Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Cha-Cha-Cha Choxie

Name: Choxie Chocolates
Brand: Choxie (Target)
Place Purchased: Target
Price: $1.80-5.00
Size: varies
Calories per ounce: 126-148
Type: Chocolate/Caramels

I was planning on making jokes about what Choxie meant, but then I saw a commercial for it and they said it was “Chocolate with Moxie.” Not to be confused with Mockolate. And it’s not Chalk that’s Toxic or as my neighbor pronounces it ... Choke-see. The other weird thing besides the name is that it’s not on the Target website. You search for Choxie and you get some CDs.

At the urging of several readers I went there this past weekend and bought a variety of the new chocolates. A little tub of Warm Spiced Caramels (9.45 oz for $5), a Hot Chocolate Bar (2.5 oz for $1.80) and a small box of the Artisan Truffle Tiles (3.5 oz for $5). There’s lots more variety there with round truffles and other chocolate covered goodies

Warm Spiced Caramels: I’m in love with these little buggers. They’re smooth caramel with a little spicy flavor. No heat to them, just a little bit like a spiced rum or mulled cider. Very fall-like. The chocolate is smooth and not the slightest bit waxy and not to sticky sweet or milky. I think I’d like them with semi-sweet as well.

 

Artisan Truffle Tiles: The tiles are all the rage, as far as I can tell. They have that retro styling to them, with the painted tops. The flavors in the 3.5 ounce box are: chili limon, jasmine tea, orange mango, key lime, lemon rose, apple pie, cafe latte and cinnamon praline.

 


I didn't try the truffles, but I can see the truffles having the advantage of a better ratio of chocolate to filling. Here the filling is about 1/4 of the total of the candy. The chocolate is smooth, but because all the flavors are in the same box, there's a weird sort of jumbled infusion in the chocolate shell ... chocolate is an excellent flavor absorber, and in this case it's absorbed all of them. Perhaps the wrapped truffles don't have this issue. The centers are pretty divine though. The flavors aren't quite as robust as I think I've had at some places like Boule, but for a pre-packaged candy it’s rather nice to have the option of something like Lemon Rose or Chili Limon. Some of the other flavors like apple pie and latte were a little ordinary, but the creaminess of the centers is really the star.

If I were decorating a cake or something, these could be a great, edible addition.

Hot Chocolate Bar: The last, and probably most cost effective pure chocolate candy I found were the bars (the caramels are cheaper by the ounce but not all chocolate). At 2.5 ounces, it’s not a bad deal as candy bars go. If you’ve ever had a Frango, the “truffle” center of this is very similar. Rather firm, but a good instant melt. The flavor is rich with a lot of cinnamon with a little heat from both ginger and chipotle. I wish there were more fire to it and less spice graininess.

Overall, as a hostess gift the packaging is super cute and the quality is good. As fine candy goes, I think I’d still stick with See’s Candies, as they’re quite a bit cheaper though lack those trendy flavors (but their key lime truffle is pretty awesome).

Rating: 7 out of 10

Note: I have a sneaking suspicion that Trader Joe’s ‘Slate of Bliss’ is made by the same people who make Choxie, so I’m digging for more info on that ... maybe I’ll have something later this week.

POSTED BY Cybele AT 10:22 am Tracker Pixel for Entry     CandyReviewChoxie (Target)CaramelChocolate7-Worth ItUnited StatesTarget

Comments
  1. I’m really pleased to hear about the Caramels, Cybele. I almost bought them this past Monday at Target, but I actually held off because I was hoping you’d review them soom. I’m getting them next time. Yum!

    Comment by Nic on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  2. thank you so much for the review.  my nearest target is about 40 minutes away so hopping over to one to try for myself is not really an option. however, i am going this weekend and with your great review, i know what i’ll be throwing in the cart.

    great, great blog btw!!!

    luv, another candy addict

    Comment by elizabeth on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  3. yes, but are they kosher?

    love the blog….

    Comment by Rachel on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  4. BruCo is the company that makes the Slate of Bliss bars for Trader Joe’s. The bars sell for $ 1.00 less at TJs that at other retail outlets, so it’s a good deal. I wish TJs would carry the Rum and Vanilla one you mentioned in June. That sounds awesome. I have not found it in Seattle.

    Comment by Anonymous on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  5. Glad to see the Choxie review so soon! Those tiles are intriguingly pretty, but I hadn’t thought about how they would absorb the other flavors.

    I bought a raspberry-lemon-biscotti (or some such name) bar yesterday, and it was pretty tasty. However, the flavor of the filling was more lemon than raspberry, I had been expecting a strong raspberry flavor. The biscotti (or whatever term on the label implied crunchiness) just added a certain element to the cream filling so it had more texture than pure creaminess - I thought it would be more weirdly crunchy, so was glad for that! I think I’ll try the hot chocolate next, armed with your review.

