Chuao Chocolatier Review: Spicy Maya and Ravishing Rocky Road bars

Don't forget about the "For the Love of Chocolate" sweepstakes from my friends at Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW)- they are giving away a year’s supply of gourmet chocolate treats to one lucky winner and many other crave-worthy prizes every week. We have discussed Chuao before- I think their products are simply divine.

To enter, you simply need like Chuao’s Facebook page where you can then enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the year of free chocolate. Entries will be accepted until February 28.

One winner will be selected each week during the Sweepstakes to receive a set of three of Chuao’s favorite chocolate bars, and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a year’s supply of Chuao chocolates (sent in four shipments- one for each season of 2013).

I recently received two amazing chocolate bars from Chuao to try- Spicy Maya and Ravishing Rocky Road- both were divine, in very different ways.

The Spicy Maya bar had an amazing spice to it- Chuao describes it as "seductive cinnamon, pasillavchile and warming cayenne bedded in dark chocolate".  As you can see in the pic above, you can actually see the little bits of spice in the chocolate. I LOVED this one.

The Ravishing Rocky Road bar is more traditional and is described as "Salted caramelized almonds and chewy marshmallows pave the way in milk chocolate". Full disclosure: I ate around the almonds. I'm totally weird and don't like whole nuts in my chocolate. But the flavor of this bar is wonderful and the marshmallows are soft and fluffy and add such a whimsy to this bar. Loved this as well.

Founded in 2002 by Master Chef Michael Antonorsi and his brother Richard Antonorsi - the company's Chairman of the Board; Chuao Chocolatier is pioneering “fusion chocolate” through a commitment to creating unusual, unexpected and delicious flavors using their secret blend of premium chocolate and fresh natural ingredients.

You can discover Chuao Chocolatier chocolate confections around the United States at fine specialty retailers including Whole Foods Market, Dean and Deluca, and Crate & Barrel, as well as fine restaurants & hotels including Omni Hotels nationwide, La Costa Resort & Spa, Coupa Cafe, and Hard Rock Hotel.

The chocolate bars discussed in this review were provided to me for review purposes.

Review: Chuao Chocolatier

Shhhhh...... don't tell my family, but I've been hiding (and eating) some delightful chocolate!

Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW) sent me some of their newest products to try, and I didn't tell a soul (until now!). And ate every bite myself!

The first product I tried was their 60-calorie mini chocolate bar: the Sweet & Salty ChocoPod. This two-bite delight features a touch of sea salt swirled into Chuao’s premium blend of milk chocolate. This was so so so good. I discovered last year that I love the flavor sea salt gives to chocolate so I knew I would love this. I was not disappointed!

Sweet & Salty is sold for $1 at retailers across the country.

Next I tried their Maple Bacon Bar.... so unique! This was one I savored over several days... breaking off small parts to enjoy when a chocolate craving hit me.

“We have been repeatedly asked by retailers and customers to create a chocolate bar with bacon, but
have waited until now to put our unique ‘Chuao spin’ on that coveted combo,” said Master Chef
Michael Antonorsi, co-founder of Chuao Chocolatier. “Our Maple Bacon bar is about the chocolate
first and foremost— its creamy sweetness lays the perfect foundation for the maple syrup. Then, sprinkled
through, are delightfully crunchy little bites of uncured bacon with a bit of smoky salt. The finished
product is a divine handcrafted bar destined to go on everyone’s must-have list.”


The Maple Bacon Bar is available in Chuao Chocolatier cafes, major retailers and online at
www.chuaochocolatier.com for an MSRP of $4.99.



About Chuao Chocolatier


Chuao Chocolatier, located in San Diego, Calif., creates culinary-inspired confections by blending
all-natural ingredients with its own premium blend of ethically sourced chocolate, featuring cacao from its founders’ native Venezuela. Master Chef Michael Antonorsi and his brother Richard started Chuao Chocolatier in 2002 with the intention of arousing the senses with unusual, unexpected and delicious chocolate experiences. And 10 years later, the company continues to delight with award-winning products, including the best-selling Firecracker bar and truffle, Potato Chip bar and Spicy Maya hot chocolate.

Chuao Chocolatier offers chocolate bars, ChocoPods (mini chocolate bars), hot chocolate, bonbons and other gourmet chocolate confections at Chuao Chocolatier Cafés and fine retailers nationwide including Whole Foods Market, Crate & Barrel, and Dean and Deluca. For additional information or to shop the company’s online store, visit www.chuaochocolatier.com.

Chuao Chocolatier

I was recently contacted by Chuao Chocolatier, a company that was new to me. However, considering my love of all things sweet, especially chocolate, I was eager to sample their products.

Chuao Chocolatier sent two items for me to try.

Potato Chips in Chocolate bar
Premium milk chocolate with kettle cooked, lightly salted potato chips

and a darling package containing two bonbons.



