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1/2/2022

Advent Calendar 2021 Race-To-Win

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​Hello, my beautiful and delightful chocolate friends. Welcome!
 
It is finally here, the 2021 Advent Calendar race-to-win competition, where everything is judged. There are eight contestants this year, some are new, some are returning, some are just plain blue! Not really, I just liked the rhyme. Anyhow, in the running for the grand prize of …………..being loved are: Lindt, Ferrero Rocher, ZazuBean, Godiva, KitKat, After Eight, and Loacker. If you counted seven brand names, you are not mistaken. We are judging two variations of the Ferrero Rocher Advent Calendars this year, that is where the total of eight emerges. Well, what are we waiting for, let the Games Begin!
 
xoxoxo Soriah 

Lindt Teddy Advent Calendar
 
Well, well, well, Lindt is yet in the running once again this year. We are having a hard time to do the Advent Calendar competition without including Lindt. Their calendars are a delight. What kind of chocolates are included in their daily countdown, teddies, lots, and lots of them. You will have to scavenge on your own to find out where each one is. Every day presents variations of chocolates that will keep you guessing. The theme of the box is fun and playful with many teddies that are performing different activities. How amusing! The colours are bright, the box is cheery, and yes, it will put a smile on your face, it certainly did for mine.


Appearance of Box: Happy
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Most definitely
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes however, it did take me some time to find the appropriate day since the numbering is small and faint
Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: It held up quite well this year 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: Yes

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Easy
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Smiley
            Smooth: Yes, that is what Lindt is known for, their smoothness
            Textured: No
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: No, it is balanced
            Grainy: No
            Different: A good overall chocolate
            Stale: No
            Boring: Absolutely not

Would I repurchase: I would most definitely repurchase 
 
Ingredients: Sugar, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Lactose, Coconut Oil, Hazelnuts, Palm Kernel Oil, Soya Lecithin, Barley Malt Extract, Artificial Flavour 
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 3.9 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts
 
Per 3 assorted pieces (16 g)   
 

                                                         Amount                                                         % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             90
Fat                                                      6 g
   Saturated                                      3.5 g                                                              18 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                             Saturated)
   Trans                                               0 g
Cholesterol                                       5 mg
Sodium                                              10 mg                                                           1 %
Carbohydrate                                   8 g                                                                3 %
   Fibre                                                0 g                                                                0 %
   Sugars                                            8 g
Protein                                               1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                               0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                               0 %
Calcium                                                                                                                  2 %
Iron                                                                                                                          2 %
 
Ferrero Golden Gallery – Signature Advent Calendar
 
Ferrero Rocher still to this day, puts together one of the best Advent Calendars. When I make this statement, I am mostly referring to what you “get for your buck,” in terms of taste, affordability, and the golden appearance of the box. Ferrero Rocher Advent Calendars rarely disappoint. This Advent Calendar in particular has eight different kinds of bon bon chocolates, the kinds you would find in a really, really fancy box with a ribbon on top. I am truly impressed. For $19.99, an individual will get a whole array of diverse chocolates. I truly appreciate the variation which are as follows: dark opera, coffee maestria, biancoretti, caramel intenso, chocolate sonetto, milk cupola, giandujot ferrero, and last but not least, caramel Leonardo. All these pieces of chocolates are absolutely divine, heavenly, outright delicious. Ferrero Rocher nailed this Advent Calendar. It is an all-around win!


Appearance of Box: Gorgeous
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Oh, yesssss
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Very visible; I appreciate it
Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: It is still holding strong 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: Yes

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Easy
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Classy
            Smooth: Smoothness alert
            Textured: Some such as the dark opera
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: No, it is balanced
            Grainy: No
            Different: Yes, it is different in that it tastes amazing
            Stale: No
            Boring: Absolutely not


Would I repurchase I would most definitely repurchase however, Ferrero Rocher does need to rethink about some of these ingredients on their list. Such is an excess of sweetener, even though it is not visible to the palate. 
 
Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Milk Powder, Modified (Palm Vegetable Oils, Hazelnuts, Salted Butter, (Cream, Salt), Skim Milk Powder, Cocoa, Glucose Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Milk (Milk, Sugar), Dextrose, Cream, Almonds, Soy, and/or Sunflower Lecithin, Invert Cane Sugar Syrup, Pasteurized Milk, Caramelized Sugar Syrup, Anhydrous Milk Fat, Ground Sweetened Hazelnuts (Sugar, Hazelnut), Ground Cocoa Beans, Corn Starch, Dried Coffee Flavourings, Invertase, Salt, Ammonium Bicarbonate. Contains: Hazelnuts, Almonds, Milk, Soy. May Contain: Wheat (Gluten), Eggs, Walnuts, Pecans, Brazil Nuts, Pistachio Nuts
  
Nutrition Fact of Dark Opera

 
Per 1 Piece                                                Amount                                                  % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                      50                                                       
Fat                                                               4 g                                                           6 %
   Saturated                                                2 g                                                         10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                               Saturated)
   Trans                                                        0 g                                                     
Cholesterol                                             0 mg
Sodium                                                    0 mg                                                         0 %
Carbohydrate                                            4 g                                                          1 %
   Fibre                                                        0 g                                                           0 %
   Sugars                                                     4 g                                           
Protein                                                        1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                                   0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                                   0 %
Calcium                                                                                                                      2 %
Iron                                                                                                                              0 %

ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Nutrition Facts for Caramel Leonardo
 
Per 1 Piece                                                 Amount                                                 % Daily. Value
 
Calories                                                       65
Fat                                                                4 g                                                           6 %
   Saturated                                                2 g                                                           10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                                  Saturated)
   Trans                                                         0 g                                                
Cholesterol                                              3 mg
Sodium                                                    0 mg                                                         0 %
Carbohydrate                                            0 g
   Fibre                                                         0 g
   Sugars                                                     4 g
Proteins                                                      1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                                  0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                                  0 %      
Calcium                                                         
Iron                                                                                                                             0 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
            

Nutrition Facts for Coffee Maestria
 
Per 1 Piece                                      Amount                                                          % Daily Value
 
Calories                                               50
Fat                                                        3 g                                                               5 %
   Saturated                                        2 g                                                               10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                             Saturated)
   Trans                                                 0 g
Cholesterol                                      0 mg
Sodium                                             0 mg                                                              0 %
Carbohydrate                                     4 g                                                                1 %
   Fibre                                                  0 g                                                                0 %
   Sugars                                               4 g
Protein                                                 0 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                                 0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                                 0 %
Calcium                                                                                                                    2 %
Iron                                                                                                                            0 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.3 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts for Milk Cupola
 
Per 1 Piece                                         Amount                                 % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             55
Fat                                                      4 g                                           6 %
   Saturated                                       2 g                                          10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                       Saturated)
   Trans                                               0 g
Cholesterol                                       0 mg
Sodium                                              15 mg                                      1 %
Carbohydrate                                   5 g                                           2 %
   Fibre                                                0 g                                          0 %
   Sugars                                            4 g
Protein                                               1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                          0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                          0 %
Calcium                                                                                             2 %
Iron                                                                                                     0 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts of Biancoretti
 
Per 1 Piece                                         Amount                                           % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             60
Fat                                                      4 g                                                     6 %
   Saturated                                      2 g                                                     10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                 Saturated)
   Trans                                               0 g
Cholesterol                                       1 mg
Sodium                                              10 mg                                               1 %
Carbohydrate                                   5 g                                                    2 %
   Fibre                                                1 g                                                     2 %
   Sugars                                            4 g
Protein                                               1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                   0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                   0 %
Calcium                                                                                                      2 %
Iron                                                                                                              2 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Nutrition Facts for Dark Cupola

 
Per 1 Piece                                                Amount                                     % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                          55
Fat                                                                  4 g                                           6 %
   Saturated                                                   3 g                                          13 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                   Saturated)
Trans                                                          
Cholesterol                                                0 mg
Sodium                                                      10 mg                                         1 %
Carbohydrates                                             5 g                                           2 %
   Fibre                                                            0 g                                           0 %
   Sugars                                                         5 g
Protein                                                            1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                       0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                       0 %
Calcium                                                                                                          2 %
Iron                                                                                                                  2 %

ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 3.8 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts for Giandujot Ferrero
 
Per 1 Piece                                               Amount                                     % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                         50
Fat                                                                  4 g                                           6 %
   Saturated                                                  2 g                                           10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                   Saturated)
   Trans                                                           0 g
Cholesterol                                                0 mg
Sodium                                                       2 mg                                           1 %
Carbohydrate                                                3 g                                           1 %
   Fibre                                                             0 g
   Sugars                                                         3 g
Protein                                                            1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                        0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                        0 %
Calcium                                                                                                           2 %
Iron                                                                                                                   4 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts for Caramel Intenso
 
