Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Conclusion!!

As the title of my 30 days experiment, “Chocolate Mystery” implies, what I did throughout the previous thirty days was all about chocolates. In my daily blog entries, I did not only include the image of the chocolate that I tasted that day, but its description, price, and background facts, for instance, its history, manufacturer, and other related information were also taken into account. I would then provide a rating of a maximum of five stars and a minimum of one star, mainly evaluating for the following three aspects: healthiness, price, as well as taste.

To be honest, before I started to explore my experiment, I thought I would come across a number of complexities that cannot be solved easily. One of the difficulties that I concerned the most was actually the ability or possibility to purchase thirty different kinds of chocolate. However, this was never the situation that I have been thinking of. Once I stepped into the grocery stores, such as Costco, Ranch 99, and Safeway, I immediately felt a moment of relief. I saw a great quantity of chocolate that were put onto the counters. Although these grocery stores were indeed selling a similar or even the same chocolate brands, I was capable to search for more than thirty different kinds of chocolate. I realized and understood that I should never feel afraid and anxious, or even to give up when I have not even started to concentrate into a thing. In fact, I have learned to always try my best in doing everything, and not to give up myself that easily. I really want to say “thank you” to these grocery stores for selling these large amount of chocolates for customers to pick from.

Among the various kinds of chocolate that I have tried throughout the past thirty days, the one that I liked the most was Maltesers ― a chocolate that is originated from Australia and manufactured by Mars, Incorporated. Maltesers are crisp malt centers centered with smooth milk chocolate. Even though Maltesers has a quite high calorie level of 505, in which I think it might not be healthy for people to consume a large amount. Nevertheless, its price is not expensive, in which a box of Maltesers costs only USD $2.50 and most importantly, it just tastes really really good. For these reasons, personally, I think Maltesers is worth-buying. On the other hand, the chocolate that I liked the least was probably the Ferrero Garden (Coconut) ― a chocolate from the Ferrero Collection and manufactured by Ferrero SpA. The reason that I dislike it is simply the flavor of coconut, in which I have never liked to consume food with coconut flavor ever since I was young. The smell and taste of coconut are too strange for me. Although the selling price of a piece of this Ferrero Garden (Coconut) is USD $1.25, in which this is quite costly for me. Yet, the procedures of producing this Ferrreo Garden (Coconut) are complicated and not simple. Hence, its price should be reasonable for other customers and worth purchasing.

Recently, it is true that there are more and more people, who would self-make chocolates during special holidays, especially during Christmas times, Valentine’s Day, Easter times, and even Mother’s or Father’s Day. Even though people are willing to sacrifice their own sincerity and time in making those chocolates, at the same time, we should be knowledgeable about the manufacturing processes of good-tasting chocolates are never that easy and simple as we have always thought of. I have learned to appreciate the effort made by every chocolate producer, since they have helped everyone of us to fulfill our aspiration and desire for chocolates. Besides, I am aware that not everyone around the globe is as fortunate as I am, having the opportunity to live under a warm shelter and not suffering from starvation. Thus, I have in fact learned to treasure everything that I possess, of course, including every meal that I consume, not only chocolates, but every other food item. People should always try to finish the food they ordered from restaurants, since there are countless people, who are still living under great pressure, not having the chance to consume abundant food. Only if we are willing to put our effort in it, we are then capable to narrow down the gap between rich and poor people that are spread all over the world.

After all, I have really enjoyed my 30 days experiment ― to taste thirty different kinds of chocolate. I really appreciate this Humanity class for offering me this opportunity to explore my interest. And most significantly, I am still in love with chocolates!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

FINALLY! Mars, Incorporated — Milky Way Chocolate Bar

Milky Way Chocolate Bar from Mars, Incorporated (Captured by camera)

Today...
was the THIRTIETH day of my journey, which was the very LAST DAY of my experiment. I still remember the day when I first started exploring my experiment. Time really flew and it was unbelievable that I have finally and successfully tried 30 different chocolates. Even though I was excited to have end trying different kinds of chocolate, I still have to study hard for my Mathematics midterm exam.
On this very last day, I tried out the Milky Way Chocolate Bar that was manufactured by Mars, Incorporated.

