ChocolateBet: October 16, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 truffle
Chubby Chipmunk Hand-Dipped Chocolates
Signature Dark Chocolate Truffle
Very Good
Weight: ~ 1.41 oz. (40 grams)/~9.9 oz. (290 g.) for 7 pieces
Calories: ~ 210 calories (estimate)
Cost: ~$5.14 for 1 truffle/~$36.00 for total order
Purchased from: Chubby Chipmunk Hand-Dipped Chocolates, Deadwood, South Dakota

These truffles came in a special acorn-shaped tin. (The image above came from www.chubbychipmunk.net.) Today is a special occasion, not only because I was able to eat a gold-dusted dark truffle associated with a chubby chipmunk, but also because with the addition of this South Dakota-based chocolate vendor to this blog, I can now say that I have eaten chocolates made from all 50 states in the United States. Hurray! Another chocolate eating milestone. I look forward to trying the other truffle flavors in this assortment.

ChocolateBet: October 15, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

2 oz.
Lindy Sue's Candies
Buffalo Chews
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.)/8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 300 calories (estimate)
Cost: (Need to check order slip)
Purchased from: Lindy Sue's, located at Mandan Drug, in North Dakota

These Chocolate Covered Potato Chips with Caramel were "fresh off the prairie" from North Dakota.

Lindy Sue's used to carry some chocolate bars based on historic figures (like Custer), but those were out of stock when I ordered these Buffalo Chews.

ChocolateBet: Oct. 14, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
Nestle
Raisinets Dark (aka Dark Raisinets)
Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup (45 g.)/11 oz. (311.8 g.) in total package
Calories: 180 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: ?
Purchased from: ?

One serving of chocolate raisins (Raisinets) = 1/2 cup of grapes, the package tells me. That, and the antioxidants from chocolate, will help me maintain my body health. But, seriously, after eating a relatively heavy Mexican dinner earlier this evening, a chocolate with some fruit in it was less heavy and more satisfying. When it came to movie theater treats throughout my life, popcorn was the runaway winner, followed by chocolate covered peanuts. However, Raisinets have nostalgic value as well. The raisins come from my home state of California. (And, if you're older than ~ 40, who doesn't remember those animated California raisin commercials growing up?)

ChocolateBet: October 13, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Enjoy Life Natural Brands, LLC
Cocoa Loco snack bar
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/5 oz.(141 g.) total box of 5 bars
Calories: 120 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.29 for box of 5 bars
Purchased from: Raley's, in Incline Village, Nevada

These bars are nut and gluten free. I bought these to take on a hike when up in the Sierra mountains last weekend. I liked the relatively small bar, the right size for me.

ChocolateBet: October 12, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Klondike (Unilever)
Klondike 100 calorie Vanilla bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 fl. oz. (59 mL)/16 fl oz. (473 mL) in total package of 8 bars
Calories: 100 calories
Cost: $3.99 for a box of 8 bars
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Today the cool weather moved in, and it rained. This got me thinking of polar bears and other animals that live in cold climates. I prefer warmer climates, but I have thought about traveling up to Northern Canada or Alaska to see the wildlife and Northern Lights. That said, the closest I may get to a polar bear may be looking at one in the zoo, or on a Klondike box of ice cream bars. I liked the smaller size of these bars.

ChocolateBet: October 11, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1/3 bar
Askinosie Chocolate
Davao, Philippines Dark Milk + Fleur de Sel bar
Good +
Weight: ~1 oz. (28.3 g.)/3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: ~ 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.50
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, in San Francisco, CA

Askinosie Bars come complete with information about the cacao beans (Variety: Trinitario; Origin: Davao, Philippines; and Cocoa content: 62% dark milk chocolate) -- as well as a picture of the lead farmer (Peter V. Cruz, in this case). And, additional information on the bean-to-bar journey of this, and other offerings, is available on the Askinosie website.

ChocolateBet: October 10, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
Gourmet Works of Los Altos
dark chocolate toasted almond bark
Very Good
Weight: ~ 2 oz. (56.6 grams)
Calories: ~ 300 calories (estimate)
Cost: $?
Purchased from: Gourmet Works of Los Altos, in Los Altos, CA

I like dark chocolate with toasted almonds. The almonds help to cut the sweetness and offer some crunchy texture. Unfortunately, she says with mock sorrow, natural great pairings like this tend to vanish before I can scan or photograph them. I offer as evidence what is left - an image of an empty clear plastic bag and a gold twist-tie.