Per 1 Piece                                                  Amount                                    % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                         60
Fat                                                                  4 g                                             6 %
   Saturated                                                   2 g                                            10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                     Saturated)
   Trans                                                           0 g
Cholesterol                                                   0 mg
Sodium                                                          5 mg                                          1 %
Carbohydrate                                               6 g                                              2 %
   Fibre                                                            0 g                                              0 %
   Sugars                                                         6 g
Protein                                                            1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                         0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                         0 %
Calcium                                                                                                            2 %
Iron                                                                                                                     2 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 3.7 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts for Chocolate Sonetto
 
Per 1 Piece                                                  Amount                                          % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                         70
Fat                                                                  4 g                                                 6 %
   Saturated                                                  2 g                                                 10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                         Saturated)
   Trans                                                           0 g
Cholesterol                                                  1 mg
Sodium                                                         5 mg                                              1 %
Carbohydrate                                               7 g                                                 2 %
   Fibre                                                            0 g                                                 0 %
   Sugars                                                        7 g
Protein                                                           1 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                             0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                             0 %
Calcium                                                                                                                2 %
Iron                                                                                                                         2 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.9 / 5.0

After Eight – Signature Advent Calendar
 
I was pleasantly surprised to see an Advent Calendar by one of the few companies that I am familiar with that specializes solely in adding mint to their chocolates. When I saw the After Eight Advent Calendar in my local grocery store, I knew that it had to be included in this year’s race-to-win. This Advent Calendar is definitely very much in demand. It was initially sold out across many stores. However, as you all know me well by now, I do not give up easily. It made my hunt even deeper. I searched and searched until finally, Advent Calendar in left hand and two fragrances in my right, I left the store, happy as can be. Let’s now delve into the physical box itself. I am pleasantly surprised as to how amusing the exterior appearance is. The packaging is classy, the colour theme is gorgeous, the fun scene on the front of the box is light and airy. All-around a win-win so far. I am now tasting the chocolate, Day 24 to be exact, where a 3 inch Santa Claus ready to be devoured emerges. Here we go! The chocolate itself is not of the highest quality. The mint peeps through from the start of the first bite and lasts long after the chocolate itself has melted. I have noticed that 100% sustainably sourced cocoa has been used to make these chocolates. I do appreciate that After Eight is conscious about the planet and its people. In overall, for the price point of $9.99, I cannot complain.


Appearance of Box: Classy
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Fantastic
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: You bet
Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Still going strong 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: Yes

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Easy
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Elegant
            Smooth: No
            Textured: No
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: No
            Grainy: No
            Different: Yes, mint and chocolate, really!
            Stale: No
            Boring: No


Would I repurchase: I would not repurchase
 
Ingredients: Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Sorbitol, Palm and Vegetable Oils, Modified Milk Ingredients, Sunflower and Rapeseed Lecithin, Natural Flavour, Invertase, Citric Acid. May contain: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Soy
 
Nutrition Facts
 
Per 1 Piece                                              Amount                                     % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                       40                               
Fat                                                              2.5 g                                          3 % 
   Saturated                                              1.5 g                                           8 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                 Saturated)
   Trans                                                        0 g
Carbohydrate                                           5 g
   Fibre                                                        0 g                                             0 %
   Sugars                                                     4 g                                            4 %
Protein                                                    0.4 g
Cholesterol                                            5 mg
Sodium                                                  2 mg                                             0 %
Potassium                                           30 mg                                            1 %
Calcium                                                  0 mg                                            0 %
Iron                                                       0.3 mg                                            2 %
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 2.1 / 5.0
 
Loacker Advent Calendar
 
What do we have here, the one and only Loacker, the “all around perfect,” the “know-it-all.” Yes, Loacker is flawless, in every way! There is something very special about this Advent Calendar, it always makes you feel happy and blissful.  I am in love with the themed box of the two little children, the boy gifting the girl wafers. The figures are also drawn in such a friendly manner. Both children look warm and kind. The calendar is sturdy and holds up well. Each day gifts a generous individually wrapped wafer of some sort. The flavours range from vanilla, to napolitaner, dark chocolate, patisserie noisette, cocoa and milk, white coconut, etc. For the 24th day, Loacker has included a rose of the dolomites chocolate with a soft wafer in the middle. Beautifully crafted. The taste of each wafer is outstanding. If I was to start my own wafer company, it would certainly resemble Loacker. Not to worry my Loacker employed friends, nothing of any sort will occur in the near future. No copycats here! I am truly enthralled by this Advent Calendar. It is done just right. Oh, and bonus tip, Loacker is completely affordable. Did you hear me say under $15.00! Whoooo, whoooo, woap, woa!


