BS: What is the best chocolate?

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 05:49 AM

delicate porcelain teacups

Maybe that myth came from "bone china"** which is not the same as porcelain. Porcelain is pretty robust, whereas cheaper bone china uses a lot of calcium to flux the body so it almost a glass. The average person would not make the distinction. And pouring straight from the kettle onto tea bags would be a much bigger shock IMNSHO.

The exception I would possibly make is en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithophane which in order to make light and shade for images, it is necessarily very thin in places. I did once own a cup with a picture shining through the bottom.

** origin of the "bone" in "Rag & Bone Men"

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Jos
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 06:41 AM

"The average person would not make the distinction."

OK, I own up: I am an average person, as far as porcelain is concerned.

And I think you are right about boiling water poured straight from a kettle onto a teabag. But the same goes for tea leaves (or teabags) in a teapot. I have sometimes found cracks developing in teapots, but metal teapots, even silver ones, are not as comforting.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Jos
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 07:15 AM

To bring this back from coffee and tea to chocolate, what about drinking chocolate: there are several ready made powders - 'just add boiling water', 'just add hot milk' etc. - with results that vary enormously. And then there is the rich chocolate you get in Spain to dip your churros in.
Any recommendations?

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 07:18 AM

Two teapoons of Tesco's cheap hot chocolate plus one of decaf coffee plus one of brown sugar makes a very comforting Mocca to drink in cold weather.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 07:30 AM

... plus one of decaf coffee ...


I'll pass on that one, thank you. I don't do pretend.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 Jan 21 - 09:57 AM

I have a recipe for one chocolate chip cookie. I make it in the toaster oven. I tend to wrap the dough in a ball around a square of excellent semisweet choc and it makes a flat cookie that has a middle layer of chocolate.

Batches? I remember batches. So then, batches are. This is now.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 02 Jan 21 - 11:03 PM

bcw, tried your mocha suggestion. Proportions seem to need fiddling depending on ingredient brands.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Jan 21 - 07:20 AM

Decaf is one of those dirty words such as low-fat and alcohol-free...

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 03 Jan 21 - 07:55 AM

I get palpitations if I have too much "real" coffee. Oddly I am not affected by caffeine from other sources, so it looks like it is not so clear cut what is causibg the problem. Decaf coffee does not have whatever it is that affects me.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 03 Jan 21 - 12:25 PM

”Decaf is one of those dirty words such as low-fat and alcohol-free...”

Not if you have health-issues which require you to control or completely avoid the consumption of caffeine, fat, and alcohol. Then those ‘dirty words’ become your only viable options...

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 12:41 PM

I am extremely emotionally sensitive to caffeine and have had to give up even decaf coffee and -tea. Choc is still ok [crossing fingers, toes, and eyes] but during the years I could still drink'm, decaf coffee and -tea saved my sanity.

I still have *dreams* about coffee. Sometimes it is wonderful, aah, so marvy, sorry to wake up. Sometimes it is a nightmare of terror of caffeine-induced rage, and is horrible.

Oddly enough I did not start having the coffee dreams till after having to give up decaf tea, which was at least a decade after having to give up decaf coffee. But tea, which I had always drunk to soothe before having to give up coffee, kept its soothing properties, for a while, so I could use it as a morning drink to wake up without flying off the handle. For a while.

Now I am reduced to what in English is called herbal tea [ooh redundant?] and in French tisane, or pisse-mémé (granny pee). I hate chamomile but have found a version of French Verveine that I like.

Anybody remember Postum?

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 01:09 PM

I try to have some "real" coffee every day so that I am still atuned to it. When I had none for a fortnight I had problems when I had a cup.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 02:27 PM

I am also supposed to be on decaff everything for medical reasons: as my average intake before this edict was 2 cups of tea and one of coffee per day, I can't say I've really missed it, and am happy enough with the decaff alternatives or just doing without: although cutting our caff has made no perceptible difference to my condition!!
Back on chocolate: I was given a box of Moser-Roth salted caramel truffles (sold by Aldi stores in the UK) for Christmas: they are the bees knees in chocolate. I know there is some caffeine in chocolate, but a lot less than in coffee or tea.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 04:44 PM

I just had some chocolate mint Madaliens, yum.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 06:26 PM

