ElJay is the coolest person in the whole wide world. It's official, she's won that title. And no one else comes close. At least, not until they send me chocolate, too!
But let me tell you the story before we get to the inventory.
The mailman just arrived. In Sri Lanka, they ride around on bicycles with mail sorted in a wire mesh basket on the front of their bikes. He speaks no English, and we communicate effectively with nods, gestures, and such. He rang my doorbell, and I already knew it wasn't the fish guy because I'd bought fish from the fish guy this morning. So hope against hope, could it possibly be? Could it be the mailman?
Indeed, it was, and he was holding a parcel. Interesting. It's actually being delivered to my door. Usually, parcels go through customs first, which means you get a notice and have to go down and collect it in person after they open it and assess a fee - some kind of fee - any kind of fee - just to make sure your trip down there wasn't futile. And I've also heard a lot of stories where, if it says that there's chocolate or candy on the outside, it either doesn't get delivered, or it's opened up first, the good stuff removed, and then delivered.
My box hadn't been opened. At all.
I'm so happy.
Now for inventory.
Eljay is awesome. Have I said that already?
In this box, there was:
Lake Champlain Chocolates, Raspberry Truffle filled Dark Chocolate. Pure Belgian Chocolate, made in Vermont, all natural.
Dagoba Organic chocolate, Mon Cheri, forest grown organic dark chocolate infused with sun dried berries and pure vanilla. (Chocolate is sacred. There is an art to the alchemy of flavor infusion, an art we explore with mystery and integrity.) "You can deprive the body, but the soul needs chocolate."
Daboga Organic Chocolate, Latte, forest grown organic milk chocolate infused with espresso and a hint of cinnamon.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate, New Moon, forest grown organic dark chocolate.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Lavendar, forest grown organic dark chocolate infused with lavendar essence and wild blueberries.
De Bas Chocolatier, Chocolate Peaches.
Valrhona, Les Grands Crus de Chocolat Valrhona, Jivara Lait, Noix de Pecan. Milk chocolate with split pecans.
And the one I've been hoping for the most. . .
Vosges Haut Chocolat, exotic candy bar. Red Fire Bar. Mexican ancho y chipotle. Chili peppers, Ceylon (hey folks, that's where I am! This chocolate bar has really come full circle!) cinnamon, and dark chocolate.
I am in serious heaven.
Eljay, let me say this again. YOU'RE WONDERFUL! And you're my new best friend. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Glad you like it. Don't make yourself sick now, okay? And post reviews as you try them...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Eljay you're so sweet! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!
I will - post reviews as I try them, that is.
My niece leaves for the Maldives tomorrow, so we're trying her first request first - raspberry truffles. But since hubby isn't home, we'll wait until he is and has broken fast - it's not fair to deprive him of this experience, so we can wait.
And oh yeah, I'll keep y'all updated. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
*whimpers* I want someone to send me chocolate Lots of dark chocolate... 50-70% *envies hardcore*
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Syn, do you live in an area where decent chocolate is readily available? If so, I only have a very small amount of sympathy for you.
Where I live, the chocolate is waxy - even the baking chocolate. Can't get chocolate chips. And specialty chocolate like this just doesn't exist!!!
But, yeah, I still have sympathy for you. Chocolate, mmmgood!
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I found a bag of the Shrek 2 Mix of M&M's today.
Am happy. Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
If only I could get someone to send me a couple of cases of Pocari Sweat. I haven't had that stuff in years. . . .
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Konnyaku Jelly that is what I want, but it's banned outside of Japan. It is so delicious. Like jelly only firmer. It is also healthy, but not good to feed to the old or the too young. And then you have Melty Kisses. *Moves to Japan*
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
And melon bread. I would kill for some melon bread. Well, not exactly kill. That's too far. I wouldn't really maim, either, since that's not my style. Ah, I've got it. I would flick someone in the forehead or chest for some melon bread. And Pocari Sweat. And a shrimp burger from Lotteria.
Stupid Japan, with all their wonderful products that don't get exported to the U.S. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Verily, would you mind telling us about melon bread and Pocari Sweat?
Syn, what's Konnyaku Jelly? And why's it banned?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
You know, I DO live in an area where chocolate is presumably widely available, but I'm not at all sure where ElJay gets her supply. ElJay, do you order over the 'Net, or is there actually a good local chocolatier?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote: De Bas Chocolatier, Chocolate Peaches.
