Inside Hershey

Starbucks Dark Chocolate Mini Beans

On a tip from Sera, I headed out to Chocolate World last night in search of Pumpkin Spice Kisses, another new limited edition Hershey's Kiss for autumn. No luck: "We had them here for about three days," a clerk told me, "try K-Mart."

Naturally, I was disappointed. But my experience with Chocolate World has shown me that if I peruse the shelves and take my time, I'll usually find something interesting and new. And I did, in the Starbucks Chocolates display!

First, there was a new display of Starbucks chocolate bars in more traditional shelf-friendly sizes. So I was able to snare my favorite Mocha Dark Chocolate in a 1.2-oz. bar.

Then, I spotted an intriguing little tin -- yep, this was new. Starbucks Dark Chocolate Mini Beans in a convenient 2 oz. tin. They're not chocolate-covered beans; rather, these are bean-shaped lentils of dark chocolate with tiny bits of Starbucks Espresso Roast beans inside. And they're good -- almost as good as the Mocha Dark Chocolate, which features bits of Starbucks Casi Cielo beans rather than the Espresso Roast.

The only downside to my little find was the price. At $3.95 per 2 oz. portion, these are not everyday chocolates. But it *would* make a luxurious addition to a gift basket...or an excellent pick-me-up after a bad day at the office!

Happy Easter!

A few of these cute Joseph Schmidt Bunny Truffles are still available at Hershey's Chocolate World if you need a last-minute basket filler or hostess gift. Or a gift for yourself. I'm just sayin'.

Chocolate in Your Pocket

I carry my Chocolate Orange Ganache for Lips everywhere I go.

It's truly perfection in a little tube: it contains real Scharffen Berger chocolate, it keeps my lips kissably smooth, it smells and tastes terrific and it has ZERO calories!

And if you're not keen on orange-flavored chocolate, try one of the other flavors:

• Chocolate Hazelnut
• Chocolate Mousse
• Chocolate Raspberry
• Lemon Mousse
• Marzipan Chocolate
• Mint Chocolate
• Mocha Latte

They make excellent gifts, too [hint hint]...

In a Little Corner of Chocolate World

My favorite Hershey's products aren't always easy to find.

But when I head to Hershey's Chocolate World, I know just where to go.

I don't even consider the 3-D Ride or Hershey's Factory Works. I bypass the bakery (for now, anyway -- there are some awesome creations there for later, thanks to pastry chef extraordinaire Don Hudson!) and skip the tour ride. I put on my blinders and go straight through the clothing and merchandise areas, and I wind around the greenery on the left side, carefully avoiding the throngs of shoppers in the large candy section.

Then I make a hard right at the cash registers and there it is -- my little corner. Now, it's guarded by a new Starbucks Chocolates display. That's worth a pause...and a photo or two...and where are those Caramel Macchiato Truffles, anyway? Once I pry my eyes away from the Starbucks treats, I can see all those Scharffen Berger and Dagoba treasures.

Why these stars of Hershey's Artisan Confections Co. are kept tucked away in a dark alcove I'll never know. But for now, I enjoy having a clear path to my favorites -- no need to sharpen the elbows today.

If you're making a stop at Chocolate World, feel free to check it out. Pick up a Starbucks Mocha Dark Chocolate bar and head for the the Dagoba Lemon-Ginger Organic Chocolate and the Scharffen Berger Nibs bars. Mmmmmm, this is some of the best chocolate in the world!

But shhhhh...let's keep this our little secret, OK?