Appearance of Box: Mesmerizing
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Imaginary
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Oh yessssss
Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Absolutely NOT 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: Yes

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Very Easy
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Stylish
            Smooth: No
            Textured: Yes, come on now, it is a wafer
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: No
            Grainy: No
            Different: Yes, and loving every bit of it 
            Stale: No
            Boring: No


Would I repurchase I can give you 100 different reasons as to why I would repurchase. YES! 
 
Ingredients: There is no ingredient list however, Loacker prides itself in using 100% Italian hazelnuts from the Italian Hazelnut Orchards. In addition, their cocoa is from the Cocoa Farming Program, and lastly, the Alpine milk is processed by the company itself.  Phew, that puts my mind at ease!
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.8 / 50
 
Kit Kat Hockey Holidays Advent Calendar 
 
I was debating whether I should include this Advent Calendar in the running and decided to YES, I need to support chocolate loving hockey fans, Go Canucks! I am not really hockey crazy however, I do enjoy watching the game from time to time. The appearance of the Advent Calendar is marvelous, playful, fun, and inviting. I can imagine a little girl or boy loving this, especially if he/she plays hockey. How awesome! The puck on the front cover is exaggerated in size and it really is an eye-catcher. One of the cutest scenes is presented to us on the back of the box; hockey gear, Christmas gifts, KitKat shirts and hats, just a whole lot of joy. The colours work, the whole scene is something that KitKat got just right. In the Advent Calendar this year, you are surprised with five variations of chocolates. They range from KitKat Senses Hazelnut, KitKat Santa, KitKat Senses Caramel, KitKat Mini Bar, and KitKat Mini Santa. On day 24, KitKat has gifted a large chocolate Santa Claus, how generous. I must emphasize that it feels as though KitKat has reduced the amount of sweetener to each confection as they taste much more balanced than what I remember from this brand. If that is truly the case, I am proud of Nestle for being conscientious. Let’s review and rate! 


Appearance of Box: Blissful
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Oh, yesssssss
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes 
Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: It held up very well 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: Yes

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Easy
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Sunny
            Smooth: Not exactly, there are wafers in each chocolate but even without, this

is not a smooth type of a chocolate
Textured: Yes, wafer
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: No, it is balanced
            Grainy: No
            Different: No
            Stale: No
            Boring: Somewhat


Would I repurchase: Most likely not but if I was a huge hockey fan, perhaps
 
Ingredients: KITKAT Senses Hazelnut 10 g, Sugar, Milk Ingredients, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Hazelnuts, Wheat Flour, Modified Palm Oil, Palm and Vegetable Oils, Cocoa Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavour, Baking Soda, Protease, Xylanase. May Contain: Peanuts, Other Tree Nuts

 
Ingredients: 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
 
Ingredients: KITKAT Senses Salted Caramel 10 g, Sugars (Sugar, Glucose-Fructose), Modified Milk Ingredients, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Modified Palm oil, Wheat Flour, Palm and Vegetable Oils, Sunflower Lecithin, Salt, Natural Flavour, Baking Soda, Paprika Extract, Protease, Xylanase. May Contain: Peanuts, Other Tree Nuts
 
Ingredients: KITKAT Mini Bar 12 g, Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Modified Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Unsweetened Chocolate, Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate, Natural Flavour), Sugar, Wheat Flour, Palm Oil, Cocoa Powder, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin, Yeast, Natural Flavour, Protease, Xylanase
 
Ingredients: KITKAT Mini Santa 11 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
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 2.4 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts
 
Per 1 Piece of KITKAT Sense (10 g)

 
                                                            Amount                                             % Daily Value
 
Calories                                                50
Fat                                                         3 g                                                     4 %
   Saturated                                        1.5 g                                                    8 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                   Saturated)
   Trans                                                  0 g
Carbohydrate                                      6 g
   Fibre                                                   0 g                                                     0 %
   Sugars                                               5 g                                                     5 %
Protein                                                  1 g
Cholesterol                                      5 mg
Sodium                                             5 mg                                                     1 %
Potassium                                      40 mg                                                    1 %
Calcium                                          20 mg                                                    2 %
Iron                                                 0.2 mg                                                     1 %
 