Unbelievably fragrant. These were the ones we could smell before I even pried the box open.
White chocolate, milk chocolate, and peaches. You know how peach candy doesn't taste quite like peaches but is a sort of close sugary approximation of what they think we want peaches to taste like? This was nothing like it.
It smelled like peaches - the real thing. It tasted like peaches - the real thing. I've lived in the fruit belt in British Columbia, Canada, and I was surrounded by acres upon acres of peach orchards. I've canned 'em, I've made peach jam, I've frozen them, I've made 'em into peach cobbler, peach pie, peach chutney, and the list goes on. Peaches I know.
These were real peaches. With white and milk chocolate.
I loved them.
Fahim's reaction was that they were too sweet for him. I nearly fell down. I have a sweet tooth, but where I add two teaspoons of sugar to my tea, he adds four. Turns out he meant that it was because he just broke fast and it was too sweet for him right now. The planets realigned themselves into their proper orbit and my life resumed its intended course.
My niece loved them, I loved them, and I think I'm not letting Fahim have any more.
Man, they were good. Okay, there's still a whole lot left, so I'm not saying they're all in the past tense. But they were gooo-ooood!!!
Eljay, I'm a-gonna be thankin' you after every single bite. Man oh man, I so owe you. Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
Synthesia - Do you have a Trader Joe's in your area? They have my favorite dark chocolate - 70% cocoa powder - and it comes in a 1 pound bar for only $4. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Tom, all the stuff I sent quidscribis I got at the grocery store. We do have a couple of specialty chocolatiers in town, but I wasn't sure how their stuff would ship, it can be pretty delicate.
quids, the De Bas are some of my favorite things ever. They make pear ones, too, that are only slightly less amazing. Last time I bought a bag I opened it in my truck, and then left it behind the passenger seat so I could snitch them while I was stuck in traffic. :guilty: It didn't last long.
(In other words, you may have started with the best of the bunch.)
[ November 05, 2004, 08:54 AM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I'll have to track down a place that sells De Bas in my area.
In your honor, quidscribs, I broke into the half a Valrhona dark chocolate (72%, I think, but the outer wrapper is at home. It could be 76%) bar that I brought to work with me today.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
This is so cool. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
And guess what I had for dessert after dinner?
Um, nope, not Eljay's chocolate.
We had a coupl'a bananas that were getting way way ripe. So ripe that, when I picked them up off the top of the fridge, which is pretty much the last place they should be when they're getting to be that ripe, they disengaged from the stems and splatted on the floor.
What was left I fried in butter, then when it was done, sprinkled cinnamon sugar on it, and put melted chocolate (the cheap stuff, not Eljay's really good stuff) (but melted, you couldn't tell that it was waxy, so it was fine) on top.
Yum!!!!
It's just a chocolate kind'a day. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I do ^^
Konnyaku jelly is this stiff delicious Japanese stuff. http://www.japanesesnacks.com/newjs.php?id=159 It's excellent, and very healthy. But it's been banned here! If I ever go to Japan I will buy a ton of the stuff and eat it every day.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
MMMmmm...chocolate...
I just ordered some Dagoba chocolate bars. Noemon, thanks for mentioning them here on Hatrack. They are incredible.
Enjoy your chocolate, quidscribis!
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Why has it been banned over here? Is it a public health issue?
Kwea
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
As far as I can tell, they banned those little jelly cups that they came in, because they were considered a choking hazard. I love those little jelly cups and I think I even still have some in the freezer at home.
Posted by dabbler (Member # 6443) on :
I saw the jelly cups as recently as two weeks ago, at the Korean grocery store nearby. It's possible that's the last of what they are getting. Kinda sad.
Posted by bCurt (Member # 5476) on :
I was passing through Hatrack and couldn't pass up a thread on Chocolate! I remember getting a big box of assorted chocolates from my grandmother in Belgium. It had been opened somewhere along the way (most likely before departing Belgium for customs reasons - as per rumors that such a thing is often done). However, it appeared that a good portion of the contents were left. I was in chocolate heaven!