Well, John, I honestly can't understand anyone needing to avoid alcohol or caffeine wanting to drink the stripped substitutes, but that's just me, so don't shoot. It's a bit like wanting to eat those Linda McCartney veggie "sausages" or those "lamb" chops (that are the same actual shape and colour as real lamb chops but which are made of some woven, flavoured fungus or something). I didn't start drinking coffee until I was 60 (on holiday in Venice, where I found that a decent cup of tea could not be obtained), but was rapidly converted. I have a bean-to-cup coffee machine and I make our coffee strong from Lavazza Red Label beans, which I keep in an airtight tin in the fridge. I will not consume instant coffee (pure biz), cafetière coffee or anything at all made from powdery stuff of any kind, so I can't think that decaf would do it for me.

Every now and then my morning coffee gives me a temporary headache (as can sex), and can make me feel a bit hot, but the benefits totally outweigh those short-lived inconveniences. To me, a mug of real coffee is a bastion of civilisation. Coffee does not make me stay awake either. I can easily take two big ones per day, but just the one is the norm. Four or five mugs of tea per day, however. No probs there, though I've learned to avoid late-night chocolate binges. I can still taste it next morning, and I suspect that, were I to inadvertently breathe in Mrs Steve's direction in bed, my secret indulgence would be betrayed, with unspeakable consequences...

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: robomatic
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 07:02 PM

There has long been a great perception of distaste from those on the British side of the pond for American chocolate, which is processed differently.

There is this


Personally, I enjoy a wide range of chocolate, from the best chocolates I ever ate, while bicycling through Belgium and priced by the gram, to the utterly cheap but delightful hollow chocolate bunny rabbits for sale right after Easter.

The worst chockys I ate recently were Russell Stover candies from last Valentine's Day. So bad I took the trouble to return 'em and write a letter to the manufacturer.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Thompson
Date: 09 Jan 21 - 09:29 AM

Chocolate is so personal that I wonder if it's like Brussels sprouts and DNA-related.
Hershey's tastes waxy to me (or did nearly 60 years ago when I last tasted it). I'm a fan of most Lidl stuff - haven't come across those almonds, which sound delicious, but love their hazelnut milk chocolate, also the dark 70% version.
I *think* we had Terry's chocolate orange this Christmas, but am not certain - something similar was handed to me and I ate it.
Steve, I'm told that there's a wall in the Coca-Cola headquarters with taster taps for the Coke sold in different countries; the Irish one is revoltingly sweet compared to some other countries, apparently. They send versions of their syrup to different countries where they'reconstituted into fizzy drink.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Neil D
Date: 11 Jan 21 - 09:12 PM

Lindt

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Jan 21 - 09:27 PM

Haha - after I posted about Lindt earlier, I had to go buy some balls. And I ate them.

Russell Stover us yuck, Hershey's is yuck, Reese's peanut butter cups is ok because of the peanut butter, and the chocolate on the outside of a Butterfinger bar is pretty damned good. I don't know that it's "American" chocolate that's bad, or just the crap American chocolate. (Anybody remember "Ice Cubes"? Heaven!)

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 08:00 PM

Just found the drum of “Heroes” that I bought back in November in case we were going visiting anyone at Christmas (chance would be a fine thing!) British Cadbury’s ( which, as already stated, is the only Cadbury’s worth eating) and no nuts! Great! I’m not allergic to nuts, just don’t like ‘em. All very nice, but rationing myself to 2 or 3 per day.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 08:16 PM

I'm fond of chocolate truffles, regular or mint. Smooth and decadent.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 08:23 PM

It's a right bugger is a box of Heroes, Tattie. I'm trying to work through one after Mrs Steve has hit the sack, but she has a memory for what's left in the box like an elephant...

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: robomatic
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 09:33 PM

Russian chocolate used to be excellent back in the Soviet era. Most recently I've been given some 'Poriski' bars which are not very good. They seem to be an attempt to emulate the aero bar.

Someone was given a Lindt bar flavored with red hot pepper. They immediately regifted it to me and it was delicious.

