Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Miscellaneous Meandering: Sprengels & Chocolate Orange Sticks


"We found no chocolate covered orange sticks in Germany, but we did find Sprengels". 

When I was a child it was a special treat to accompany my grandmother to the local five and dime which had a chocolate counter in the front of the store.  One section of the glass case contained dark chocolate covered orange sticks and sometimes she would buy a quarter pound to share with me.  It was in this way I acquired my love of the smooth flavor combination of dark chocolate and orange.

Eventually the chocolate counter closed taking those beloved chocolate covered orange sticks with it.  And thus began a quest.  Before long a replacement was provided by Brach’s Candy.  Other than a couple of slight differences Brach's chocolate orange sticks fell right on the mark.  After several successful years of satisfaction Brach’s inexplicably discontinued the product and I was left to continue the quest once again. 

Somewhere along the way, we moved to Germany.  During our time there we never found any dark chocolate orange sticks.  I can’t begin to imaging how many more towers I would have been able to climb if fueled by the orange and chocolate wonders.  

What we did find were Sprengels. Sprengels were nothing like the sweet pectin orange gels blanketed in dark chocolate.  A refreshing treat, chocolate covered Sprengels had sugar crystal lined liquid insides, were citrus-y (heavy on the lemon side with a hint of orange), and tart.  We found Sprengels were good enough to stand on their own.  Upon leaving Germany, Sprengels escaped our grasp as well.  

 Then this year brought a new discovery, Russell Stover Small Batch Fine Dark Chocolate Orange Sticks.   One bite and I was instantly transported back to childhood, standing before my first chocolate counter at Christmas time-- Oh may the experience last for years to come.
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Most people are afraid of  sugar crystal lined liquid insides.   Admit it, I am Fearless.