h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Haven't 'spoken' since last year(couldn't resist). How've you been?

Yes & any interesting lately? I foumd some South African http://www.vgchocolate.co.za with anise, rather unique & very good!

this is a surprise!

Decent has been a bit thin on the ground lately, just the usual Christmas fare. But I did have a fudge sundae when we were out for dinner yesterday I have to get the last spoonful out even if it means tipping the glass upside down

Happy new year

Yes Happy New Year!

Oddly enough I found that at what seems a rather seasonal source for , http://www.winners.ca (somewhat of a discount dept. store - apparently the conglomerate that owns them also owns various stores in the U.S. as well as The U.K. & Germany).

Sorry for keep ning off!

I had a look at the corporate link - they own TK Maxx in UK, I didn't realise there is one not too far away

Got to go to work *sigh* Chilly there until they fix the heating!!

Oh not a problem! Real life has a habit of beckoning quite persistantly at times, doesn't it.

Ah good to know that you have a TK Maxx closeby!

With the time difference I'd best brush my teeth & get to bed, it's now 2:39 am!

I love the way you yawned there so I could see your teeth

I'm hoping real life will be a lot more straight forward this year! Just booked a couple of weeks off work during the summer

Rested now & some Italian purchased a couple hours ago...quite good too! It's a 75% cocoa solids Tanzanian , from a company I'm not familiar with(but then again I don't spend any time in Italy)- Feletti http://filbertsandchocolate.blogspot.com/2008/12/feletti-dark-chocolate-tanzania.html filberts Nothing but in the two bars I bought although that is the Exact packaging, with the elephant and the dark-skinned Atrican There is no website mentioned on the package.

I was going to mention, the summer is probably the best part of the year to have time off!

Something -related(but no surprise there). I purchased a Patric bar the other day. They're a small American maker - & I say 'maker' because they actually make the , in the culinary vernacular 'from scratch'.(I haven't tried the bar yet, but the anticipation is building!) Five of such enterpreneurs(sp?)have formed a makers guild called the Craft Chocolate Makers of America, you can read about it at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1709894.htm . I don't know how much of their product will be widely available(Canada or The U.K.), although I have-thanks to Kerstin hersef at Kerstin's Chocolates, tried the De Vries & aside from the Patric she also imports the Amano.

http://www.patric-chocolate.com

You have been busy! Let me know what the Patric bar is like

I've been trying to be good after the over-indulgence period I did find this useful little list though

http://www.ceder.net/chocolate/label_web_sites.php4

Ooh

Hmm just scanning quickly, I've tried quite a few of those.

That said though, not even a third of the total number of brands...perhaps a quarter.

I wish I had something positive to report regarding the Patric bar. Perhaps it was over-anticipation or possibly I should have compared it with either Kerstin's French(she uses the Michel Cluizel in her Chocophilia bars)or the Spanish Valor bar I have. It just struck me as rather one-dimensional-a good dimension, don't get me wrong! It could also be that I need to fine-tune my palate more...that or refine/clearly define a tasting routine or process. I still have a portion of the bar left, so I'll have another go at it in a few days.

Shame about the Patric bar. I have a hankering for something dark and slightly spicy at the mo

Did I mention before that Green & Black's has origin's in my home town?

Green & Black's you say?

Speaking of dark & slightly spicy, I discovered another American purveyor of at Winners. Called Chuao- http://www.chuaochocolatier.com , the company is located in California & owned by two Venezuelan brothers(one of them trained as a French ). If you look at their various products via the 'Shop Online' link, you'll see that he's developed some interesting flavour combinations. My dark & slightly spicy favourite is their Spicy Mayan bar-which is also available as a cocoa/hot powder, with both Pasilla & Cayenne chili peppers....with a few sips of Port it brought a distinct but very pleasant warmth to the back/top of my throat.The Firecracker bar is also quite interesting, although more of a novelty imho, you know something different.

Another update - I purchased one of Anthon Berg's http://www.anthonberg.com Therapy s, their Wellness variety with extracts of green tea, ginger & lemon. Really quite good! The other two listed on the website(click 'International', 'Home', the 'Nordic Berries' panel & then 'Therapy'-in the margin)are Focus with extracts of schissandra berries & guava and Drive with extracts of yerba matte & papaya. They have a rather unique flat, thin & distinctly curved shape...much like.

Hmm, in relation to post# 14 & that Patric . I roasted some organic beans from Sumatra-to a darker Full City + roast-Fri., ground them & brewed them in the caffetiere(sp?)/french press just now. Very nice complimentary or somewhat -enhancing pairing imho, as the has rich notes.

I see you have been busy!

Have not been participating on the front lately.
I did find a stray bottle of Kopparberg pear earlier which went down rather nicely after a roast dinner

Mmmmm, pear that Does sound good! Would very likely be just the thing to compliment the Spanish Valor with pear.