Ritter Sport Alpine Milk Chocolate review

Ritter Sport is now one of my top favorite brand.  The signature square bars gave it more personality.  "Alpenmilch" basically means "Alpine milk chocolate". The chocolate was made with 100% milk from Alpes.  Intriguing, isn't it?  

The texture of the chocolate is very smooth and silky.  It tastes very rich and creamy, which could be contributed by the quality milk and manufacturer's dedication.  It has very little after taste, but a rich aroma of the sweetness of the milk and cocoa.  

I give it an 8 out of 10.

Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts review

Another review of Ritter Sport chocolate!  I know that you are all very excited about it...or maybe it is just me.  I have to say, Ritter Sport is now one of my top favorite chocolate company.  The dark chocolate is rich and creamy, but with a hint of subtle bitterness.  I personally do not prefer dark chocolates that are too bitter, so the balance of this particular product is perfect for me.  There are many large pieces of hazelnuts through out the chocolate square, so you get a crunch in every bite.  And I am loving every bite of it!!

I give it an 8 out of 10.

Loacker Dark Chocolate Quadratini review

Italians know how to do food right!

This is probably going to be my new favorite chocolate snacks.  Soft but crispy wafer layers with dark chocolate cream fillings in each layers...just typing is making my mouth watery....  One very appealing trait of this snack is that it is not overly sweet.  The dark chocolate is perfect, because the subtle bitterness is the perfect balance to the sweetness.  It is very easy to eat the whole bag in just one sitting...and I am still fighting the urge right now. 




I give it a 9.5 out of 10. 

Talenti Double Dark Chocolate Gelato review

This is not really a new brand, but I just recently come in contact with it.  The product claimed to be authentic Italian ice cream, but I don't know how authentic it is when the company is based in Dallas, TX.  Either way, I tried the Double Dark Chocolate flavor, since I am a chocoholic(duh!).  The ice cream itself is very rich, and creamy.  It seems to have a lower air content than other ice cream, which is usually how gelato is.  Texture is very nice and smooth.  However, for a dark chocolate flavor, it is a bit too sweet.  The bitterness of the dark chocolate was very subtle, and almost none.  

I give it a 6 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Milk Chocolate Crisps review

One of the many delicious chocolate snacks from Trader Joe's.  The melted Belgium milk chocolate in the shape of potato chips, this snack is definitely unique.  I love milk chocolate, and you can't go wrong with Belgium chocolate (except maybe it's old...).  The chocolate "chips" is sprinkled with puffed and crispy rice, which added the crisp and crunchy texture.  Therefore the "chips" became "crisps".  A very unique idea, and a tasty textures combination.  The creamy and smooth milk chocolate with the crispy puffed rice, this snack is definitely worth trying.  




I give it a 7 out of 10.

Ritter Sport Milk Chocolate with Praline review

European knows their chocolates well.  Ritter Sport is made in Germany, and Germans know how to make good chocolates.  The chocolate is rich, and creamy, with a subtle flavor of praline.  The texture of the chocolate is incredible.  It's creamy, and smooth, but it does not get hardened in the fridge, and it has very little after taste.  The texture is very similar to truffle chocolates, which everyone loves.  As a chocoholic, this is very hard to resist not to eat it all in one sitting...




I give it a 8.5 out of 10.

Dark Chocolate Toblerone Review

Someone gave me a giant Toblerone bar when I was little, and I fell in love with this trangular bar ever since.  As a chocoholic, Toblerone is one of my favorites.  I recently discovered the dark chocolate one.  Not many places carry the dark chocolate version, but you should not have too much trouble finding it.  Unlike the regular milk chocolate, the dark chocolate has a slight bitterness to it.  The bitterness of the dark chocolate is definitely a plus, because it helped balanced the overall flavor of the chocolate and nougat.  The milk chocolate one sometimes seemed too sweet and rich, but not the dark chocolate one.  So, if you are a dark chocolate fan, you should definitely give it a try.

I give it a 8 out of 10.

Delicious flourless dark chocolate cake recipe!

Hmmm...Blue Mountain coffee...so Goooood!

I love chocolate, obviously.  But I also love coffee.  In case you have no notice already, coffee and chocolate are soul mates.  They compliment each other so well, it is unbelievable.  Usually, if you love chocolate, you also love coffee.  I haven't met that many people who love only one or the other.  I also don't talk to those people who only love one or the other.

I am not one of those "coffee lovers" who soaks in Starbucks all day.  I don't even drink coffee everyday.  However, I do know a good cup of coffee when I get some.  In case you don't know what Blue Mountain is, it is a coffee from Jamaica, and it is just super delicious.  It is not the most expensive coffee, priced about $50+ per pound usually, but it is very incredible.  Some coffee enthusiasts go quite far with their coffee, such as the way of brewing, the equipments for brewing, and the proper tasting process.  They claimed that certain things should be done to get the best result of coffee.  I am not that picky, and the cup of Blue Mountain I got from my friend's coffee maker was still mighty delicious.  Just drinking it black was delicious.  I thought that I should pay the proper respect to Blue Mountain.  But the coffee did not have an overwhelming bitterness like most black coffee did.  It was also very smooth, and it left very little aftertaste in your mouth.  It was one of the best cup of black coffee I've ever had(but I also don't drink coffee black usually...).  Anyway, just sharing my thoughts on Blue Mountain coffee.  It really is quite good.   

