Hello, My Wonderful and Kind-Hearted Chocolate Lovers of Mine,
I so appreciate you being here in 2020 for yet another Advent Calendar Edition: Race-To-Win. Where did this year go, I sit here and ponder…Oh, I know, COVID! I guess when a person is preoccupied thinking about something as serious as this virus, then the time just slips right out of your hand. I realize that it has been a stressful time for everyone, some people have had a worst experience then others however, I have the utmost optimism that we will all get through this. When we do reach that point, I know that many people’s lives will look differently than before the pandemic. People are changing the way they work, care for their family, how they shop, do outings, go to coffee shops, wait in line, bank, and the list goes on and on. This pandemic is shifting everything, and humans are adapting to a new way of life, perhaps even better. That is how we evolve, when we are thrown out of our comfort zone and into the unknown. I wish that these changes did not have to come as a result of people getting sick or passing away. This virus has taken a toll mentally and physically on most humans, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there, it will all be okay. xoxoxo Soriah Let the Race-To-Win Begin NO WHEY FOODS ADVENT CALENDAR 100 % Milk Free, Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free, Gluten Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, No Artificial Colours and Flavours! Free of the common eight allergens! Vegan and Kosher! I was very curious about what an Advent Calendar would look and taste like if it was vegan, and in addition, free of so many other allergens. Well I did not have to look far. Here we are with the No Whey Foods Advent Calendar. I am not particularly crazy about the name so let’s hope that the taste makes up for it. I tried to find some background information on this company however, I came up empty handed. Nothing was disclosed, not even about the person(s) who started it all. Why the secrecy No Whey Foods, what are you hiding, hmmmmm. Nevertheless, I have already forgotten about this mishap and am looking forward to the taste. The Advent Calendar looks sweet when it comes to its exterior appearance. The Christmas scene is joyful and festive, the box feels dense and heavy, and the size is acceptable. Day 1 of the No Whey Advent Calendar Appearance of Box: Adorable Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: So Great Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Not Flimsy Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: It Is Holding Up So Far Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Quite Easy Chocolate: Exterior Appearance: Acceptable Smooth: Yes Textured: No Salty: No Overly Sweetened: No Grainy: Yes Different: Yes, On a Negative Note Stale: Tastes Stale Boring: Yes, and Did I Mention Stale Would I repurchase: No, I would Not Not a good start for No Whey Foods Advent Calendar Ingredients: Vegan Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Unsweetened Chocolate, Rice Syrup Powder, Sunflower Lecithin (An Emulsifier), Salt, Natural Vanilla, Natural Flavour ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.9 / 5.0 Nutrition Facts 24 servings per container Average Serving Size (12 g) Calories 64 % Daily Value Total Fat 4 g Saturated Fat 2 g 12% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 6 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 6 g 2.5% Total Sugars 6 g Protein 0.5 g 1% Vitamin D 0 mcg 0% Calcium 0 mg 0% Potassium 0 mg 0% Iron 2 g 12% WINDEL ADVENT CALENDAR “Your World of Sweet Gifts” A little history which is directly from the Windel website itself: “The company is founded in 1900 as a wholesaler for confectionary and it remains a regional confectionary and liquor wholesale up until the sixties. Alongside confectionary, fish and gourmet food is traded. Windel also produces pudding powder during the first two generations. The company stays in business during both world wars, but only later further expansion is possible. In 1966, Alfred and Mechthild Windel, the third generation, have the idea to produce Santa’s Branches. They had seen these in only a few confectionaries and wanted to produce them efficiently and cost-effectively. The first customers are big department stores, which give the new product a chance and have great success with it. Even today, an updated version of Santa’s Branch is still part of the product range. With it the idea of combination-products made of food and non-food components is born. This was the foundation for the dynamic company development to become an industrial organization. Today Windel offers sweet gifts for every occasion and target group, which are further developed every year in a creative and innovative way. This also includes the chocolate-filled advent calendars, which have been part of the product range since 1986 and are now available in many variations. In the fourth generation, Windel starts to develop into a successful group comprising five companies. Initially in 1995 the Farüchoc Schokoladenfabrik from Karlsruhe is acquired – which location is moved to Osnabrück four years later. Since 2003 Kim’s Chocolates, one of the largest Belgian chocolate manufacturers, is part of the Windel Group. In 2014, Windel adds the first non-confectionary company to the group, the start-up Coffee-Bike. In 2016 the start-up myChoco follows, which is building up a new, strong brand on the chocolates shelf. For this development, the innovative achievements as well as the engagement in the region the Windel Group is honoured with the “Osnabrücker Wirtschaftspreis” (Osnabrücker Economy Award) in 2018”. Wait really, what a surprise, this Advent Calendar is from Germany, where quality of product is held with utmost stringent regulations. This is why I am disappointed with the flimsiness of the exterior façade of this calendar. Upon first impression without having physically picked this up, the Windel Advent Calendar looks entertaining and elated. Santa Claus on a sleigh, riding away. Gifts galore, for children to adore! Hey, my sentences rhyme, NICE! Okay, moving on…. The theme is delightful. However, once I did pick up this calendar from the store, I realized that it looked much better situated on the shelf since the lightness and thin exterior was not obvious. Oh, and to make this even