    Comment by Tricia on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  6. Cybele's avatar

    Anon - thanks for the scoop on BruCo/Slate of Bliss ... do you know if they also do all of the Choxie line or just those that are exactly the same flavors and size?

    Rachel - no mention of Kosher on the package, but that reminds me, I should start including that when it’s marked on the package.

    Comment by Cybele on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  7. Cybele,

    From the Trader Joe’s website:

    Slates of Bliss
    Indulge in our dreamy new chocolate bars. Our Espresso and Milk Chocolate bar is created from a blend of flavorful Arabica espresso beans that are crushed and sprinkled onto a thin layer of milk chocolate. Our Cacao Nibs and Dark Chocolate bar consists of a thin layer of deep rich dark chocolate topped with a blend of carefully roasted nibs.
    We’re selling each 2.5 ounce package of Trader Joe’s Slate of Bliss for $1.99.

    Also, I do not know if Choxie is made by BruCo; when I try it, I will come back and post here and let you know. 

    Thanks for the great website!

    You choco-rock.

    Comment by Anonymous on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  8. I just love See’s.  I wish they sold it in MI. My favorite is the coconut buttercream, the scotchmallow and the california brittle.

    Comment by Randi on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  9. Cybele,

    I think you are right about BruCo making Choxie bars for Target. They are packaged and molded the same way.

    I also think the 7 truffle pack—are made by the same people that sell Vosges Haute Chocolate their shell molds (the outside shell), but the inside truffle flavors are custom blended by either Vosges or someone else.

    Didn’t try any of the other items.

    Thanks.

    Comment by Anonymous on 12/31/69 at 4:00 pm #
  10. After going through $150 worth of Choxie in four days (with help from family and friends!), We all agree that the best of the best are the truffles.
    We now have nine people in agreement that these are some of the best chocolates they have ever inhaled. After carefully reading the labels, it appears that these are from several different makers, and from several different countries, as well. Not only are the chocolates exceptional, but the packaging is beautifully done, as well.
    We are now down to the last item, a marbled mint palette - one pound of a single slab - package price of $10.00 - and while not the best of the bunch, still very enjoyable!
    Don’t miss out on these delicacies!

    Comment by DSL-Dave on 1/01/06 at 2:47 pm #
  11. Cybele's avatar

    Holy Moly, DSL-Dave! That’s a lot of Choxie.

    I still haven’t tried the traditional style truffles, just the tiles but I’ll stop in there now that the holiday madness is over.

    Comment by Cybele on 1/02/06 at 10:12 pm #
  12. Hi Cybele,

    Yes, it was FAR too much chocolate to consume in such a short period of time!
    This was a gift pack, one of 200, that was auctioned off on the net,by Amex.
    I was lucky enough to have one one of the packs!
    It was supposed to have been a holiday present for my wife, but when this huge carton arrived, I realized that we would have to use some of the items as gifts for friends and relatives!
    Actually, there was almost exactly 12 lbs. and 28 varieties. I guess that I am sort of a purist, and didn’t “go” for the chili, tea, espresso bean, etc. flavors,
    however, I am a sucker for the truffles. We have tried truffles from Teuschers, Chardon, and other exotic chocolatiers, and I can say that these rivalled the best! They came packed in shredded material and several “quiescently frozen” ice packs. This helped preserve the flavor and texture. I don’tknow how they will compare to the individual items purchased at retail, however, I will report back as soon as I find out!
    Do try the truffles, and the white on white “bon bons” for sure!

    Dave

    Comment by Dave on 1/02/06 at 10:41 pm #
  13. Ooops…A correction and some additions!
    I meant that I WON one!
    Also, the maximum price on an item in the pack was $10 for the 1 lb. marbled chocolate palette.
    And to be more specific on the items, our favorites were the Milk Chocolate Truffle Balls, M.C. Flakey Truffles, Snowflakey Truffles and the tin of white on white mints (1.5 oz).
    Again, the retail price was $157, but I paid FAR less! If you can get five or six friends to chip in,it would make for a delicious tasting party!
    The way that some of the items are packaged, you could “re-gift” some of them, but I’ll bet you won’t!

    Dave

    Comment by Dave on 1/02/06 at 10:52 pm #
  14. Re.: Choxie Chocolates

    Yesterday I purchased two packages of Target’s new ‘round’ Choxie Chocolates. One was Mocha-flavored, the other one Strawberry. First thing: the proce was reduced from $5.00 to just $1.25 and sold as a clearamce item - that’s 75% off!!

    When unpacking I discovered that the box was larger than the contents; a little ‘riser’ of about 1inch height had been added to the bottom - what a cheeky trick!

    While I loved the Mocha flavored chocolates, the Strawberry flavored chocolates were simply disgusting - you couldn’t taste the strawberry - only somekind of sweet chemical.

    For now, I’m going back to the real brands and stay away from Target’s.

