Author Archive: Bryn Kirk
The Ganachery: Cinnamon Truffle
November 30, 2017
As I walk along the streets of Disney Springs, Florida on a very warm day, I am a bit overwhelmed with the abundant variety of shops and restaurants. I’m not a big fan of shopping while on vacation, but I don’t mind wandering around if I have some time to kill. And I’m always on the look out for quaint chocolates shops!
This time I’m rewarded as I stroll along to find The Ganachery. Perfectly decorated truffles are lined up behind glass in an air conditioned store. I’m interested in buying a box of assorted dark chocolate truffles but I worry about carrying them around in the Florida heat. I decide to get one truffle and eat it on the spot.
The Chocolate Studio at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival
November 24, 2017
I recently took a business trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. Yes, that’s correct, it was business – chocolate eating business! My S.M.A.R.T goal: I will eat at least one chocolate item per day in as many Disney parks or Orlando attractions as I can fit into my four day trip, take notes and write a blog post for each item before Christmas!
So hang on, this will be a fun ride you’ll enjoy as much as I do. Over the next couple weeks, I’ll review what I found and tasted while at Disney World and at Orlando’s World of Chocolate Museum and Café.
Dark Chocolate Bee-Berry Honey Caramel
November 15, 2017
The Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate company (named for the founders’ three children) makes small batch artisan chocolate bars as well as other confections. In 1981, Dan Abel opened the first Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company store in St. Louis, Missouri. I found this bar in a specialty store in my neck of the woods, southeastern Wisconsin.
Ambition Bar: Cold Brew Chocolate
November 6, 2017
Pamela’s Products makes the Ambition Bar as part of their line-up of gluten-free snack bars. In addition to the Cold Brew Chocolate bar that I’m tasting today, they make Salted Caramel Latte, Espresso Myself, Masala Chai, and Matcha Happiness. I sense a theme! And, yes, they all have caffeine - 70 milligrams in each.
Sweet Valley Organics Dark Chocolate Praline Cinnamon Pecans
October 31, 2017
In 1907, Shibley Azar opened a small store in El Paso, Texas selling nuts and candy. The business grew and is now Sunrise Confections owned by Mount Franklin Foods, LLC. They continue to manufacture confections and nut products. The newest facility makes natural, organic, and functional food products.
According to their website, Sweet Valley Organics snack bites come in five varieties: Chewy Bananas, Sea Salt Toffee Almonds, Tart Cherries, Sea Salt Carmel Cashews, and today’s feature item, Praline Cinnamon Pecans.
Sanders Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels
October 25, 2017
In 1875, Fred Sanders Schmidt (known as Fred Sanders) opened Sanders Fine Chocolates in Detroit, Michigan. In the 1940’s and 1950’s, Sanders chocolate products and shoppes were all over the Great Lakes region. The shoppes sold not only chocolates and candies, but served light lunches, ice cream sodas, and hot fudge sundaes. Morley Candy Makers, Inc., bought Sanders in 2002.
Every once in a while I like to enjoy a dark chocolate covered caramel. I can get tired of caramels pretty quickly though. (I don’t particularly like how the caramel adheres to my teeth for so long after the chocolate coating melts and the chocolate flavors fade).
Chocolate Granola Taste-Off: Bear Naked vs. Kind
October 16, 2017
I enjoy eating granola as a snack, with or without milk. I especially like chocolate granola (big surprise,right?) In fact, at this very moment, I’m munching on delicious chocolate granola while typing away at my computer. I like the crunch, I like the chocolate and the oatmeal flavors, and I like that a little goes a long way.
Kaoka Dark Chocolate with Fleur de Sel
October 4, 2017
Today’s review is a great tasting 70% dark chocolate bar from a company based in France called Kaoka. Kaoka grows their cacao in Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Sao Tome. This particular chocolate is organic, non-gmo verified, fair trade, and single origin Santo Domingo cocoa from the Dominican Republic.
Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolate Chips
September 29, 2017
There’s another player in the organic chocolate chip arena; Artisan Kettle made by Clasen Quality Chocolate. They are available in four varieties - semisweet, bittersweet, milk and white. The chips are organic and fair trade certified. Sourced from South America.
Dark Chocolate Banana Chips
September 19, 2017
Want to put yourself into a better mood? I think by now most of us have heard that chocolate is a great mood enhancer. For years, it’s been known that chocolate does more than just taste good, it can actually do the body good.
Cocoa boosts serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for maintaining a balanced mood and feeling of well-being. It stimulates the happy-making parts of your brain!