more interesting, Windel in the Deutch language means diaper. Okay, you know where I am going with this, a diaper for the s—t! He he he! As for taste, well, you will just have to read below to find out. Day 1 of Windell Advent Calendar “Your World of Sweet Gifts” Appearance of Box: Loveable Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Excitement Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Very Flimsy Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: It Is Holding Up So Far Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Quite Easy Chocolate: Exterior Appearance: Acceptable Smooth: Yes Textured: No Salty: No Overly Sweetened: No Grainy: Yes Different: Yes, On a Negative Note Stale: Tastes Stale, just like No Whey Foods Advent Calendar Boring: Yes, and Did I Mention Stale Would I repurchase: No, I would Not Not a good start for Windel Advent Calendar Ingredients: Contents: 24 Milk Chocolate figures (Cocoa Solids: 31% Minimum, Milk Solids: 18% Minimum): Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Sweet Whey Powder, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin May Contain Traces of Tree Nuts ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.7 / 5.0 Nutrition Facts Per 100 g Energy 2224 kJ/531 kcal Fat 30 g Saturated Fats 19 g Carbohydrates 58 g Sugar 57 g Protein 6.3 g Salt 0.22 g LAURA SECORD ADENT CALENDAR History lesson 101 directly from Laura Secord’s website: “In 1913, Frank P. O’Connor opened a small candy store in Toronto where he sold hand-made chocolates. He named his store after Laura Secord, the Canadian heroine who was a symbol of courage, devotion, and loyalty. Laura Secord began as a single shop on Yonge Street in Toronto. O’Connor turned the flat above the shop into a kitchen and prepared his own products. Success prompted the company’s expansion across Ontario and Quebec. In the 1930s, an office was opened in Winnipeg and pharmacies began carrying Laura Secord products. By 1950, there were as many as 96 shops in Ontario and Quebec, and Laura Secord chocolate was a well-established family tradition. Starting in the late 1960s, ownership of Laura Secord changed on several occasions. As of February 2010, Laura Secord is owned by Jean and Jacques Leclerc, two Quebec businessmen. The current owners belong to a family with over a century of experience in the food-processing industry. Together, the two businessmen possess close to 60 years of industry experience. With over 100 stores across the country, Laura Secord is Canada’s largest and best-known chocolatier. Laura Secord shops sell a very wide variety of premium-quality chocolates, including dark chocolate, white chocolate, flavoured and pure chocolate and chocolate-covered hazelnuts. Also available are ice cream and other treats such as caramel crunch and chocolate fudge. With over 400 products, Laura Secord continues to use its time-honoured recipes and is as dedicated to quality and excellent customer service as ever”. Upon first impression, the outer manifestation of this box is quite amusing, so many cute characters, peeking through a “window” on each day of the Advent Calendar. What a delight. I love the Santa Claus, bear, panda, owl, snowman, a child dressed up for Christmas, gingerbread cookie, plants, ornaments, Christmas tree, let’s just say that nothing is missing. The box is of a noble size, good in weight. Day 1 of the Advent Calendar has the cutest chocolate, wrapped in beautiful foil with a Snowmen in front. I am truly impressed. There was a lot of care to the finer details that went into this Advent Calendar. As for the taste of the chocolate, read below to find out. Day 1 of Laura Secord Advent Calendar Appearance of Box: Charming Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Thrilled Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Not At All Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: It Is Holding Up So Far Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Quite Easy Chocolate: Exterior Appearance: Perfect Smooth: No, there are tiny pieces of a crispy rice inside the chocolate Textured: Yes Salty: No Overly Sweetened: No Grainy: Yes but due to the crispy rice Different: A Very Basic Chocolate Stale: No Boring: Yes Would I repurchase: No, I would No Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Ingredients, Unsweetened Chocolate, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Vanilla Extract), Caramel (Glucose, Sugar, Water, Butter, Coconut Oil, Milk Ingredients, Salt, Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Carrageenan, Natural Flavour), Crispy Rice (Rice Flour, Sugar), Salt ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 1.5 / 5.0 Nutrition Facts Per 4 pieces (40 g) Calories 200 % Daily Value Fat 11 g 15% Saturated 7 g 36% (for both Saturated and Trans) Trans 0.1 g Carbohydrate 25 g Fibre 1 g 4% Sugars 23 g 23% Protein 2 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 50 mg 2% Potassium 125 mg 3% Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 50 mg 2% Potassium 125 mg 3% Calcium 50 mg 4% Iron 0.75 mg 4% NESTLE NORTH POLE ADVENT CALENDAR Nestle’s history is so grand that I will let you have the luxury of going to their website and having a read on your own. There are many things that might be of great interest if you love chocolate. I gather that you do, otherwise you would not be reading my blog, he he he! Here is the link to Nestle’s history page: https://www.nestle.com/aboutus/history/nestle-company-history. Enjoy! Upon first glance at Nestle’s Advent Calendar, I made the very quick decision to reach for the box and make the purchase without any further mindful persuasion from anyone. The Advent Calendar is playful, merry, cheerful, gleeful, need I say more? The Santa Claus with his beautiful shoes, the overly enlarged bear with a scarf that I am obsessed with, to the happy little characters skiing and sleighing, to the reindeer smiling from ear to ear, the theme cannot be any more festive. I think that this Advent Calendar is fun not only for children, but adults alike. I personally love it. The box is of a large size (my favourite) and it feels weighted. Oh Yeah! I am excited to be diving into this calendar every day for the next 24 days. As for the taste, let’s go to our rating system now, shall we! Day 1 of Nestle’s North Pole Advent Calendar Today’s theme is the KITKAT Santa. Appearance of