle pieces, sour cherry, blackberry and raspberry powder, cocoa: 36% (white) / 56% (dark) min.) Sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa paste, whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, sour cherry (1%), glucose syrup, cherry puree (0.6%), wheat flour, citric acid, raspberries (0.4%), cocoa bean pieces, soy lecithin, vegetable oils (coconut, rapeseed (aka canola)), modified starch, cream powder (milk), artificial flavors (with nuts), sodium alginate, Natural Flavor, Natural Flavors, clarified butter (milk), salt, gum arabic, rapeseed lecithin, barley malt, ground vanilla, red pepper.

Allergen-related information: (Contained gluten (wheat, barley malt), milk, nuts, soy ingredients.) "May contain egg, other gluten (inclu. wheat), other nuts"

* Pricing and availability: Pricing for this Cherry-Raspberry Heart online was listed as $15.90 (USD) on Laderach's website. Note: This and some other Mother's Day items were already listed as out-of-stock; although retail stores may still have inventory. So, best to act soon if you're interested in these Mother's Day gift chocolates.

**Mother's Day is celebrated in May in several countries including: Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Turkey and the U.S. Flowers, chocolates and celebratory meals were traditions that were part of our Mother's Day get-togethers.

***Läderach took over leases for approx. 34 former Godiva retail locations in the U.S.

Happy Valentines Day! Go To Chocolate - filled chocolate assortment - Feb. 14, 2021

Valentines Day Chocolate(s)

Go To Chocolate
Valentines Day filled chocolate assortment
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) (estimate) in 3 piece box
Calories: 170 calories (estimate) in 3 pieces
Cost: $ N/A - gift from a friend (thank you Toni)
Purchased from: N/A - from Go To Chocolate, San Carlos, CA

Note: This holiday-related chocolate entry is a bonus entry, gratefully wedged into Chocolate and India Theme Week. 

Happy Valentines Day to all who celebrate! Heartfelt thanks to my friend and neighbor Toni for the gift of filled chocolates, in heart and flower form. A seasoned world traveler, she has contributed many new chocolates to Chocolate Banquet in the past decade. 

Today's 3-piece assortment in a petite, purple, heart-shaped box were from Go To Chocolate (San Carlos, CA). Chef and chocolatier Michael Hohenthal has been creating his own small-batch chocolates (filled chocolates and bars) since 2005, and sells them at local farmers markets (a good source for finding new chocolates).

Collectively, the three glossy pieces in this box had a sweet dark chocolate with a very faint coconut aroma. 

• The first heart-shaped filled chocolate had a light, fluffy marshmallow filling with a light citrus-sweet tang.
• The second (also heart-shaped) piece contained a sweet, dark chocolate ganache filling with fudge brownie flavor notes.
• The third, flower shaped, filled chocolate had an intriguing caramelized flavor, with very light floral and fruit notes.

Ingredients: unknown (gift box was not labeled) 

Godiva - Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts - Feb. 23, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Godiva
Godiva Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: N/A - gift (Thank you Joe-Ming!)
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to Day #5 of Plain Dark Chocolate Theme Week.

Today's Godiva Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts (bar) was distributed by Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (New York, NY).

This segmented bar was composed of squares. Atop each square was a heart-shaped dark chocolate pocket filled with a soft, dark chocolate ganache.

Yes, this was relatively sweet and uniform dark chocolate; but it was also well executed and satisfying to eye and palette.

Trader Joe's Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box - Hazelnut Heart - Jan. 10, 2020

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box
1.) Milk chocolate heart (hazelnut filling)
2.) Dark chocolate filled cocoa pod
3.) White chocolate covered flower
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37.5 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total assortment box
Calories: 210 calories in 3 pieces/truffles
Cost: $ N/A - holiday gift from a friend (Thank you Joy!)
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift (Trader Joe's)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Hazelnut Theme Week.

There is something decadent and wonderful about chocolate hazelnut filled chocolates. Thank you to Joy for this lovely assortment box of chocolate truffles with hazelnut.

Of the 8 different truffles in this box, some of the fillings had more pronounced hazelnut flavor than others. (The number one ingredient listed on the back was "hazelnut filling."

The chocolate heart in this 8-piece assortment was filled with chocolate hazelnut ganache that was somewhere between an Italian gianduja/gianduia and a Nutella filling. (I have positive memories of both.)

The cocoa pod shaped and textured truffle added an authentic touch. I wonder how many people might recognize this as the "mother" fruit that contains the seeds used to make chocolate?

Note: Some of these chocolates contained tiny bits of wafer or wheat.

Veggimins - Dark Chocoalte Hearts with CBD - Apr. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Windy City Organics, LLC
Veggimins
Dark Chocolate Hearts with CBD
Good
Weight: .07 oz. (2 g.) / 2 oz. (56 g.) in total jar
Calories: 8 calories in 1 heart (piece)
Cost: $24.00 for 1 jar
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate, Plants and Herbs Theme Week.

