ChocolateBet: September 9, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Kauai Chocolate Company LLC
Dark Brick (layers - chocolate, macadamia toffee, other)
Good + - Very Good
Wt.: ~ 1 oz.
Calories: ~ 150 calories
Cost: $ (need to check receipt)
Purchased from: Kauai Chocolate Company, LLC, in Ele'ele, Kauai, Hawaii

I discovered the Kauai Chocolate Company, as it was in the same building as the Kauai sea tour outfit where we were booking a trip to Na Pali coast. (Ele'ele is between Poipu and Hanapepe on the South side of Kauai.) Also in the same building is a Hawaiian shave ice place, and a few gift shops.

Random observation: We were surprised to see the large number of wild chickens and roosters in Kauai - although I did note that there weren't any around this building or the marina/dock area in Ele' ele - that I could see at least. I didn't see any chicken or rooster-shaped chocolates; maybe this is an opportunity for a local chocolatier. However, I did see t-shirts, shot glasses and other items with chickens or rooster images printed on them. I even saw a bin of small stuffed chickens/roosters with little tiny faux leis around their necks at the airport, adjacent to the chocolate display.

ChocolateBet: September 8, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 scoop (in a cup)
Lappert's (ice cream)
Coconut Macadamia Nut Fudge ice cream
Very Good
Wt.: ~ 4 fluid ounces (oz.) in 1 scoop
Calories: ~260 calories (estim.)
Cost: $3.65
Purchased from: Lappert's (the original location in Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii)

It was fun to visit the original Lappert's roadside-stand location. I even bought a Lappert's t-shirt. If you find yourself in Hawaii (there is no Lappert's back on the mainland), I recommend trying their "Kauai Pie" ice cream (coffee ice cream base, macadamia nuts, cake/pie flakes, and maybe some chocolate - I can't remember). It is a popular local flavor. (However, for readers who want to avoid gluten or wheat, note the cake flakes probably have some flour in them.)

ChocolateBet: September 7, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

2 pieces
Surfin' Ass Coffee/Keoki's Big Island
Dark Chocolate Donkey Balls
Very Good+
Weight: ~1.32 oz. for 2 pieces /4 oz. (114 grams) total package
Calories: 200 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $5.95 total package
Purchased from: Lava Java*, in Kihei, Maui; Hawaii

We discovered these Donkey Balls after seeing a banner hanging outside Lava Java*, while vacationing on the island of Maui (Hawaii). These chocolates came in many different flavors, some with humorous names. Most were large (almost jawbreaker sized orbs) with a macadamia nut in the middle; some had a coffee bean in the middle.

The dark chocolate coating was rich, smooth and delicious; but it was a bit difficult to bite into. Better to be patient; but you could also (carefully) cut one in half with a knife I suppose.

*In the true spirit of Hawaiian entrepreneurship, Lava Java was selling coffee, chocolates, cigars -- and also Internet access. Thank you to Dan who helped ship an order of various flavors of Donkey Balls back to California. 

ChocolateBet: September 6, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Hawaiian King
Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) in 1 piece
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: ~$7.00 total box/package (sale)
Purchased from: Airport gift shop, in (Oahu?), Hawaii

Each of the 8 pieces in this box of Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts from Hawaiian King Candies (Honolulu, HI) consisted of two chocolate coated, dry roasted mac nuts stuck together, forming a chubby chocolate eight shape. These nuts provided a nice salt + sweet flavor that complemented the chocolate nicely.

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: September 4, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Godiva Chocolatier
Hazelnut Chocolate Caramel Cluster
Good + - nice design; can't really taste hazelnut flavor that much
Weight: .75 oz. (estimate)
Calories: 112 calories (estimate) in this piece
Cost: $1.93 (estimate) (I took the total price paid for 4 pcs bought in bulk, and divided the total price by 4 to get an average cost per piece. This piece was bigger, so it may be more expensive than $1.93.)
Purchased from: Godiva Chocolatier, in Palo Alto, CA

I am eating this chocolate in Hawaii, in the early morning (my body is still in the Pacific Time Zone).

It's nice to be on vacation, in a place where there are chocolate options to explore. I may have to eat more than one chocolate today if we locate a piece of chocolate macadamia nut pie I keep hearing about. We'll see.

ChocolateBet: September 3, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Godiva Chocolatier
Raspberry Star
Good
Weight: .5 oz. (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) for 1 pc.
Cost: $1.93 (estimate)
Purchased from: Godiva Chocolatier, in Palo Alto, CA

I took this Raspberry Star (and two other Godiva chocolates) with me on vacation; and I ate this one before departing on the plane for vacation in Hawaii. I wasn't sure how difficult it would be to find chocolates in Hawaii.

Not to worry. I'm here in Maui and there will be plenty of chocolate-related items to sample this week from what I've seen so far.

I liked the design and the shape of this Raspberry Star from Godiva; however, it tasted somewhat blander or grainier than expected. It may have just been the white chocolate.