RACE-TO-WIN ADVENT CALENDARS

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 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 organisation.
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 ADVENT 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”.
Our Vision: The best chocolate and ice cream experience in Canada.

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                                    11g                                              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. 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, directly from 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%