Box: Enchanting Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Ecstatic Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Not Not Not At All Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: It Is Holding Up So Far Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Very Easy Chocolate: Exterior Appearance: Impeccable, a Santa Claus Themed Kit Kat Chocolate Smooth: Yes Textured: No Salty: No Overly Sweetened: No Grainy: No Different: Yes, and the wafer pieces provide for a pleasant mix Stale: No Boring: No Would I repurchase: Yes, I would Ingredients for KITKAT Santa 29 g: Sugar, Modified Milk Ingredients, Palm and Vegetable Oils, Cocoa Butter, Unsweetened Chocolate, Rice Flour, Cocoa Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Potato and Corn Starch, Baking Soda, Salt, Natural Flavour, Bamboo Powder May Contain Tree Nuts ChocoliscioulsyDelightful Rating: 3.5 / 5.0 Nutrition Facts Per 1 Piece KITKAT Santa (29 g) Amount % Calories 160 Fat 9 g 12% Saturated 5 g 26% (Saturated and Trans) Trans 0.1 g Carbohydrate 17 g Fibre 1 g 4% Sugars 15 g 15% Protein 2 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 30 mg 1% Potassium 100 mg 2% Calcium 40 mg 3% Iron 1.25 mg 7% LOACKER 24 DAYS WITH YOU ADVENT CALENDAR History 101, from directly Loacker’s website: “Since 1925, the name Loacker has stood for pure and wholesome natural goodness, the highest quality and love for nature - combined in our delicious wafer and chocolate specialities. Over the past 90 years, the name has become an internationally known brand which is popular in more than 100 countries - and which has always gone unwaveringly its own way. What has helped us with this, and still does, is our status as a family business. We can decide each step ourselves and have ensured the highest quality for generations. Our products are made in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the pristine environment of the Dolomites and prepared according to an old family tradition. Over time, the family business founded by Alfons Loacker in 1925 has developed from a small regional confectioner to a globally known brand with products that delight people in more than 100 countries. All Loacker products are made and packaged in the heart of the Alps according to the highest quality standards. In addition to the two production sites, Loacker operates seven Loacker Cafés, consisting of the Café and Brandstore. The Heinfels site also boasts Loacker's World of Goodness with an interactive exhibition and a Pastry Workshop. Well, well, well, what do we have here, an Italian product, I truly am a happy camper. I have heard of Loacker but did not know much of their history nor that it was a European product. What the company stands for is impressive itself but let’s move to the Advent Calendar for the overall rating. When I initially took off the plastic wrapper from the box, I assumed that this would be just an another “ordinary” Advent Calendar; I began to automatically look for the numbered days, specifically day 1. Wow was I ever surprised to find a box that opened up to a treasure. No, really, this is a fantastic product. Once I lifted the lid, I found a cloth reindeer folded nicely alongside with the many Loacker minis just floating around. Whattttt, Loacker just stunned me, in an “I love you” type of a way. This is probably the most ingenious Advent Calendar I have tested so far, in all of my years of testing. Genius! Simple and at the same time, this Advent Calendar brough the biggest smile on my face. I am in awe. As for the taste of the wafer chocolates, well, I am in admiration as to the how delicious they are. Absolute perfection. Let’s rate! Day 1 of Loacker’s 24 Days With You Advent Calendar Appearance of Box: Perfection at its Best Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Blissful Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Oh Yes Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Not Not Not At All Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: It Will Hold Up indefinitely Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Ease Galore Chocolate: Exterior Appearance: Flawless Smooth: Well, it is a wafer, you get it! Textured: Yes Salty: No Overly Sweetened: No Grainy: No Different: Yes, and faultless Stale: No Boring: Absolutely Not Would I repurchase: Ten times over, Yes, I would Ingredients: Delicious Milk Chocolate (23%), Dark Chocolate (2%), and White Chocolate (2%) Specialty with Fine Hazelnut Cream, Chocolate Cream, Coconut and Vanilla Cream (55% Cream Filling) and Crispy Leaves of Wafer. Sugar, Coconut Oil, Wheat Flour, Glucose Syrup, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Flakes, Whey Powder (Milk), Hazelnuts, Whole Milk Powder, Skimmed Milk Powder, Dextrose, Soy Flour, Fat-Reduced Cocoa, Barley Malt Extract, Emulsifier Soy Lecithin, Cream Powder (Milk), Raising Agents (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate, Disodium Diphosphate), Butterfat (Milk), Salt, Bourbon Vanilla Pods, Spices May Contain Peanuts and Almonds ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 10.0 / 5.0 Nutrition Facts Per 3 Pieces (30 g) % of Daily Value Calories 150 Fat 10 g 15% Saturated 7 g 35% (Saturated and Trans Fat) Trans 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 35 mg 1% Carbohydrate 17 g 6% Fibre 1 g 4% Sugars 10 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 4% Iron 4%
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RUSSEL STOVER COOKIES N CRÈME The white chocolate intertwined with crushed cookies looks very appetizing in appearance, so much that I actually purchased this fake looking bunny. It is something different. I normally see the standard milk chocolate for purchase during Easter, perhaps tradition. Russel Stover has definitely gone out of their way to perform the unusual so they better have gotten this right. Nope, uh huh! It is all wrong. Upon first bite, the chocolate tastes very similar to the Oreos cookies, almost as though the idea was half-stolen. Hmm, something to tickle that brain of yours. The melt is satisfactory, and the leftover is a crunch, a whole lot of it. Watch out if you have dentures, this revolting chocolate is not for you. I am disgusted with the whole bunny, it is dreadful. Would I repurchase, probably NEVER Ingredients: Pastel Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Milk