I entered by rasberry brownies in the fair this year. Many have told me how much they enjoy them so I thought I might have a chance at a ribbon. I didn't place and the brownies that beat mine were plain. I attribute it to the fact that my rasberry brownies are quite rich (made with dark chocolate, of course) and some just don't get into the fruit and chocolate combination.
Now, I need to get some chocolate. I'm craving it big time. It is a good thing it is good for me!
PS - quidscribis - I enjoyed reading some of your blog. What an experience! I enjoy reading about foreign places and wish by some miracle to someday do some traveling outside the US. I've been to Belgium and Luxembourg but no where else yet (my short trip into Mexico I won't count). My best to you and Fahim!
Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
MMM, Eljay, you have great taste. Dagoba I can get at the health food store (which just proves it is good for you) but the Lake Champlain we go to Cost Plus about 1/2 an hour away for. (yeah, I know, pee, moan). I have not tried the raspberry truffle-sounds scrummy.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
The sad thing here is that I'm totally out of chocolate myself. It's driving me crazy.
I didn't know that Cost Plus carries Dagoba... I'll have to check out their selection. quidscribis got the Vosges Haut chili bar because I couldn't find the Dagoba one... and because it looked really great. I've never actually tried that one.
Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
M&M's come in a lot of flavors now a days. Crispy ones are the best! agree?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Ever since seeing the movie Chocolat, I've been wanting to try chilis in the chocolate, so I'm very very happy. And that's the one that's gonna be last since it's the one I'm most looking forward to.
Eljay, you're the greatest!
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
Well, melon bread is basically just bread made with melon, the way you've got banana bread or pumpkin bread. It probably wouldn't be hard to make, if I was worth anything as a baker. But in Japan, you can just buy it in any bakery. It tastes really good. I've looked in every bakery I can find here, and it's nowhere to be found. (Of course, I live in Alaska. They might sell it in places like New York City or Los Angeles; I wouldn't have any way of knowing.)
Pocari Sweat is ostensibly a sports drink, which is why the word "sweat" is in the name. Because it's meant to replace the fluids you lose in working out or playing sports. ("Pocari" doesn't mean anything, by the way.) I only got to have it for a couple of weeks, and that was more than three years ago. I'd love to give a detailed description of the stuff, but it's just been too long. I distinctly remember loving it, though, and buying some every chance I got. I remember listing it at the time as one of the things I knew I'd miss most about Japan when I came back home. And I have. Very much.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Unlike Konnyaku, pocari isn't banned, so I think you might be able to find it on the net somewhere.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
So...are all those jelly cup things outlawed then? How long has that been the case? I bought a big thing of durian flavored jelly cups a year or so ago, and haven't felt the urge for them since I finally polished that container off (it was freaking huge), but I *thought* I saw a shelf full of that kind of thing at the local Asian Grocery a few weeks ago. I'm going there tomorrow--I'll have to check.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
I love dark chocolate the best! Hershey's special dark is great, I think, as is any dark chocolate by Godiva. I can have one bite a day, so that's enough for me. You get all the taste that way. Mmmmmmmmm chocolate! Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
Actually, I don't remember if Cost Plus carries Dagoba, just that we get the Lake Champlain there.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I just managed to drip some chocolate onto myself... which was impressive, because the chocolate was solid. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
That's just 'cause you're so hot, Raia.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
We cracked open the Chocolate Latte. My niece was flying to the Maldives today to actually go and live with her parents - go figure and since I can't eat it - coffee content - I figured we'd split it between her and hubby since they have no such restrictions.
Her comment? Not too strong a coffee flavor. Perfect balance. Makes her want to go have a latte. She loved it.
We also cracked open the raspberry one. Again, because niece was flying out. See, it was on the top of the list of ones to try, and I couldn't deprive her of it.
I loved it. The raspberry flavor could have been a bit stronger for me, but I'm also flavor overload girl. It was positively nummy. Niece loved it, too. So did hubby. We were all very very happy.
Yum. Chocolate. MMmmmmm. It's a party in my mouth. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
quote: That's just 'cause you're so hot, Raia.
*giggle* You know it. Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Due to this thread, I found myself spending $20 in a chocolate shop today.
space opera
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
An entire store dedicated to chocolate? o_O
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Yep. It's a place in the mall owned and run by a woman with an accent...possibly French. It's like the movie/book Chocolat. They even have chocolate mice and hedgehogs! Everything's imported except for the stuff they make there.
space opera
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
*dies*
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
That, right there, is almost enough for me to want to move back to civilization. <sigh>
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Mack, you didn't know those existed??
