Tag Archive: dark chocolate
Chocolate and Red Wine: Intelligent
May 19, 2011
Chocolates are one of the most popular sweets, definitely loved by a lot of people. Research has shown that chocolates tend to stimulate mental attentiveness, and it also helps in regulating good mood. As a chocolate lover you probably know this.
But have you thought about wine? It has a lot in common with chocolate.
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Godiva Chocolatier Gems
May 9, 2011
Godiva chocolate makes three varieties of Gems™, individually wrapped bon bons.
I just finished eating a dark chocolate French Vanilla Truffle Gem described on the package as a dark chocolate with a creamy french vanilla filling. The filling is a vanilla cream center like a butter cream only sweeter. This filling is thinner than frosting but the texture and consistency reminds me more of frosting than a smooth melting truffle.
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Endangered Species Chocolate Bar
May 2, 2011
Endangered Species brand chocolates promotes awareness and conservation of at-risk species of animals. This particular variety (cranberries and almonds) is surrounded by a wrapper that, when you read the inside, increases your knowledge about the struggles of the Gray Wolf.
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Grandessa Irish Chocolate
April 26, 2011
I didn’t know that there were “Irish style” chocolates until I saw a box of chocolates from Grandessa. This box claimed an Irish assortment of filled milk, white, and dark chocolate. To satisfy my curiosity, I bought a box.
The chocolates are uniquely shaped in a square “cup” that holds caramel, lemon meringue, and strawberry truffle. The molded piece is open at the top. The Caramel Sensation is a smooth caramel inside a milk chocolate cup sprinkled with dark mini chocolate chips on the top. The Lemon Supreme is also inside a milk chocolate cup sprinkled with crystalline sugar on the top. And the Sumptuous Strawberry is dusted with a sweet red powder and tucked inside a white chocolate cup.
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Xyla Sugar-free Chocolate
April 18, 2011
I don’t have a dietary need to eat sugar-free chocolate, so I rarely do. I am not an expert when it comes to reviewing these types of product. I was thinking, however, that if something sugar-free tastes pretty close to the “real thing” than it’s gotta be pretty good. Right?
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Chocolate Covered “Sea Turtle”
March 14, 2011
Last Monday I reviewed a Yuma Arizona chocolates shop called Chocolate Crafters. I reported on their chocolate covered candied orange peel. Oh - yummy memory.
Of course, I didn’t try just one item. The Sea Turtle, a dark chocolate-covered salty caramel and pecan cluster, captured my attention, too. It was all I expected and more. The pecans were crunchy, the salty caramel was smooth, buttery and, yes, salty, and the chocolate, although mild, blended perfectly into all the flavors with ease.
Chocolate Crafters of Yuma, AZ
March 7, 2011
No matter where I travel or visit, I must keep with the tradition of seeking out (and sampling!) the local chocolate shops. During my recent mid-winter retreat to Yuma, AZ to visit my in-laws, I discovered Chocolate Crafters. They opened last fall so they are brand new to the Yuma chocolate scene.
Right after walking in the door Lorena, one of the owners, asked if I was a first time visitor of the shop...
World Market Brand Chocolate Bars
February 21, 2011
During the 1950s, a San Francisco businessman and importer began selling goods from one of the city’s piers. Crates were unloaded and locals lined up to buy.
Eventually, he opened a store and called it Cost Plus World Market. Unique and handmade items were sold at cost, plus ten percent – hence, the origin of the name.
Today, there are over 260 Cost Plus World Market physical stores and online shopping at www.worldmarket.com.
I have tried two World Market store brand chocolates; 72% Dark Chocolate and Ecuador Dark. Both bars were a disappointment.
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Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Champagne
February 17, 2011
When you put a fresh strawberry into the bottom of a champagne glass and then pour the champagne, just watch the bubbles fly off the strawberry at a record rate of speed!
The strawberry gives more surface area from which to produce bubbles. For this reason alone, a strawberry in champagne is very romantic. And let’s not forget that a champagne soaked strawberry is oh-so-delicious!
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Chocolate Tasting Interview
February 10, 2011
A few weeks ago I was interviewed for an article with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper. That article appeared in the print version yesterday and online the day before.
There's some great information about tasting chocolate as well as pairing chocolate and wine. Click this link for the full chocolate and wine article.
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