Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Chuao Chocolatier Review and Giveaway

CHOCOLATE! I love that I had the chance to try these out! Before I tell you what I thought, here's some background information about the company so you can see how awesome they are.

Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW) is the first Venezuelan Chocolatier based in the USA and Southern California's premier artisan chocolatier. Founded in 2002 by Master Chef Michael Antonorsi and his brother, CEO Richard Antonorsi, Chuao Chocolatier has pioneered “fusion chocolate” through a commitment to creating uniquely delicious chocolate experiences. Michael wanted to open a unique chocolate boutique that blended modern-day innovations with his Venezuelan family traditions.

Their signature flavor is Spicy Maya, a modern twist on the Mayan's ancient hot chocolate recipe made with pasilla chile and cayenne pepper. (Isn't your mouth just waiting to try some?)
Unusual flavor combinations, the heart of Chuao Chocolatier’s unique experience, include: Pan con Chocolate: a dark chocolate bonbon filled with toasted panko breadcrumbs, olive oil ganache and a touch of sea salt and Firecracker: caramel fudge with chipotle chile and salt, rolled in popping candy and enrobed in dark chocolate. (You know you want to try it!)

I was given four samples to try out. The first two I tried were the Choco Pods, Spicy Maya and Firecracker. Choco Pods are .39 oz (11g) and shaped like a chocolate bean pod (at least that's what I'm getting - the picture is not the actual Choco Pod I tasted).

I tried Spicy Maya first, it's dark chocolate with pasilla chile, cayenne pepper and cinnamon. When I first took a bite, I thought to myself, it's not spicy at all and it tasted like a regular chocolate bar. But as I passed around the pod to my family, the spiciness crept up on me and it hit me! The spice is subtle and doesn't kick you in the face with its flavor. It sneaks up on you and when it shows up, you're pleasantly surprised. You can definitely taste the cinnamon which doesn't overpower the other flavors. 

The next Choco Pod was the Firecracker - (dark chocolate chipotle, salt and popping candy) The wrapper described it as unusual, unexpected and delicious, which is a perfect description. I was excited to try this one because I wanted to see what the popping candy would do to the chocolate. My first bite and the popping candy did it's job. I love the popping candy! The little tingles of the candy with the taste of chocolate and chipotle is amazing! The chipotle spice is a lot more prominent, not an "in-your-face" kind of way but it's definitely more powerful and more flavorful. Since I like spicy food, chocolate and candy, the Firecracker is the winner. However if you're more into subtle spice and chocolate, the Spicy Maya is for you! 

Next up on the list were two bars, MORE chocolate! I was excited and unsure of what to expect. The bars are 60% cacao (yum! I love me some dark chocolate!) and 2.8 oz (80g). First up the Panko (dark chocolate bar with toasted panko breadcrumbs and sea salt). When I first read panko breadcrumbs, I pictured the chocolate covered in panko crumbs like tempura batter. Silly me! The panko is mixed in with the chocolate! I took a bite and I could definitely taste the panko breadcrumbs, not in a bad way. It reminded me of a Crunch bar but with much better tasting chocolate and less rice crispiness. My husband liked how the salt brought out the chocolate flavor and I have to agree with him. It is really chocolatey and yummy. 
 
I was quite sad when I ate the last bar because that would mean that the review was over. The Honeycomb bar is dark chocolate with caramelized honey. I thought it tasted just like a chocolate bar and wondered what those little bits were doing in the bar and then I realized it was the honey! It reminds me of little toffee bits but better! They don't get stuck in your teeth! It melts in your mouth along with the chocolate like one smooth chocolate ride! 

These chocolate bars are amazing! 

Oh and did I tell you? These guys are so awesome! They are so committed to their roots and strive to sustain and revitalize the cacao industry in Venezuela that their company has an initiative called Aguasanta Growth Initiative. It provides needed funding to the Venezuelan cacao farmers for plant seedlings as well as training to increase growth of their cacao crops. 

If you are unsure of what to get your mom/wife/sister/girlfriend/female for fill-in-the-blank Day, ahem, Mother's Day and you know they like/love/obsess/crave chocolate, you need to walk, no, sprint to the closest computer (or store) and get some of these chocolates! It's unusual, unique, one-of-a-kind and (did I mention) delicious chocolate! They have fun flavors for all kinds of tastes! When you go check out their website, you'll see that there are so many different options besides chocolate, there are brownie mixes - for the moms who love to bake (which would most likely be your mom), hot chocolate, gift boxes and more!