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
NO! I've been SO deprived. Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
*pat pat*
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I'm allergic to chocolate. I eat, and then I suffer.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
CHOCOLATE MICE AND HEDGEHOGS? EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Well, chocolate *dipped* mice and hedgehogs, anyway.
Kama, that's just horrible.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
*laugh* We went to CostPlus World Market ourselves yesterday because you evil people have been making me crave chocolate! We got some Ritter milk chocolate cappuccino, Valor orange dark chocolate and Hachez strawberry pepper 77% dark chocolate. Yum! Didn't see Dagoba, though.
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
There's a podunk little town a few hours north of where I live where they have a very charming little chocolate shop. It's very small (but then, so is the town--like, if you drive more than five miles per hour down the main street downtown, you'll hit people), but they have a variety of things I never see here in the "big" city. The proprietor is an old German woman, which I suspect explains the variety. Of course, I'm not much for chocolate--I go there for the marzipan.
Mmmmmm. Marzipan. *Dies with pleasure at the very thought of the stuff*
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I need to move out of the third world country and live somehwere they have all this cool stuff you keep talking about.
Of course, I'd need a supply of anti-alergy pills or something, or learn to live with permanent running nose... which I kinda do already...
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
quote: This was all started over at Eljay's chocolate thievin' mouse topic. And now I'm continuing it here.
"Chocolate Thievin' Mouse Topic" would be a good book or record album title.
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
[ November 07, 2004, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
I didn't know there was still a "second world". I thought that phrase disappeared with the Soviet Union. Well, live and learn.
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Well, it's an outmoded concept in a way, though I like the term "fourth world" to refer to indigenous peoples who don't necessarily exist within national boundaries.
Also, and Kama can certainly correct me here, but my observation from outside is that the former "second world" countries are still deeply affected by their years behind the iron curtain, and the term retains some utility to describe that status.
EDIT: now how's that for thread drift?
[ November 07, 2004, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
quote: Also, and Kama can certainly correct me here, but my observation from outside is that the former "second world" countries are still deeply affected by their years behind the iron curtain, and the term retains some utility to describe that status.
Pretty much, yes. That's why we don't have all these kinds of chocolate stuff. Although a sushi place got recently open in my area. Need to go there some time.
But third world gets so much more symapthy, and I wanted people to feel sorry for me Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I made truffles They are purely unhealthy Cream Butter tons of chocolate
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
"I LOVE chocolate, but i can't eat it because it'll make me FAT. But it's SOOOO good."
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm already fat, so what's the harm? Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
Mmmmm...truffles.
My 7 year old informed me that for Christmas, he longer wants bars of chocolate, but boxes of Belgian chocolates.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
quote: Well, it's an outmoded concept in a way, though I like the term "fourth world" to refer to indigenous peoples who don't necessarily exist within national boundaries.
'Fourth world' isn't a term that has universal acceptance. I've heard your definition but I've also heard it used to describe a state that is regressing past the third-world. A prime example would be many of the sub-saharan countries like Sierra Leone that are self-destructing and where the government has virtually no power.
And in order not to derail this thread too far, I keep going to websites that sell chocolate from some of these companies and drooling. I really want to try the Xocolatl, but I'm resisting (for now).
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Xocolatl? Please tell me more. Or did I miss it somewhere?
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
I think Noemon mentioned it in the chocolate thievin' mouse thread. I believe it's by Dagoba and has chili peppers in it. I absolutely adore Mexican style chocolate with a hint of chilis and cinnamon, so it sounds like something I would love.
I actually made real fudge last week (first time ever - no marshmallow or microwave allowed) and threw in a bit of cinnamon and red pepper. The recipe was way too sweet, unfortunately, but I liked my additions. Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Kama actually has access to some very intriguing chocolates. She brought quite a few to KamaCon, many of which we found absolutely scrumptious.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Ah, right. The one I'm saving for the very end cuz it's the one I'm most looking forward to.
I'm salivating just thinking about it.
Yay, Eljay! Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
quote: Kama actually has access to some very intriguing chocolates. She brought quite a few to KamaCon, many of which we found absolutely scrumptious.
