News
Taste test: Chocolate treats
By Kathy Saunders, Times Correspondent
In Print: Saturday, February 11, 2012
|
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
|
Valentine's Day chocolate could pose a problem for dieters. But, through portion control, the health-conscious can find delicious ways
to celebrate without overindulging. Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent
| Product/serving | Dove Dark Chocolate Cherry Swirl Hearts 6 pieces | Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Strawberry Filled Squares | 3 squares | Ocean Spray Limited Edition Chocolate-Covered Craisins | 1/4 cup | M&M's Raspberry With Dark Chocolate 1/4 cup |
| Calories/Fat/Fiber Sugars/Sodium Carbs/Protein | 130 / 14g / 2g 22g / 25mg 25g / 2g | 200 / 12g / 2g 24g / 0mg 29g / 2g | 180 / 8g / 0g 25g / 20mg 28g / 2g | 210 / 10g / 2g 25g / 20mg 29g / 2g |
| Judges' comments | The first thing that attracted judges to these treats was the appearance. The dark chocolate candies are swirled with pretty pink cherry stripes. "The smell is very 'fruity potpourri,' but the flavor is extremely true to a chocolate-covered cherry without the gooey center," said one judge. Another said the cherry didn't taste fake. "You can actually smell the cherry scent when you unwrap the foil off these swirled, heart-shaped treats," said one. "This is a rare treat for a packaged candy." | Sweet and creamy were the two words judges used the most in describing these dark-chocolate squares from Ghirardelli. "These have a creamy, candylike strawberry filling that packs a wonderful taste sensation," said one. Another called the chocolate wafer and its lavalike filling simply outstanding. One judge compared the strawberry filling to the center of a strawberry Pop-Tart. "But, there are bits of what taste like real strawberry, which makes this a fairly appealing treat," she said. Only one panelist said the filling was too "jellylike" for her taste. | Judges were split in their affection for the chocolate-covered dried cranberries. A couple loved the combination of tart berries and sweet chocolate. But they complained the chocolate wasn't rich enough. One judge said this was her favorite of the four treats. "They are a quantum improvement over Raisinets because of the sweet tang of cranberry," she said. "The chocolate also doesn't seem as waxy as that of Raisinets. They might not be as romantic as some of the other Valentine's chocolates, but they are very tasty." | Mars Inc. has tried filling its familiar M&M's with peanuts, pretzels, mint and even coconut. Raspberry is the latest. These berry-colored candies are plumper than plain M&M's and filled with dark chocolate and strong-smelling raspberry flavor. "This raspberry flavor is so fake it is reminiscent of Robitussin," said one judge. Sure enough, the label says the candy contains "artificial flavors." "Not for my Valentine," said another judge. But another panelist said these M&M's could be tucked into her purse or nightstand for a quick chocolate fix. |
| Would they buy? | All four judges said yes. | Three of the four judges said yes. | Three of the four judges said yes. | Two of the four judges said yes. |
| Shopping information | $3 for a 7.94-ounce bag from CVS. | $4.59 for a 5.32-ounce bag from CVS. | $2.49 for a 5.5-ounce bag from Publix. | $3 for a 7.5-ounce bag from CVS. |
| Product/serving | Dove Dark Chocolate Cherry Swirl Hearts 6 pieces | Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Strawberry Filled Squares | 3 squares | Ocean Spray Limited Edition Chocolate-Covered Craisins | 1/4 cup | M&M's Raspberry With Dark Chocolate 1/4 cup |
| Calories/Fat/Fiber Sugars/Sodium Carbs/Protein | 130 / 14g / 2g 22g / 25mg 25g / 2g | 200 / 12g / 2g 24g / 0mg 29g / 2g | 180 / 8g / 0g 25g / 20mg 28g / 2g | 210 / 10g / 2g 25g / 20mg 29g / 2g |
| Judges' comments | The first thing that attracted judges to these treats was the appearance. The dark chocolate candies are swirled with pretty pink cherry stripes. "The smell is very 'fruity potpourri,' but the flavor is extremely true to a chocolate-covered cherry without the gooey center," said one judge. Another said the cherry didn't taste fake. "You can actually smell the cherry scent when you unwrap the foil off these swirled, heart-shaped treats," said one. "This is a rare treat for a packaged candy." | Sweet and creamy were the two words judges used the most in describing these dark-chocolate squares from Ghirardelli. "These have a creamy, candylike strawberry filling that packs a wonderful taste sensation," said one. Another called the chocolate wafer and its lavalike filling simply outstanding. One judge compared the strawberry filling to the center of a strawberry Pop-Tart. "But, there are bits of what taste like real strawberry, which makes this a fairly appealing treat," she said. Only one panelist said the filling was too "jellylike" for her taste. | Judges were split in their affection for the chocolate-covered dried cranberries. A couple loved the combination of tart berries and sweet chocolate. But they complained the chocolate wasn't rich enough. One judge said this was her favorite of the four treats. "They are a quantum improvement over Raisinets because of the sweet tang of cranberry," she said. "The chocolate also doesn't seem as waxy as that of Raisinets. They might not be as romantic as some of the other Valentine's chocolates, but they are very tasty." | Mars Inc. has tried filling its familiar M&M's with peanuts, pretzels, mint and even coconut. Raspberry is the latest. These berry-colored candies are plumper than plain M&M's and filled with dark chocolate and strong-smelling raspberry flavor. "This raspberry flavor is so fake it is reminiscent of Robitussin," said one judge. Sure enough, the label says the candy contains "artificial flavors." "Not for my Valentine," said another judge. But another panelist said these M&M's could be tucked into her purse or nightstand for a quick chocolate fix. |
| Would they buy? | All four judges said yes. | Three of the four judges said yes. | Three of the four judges said yes. | Two of the four judges said yes. |
| Shopping information | $3 for a 7.94-ounce bag from CVS. | $4.59 for a 5.32-ounce bag from CVS. | $2.49 for a 5.5-ounce bag from Publix. | $3 for a 7.5-ounce bag from CVS. |
Panelists: Jeff Jensen, public information officer for the city of Treasure Island; Wayne Conery, manager of the R Bar on Treasure Island; Rhonda Sanderford of Yes-Homes, Smith & Associates Real Estate; and Times food critic Laura Reiley.
[Last modified: Feb 10, 2012 12:20 PM]
Copyright 2012 Tampa Bay Times
Loading...
