Thursday, March 29, 2007

Endangered Species: Eco-Rounds

I found myself frustrated last year trying to put together a “Green Halloween”, and part of that is that at Halloween we’re buying candy for strangers (trick-or-treaters). For Easter we’re buying candy for our close friends and family, so taking that extra step to pick the most wholesome and ethically produced is perhaps a little easier on the wallet. So if you’re looking to put something together this year, take a look over those product reviews for Green Halloween as most are also available for Easter (and all year round). I’ll put together an updated list of green candy choices this weekend.

Endangered Species makes their little Bug Bites in a “Hoppy Treats” version, which I think are nice Easter basket options. Since I’ve already reviewed those, I thought I’d give a new Endangered Species item a review today!

image

Introduced late last year, Eco-Rounds are a set of three little dark chocolates with caramelized cacao nibs. They come in a single serving “bar” (a plastic package, instead of the usual foil & paper wrapper). The little disks of chocolate are attractive, rather thick and very shiny.

While the Endangered Species Bat Bar also has cacao nibs in it, these little morsels aren’t quite as dark. The chocolate here is 60% dark instead of the 75% dark in the Bat Bar. The chocolate is smooth and a little sweet. The disks have an excellent crunch from the abundant nibs. Unlike many bars with nibs in the, these are caramelized, so they have a little sweet toffee crunch taste to them.

Excellent stuff, if these were easier to find, this might be one of my favorite new nibby items. I was very disappointed when I finished them (seriously, they could put four in there very easily)!

I think Endangered Species should really consider wrapping these individually in foil (or those little sealed sleeves they use for Bug Bites) and selling them seasonally in larger bags. I’d love a bowl of pastel ones for the spring and some fall colors later this year. Or if you want to go the non-seasonal route, maybe some different patterned foils in animal prints. Some zebra stripes, leopard Spots, tortoise shell ... it could be sassy!

Note: this is not organic, but is all natural and ethically traded. Also note that they call this dark chocolate, but the wrapper says that it contains milk products, so is not suitable for vegans. (Drat!)

Name: Eco-Rounds
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Endangered Species
Place Purchased: samples from Endangered Species
Price: retail $1.59
Size: 1.06 ounces
Calories per ounce: 151
Categories: Chocolate, Nibs, United States, Endangered Species, Fair Trade, Kosher

POSTED BY Cybele AT 9:30 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. ...just a comment on the poll…

    I thought there was only ONE candy season, and that’s the one you taught me about that runs from Halloween to Easter!

    Comment by Russ on 3/29/07 at 12:03 pm #
  2. Cybele's avatar

    You’re right as usual Russ. I’m sure you’ve noticed many other inconsistencies and errors around here that you’ve been too nice to point out publicly, so my poor ego thanks you for that.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/29/07 at 12:07 pm #
  3. Do you know if the packaging is “green” on these chocolates? Perhaps biodegradable? If they are so eco-conscious, I’d think they’d avoid plastics….

    Comment by Kate on 3/29/07 at 12:14 pm #
  4. I had absolutely no idea that there were so many different varieties of ‘candy’ in the world until I discovered this blog.
    Great job by the way.

    Comment by Samantha on 3/30/07 at 1:19 am #
  5. Cybele's avatar

    Kate - yes, I think it’s a little odd that these and the little bagged squares are in some sort of plasticized packaging. However, food spoilage & safety is also an ecological issue. Perhaps there’s some sort of a balance.

    Samantah - thanks, I hope you keep reading!

    Comment by Cybele on 4/04/07 at 8:14 am #
  6. Looks delicious!

    Comment by Anthony on 7/20/09 at 7:19 am #
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.

Next entry: SweeTart Jelly Beans

Previous entry: Kisses Chocolate Truffles




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT

FEEDS

CONTACT

  • .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  • Here are some frequently asked questions emailed to me you might want to read first.

EMAIL DIGEST

    For a daily update of Candy Blog reviews, enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

CANDY RATINGS

TYPE

BRAND

COUNTRY

ARCHIVES

Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.

 

 

 

 

Facebook IconTwitter IconTumblr IconRSS Feed IconEmail Icon

COUNTDOWN.

Candy Season Ends

-2537 days

Read previous coverage

 

 

Which seasonal candy selection do you prefer?

Choose one or more:

  •   Halloween
  •   Christmas
  •   Valentine's Day
  •   Easter

 

image

ON DECK

These candies will be reviewed shortly:

 

 

image