Ingredients, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavour, Salt), Cookie Pieces (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Cocoa, Palm Oil, Glucose-Fructose, Corn Flour, Cocoa Mass, Salt, Dextrose, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin) May Contain Peanuts, Tree Nuts, and Eggs ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.2 / 5.0 NUTRITION FACTS Per 1 piece (37 g) % Daily Value Calories 200 Fat 11 g 17 % Saturated 10 g 50 % for both, Saturated and Trans Trans 0 g Cholesterol 5 g Sodium 65 g 3 % Carbohydrate 23 g 8 % Fibre 0 g 0 % Sugar 21 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 0 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 6 % Iron 2 % RUSSEL STOVER MARSHMALLOW COVERED IN MILK CHOCOLATE OHHHH, I am feeling my stomach turn. Revolting. This tastes artificial chocolate is of utmost poorest class, bitter, and overly toxically sweetened. Marshmallow is of stingiest quality; nobody wants to spend a buck in this company. To make matters worse, the whole chocolate is stale, and I mean “get this …… out of face” stale. Let’s call this “Uncultured” on so many levels. Would I repurchase again, NEVER Ingredients: Milk chocolate (Sugar, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavour), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Water Sorbitol, Gelatin, Salt, Flavour, Baking Soda, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate May Contain Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, and Wheat ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.1 / 5.0 NUTRITION FACTS PER 1 piece (35 g) % Daily Value Calories 170 Fat 8 g 12 % Saturated 4.5 g 23 % for both, Saturated and Trans Trans 0 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 30 mg 1 % Carbohydrate 22 g 7 % Fibre 1 g Sugars 18 g Sugar Alcohol 0 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 0 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 4 % Iron 4 % RUSSEL STOVER MILK CHOCOLATE Simplicity is key here. No marshmallows popping out of the ceiling, no caramel, no nuts, no seeds, no peanut butter, nothing, just plain old-fashioned chocolate. Even the ingredient list looks adequate. Melt is acceptable however, there is a bitter aftertaste. Something to work on for next year Russel. Would I repurchase, Undecided Ingredients: Sugar, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavour ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 3.4 / 5.0 NUTRITION FACTS Per 1 Piece (37 g) % Daily Value Calories 200 Fat 11 g 17% Saturated 7 g 36% for both, Saturated and Trans Trans 0.1 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 25 mg 1 % Carbohydrate 22 g 7% Fibre 1 g 4 % Sugars 20 g Protein 3 g Vitamin A 0 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 6 % Iron 6 % RUSSEL STOVER PEANUT BUTTER COVERED IN MILK CHOCOLATE Well, well, what do we have here, a copyright class action lawsuit, hmmm. Why Russel Stover, why, your chocolates tastes so similar to Reese, seriously. Who does not love peanut butter and chocolate, it really is a perfect combination. Russel Stover, you sure got this one right, or should I say Reese’s Pieces? Overall, great consistency, smooth and buttery, sweetened to perfection so that the peanut butter is the most prominent flavour within the chocolate. Would I repurchase, YES ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 3.9 / 5.0 Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavour), Peanut Butter (Peanuts, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Soybean Oil, Salt), Sugar, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Soybean), Refiners’ Molasses, Mono and Diglycerides, Invertase, Flavour, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid May Contain Tree Nuts, Eggs, and Wheat NUTRITION FACTS Per 1/2½ rabbit % Daily Value Calories 240 Fat 15 g 23 % Saturated 7 g 35 % from both, Saturated and Trans Trans 0 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 65 mg 3 % Carbohydrate 22 g 7 % Fibre 1 g Sugars 19 g Protein 4 g Vitamin A 0 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 4 % Iron 6 % RUSSEL STOVER CARAMEL COVERED IN MILK CHOCOLATE I am pulling my hair out now, what, when, why? That is a whole lot of caramel to swallow, and sweet, and diabetic sweet, and sugary sweet, and glucose sweet, and corn syrupy sweet, and and and, okay, you get the point, YES, it is sweet. Melt action is smooth however, all that I can focus on is the rush of sugar flooding my body. Yuck. I am then left longing for something to even out this shocking aftertaste. Black coffee anyone? Would I repurchase, NEVER ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.5 / 5.0 Ingredients: Sugar, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Corn Syrup, Cocoa Mass, Water, Palm Kernel Oil, Brown Sugar, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Flavour, Baking Soda, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Artificial Flavour NUTRITION FACTS Per 1/2 rabbit % Daily Value Calories 200 Fat 9 g 14 % Saturated 6 g 31 % for both, Saturated and Trans Trans 0.1 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 50 mg 2 % Carbohydrate 28 g 9 % Fibre 1 g 4 % Sugars 24 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 0 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 4 % Iron 4 % RUSSEL STOVER COCONUT CREAM EGG IN DARK CHOCOLATE Surprisingly, this chocolate cream egg has a very prominent coconut flavour that starts out strong but phases out subtly as devoured. Melt is average, and I am left with coconut flakes, too many of them. Nevertheless, this chocolate is insanely sweet, wow, whoa, bonkers, nontense (yes, with a T). I am now gulping tea, lots of it to forget the traumatic experience I just had, he he he. Would I repurchase again, NEVER ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.1 / 5.0 The packaging for this item ripped, and I was therefore not able to provide the ingredient list. Russel Stover has decided to showcase many of the flavours mentioned above in a smaller chocolate, the egg version. Examples: Russel Stover Marshmallow Egg Covered in Milk Chocolate, Russel Stover Caramel Egg in Milk Chocolate, Russel Stover Marshmallow & Caramel Egg in Milk Chocolate, Russel Stover Marshmallow Bunny in Milk Chocolate Thank you for being here Xoxoxo Soriah LINDT LINDOR STRAWBERRY & CREME
