ChocolateBet: September 23, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package/2 pieces
Hawaiian Host
Maui Caramacs ("Milk Chocolate Covered Caramel and Macadamias")
Very Good +
Wt.: .95 oz. (27 grams)
Calories: 140 calories in 1 package (2 pieces)
Cost: $?
Purchased from: ? (?, Maui, Hawaii)

This week I'm interleaving chocolates from my two recent (September '08) vacation destinations - Hawaii and Lake Tahoe. This is one of the last chocolates that I picked up while in Hawaii.

Even after two years of eating a different chocolate every day, I still enjoy discovering new chocolates in new places -- and hearing stories from the people who own/sell chocolates along the way.

I also enjoyed the sweet richness of the caramel and the crunchy mac nuts in this milk chocolate confection from Hawaiian Host (Honolulu, HI).

ChocolateBet: September 22, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Wow Wee Candy Bar
Wow Wee Maui's - Kava Chocolate Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 grams) for 1 bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.95
Purchased from: Lava Java, in Kihei, on the island of Maui, Hawaii

Interesting concept - Kava in a chocolate bar. Kava is supposed to make you relaxed. (The warning label on the wrapper recommends not eating more than one of these chocolate bars per day; and also recommends against driving heavy machinery if you're eating too much Kava.)

I didn't notice any dramatic effects from eating one of these. But, then again, I just came back from vacation, and I was feeling refreshed, clear-headed and productive just from the break; so it was hard to isolate any kava effects.

The milk chocolate base in this bar was OK, but the tiny flecks of kava did impart a certain texture that may taste fibrous or gritty to some.

ChocolateBet: September 21, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Tahoe City Chocolates
(Milk) Chocolate (Dipped) Apricot
Very Good; the apricot inside the chocolate had just about the right amount of moistness and sweetness to it.
Weight: ~ .6 oz. (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $?
Purchased from: Tahoe City Chocolates, in Tahoe City, CA

ChocolateBet: September 20, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Tahoe City Chocolates
English Toffee
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (estimate)
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $?
Purchased from Tahoe City Chocolates, in Tahoe City, CA

ChocolateBet: September 19, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Coconut Truffle
Tahoe City Chocolates
Very Good+
Weight: ~ .5 oz. (estimate)
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $?
Purchased from: Tahoe City Chocolates (in a small mall on the lake), in Tahoe City, CA

Thank you to Mike at Tahoe City Chocolates who gave me a few tips on which chocolates I might enjoy. Today's Coconut Truffle was like a smaller, slightly creamier version of a Mounds bar.

ChocolateBet: September 18, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 pkg./2 pcs.
Hawaiian Sun
Tapa Toffee - "Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Toffee"
Very Good
Weight: .80 oz. (23 g)
Calories: 130 calories for 1 package
Cost: $1.29
Purchased from: Safeway, on the island of Kauai, in Hawaii"

It's hard to go wrong with chocolate-coated nut toffees in my book. And this Tapa Toffee from Hawaiian Sun (Honolulu, HI), made with mac nut toffee and a very subtle hint of coconut oil, was good.

Random thought: I don't know whether all (or any of) the Honolulu-based chocolate companies (Hawaiian Host, Hawaiian King, Hawaiian Sun and a few others) are related. I'll have to look into that later when I have more time.

ChocolateBet: September 17, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Wow Wee Candy (Bar) - Maui's Candy Bar
Maui Kitch'n Cook'd Potato Chip and Milk Chocolate bar
Very Good
Wt.: 1.75 oz. (50 grams)
Calories: 253 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ ?
Purchased from: Lava Java, in Kihei on the island of Maui, in Hawaii

Milk chocolate + Maui style potato chips. Two of my favorite foods, together in a bar.