Angie and Scott brought dessert for us: Choctal Ice Cream was a hit. The Canales were a bomb.
The Choctal box included 4 different single origin chocolate ice creams, which is a fun and easy way to do a tasting. All of them were rich in flavor with a wonderful creamy mouthfeel, yet there were definite differences. My favorite was the Kalimantan chocolate, the darkest of the four. I am always partial to darker chocolate. My second favorite (which was Angie’s favorite) was the Costa Rican Chocolate, with hints of coffee. The Dominican chocolate places third for me, last for Angie and the Ghana chocolate was my least favorite, a little fruity, a little more acidic, and more of a milk chocolate. I’d still eat all four though.
The Canales (Trader Joe’s brand), a dessert originating in Bordeaux, came frozen and needed to be defrosted, and recommended a quick microwave warming. Notice it says, “caramelized on the outside; custardy within”.
Well, it was more rubbery on the outside, spongey and eggy within. No one liked it and the last two went straight in the garbage, as much as that pains me.
I will be looking for more Choctal products but I’m hoping I never see the Canales again.
Ooh–I’ll have to try out those chocolate ice creams!
I’m also a big fan of the dark chocolate! Lindt’s 85% Dark is about the only kind I eat anymore.
Oh, if you liked those ice creams you might enjoy Stonyfield Farms’ Organic After Dark Chocolate ice cream (don’t get the yogurt, though). It’s thick and yummy!
Asianmommy, you won’t be sorry.
Megan, thanks for the recommendations, will look for those next time.
I love that the package of canales reads “caramelized on the outside,” as if burnt is equal…
I’ve seen those before so I’m glad I never wasted my dough on their dough
Microwaving them is a bad idea. Room temperature, and perhaps a bit of dry oven heating work better.
And they could use a touch of bourbon. Then they’re just fine.
– Dr. Dad
Dr. Food, I’m hoping I can save a few more people.
Dr. Dad, any relation? Microwaving them is what is recommended on their box.
I have to disagree, we like the Canales, and have served then to many guests, though, yes, some do not like them. They are “unusual”, a bit hard to describe, but quite a wonderful treat hard to reproduce yourself, and with a long history.
Sadly our local paper wrote about the Choctal, for VDay 2009, but…forgot to verify the TJ’s carries it “seasonally” and they were nowhere to be found, during the winter. I can’t wait to try them soon.
Anonymous, as much as I like Trader Joe’s, what they carry is not only seasonal, it’s just downright sporadic, at least the one on 14th St in NYC. Several times, I have found products I like, go back the next week for it, and it’s not there anymore.