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12.07.2010

Holiday Goodie Giveaway #10.2: A SET of Vosges Chocolates!

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Guess it was just about unanimous. When I asked ToT readers which they would rather win as a Goodie Giveaway, you all screamed CHOCOLATES!!!

During my recent visit to California, I went to my favorite Whole Foods store to pickup some goodies for myself and for ToT-ers. I also stocked up on my ultimate opulent indulgence: Vosges Chocolates.

Vosges Chocolates wouldn't be so delectable if not for the story of chocolatier Katrina Markoff who, after graduating from Vanderbilt University, decided to travel around the world experiencing different flavor pairings, and cultural culinary cuisine. She then studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and then honed her tastebuds all around the world, she then returned to her hometown of Chicago to revolutionize the chocolate industry with Vosges Chocolates.

Each Bar gives you full instructions on how to properly enjoy the flavor profiles of the chocolate, such as below. It makes you feel a little weird doing so, but makes me feel a little more of a chocolate connoisseur once I do experience each sensation they describe.

How to Eat an Exotic Candy Bar...
See... first, there should be a glossy shine to the chocolate bar, this shows a good temper; rather, a tight bond between the cocoa butter and the cocoa mass.
Smell... rub your thumb on the chocolate to help release the aromas. Inhale the chocolate and ingredient notes deeply through your nose. Can you feel it?
Snap... quality chocolate should always be dry to the touch. Break the bar into two pieces. Hear a crisp, ringing snap, which indicates a well-tempered bar of chocolate.
Taste... place the chocolate on your tongue and press it to the roof of your mouth. Within thirty seconds, the chocolate should slowly begin to melt around your tongue. The taste should not be evanescent; it should have a long, lingering finish.
Feel... recognize the life in your body as you… benefit from the anti-oxidants in chocolate, ride the natural high of chillies, boost your immune system with some of the natural ingredients. Each bar brings its own sensations and benefits. Notice how spicy bars don’t hit you until after you have swallowed.

"The Vosges Haut-Chocolat mission is to create a luxury chocolate experience rooted in a sensory journey of bringing about awareness to indigenous cultures through the exploration of spices, herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, nuts, chocolate and the obscure." They are certified by WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise), is made with facilities which use renewable energy, and is certified organic. This is like a Corporate Social Responsibility PR dream!

So for the holiday season, I am going to be extra generous and give more frequent Goodie Giveaways! This is also my sad attempt at preventing my hands from getting to these delectable desserts. And for this GG, I am giving away a SET of my favorite Vosges Haute Chocolat Bars!!!

Matcha Bar

Japanese matcha green tea + deep milk chocolate, 41% cacao

The grassy and bamboo undertones of Japanese matcha green tea gently rise around deep milk chocolate,

Barcelona Bar

Hickory Smoked Almonds + Grey Sea Salt + Deep Milk Chocolate, 41% cacao

Deep milk chocolate melts into the mineral and sumptuous taste of sea salt and roasted almonds, reminiscent of Marcona, Spain.

Oaxaca Bar

Oaxaca Guajillo + Pasilla Chillies + Tanzanian bittersweet chocolate, 75% cacao

Chillies lure with an addictive, magnetic pull. Your immune system will thank you for the antioxidants and vitamins chillies bring. 

And my Favorite: Mo's Bacon Bar

Applewood smoked bacon + Alder wood smoked salt + deep milk chocolate, 41% cacao

Breathe…engage your five senses, close your eyes and inhale deeply. Be in the present moment, notice the color of the chocolate, the glossy shine. Rub your thumb over the chocolate bar to release the aromas of smoked applewood bacon flirting with deep milk chocolate. Snap off just a tiny piece and place it in your mouth, let the lust of salt and sweet coat your tongue.

Here's how you can win a set of Vosges Haute Chocolat Bars:

To get the Goodie Giveaway PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY

Only followers of Trip or Treats are eligible to win. Choose "Follow ToT!" in that cute little box over on the right hand side menu of this blog where all the mug shots are. How can you win goodies if you don't know when I'm giving them away? (The Anonymous set are still encouraged to make some noise!)

You must like the TRIP OR TREATS Facebook Page!

Leave some love! Comment on this post with your complete name and email address! (Remember to be a follower!) Then add any or all of the following on your comment. The more you do, the more chances you have of winning:

Copy this link:http://triportreats.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-goodie-giveaway-102-set-of.html 

1. Copy this link and paste it on your FB page  as a link saying: "I want to win the Vosges Haute Chocolate Goodie Giveaway on @ Trip or Treats" MAKE SURE you tag Trip or Treats (@ Trip or treats). Make it public and   Post a link on your comment here.
2. Post this Goodie Giveaway link on your blog (Blogspot, Multiply, personal), Or "Link to this post" at the bottom of this page, and include the link to your site on your comment!
3. Tweet "Win Vosges Haute Chocolat #GoodieGiveaway @triportreats http://triportreats.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-goodie-giveaway-102-set-of.html " and make sure you follow me on Twitter, then tell me so on your comment!

Comments will be accepted til December 12, 2010, and I will post the winner in the comment form as well as inform winner via email on the 13th of December. I'll arrange pickup details afterwards. Only residents of the PHILIPPINES are eligible or are willing to ship to a Philippine Address.

Ready. Set COMMENT!