I thought we’d try something new and fun today.

I’ve been thinking a lot about high-quality chocolates and candies. I recently discovered some high-end local bars that deserve their own full reviews – but more importantly, that made everything else I was snacking on look like crap!

There’s a time and a place for crap, and that time is Easter. Or Halloween. I never say no to Peeps, for example. (Have you tried roasting them over an open flame like marshmallows? So fun!) But I generally – this blog notwithstanding – limit my sugar intake to twice a day, no more than about 2 tablespoons/8 grams each time. (Or is that teaspoons? I don’t even know. I just read labels and do math and go “I can only eat a bite of this bar at a time? Sheesh!”) Much more than that, and I just end up feeling gross inside.

And when you can only eat so much chocolate, the chocolate you eat becomes pretty important. (Not to mention that the higher-end, the less sugar, generally.) Like: a 1.5 ounce Hershey’s chocolate bar has 24 grams of sugar. (WOW, that is a small bar. I never realized how thin Hershey’s chocolate was before. That’s half the size of a regular bar!) A slightly smaller Valrhona bar has 12 grams.

So here’s a game you can play when you’re looking at candy. If you spot three of these buzzwords on a label, BINGO!, you probably have an extremely good gastronomical experience in front of you. It’s like playing Cheeky Bingo, only you don’t win money. Or play for free. Or get your money tripled right away if you play for money. So… nothing like it, really. But it does result in a nice treat for you!