On the left: the Love Child bonbon (an aphrodisiac blend of a port wine drenched dried strawberry in a chocolate ganache)

On the right: the Firecracker bonbon (guaranteed to blow your mind with chipotle caramel fudge, popping candy and sea salt in dark chocolate)



I cut both open to have a look. On Firecracker bonbon on the left, you can see popping candy and sea salt on the edges. When I cut the Love Child bonbon on the right open, you could see the wine drenched strawberry and the ganache looked so thick.


P grabbed a portion of the Love Child bonbon and before I could stop him, he ate it. He was not a fan, which is fabulous because he is just 8 and should not yet have a taste for alcohol! But I ate the other half and it was divine.... so rich and the strawberry and ganache together were perfect.

WC grabbed part of the Firecracker bonbon, and said "It's popping in my mouth! Cool!" And it was... and the sea salt paired with the chocolate was so so good.



Mr. Sasha and I split the Potato Chips in Chocolate bar and it was divine. Salty and sweet go so well together. This reminded us of a product we used to get for a local candy maker- chocolate covered Pringles.




Chuao Chocolatier is offering a giveaway to win a trip for two to San Diego! Between now and February 14, click the banner above for a chance to spend two nights at the glamorous La Jolla Shores Hotel, enjoy dinner at the beachfront THE SHORES restaurant, and attend a private wine and chocolate pairing event with Master Chef Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocolatier. You will also have a chance to win one of 14 Limited Edition Sweetheart Boxes filled with 22 signature Chuao Chocolatier bonbons featuring delectable, aphrodisiac ingredients.

You can also use the code "BLOGGER" and receive 20% off your entire purchase at their website between now and February 14, 2012.

Disclosure: The chocolate products pictured above were provided to me for review purposes.

For the Love of Chocolate

I think you guys know I have the biggest sweet tooth ever and my love for chocolate is unparalleled.

So I was so excited when Sucre, a New Orleans-based confectioner, sent me a box of chocolates to try!

The box I was received was the For Love of Chocolate Collection. These were rich dark chocolate ganache blended with sweet red raspberries in a shimmery heart shell. Not only were they gorgeous, they were absolutely yummy!

The box above retails for $30 and I think it would make a fabulous Valentine's Day gift. Of course, there are many other flavors available to suit any tastes.

Disclosure: I was sent this box of chocolate from Sucre for review purposes. However, the opinions stated in this post were my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Hubbies: Valentine's Gifts!

And really, this isn't just for husbands... girls, you've got to check this out!

Have you heard of Dove Chocolate Discoveries? A good friend of mine, Kristen, just signed up as a representative, and holy cow, this stuff is good! So good, it's not sold in stores- it's better than the stuff in stores! Promise! The Sea Salt Caramel Collection is TDF. I personally know this because I ate the whole box by myself last month. (I guess that's mostly because I hid it from my husband.)

Moving on from my diet transgression.... Kristen is offering a special for Sasha Says readers... 10% off your orders during the month of January. Their best deal right is the Valentine box... it's 24 chocolates in a pretty box, sent directly to your valentine for $39- including shipping.

You can email Kristen at kristen_dennis@yahoo.com or contact her through her Dove site.

One more product tip- I purchased the Mudslide Chocolatini Mix and am taking it on our ski trip this weekend along with Raspberry Vodka to make the best mudslides you have ever had.

Dear Martha Stewart,

The other day I picked up a package of Dove Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate Promises, and they are heavenly.

But your "tips" written on the inside of each wrapper are spoiling my enjoyment of the chocolate. Yesterday you suggested I "Elevate a store-bought wreath with your own trimmings".

Damn you, Martha. First of all, I'm not even sure where my store-bought wreath is, but hopefully I'll find it soon. But you want to me to "elevate" it? I don't "elevate". Things are displayed "as-is" at the Sasha house. Plus I don't have any "trimmings" and most likely won't be purchasing any either.

You also told my son to "Dress packages in candy stripes for a sweet presentation". Martha, re-using a Christmas-themed sack is about as good as it gets for us.

And to top it off, you told WC to "Dip peppermint sticks in white chocolate and nonpareils". Why don't you come over for that one and help clean up? Sounds messy to me.....

Lylas,

Sasha

Ask the Product Junkie: Hershey's Bliss

Ash asks: I keep seeing these commercials for Hershey's Bliss. Have you tried them? You are the snack food/candy guru as well. Let us know if they are worth the $ :)

Ash, you are in luck! (And you can call me Sash, by the way!) CVS has them on special this week (2 bags for $4 after ECB) so I picked up a bag of the Milk Chocolate, and also the Milk Chocolate with a Meltaway Center on Sunday when I was doing the Huggies diaper deal.

Now, typically, I'm not a Hershey chocolate fan. I don't particularly care for their plain chocolate bar, and don't like their plain chocolate kisses. The chocolate just tastes "off" to me. However, I do like some of their specialty products, so I was glad to try these, all in the name of product review of course.

Simply put, love them! They melt fabulously in your mouth, if you can keep from biting into them, and they leave a wonderful taste behind. So go for it, Ash, I really think you'll like them!