LYRA MAG.

STUFFED PUFFS  Chocolate on (in) Chocolate delivers  a surprisingly rich indulgent treat ---a pleasing powdery fluffy outside encasing the perfect gooey deep chocolate center that tastes more like those expensive luxury bars that costs double . Ideal for non-marshmallow folks (too)...we'd pegged the flavor/texture sky high satisfy scale more like America's favorite gift-able treat (chocolate) -than the S'more staple...though like that melt it crisp filler...Stuffed Puffs can multi-task. Truth be told-we inhaled our samples-straight out of the bag and did not feel like sharing, any.  But these can also be baked, melted (in Rice Krispies bars, for example), roasted and dipped in warm/cold beverage.  Available at  Walmart -priced at $3.98 per 8.6 oz bag and other retailers + online at  www.stuffedpuffs.com  with prices ranging from $4.49 -$4.99.  - the"Not Your Average Marshmallow" Stuffed Puffs  genuinely manage to conjoin the...

Valentine's Day is a chocolate occasion...but so is every other day too when it comes to the good stuff . Women owned and handmade...these chocolates are to be shared with anyone on your sweetheart list... MarieBelle Izak Zanou ganache 16 piece assortment - so chic-so yummy. Rich gourmet treats made from single origin,  artisanal beans-featuring the whimsical (and collectible) artwork of fashion illustrator Izak Zenou Maggie Louise Confections -fab chocolate and  even fab-ber packaging (if that's even a word...) SOLID LIPSTICK=SOLID CHOCOLATE Maggie Louise Confections' display at recent NY NOW tradeshow-fun shapes of 'real' objects in bite sized, solid chocolate via GIPHY Easter Time-Maggie Louise Confections has an admirable  plethora of  special occasion options ...

That irresistible high-low matrix of how we dress, furnish homes and EAT-from chef table multi-course extravaganza to quick food truck bites. Is so true for the most popular sweet candy -chocolate, too.  INDULGE: Two themed chocolate 'kits' satisfy desires for the sublime and the fun. For the gourmet and wine connoisseur   - the luxury Belgian chocolate maker Neuhaus-clinks glasses with Advanced Sommelier Sarah Thomas of NYC's Michelin's 3 star rated- Le Bernadin- for its beautifully packaged Wine Collection.  INSIDE-24 creamy melt in your mouth  pralines... in six palate pleasing assortments-blessed with hints of unexpected ingredients (Earl Grey tea, saffron, acacia honey etc). To savor with ( and enhanced by ) specific wines...these gift worthy treats include an informative booklet- that offers up varietal suggestions and flavorful descriptions. Sophisticated--and approachable btw. One way to slow down (and appreciate more) our usual fas...

NYC COFFEE FESTIVAL The same humans that grew up with 'smart'screens- swiping ... are  becoming coffee (and tea) drinkers = born after Starbucks ubiquitously introduced caffeine consumers to better brews. Tastebuds have - evolved further (Starbucks now  'gets' that with its Reserve Roasteries) PREMIUM QUALITY-transparent chain supply-exceptional designs . Travelers sipping  un caffé  better tasting than the average American 'joe,  caring about sustainability+sourcing directly- and the specialty foodie culture- have all contributed to the wonderful world  of more coffee deliciousness. Part One: Single Origin=Small Batch : coffee beans (and chocolates) from a distinct region yield flavors-nuanced and bold. Similar to wine descriptions-(and what we wrote about recently -in coverage of the Fancy Food Show )-coffee beans have  distinct aromas and palate hints beyond dark-medium-light-courtesy of soil, altitude, climate and roasting techniq...

