HAGELAND: CHOCOLATE REVIEW

So, here's a new choco brand to try out. Hageland. Named after the Hageland region of Belgium. 

I've tried a couple of different chocolates from them and haven't been disappointed.

They have big 14 oz bars that I've found are really good for my baking needs - comes in 3 varieties, although I've only really tried out the plain milk and dark chocolate. (P.S. - they are still really good for snacking!)

For just enjoying a square here and there and savoring the flavor, I've been trying their origin special selection, which features chocolate bars made with cocoa beans from different regions of the world: Madagascar, Uganda, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

I first tried the Ecuador (which is 43% - milk chocolate), and then the Costa Rica (71% - dark chocolate).  First of all, the presentation is awesome. Beautiful wrappers, etc. Just makes you all smiley. But then, you break inside, and yes, still in for a treat! The big thin squares practically cry out to be eaten.

Anyway, check 'em out. You'll love it!

http://www.hageland-chocolate.com/

Warning, cheesy music contained on website. Turn off in lower right corner. :)

Oprah: My New Chocolate Hero

Oprah, you are kind of my new chocolate hero.

So, I am not much of a TV watcher. In fact, basically not at all. Mostly spend time watching movies and good TV series on Netflix with hubby (no commercials), or sports games in their season. But when I caught word of this Oprah episode that aired a couple weeks ago, I was actually kinda sad that I didn't see it, and even more sad that I couldn't have been there.

These pictures pretty much explain it all:

So hopefully, you're catching my drift, but if not, I'll clue you in. The whole set is made of Godiva chocolate! White, milk, dark, and truffles and glued together with ganache.

Some more facts:

800 boxes shipped to construct set

 52 types of chocolate

Over 15,000 pieces

1,400 man hours to create

And of course, Oprah, being the generous person that she is, let the audience and all of her staff come onstage after the show and take chocolate home. Now that's eating and sharing chocolate responsibly! 

You go girl!

Check out these pics and video on her website:

 http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Making-of-Godivas-Chocolate-Set-Video_1

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Godivas-Chocolate-Set