did someone say caramel?

I feel so much better today that I am practically giddy with delight! Thanks for all your well wishes. I should probably talk about knitting, but today I would rather talk about chocolate, okay? Have any of you noticed the recent flood of caramel-infused sweets (no, of course you haven’t, because, well, you probably all have better things to do than to obsess about the latest candy offerings. So, aren’t you glad you have ME to tell you?)? I have seen Caramel Ho-Hos, Milky Way Caramels (which I never would have known about if it weren’t for Threadbear Rob!), Caramel M&Ms (okay, so they fancy them up by calling them Dulce de Leche), caramel milkshakes at Jack in the Box, and then these, Hershey’s Caramel Kisses:
hersheys.JPG
(I bought them in the interest of science). Anyway, I’m sure there are many others. How do you explain this new interest in caramel?
Other chocolate news:
– a friend of mine just got back from Brooklyn (that would be in NY), and she brought back some Jacques Torres chocolates! WOOHOO!!! I would have taken a photo, but I received them on a puny day. I felt well enough to try one, and it was delicious–rich and smooth and creamy! I told Peter he should try one, so he disappeared into the kitchen for about 5 seconds. When he came back, I asked if he tried one, and he said, “Uh, yeah, well, a couple.” So I asked, “How many?” “Uhh, four.” “FOUR?!? But you were only gone a few seconds!” “I couldn’t stop myself,” he protested. “Well, were they all the same or different,” I asked, fishing for details and a juicy description. “Different.”
– I must thank Rae in Tokyo for helping me with a chocolate mission. Insane brother lived in Japan at one point, and there he grew to love a Japanese chocolate bar called Vessel in the Fog. You can’t get them in the US, so Rae graciously tracked down 15 bars and sent them to my bro for his birthday! SPREADIN’ THE CHOCOLATELY LOVE AROUND THE WORLD, BABY.
– And finally, if you want to read about how a chocoholic and chocolate expert spends his holidays, go to chocophile and read about his vacation in Paris (it’s the April 14 post).

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20 Responses to did someone say caramel?

  1. Elaine says:

    Oooh, all this talk of chocolate and all I can think about is “the aztec effect” because it really does a number on my stomach. I’m just getting over Easter. But I think I could make a concession for a Jacques Torres chocolate or two. Glad to hear you’re feeling better!

  2. lucy says:

    I’ve noticed the caramel phenomenom too. Ho Ho’s are my comfort food of choice, so a couple months ago when my car broke down and I was stranded at a gas station waiting to be rescued I went into the shop where they had only the new Caramel Ho Ho’s. Somewhat doubtfully, but desperate, I bought them. They were suprisingly delicious, actually even better than the standard Ho Ho’s. The Dulce de Leche M&M’s on the other hand, not so good.
    Have you ever tried Leonida’s chocolates? They are from Belgium and I think they are my favorite ever. There are a few places in the U.S. where you can buy them, or they will ship direct. Delicious!

  3. devBear says:

    ohmygodilovecaramel! (wait… do you say car-mel or car-ah-mel?) i hope those are still around when i get back to the US! caramel hohos?
    also — what’s up with the vessel in the fog chocolate bars? i have no idea what they are. But on the other hand, I might not know if I saw them. Do they actually say vessel in the fog in romaji? or only in katakana? In which case, aren’t they actually like “besseru in da fyagu” or something like that? chuckle.

  4. Carrie says:

    Sorry you’ve been feeling so sick!! Nothing like a little chocolate to brighten your day. And Caramel Kisses…I haven’t seen these but they sound Yum. I need a Snickers now, and it’s only 8:45. AM.

  5. claudia says:

    You single-handedly broaden my candy horizons.

  6. Dawnya says:

    There are caramel Junior Mints at the Target boutique. Didn’t try them, but I imagine with all that dark chocolate and gooey caramel, they would be wonderful.
    I am so happy to hear you are feeling better.

  7. Jennifer says:

    Caramel…
    That one word will send shivers up my spine and produce salivation…you’d think I was one of Pavlov’s lesser experiments.
    Have you tried the new Areo Caramel? Ohhh. The bubbles are melting.

  8. knittykim says:

    hmm…being lactose intolerant, I believe the carmel infusion is a plan to remove all sweety goodness from my life. It’s a conspiracy!! just kidding… Even tho I love caramel (and cheese, ice cream,etc) I am now down to only dairy free dark chocolate, and the really good stuff is usually tres expensive!

  9. Cindy says:

    Mariko,
    I live in Hershey PA and we have the smell of chocolate in the air! After reading your blog for sometime I think it is imperative that you get yourself into a 12 step program!! 😉
    (If I get wind of new Hershey Products I’ll send them your way)

  10. Jenn says:

    I notice that bag is closed. You mean you actually made it all the way home and took pictures before you ripped into the bag? Whatever anyone says, I think you have amazing willpower. I would have been walking around the grocery with the bag open eating as I shopped. So, in the name of science, how were they?
    This is my favorite chocolatier. They do fun things like wasabi and black sesame truffles and curry truffles. I was in NY at Christmas and spent almost $80 in chocolate in the 9 days I was there. Yum! http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/

  11. greta says:

    So glad you are feeling better! I love love love CARAMEL, but nothing beats HOMEMADE….Daughter made the most amazing caramel sauce to pour over ice cream…O.M.G.

  12. Sharlene says:

    Caramel M&Ms??? How could I have missed those? We are particularly fond of M&Ms in our household… 🙂

  13. Chelee says:

    I love caramel but not this new craze. I tried some caramel apple sauce. ICKY!! I had to brush my teeth after.

  14. Terri says:

    Mariko, thanks for the Jacques Torres link. I have seen some shows of his on Food TV and he’s awesome. Also, here in Canada we have a very good chocolate bar called “Aero” and I see they have come out with a caramel version. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but I will, with you in mind. 🙂

  15. thuy says:

    hi, mariko! will you be going to the slo knitter’s guild this weekend? would you know if the organization has a website/phone number where i may find the time/location of the meeting? thank you.

  16. Eklectika says:

    Don’t forget Dunkin Donuts Caramel Swirl Latte (and last summer they introduced the Caramel Iced Coffee)!
    I’m normally all about the dark chocolate, but those Milky Way caramels are awesome and I did have to bring home a bag of the caramel Kisses when I spotted them — in the interest of science, as mentioned, of course, LOL…

  17. Amy says:

    Oh dear, you’ve broken through my carefully established chocolate defenses! It was the caramel that did it. Must-Go-Look-For-Them-Now!
    Glad you’re feeling better 🙂

  18. Oh, chocolate! And we just finished off the last of it in the house yesterday- wait, I do have a twix icecream bar in the freezer, and they are good- chocolate and caramel- yuuummmmm- have you tried those? they are wonderful! I think I need to go eat it. 😉

  19. Sarah C. says:

    Oooh! Thanks for spreading the word about the caramel Kisses! Yummy.

  20. Rob says:

    I promptly sent Matt on his appointed rounds this morning (Bank, hardware store for bulbs, grocery store for Diet Dew) and of course, had to include a bag of these on his task list.
    The wrappers are in the trash and the plastic bag is……EMPTY. Oh lawdy, these cannot be resisted!

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