Yeah, but they're all relics of the communist era
If someone wants some, I'm willing to take orders. But I first need to figure out how long it takes for a package to get to the US. I sent one to Noah some weeks ago, and apparently it was not by airmail, cause he didn't get it yet (unless he did, and didn't let me know).
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
quote:If someone wants some, I'm willing to take orders.
I'm quite seriously thinking about it. I'll e-mail you.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Sure Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Got any plan pure dark chocolate? (at least between 50-65%) I'm such a purist when it comes to chocolate. Baritones = dark chocolate. adding too must stuff besides more chocolate to dark chocolate is like making an opera baritone sing with pop stars like adding fruit, nuts or MICE!
These truffles look really disgusting but they taste so DECADENT
[ November 08, 2004, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: Synesthesia ]
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I've been neglectful. I haven't kept up on reporting the flavor experiences dearest one and I have had courtesy of Eljay. I haven't done it intentionally. . . I was so tired from waking up at 4:30 every morning during Ramadan, and it took me a while to recover from the major sleep deprivation . . .
quote: Lake Champlain Chocolates, Raspberry Truffle filled Dark Chocolate. Pure Belgian Chocolate, made in Vermont, all natural.
Dagoba Organic chocolate, Mon Cheri, forest grown organic dark chocolate infused with sun dried berries and pure vanilla. (Chocolate is sacred. There is an art to the alchemy of flavor infusion, an art we explore with mystery and integrity.) "You can deprive the body, but the soul needs chocolate."
Daboga Organic Chocolate, Latte, forest grown organic milk chocolate infused with espresso and a hint of cinnamon.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate, New Moon, forest grown organic dark chocolate.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Lavendar, forest grown organic dark chocolate infused with lavendar essence and wild blueberries.
De Bas Chocolatier, Chocolate Peaches.
Valrhona, Les Grands Crus de Chocolat Valrhona, Jivara Lait, Noix de Pecan. Milk chocolate with split pecans.
And the one I've been hoping for the most. . .
Vosges Haut Chocolat, exotic candy bar. Red Fire Bar. Mexican ancho y chipotle. Chili peppers, Ceylon (hey folks, that's where I am! This chocolate bar has really come full circle!) cinnamon, and dark chocolate.
The peaches were seriously good. Seriously. We enjoyed them to the very end.
Should I mention that we ration things? A little bit here, a little bit there, savoring every last bite. Make the enjoyable stuff oh so much longer.
Okay, to continue.
MOn Cheri. Yummy. Wonderful. With tiny chunks of dried cherries. Wonderful.
Latte. I didn't have any - coffee and LDS and all that - so my niece and Fahim shared it. Well, that's not entirely accurate. They fought over it.
Lavendar chocolate. Smelled like and tasted like lavendar. Which as should be expected given the name. I've never had anything lavendar flavored before, so it was a bit unusual. Yet, I still enjoyed it. Also good.
And the rest?
We haven't opened them yet. You know, the whole savoring thing. Well, that and the whole Fahim rationing thing. Honestly, I would have been content to finish it all off in a matter of days, but Fahim . . . is somewhat more civilized than I am. We'll attack the next one soon and I'll let y'all know.
And Eljay, I'm still a seriously happy camper. May you have many wonderful chocolate moments descend upon you in a cloud of ecstatic lusciousness. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Last night, Fahim looked over my shoulder while I was typing the post. This, of course, reminded him of the chocolate in the fridge. Yes, we keep it in the fridge. It's the only way it doesn't a. melt b. go bad or c. get eaten by the ants and other bugs.
So he's reminded of the chocolate in the fridge, so what do you think he promptly does?
Yes, that's right, folks, he goes and grabs chocolate. Pecan.
quote: Valrhona, Les Grands Crus de Chocolat Valrhona, Jivara Lait, Noix de Pecan. Milk chocolate with split pecans.
That one.
It was nummy nummy nummy nummy. It was delectable. It was wonderful. I love it.
I think I'm definitely a die hard milk chocolate person. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the dark chocolate ones, too. Oh yeah! But milk chocolate in my life? Yep, dat's da bomb, baby.
Sigh. Happiness is. . . chocolate. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I'm glad to see you're still enjoying them.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
What is up with all the references to chocolate pecans recently?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Chocolate Pecans = sharing the love. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Mmm... can I have one? Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Raia, of course you can have one! I even share my chocolate!
