Cocopotamus - Humpty Eggnog truffles - Dec. 29, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

NYDC Chocolate, LLC
Cocopotamus
Humpty - Eggnog + Brandy Caramel Fudge Truffles
Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) total mesh bag of 5 pieces
Calories: 78 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $12.00 in 1 bag
Purchased from: NYDC Chocolate (online order)

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall...Well, he wouldn't have survived long, even if the king's men had found him, because he was eaten.

Nursery rhymes can be pretty grim, can't they. But, today's chocolate Humpty was definitely on the sweeter side.

Today's "Humpty" Eggnog + Brandy Caramel Fudge Truffle was part of the Cocopotamus chocolate family from NYDC Chocolate (Albuquerque, NM), the creation of Max and Ally Sinclair. These gluten-free, fudge and caramel filled truffles, with brandy flavoring, were covered with chocolate and decorated with a light golden eggnog colored icing swirl.

Individually wrapped in gold foil, five of these Humpty truffles were nestled inside a shiny mesh bag, tied with a slender white ribbon. As noted on the label, Cocopotamus truffles have also been included in celebrity gift bags at high-profile awards events: "Oscars, Golden Globe, Emmys." Packaged as they were, they made an attractive small gift.

Taza - Spiked Eggnog chocolate - Dec. 28, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Taza Chocolate
Dark Spiked Eggnog
Good - Good +
Weight: .675 oz. (19.25 g.) / 2.7 oz. (77 g.) total package
Calories: 101 calories (estimate) in 4 wedge serving (1/4 package)
Cost: N/A - sample
Purchased from: N/A - sample from Taza

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

Taza Chocolate's Chocolate Mexicano Disc line included many different flavors. A seasonal favorite, the Dark Chocolate (55% Dominican cacao) Spiked Eggnog offering, blended stoneground chocolate with eggnog flavors (essence of rum, spices) for a holiday twist on a cold weather favorite. The Eggnog was labeled as a "Winter Warmer" flavor.

Break off the desired number of chocolate wedges; and stir them into a small mug of very hot water until they're fully dissolved. Or you could add some hot milk and grate some fresh nutmeg over the top. Either way, these wedges make an authentic-tasting, flavorful drinking chocolate.

John and Kira's - Mut Vitz Coffee Whiskey - Dec. 27, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

John and Kira's
Mut Vitz Coffee Whiskey chocolate
Good ++
Weight: .383 oz. (10.86 g.) / 5.75 oz. (163 g.) total 15-piece assortment box
Calories: 57 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $32.00 total for original order, 15-piece Every Flavor Collection box
Purchased from: John and Kira's (online order)

Today was Day #3 of Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

I needed a boost this Christmas holiday week Friday a.m. I stayed up too late working last night, and I wanted to fully appreciate today. Time flies by too quickly not to enjoy your life and your chocolate. And, while I don't drink coffee anymore, I still love the smell and taste in small quantities, say, in a piece of chocolate.

Today's, Mut Vitz Coffee* Whiskey square -- enrobed in a thin layer of 62% Valrhona dark chocolate -- contained subtle infusions of coffee and whiskey in a creamy, Valrhona dark chocolate ganache (filling).

This piece was part of John and Kira's (Philadelphia, PA) 15-piece Every Flavor Collection box. (Other flavors have been previously featured.)

*The coffee used for this chocolate was "shade grown coffee from the fair-trade Mut Vitz Cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico."

Barlovento - Eggnog truffle - Dec. 26, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Eggnog Brandy truffle
Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $2.00 for 1 piece (if part of 4-piece box, otherwise $2.75 for 1)
Purchased from: Barlovento Chocolates, California Ave. Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was the Day after Christmas, and Day #2 of Holiday Spirits Theme Week. It was nice to still be unwrapping presents, like this dark shimmering Eggnog Brandy truffle from Barlovento Chocolates (Oakland, CA).

The Barlovento chocolates I bought this past week (at the local farmers market) were all made from Venezuelan dark chocolate, including this Eggnog truffle that was infused with very subtle spice and brandy flavors.

The rich, slightly acidic dark chocolate ganache (and dark couverture) dominated this truffle. Dark, bold and beautiful, with no sugary, white fluff.

Sixth Course - Peppermint Schnapps truffle - Dec. 25, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sixth Course
1.) Peppermint Schnapps truffle - Good ++
2.) Spiked Eggnog truffle - Good ++

Weight: .832 oz. (23.58 g.) for 2 pieces / 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) total box of 6
Calories: 124 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $17.00 for 6-piece box (already accounted for in previous post)
Purchased from: Heath Ceramics (Mission location), San Francisco, CA

Christmas morning was a time to unwrap presents and take a walk along the San Francisco Bay Trail. This morning's gifts included Peppermint Schnapps and Spiked Eggnog truffles from Sixth Course (San Francisco, CA).

Covered with dark chocolate (couverture from Guittard) and filled with extra creamy, sweet white chocolate ganache (made using local cream), these two holiday flavored truffles were both attractive and well executed, with a touch of sparkle and shine.

The Peppermint Schnapps truffle was topped with a little sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy, and was light on the alcohol. The Spiked Eggnog truffle was full of rich cream and brandy flavor (which I liked), and was topped with a dusting of spice (nutmeg).

Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, there's no escaping this winter holiday. So, I hope you all had a relaxing and wonderful week that included something sweet.

Mi-Del Candy Cane Cremes - Dec. 24, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mi-Del
Candy Cane Cremes (Cookies)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.37 oz. (39 g.) / 9 oz. (255 g.) for 3 cookies
Calories: 195 calories for 3 cookies
Cost: $3.99 for 1 box
Purchased from: Whole Foods, Los Altos, CA

Happy Christmas Eve. What treats are we leaving out for the arrival of Santa Claus this evening? A tiny plate of Mi-Del Candy Cane Cremes, Limited Edition Cookies (manufactured for Panos Brands, Saddle Brook, NJ).

The creme filling between these crunchy, gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies contained flecks of peppermint, perfect for Christmas week.

Cocopotamus - Santa's Addiction - Dec. 23, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

NYDC Chocolate, LLC
Cocopotamus - Santa's Addiction
Good + - Very Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total box of 5
Calories: 55 calories (estimate) for 1 piece
Cost: $11.95 for box of 5 pieces
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today's Cocopotamus Santa's Addiction ("a.k.a. Christmas everyday") peppermint fudge truffles (from NYDC Chocolate, LLC, Albuquerque, NM) were coated with white peppermint sugar, making it "a real snowball."

Dark chocolate fudgey centers were bursting with just the right amount of natural tasting peppermint.

I think Santa would approve of these individually wrapped, festive holiday truffles, from a company that knows how to have fun. Ho ho ho indeed. And, fortunately for me, I bought these before they were sold out at SweetE Organic (Mill Valley, CA).