Kandy Kritique -- Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles

Some candies are fun. Others are sophisticated. Still others are both. Lindor Milk Truffles are both. Like Andes mints and Ferrero Rochers, these little delights can be a hit with everyone, be they suave sophisticate or candy-crazed kindergartener.
Inside the shiny red wrappers that remind one of Christmas tree ornaments are plump chocolate spheres. One nibble reveals a contrast of delectable flavor sensations as the intensely flavorful chocolate shell gives way to a delicate, creamy, buttery, almost pudding-like ganache center, and the whole thing melts on the tongue smooth as satin.
These look like a candy for adults, and yes, I can see a classy, urbane host or hostess putting these confectionary gems out in a fancy bowl for guests, but I can also imagine that any costumed pint-sized princess or small-fry superhero would be as happy as a pig in a mudhole -- or as Charlie in Willy Wonka's factory -- to receive these sweet, bite-sized delicacies in their plastic jack o' lantern on Halloween. A great all-round candy, and you know what comes next.

This candy has been rated D (Divine)

Kandy Kritique -- Scharffen Berger Assorted Tasting Squares

I was curious as to whether "artisan" candy tasted any different from the stuff the Big Guys turn out, so I bought an assortment pack of Scharffen Berger fine artisan chocolate tasting squares.

There is a difference. This is pure chocolate, not "confection" or "compound," made with cocoa butter, and no artificial flavors to get in the way of that rich real chocolate taste.


BITTERSWEET-- A firm snap, a smooth melt, and a bold, intense flavor that may be too bitter for some, but I liked it. A lot.

SEMI-SWEET -- Firm snap, smooth melt, sweeter than the bittersweet. A high-end version of semi-sweet chocolate baking chips. Just scrumptious.

MILK -- I may like this one best of all. Soft, buttery, very soft snap, a creamy silky melt, and a rich taste. Should be outlawed!

I rate the SB squares a D, but the milk ones get a DD rating, for Doubly Divine.

This candy has been rated D (Divine)

Kandy Kritique -- Ferrero Rocher

This is a candy with universal appeal. It's an elegant treat that a classy sophisticated adult would put out in a candy bowl when having company, an indulgent delight that a romantic soul would give his or her sweetheart, and an enjoyable confection a loving parent would present to his or her young child. It's a candy that can appeal to everyone.
The secret of the Rocher is the many strata of yumminess it possesses. A layer of crunchy, subtle hazelnuts, then a layer of rich, smooth milk chocolate, then a crisp, airy, pastry-like wafer, and then, finally, a silky chocolate paste delicately tinged with hazelnut. This is a candy that's equally at home at a swanky soiree or a kiddie birthday bash. Yep, it's a D-rating (my third since I started this blog)


This candy has been rated D (Divine)