ChocolateBet: June 20, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
~ 3 oz. total from 3 different bags
Peak Concepts (Denver International Airport)
1.) Colorado Bear Poop - Good
2.) Colorado Moose Droppings - Good +
3.) Colorado Buffalo Chips - Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 grams) from each bag = 3 oz. (~84.9 grams) total
Calories: ~ 450 calories in 3 ounces (84.9 grams) (estimate)
Cost: $4.99 x 3 different bags = $14.97 total
Purchased from: Peak Concepts/Store in Denver International Airport (B gates)

These three (animal scat themed) chocolates, sitting next to each other on the shelf, seemed to cry out for some kind of comparison taste test. So, far be it for me to shrink from this opportunity. I have no pride. I will try just about any product with chocolate, once.

Results: The Moose droppings (chocolate panned peanuts) win by a nose. Although the Bear (see illustration on bag) looks the most content with his lot, his bliss did not seem to translate into a better product. And, the buffalo must be confused, because his "chips" looked exactly like the Bear Poop (both bear and buffalo products were chocolate covered pralined peanuts coated in white powdered sugar).

ChocolateBet: June 19, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Saratoga Chocolates
Le Jardin de Chocolat (dark)
Very Good
Weight: 3 oz. (~84.9 grams)
Calories: ~ 450 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.25 for 1 bar
Purchased from: (Draegers?), in CA

I am always excited to hear about a local chocolate I haven't tried yet. This dark chocolate version of the Le Jardin de Chocolat bar contains dried apricot, ginger, orange peel, almonds, and pistachio nuts. I like the combination of ingredients that all have a connection to this area of California.

For all those who roll your eyes at nostalgic food memories, you can stop reading here. But, I lived the list of local Bay Area/California ingredients in this bar.

• Apricots: I grew up on a street with remnants of apricot orchards. Apricot fights anyone?

• Almonds: I attended Almond Elementary School, located on (where else) Almond Avenue.

• Pistachios: Pistachio nuts purchased at the local supermarket back then still had shells that were dyed red, but I remember prying open these nuts and ending up with red fingers.

• Oranges: Yes, we had a big fat orange tree in our back yard. This was California after all.

• Ginger: My exposure to candied ginger came later, mostly through Asian-American friends and shops, and eating delicious Chinese food in downtown Mountain View (which was much more rustic back then).

ChocolateBet: June 18, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1/4 bar
Coco-luxe Confections
"Good Fortune" - dark chocolate (bar) with ginger, fortune cookie pieces
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .625 oz. (17.5 g.) in 1/4 bar /2.5 oz. (70g.) total bar
Calories: ~ 94 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sugar Shack, in Menlo Park, CA

I like the classic americana theme and flavors that Coco-luxe has created. The homemade fortune cookie pieces are a nice touch to this Asian-American themed bar. I couldn't taste the crystallized ginger, but then I like stronger flavors, and I may have just missed it. It's probably just fine for those who don't want to be overpowered. I recommend warming up this dark chocolate bar a few degrees or breaking it into smaller pieces before tasting this; otherwise it can be a bit hard when you bite into it.

ChocolateBet: June 17, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 small bar
BonBonBar
Single Malt Scotch Candy Bar
Very Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.)/9 oz. (254 g.) in box of 6 bars
Calories: ~ 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: ~$30.00 for a box of six bars (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Foodzie/BonBonBar, in Los Angeles, CA

Talisker single malt Scotch mixed into an adult candy bar that is topped with just a sprinkle of sea salt? What's not to like here?

ChocolateBet: June 16, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces/truffles
Neo Cocoa
Toasted Coconut Truffle
Very Good+
Weight: .8 oz. (22.6 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total 10-piece assortment box
Calories: ~120 calories in 2 truffles (estimate)
Cost: $27.00* (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Foodzie/Neo Cocoa; both compaonies are based in San Francisco, CA

These truffles were a very nice rendition of chocolate and coconut.

ChocolateBet: June 15, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Neo Cocoa
Almond Butter topped with Smoked Salt
Yum
Weight: ~ .4 oz. (11.3 g.)/4 oz. (114 g.) total 10-pc. assortment box
Calories: ~60 calories in one piece (estimate)
Cost: $27.00* (+ shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Foodzie/Neo Cocoa, San Francisco, CA

I'm toting around chocolates, on a business trip this week. It's 100 degrees Farenheit where I am. I'm being careful to leave chocolates only in air-conditioned spaces (that is, not in the rental car). So far, so good. No melted chocolate. I seem to like most chocolates with a little sea salt on top. This one was very good.

ChocolateBet: June 14, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bon bon
Gateau et Ganache
Le Caramel Doux
Very Good +
Weight: ~.5 oz. (14.1 g.)/~4 oz. (113.2 g.) 8-pc. box
Calories: ~75 calories in 1 bon bon
Cost: $18.00* for 8-piece box
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto, CA

I can almost taste a bit of caramelized/browned sugar in this caramel center. The vanilla blended into the mix and was tough to pick out. The overall caramel flavor was sweet, but very nice.