The Good: Tastes minty, Affordable (at least when on sale)
The Bad: Somewhat waxier than other Godiva chocolates, Not the darkest chocolate flavor.
The Basics: Godiva Gems creates an intriguing Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffle which is generally good, but may already have become unavailable!
Last night was my 28 month anniversary with my wife and in addition to going out to see The Help (reviewed here!), we showered one another with gifts. Honestly, though, we’ve both got secret stockpiles around the house we pull from for whatever the occasion d’jour is. So, while I have neatly-wrapped packages that I’ve since forgotten the contents of (last night, for example, it turned out to be some Burt’s Bees lip balm), she rummages through the various bags to figure out what she will spring on me. Last night, that assortment of goodies included the Godiva Gems Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles.
We lucked out when we found the Godiva Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles. The container was on clearance at Target and at 75% off it was something like $1.25. This is an obscenely low price for even a 3.6 oz. container of Godiva chocolates, so I was fairly unsurprised when she bought up a whole bunch of the different flavors in order to surprise me with later on.
Basics
Godiva, of course, is the famous fancy chocolatier that is most known for their gold-wrapped boxes of chocolates that leave men pretty much bankrupt in the pursuit of spoiling their wives, girlfriends, mistresses, etc. They make high-end chocolates, but the Godiva Gems collection seems to be their attempt to fit into the more thrifty shopping scheme of Target shoppers. Unfortunately, this plan seems to mean they are using less incredible ingredients as these are somewhat more waxy than other Godiva products I have tried.
The Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles come in a 3.6 oz. plastic container that is reminiscent of a plastic cup one might get at a ball game or movie theater. The plastic lid is secured with a security seal which is easy enough to get off when one is ready to enjoy the candy. The little cup has ten truffles in it, which represents 2 ½ servings. Each truffle is individually wrapped within the plastic container. Unwrapping the light green wrapper reveals the 7/8” in diameter sphere of chocolate that is the truffle.
Ease Of Preparation
Eating Godiva Gems Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles is not a real challenge. After removing the security seal, simply pull out a truffle, unwrap it and stick it in your mouth. There is no particularly complicated equation to eating these chocolates. The unwrapping of each truffle before consuming it is pretty important, though.
Taste
Unwrapping the truffle reveals the strong, distinct scent of peppermint. That aroma overwhelms any hint of the chocolate and that bodes well for those of us who love mint.
That scent adequately prepares the consumer for what awaits them when they put the truffle on their tongue. . . after a fashion. Unfortunately, the mint does not wash right over the tongue. Instead, the Godiva Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles feature a layer of waxy milk chocolate that impeded the flavor. That waxy chocolate melts after about thirty seconds on the tongue and the softer truffle center of the truffle is then let loose.
And how delicious is that! Godiva’s Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffle has one of the most pure mint flavors I have tasted in a confection (a fact made only horrible by the presence of nothing even resembling mint in the ingredients!) and it mixes with the chocolate flavor of the outer shell in a way that is delightful. It is delightful for anyone not expecting dark chocolate, like the name of the truffle implies. This is in no way a robust dark chocolate flavor that is combining with the mint. So, despite the wonderful melty mint flavor from the center, the waxy coating is a vague, unsatisfying milk chocolate.
Nutrition
Godiva chocolates are intended as a dessert product, so anyone attempting to live off them has another thing coming! These ten truffles represent 2 ½ servings of the chocolates and those looking for real nutrition will have to look elsewhere. Made primarily of bittersweet chocolate, sugar and cocoa butter, there is nothing resembling a mint or mint extract in the ingredients. This is not an all-natural food product and these truffles were produced on equipment that forces them to add a disclaimer about peanuts, wheat and other tree nuts.
In addition to ingredients I cannot readily pronounce, Godiva’s Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles have 210 calories, 130 of which are from fat. A full four truffle serving represents 50% of one’s RDA of saturated fat and 3% of the RDA of cholesterol. Surprisingly, they are fairly low in sodium with only 40 mg per serving and there is 2 grams of protein to be had by eating a full serving. These are not a significant source of vitamins or minerals, however.
Storage/Cleanup
As a chocolate, Godiva Gems’ Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles are fine as long as they are stored in their container at a cool, dry temperature. My wife picked these up for me in May and they have an expiration date of March 2012, so they do have a decent shelf life. If they melt, they will stain. Otherwise, cleanup is simply throwing the foil wrapper away and recycling the plastic and cardboard of the container.
Overall
Godiva Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Truffles might not live up on the “dark” end, but they are a surprisingly affordable Godiva product that gives those of us who could not usually partake a real treat from the fancy chocolatier.
For other reviews of chocolates, please check:
Lindt 99% Cocoa/Cacoa Dark Chocolate bar
M&M’s Premium Mint Chocolate
Russell Stover Mocha Ganache with Silky Milk Chocolate Squares
7/10
For other food and drink reviews, please visit my index page on the subject! That is available by clicking here!
© 2011 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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