That ended up being a long week. But finally I have emerged from my attempts at hibernation--grudgingly, and caffeinated--to post the finale to my chocolate-y adventure. The image below is linked, but gets me nothing if you buy the cocoas.
The cocoa gift set that inspired my journey.
Back to the good stuff...
Dec 8, Chocolate Supreme
What sweet, frothy, indulgent comfort is mine as I sip this delicious beverage! Extra chocolatey and smooth to go with it. It's going too fast. This one may be worth a full-box purchase.
Dec 9, Mint
Very nice. Rather like drinking an Andes candy, but less intense. In fact I think it could do with a touch more mint flavor, but it has a nice soft mintiness that I like. Perhaps next time I have this I'll stir it with a candy cane and see what that does for the flavor.
Dec 10, French Vanilla
My supplies are dwindling, and I know the end is near. Well, it's been a mostly good experience, except for Mocha...Mocha sucks. On to tonight's flavor. I've had another brand's French Vanilla cocoa and it was very nice, but the smell of the powder on this one is not making me think happy thoughts. It's a bit...odd. Anyway, here goes. Okay. As with many things the taste is not as bad as the smell. But the oddness remains. It's almost a bit plastic-y, or chemical-y. Definitely not something you want to be the last thing you taste before toothpaste at night. Though at this point the toothpaste will be much more appreciated than usual. May have to wash my mouth out with an Andes candy (the fudge mint cookies are long gone by now).
Dec 11, Hazelnut
Was a bit concerned this might be akin to drinking Nutella, but was pleasantly surprised. The hazelnut flavor isn't overpowering but rather is a subtle complement to the chocolate. Not as frothy as the French Vanilla but a superior taste. This one is soft and mellow, and I could definitely see myself getting an entire box.
Alas, this experiment must now come to an end, for I have no flavors left to try. Land O' Lakes does have a few other flavors, but only eleven came in this package.
[sad, dramatic music]
Hope restored! I have found two of the "missing" flavors at a local store and will be able to add them to my taste journey. I noticed that they had several boxes of French Vanilla, and that flavor was marked down lower than these two I got. *smirk*
Dec 19, Arctic White
I know what you're thinking, white chocolate is not chocolate. And the flavor rather bears that out. There's a nice little bit of foaminess to it, but not what I'd call froth. It's sort of like drinking sweetened milk. Not bad, and certainly nice in its way, which is good because I had to buy whole boxes of these two new (to me) flavors, so there are five more packets of this one to drink.
Dec 21, S'Mores
Nice froth, and a good flavor. I'm getting a definite hint of graham cracker flavor here, but not much in the way of marshmallow. So...since my husband grabbed a bag of mini-marshmallows that were on sale, I'll add some to the cocoa. The two are compatible, and yet somehow the marshmallows detract from the experience. It's S'Mores flavored...the marshmallow flavor is supposed to be present already. And I am reminded of why I rarely put mini marshmallows in my cocoa: the sweetness of the marshmallows makes the cocoa itself seem less sweet, and that ruins the whole indulgence aspect for me. Overall verdict is that while lacking marshmallow (maybe I should get some marshmallow creme and mix a bit in next time?), this is a very nice and highly drinkable cocoa. I don't mind having bought a whole box. Ah, but here is folly, and the fickleness of the human mind: I already have an unfinished box of this in my pantry. I'd already tried it, and just forgot. But to be fair, I was not using cream, so it's almost a different cocoa with that added in instead of being just hot water with the mix.
I'll try to get that box they have of Salted Caramel and add it to the mix.
Dec 26, Snickerdoodle
This has very good froth to it. Subtle flavor, almost like a mix of S'Mores and Cinnamon, not as much chocolate to it. Highly drinkable, but not exciting. It's a safe choice, and a relaxing one, but not indulgent at all. One I wouldn't turn down, but not one I'd specifically request.
