[DoctorEldritch]

Yesterday I was in the shop and wanted to treat myself, but, well, this happened:



Really, when it comes to choosing the chocolate+nut combo, I am always perturbed by the variety. Peanuts are a popular classic option (I know they are not really nuts, but for the sake of category let's say that they are) that Snickers thrives on. But there are just so many other options... Almonds, pecans, cashews, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are more exotic varieties like Ginkgo nuts or Lotus seeds, to name a few...

Personally, for me, it is more about the texture. When I go for chocolate with nuts in it, I do so for that satisfying crunch feeling more than a taste combo. That being said, I still have preferences and would choose, for example, hazelnut over almond (I think almond should really only be paired with chocolate when it's turned into marzipan), but other than that there are just so many choices that making one is always hard for me.

Not sure how common of a predicament that is. Do you have a favourite chocolate+nut combo?

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch Blasphemy about the almonds. I finally decided that I don't care about my tooth hurting like a little !@#$, I have oxycodone I can use for now. Took some bites of the almond milk lindt chocolate. Yummmm. Even in the almost 30-degrees heat. Mood got a little bit better.

[DoctorEldritch]

Originally Posted by Saka

Took some bites of the almond milk lindt chocolate.

Wait, do you mean it is chocolate where the milk used to make it is almond milk rather than dairy milk, or do you mean it is regular dairy milk chocolate with almonds in it?

I am happy for your mood. Chocolate has that effect on me too. It is nice that even in almost 30-degree heat and while on oxycodone, you can get a taste of heaven in bite-sized portions.

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch Oh, sorry for the confusing wording. My bad. The aforementioned chocolate is actually visible in the picture in the beginning of the thread.

It's one of these thicker Lindt bars. Normal dairy milk chocolate. The additions are some nougat and large chunks of almonds. I don't remember if whole or not. The combination gives a soft, sweet flavour and crunchy texture. I didn't keep ny chocolate in the fridge, so unfortunately the chocolate was very soft, but still edible. I just had to tear a piece off rather than snap.

[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka Ah, now I get what you mean. I am not sure why that is, but I like almonds best as marzipan. I guess almonds are too sweet for me and in combo with chocolate I get sweetness overload, maybe that's why.

Why don't you put chocolate in the fridge now? This happens to me as well, sometimes when it's hot I do not put chocolate in a cupboard right away and it gets like that, but a couple of hours in a fridge restore its snappy quality.

Also, this:

Originally Posted by Saka

Blasphemy about the almonds.

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch I had the chocolate in the kitchen cabinet and completely forgot about it, until I decided that it would be nice to have a bit of something sweet. I probably should put it in the fridge once I get home, so that I can enjoy the chocolate in its crunchy form again.

I actually like almonds as a standalone snack too. Unfortunately, right now due to some dental issues I need to limit biting hard things and chewing. Thus, a bag of nuts is definitely a no-no for now. It's a saga that's been going for months now, but I hope eventually it's resolved for good.

Nuts are also good for health, low on carbohydrates and some of them are also said to improve brain function. Of course, in chocolate the nutritional value gets lost, but they still won't hurt. Unless you have a nut allergy, of course.

[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka That happens to me all too often, but nothing that a couple of hours in a cool fridge can't fix.

If this is the case, then maybe marzipan is a good temporary solution? It is quite soft but still almondy, you can enjoy the taste of almonds without the crunch. Though I do not really like them as standalone. Not sure why, it's a taste thing. I prefer hazelnuts.

And yes, nuts have some benefits. Seeds do, too, and they often come together. As for allergies, the most common one is peanut, I think, and peanuts are not, nuts, strictly speaking. I wonder how common are allergies to actual nuts, like hazel or walnut, or almond.

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch I don't know, but cross-contamination is a thing and often almonds or hazelnuts can be handled in the same factory hall as peanuts. That could be a problem then if you have a deadly allergy.

Marzipan is too sweet for me to eat in more than smallest amounts. Not commonly sold in Finland either.

[DoctorEldritch]

Originally Posted by Saka

@DoctorEldritch I don't know, but cross-contamination is a thing and often almonds or hazelnuts can be handled in the same factory hall as peanuts. That could be a problem then if you have a deadly allergy.

That reminded me of the Doctor Who episode back when Tennant was the Doctor (the first time), starts at 1:42 here:

Quality is not that good, but there is a pun about peanuts.

As for marzipan, I think they can make it more or less sweet depending on what is needed. In variations, pistachios are added for a more savory feel. But if Finland is not too big on it (which is odd to me, marzipan is delicious), then you would not likely get this variety. My favorite form of marzipan is actually the one glazed in dark chocolate, bitter notes complement sweetness very well.