Its Description:
::"Chewy, creamy and simply irresistable!":: (Copied from its package)

Did You Know?
Its Net Weight / Serving Size:
1.65 oz / 51 grams per bar

Its Ingredients:
★ Artificial Flavorings
★ Cocoa Powder processed with Alkali
★ Corn Syrup
★ Egg Whites
★ Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
★ Lactose
★ Malted Barley
Milk Chocolate that consists of:
★ Artificial Flavorings
★ Chocolate
★ Cocoa Butter
★ Lactose
★ Milk Fat
★ Skim Milk
★ Soy Lecithin: An Emulsifier
★ Sugar
★ Milk Fat
★ Palm Oil
★ Salt
★ Skim Milk (Less than 2%)
★ Sugar
P.S. May contain trace amounts of Peanuts

Its Price:
USD $2.50 per bar

Its Background Information
Milky Way Chocolate Bar:
The Milky Way bar was created in 1923 by Frank C. Mars and originally manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was the first commercially distributed filled chocolate bar. The name and taste was taken from a famed malted milk drink (milkshake) of the day – not the Earth’s galaxy, as many contend.Forrest Mars, son of Frank, claims that he came up with the idea and gave it to his father.

On March 10, 1925, the Milky Way trademark was registered in the United States, claiming a first-use date of 1922. In 1924, the Milky Way bar was introduced nationally and sold USD $800,000 that year. The chocolate for the chocolate coating was supplied by Hershey's.

By 1926 it had two flavours, chocolate and vanilla, each for a nickel. In June 1932, the Milky Way bar was sold as a two piece bar, but just four years later, in 1936, the chocolate and vanilla flavors forever parted.

The vanilla Milky Way bar, which was covered in dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate, was renamed the Forever Yours bar. The Forever Yours bar remained available until 1979 when it was discontinued. Due to popular demand, the Forever Yours bar returned in 1989 renamed as the Milky Way Dark bar. In 2000, it was renamed again, creating the now-popular Milky Way Midnight bar.

In the US, as of 2006, the slogan is, "Comfort in every bar." Previously, the long-standing slogan was, "At work, rest and play, you get three great tastes in a Milky Way." In 1935, it was "The sweet you can eat between meals.".

In 2010, the Milky Way Simply Caramel bar went on sale. This version has no nougat and is made of caramel covered in chocolate.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.milkywaybar.com/facts_timeline.shtml


Rating (5 stars for a maximum; 1 star for a minimum):
Healthiness: ★★
Price: ★★★★
Taste: ★★★

To sum up, this Milky Way Chocolate Bar was only at average, simply because of its over-sweetness, in which this might affect our health. However, its price was between my "reasonable range". and so I think it was still worth to buy.

Source:

Information about the Background Information Milky Way Chocolate Bar:

Wikipedia
(URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way_bar)

Monday, May 31, 2010

Certainly My Love Collection 4! Meiji — Peach Gummy Chocolate

Peach Gummy Chocolate from Meiji (Captured by camera)

Today...
was the TWENTY-NINTH day of my journey! It was already the second-last day of my experiment!

Its Description:
::"Chewy peach flavored gummy pieces covered in a rich chocolaty shell. It's so good you'll eat them by the mouth full!":: (Copied from its package)

Did You Know?
Its Net Weight / Serving Size:
3.70 oz / 51 grams per bottle

Its Ingredients:
★ Artificial Flavorings
★ Citric Acid
★ Cocoa Butter
★ Cocoa Mass
Concentrated Fruits Juice that consists of:
★ Apple
Peach
★ Concentrated Yogurt
★ Corn Starch
★ Corn Syrup
★ Dextrin

★ Gelatin
★ Glazing (Shellac)
★ Guar Gum: Thickener
★ Lactic Acid
★ Lactose
★ Malic Acid

★ Pectin
★ Skim Milk Powder
★ Sorbitol
★ Soy Lecithin: An Emulsifier
★ Sucrose Fatty Acid Ester: An Emuilsifier

★ Sugar
★ Vegetable Fat (Palm)
★ Whole Milk Powder
P.S. May contain trace amounts of Milk, Soy Ingredients, Tree Nuts, and Wheat

Its Price:
USD $3.89 per bottle

Its:

Rating (5 stars for a maximum; 1 star for a minimum):
Healthiness:
★★★★
Price: ★★★★
Taste: ★★★★

Source:

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Certainly My Love Collection 3! Meiji — Apollo Strawberry Chocolate

Apollo Strawberry Chocolate from Meiji (Captured by camera)

Today...
was the TWENTY-EIGHTH day of my journey.