BUY: You can go online at www.chuaochocolatier.com. While you're there, can you get me some Firecracker? Thanks.  If you'd rather go to a physical store, you can find Chuao Chocolatier creations at fine specialty retailers including Whole Foods Market, Pier 1 Imports, Wegman's and Crate and Barrel, as well as premier restaurants, select hotels and resorts including Omni Hotels, La Costa Resort & Spa, Four Seasons, Hard Rock Hotel and more.  

WIN: One lucky Moana Saves reader will win the ChocoPod 8 piece Assorted Gift Box! Experience all 8 ChocoPods in one cute box- Coco, Coffee & Anise, Firecracker, Honeycomb, Leche, Oscuro, Panko and Spicy Maya!  All natural & just 50 calories each! For your mandatory entry in this giveaway, go to Chuao's homepage and sign up for their newsletter (lower right hand side).

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow
Moana Saves on Twitter.
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win the chocopod 8 piece gift box from @chuaochocoholic and @moanasaves ends 5/11 http://bit.ly/eapQwg
6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Like the 
Moana Saves Facebook page.
 
Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on 5/11/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

 *I was not paid, but did recieve products to facilitate this review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

162 comments:

  1. I signed up to the newsletter.
    loveforcoupons@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like Chuao on Facebook.
    loveforcoupons@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like Moana on Facebook.
    loveforcoupons@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow you on GFC
    loveforcoupons@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I subscribe to your emails
    loveforcoupons@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I signed up for their newsletter!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow your blog publicly with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I subscribe to your RSS Feeds with Google reader
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like you on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like Chuao Chocolatier on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow @moanasaves on Twitter - I'm @AmberGoo
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/AmberGoo/status/63387895729360896
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. be still my heart! CHOCOLATE! thank you for this wonderful giveaway! i signed up for the Chuao Chocolatier newletter!

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. i follow via networked blogs

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I Follow Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter @ntiveheart

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. tweeted!

    http://twitter.com/ntiveheart/status/63661024234049537

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. i subscribe via email

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I Like the Chuao Chocolatier Facebook page - jayedee halpin dewitt

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I Like your Facebook page - jayedee halpin dewitt

    ntiveheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am GFC follower.
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I signed up to the newsletter.

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. GFC follower (Mariee)

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Follow Moana Saves on twitter (marieimy)

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/63716505816272897

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Follow Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter.

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Likes Moana Saves on Facebook (Marie E.)

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Tweet (4/29) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/64095942550372353

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Tweet (4/30) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/64516397178437633

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. signed up for their newsletter
    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. networked blogs follower
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  32. follow you on twitter
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  33. follow chuao on twitter
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  34. tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/ruthhill74/status/64540036418383873

    ReplyDelete
  35. like you on facebook
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  36. like chuao chocolatier on facebook
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  37. Tweet (5/1) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/64763277233754112

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I signed up for Chuao's newsletter. mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I follow you on gfc. mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I Follow Moana Saves on Twitter @mrspoofa.
    mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/64856451599958016 mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I Like the Moana Saves Facebook page. mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I Follow Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter@mrspoofa.
    mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I signed up for their newsletter
    Thanks!
    jackievillano at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
    jackievillano at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Tweet (5/2) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/65198260763111425

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  47. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/65250280249364480 mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/65518428575895552 mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Tweet (5/3) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/65527801033408512

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Tweet (5/4) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/65823914240118784

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  51. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/66211850710286336
    mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Tweet (5/5) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/66246071940153344

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Signed up for Sponsors newsletter here:
    urnews4me/gmail

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Public follower on GFC
    Lucky Brown

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Networked blogs follow
    rose manning

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Follow MS tweets
    #hopscotchlime

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Email update here:

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. RSS reader feed here:
    sleeplesssalamander/yahoo


    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Facebook fan of MS
    rose manning

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Follow Chuao's Tweets
    #hopscotchlime

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Like Chuao on Facebook
    rose manning

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Tweet (5/6) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/66583053203537922

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Tweet (5/7) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/66887365079207936

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  64. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/66942021591498753
    mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Tweet (5/8) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/67235208231010304

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Tweet (5/9) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/67626389242773504

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am a follower on GFC (judy)


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I follow you on twitter@ladymagnolia9

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I follow Chuao Chocoholic on twitter @ladymagnolia99


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I subscribed to your email and received a confirmation.


