They were calling my name. Chocolate can do that sometimes especially for women. This was chocolate in the form of chocolate covered caramels nestled neatly in small boxes near the stores check out counter.
They were Fran’s award-winning chocolate caramels but it wasn’t the chocolate or caramel that drew me in. It was what they had on top. Salt. They had salt on top and not just any ordinary salt. As many of you may already know, sweet and salty is one of my favourite combinations.
There were two flavours to choose from, Smoked Salt Caramels in milk chocolate and Gray Salt Caramels in dark chocolate. I could only choose one as I’m watching my chocolate intake these days – summer IS just around the corner. The problem was I wanted to try the unique taste of the Smoked Salt but prefer dark chocolate. After much discussion with myself, I decided Smoked Salt Caramels it was since that was the unique ingredient.
The first thing you notice is the generous amount of salt. Large grains of salt perched on top and cascading down the sides of the milk chocolate. As you bite into it, the salt bursts with its delicate smoky essence and melts in your mouth combining with the sweet caramel.
I love the subtle smoked salt taste. It really compliments the sweet without overpowering it however the milk chocolate was much more understated than I thought it would be. The thin milk chocolate surround definitely works as a backdrop to the main event, salt and caramel. I wonder what the dark chocolate would have tasted like. The caramel is really smooth and creamy not chewy like others I’ve tasted.
After tasting, I visited Fran’s website and learned I’m not the only one that likes these exquisite caramels. It appears the Obama’s are also fans. When they were on the campaign trail, Fran’s caramels were their treat of choice. The Smoked Salt Caramels with milk chocolate were the President’s favourite while the Gray Salt Caramels with dark chocolate were Michelle’s. With all this added attention, these caramels have fast become Fran’s Chocolates best sellers.
I’ve also discovered that Fran Bigelow of Fran’s Chocolates was recently named Outstanding Fine Chocolatier of North America by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association. Seems I keep good company.
You can purchase both varieties of Fran’s Smoked and Gray Salt Caramels online in one gift box if you can’t decide between the two like me. If you’ve tasted them before, do you have a personal preference?
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