While I was off on my blogging sabbatical, I tried several new chocolates that you need to know about:
Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate with a la Mousse au Chocolat — This was a wonderful combination of dark chocolate with smooth, creamy filling. Unlike other similar bars, this one was not too sweet at all. It completely satisfied my chocolate craving each time I nibbled on it. (One bar has three servings, but I ended up stretching it to four.)
Choxie Dark Chocolate Macadamia Coconut Clusters — Holy moly! It’s probably a good thing that there were only six per box, as I could have easily inhaled more than that in one day. Contrary to my previous experiences with Choxie products, this was the rare good exception. The chocolate was quite good and of a good quality. The coconut filling was creamy and smooth, while the macadamia nuts added amazing flavor to the whole. Yum.
Choxie Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Clusters — Again, another excellent product that I could far eat more of than is healthy. Luckily, I happened to read the ingredients list and discovered that these contain high fructose corn syrup, so that’s pretty much turned me off them forever.
Newman’s Own Organics Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cups — I had such high expectations for this one. I mean Paul Newman + organic chocolate = Good Stuff, right? I have to say that this product was merely meh. While the peppermint filling was good, the chocolate itself was a little dry.
Newman’s Own Organics Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups — I also had high expectations for this one. It was fine, but not great. The chocolate was a little bitter and left an odd aftertaste in my mouth. But the peanut butter filling itself was quite excellent. Very smooth and creamy.
Cafferel Gianduja Chocolate with Hazelnuts — A new brand for me, so I didn’t know what to expect. But, one thing I do know is that if a product says on the label that it contains hazelnuts, I expect to be able to taste them, see them, and feel them. Instead the hazelnuts were so finely ground that it was like eating a plain milk chocolate bar. A really lame one at that.
Cafferel 70% Bitter Chocolate — Yuck. I was practically wiping this chocolate off my tongue with my bare fingers. It was too bitter and also a bit too dry. Don’t waste your money.
So those are some of the chocolates I’ve tried lately. Next week, if I remember, I’ll share with you the world’s most perfect brownie recipe.
thanks, once again, for saving us from bad chocolate. You are so dedicated.
We may not be able to wait until next week for the brownie recipe!
By: paperdiva on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 6:32 am
The things you do for us bored housewives. Throwing yourself in front of all that chocolate in order to save us from the bad stuff. You are truly altruistic. Truly.
By: alison on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 8:48 am
I was also very disappointed in the Newman’s Own chocolate offerings. Didn’t like the chocolate of them at all.
Can’t wait for the brownie recipe. Does it include bacon? : )
By: bdaiss on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 10:05 am
I discovered a little chocolate shop in Swanage, Dorset while I was on holiday…http://www.chococo.co.uk/
The best chocolate. EVER. And it’s ethical!
By: Clare on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 11:20 am
You have my undying admiration for being able to stretch a bar of chocolate to four servings. I bow down to your control.
By: jenn on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 11:28 am
Okay - now I want chocolate. Ritter is a family favorite. I should had my dad’s friend send me some from Germany and Poland but alas I got my request in too late - he’s in transit to visit the parentals.
I will have to trek out to my Harris Teeter to find some.
By: Skywalker on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 1:46 pm
That a la mousse a la chocolat sounds absolutely divine! Thanks for the tip!
By: Jaina on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 6:06 pm
I like the Ritter Sport with the coconut — mmmmm.
By: Lori Anderson on Friday, September 11, 2009
at 6:33 pm