Pylones USA has now introduced another fun chocolate (but not really) gadget just in time for the holidays. If someone on your list has an iPhone, this will make the perfect stocking stuffer: A protective iPhone case made to look just like a thick bar of milk chocolate.

The iPhone slips right into the silicone case, which keeps it protected in your purse or bag. Just don’t let anyone go snooping or they might think they’ve found their after lunch snack.

At only $15 a pop, it’ll fit perfectly, both size-wise and financially, into anyone’s stocking this Christmas!

[image: pylones usa]

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

This past week I was sent a bar of Lindt Excellence A Touch of Sea Salt. Though it’s not new, I haven’t seen this on shelves yet and I was instantly intrigued. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of chocolate and salt together, and it had never occurred to me that a chocolatier might actually combine just the two (without, say, peanut butter or something else with it).

The label says A Touch of Sea Salt is made dark chocolate, though at 47% it’s not too dark, and 3% Fleur de Sel, a premium French sea salt. When I tried the bar I let it sit in my mouth for just a minute and the salt doesn’t come through at first.

After melting just a bit the salt flavor is unmistakeable, but it’s not at all overpowering. It’s really an excellent combination, and I wanted more after the first square, which doesn’t happen terribly often after having some dark chocolate (a little goes a long way!).

My daughters loved it as well and we had to be careful not to devour the whole thing before my husband could try some too! Overall, this was a hit.

Have you tried Lindt’s A Touch of Sea Salt? What did you think?

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

We took a trip to Cost Plus World Market last week to stock up on some more good chocolate (they finally have Tim Tams! And Aero Bars!).

I got a nice little pile of chocolate I’ve been wanting to try and my husband went right for this one, which is saying a lot because he’s not really into sweets. I think it was the packaging that got him, though – all those almonds and chocolate, really? We had to give it a try and see!

First off, this bar is huge! I took a shot of it with my hand to show you just how big it is, weighing in at 8.75oz. Valor Chocolates is made in Spain, and the dark chocolate with almonds is considered one of their premium bars.

When you first open the bar this is what you’re greeted with! My husband let me open it up for pictures while he was at work and I knew he was in for a treat – his favorite type of chocolate is chocolate combined with almonds!

From the front you can’t even tell what’s waiting for you inside!

As you can imagine, each bite is guaranteed to have several almonds. The chocolate is truly delicious – smooth, not bitter, and very satisfying. The almonds taste fresh with a very nice crunch and neither of us came across any that had gone rancid.

At room temperature the chocolate is just slightly soft (hence the fingerprints, which I didn’t think about until I’d already handled it!), and melts perfectly in the mouth. Needless to say, as soon as he gets back from his current business trip I think we’ll be heading back to the store to stock up!

I highly recommend this bar if you happen to come across it!

Post from: Chocolate Bytes