Red hot cocoa is also good.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Jan 21 - 08:36 AM

Lavazza red label is a new discovery for me but it was via the ground stuff. I use it in both a drip type machine and a cafetière. I don't use instant either but have found that at a pinch the Lavazza one is OK as long as I put milk in. Which I don't with 'real' coffee.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Jan 21 - 10:18 AM

I drank decaf because I like the taste of coffee, but could not process the caffeine. But not being able to have caffeine should not keep me from enjoying the taste of something I adored. But then, it did. To my dismay. Which is why I still have coffee dreams.

Much chocolate is improved by the addition of some coffee. Sigh. I had a bite of flourless choc cake I did not make myself and was up, vibrating, till 4am. Checked later and yup, coffee. No rage, though, so my mental health is stabler than it was.

Am thinking of trying decaf coffee one morning. Maybe the rage part is gone...

Because I *do* remember Postum. Uck.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 21 - 07:09 AM

I use the Red Label beans. Once I've opened the bag I put the beans in an airtight tin in the fridge. Some people recommend keeping them in the freezer. I reckon that such stringency is at least as vital for ready-ground coffee. I have a redundant grinder (not the far superior burr type, unfortunately). You can have it for free (p&p £199.99) but it's really more suitable for crushed nuts...

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jan 21 - 07:44 AM

I discovered making pancakes with belgian waffle mix tastes like cake.
Adding fresh strawberries is delicious. I tried adding dark chocolate cocoa and it made fluffy fried chocolate cake.
I use a bit of sour cream instead of all milk otherwise I follow the directions. Adding mandaran oranges to the chocolate 'cake' is up to you.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Jos
Date: 15 Jan 21 - 07:57 AM

It's good to hear that you are enjoying those pancakes, Donuel.
As for me, I wouldn't want my pancakes to taste of cake, or of chocolate.
(If I wanted to eat something that tasted of fried cake, I would fry some cake.)

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Thompson
Date: 15 Jan 21 - 11:12 AM

If you like rich dark choclates, try the Jeff de Bruges range whenever you're in France or Belgium.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Jan 21 - 05:42 PM

Every night, if we've been good [which we always have] Lady Hillary and I have a square of Ghirardelli chocolate, of the dark, dark type. One beauty of rich tasting foods is that you don't need a lot to appreciate them.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: vectis
Date: 17 Jan 21 - 03:39 PM

Swiss chocolate such as Lindt has always been very good but I reckon that Whittakers is as good, if not better.

Cadbury departed from New Zealand a year or so ago but not before the new owners had changed the recipes and made the product into inedible shite so good riddance.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: John P
Date: 19 Jan 21 - 07:55 PM

The only good chocolate is fair trade. Otherwise, there's a really good chance that it was harvested child slaves. There are more than two million child slaves in the chocolate industry in Africa. Nestle, Lindt, Mars, and Godiva all use slave children.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: JHW
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 06:03 AM

I was sent mostly dark chocs for Xmas. No milk, hazelnuts instead. I like dark choc and I like hazelnuts. Fine but is there chocolate not produced by child labour/slavery? No mention on my pack.
Heard some time ago that some firms make most available chocolate in bulk and others use that to make individual chocs. Child slavery don't know.

Cadbury seems just to be a brand now. Maufacturer is someone else.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Jos
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 11:00 AM

If you buy organic it should be fair trade as well.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 06:50 AM

JHW 'is there chocolate not produced by child labour/slavery?'

Apparently : Tony’s Chocolonely.

see
thread.cfm?threadid=168988#4083626

I've had a bar of plain which was perfectly good but didn't excite me particularly.
The plain with sea salt and almonds is really good.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 07:49 PM

When a fit of the munchies hit me a year or two ago,
in a convenience store,
I bought and tasted the brand of chocolate candy
that I remember from my childhood.

It was like chewing a combination of wax and glue,
with more syrup than chocolate.
Never again.

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 04:34 AM

In Home Bargains yesterday as they do the best value split logs for the fire anywhere and saw that they had Cadbury's Old Jamaica so I bought 3 bars. Daughters have eaten 2 already. I hid the third and had a piece. It was lovely :-)

They didn't have any logs though so I will have to go back. Maybe they will still have some Old Jamaica too :-D

Subject: RE: BS: What is the best chocolate?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 07:35 AM

French cooking choc is way better than American. We used to eat it in baguette, with butter, for midmorning snack.