Per 1 Piece KITKAT Santa (29 g)
 
                                                          Amount                                             % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             160
Fat                                                        9 g                                                     12 %
   Saturated                                        5 g                                                     26 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                    Saturated)
   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 %
 
Per 1 Piece of KITKAT Senses Salted Caramel (10 g)
 
                                                        Amount                                               % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             50
Fat                                                       3 g                                                    4 %
   Saturated                                     1.5 g                                                    8 % (Trans and 
                                                                                                                                Saturated)
   Trans                                               0 g
Carbohydrate                                  6 g
   Fibre                                               0 g                                                      0 %
   Sugars                                           5 g                                                      5 %
Protein                                              1 g
Cholesterol                                  5 mg
Sodium                                       20 mg                                                     1 %
Potassium                                 40 mg                                                      1 %
Calcium                                     20 mg                                                      2 %
Iron                                            0.2 mg                                                      1 %
 
Per 1 Piece of KITKAT Mini Bar (12 g)
 
                                                    Amount                                                % Daily Value
 
Calories                                          60
Fat                                                   3 g                                                      4 %
   Saturated                                   2 g                                                      10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                               Saturated)
   Trans                                            0 g
Carbohydrate                               8 g
   Fibre                                            0 g                                                       0 %
   Sugars                                        6 g                                                       6 %
Protein                                            1 g
Cholesterol                                5 mg
Sodium                                     10 mg                                                       1 %
Potassium                               30 mg                                                       1 %
Calcium                                    10 mg                                                        1 %
Iron                                          0.2 mg                                                        1 %
 
Per 1 Piece of KITKAT Mini Santa (11 g)
 
                                                    Amount                                               % Daily Value
 
Calories                                        60
Fat                                              3.5 g                                                       5 %
   Saturated                                 2 g                                                       10 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                             Saturated)
   Trans                                         0 g
Carbohydrate                             7 g
   Fibre                                          0 g                                                        0 %
   Sugars                                      6 g                                                        6 %
Protein                                         1 g
Cholesterol                             0 mg
Sodium                                  10 mg                                                         1 %
Potassium                            40 mg                                                        1 %
Calcium                                 10 mg                                                         1 %
Iron                                         0.4 mg                                                       2 %

Ferrero Collection Advent Calendar
 
Ferrero is another one of these Advent Calendars that seems to always make the cut it in every year’s race-to-win edition. Why? Well let’s see, hmmmmm, they produce magnificent Advent Calendars, ones that would make any aged individual smile. Ferrero Rocher’s Advent Calendars are jubilant, delightful, and most of all, affordable. They do not cost $100.00 per box, not even $70.00 or $40.00. I purchased this particular calendar for under $20.00. You really get a lot of checkboxes ticked with Ferrero Rocher for a small price to pay. The box feels strong and of substance. The theme on the box this year is magical. I love it all. The little girl walking her dog, the beautifully elegant couple taking a stroll in the park, a classy lady in a black skirt and red sweater carrying perfectly wrapped gifts, the red Beetle vehicle just behind the star of the show themed Christmas tree and lastly, the backdrop of architecturally pleasing homes that really tie in the whole theme of sophistication and a curiosity of some kind. I wonder where they are all going, what kind of lives do they have, jobs that they hold, and hobbies that they might be gifted with. It is just a painting however, it does say a thousand stories just by using your imagination. I adore it. The box itself opens up like a book to reveal all the days of the Advent Calendar. I feel as though the chocolates are much more protected in this manner. Smart thinking from Ferrero Rocher whether this was intentional or accidental. Once this gem has been unfolded, you certainly get a treat of a glimpse into the lives of others in their homes. The refinement is so real, I can feel the prestige just through a painting. I can look at this storyline for days and come up with different scenarios. Now that is my kind of a melody! There are three variations of chocolates in the Ferrero Rocher Advent Calendar – The Ferrero Rondnoir (fine dark chocolate), The Raffaello (crisp coconut specialty with a whole almond), and The Ferrero Rocher (fine hazelnut chocolate). I found them all to be delicious but I was most especially impressed by the Raffaello with its crisp wafer, coconut flakes, and yet there is a smooth liquid unveiled in the middle that ruptures without warning in your mouth. What a splendid surprise.  Like a Jack-In-The-Box, it just pops up. All three variations of chocolates are scattered throughout the Advent Calendar and day 24 gifts us two of the original Ferrero Rocher bon bons, wrapped as one. Are we ever lucky! I cannot say enough amazing things about this box of enchantment except to try it yourself. There is little chance that you will be disappointed.


