I have written about pepper popcorn before. Because when I first had it, I said “what the hell, why isn’t this available in Microwave form in my grocery store?” And finally we have it just four years later. It would be great if I somehow influenced this. So Jolly Time had the “kernels” to create this microwave version before everyone else. I think so anyway. And I am very happy with the result. My first few bags weren’t as tasty as the specialty pepper flavor from Japan I had, but whatever, it’s going to work. I’ve bought a couple more boxes, if that tells you anything. This snack burns my lips, but you don’t care about that probably. What you care about is that this is popcorn and it’s a new flavor and there’s really not much else to be said. Wait there is one more thing. The packages I have bought have been marked with “No Diacetyl” which is one of the chemicals that gives the buttery aroma to popcorn, but has been found to cause a permanent bronchial disease in popcorn factory workers. I’m glad this is getting phased out. Snacks should be made to improve people’s lives, not hurt them.

I wouldn’t bet my life that this is the most expensive chocolate in the world, but imagine paying $250 for one piece of dark chocolate and close to $3000 for a pound of it! From the Delud Luxury weblog, check out Knipschildt’s “La Madeline au Truffe” Sounds like foreign film I’d never watch. From the Luxury Blog site:

This chocolate with a French black truffle inside is made of 70% Valrhona cacao, which is blended into a creamy ganache with truffle oil. The truffle is then hand-rolled with a dark truffle on the inside and dusted with cocoa powder. Finally it is packed in a silver box.

Boy am I lazy today. Thats why I’ll never pay a dime for chocolate like that. Not worth my 2 months salary. I’ll stick to a $3 bag of Dove Dark thank you very much. Cacao is something I will report on in the future though. Lot’s of benefits to it from what I hearing.

I went on a road trip over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Friends and I went out west to hike and goof around. My good friend made it a point to get everyone presents. Knowing I’m always on snack hunts, he gave me a gift I’ll remember for a long time.

The Vosges “Haut Chocolat” box set is a pricy little collection of four bars. Online they will run you about $30. When you love new flavors, four bars seems like too little, but these still make a great luxury gift.

I was given the box set A as my gift. The others look just as fun, so I bet my friend had quite a time choosing. Likely the Ginger Wasabi was the deal breaker. We shared all the tastes among the group, these being good size chocolate bars and all I can say is it gave me a new appreciation for quality. My only complaint was the Gianduja Bar was almost unnecessary, but this was because the other bars were so surprising.

Box A: Black Pearl, Red Fire, Naga, Gianduja

Box B: Barcelona, Creole, Woolloomooloo, Oaxaca

Box C: Goji, Macha, Calindia, d’Oliva

I’ll leave you to research it at the Vosges website, and consider one of these sets for your next high society gift to a friend or loved one. They are memorable.