ChocolateBet: August 19, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

2 small sample squares
La Maison du Chocolat
1.) Dark chocolate square - Very Good +
2.) Milk chocolate square - 37% cacao - Very Good + - Yum
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 grams) (estimate) for two squares
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) for two squares
Cost: $0 (free samples)
Purchased from: n/a - La Maison du Chocolat, in New York City, New York

Thank you to La Maison du Chocolat (at 30 Rockefeller Center) for handing out these samples when we were visiting on a recent vacation trip. The dark chocolate square had some complex and interesting flavors running through it. And my favorite of the two, the milk chocolate square, had a very nice caramel-butterscotch taste.

And, for an interesting contrast...

Today I also celebrated summer by having an ice cream sundae at Baskin Robbins: banana nut and cherry ice cream(s) with hot fudge topping, nuts and a cherry on top. It was delicious. Thank you to Elise for joining me, and for helping me compensate for this sugary treat afterward by giving me fresh cherry tomatoes and green beans to taste from the garden. I really don't want summer to end.

ChocolateBet: August 18, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1/3 Queen of Sheba cake (= 1.32 oz. chocolate)
SunSpire - Tropical Source
Raspberry Dark Chocolate bar (dairy- and gluten-free)
Very Good (chocolate and cake)
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37.35 g.) chocolate = in 1/3 cake
Calories: 660 calories (estimate) in 1/3 cake (198 calories for chocolate in 1/3 cake)
Cost: $0 (gift); thank you Alec
Purchased from: n/a, gift

In honor of the movie Julie and Julia, I used a Julia Child chocolate cake recipe, for Reine de Saba (Queen of Sheba) chocolate cake.

I made two changes. I substituted wheat-free flour mix for regular flour; and I used raspberry dark chocolate, instead of the suggested combination of sweetened and bittersweet baking chocolate. (If I make this cake again, I may substitute extra ground almonds for the flour.)

I enjoyed eating this rich-tasting almond-flavored chocolate cake un-frosted (which helped me justify having 2 pieces); although chocolate frosting would be a nice addition. Unfortunately, this cake was eaten before I managed to take a picture of it.

ChocolateBet: August 17, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Jacques Torres Chocolate
Grand Cru
Very Good + - Yum
Weight: ~.35 oz. (9.9 grams)
Calories: Very Good + - Yum; ~ 52.5 cals.
Cost: ~$1.63 (including NYC Sales Tax)
Purchased from: Jacques Torres Chocolate, in New York City, New York

The Grand Cru chocolate that I ate this morning had a very nice distribution of red wine and dark chocolate flavors. Like wine, the same brand and flavor of chocolate can vary over time and under different circumstances. (This is why I don't do more formal ratings for different chocolates.) Today, I'm happy to have enjoyed this very nice chocolate. And while this Grand Cru won't appear on this blog again, I hope I can try another one of these in the future.

ChocolateBet: August 16, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
2 pieces
Jacques Torres Chocolate
1.) Wicked Fun - Very Good +
2.) Bin 27 Port - Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: ~.7 oz. (20 grams) for 2 pieces
Calories: ~ 105 calories for 2 pieces
Cost: ~$3.26 ($3.00 + 8.8% NYC Sales Tax)
Purchased from: Jacques Torres Chocolate, in New York City, New York

Wicked Fun provided a spicy kick at the end, courtesy of ancho and chipotle chilies mixed into the ganache filling. The second chocolate of the day had a more plain exterior, but its dark chocolate ganache was infused with Taylor Fonseca Bin 27 Port. These would make nice after dinner chocolates; but, if you're like me, any time of day is right for chocolate.

ChocolateBet: August 15, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
3 pieces
Jacques Torres Chocolate
1.) Fresh Squeezed Lemon (2 pieces) - Very Good +
2.) Golden Espresso (1 piece) - Very Good +
Weight: ~ 1 oz. (28.3 grams) for 3 pieces
Calories: ~150 calories (estimate)
Cost: ~$4.89 (estimate - including New York City sales tax)
Purchased from: Jacques Torres Chocolate, in New York City, New York

I like the combination of dark chocolate, lemon, and espresso - so eating these flavors all together in one sitting was pretty heavenly.

ChocolateBet: August 14, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
2 pieces
Jacques Torres Chocolate
1.) Alize Hearts of Passion - Very Good
2.) Ginger - Very Good +
Weight: ~ 1 oz. (28.3) grams
Calories: ~150 calories (estimate)
Cost: ~$3.26 (including New York City sales tax)
Purchased from: Jacques Torres Chocolate, (downtown location) New York City, New York

The Ginger chocolate was the winner here. The ginger flavor was authentic and strong enough to stand up to the dark chocolate ganache. Ole! The heart-shaped heart of passion (flavored with passion fruit) with Alize liqueur was nice as well.

ChocolateBet: August 13, 2009

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

2 pieces
Jacques Torres Chocolate
1.) Menage a Trois (Dark) - Very Good +
2.) Almondine - Good + - Very Good
Weight: ~ 1 oz. (28.3 grams) (estimate) for 2 pieces
Calories: ~ 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: ~$3.26 (including NYC sales tax)
Purchased from: Jacques Torres Chocolate, in New York City, New York

I am dreaming of a box of chocolates from Jacques Torres (aka Mr. Chocolate). Is that why the image of this box looks so fuzzy? (No, actually the pretty orange ribbon prevented the box from laying flat in my scanner.) Oh well, I am not dreaming...and because there is no one around I have to set a good example for, I can eat these chocolates for breakfast. Hurray.

"Menage a Trois" in this case refers to a mix of three (undisclosed) flavors blended in one dark chocolate. Does mystery sell chocolate? I'll bet it does. (Patrons are advised "Don't Ask!"...as in we won't give the secret away.) I bought a few, to try to identify what the three mystery flavors were. Honey perhaps?

The Almondine was a little too sweet for my taste, but still good. I was interested in trying a chocolate filled with "crushed candied almonds." That sounds great. The Jacques Torres logo/signature is printed across the top.