ChocolateBet: January 16, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
4 pieces
Maison Bouche
Rose Marzipan Pine Cones
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 2.4 oz. (67.92 g.)/3.6 oz. (101.88 g.) total clear plastic box (estimates)
Calories: 324 calories (estimate) for 4 pine cones
Cost: $14.00 for a set of 6
Purchased from: Miette Bakery, Ferry Building, in San Francisco, CA

I've been doing a lot of walking outside, admiring trees and the new green shoots of spring. In honor of  trees, I'm thematically mixing chocolate with tree and plant parts this week. If you like dark chocolate, marzipan/almond, and rose flavoring, this pine cone is for you. Unfortunately, these were seasonal items, and may be all sold out now.

ChocolateBet: January 15, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1 piece
Anthon Berg
Danzka Cranberyraz Vodka of Denmark
Very Good
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 82 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.00
Purchased from: Venice Gourmet Delicatessen, in Sausalito, CA

A tiny chocolate bottle filled with an even smaller amount of cranberry vodka infused syrup. It was a fun start to a gloomy day, and week, outside. This vodka-inspired chocolate, from a Scandinavian country well acquainted with long winters, was from Anthon Berg. Over the past few years, I've been making my way through a variety of liquor chocsimiles from Anthon Berg, Turin and a few other manufacturers. While a fine dark chocolate is best appreciated all by its lonesome, I enjoy mixing chocolate with other flavors. And, after trying more than 1,200 chocolates in as many days, I've concluded that I'm not alone here.

ChocolateBet: January 14, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/2 bar
Kim's Chocolates
Cachet - Peru 64% dark chocolate bar
Very Good +
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.)/3.5 oz. (100 g.) total bar
Calories: 263 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.99 (sale)
Purchased from: Venice Gourmet Delicatessen, in Sausalito, CA

In deepest, darkest Peru....Actually this is part of the origin story of Paddington Bear (but, I digress, once again). This dark bar, made with a mix of criollo and trinitario cacao beans, was very rich, smooth, and tasty. I discovered it, not in Peru, but, when I was walking the San Francisco Bay Trail in Sausalito, CA - a beautiful city by the water - when I stopped at the Venice Gourmet Delicatessen for some dinner.

ChocolateBet: January 13, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces
Blue Frog Chocolates
Louisiana Seafood
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .46 oz. (13 g.)/4.6 oz. (130 g.) total package/clear plastic box
Calories: 69 calories (1 crab, 1 crawfish)

Cost: $8.00 (plus shipping for online orders)
Purchased from: Blue Frog Chocolates, in New Orleans, LA

Imagine fishing for chocolate seafood. If this were possible, you might haul up a box of these milk chocolate crabs and crawfish from Louisiana, which are "always in season," according to the Blue Frog Chocolates label.

Blue Frog also made something called the Hurricane Katrina trashpile, and a FEMA chocolate house. (I did have a chance to taste the house, but not the Katrina trashpile, which was discontinued.) Humor is often the best medicine.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Animal Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: January 12, 2010

Chocolate(s) of the Day:
The Huckleberry People
1.) 1 bag Montana Deer Poop (Chocolate Panned Peanuts) Very Good
2.) 1 bag Montana Cow Patties (Chocolate Covered Praline Peanuts) Very Good
Weight: 1.) 4 oz. (113 g.), and 2.) 4 oz. (113 g.)
Calories: 1,200 calories in 2 (4-oz.) bags
Cost: N/A - gift from Megan (approx. $4.99 per bag)
Purchased from: N/A gift from Megan (bought in Montana)

Day #6 of chocolate animal theme week. Technically these bags of Deer Poop and Cow Patties could be considered animal chocolate (by-products). The concept may not sound appetizing, but these chocolates were very good. Thank you to Megan for picking these up in Montana.

ChocolateBet: January 11, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece/head
Vanishing Creatures Chocolates
Chocolate Hippo head
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2.65 oz. (75 g) / 7.95 oz. (225 g.) (estimate) total box of 3 heads
Calories: 397 calories (estimate) in one head
Cost: $N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift; thank you Alec

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate Animal theme week.

Today's chocolate creature was a finely crafted, 3D hippopotamus (hippo) head. (See image above from box; the hippo is the middle of the three animals pictured.)

ChocolateBet: January 10, 2010

Chocolate of the Day:
1/2 piece/head
Vanishing Creatures
Gorilla Head
Very Good
Weight: 1.32 oz. (37 g)/7.95 oz. (225 g.) (estim.) total round white box of 3 heads
Calories: 198 calories (estimate)
Cost: N/A - gift 
Purchased from: N/A - gift from Alec

The chocolate gorilla head was carefully cut in half and served in bowls. I split this with Alec - who I can thank for this gift. Again, like the koala head (yesterday's chocolate of the day), I gave this extra points for the design. The molding of the face was very detailed and realistic. While these chocolates were designed to benefit wildlife; however, the wall trophy-style backing was a bit strange.

Day #4 of chocolate animal theme week.