Totally Tubular 80's chocolates - Aug. 14, 2013

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Imagine Chocolate/Imagine Flavor, Inc.
"Totally Tubular 80's" chocolate assortment box
1.) "Purple Rain" - OK+ - Good
2.) "Funky Cold Medina" - OK+ - Good
3.) "Thriller" - Good
4.) "White Wedding" - OK+
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in 1 box
Calories: 195 calories for 1/2 of 4 pieces
Cost: $5.00 for 1 box of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Imagine Chocolate/Imagine Flavor, Inc. (Studio City, CA)

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Music/Audio Theme Week.

"Purple Rain" (Prince) was represented as a milk chocolate lavender almond center covered in milk chocolate. I couldn't taste any floral (lavender) or almond flavor, but it was a pleasant, fudgy chocolate decorated with purple icing.

"Funky Cold Medina" was a 1989 rap hit performed by L.A. native, Tone Loc. The song appeared as a dark mint chocolate almond center in dark chocolate in this assortment. The mint flavor was pleasant.

"Thriller" (a hit by Michael Jackson) was my favorite 80's inspired hit and chocolate in this collection. The pumpkin spiced milk chocolate center in milk chocolate was infused with authentic tasting spices (cinnamon, nutmeg).

The fourth and final chocolate in this box was "White Wedding" (a reference to a ) Super creamy vanilla walnut (?) center in white chocolate, decorated with white sprinkles. If you like white chocolate, this one's for you.

These chocolates were a bit heavy on the sweetness, preservatives and additives for me, but I loved the concept and packaging.

Megahits chocolates - Aug. 13, 2013

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Imagine Chocolate/Imagine Flavor, Inc.
Megahits Gourmet Chocolate Assortment
1.) "Party Rock Anthem" - OK+ - Good
2.) "Rolling in the Deep" - Good
3.) "Pumped Up Kicks" - OK+ - Good
4.) "Good Feeling" - Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in 1 box of 4 pieces
Calories: 190 calories for 1/2 of 4 pieces
Cost: $5.00 for a 4-piece box
Purchased from: Imagine Chocolate/Imagine Flavor, Inc. (Nessy N. - school music program fund-raiser)

Today, as part of Day #5 of Chocolate and Music/Audio Theme Week, I continued with a new box of music-inspired chocolates by Imagine Chocolate/Imagine Flavor, Inc. (Studio City, CA). The company's tagline read: "Gourmet Chocolate That Rocks!" "Gourmet" is a word that may have lost some credence in recent years, but Chocolate That Rocks fit the theme week this week. Today's box of "Megahits" included the following four pieces:

"Party Rock Anthem" (a megahit song by Los Angeles duo LMFAO) was represented by a milk chocolate honey almond piece. I couldn't really taste the honey almond flavor for the sweetness, but was covered with a festive sprinkle of multi-colored, tiny candy orbs.

"Rolling in the Deep" (a megahit by British singer and songwriter, Adele), translated into chocolate, took the form of a satisfyingly fudgey, chocolately piece with cashew pieces.

"Pumped up Kicks" was a 2011 megahit by the Los Angeles trio, Foster the People, and the chocolatier behind this piece rightly capitalized on similarity between the word "Kicks" and a certain popular corn-based cereal, KIX(R). The four, round, golden KIX puffs were somewhat absorbed by the milk chocolate they were embedded in, but it was a clever mix.

"Good Feeling" (a megahit by Flo Rida) was coated with white, and had a vanilla center with a hint of peanut butter flavor. This creamy, ivory-colored square decorated with threads of purple icing, made me feel I'd dipped my finger into a cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting. If you like vanilla frosting and don't mind a little sugar high, you'll love it. There was no chocolate (cocoa solids) in this piece.

Punk Passion chocolates - Aug. 12, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Imagine Chocolate
(Imagine Flavor, Inc.)
Punk Passion chocolate assortment
1.) "London Calling" - Good
2.) "Blitzkrieg Bop" - OK+ - Good
3.) "Personality Crisis" - Good
4.) "Brain Stew" - OK+ - Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1/2 of 4 pieces / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in 1 box
Calories: 192.5 calories for 1/2 of 4 different chocolates
Cost: $5.00 for 1 box of 4 pieces (school music program fund-raiser)
Purchased from: Imagine Chocolate, Studio City, CA via Nessie Noel (parent of high school student)

Today's Punk Passion assortment box from Imagine Chocolate/Imagine Flavor, Inc. (Studio City, CA) contained four different flavors, each inspired by a different song and group.

"London Calling" (a 1979 hit by The Clash) was up first. This milk chocolate peppermint center with peanuts, covered in milk chocolate, and topped with green sprinkles, was my favorite piece in this Punk-influenced collection. The hint of peppermint gave this chocolate a punch and the peanuts gave it a bit of a crunch.

Next, I tried "Blitzkrieg Bop" (a "fast, loud, and fun" hit by The Ramones from 1976). This milk chocolate toffee almond center in milk chocolate with sweet, but lacked full flavor I'm used to with higher end toffee creations. I loved the excuse to listen to "Blitzkrieg Bop" again though.

The third chocolate in this 4-piece box was "Personality Crisis" (an early punk hit in 1973 by the New York Dolls) had a vanilla walnut center covered in semi-dark chocolate, and decorated with pink icing. Often vanilla nut nougat centers are too sweet for my taste, but this one was about right, and the semi-dark chocolate coating helped balance the sweetness.