Its Description:
::"Milk strawberry cream tips with a milk chocolate base. These little spaceship shaped chocolates are sure to please!":: (Copied from its package)

Did You Know?
Its Net Weight / Serving Size:
1.69 oz per pack

Its Ingredients (Copied from its package):
★ Artificial Flavorings
★ Cocoa Butter
★ Cocoa Mass
★ Coloring (Beet Red, Flavonoid)
★ Dried Strawberry
★ Illipe Butter
★ Lactose
★ Nonfat Dry Milk
★ Palm Oil
★ Sal Butter
★ Shea Nuts Oil
★ Soy Lecithin: An Emulsifier
★ Sugar
★ Sunflower Oil
★ Whole Milk Powder

Its Price:
USD $2.50 per pack

Its

Rating (5 stars for a maximum; 1 star for a minimum):
Healthiness: ★★★
Price: ★★★
Taste: ★★★★★

Source:

Saturday, May 29, 2010

It's NOT Bitter Afterall! Lindt — Excellence 70% Cocoa Bar

Excellence 70% Cocoa Bar from Lindt (Captured by camera)

Today...
was the TWENTY-SEVENTH day of my journey. It marks the beginning of this ONE and ONLY ONE long weekend throughout the whole Spring Quarter. It should be an opportunity for everyone to enjoy their three comfortable and relaxing days. However, unfortunately, for myself, I was again packed with huge amounts of school work, in which I have to make good use of this weekend to finish almost everything! I am so tired!
Nevertheless, on this start of the long weekend, I tasted this Excellence 70% Cocoa Bar that was manufactured by Lindt. It was a nice try afterall.

Its Description:
::"Excellence 70% Cocoa is characterized by a warm color and the authentic fragrance of cocoa. Take the time to savor the intense taste of this full-bodied, dark chocolate, masterfully balanced to be neither too bitter nor overpowering. A unique and sophisticated chocolate sensory experience, revealed through the unique creations of Lindt's Master Chocolatier. Lindt Excellence.":: (Copied from its package)
::"Excellence 70% Cocoa is a full-bodied dark chocolate, masterfully balanced to be neither bitter nor overpowering.":: (Copied from the Homepage of Lindt)


Did You Know?
Its Net Weight / Serving Size:
3.5 oz / 100 grams per bar

Its Ingredients (Copied from its package):
★ Chocolate
★ Cocoa Butter
★ Natural Bourbon Vanilla Beans
★ Sugar
P.S. May contain trace amounts of Milk/ Peanuts/ Soy Bean/ Tree Nuts

Its Price:
USD $3.50 per pack

Its History — Lindt:
The origins of the company date back to 1845. David Sprüngli-Schwarz and his son, Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann owned a small confectionery shop in the old town of Zurich, to which two years later a small factory was added in order to produce chocolate in solid form.
With the retirement of Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann in 1892, the business was divided between his two sons. The younger, David Robert, received two confectionery stores that became known under the name Confiserie Sprüngli. The elder brother, Johann Rudolf, received the chocolate factory. To raise the necessary finance for his expansion plans, Johann Rudolf converted in 1899 his private company into "Chocolat Sprüngli AG". In that same year, he acquired the chocolate factory of Rodolphe Lindt in Berne and the company changed its name into Aktiengesellschaft Vereinigte Berner und Zürcher Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli.
Lindt & Sprüngli has six factories located in Aachen, Austria, France, Germany, Gloggnitz, Induno Olona, Italy, Kilchberg, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Strathan, and Switzerland.
● For additional information, please visit the homepage of Lindt: http://www.lindtusa.com/info-exec/display/lindt_heritage


Rating (5 stars for a maximum; 1 star for a minimum):
Healthiness: ★★★
Price: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★★

To sum up, this Excellence 70% Cocoa Bar was just out of my expectation. I firstly thought that this would be very bitter for me, since it just consists of 70% Cocoa. However, after tasting it, I found that this was not bitter at all. Instead, it was kind of sweet. Yet, its selling price was very high, since one bar sold at USD $3.50, in which I thought that this was really expensive.