GO GLOBAL Americans embrace of 'hot' spices and global cuisines-merges nicely in a nifty gift-worthy collection of Artisan Pepper Sauces by Clark + Hopkins. ..featuring unique peppers and native flavorings from around the world. A SOFI award winner to pour on...! We had a laugh when we saw this at the Fancy Food Show-being from UWS- NYC-where the tap drinking water is blessedly terrific so why 'enhance' it. WELL-if you are missing that unique taste from far flung locales...these Tap Drops...in dropper bottles-will cure that ...aka 'water well traveled.'  Tempting mix of savory+sweet spices-our fav instant hot chocolate mix SOFI AWARD WINNER We never really thought of instant hot chocolate powders as having gourmet food status potential till now... COCOA SANTÉ by Harbor Sweets has a winning assortment of natural+ organic cocoa ingredients combined for lush  flavor blends for  this classic cold weather beverage that is also heavenly over ic...

Packaging Fun+Practical Literally, a light bulb moment. Himalicious Gourmet salts Bravo to minimalist packaging. Earthy chocolate-ty aromatic USDA Organic Jailhouse Brick single origin ground coffee is air tight-easy to store with, one opened-with one of those bag clips.   Worker Owned!!!! We had quite the chat with the America Tuna reps at the Fancy Food Show 2019...as this one stop entity for wholesome-real deal canned primo wild albacore tuna-is packaged without added fillers, additives, oils or salt-so no draining needed from the BPA free cans... (the authentic pre 1960 way fyi). Remarkably, America Tuna is owned by the fishing folks  themselves. Hand packed/processed in Oregon + Washington States-and 3rd party tested to ensure low mercury levels, pole caught America Tuna-is flaky fresh delicious-yes the better quality in taste/texture is that obvious . Sustainable ( Marine Stewardship Council certified ,  and traceable too ( can coded ). BONUS...

Valentine's Day-just snuck up on us----with all the DRAMA + healthy  Olympics' distractions. via GIPHY Grab a fast last minute   chocolate treat-that will amaze-and will be worthy of sweethearts across America-aka- the yummy chewy melt in mouth gourmet candy - by a fairly new division of a giant  candy company (Sunrise Confections)- Sweet Valley Organics . We couldn't believe how good these are...Sweet Valley Organics uses Fair Trade, non-GMO-USDA Certified Organic chocolates with a pleasing creamy buttery taste texture...rich authentic dark chocolate...with hints of vanilla and organic naturally ripe bananas. IMO-who ever came up with this deserves a raise. That Good.    Online $5.90/ per 4oz. 4 servings per pouch-120 calories. We say- be real -count on eating half-delivering 240 calories like those dreck awful mass market chocolate bars that pass for 'chocolate'  in this country... (just saying) Considering we're not banana fans (though should b...

Specialty Fancy Foods Show 2017 Trends  Italian purveyor Selektia Tartufi maybe had the most expensive gourmet food item on display...pictured above their truffle products  When we think of truffles-thoughts leans towards the deeply aromatic kind that can sell at auction for thousands of dollars. For consumers-oils and butters with hints of the black or white  (there's also whitish + burgundy)- still find favor (flavor)...but we also noticed new product categories for the fungi fans.  Also note worthy-the lucious sweet chocolate kind-now available in cookie/candy bar flavors as well as truffle truffle kind.  Prediction-cannabis edibles -truffles-probably coming soon to a store near you. Highlights: From Barça... Torres Select Black Truffle potato chips A SOFI award winner Kilchurn Estate Black Truffle Cheddar-full flavor sweetish cheddar with a bold truffle addition..produced by hand in southern England using locally sourced past...

a bountiful display of gourmet chocolate bars...from around the world... AN invite for a gourmet chocolate-wine pairing tasting-count us in! via GIPHY yes-chocolate is that good... A worthy reminder that single source and refined blends of planet earth's most fav 'food' -has caused worthy destinations-like the chic sleek Italian style coffee (ILLY) café 2Beans (Manhattan based-including convenient right near Grand Central station)...to offer discerning and curious customers-an outstanding assortment of chocolates from around the world-in custom confections -by the piece-or in beautiful packaged bars-to go..