Chocomania: Charles Chocolates, part 2
Friday, June 26, 2009
Remember when I talked about Charles Chocolates and how much I lurved them? Well, World Market had some on sale last week and I got more! Woo-hoo!
The first one I tried was Caramelized Crisped Rice in 41% Milk Chocolate. Holy smokes but was it good! Unlike, say, a Nestle Crunch, this crisped rice was chunky and was so much more interesting. The chocolate itself had a nice, smooth flavor that wasn’t too sweet. Charles Chocolates also makes a bittersweet version of this chocolate, which I’d like to get my hands (really, my mouth) on at some point.
The second one I tried was Candied Hazelnut Pieces in 65% Bittersweet Chocolate. Again, it was most excellent. The chocolate was really rich and satisfying. The candied hazelnuts were good, with an interesting flavor that I can’t really describe, except to say that I liked it.
As I mentioned the last time I talked about this company’s chocolates, my one complaint is the price. These bars are $5.95 on the company’s website for 3.4 ounces (95) grams, which the nutrition label lists as 2.4 servings. I actually got three servings out of each bar, but mostly because I’m being very careful with my portion sizes in general. If I hadn’t been paying attention, however, I could have easily eaten half in one sitting, and I think $3 is a bit much to pay for that, especially when one extrapolates that I have chocolate after dinner every night and multiply that by 30 or so days in a month…
All that said, I am willing to pay more for a high quality product and Charles Chocolates definitely qualifies. They make everything by hand and in small batches, using top-notch ingredients. That dedication to quality is evident in their chocolates.
I also like how accessible they are — I am now following them on Twitter, Facebook, and via their newsletter — and something tells me that I could probably contact Charles himself and get a response. (Not that I’m going to get all stalker-y on him; that would be just too weird.)
So, if you come across some of these bars, treat yourself!
Jen does not work for Charles Chocolates, nor was she paid for this post. And that’s just a damn shame.
Entry Filed under: chocomania. Tags: charleschocolates, nestle.
1. Stancja | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 6:06 am
Don’t even show those to me! I’m on a diet and they’re just so deliciously chocolaty… Great, now I’m craving some charles chocolates. Thanks a lot
2. Skywalker | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 6:53 am
Chocolate crispy rice and its better than Nestle CRUNCH. I’m in. Thanks.
3. jenn | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:03 am
Oooh, these look yummy. I love the fancy wrapping, too.
4. The Hen | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:11 am
Maybe they will give you a job a chief taster now?
x
5. paperdiva | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:36 am
that is a damn shame.
And the closed all the WM in MI because of the economy. That’s also a damn shame.
6. Julie | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:12 pm
and to think I’m a short 30 minute drive away from this place in Emeryville . . . I could get some like, super fresh, Charles Chocolate, plus a nifty tour, I’m sure!
My palate is curious for the rice crispy one. I may have to tuck a wee visit in my schedule to this place. It’s probably 3 minutes from the new Berkeley Bowl West supermarket - - - a varitable “only in Berkeley” shopping experience that I have now taken 3 times in one week, and I’m due for some coffee beans from there, so I will trot myself on over to Charles Chocolate and purchase one super fresh bar, and report back!
Love,
Julie
7. bdaiss | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:36 pm
It would seem Charles still does not like me as the entire state of South Dakota is left off the retail location list. *sob* And those bars get reeeeely expensive when you add shipping to buy online. So no Charles for me…I shall live vicariously through those of you that can get them.
8. Ree | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I love that last line.
9. Lori Anderson | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 1:57 pm
What are you DOING to me?????
10. Kirstin | Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 8:52 pm
The Crispy Rice sounds so good!
11. melissawest | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 9:04 am
I can’t believe these companies aren’t tossing a little bling your way. Seriously, you deserve swag for these posts.
12. John Cantrell | Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I agree that these are REALLY good. I love the carmelized rice bar. The carmelized rice actually has the texture of Cocoa Pebbles. (In fact, I would not be surprized if that’s what they were). FYI, they’re still on sale for $2 at Cost Plus World Market right now. Stock up!
13. Jaina | Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I’ve never even heard of this brand, but I love crisped rice bars