Today's Veggimin Dark Chocolate Hearts with CBD were from Windy City Organics, LLC (Glenview, IL).

This coconut-sugar sweetened, tiny, dark chocolate heart Veggimin sounded like it might be a vitamin, but contained no significant amounts of vitamins or minerals (at least in the tiny heart-shaped piece (serving) we tried).

This chocolate did contain a small amount of CBD* from hemp oil. This is part of a trend of infusing chocolates with CBD, now that parts of the hemp plant are more available to chocolatiers and consumers.

To be clear, this heart did not contain any substance that will make you high. (We noticed no effects.)

It had the aroma and taste of a dark chocolate sweetened with coconut sugar.

*CBD (cannabidiol) and is not the same as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)—the compound in marijuana that has psycho-active properties.

Lula's Chocolates - Marshmallow Treat Dark Chocolate Valentine heart

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lula's Chocolates

Marshmallow Treat Dark Chocolate (Valentine Heart )

Good +

Weight: unknown

Calories: unknown 

Cost: $6.50 for 1 package/heart

Purchased from: Lula's Chocolates, Crossroads Shopping Center, Carmel, CA

Happy Valentines Day to all who celebrate!

Today's heart-shaped, marshmallow-filled dark chocolate beauty, from Lula's Chocolates (Monterey, CA), was a perfect way to celebrate.

A fluffy, fresh-tasting marshmallow filling was encased in a generously-sized, dark chocolate heart decorated with pink decorative sugar icing. All this was wrapped in a clear wrapper with a red ribbon bow. 

Moonstruck - With Love, Heart chocolates - Feb. 14, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

Chocolate Fudge Buttercream
Good - Good +
Weight: .475 oz. (13.5 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 75 calories for 1 piece
Cost: $2.50 for 1 piece/$9.99 for 4-piece assortment
Purchased from: Andronico's Community Markets, Los Altos, CA

Hazelnut Praline Heart Truffle
Good - Good +
Weight: .475 oz. (13.5 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 75 calories for 1 piece
Cost: $2.50 for 1 piece/$9.99 for 4-piece assortment

Happy Valentines Day to all. If chocolate was part of your celebration, I hope you enjoyed it on this heart-shaped day.

These two Valentines Day Chocolates from Moonstruck Chocolate (Portland, OR) were the remaining two pieces in a 4-piece Valentines assortment.

The Chocolate Fudge Buttercream had a bittersweet dark exterior. Stenciled across the top was a pretty "with love" design in white lettering. Inside was an an almost fluffy, whipped creamy, chocolate buttercream center.

The second piece was a beautiful red heart filled with treasure. Inside the Hazelnut Praline Heart Truffle was a wonderful and complex blend of creamy, crunchy, sweet nutty textures and flavors.

Lake Champlain - Valentines hearts - Feb. 12, 2015

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Lake Champlain Chocolates

Milk Chocolate Caramel Heart
Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) /3.2 oz. (90 g.)
Calories: 55 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $13.99 for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Heart
Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) / 3.2 oz. (90 g.)
Calories: 55 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $13.99 (estimate) for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Piazza's, Palo Alto, CA

This red and pink, heart-shaped pair of filled chocolates from Lake Champlain Chocolates (Burlington, VT) came nestled in a clear plastic, rectangular 8-piece box, with a short length of bright pink ribbon. tied around the box.

I enjoy slowing unwrapping filled chocolates shapes like this. Eventually you get to bite into a piece and find out what's really in the middle.

Both of today's chocolates offered a sweet center -- especially the milk chocolate heart with a sweet, flowing caramel inside. A bit too sweet for me, but many will enjoy this.

The second chocolate, a Dark Chocolate Raspberry heart had a dark chocolate covering that contained a soft and smooth, fresh-tasting raspberry and chocolate ganache filling.

John and Kira's - Holiday Hearts and Flowers - Dec. 15, 2013

Chocolate(s) of the Day

John and Kira's
Holiday Hearts and Flowers
1.) Hearts - Very Good - 1 piece
2.) Flowers - Good + - 1 piece
Weight: .66 oz. (18.8 g.) estimate for 2 pieces / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total 9-piece box
Calories: 100 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $29.00 for 1 box of 9 pieces
Purchased from: John and Kira's, online order

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Holiday Spice Theme Week. December is the perfect month for gingerbread, mulled cider/wine, and eggnog spices -- blended with chocolate. Cinnamon, with its inherently warm flavor, is perhaps the most versatile and popular holiday spice.

I opened a 9-piece box of Holiday Hearts and Flowers chocolates from John and Kira's (Philadelphia, PA) this afternoon. I sampled both a festively red, dark chocolate Holiday Heart (filled with white chocolate, pistachio nut pieces and cinnamon), and a red, flower-shaped dark chocolate, filled with a 66% dark chocolate ganache (filling).