Source:
★ Information about the History — Lindt:
Wikipedia
(URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindt )

Friday, May 28, 2010

Another Good Try! Lindt — Excellence White Coconut

Excellence White Coconut from Lindt (Captured by camera)

Today...
was the TWENTY-SIXTH day of my journey.

Its Description:
::"Excellence White Coconut has a wonderful blonde color and exotic coconut scent. Experience a harmonious blend of luscious, smooth-melting white chocolate and crisp flakes of fine coconut. A perfectly divine combination.":: (Copied from its package)

Did You Know?
Its Net Weight / Serving Size:
3.5 oz / 100 grams per bar

Its Ingredients (Copied from its package):
★ Artificial Flavorings
★ Cocoa Butter
★ Coconut Flakes
★ Milk
★ Skim Milk
★ Soy Lecithin: An Emulsifier
★ Sugar
P.S. May contain traces of peanuts/ tree nuts

Its Price:
USD $3.50 per pack

Its

Rating (5 stars for a maximum; 1 star for a minimum):
Healthiness: ★★
Price: ★★★★
Taste: ★★★

Source:


Thursday, May 27, 2010

Such A Long History! The Hershey Company — Kit Kat

Kit Kat from the Hershey Company (Captured by camera)

Today...
was the TWENTY-FIFTH day of my journey.

Its Description:
::"Kit Kat are crisp wafers in milk chocolate.":: (Copied from its package)
::"Each bar of Kit Kat consists of fingers composed of three layers of creme-filled wafer, covered in an outer layer of chocolate.
":: (Copied from Wikipedia)

Did You Know?
Its Net Weight / Serving Size:
1.5 oz / 42 grams per wafer

Its Ingredients:
★ Artificial Flavorings
★ Chocolate
★ Cocoa Butter
★ Lactose (Milk)
★ Milk Fat
★ Nonfat Milk
★ Palm Kernel Oil
★ PGPR: Emulsifiers
★ Salt
★ Sodium Bicarbonate
★ Soy Lecithin: An Emulsifier (Contains less than 2% or less)
★ Sugar
★ Vanillin
★ Wheat Flour
★ Yeast
P.S. Allergy Information: Manufactured in a faculty that also processes peanuts

Its Price:
USD $2.99 per wafer

Its Background Information — Kit Kit:

The traditional red wrapper of the original bar briefly became blue between 1945 - 1947. As a result of milk shortages after the end of World War II, the milk chocolate coating was suspended and a dark chocolate was used instead during that period.

In the UK, Nestlé has confirmed that the correct spelling of the brand name is KIT KAT.


The Hershey Company has a licence to produce Kit Kat bars in the United States which dates from 1969, when Hershey executed a licensing agreement for both the Kit Kat and the Rolo with Rowntree. Nestlé, which has a substantial presence in the US, had to honour the licensing agreement which allows Hershey to retain the Kit Kat / Rolo licence so long as Hershey is not sold. This was a factor in Hershey's failed attempt to attract a serious buyer in 2002.[13][14]

Hershey's Kit Kat packaging and advertising in the USA has differed from the branding used in every other country where it is sold, although in 2002 Hershey Kit Kats finally started to adopt the slanted ellipse logo used worldwide by Nestlé (though the ellipse is red and the text is white, rather than the other way around). It is possible to purchase the (imported) Nestle version of the Kit Kat Chunky in various specialty shops in the US.

In Norway, a similar product is manufactured by Kraft Foods and sold as Kvikk Lunsj; Kvikk Lunsj XXL is similar to a Kit Kat Chunky.



Rating (5 stars for a maximum; 1 star for a minimum):
Healthiness:

Price:
Taste:

Source:
★ Information about the Background Information — Kit Kat:
Wikipedia
(URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_Kat)