Hazelnut Mocha with Nutella...mmmm

I am a BIG fan of Nutella.  If you don't know what Nutella is, then...you should see a doctor.  Nutella is a hazelnut chocolate spread, usually found in the section with jams and peanut butter.  Once you tried Nutella, there really isn't anything else that you would rather have than Nutella.  It is so versatile, and you can put it on anything.  Pancakes, waffles, crepes, toasts, or use it for desserts.  So, I am going to share with you guys a Nutella mocha recipe that will knock your binoculars off(because it makes no sense to knock someone's socks off...you can't knock off socks, it is physically impossible).  

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup of whole milk (has to be whole, because we want the richness)
1 1/2 tablespoons Nutella spread (it is easier to scoop out at room temperature)
2 teaspoons dutch processed cocoa powder(just any good cocoa powder will do)
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder(or freshly brewed espresso is even better)
Whipped cream for topping


1. Start by heating the milk in a 2 quarts sauce pan over medium-low heat.  When the milk is warm enough, add the Nutella and whisk until blended.  
2. Turn the heat down to low, and add the cocoa powder and espresso and mix until well-blended.  Taste for sweetness.  If you like it sweeter, then add some sugar.  
3. A dollop of whipped cream for the topping to finish.  


Enjoy your delicious Nutella Mocha and your whipped cream mustache! 


I give it a 7 out of 10.

Goal Accomplished!!!

So last summer, I made a random goal that I will taste all the flavors of Haagen Dazs ice cream.  On the day of March 20th, 2010, I've accomplished my goal.  I've tasted all the available flavors(currently 33 flavors) of Haagen Dazs regular series, Five series(including the discontinued Brown Sugar), and several flavors of Reserved series, which was discontinued.  I did not, however, try any of the "ice cream wannabes" such as sorbets and yogurts.  They are not, in my opinion, considered products with true Haagen Dazs spirits, therefore I have absolutely no respect for them. 

Product Review: Haagen Dazs Limited Edition Midnight Cookies & Cream Ice Cream

Somehow eating cookies and cream at midnight is different from eating it in early afternoon.  The rich chocolate ice cream with chunks of chewy chocolate cookies throughout gave the ice cream an edge over its older brother — regular cookies & cream.  The cookies are chewy, and almost like brownie consistency.  

I give it a 6 out of 10. 

Product Review: Haagen Dazs Limited Edition Dark Chocolate Mint Ice Cream

The rich and deep flavor of dark chocolate ice cream with a hint of mint, how perfect!  If you love dark chocolate, which you should, and you love mint, this is the ice cream for you to indulge.  The bitterness of dark chocolate balanced out the sweetness of the ice cream.  Plus, the refreshing note of mint completes the ice cream into perfection.  

I give a 8 out of 10.

Product Review: New Flavor!!! Häagen-Dazs® Five Lemon Ice Cream review

Alright, I know, I know...it is not chocolate related.  But I still want to do a review of it, because it's a brand new flavor, and I am a big fan of Häagen-Dazs Five series.  

First of all, the Five series is basically the ice cream line that made with only 5 ingredients.  Just thought that I cleared that up.  The ice cream itself follows the great tradition of Häagen-Dazs, which is rich and creamy.  The color of it is nice and white, but if you look closely, you can see the tiny pieces of lemon zests through out the ice cream.  As the ice cream melts in your mouth, the pungent and refreshing lemon flavor just bursts into your mouth.  The acidity of the lemon also a perfect balance to the sweetness.  It almost taste like yogurt, but a lot richer and creamier.  Come to think of it, this ice cream really is quite evil...because you can eat a lot of it, without feeling sick of it, since it is so nicely balanced.  

I give it a 9 out of 10.  Now go get some!!!

Best smoothie ever with Haagen Dazs Passion Fruit Ice Cream!

Here is a great smoothie that everyone will love.  I know, there is no chocolate, but it just taste too good that I have to share with everyone.
You'll need: 
4-5 fresh strawberries with the top removed
1/2 ripe banana
Haagen Dazs Five Passion Fruit Ice Cream
Ice cubes (optional)

Break the bananas by hand or cut into small pieces with a paring knife.  Cut the strawberries in half, and add two large scoop of passion fruit ice cream.  Blend until smooth.  Wala!  You got a delicious smoothie.  
It has a perfect balance of sweetness and sourness, and the banana and ice cream made it creamy.  Little cup of heaven~

Tiramisu recipe

Homemade Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert, usually made with lady fingers, mascarpone cheese, coffee and rum.  The lady fingers are soaked in a espresso syrup mixture, and topped with cocoa powder.  Tiramisu is definitely one of the most famous dessert in the world, and always decadent and delicious.  This particular recipe used Marsala wine and Brandy instead of rum.  I also used a little bit of coffee liqueur.  The coffee liqueur compliments the espresso, and also intensify the coffee flavors.

I give it a 8 out of 10.  
-Click READ MORE for recipe-

Product Review: Trader Joe's Macarons

Trader Joe's new dessert, Macarons.  Macarons are a French dessert, and it literally means "paste".  There are total of 12 in one box, and 6 chocolate, and 6 vanilla macarons.  1 serving, which is 2 macarons, yields about 90 calories, which is not bad.  Personally, I actually like the vanilla macarons better, even though I am a serious chocoholic.  The cookies on the outside are crumbly and crispy, but quite light.  The filling inside is soft and creamy vanilla buttercream for the vanilla, and chocolate ganache for the chocolate macarons.  The chocolate ganache fillings are a bit chewy, which I expected it to be soft and creamy instead.  The macarons are not too sweet, and overall it is quite delightful.  

I give it a 6 out of 10.