ChocolateBet: December 8, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 package (3 pieces)
DeMet's Candy Company
Turtles ("Original - Pecans~Chocolate~Caramel")
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total package
Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $1.79
Purchased from: 7-Eleven store in midtown, Palo Alto, CA

I knew these were going to be good, because the fancy turtle with the top hat and the monocle told me so. (He's on the package -- the one with the bow tie.)

So it is that we close Day #5 of Chocolate and Nut week with a talking cartoon turtle.

ChocolateBet: December 7, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving
7-Eleven, Inc.
Chocolate Covered Almonds
Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.)/2.5 oz. (70 g.) total bag
Calories: ~220 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $1.49 for total bag
Purchased from: 7-Eleven, in midtown Palo Alto, CA

Day #4 of Chocolate and Nut Theme Week (2009) seemed like a great time to try some convenience store chocolates. One of the biggest chains in the U.S., 7-Eleven is where I get my annual low-calorie Crystal Light frozen slurpee drink and lottery ticket. Two foolish pastimes. I figured, why not make it a third? And the chocolates there are reasonably priced.

ChocolateBet: December 6, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1/2 bar
B.T. McElrath Chocolatier, Inc.
Prairie Dog Chocolate Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.)/3.0 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.69
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Nut Theme Week (2009). I was inspired to try B.T. McElrath's Prairie Dog (40% milk) chocolate bar with almonds, after enjoying their Salty Dog (70% dark) chocolate bar. Both bars contain quality ingredients, butter toffee pieces, and nuts; but the Salty Dog bar won.

Cold weather (in California that means it is in the low 40s (F.) today, and the threat of rain, forced me inside (yes, like a prairie dog), giving me an opportunity to play chocolate mad scientist. A portion of this bar was eaten plain, and a portion was heated with leftover pecan pie and coffee liqueur. All that remains of the latter experiment in sugar and nut overload is an empty plate (see image) and fork.

ChocolateBet: December 5, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 package (2 cups)
Reese's (Hershey)
Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Lovers (cups)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 220 for 2 cups
Cost: $0.69 (sale)
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

It was Day #2 of another Chocolate and Nut Theme Week. This is not surprising for me as I adore this combination. Reese's has made multiple versions of their classic peanut butter cups; and I have tried to stay up on the latest. A smooth peanut butter colored frosting tops these milk chocolate cups.

ChocolateBet: December 4, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
6 pieces
Royal Family Food Co., Ltd.
Mochi Choco Ball(s)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 3.8 oz. (108 g.) in 1 box
Calories: 348 calories (if I've translated the label correctly)
Cost: $1.25 for 1 box of 6 pcs.
Purchased from: a store in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Not being able to eat wheat, several years ago I found mochi (made from rice) products to be a possible source of chocolate items. These chocolate-coated mochi balls were filled with peanut jam. The Taiwan-based company, Royal Family, lists ISO 2200 and HACCP on their label, indicating that they follow certain quality practices. Perhaps these good practices contributed to a great shelf life. These chocolates were still quite good, despite the fact that I bought them last year (2008).

Speaking of lasting traditions, I decided to launch my second (perhaps annual) Chocolate & Nut Theme Week today. The peanut jam inspired me.

Note: My apologies to the small store in Chinatown that I can't mention by name (due to incomplete information on the store receipt).

ChocolateBet: December 3, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 bar
Splendid Chocolates
Milk Chocolate with Eggnog bar
Good
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in 1 total bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $
Purchased from: ?

I thought this eggnog bar would be fun for the holiday season. However, the very sweet white filling inside this bar from Canada tasted more like eggnot than eggnog. Chocolate often obscures more subtle flavors. (I sprinkled some nutmeg on mine, which helped.) The red, green and gold wrapping was nice and festive.

ChocolateBet: December 2, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
14 pieces
Hammond's
Peppermint Jewels
Very Good
Weight: 2.82 oz. (80 g.)/8 oz. (226 g.) in total bag
Calories: 360 calories in 14 pcs. (2 servings)
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bag
Purchased from: Gourmet Works of Los Altos; in downtown Los Altos, CA

Hammond's bag of peppermint stick candy pieces coated with dark chocolate, was tied up with a small white bow on top, making it gift-worthy. In the spirit of holiday giving, I'll share these chocolate jewels with others.

I considered making a piece of edible jewel-ry with these pieces; but my dining room table is covered with half-manifested projects already. A quick web search revealed a few artisans already working in chocolate, including Hatzidakis Manos (see Chocolate Jewels profile on Facebook).