Salted Caramel and one or two other flavors continue to elude me, but if I come across them again, I may do an update. For now, farewell and thank you for joining me on this rather silly journey. May the cocoa be ever in your favor.
Kate
Dec 8, Chocolate Supreme
What sweet, frothy, indulgent comfort is mine as I sip this delicious beverage! Extra chocolatey and smooth to go with it. It's going too fast. This one may be worth a full-box purchase.
Dec 9, Mint
Very nice. Rather like drinking an Andes candy, but less intense. In fact I think it could do with a touch more mint flavor, but it has a nice soft mintiness that I like. Perhaps next time I have this I'll stir it with a candy cane and see what that does for the flavor.
Dec 10, French Vanilla
My supplies are dwindling, and I know the end is near. Well, it's been a mostly good experience, except for Mocha...Mocha sucks. On to tonight's flavor. I've had another brand's French Vanilla cocoa and it was very nice, but the smell of the powder on this one is not making me think happy thoughts. It's a bit...odd. Anyway, here goes. Okay. As with many things the taste is not as bad as the smell. But the oddness remains. It's almost a bit plastic-y, or chemical-y. Definitely not something you want to be the last thing you taste before toothpaste at night. Though at this point the toothpaste will be much more appreciated than usual. May have to wash my mouth out with an Andes candy (the fudge mint cookies are long gone by now).
Dec 11, Hazelnut
Was a bit concerned this might be akin to drinking Nutella, but was pleasantly surprised. The hazelnut flavor isn't overpowering but rather is a subtle complement to the chocolate. Not as frothy as the French Vanilla but a superior taste. This one is soft and mellow, and I could definitely see myself getting an entire box.
Alas, this experiment must now come to an end, for I have no flavors left to try. Land O' Lakes does have a few other flavors, but only eleven came in this package.
[sad, dramatic music]
Hope restored! I have found two of the "missing" flavors at a local store and will be able to add them to my taste journey. I noticed that they had several boxes of French Vanilla, and that flavor was marked down lower than these two I got. *smirk*
Dec 19, Arctic White
I know what you're thinking, white chocolate is not chocolate. And the flavor rather bears that out. There's a nice little bit of foaminess to it, but not what I'd call froth. It's sort of like drinking sweetened milk. Not bad, and certainly nice in its way, which is good because I had to buy whole boxes of these two new (to me) flavors, so there are five more packets of this one to drink.
Dec 21, S'Mores
Nice froth, and a good flavor. I'm getting a definite hint of graham cracker flavor here, but not much in the way of marshmallow. So...since my husband grabbed a bag of mini-marshmallows that were on sale, I'll add some to the cocoa. The two are compatible, and yet somehow the marshmallows detract from the experience. It's S'Mores flavored...the marshmallow flavor is supposed to be present already. And I am reminded of why I rarely put mini marshmallows in my cocoa: the sweetness of the marshmallows makes the cocoa itself seem less sweet, and that ruins the whole indulgence aspect for me. Overall verdict is that while lacking marshmallow (maybe I should get some marshmallow creme and mix a bit in next time?), this is a very nice and highly drinkable cocoa. I don't mind having bought a whole box. Ah, but here is folly, and the fickleness of the human mind: I already have an unfinished box of this in my pantry. I'd already tried it, and just forgot. But to be fair, I was not using cream, so it's almost a different cocoa with that added in instead of being just hot water with the mix.
I'll try to get that box they have of Salted Caramel and add it to the mix.
Dec 26, Snickerdoodle
This has very good froth to it. Subtle flavor, almost like a mix of S'Mores and Cinnamon, not as much chocolate to it. Highly drinkable, but not exciting. It's a safe choice, and a relaxing one, but not indulgent at all. One I wouldn't turn down, but not one I'd specifically request.
Salted Caramel and one or two other flavors continue to elude me, but if I come across them again, I may do an update. For now, farewell and thank you for joining me on this rather silly journey. May the cocoa be ever in your favor.
Kate
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