Appearance of Box: Chic 
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: 10000%
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes, exceptionally 
Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Absolutely 100% NOT
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: Absolutely

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Stress-free
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Exultant
            Smooth: No
            Textured: Yes
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: Absolutely Not
            Grainy: No
            Different: Yes, Ferrero Rocher always stands out
            Stale: No
            Boring: Not even a little


Would I repurchase: A million times over, YES 
 
Ingredients: Sugar, Modified (Palm, Vegetable) Oils, Hazelnuts, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Coconut, Wheat Flour, Skim Milk Powder, Whey Powder, Cocoa Powder, Almonds, Anhydrous Milk Fat, Wheat Starch, Soy and/or Sunflower Lecithin, Tapioca Starch, Flavourings, Whey Protein, Gum Arabic, Sodium Bicarbonate, Milk Powder, Salt, Ammonium Bicarbonate

Contains: Hazelnuts, Almonds, Wheat (Gluten), Soy
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 4.9 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts
 
Per 3 Pieces (32 g)
 

                                                        Amount                                                    % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             190
Fat                                                      13 g                                                         21 %
   Saturated                                       6 g                                                          21 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                       Saturated)
   Trans                                                0 g
Cholesterol                                     5 mg
Sodium                                          25 mg                                                         1 %
Carbohydrate                                    14 g                                                         5 %
   Fibre                                                   1 g
   Sugars                                             13 g
Protein                                                 2 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                           0 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                           0 %
Calcium                                                                                                              3 %
Iron                                                                                                                      5 %                  

Godiva Masterpieces 12 Days of Godiva
 
Okay, this is a bit different for me. Of course, I was aware that Godiva had an Advent Calendar however, I did not know that I could just pick one up at my local London Drugs store. That was shocking since Godiva praises itself for being exclusive and prestigious. Hmmmmmmm. Nevertheless, I got my hands on this box and to my downright surprise, there are only 12 days’ worth of chocolates. Well, that is disappointing. Who wants to purchase an Advent Calendar that takes them only to December 12th, where is the excitement in that? I do not understand the idea behind this but let’s go with the flow for now and give them the benefit of the doubt. The box itself is nothing but a bore, a flaky, tasteless, and flimsy bore. Horrific to be exact. There is no theme of any sort except for a few cheap photos of Godiva’s chocolates. They made attempts to make up for their frugal calendar by amplifying the size of each of the twelve days. Those numbers are so enormously large and in your face. Uhhhh! I cannot imagine a worst box in appearance. Okay, what about the taste? There are four variations of bon bons – dark chocolate ganache heart, milk chocolate caramel lion of Belgium, dark chocolate mint medallion, and milk chocolate hazelnut oyster. I will generalize the taste of these chocolates since despite them having different flavours, they are all repulsive, vile, and revolting. They taste like the cheapest chocolates wrapped up in a box with a huge price label. Each bon bon is either so sweet that I feel as though I am becoming diabetic or so so bitter, and harsh that it leaves me unsettled. Where do I go from here but to just wash this down with loads of green tea and forget about the whole experience. I highly recommend to NOT purchase this Advent Calendar. It is one of the lowest rated items and what makes it worst is that Godiva has the nerve to charge a price point that should be reduced by 90% for this quality. Disguising!


Appearance of Box: Horrid
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Beastly
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Oh yes, indeed they are Is Advent Calendar Flimsy: Very flimsy 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: NO

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: Yes
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: Unpleasant
            Smooth: No, it is chalky
            Textured: No
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: Yes
            Grainy: Yes
            Different: There is nothing different about despicable chocolates
            Stale: No
            Boring: You got it


Would I repurchase: NEVER
 
Ingredients: Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Glucose Syrup (Corn), Vegetable Oil (Palm, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel), Water, Hazelnuts, Butter Oil (Milk), Heavy Cream, Vegetable Oil (Palm Sunflower), Invert Syrup, Butter (Salted), Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel, Palm), Glycerine, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin, Mono), and Diglycerides, Skim Milk Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Natural Flavour, Invertase – How many times can you add palm oil to chocolates, really! Revolting and Disguising!