The heart, with a subtle hint of cinnamon spice, was my favorite. All the flavors were well balanced and cheerful, and the bits of green pistachio provided a bit of crunchy texture and visual eye candy and holiday color.

Preview: Elena Chocolate, Valentines Day Heart

Preview Profile: Elena Chocolate
February 14, 2013

I returned yesterday from a trip to Hawaii, the only U.S. state where cacao fruit can really be grown. I was in Kona, Hawaii, located on the west coast of the largest and southernmost island that comprises the state. And, at 18 degrees Latitude North, the Big Island is perhaps the best island for growing cacao, the raw material for the chocolate that we all love.

So, yes, I was on the hunt for cacao fruit, and island grown and made chocolates; but I also enjoyed discovering a few exotic fruits that might be good combined with chocolate. Vi(e) fruit truffles anyone?

I was fortunate to be able to visit the award-winning Green Gecko Coffee Farm in the Kona area. The owners of Green Gecko, Mike Katz and Lawton Allenby, had designed a veritable tropical paradise on a few acres, with coffee, a variety of fruit trees, flowers -- and even a few recently planted cacao trees. I also visited a few different Farmers Markets with them. These outdoor markets were a great way to sample local produce, fruits, macadamia nuts, and other items.

At the Saturday morning Keauhou Farmers Market, I met an evangelist for the Lulo fruit; and Vheissu and Carolyn Keffer, of Kona Origins, a company I will write about next.

However, to celebrate today, Valentines Day, I'd like to give a shout-out to Elena Garcia at Elena Chocolate.

Her Raspberry Liliko'i (passion fruit) heart-shaped chocolates were the perfect chocolate for Valentines Day this week. Elena expounded on her love for both different grades of chocolate and fresh flavor additions -- a combination of skills and interests not always found with chocolatiers -- who may just want to stick with buying one brand of base chocolate, that is easiest to work with.

Elena was more aware of pairing certain types of chocolates with various ingredients. Hats off to Elena, an infectiously creative spirit and artist. The Raspberry Lilikoi chocolate was delicious.

Happy Valentines Day to all!

ChocolateBet: February 14, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
1/2 sucker
Lake Champlain Chocolates
Heart Pop
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.99 for 1 sucker
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Happy Valentines Day all. February 14 is one of the big chocolate holidays in the U.S. This heart-shaped milk chocolate sucker decorated with white chocolate lace-like decoration was great eye candy, and perfect for the occasion.

Chocolate strawberries from Cafe Madeleine (San Francisco) also beckoned, and a few of these were added to the Valentines chocolate allowance today. (After all, there is a healthy fruit underneath.)These were very good.

ChocolateBet: February 14, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

1.)
1/4 package
Saxon Chocolates
Belgian Chocolate Dipped Australian Ginger
Very Good
Wt.: ~.7 oz. (20 g.)/2.8 oz. (80g.) in total pkg.
Calories: 115 calories in 1 20-gram serving
Cost: $0 (gift from Megan - Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: Loehmanns store, in Sunnyvale, CA
How wonderful to have eaten/shared these at the Nectandra Cloud Forest garden/reserve in Costa Rica. Thank you Evelyne for the great tour and lunch.

2.)
(El) Gallito (Kraft Foods)
2 hearts/pieces
Corazones (little red foil-wrapped milk chocolate hearts)
Cost: 685 Costa Rica colones (CRC) = (~$1.25 USD)
Purchased from: El Sesteo store in Heredia, Costa Rica

This was a "2 chocolate day" in honor of Valentines Day

Note: Entries this week were posted after they occurred, due to my traveling outside the U.S. and not having Internet access.

ChocolateBet: September 5, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Godiva Chocolatier
Dark Chocolate Marzipan Heart
Very Good +
Weight: .6 oz. (estimate)
Calories: 90 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.93 (estimate)
Purchased from: Godiva Chocolatier, in Palo Alto, CA

Nice flavor combination; and this Dark Marzipan Heart from Godiva would be a fun chocolate to share with someone special as well.

ChocolateBet: March 6, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 heart-shaped, red and gold, foil-wrapped piece
Roshen (Ukrainian chocolate maker)
Good+ (It probably would have been better if I'd eaten it sooner; no fault of the chocolate's)
Weight: ~.4 oz./~ 5 oz. box total (estimate)
Calories: 79 calories (estimate)
Cost: $0 (gift from daughter's friend last year)
Purchased from: ? (somewhere in Russia/Ukraine?)

I'd love to travel to Eastern Europe and Russia. However, since I can't make it this year, it was great to be able to try chocolates from a similar part of the world.

ChocolateBet: February 15, 2008

Chocolate of the Day

1 serving
Russell Stover
Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Heart
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 grams)
Calories: 110 calories for 1 heart/piece
Cost: $0.59
Purchased from: Walgreens, Palo Alto, CA

It's a heart-shaped candy week, due to Valentines Day (yesterday).