The Lindt Lindor Strawberry & Crème is an all-around beautiful creation, from the inside out. The wrapper is sophisticated, and yet playful with the pink tonality of the foil. Once unfolded, I am in awe, a true surprise; white Lindor chocolate awaits. Extra points Lindt, you got me, okay, I will admit, yes, you finally did a good number on me, he he he! The perfectly rounded ball is full of the very prominent strawberry flavour that the title keeps implying about. Lindt definitely does not let you forget that there is “fruit” in this chocolate, well, it might really only be a tincture in strawberry flavour but who’s counting! To be continued….Melt action is absolutely superb, and I am craving more. Smooth white chocolate with an irresistibly fruity aftertaste. Perfect balance in sweetener. Oh YES, I would repurchase. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4. 2 / 5.0 WATERBRIDGE MASTERPIECE Wow, this is truly a variation box galore. If you are indecisive in the so-many options that life has to offer, than this is the chocolate box for you. There is no right or wrong, no perfection, or fault in picking one over the other, just pure goodness. Every single piece of chocolate in the Waterbridge Masterpiece box is beautiful, from the exterior appearance and most of all, the interior (taste). All of the generously sized bon bons have a different filling in the middle. I feel spoiled. Not one of the chocolates disappoint. I would have appreciated if the sweetener was toned down by at least 30%, and the incorporation of cacao butter was thrown in by the pounds however, from under a $10.00 standpoint, this box is hard to beat. Beautiful to look at, with a tasty wonder. YES, I would repurchase. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4. 6 / 5.0 MERCI Despite the fact that the name of these chocolates has always intrigued me, I have never had the desire to reach for this brand when deciding what to purchase for my next review. I finally said yes with their Valentine’s Edition and purchased a box. Well the chocolates are not really catered especially for Valentine’s Day since they did not alter anything from what I have researched, but we will just go along with it. Merci claims that these are Valentine’s Day chocolates, I would differ otherwise, oh well, let’s make peace and call it a day! Each chocolate stick mini bar has a different flavour. Unfortunately, despite the diversity in taste, the chocolates are of low quality. I found each flavour plain. I could distinguish somewhat amongst them however, they are all mish mashed, intertwined, and not in a good way. These could have been dollar store bought chocolates, and I would not have known the difference. Okay, okay, yes, I would have noticed but not the average person who is calm and sane around chocolates, unlike me! The coffee flavoured stick is particularly bitter, and not in a good “I’ll take my coffee black” type of a way. The milk crème bar tastes stale. The melt is acceptable although, I could not help but continue to think as to how low of quality these chocolates really are. The packaging is pretty to look at, but who cares if the bon bons are disappointing. I am not eating the wrapper, come on now. I would NOT repurchase again. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 1.5 / 5.0 LAURA SECORD Gorgeously heart-shaped box surrounded by carefully chosen colours catered just for Valentine’s Day. Opening the individually wrapped and elegant bon bon, with black packaging and a hint of white for the branding was a delight. Wrapper is sturdy and tough. There is a shiny sheen to each dome shaped bon bon for an extra classic presentation. The dark chocolate is delicious however, Laura Secord has forgotten to list the % of cacao in her confectionery. Nevertheless, the sweetener is perfectly balanced, hoooray. Melting is slow to begin with, very slow, so so so slow, okay, you get the point yet once it starts, there is no going back. Oh yeah, here it goes, finally, a smooth melt. I am reaching for more. YES, I would repurchase. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.3 / 5.0 RUSSEL STOVER Plain milk chocolate that is actually pleasantly nice. Ohhhhhhhhhh, what an astonishment. Simplicity in taste with a fresh aftertaste. Well-balanced overall. Russel Stover is an extremely affordable brand that also tastes right. This is a perfect example where the price does not reflect the chocolate. Well done Russel Stover. YES, I would repurchase. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.1 / 5.0 LE GOURMET HEARTS Let’s just skip this review so that I do not throw in the hundreds of insults sitting and waiting on the tip of my tongue. You know that I usually hold no reservations but at this moment, I do not want to ruin my zenful mediation. “Keep it kind Soriah” is what I tell myself. Just know that I will never, ever, ever, did I say NEVER repurchase again, despite the pretty packaging. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.00001 / 5.0 Here we are again with a similarity from the preceding post. Truffle chocolates on their best behavior. Oh, but wait, these are not chocolates, they are not creamy, or smooth, or melt incredibly fast. Could the “nuggets” be cookies, biscuits, some sort of a dessert with a crunch? “You bet my chocolates” they are! I must admit, it was kind of disappointing when I first realized the terrible news. I could not stop crying, okay, not exactly but close. I really was expecting truffles, what do I know, greed wins all. I bought these without thinking as you can already imagine. Nevertheless, let’s give these truffles a fair shot and dive into the review. On the exterior, they do resemble “old leather”, richness, sophistication. Nothing smooth and shiny here, just plain outright rigidness. I do like it though as it portrays character. Upon first bite, the chocolate powder on the outside is a bit on the bitter side however, that is quickly forgotten once you crunch that cookie. The chocolate taste is quite prominent, on a pleasant note that is. Despite the fact that this is not an actual chocolate bar but instead a cookie, there is adequate amount of cacao that will make you forget that you were reaching for a chocolate bar in the first place. In addition, the melting action is faster than I would have expected, yes, the biscuit melts as it is airy. Would I repurchase, I am indecisive at this point but ask me again tomorrow!
