HI I LIKE THIS CHOCOLATE IT HAS GROUND UP ESPRESSO BEANS IN IT, IT IS REALLY GOOD, REALLY REALLY.  

*cough*

Sorry, it's just that every time I eat one of the little squares of chocolate, I get KIND OF excited.  Is it the caffeine?  I'm not sure how much caffeine is in it.  Some, surely, since it contains (as mentioned) ground espresso beans.

This bar, "the tiger bar," is my favorite Endangered Species Chocolate so far.  And not just because tigers are kewl.  (The tiger facts inside the wrapper mention that the markings on a tiger's face are unique, like human fingerprints.  Which I already knew, because I have seen every nature documentary ever made.)  Each pillow-shaped square has a semi-matte finish, and is stamped with the Endangered Species Chocolate symbol of a leafy branch.


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Endangered Species Chocolate is another one of the very small handful of Fair Trade chocolate companies here in America.  They have a pretty extensive line of chocolates, and I have resolved to work my way through their product line.  It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!  Think of the children!  Etc.

This one has a rhinoceros on the label.  I have learned that the label doesn't mean that your purchase specifically supports that species. 

Which honestly was a relief, because at one point ages ago I remember standing in the aisle trying to decide which I liked better: otters or manatees?  It was too difficult a choice, flavor or species.  I'm glad to learn that it's just the packaging!


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I have a difficult time saying whether or not these are "good" because that's such a subjective term.  And because they completely squicked me out.  

GummiBursts are the latest blow struck in the experimental candy wars.  The package proclaims them to be "liquid filled gummies," and so they are.  What it fails to mention is that the resulting texture is unavoidably biological, and not in a fun way.


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I'm learning that the Green & Black's line of chocolate is pretty much unassailable in every way.  Their chocolates are made with organic ingredients, ethically sourced using fair trade to prevent human suffering and slavery, many of their bars are vegan-friendly, and best of all they are delicious.  

Green & Black's is one of the few fair trade chocolates which is available in America.  (Although several mass market chocolate manufacturers like Cadbury and Mars have gone fair trade in the UK, the American versions of their bars are not fair trade.)  They deserve your money for that reason alone, since the atrocities committed in the name of non-fair trade cocoa beans are truly horrific.


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When it comes to everyone’s favorite part of every holiday, food usually tops the list. July 4 is like any other holiday in terms of people coming together, celebrating their country’s birth, and cooking up some delicious flavors. Any Fourth of July celebration dinner would be incomplete, however, without some delicious desserts. Here are some simple yet delicious treats you might want to whip up this weekend.

Red, White, and Blue Trail Mix: Dip some pretzels in white chocolate and serve with raspberries and blueberries for a sweet, juicy treat everyone can enjoy with their hands.

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It seems so obvious in hindsight: Reese's Pieces are little M&M-shaped versions of Reese's Peanut Butter cups.  A realization that was only recently made clear when Hershey trotted out Pieces versions of several other classics, including the beloved and relatively antediluvian Almond Joy candy bar.


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The box of Wonka Sour Nerds caught my eye at the store last night.  For one thing, it was wrapped in cellophane, which was a little unusual.  And while I have heard of Sour Nerds for a while now, I hadn't tried any.  But in the name of broadening my candy horizons, lo, to include even sour candy, I decided to buy a box.


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After the horror that was my Fizzl'd Fruits Skittles experiment, you can only imagine the relish with which I launched into my Rocky Road candy bar.  I could barely stand to photograph it before nomming it.  It's a miracle that picture doesn't have a big sloppy bite mark in the side, Jaws-style!


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The U-No is basically the indie version of a 3 Musketeers bar.  In fact, I have always assumed that the name was a sly play on the theme - instead of three it's just one, or "uno."  Although I could just be over-thinking it, because the dash in the name indicates that it's probably meant to be pronounced "you know."  


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Didier Drogba Helped Stop an Ivory Coast Civil WarI was watching Portugal play the Ivory Coast during the first round of the 2010 World Cup when the sportscaster mentioned how Didier Drogba, who is the star player both for the Ivory Coast national team and a Chelsea player, just happened to save his country from a civil war. His words  may serve as an example of the most effective celebrity use of fame to reach peace.


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