Godiva Otakon 2010

I bought these at the end of Otakon 2010. There are Key lime, ice cream truffles (Neapolitan, orange and creme, and mint), the bag holds a roasted almond truffle, and the box is a surprise (from buying so much).



The first on the line is Key lime.



Kiwii went ahead and ate one, because we were leaving before she did and she wanted to try them. Her conclusion: delicious.



I personally love Key limes. Whenever I can, I try and get Key lime pie for dessert. Its something about that sourness.



These were just like all Key lime-flavoured foods: delicious, just as Kiwii said.



These are interesting because there is a ganache and a filling. The filling is definitely the main lime event.



Kiwii mentioned that there was a layer of crunchiness, with smooth filling. The crunchiness isn't extremely crunchy, but more subtle. Its a very pleasing texture. These were a great start.



The next on the list is from the Ice Cream Parlor line, oranges and creme.



I like oranges and creme. Except in soda form. Its weird. My father gets some really tasty popsicles.



These were quite good. A little sweeter than I'd like, but, then, they're white chocolate truffles.



These were, however, very successful.



And pretty.



Now on to Mint Chocolate Chip, part two of the Ice-Cream Parlor series.



These have a bit of a story to me. Last year they had them, and last year, I bought them at Otakon. I left them in my hotel room. 12 of the little things just sitting there. I was so pissed because they were really GOOD. Finally, I have them again.



And not a surprise is that they're still good.



I personally LOVE mint. I also find them on the right par of sweetness. They have a white chocolate layer and an inner milk chocolate one. I'm presuming the white is for looks (to make it green) and, perhaps, to correct its flavour.



Total success.

[Photo notes: The knife in the Key lime truffles is actually part of our silver flatware set. They have little Ks on them, for my last name. Exciting. The mandolin is a necklace charm (a HUGE one), that we got from my grandmother.

The faux ivory cat was from one of my birthdays. My father gave it to me. It was how I learned what the word faux meant. The copper rock was also a present from my father. Its from the Caledonia mine in Ontonagon Missouri. (I have several sets of rocks.) The spoon is from the Chicago World Fair 1933. Its a goldware spoon.

The black replica cat, used for the mint photos, has a silver M written on its shoulder. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. However, it entertains me because of Fritz Lang's movie, M, in which the main character gets the letter M written his shoulder, to show to the cops, who are chasing him, that he is a murderer. GREAT classic, by Fritz Lang.]

[More later]

Teavana Tea Infused Chocolate Truffles

Forward: I've recently really gotten into truffles and chocolates. For Christmas, I received a chocolate making book, for instance. However, overall, I'd buy chocolates whenever I could, some Neuhaus when in D.C. or a lot of Godiva. I liked studying how they taste, for better and for worse, and what tasted the best. I finally entered the Teavana shop at the Westfield's Annapolis Mall the other day (always been afraid of store clerks jumping on me--I have a really high fear of that, especially in Godiva, yet I still have to brave that fear every month). Anyways, we were staring at this box of chocolates. Kiwii got pretty excited about these. She's been thinking about tea-flavoured chocolates for a while, and so I bought them. About 30% off. Frankly, I think they're a little expensive. At least until I started making my own chocolates. A pound of chocolate is about $10. Considering that this is tea-flavored, that's a lot more expensive ingredients. I love expensive hobbies. I like to pick them up. It's fun. It means I never have any money.

Anyways, without adieu...

First thing I've gotta say is that these things are BEAUTIFUL. LOOK.










Snow Geisha
Tea Type: Snow Geisha White Tea



Before tasting, I was pretty confused about what this would taste like. Frankly, this is my first Teavana product. I have no idea what any of these teas would taste against these. I have no idea what Snow Geisha White Tea is. So, what IS this? Well, apparently it's rose, cherry, and white tea. I've never had rose flavour before. Usually it seems to be paired with raspberry.



My first response was how strong the cherry taste was. It wasn't bad. One of the worst things for me was bad or strong tasting cherry. Bad cherry is really bad. However, this was really, really good. The cherry is strong, but... Yet not completely cherry. I believe whatever fruits are in it along with the rose calms it down. The tea flavor is hidden on first taste, but as the cherry fades, you get that tea flavour sneaking in. Very good. There is a bit of a grainy texture, but I don't mind that kind of thing.



You may not really be able to tell, but there are two layers. One jam and one... Er... I think ganache flavoured with tea. These are hand-dipped chocolates.

Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate
Tea Type: Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate Tea

Mate is a type of tea. Someone explained it to me, but, for the life of me, I cannot understand tea. I like it, a lot more than coffee, but I'm stupid in the tea department. That may be because it's not really my hobby. Although, obviously, it should have a raspberry and lemon taste.



My first impression? "Wow, that filling is very runny," then, "Wow, that is a deep flavour." What do I mean by that? I dunno. I guess that it's not at all light. With a combo like raspberry and lemon, you imagine this really strong fruit flavour. But it's more... Musky? It's quite enjoyable, but totally not what I was expecting, which was one of those über sweet and overly bearing herbal teas.



But boy jeewiz is it good. And it's a miracle that the white chocolate doesn't overpower everything--a major issue I have with white chocolates. They're always so damned sweet and painful. (Note, my teeth actually hurt from things too sweet. It's really, really painful.)



SO. This? It's good. Rock on.



Blueberry Bliss
Tea: Blueberry Bliss Rooibos

Rooibos is another type of tea.



Blueberry is supposed to be a pretty hard to work with filling. It's very watery, which means that it has a lesser shelf life. I've always wondered why I don't like blueberry chocolates. I think that's why--in order to make sure it's not moldy, you have to try strange methods to get the taste, which often seems to run in with failure. And frankly? This isn't a very good one either.



It's very beautiful. But it's gritty and not very blueberry-like. There's a tea taste, which is fine. But that makes it a little boring, actually. Especially when you're expecting a blueberry hint.



It's just bland, overall. And... Not really interesting, at all. Which is very disappointing.

[More later]

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