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 2.9 / 5.0 Ingredients: White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Arome), Wheat Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oils (Palm, Rapeseed), Low-Fat Cocoa Powder, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Sodium Carbonates, Burnt Sugar, Salt, Flavour (Contains Milk), Soy Lecithin May contain traces of other gluten-containing grains, peanuts, and nuts NUTRITION FACTS Per Portion (25 g) Amount Daily Value Calories 120 Fat 5 g 8 % Saturated 3 g 15 % Trans 0 g Cholesterol 0 g Sodium 80 mg 3 % Carbohydrate 17 g 6% Fibre 1 g 4% Sugars 12 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 0% Hello, my passionate chocolate enthusiasts, how is life treating you, what have you been doing, any interesting places you have been going, spill it! Okay, bonkers, marshmallows, bumble bees, only if you want to. In my defense, the absence from my blog has been due to me preparing for something huge, something bold, something that you will just have to wait to find out. He he he! I am so excited. The announcement will be up within the next couple of weeks so please be on the lookout. In the meantime, this review will have to do. Looky, looky, what do we have here, a Dutch dessert of some kind, with integrated choco of course! Hmmm! Seeing this chocolate mix at my local Cheese shop, with Santa in front obviously made me scratch my head, wondering what is this going to taste like. There was only one way to find out. Two minutes later, I was standing in line, waiting to pay, with the chocolate in hand. When I finally had the opportunity to open the packaging for a “first impression bite”, I will admit that I was completely wrong in terms of what I assumed these little nugget looking bon bons were going to taste like. Guilty as charged since I really did think that this was all chocolate based, inside and out. Oh no, not even close, try a biscuit. You heard me right, this is a mini cookie of enclosed with spice. Let’s start by covering our basis, all three flavours taste exactly the same. Perhaps the dark chocolate covered cookie has a very small variation, for the most part, they are all equal in taste. In addition, I am sorry to be the heartbreaker but there is nothing spectacular here; all in all, it is actually quite mediocre. On the upside, there is a nice spicy crunch upon first bite that eventually disintegrates into a bunch of nothings. The chocolate does leave a delicate aftertaste which left me eager to reach for more. The exterior appearance of each bon bon is very clean looking, with a glossy sheen. It does illustrate scrumptiousness. The packaging is inviting with Santa Claus observing, in an ever so sweet gaze. The backdrop of a little town, waiting and ready to receive their gifts is priceless. Overall, this was a pleasantly subtle surprise. Would I repurchase, probably NOT. The ingredient list says it all.
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 2.3 / 5.0 Ingredients: Wheat flour, Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Soya Lecithin, Natural Aroma), White chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Whey Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Aroma). Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Aroma), Sugar, Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil), Corn Syrup, Gum Arabic Shellac), Spices (Including Cinnamon), Sodium Hydrogencarbonate, Ammonium Hydrogencarbonate, Disodium Diphosphate, Salt, Roasted Sugar Syrup, Invert Sugar Syrup, Free-Range Eggs, Caramel May Contain Traces of Nuts, Peanuts, and Sesame Well, let me first start off by saying that I did review this chocolate bar a few years ago, April 14, 2015 to be exact. However, this choco, the one that I will be discussing in this particular post today, is not purchased from Vancouver, BC, Canada but instead, this bar is flown directly from Switzerland, it was brought over by someone who is visiting Vancouver. To make matters even more interesting, the packaging is quite different from the previously reviewed bar, despite the fact that they are both the same. Hmmmm, is this some sort of a marketing scheme where the exterior appearance is not identical for the North American market as opposed to the European? Does Switzerland appreciate more of the classic appearance that Lindt has to offer, and the North Americans in return would not know the difference? I guess the Europeans do try to make a bit of a mockery for the North Americans, but it goes both ways. Nevertheless, we can disregard the package and instead, focus our energy on the bar itself. Upon first appearance, it looks scrumptious, nutty, crunchy, milky…..BUT, is that really how it tastes? Keep reading…….. Creamy, oh yes, milky – you got it, hazelnuts – prominent, so much so that the crunchy bite cannot be dismissed. It is all over your face. The melt action is slow of course, “let’s get to next Christmas” type of a slow. There is of course a great excuse, the hazelnuts silly! On the downside, the chocolate bar itself is a bit sweet, despite the nut infestation. Also, strange enough, if the package did not mention hazelnuts specifically, I would never have guessed the type of nut thrown into this bar. It could be anything, pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts etc. It certainly does not taste like hazelnuts. Did Lindt cheap out on this one, a pretend hazelnut type of a nut, hmmmmmm, got you thinking there, right? Unfortunately, I do not hold the answers to these very controversial questions. What I do know is that I am somewhat impressed, okay, okay, not really. This is supposed to be the same chocolate bar as the one previously reviewed, or is it?
