richart: ma tablette pure origine 70% madagascar

this is so much better than a suave frenchman whispering lurid desires in your ear! eating this bar may just fulfill what you want to feel (sans the special nibbles from frenchie) and smell.

richart has given us a gentle and smooth chocolate with his tablette pure origine of madagascar. the berry notes are enjoyably elusive and naughty when caught... the nice snap of the chocolate followed by its salving melt, makes this rendezvous complete rapture.

here is the back of the package.... fabuleux, n'est pas? the package is held together with a bamboo skewer!

chocolat poulain: chocolate trading cards

chocolat poulain / goutez et comparez / qualite sans rivale
“il avait ete a la peine, il etait bien juste qu'il fut a l'honneur” (jeanne d'arc)

aristide boucicaut, the legendary director of the bon marché in 1850, was a marketing savant. he basically invented “gift with purchase” by giving away chromolithograph trading cards on thursdays. children would race to his store every week (with parents in tow) to get the latest chromo for their collection.

chocolate companies soon caught on and slipped chromos in their packaging. the cards covered: children’s songs, history, geography, natural sciences, professions... the chromos were not only used to sell more bars but they were also used for education.

the chromo above, from chocolat poulain, depicts joan of arc at her trial…

the judges were astonished that a small country-woman was able to attend the coronation of charles vii (july 17, 1429 at reims cathedral). the judges asked why joan was given a place of honor next to the king rather than a nobleman. She proudly stated "it had borne the burden; it was only right that it should have the honor".

if you have not yet seen the messenger: the story of joan of arc - - - i highly recommend this gorgeously made film!

bovetti: dark chocolate with sechuan peppers

the bovetti bar reminds me of royalty... kings, queens, the court, servants... what is quite interesting about the complicated bar is that the peppercorns are smooth and not strong (it is not your grandfather's peppercorn steak). at first bite, there is a warm tingle that turns to a surprise ending of anisette. it is as if i am enjoying a pastice on the croisette in cannes (at the Carlton) with my tiara on.... bisous!

notes: mint, anise, leather, pepper, complex, citrus, love

YOU BE THE CHOCOLATE SNOB... RATE THIS BAR:

klaus: noir piment d'espelette pamplemousse

what a clever little bar. this chocolate is comprised of grapefruit and chile peppers. it is a bar i highly recommend getting. you are hit with a citrus punch and left with a lingering hot pepper tickle.

by the way, get a jar of piment d'espelette to make a perfect goat cheese salad. just sprinkle it onto a flattened ball of goat cheese... put it in the broiler on top of thinly sliced french bread... then place it on your perfect salad (dressing made with french mustard, sea salt, pepper, olive oil, herbes du provence, and balsamic). if you want the full recipe, leave a comment and i will get it to you.

fauchon paris: torinese aux noisettes

not only is napoleon known for short man syndrome, but he is also credited with championing the empire style which brought culture and arts to france... the byproduct of napoleon's work is found in this cute little sac rose package... a pink and black purse with a satin handle and a fauchon label. this pricey parisian chocolate, with giant hazelnuts, is absolutely divine and completely delicious.

cote d'or: praliné intense

this bar is a little too rich and sweet with the prailine intense creamy filling. cote d'or would go very far with this bar if they used a thiner paste. do a search for my other cote d'or bars and try those first.

champion: noir praliné - aux éclat de noisettes caramélisées

hazelnuts, filberts, cobnuts... how ever you call them... those babies caramelized and put in chocolate is my idea of a great time. this bar has a delicate soft crunch... just lovely, although it is a bit on the sweet side.

the french are absolutely superb when it comes to food and love! i cannot believe that this is the generic brand for champion stores. dix milles bisous.

cote d'or: noir amandes

there is something about the common cote d'or that gets me going. maybe it is because i have to go to france to pick this up in a supermarket. your basic dark yummy bar with almonds.

valrhona: le noir noisettes

this was quite delicious for valrhona. the crispy hazelnuts were quite bewitching and they insistently teased me.

cote d'or: lait amandes caramelisees avec une poite de sel

beg your french friends or beg your travelling to france friends to find this exquisite bar for you. better yet, jump on that private jet to the city of lights and stock up in this sweet gem. the gentle crack of caramel then the sudden reveal of almonds is sweet elysium. do not fear that this is manufactured by kraft - yes the ones who provide us toxic comfort in little blue boxes.

michel cluizel: carre mangaro noir

i was expecting a savory treat but found it hard and waxy with a pungent nut flavor.

average price given on a 3.5 oz bar