But Alas and Alack! the only one that's left is the
quote: Vosges Haut Chocolat, exotic candy bar. Red Fire Bar. Mexican ancho y chipotle. Chili peppers, Ceylon (hey folks, that's where I am! This chocolate bar has really come full circle!) cinnamon, and dark chocolate.
So you'd better hurry!
We started into it last night. Cinnamon is definitely there, and yep, it enhances chocolate flavor very well. I've known this for quite a while - I add cinnamon to my brownies and people fawn all over them, making exclamations of chocolate goodness. So yeah, that's a no-brainer. The chile in it was good, too.
But as much as it was called the Red Fire Bar, it wasn't hot. For us.
See, Fahim, being Sri Lankan, is naturally immune to spiciness. Whereas I, being a freak of nature, am almost immune to spiciness. For us to feel the heat, we really have to pile on the chiles and pepper and chili powder and red pepper flakes and . . . whatever else we can find to spice things up.
So, I'm just saying. Nothing is spicy/hot to either of us.
Which, unfortunately, means that the chocolate wasn't either.
But that did not detract in any way from us enjoying it. Oh yeah, baby, it was good! If you haven't tried this kind of chocolate before, you've really got to check it out. It's totally cool.
My favorites? I think the chocolate peaches tie with the chocolate chile. For Fahim? The chocolate peaches.
Eljay, I worship your innate chocolatey goodness. You are a chocolate dream. Mmmm. Thank you thank you thank you. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I feel all squishy inside. It must be my innate chocolatey goodness. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I know a store that still sells Konnyaku jellies. At least they did a couple of weeks ago when I was there...
I am apparently supposed to turn them in to the FDA.
Since I have read why it was banned, and it's just because it's too firm for children and old people, and I like it, I'm not going to report them. People should be able to be smart enough not to eat things that are firm and small if they can't handle them and not to give them to their kids.
Does that make me a bad person?
But I'm not going to tell anyone else what store it is, because I don't want the FDA to find out if they're spying here...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Ketchup, I'm with you. I wouldn't bother reporting them, either. If people are too dumb to feed small candies to their children knowing full well that they could choke . . . well, whatever!
Okay, now I'm just pathetic. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Thank you. I like the way you think. Maybe when I'm out in CA I'll stop by Bristol Farms and see if I can't find you some excellent chocolate. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
What kind??? Email me!!!!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Okay, I did...
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Mmm... thanks, quid! Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Um, it wasn't just kids. It was adults too. (Although I think only kids have died from them.) And the problem with the jellies is not so much that people choked; it's that the usual methods of removing a choking-item from the windpipe DON'T WORK with these. As well as the fact that the bulletshape made it all-too-easy for these to get lodged in the throat.
People died from choking on them. People who were treated by professionals trained to aid choking victims.
There are newer versions of these candies with a harder-to-choke-on shape. Refusing to report the old ones (which, did I mention, have KILLED PEOPLE), is, IMO, reprehensible.
Okay. Um. Consider me, uhm, humbled? Repentive? Sad? Miserable? Feeling like a horses ugly end?
I think I'll just go hide under a rock now. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
ketchupqueen, you - and anyone else who wants in on this - can send me chocolate any time they want! I'll let ya and everything!
Raia, I'll share with you. I promise I will. Come on over and you can have some of mine. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
They really, really shouldn't give those to children or old people... Nor, should they be eaten fast like my friend would do before they were banned. Also I WINCE in horror when people give their kids gum or lollypops for some reason. I'm talking 2 year olds >.<
[ December 10, 2004, 02:59 AM: Message edited by: Synesthesia ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Sorry, quidscribis. My last post was over the top -- I apologize.
I know people whose kids have choked on those candies (none who died, thank God). They were frequently sold individually at little markets around here, and the warnings were not on the individual containers -- which look like little jello cups. Who thinks a little jello cup could hurt their kid?
These candies are one of the times I've ended up being very glad that something wasn't kosher.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
The same heartshaped ones? The ones I got ages ago included a warning in bad english to be careful with them, to cut them up into little pieces before feeding them to your child... Nevertheless, i really want some, I miss them. Konnyaku is extremely healthy. It has no sugar, no fat and I think it has some other interesting properties. But it should never, ever be feed to little kids. It is not jello after all...
