Walking along the Champs Élysées in December 2013, I came across the new Häagen-Dazs chocolate bars, which had just launched. My luck... I was so excited to give the brand's new chocolate collection a try. I had to wait patiently in line. Sadly, I couldn't wait for too long and opted to come back again later. But that didn't happen and I came back home with no chocolate in hand.
When I came home, I did a lot of research on Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Tablets... with no luck. Not one single image was posted online, not one review on them... I found it weird, since it was launched in December on Champs Élysées and now, in April, still I couldn't get a hold of any information. A friend of mine, Pascale, who happened to be in Paris recently, was kind enough to get me some with her. She brought back four bars, each with a different flavor: Blanc Framboise, Douceur Pecan, Délice Noisettes and Intense Cocoa. Perfect for a review... Each one comes in a different colored packaging. So fresh and appealing... Häagen-Dazs proposes a range for all tastes starting with only 35% of cocoa up to 70%.
Let's enjoy some chocolates:
Blanc Framboise
- Pink wrapping
- Sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, raspberries 4%, natural vanilla extract
- 35% cocoa
- White chocolate decorated with raspberry particles
- Generous raspberry filling with an interesting textures
- If you remember milk chocolate "Crunch" you'll know what I am talking about. It is rich and interesting in flavor but too commercial
- It leaves an uninteresting aftertaste around the palate
Douceur Pecan
- Orange color wrapping
- Cocoa butter, whole milk powder, sugar, caramelized pecan nuts 15%, cocoa beans, brown sugar, natural vanilla extract
- Orange color wrapping
- 40% cocoa
- I personally found it too sweet and too commercial for a fine chocolate
- I enjoyed the caramelized pecan nuts which you feel after the chocolate melts
Delice Noisettes
- Green wrapping
- Cocoa beans, sugar, hazelnuts 15%, cocoa butter, concentrated butter milk, natural vanilla extract
- 66% cocoa
- This one is a bit too creamy for my taste but again I say, many will love it. It's a fine chocolate but the commercial aspect of it deceived me
- An interesting butter aftertaste
- Pleasant crunchy hazelnuts
Intense Cocoa
- Red Wrapping
- Cocoa beans, sugar, split cocoa beans 10%, cocoa butter, natural vanilla extract
- 70% cocoa
- This is the best of all and the most sophisticated
- Dark chocolate mixed with Cocoa bits, which melt in your mouth, giving you double the pleasure
- I recommend it
Tasting notes:
- All have particles in them, none of them are plain chocolate
- The chocolates are produced in France
- Each cost around €4,5
- 24 small cubes in each, 100grams/tablet
- 580 calories each
- The chocolate is tasty but I found it to be a bit too commercial for my taste. I would add some character to it
- I enjoyed them, but none gave me that push to ask for more
- I'm not sure if Häagen-Dazs can compete with the upscale brands on the market, brands like Lindt, Valrhona and Cote D'Or
It seems Häagen-Dazs is following the trend of the chocolate market. The renowned ice cream brand has chosen Paris as the city to launch their new treat. Why not? Paris is where big brands have already established their chocolate havens and the latest being Lindt Chocolate Lounge.