    Comment by meikel14 on 1/15/06 at 2:04 pm #
  15. I really really don’t like the choxie stuff, I tried a bunch on clearance after christmas, and I found it tasted cheap and had various weird textures.
    I love chocolete, and eat lots of it, so good luck with the yucky choxie.

    Comment by linda lee on 2/09/06 at 1:02 pm #
  16. Has anyone had any stomach issues with these chocolates? Our entire staff has been having a piece or two each day at our spa and we are all feeling really funky. What could it be?

    Comment by Tawnya Hutchinson on 2/11/06 at 3:15 pm #
  17. I love choxie it’s the greatest, nothing is sweeter and more appealing to my senses as choxie is…thank god for choxie

    Comment by Cheeriyu on 4/22/06 at 6:42 pm #
  18. Where is “Artisian tiles” ?($10 for 16 pieces)I keep looking for them for the past few months. Please bring them back.At least in “Culver City” Target, in Los Angeles !!!!  Please.

    Comment by malka on 6/20/06 at 8:27 pm #
  19. The mystery of choxie…such beautiful packagaging, such mediocre confections. I think Target hit the mark on their house-brand crackers and cookies and snacks, except for the Choxie. You can’t substitute flash for quality!

    Comment by choxilated in the midwest on 11/01/06 at 5:23 am #
  20. If you’re a true chocolate lover, then Choxie is for you!  Especially the dark chocolate flaky truffles and the Belgian dark chocolate collection!  WOW!!!  The fillings in these remind me of the fillings used at the high end austrian bakery, Lutz’s in Chicago!  And I haven’t found the flavors transferring to the other chocolates at all!  It’s way better than See’s, Fanny Mae’s, Frango, but it’s a tie with the truffles from Trader Joe’s!

    Comment by Martha on 2/19/07 at 12:05 pm #
  21. On a scale of 1-9,999,999,999,999,999, what would you rate choxie?

    Comment by Katie on 4/02/07 at 12:46 pm #
  22. I’m looking for a chocolate or candy to send to overseas friends in Europe. Do you know if Choxie are available only in the US? Thanks!

    Comment by Julie on 9/15/07 at 7:00 am #
  23. As of 2/08, Choxie actually has a new manufacturer for some of their truffle collections.  If you have previously tried the truffles (round) and did not like them, try them now.  They are outstanding!!  Good quality chocolate! Delicious.  Far different from the horrible tasting stuff they had before.

    Comment by Maria on 6/26/08 at 1:58 pm #
  24. I happen to be a big fan of the chocolate covered Bing Cherries from Choxie and also wonder where they are produced.  There is a local company in Iowa City, IA named Bochner’s Chocolates that I know has has a large contract with Target.  I’m not sure, but I think they may produce the Choxie line, because I can’t find any other products in the store that so closely match the products in the Bochner line.  Does anyone know anything further about the Bochner/Target relationship and line of products?  Thanks.

    Comment by Iowa Chocolate Fan on 7/05/08 at 5:59 am #
  25. Choxie and Frango are both made by Seattle Chocolates, which makes some of the best truffles you will ever try.  Seattle Chocolates has a web site where you can order truffles, but I haven’t come across a site for either Choxie or Frango.

    Comment by Jennifer Elfers on 3/02/09 at 12:49 pm #
  26. I tried Choxie today and I have to say, so far I’m disappointed.  I tried the pear caramel flavor and all I could taste was caramel.  I tasted the chile flavor and it was pretty much exactly the same, except no caramel.  I mean, the chocolate was good and the gooey filling was pleasant.  If I had just gotten them as regular chocolate I would be pleased, but I was expecting a flavor or some sort of filling.

    Comment by Rita on 6/24/09 at 10:24 am #
  27. Hello all you chocolate lovers!!  I found this interesting, because I recently bought some Choxie chocolates on clearance from SuperTarget, and I liked them.  I am a food demo person at the Streamwood, IL SuperTarget, and gave a lot of people samples of the 6-oz. Choxie Holiday Truffle Collections—one was “Slice of the Holidays Hat(box) Assortment”, with flavors such as pumpkin pie, apple pie, etc., another was “Spirits of the Season”, with flavors like dark choc. amaretto, dark choc. peppermint, hot buttered rum, irish cream, etc. Still another was a fruit/nut collection, with interesting flavors like dark choc. orange, and others.  Almost all the people who tried them loved them, and bought quite a few. (They sold for $10.20) I also sampled the 4-piece set of Milk Chocolate Pecan Pie and M.C. Gingerbread, and the 4-piece Milk/Dark Chocolate set that included the above, and Dark Choc. Orange and Berry flavors. (These sold for $4, reg. $5)  I think it a little expensive, as they are small truffles, yet they are good!

    Comment by Julie A. Roberts on 12/19/09 at 7:43 pm #
  28. Peppermint - no more need be said.  The peppermint truffle.  Oh, why?  Why?  Why is there no Target within hours of me?  Not fair

    Comment by Carl E on 1/17/10 at 5:28 pm #
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