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
If I have been informed correctly, the heart-shaped ones are safer -- less likely to get lodged in someone's throat. It's the bullet-shaped ones that are dangerous, I think.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
The heartshaped ones are the ones I like the best.... I really, really want some... If I ever go to Japan I'll buy a 100 packages of them...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Rivka, don't worry about it. I just had no idea about any of that stuff you said. I mean, until this thread, I'd never even heard of the things. So, you know, uh, no worries, eh? Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Quid, I would LOVE to come visit you!! Seriously, to go to Sri Lanka? I would love that! I wish I had money to do so...
You should come visit me here!!! It's not scary, I promise!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Raia, considering I live in a country that has an uncertain cease fire situation? Heck, I know what you mean, believe me! Everyone in North America hears way more about violence - when it happens - than I do. Oh, except when all those churches were burned or otherwise vandalized last December because of the dead Buddhist monk who was allegedly murdered by Christians from Russia associated with the Russian mafia. Sigh. Yeah, it's perfectly safe here, too! Come visit! You'll laugh at all the cows wandering around, and all the vehicles who dodge them in traffic!
Hmm. A Hatrack exchange. We could do this. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
You're getting me excited!!
Hehe... seriously, we need to visit each other... or maybe we could meet somewhere in between. I don't know exactly where Sri Lanka is, but we could meet in a country in between there and Israel! We'd have to make sure it's a country that I can get into with an Israeli passport, though...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Sri Lanka's off the south eastern tip of India.
My hubby's sister is in Dubai, and we've talked about going there. Don't know when, but . . .
Hmm. Iraq? That's in between, right? Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
By the way, for the heart-shaped konnyaku, I'd bribe a person with CDs... Good ones...
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Iraq, yeah, good idea... especially with an Israeli passport! Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yeah, I thought it was a good idea, too! Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
rivka, it's not just the old ones that are banned, though. And I don't really know which kind these are, but they're clearly labeled as a choking hazard (at least they were last time I got them).
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
They made them a little bit smaller. They used to be huge heart shaped cups. I want them so badly... *moves away to Japan*
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Hmm, Japan... hey quid, wanna meet in Japan?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Raia, you DO realize that Japan is NOT somewhere in between for us? unless we're talking about going different directions around the globe. . .
Could do. Haven't been. Love sushi. Looooooove sushi. Would love to go.
Um, question. Are we in dream phase or reality? Cuz I'm in dream phase. . .
I just looked at a map, and it does seem as though the closes to something halfway between the two of us would be Yemen. Or Oman. Or Somalia. Or Dubai. You know, those mainly Muslim countries. I vote for Dubai since Mr. Quid's sister lives there. Oh wait, I floated that question already, and it didn't go over that well. Hmm.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Very unfortunately, I'm in dream phase as well... it's a pity though!
And yes, dear, I realize that Japan is not in between us. My geography isn't THAT off... But while I'm in dream phase, we might as well do something unconventional!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Well then!
How about Geneva? Or Hamburg? Or London? What about Hong Kong? Oh, electronics shopping - let's hit Singapore!
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
"All of the above..."
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
So why don't we do a world tour? That'd be fun.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
maybe you two should meet in bloomington indiana, it's pretty central, and very exciting. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Bloomington, Indiana? Anything there that's exciting or interesting?
Eljay! We're still sooooo loving the Red Fire Bar. Had more tonight. Oh me oh my! Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Cool. Maybe I'll have to go back and get one for myself...
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
quote: So why don't we do a world tour? That'd be fun.
Deal.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Eljay - if you haven't had the Red Fire Bar, you've got to give it a try. Seriously.
Raia, I'm always in for a world tour. Preferably with hubby, of course. But yeah, I'm so in. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Well, he can come too! Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Whats exciting in Bloomington Indiana?
Well there's alcon, fugu, stryker, rhaegar, drums&t, shira, allegra, stray, megan, and I. And sometimes blacwolve, kyrie, and snow. As well as Indiana University, and some other buildings.
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Glad you like it. Don't make yourself sick now, okay? And post reviews as you try them...
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and since I can't eat it - coffee content - I figured we'd split it between her and hubby since they have no such restrictions.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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