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 3.2 / 5.0 Ingredients: Sugar, Hazelnuts 34%, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Whole Milk Powder, Lactose, Skim Milk Powder, Anhydrous Milk Fat, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Barley Malt Extract, Flavourings, Almonds. May contain other nuts. Milk chocolate contains: Cocoa solids: 34% minimum NUTRITION INFORMATION PER 100 g. Energy 587 kcal Fat 41 g Saturated Fat 13 g Carbohydrates 39 g Protein 8.3 g Salt 0.08 g Hello beautiful chocolate lovers! Are you indulging in endless amounts of sweets, chocos to be exact? Let’s hope so, otherwise life will be outright stodgy, he he he. For today’s review, ohhhhhh hold on now, wait a second, what do we have here, a Great Value Brand, could this be Walmart’s own….. Yes, indeed it is! How about that!!! To make matters even more intriguing - MADE in Switzerland, the land of the cows, or yoghurt, or chocolates, or….. You are probably wondering how and why would Great Value make a chocolate, half-way across the world, and then charge only $1.00? Where is the markup, who is the middlemen, how much does this chocolate cost to produce, is it even possible? Okay, one question at a time people. Coop, one of Switzerland’s largest retail and wholesale company is behind it all. They recently opened a new production centre near Basel where Walmart’s Great Value Brand is magically formulated. It is expensive to produce the chocolate in Switzerland, and even more so since the Great Value Brand does not receive any government subsidies. Reason: in order to qualify for subsidies, under the Swiss “Schoggilaw” (Chocolate Law), only manufacturers using milk and wheat in their chocolates will be entitled to export subsidies to compensate for the high cost of these agricultural ingredients. The Great Value Brand has 60 % cacao and zero milk. No subsidy but quite Impressive! What is all of this fuss about then, how is the money made at the end of it all? Well, for starters, the Swiss manufacturing plant is certainly much more efficient when it is running 100 % of the time as opposed to 50 % for example. This means that even if they are making only a couple of cents on each bar, it is much more lucrative for them to have the factory running at full speed as opposed to 1/3 of its capacity. At the end, everyone is a happy gal, including the ones devouring. Now for the real test, the flavour. You are most likely scratching your heads wondering if this tastes mediocre or absolutely dreadful. Let me further articulate. NEITHER! The Great Value Hazelnut Milk Chocolate tastes absolutely enticing. Smooth with a pleasant crunch, creamy, and fluid. Sugar does happen to be the very first ingredient on the list but regardless, it equates to a superb sweet balance. This is due to the Cocoa Butter. The Swiss are very fond of using this highly prized ingredient in many of their chocolates. Laaderach and Lindt are both famous for the generous quantity of cocoa butter in their bon bons. As for the hazelnuts, I would have preferred for them to be the second ingredient on the list as that is what the chocolate is supposed to be defined by. In addition, the whole milk powder and/or whey powder should certainly have been more thoroughly thought through. Nevertheless, for the price of the chocolate and its simplicity, I would highly recommend it to anyone on a budget or even if you are not. It is just good enough. This bar can hold its own among the more expensive contenders. Way to go Great Value Hazelnut Milk Chocolate. Yes, I would definitely repurchase. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.1 / 5.0 Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Hazelnuts, Chocolate Liquor, Whey Powder, Butter Fat, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavour Contains: Milk, Hazelnuts, Soy May Contain: Other Tree Nuts, Eggs, Barley NUTRITION FACTS Amount Per 10 Squares (42) % Daily Value Calories 230 Fat 14 g 22 % Saturated 7 g 36 % (Saturated and Trans) Trans 0.1 g Cholesterol 10 mg Sodium 0 mg 1 % Carbohydrate 24 g 8 % Fibre 1 g 4 % Sugars 21 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 0 % Vitamin C 0 % Calcium 6 % Iron 2 % Uhhhhhmmmm, I will honestly admit that I was a bit skeptical about the Oreo Milka “invention” since the previous Daim chocolate that I blogged about was a disaster. I thought that Milka has once again gone over their heads, and taken on something much too complex. Nevertheless, I was wrong.
This is an excellent piece of choco, and I am sure that there have been many trial and errors with the Oreo edition before it was successfully thrown into the market. Why might you ask, because it is perfect, accomplished, and exceptional. Milka experimented and prevailed. I opened up the package and wanted to only taste 6-7 squares in order to obtain the full spectrum of the chocolate but as the old saying’ goes “Once you start, you really cannot stop.” This held true in my case. The Oreo bar was gone, devoured, in ten minutes or less, yikes. As I was consuming, the words just kept flooding, and yes, I was writing. It was euphoric. The softness of this chocolate is superb, the melt is orgasmic, and what contributes to the speedy choco disintegrating is due to how incredibly moist the Oreo crumble is. Fantastic! The balance between cacao and Oreo, which has a vanilla aftertaste, is foolproof. If Milka made even one simple change while in production, it might have thrown the whole bar off. There is however, a slight crunch from the cookie but as previously mentioned, in a delicate consistency, as though you have taken the Oreo and dipped it in a glass of cashew milk. The cookie taste is quite prominent in this Milka Bar, there is no mistake there, even in a blind-folded taste test. There is a substantial amount of Oreo as you can see from the photos. I also thought that it was clever to place the cookie in first, as it was most likely dipped in the Milka chocolate thereafter. By using this “potential” method if I am correct, the Oreo will always be making the grand entrance. Would I repurchase this delectable sweet, absoluteclearly YES. Please note that the reason for the un-perfect score is due to the ingredient list. I could definitely do without quite a few fillers. No need to have glucose syrup, or milk fat for example in chocolates. ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.2 / 5.0 Milk Chocolate with Vanilla Flavour Filling and Biscuit Pieces. Ingredients: Milk Chocolate 50% (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Skimmed Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Whey Powder (from Milk), Milk Fat, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Hazelnut Paste, Artificial Vanillin Flavour), Vanilla Flavoured Milk Filling 38% (Non Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm), Sugar, Whey Powder (from Milk), Skimmed Milk Powder 7%, Milk Fat (2.7 %), Emulsifiers (Soya Lecithin), Artificial Vanillin Flavour, Cocoa Biscuits 12% (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Non Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (Palm, Palm Kernel), Reduced Fat Cocoa Powder (6%), Glucose Syrup, Wheat Starch, Raising Agents (Potassium Hydrogen Carbonate, Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate), Salt, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Artificial Vanillin Flavour) Nutrition Facts Per 100 G Energy 555 kcal Fat 34.0 G Saturated 19.0 G Carbohydrate 56.0 G Sugars 49.0 G Fibre 1.4 G Protein 5.4 G Salt 0.49 G Well, well, well, where do I begin from here? Upon first glance at this chocolate bar on store shelves, I was immediately quite impressed; as though I was hit with a “love at first sight” type of a feeling! The bar does indeed have a very appealing, and “get my wallet open for purchase” kind of a demeanor. Nevertheless, the initial positive appeal is quite a few miles away from the taste, which I was negatively astonished by. The Daim choco is repulsive, vulgar, and intrusive. Let’s start the review now, shall we!