Last, was "Brain Stew" (referencing a 1995 hit track from Green Day's Insomniac album). This milk chocolate with (white) chocolate crunchies in milk chocolate was a bit mellower than the other chocolates in this group, except for a slightly crunchier texture.

The company's music-themed chocolate collection boxes are available through school fund-raisers, and are being updated over time to capture the latest hits.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Music/Audio Theme Week.

Love assortment - Aug. 11, 2013

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Imagine Chocolate
(Imagine Flavor, Inc.)
"Love" Gourmet Chocolate Assortment
1.) "Wicked Game" - OK+ - Good
2.) "Love" - OK+ - Good
3.) "Addicted to Love" - OK+ - Good
4.) "Moondance" - Good
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1/2 of 4 pieces / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) total box of 4 pieces
Calories: 190 calories for 1/2 of 4 pieces
Cost: $5.00 - part of a school music program fund-raiser purchase

Today's 4-piece Imagine Chocolate "Love" box by Imagine Flavor, Inc. (Studio City, CA) was inspired by hit love songs from the late 1900s. The company offered several different assortment boxes that were carefully crafted, cleverly designed and lovingly curated by a music fan(s). "Liner Notes" inside this box gave information about 4 singers/songwriters and their songs, and the corresponding chocolates:

"Wicked Game" (a song by Chris Isaak) in chocolate form was a semi-dark square beauty with a bourbon-infused chocolate pecan center. The bourbon flavor was barely detectable, but added interest. The two nut pieces added some crunchy texture.

The "Love" chocolate (inspired by John Lennon's song of the same title) translated into a semi-dark chocolate with a rum infused center (decorated with red icing). Again, as with the first piece, the alcohol (rum) flavor was very subtle.

Next up was "Addicted to Love" (by Robert Palmer). This chocolate was semi-dark chocolate with a macadamia nut center (topped with white sprinkles).

And last, but not least, was "Moondance" (inspired by Van Morrison's hit). This piece incorporated milk chocolate and almond butter, with an almond center (and thin whisps of yellow icing), and was my favorite chocolate in this assortment. The almond flavoring hit the spot and enhanced the taste of the chocolate.

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Music/Audio Theme Week.

Patric Chocolate - Mizzou Crunch - Aug. 10, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Patric Chocolate
Mizzou Crunch bar
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .766 oz. (21.9 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 114 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $10.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Music/Audio Theme Week. There are many ways to define this week's theme. While one can make musical instruments from chocolate (molded items, chocsimiles of musical instruments), this week I'm also focusing on audio or music inspired by chocolate and/or the tasting arc of a given chocolate.

The Mizzou Crunch bar from Patric Chocolate (Columbia, MO) combined a high-quality dark milk chocolate bar base with crunchy chopped peanuts, cacao nibs, and a touch of salt. Throughout the tasting arc, these flavors formed a well balanced and interesting and satisfying blend.

This bar was a tribute to the University of Missouri, thus the black and gold colors and tiger stripes on the packaging. I could almost hear the school song ("Old Missouri") playing as I ate this bar. Go Tigers go!

Crackle Crunch bar - Aug. 9, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Hammond's Candies
Crackle Crunch bar - milk chocolate with raspberry popping candy
OK+- Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) piece / 2.1 oz. (59 g.) total bar
Calories: 49 calories (estimate) for .5 oz. (14.1 g.) piece of bar
Cost: N/A
Purchased from: N/A

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Music/Audio Theme Week.

The list of items that make sounds and can also be added to chocolate is not infinitely long. One such item: Pop Rocks, or popping candy. Popping Candy may not be audible to an outside observer, but it can make a racket inside your head.

Today's Crackle Crunch milk chocolate bar from Hammond's Candies (Denver, CO), was packed with tiny raspberry-flavored explosives.

My only quibble: the tiny fizzy riot from the raspberry popping candy overwhelmed the milk chocolate and tasted a bit artificial. 

Rogue Chocolatier Silvestre 75% bar - Aug. 8, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Rogue Chocolatier
Silvestre 75% bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) in 1/2 bar / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 159 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $ N/A part of a Kickstarter campaign/pledge*
Purchased from: Rogue Chocolatier/ The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today I wrapped up Chocolate and Banana Theme Week with a single origin chocolate bar from Rogue Chocolatier (Three Rivers, MA). This Silvestre 75% cacao bar, made from rare, wild cacao harvested by "cacao hunters" in the Amazon Basin region, along Bolivia's Rio Beni. The bar was designed and hand-crafted, from bean to bar, by Colin Gasko, the head chocolate maker at Rogue Chocolatier.

Like many higher end dark chocolate bars, it contained only a few ingredients. In this case two: cocoa beans and sugar.

And, like many bars from a single region, there were flavor "notes" that were characteristic of the beans grown and fermented in that area of origin. There was no banana flavoring or bits in this bar. This bar had a subtle complex flavor arc that contained hints of implied flavor. Colin listed plum, jasmine,  banana and nuts as notes often associated with Silvestre cacao.

The fruit acidic notes were akin to a deep plum flavor, and I did indeed pick up banana notes as well, especially with bars that were hot off the presses (newer, vs. stored for a longer period of time). Last time I looked on the Rogue website, they were down to the last batch of beans for this bar, so act fast if you're interested.

As a general rule, dark chocolate bars can be kept in a cool, dark place, for months; however, while bars may still be good after this time, more volatile or delicate flavor components can attenuate over time.

*Note: I participated in a Kickstarter (fund-raising) campaign in 2012 for new equipment/bar-making capability, in exchange for a number of limited edition chocolate bars that were subsequently produced and delivered.