Foster & Dobbs : Cheese

Sweets

Did you know that the Latin name for cacao is Theobroma Cacao, or “Fruit of the Gods”? Not for nothing, we say! After cheese and wine, we think the next important food group has got to be chocolate. So we have brought together a collection of artisanal chocolates for you that range from the delicious, unadulterated single source chocolate bars from French chocolatiers François Pralus and Michel Cluizel to the Italian Domori to the exotic bars from Vosges Haut-Chocolat that blend spices, fruits (even olives!) and nuts with their chocolate in surprising, fun and addictively good combinations.

domori_collection.jpg

The Domori Chateau Collection features three chocolate bars each made from a distinct subclone of cacao grown on a single plantation in Venezuela

During the holidays we also bring you delightful chocolate twigs from Mademoiselle de Margaux. These nubbly little sticks are filled with orange, raspberry, caramel and rich chocolate ganache. Want to support a Portland chocolatier? Try the yummy ganaches and caramel chocolates from Xocolatl de David – they’ll delight your mouth with flavor combinations like Orange Cardomon Ganache, Fleur de Sel Caramel, or Bacon Caramel (that’s not a typo – David really does put bacon in some of his chocolates, and the smoky, salty notes blend spectacularly with the buttery sweet soft caramel and dark chocolate couverture.

When you want something besides chocolate (and there are other goodies in the world) you might enjoy RJ’s soft, fresh, all natural licorice from New Zealand. Tim loves this stuff – he’s always hoping there will be a package open for sampling at the shop so he can sneak a piece. (And there almost always is a package open, so if you’d like to try it too, just ask for a sample!) Or maybe the lavender honey nougat with almonds and pistachios from Provençe would hit the spot. Fleur de Sel caramels from Normandy, Microbrew Peanut Brittle with Beer, Almond Turrone from Spain, Cantuccini from Italy, Chocolate & Ginger cookies from the Isle of Mull… the list of sweet goodness goes on and on. Ain’t life grand?