The melt takes a million seconds to dissipitate (metaphorically speaking) = it is much tooooooo gradual and lazy; get on with it, any day now! Once this cycle has completed, my palate is left with a crunch, the caramel crisps of course, which at this point, are outright aggravating. If the melt was quicker, the crunch therefore might have been somewhat acceptable, but since it starts out so wrong, the leftover caramel is troublesome. The sweetness is heavy, and that might be due to the unbalance amount of each ingredient. In addition, sugar being the first on the list explains it all. This does not provide for a confident start. Oh yeah, to make matters worse, let’s not forget the Sugared Concentrated Skim Milk ingredient. What is that repulsive add-on? I am almost vomiting!@#$%. To point something else of importance is the number of almonds in this bar - less than 1%. Cheapy wheapy! Concentrated Butter??????? Need I go on? This chocolate bar does not provide any sense of satisfaction if you are craving some sort of a sweet. If you do want to give the Daim Choco a try, please make sure that you pair it with a hot beverage of your choice, mine happens to be black coffee or white tea. Would I repurchase the Milka Daim, absoluteclearly NO! ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.3 / 5.0 Milk Chocolate of the Alps with Almond Caramel Crisps (20%) Ingredients: Sugar, Cacao Butter, Skim Milk Powder, Cacao Mass, Lactoserum (from Milk), Palm Oil, Concentrated Butter, Almonds (1%), Sugared Concentrated Skim Milk, Emulsifier, Hazelnuts, Salt, Whey (from Milk), Flavours. Cacao: Minimum 30% from Milk Chocolate of the Alps Nutritional Facts Per 100 Grams: Energy 527 kcal Fat 29.0 G Saturated 17.0 G Carbohydrates 59.0 G Sugar 58.0 G Fibre 1.6 G Protein 5.3 G Salt 0.55 G I am so delighted to not only have found, but formally introduce to you one of the tastiest chocolates that I have greedly devoured in a loooong while. This came as a total surprise, and a good one that is. Hear me out. I know what you are thinking, how could Milka produce an exception that would be worthy of such review. Well, they have, and I will share with you as to why I am so enthusiastic. I purchased this chocolate bar at the same time as Happy Cows, the previously written blog post. I was actually under the impression that I would enjoy Happy Cows much more due to the name for starters, and then the combination of the chocolates. There are these times in your life when judging something by its looks is just not feasible. Actually, never should a result arise from appearance. That is normally my motto, but it was as though I was giving Milka a race against its own chocolates. What a mistake on my end to have made such an assumption. This chocolate dessert is nothing short of outstanding. Upon initial bite, I could not get the words down on paper fast enough; reason being is that the chocolate melted at an accelerated, fast-forward speed. That is how creamy this bar is. “My jaw had dropped, and I was left speechless for once.” Second bite was the same, and just as enjoyable as the first. I am now in awe. The chocolate is also so light and airy. I felt at complete bliss throughout the indulgence of the whole bar in under a few minutes. I should have timed the pace it took to melt three squares. I am certain it was less than 20 seconds. I have tasted and tested many bon bons during my chocolatier career, but so far, this has to be one of the fasted melting creamyliscious concoctions. I highly recommend chocolate dessert to every living being or creature on this planet, and would advise that you go and pick one up NOW. Drop whatever you are doing. Trust me. Ready, get set, GO! Find your luscious confection!
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 6.5 / 5.0 Milk Chocolate with Alpine Milk and Whipped Cocoa Filling 45% Ingredients: Sugar, Non-Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm), Whey Powder (from Milk), Cocoa Butter, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder 9.2%, Skimmed Milk Powder (from Cow), Cocoa Mass Milk Fat (from Cow), Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Hazelnut Paste, Artificial Flavours (Vanilla, Vanillin) Milk Chocolate Contains: Cocoa Solids: Minimum 30% NUTRITION INFORMATION Per 100 G Energy 562 Kcal Fat 37.0 G Of Which Saturates 21.0 G Carbohydrate 48.0 G Of Which Sugars 47.0 G Fibre 4.3 G Protein 6.6 G Salt 0.37 G |
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Affordable but still SavoryThis blog page is dedicated to inexpensive chocolates that are continuously, to this day, enjoyed daily by many chocolate lovers out there. I still happily delve my taste buds into a good old-fashioned, so tasty, and yet simple Mr. Goodbar. To top it off, the cost allows for a much "Sweeter" satisfaction on your fuller wallet! Archives
August 2022
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