While wandering through Whole Foods Market in Hillcrest, San Diego, I came across this wonderful wall of chocolates that resembled a complete set of exotic, rare, collectible books waiting to be discovered.
It was so enticing that I had to pick some up to try. What I'm referring to are the exotic candy bars made by Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Vosges has marketed themselves as a high end exotic chocolate retailer. The bulk of their boutiques are in Chicago, where the founder Katrina Markoff is from, and Markoff personally chooses each spice and flower that go into Vosges chocolates.
Vosges chocolates are not just chocolates. They take you on a journey around the world through their use of rare herbs, fruits, and spices. Vosges Haut-Chocolat has also partnered with different companies to create inspiring sets such as yoga + chocolate, cheese + chocolate, and beer + chocolate.
My exotic choices were the Red Fire Bar and Black Pearl Bar.
The Black Pearl Bar is dark chocolate infused with wasabi, ginger, and black sesame seeds. I have to warn you, this is not a chocolate bursting with flavor so don't gobble these down and expect to taste everything it encompasses. Instead, the flavors are very subtle and delicate. You need to take small bites, and savor the flavors. Besides the crispy black sesame seeds, the other flavors were so subtle, I would have missed it if I didn't concentrate as hard as I did :-)
The Vosges tasting notes describe the flavors well, "Commence with the taste of ginger, followed by earth cacao notes, mellow wasabi reminiscent of coriander and finish with black sesame seeds, rich in nutty texture".
The Red Fire Bar was a different experience. I tasted the flavors instantly, and enjoyed this one much more. It contains Mexican ancho & chipotle chillies, and Ceylon cinnamon.
Here are the tasting notes "Taste the sweet cacao, fruity and acidic with spice rounding out the finish. Feel how the chillies warm you after each bite".
These Vosges exotic chocolate bars are gluten free, dairy free, and vegan friendly.
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3 comments:
the red fire bar sounds yummy! the description kinda reminds me of a Mexican mole sauce... but in chocolate bar format.
Have you tried the Bacon Bar? That is my favourite so far. I tried these two in the same line: http://rhymeswithhungry.blogspot.com/2008/08/gourmet-chocolate-bars.html
Of the two you tried, I preferred the hot chili one. Spicy!!
Hi C,
You know what, I've never tried mole before, and is on my list to try. The red fire bar was yummy!
Hi Jenny T,
Thanks for the link! I might just have to try a bacon bar now. Looks like you are a vosges expert :-)
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