Best Chocolate

If you consider yourself a chocolate snob because you only eat the most expensive chocolate, then I surely hope you have tried chocolate from Taza. I was introduced to Taza chocolate through the book American Terroir by Rowan Jacobsen but finally purchased a bar yesterday at the Coop in Hanover. Here is the bar I purchased:



At first glance one sees that it is 80% dark chocolate, which might be a turn-off for most people due to the intense bitterness that dark chocolate usually brings. But this is no ordinary chocolate bar. The cocoa beans are direct from the grower who also takes the time to sun dry every single bean so that the full, robust flavor of the cocoa is achieved. What does this mean? No bitterness. None. Zip. You are first greeted by the gritty texture (do to stone grinding by Taza) and then a subtle nuttiness enters your palate; but not for long, as you are hit by a burst of fruity notes that flood your taste buds. It is one the most delicious chocolate bars you will ever taste, I kid you not. Why so great? They sun dry the beans and prepare them properly. That's why. For more information I encourage you to read American Terroir for Jacobsen can explain things much better than I.

Red Un-delicious

This thing claims to be a Red Delicious apple.



While it may be named a Red Delicious, despite being red, it is not even close to delicious. A single bite provides one with a mass of mushy crud slopping around in your mouth. Gross. Why apple growers still grow these things is beyond me... well, not entirely (more on this in a later post)... but to know whether or not an apple orchard is legit, look to see if they have red delicious. If they do, they are not worth going to. No self-respecting orchard produces this crap.

Home Improvement

I recently just moved into a new apartment, but, this apartment is also a fair bit smaller than the one I moved from. I have had to start being a bit more creative on how I organize my things. This past Sunday (that was yesterday), was deemed home improvement day at my new place in order to start to fulfil this creative calling. My mind was set to accomplish two tasks: create shelving in my closet to store boxes and to build a spice rack to store spices (of course).

After a dreadfully long trip to Home Depot (it takes forever to find things in that store!), I returned home with a saw, wood, sandpaper and wood glue. The shelves were easy since a couple 2x4s were already nailed up in the closet holding the hanger bar up. All I had to do was measure, cut and place. Done and done. The next task of building the spice rack was a nerve racking experience since I've never really built anything except for a birdhouse way back when. Here is the final product, with spices already in place. I am quite proud of myself, I think it turned out well.



and to "show off the detail", a side view:



After this positive construction experience, I think I am ready and willing to try my hand at building some other things when the time/need arises.