chocolate review

Mint Chocolate and Chocolate Mint

November 8, 2010

You say tah-may-toe, I say tah-mah-toe. Some say mint chocolate, and some say chocolate mint. Although often used interchangeably, there is a difference, technically speaking.

Mint chocolate is a variety of flavored chocolate, in this case, infused with mint flavoring. It can be used as a coating or as a stand alone chocolate bar. Since mint is added to dark, milk, and white chocolate, mint chocolate does not denote just one type of coating. Mint can be peppermint or spearmint or crème de menthe.
Read more

Moser Roth 85%

October 25, 2010

It's after 9 pm, the kids are in bed, and I am in the mood to r-e-l-a-x. I decide to try a chocolate bar I have not had before, Moser Roth premium dark 85%. This bar is intensely nutty, soft on fruit and earth. The snap is hard and the melt is slow to release its flavors.

I can sense that the bar lacks a little something, and then the light goes on. I need to pair this bar with wine. Since I don't have time to pick and choose, I reach for the malbec I have on hand. It is a 2008 Reserve from Alma Andina vineyard, Mendoza region Argentina. The label set me up to be hopeful as it describes the tasting notes concentrated in red and black fruit flavors, hints of toasted vanilla with a long cherry finish.
Read more

Villars Swiss Milk Chocolate

October 18, 2010

Although I prefer dark chocolate, I do enjoy a good Swiss milk chocolate from time to time. My son turned me on to Villars Chocolat au Lait Suisse when he brought a bar home from Switzerland.

This Swiss milk chocolate has bold toffee notes coming through a light, slightly nutty, chocolate flavor with a smooth and creamy texture. Even more delightful is the milk chocolate version with added hazelnuts.
Read more

Ghirardelli Dark and Raspberry

October 11, 2010

I love the combination of dark chocolate and raspberry, but I am a bit snobbish about it. A girl’s gotta have standards, right?

While there are many wonderful Ghirardelli chocolates to love, I’m afraid I am not a fan of the Dark & Raspberry.
Read more

Green and Black’s Dark 70%

October 4, 2010

Green and Black’s chocolates are some of my favorite chocolates. Not long ago I reviewed several flavors from their box of miniature bar collection.

The 70% dark chocolate bar is intensely chocolate with fruity notes and a very smooth texture. The aroma of the bar emits chocolate, coffee, and little leather.
Read more

Ghirardelli Midnight Reverie

September 27, 2010

Ghirardelli Chocolate Intense Dark chocolate bars are incredibly delicious. There are presently six in the series with two more being “voted in” by fans across the nation.

Currently the choices are Midnight Reverie, Twilight Delight, Toffee Interlude, Espresso Escape, Evening Dream, and Sea Salt Soiree.
Read more

Breyers All Natural Chocolate Ice Cream

September 20, 2010

I noticed something interested the other day while grocery shopping. Breyers has changed its chocolate ice cream. It says so right there on the package, “Now with 33% more real Dutch Cocoa!”

I was intrigued. My scientific self pondered what kind of formulation adjustments had to be made to compensate for the increase in pH from the cocoa (“dutch” means processed with alkali). Don’t laugh, my brain works differently.

I have mentioned in past blog posts why it is necessary to add a Dutch-Processed or Alkalized Processed cocoa powder to dairy products like ice cream and milk. Dutch cocoa is treated with an alkali to neutralize its acids. Acidity has a negative effect on diary – it causes it to curdle.
Read more

Lindt Excellence – A Touch of Sea Salt

September 13, 2010

The Lindt A Touch of Sea Salt chocolate bar is a new addition to the Lindt & Sprungli Excellence line of chocolates. Dark chocolate (47% cocoa solids content) is enhanced by adding Fleur de Sel, a French sea salt.

Adding salt to any food makes the flavors “pop.” This phenomenon happens to chocolate, too. Some of the complex cocoa notes, that are normally too subtle to detect, will jump right out at you after adding a pinch of salt.
Read more

Arko: Marc De Champagne Chocolate

September 6, 2010

Arko is a German company specializing in premium coffee and fine chocolates.

When Arko began 60 years ago, customer satisfaction was at the center of their thoughts and actions. That habit continues to the present.
According to the Arko website, they are the brand for discerning connoisseurs.

Wondering how I got my hands on their chocolate? Once again, I was given a gift from a fellow chocolate lover/world traveler. Oh yes, my friends know what I like!
Read more