May Contain: Other Tree Nuts
 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: 0.1 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts
 
Per 5 Pieces (42 g)   
 

                                                           Amount                                               % Daily Value
 
Calories                                               220
Fat                                                         13 g                                                     20 %
   Saturated                                          8 g                                                      40 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                       Saturated)
   Trans                                                 0.1 g
Cholesterol                                      10 mg
Sodium                                            30 mg                                                     1 %
Carbohydrate                                    23 g                                                      8 %
   Fibre                                                   2 g                                                       7 %
   Sugars                                             22 g
   Sugar Alcohols                                0 g
Protein                                                  2 g
Vitamin A                                                                                                        2 %
Vitamin C                                                                                                        2 %
Calcium                                                                                                           4 %
Iron                                                                                                                   15 %
                                                                                    
ZazuBean Advent Calendar 
 
Where do I begin, this Advent Calendar has definitely checked off all the right boxes on paper. It is fair trade, vegan, gluten free, kosher, 80% cacao in the dark chocolate confectionary, 44% cacao in the creamy hazelnut confectionary, and to top it all off, it is organic. As ZazuBean claims, their Advent Calendar is “Good for the growers, good for the planet, good for you!” Okay, okay, let’s not get carried away here. At some point, I need to burst your perfect ideology of what a good chocolate should entail and yes, despite this perfect list, the chocolate is ghastly, hair-raising, distressing. The milk chocolate is so bland that I have no idea what to conclude. Can I even rate something that tastes nothing like chocolate? Horrible. This is not chocolate. The bad experience is so real. Now for the dark confectionary tasting, here we go! Wow, could this be any worse. I unfortunately had to spit it out, yes, it was that appalling! This is probably one of the worst chocolates I have ever tasted. Bottom three. This is not chocolate, I repeat myself for the hundredth time, this is not chocolate. Everything that you can think about in terms of a bad chocolate, you can add it to the ZazuBean list. Absolutely sickening! As for the box, I do like the blue colours, and Santa Claus on his reindeer is charming. The penguins ice skating is cute, the squirrel gift giving is generous, the polar bear lurking is a bit overwhelming but hey, who is counting at this point. There is no story line that ties anything together in this façade nor can I imagine making one up myself. It just does not flow. 


Appearance of Box: Unpleasant
Fun and Appropriate Theme of Box: Vile
Clearly Marked Numbers for Each Day: Yes 

Flimsy: Yes 
Is the Advent Calendar Holding Up in its Form and Shape: NO

Ease of Opening Each Daily Box: No
Chocolate: 
            Exterior Appearance: It looks average
            Smooth: No, absolutely chalky, disguising, horrid
            Textured: No
            Salty: No
            Overly Sweetened: Yes
            Grainy: Yes
            Different: There is nothing different about shameful chocolates
            Stale: No
            Boring: This goes beyond boring


Would I repurchase: NEVER
 
Ingredients: Ground Cocoa Beans, Cocoa Butter, Erythritol, Hazelnuts, Oat Flour, Inulin Fibre, Vanilla Pods, Sea Salt, Stevia

 
ChocolisciouslyDelightful Rating: -0.1 / 5.0
 
Nutrition Facts
 
Per 6 Pieces (33 g)   
 

                                                         Amount                                             % Daily Value
 
Calories                                             168
Fat                                                      15 g                                                    20 %
   Saturated                                       7 g                                                     35 % (Trans and
                                                                                                                                   Saturated)
   Trans                                               0 g
Carbohydrates                                15 g                                                     5 %
   Fiber                                                4 g                                                     15 %
   Sugars                                            0 g
   Erythritol                                        6 g
Proteins                                             2 g
Cholesterol                                    0 mg
Sodium                                          13 mg                                                     1 %
Potassium                                    116 mg                                                    2 %
Calcium                                          17 mg                                                    1 %
Iron                                                   2 mg                                                    12 %

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    Author

    My name is Soriah and I am an enormous lover of fine chocolates. I enjoy strolling through charming towns and by chance, finding a little, delightful chocolate gem hidden in the corner, offering bon bons that are ready to be just devoured. 

    TO MY CHOCOLATE CUTIES OUT THERE, PLEASE NOTE - I do not discriminate between $$$$$. No, seriously, expensive or budget-friendly, all that really matters to me is whether my taste buds are doing a little hola dance, or sitting in the corner, tearing up. Oh, I almost forgot, quality ingredients in the chocolate is a huge added bonus. That is another great importance that reflects my final rating. 

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