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I liked you on facebook-judy c.

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I liked Chuao Chocolatier on facebook-judy c.


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Tweet (5/10) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/67984564269752320

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Signed up for the newsletter, thanks!

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/68055848160727040
    mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I like Moana Saves on Facebook
    Teresa Layfield

    ReplyDelete
  77. I like Chuao Chocolatier on Facebook
    Teresa Layfield

    ReplyDelete
  78. I am a newsletter subscriber.

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I subscribed to Chuao Chocolatier newsletter

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  81. following you on twitter @left_the_stars

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  82. following @ChuaoChocoholic on twitter @left_the_stars

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I subscribed to your feed via google reader

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I like your blog on facebook (Louis Here)

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I like Chuao Chocolatier on facebook (Louis Here)

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  86. signed up for newletter


    mellanhead74 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. http://twitter.com/#!/mellanhead/status/68127238016614400

    ReplyDelete
  88. have subscribed to their newsletter - thx!

    ReplyDelete
  89. i Follow Moana Saves on Twitter as @_eHope

    ReplyDelete
  90. i Follow Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter as @_eHope

    ReplyDelete
  91. Tweet (5/11) http://twitter.com/#!/marieimy/status/68327011847901184

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I signed up for Chauao Chocolatiers' newsletter. Dana Matthews, dmatthews38751@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow you via Networked Blogs. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. I get your e mails. Dana Matthews, dmatthews38751@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I LIKE Moana Saves on Facebook as Dana Matthews. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I LIKE Chauao Chocolatier on Facebook as Dana Matthews. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. i follow via google
    DianeBaum
    esldiane@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. I signed up for their newsletter.

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  99. GFC follower.

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  100. I Follow Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter. @thisisme79

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  101. I Follow Moana Saves on Twitter. @thisisme79

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  102. I like Moana Saves on Facebook.

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  103. I like Chuao Chocolatier on Facebook.

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Email subscriber.

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/#!/thisisme79/status/68445807581478913

    thisisme79(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  106. i follow you through gfc as mary

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  107. signed up for the newsletter

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  108. i Follow Moana Saves on Twitter as jg4462

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. i follow you through networked blogs as mary gardner

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  110. i Follow Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter as jg4462

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  111. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/jg4462/status/68452770000285696

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  112. rss subscriber

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  113. email subscriber

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  114. i Like the Moana Saves Facebook page as jg4462

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  115. i Like the Chuao Chocolatier Facebook page as mary gardner

    jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  116. cc email subscriber kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  117. cc twitter follower @kolpin4680 kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  118. twitter follower @kolpin4680 kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  119. email subscriber kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  120. I signed up for Chuao's newsletter! Thanks for the giveaway!
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  121. I follow via GFC
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  122. I follow you via Twitter
    @SETexasMama
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  123. I follow via Networked Blogs
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  124. I follow Chuao via Twitter
    @SETexasMama
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  125. I subscribe via email
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  126. Tweeted
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    http://twitter.com/#!/SETexasMama/status/68499479757733888

    ReplyDelete
  127. I like Chuao on FB
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  128. just subscribed to the chuao newsletter!
    beckystr at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  129. I follow chuao on twitter @bkxanon

    ReplyDelete
  130. I follow you on twitter @bkxanon

    ReplyDelete
  131. I like your page on facebook (becky straub)

    ReplyDelete
  132. I like chuau on facebook (becky straub)

    ReplyDelete
  133. i tweeted http://twitter.com/bkxanon/status/68506747152773120

    ReplyDelete
  134. I subscribe to your RSS feed in google reader

    ReplyDelete
  135. newsletter sub
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  136. gfc follower

    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  137. email subscriber
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  138. fb fan
    pamela j
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  139. twitter follower
    pj436

    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  140. twitter follower of chuoa
    pjames330 at aol dot com
    pj436

    ReplyDelete
  141. I signed up for the newsletter

    lunabutterfly79@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  142. Signed up for the Chuao Chocolatier newsletter. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Follow MS on Twitter. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Like MS on GFC. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  145. Follow CC on Twitter. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  146. Follow with Networked Blogs. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  147. Like CC on Facebook. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  148. Like MS on Facebook. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  149. I signed up for their newsletter. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  150. I subscribed to your email list. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  151. I signed up for their newsletter.

    ReplyDelete

leave your fabulously discerning thoughts:

Related Posts with Thumbnails