The Good: Smells great, Amazing rich mocha taste!
The Bad: Expensive!
The Basics: Mocha M&M's Premiums might be a bit more costly than original M&M's, but they have a flavor that almost justifies the expense!
As more and more places liquidate their stock of M&M's Premiums, I am suddenly discovering the candies priced at rates which are affordable, even if they are not extraordinary. Still, when I saw the last Mocha M&M's Premiums on the shelf at the local supermarket, my wife and I decided it was time to try these! This came on the heels of us snatching up the last of the Mint Chocolate M&M's from the same store. And now, having slowly devoured our 6.0 oz. box, my wife and I agree that this was money well spent!
Originally released at about $5.00 a box, the Mocha M&M's are one of the flavors not being discounted so much and it wasn't until I actually tasted them that I realized why; these are so good that fans of M&M's are likely to pay full price for them. Even so, they are tough to want to shell out $5.00 for.
Basics
M&M's Premiums is a boxed M&M's product which is designed to appeal to adults and others who like more upscale chocolates. The six ounce box encases a resealable plastic bag and the clear bag is visible through the display window in the box. M&M's Premiums are larger than regular M&M's in that they are about twice as thick as classic M&M's candies. The basic formula M&M's is working with with their M&M's Premiums candies is intact, though: this is a small chocolate candy with a hard chocolate shell protecting it.
However, M&M's Premiums have flavors not available in regular bags of M&M's. The 1/2" round by 1/4" thick M&M's Premiums Mocha candies have an pearlescent orange (almost copper-colored) shell that is spotted with brown. The shell is designed to appear artistic and the metallic look to it sets it apart from other M&M's and the copper color is distinctive enough that - even in very low light - it stands out from the other M&M's Premiums candies. The 6 oz. box contains approximately one hundred Mocha candies.
Ease Of Preparation
These are candies that have been made by the fine folks at M&M's/Mars and as a result, preparing them is as easy as opening the box and the bag inside and removing the chocolates and putting them in your mouth. It does not need to be any more complicated than that! M&M's Premiums come ready-to-eat and the box and bag are both resealable compliments of tabs. So long as one opens the inner bag at the tab that says "pull here" the bag is easily resealable.
Taste
Putting the Mocha M&M's Premiums candy on one's tongue instantly yields the familiar smooth texture of an M&M's candy. While the candy might be a little thicker, its coating almost instantly begins to melt when put on the tongue. The shell of the Mocha candy is thinner and softer than that of a traditional M&M's candy and it melts away quickly. At room temperature, the Mocha candies have a scent that is strongly of coffee. The mocha coffee scent actually makes this remarkably inviting and makes it a more aromatic chocolate than any other M&M's product I've encountered so far!
The scent sets the consumer up for exactly what they will taste. The M&M's Premiums mix perfectly the tastes of chocolate and coffee for a rich mocha flavor. The chocolate is slightly waxy, but has a fudge consistency and flavor to it, making it softer and richer than standard M&M's chocolate. The infusion of mocha is rich and dark and this tastes almost like a chocolate-covered coffee bean, without the actual bean in the center. The M&M's Premiums Mocha flavor utilize milk chocolate throughout, but because of the richness of the coffee flavor, this tastes a bit darker than the standard M&M's milk chocolate.
The Mocha M&M's also leave the consumer with a dry aftertaste on the tongue. In fact, it is not until I compared it with other higher percentages of dark chocolate that I realized the aftertaste is comparable to a 50% cacao chocolate blend. The mocha flavor might taste creamy with the primary taste, but the aftertaste is distinctly dry.
Nutrition
Obviously, these are candies and the folks at M&M's/MARS do not intend for consumers to live on them. They are a snack and not a terribly nutritious one at that. A serving is considered 1.5 oz., which is approximately twenty-five pieces. With the standard recommended serving size, the candy has 230 calories, 120 of which are from fat! That's 20% of the RDA of fat, with 40% of it coming from the eight grams of saturated fat! While there is 6% of the RDA of calcium and three grams of protein, there is no denying that this candy is not good for you and one ought to use it as a dessert occasionally, not a meal ever.
The lack of health benefits ought to be obvious from the ingredients list, which is loaded with preservatives and artificial colorings! While the ingredients start out with simple milk chocolate and corn syrup, before the ingredients go into colorings that are simply defined as colors with numbers and no elaboration as to the chemical composition of them. These are made on machines which may also work on peanuts and almonds, so those with allergies are duly warned.
Storage/Clean-up
Just as with the preparation, M&M's Premiums candies are low stress when it comes to storage and cleanup. Storage is simple when the candies are kept in their box and bag at room temperature or cooler. Kept cool and out of direct sunlight, these confections have an indefinite shelf life (there is a production code, but no expiration date on my package). Resealed properly and kept cool, they ought to remain good.
M&M's were made famous by the catchphrase "melts in your mouth, not in your hands" and the Mocha M&M's Premiums are as hard as the traditional M&M's and also do not seem to melt easily. As a result, they should not require any cleanup as they are very clean to eat. However, should one melt clothing one is wearing, consult a fabric guide for what removes chocolate from that type of garment. Otherwise, melted Mocha M&M's Premiums should wipe right off non-porous surfaces with a warm, wet cloth.
Overall
My second experiment with the M&M's Premiums came in the form of the Mocha M&M's which were delightful, but still seem expensive at full price. But they are good and the taste is rich, chocolatey and have a dry aftertaste that is very much the archetype of mocha.
For other reviews of chocolates, please check out my takes on:
Hershey's Kisses Irish Creme
Lindt Lindor Dark Peppermint Truffles
Russell Stover Private Reserve 70% Cacao Assortment
7/10
For other food or drink reviews, please check out my index page!
© 2010, 2009 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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