Are surprises always good? Sarah’s reviews!

I love surprises, but maybe not when it’s in the food realm.

I’m talking about biting into a candy from a dessert platter, only to find out it has the texture – and maybe taste(?) of a dried ear. Thanks, India, for making me question DESSERTS! That one as it turns out was likely Salanghi, a dried ‘treat’ that is featured prominently in many asian countries, or also used as a sea-sickness/nausea aid. So many questions about that… Caro generously shared some with me a year or so ago and it brought back India memories instantly!

And then there’s the other fun surprise – like the chocolate Ian got me for Christmas. I honestly told him to get me the most boring, straight-up chocolate (let’s be real- this is a girl who lives for Reeses’s. None of that organic, let’s-pretend-this-is-good-for-you shit.). It was all peanut M&Ms, the smallest, skinniest Snickers bar I have ever seen, and the Turon bar, which apparently is also made by Mars – all good! Yum

But you know me and this review isn’t about the junky chocolate that I loved.

In Lo de Marcos, we swung by the Mexican chocolate store Mexicolate, as I absolutely just had to have their chocolate caliente (it is amazing. Mexican hot chocolate is an art) and was lured in further by the array of luscious-looking chocolates in the display case. So many beautiful options! Only 10 pesos, so why not?

I chose sea salt, date, coconut, habanero, and mango. Took a big bite of sea salt and IMMEDIATELY gagged. Raw. Raw cacao and salt. My tastebuds slammed shut so tightly my tongue contracted in my mouth.

Freaking bitterest ‘chocolate’ I have ever had, hands-down. Woof. I mean, I like a good raw cacao nib here and there, no shade on the real deal but yikes. I feel like I need to have a warning first? Just…salt and bitterness?

The others went in much the same vein, beauty to look at, a true art but sheeeesh they were rough on the palate. I might be wrong here, but I think a chocolate truffle needs…sugar? Warning labels?

I’ll chalk this food adventure up to me not really understanding the premise (that chocolate should be punishing?) and say that their chocolate caliente was a true delight, while their chocolates were…Best left in the case, to lure another unsuspecting tongue to do battle. You win this round, chocolate.

And lo, I went running into the warm embrace of Mars, Snickers, and blessed peanut M&Ms (I mean, my beach towel is literally the peanut M&M’s bag.).