Fleur de Sel Caramels.

[wolfe]

I know it's not the top of the line and it isn't enrobed in fine chocolate but dang I really like the
Trader Joe's caramels that come in for the holiday season at 14oz for $7 and there they were today.

[Windy]

I wonder who makes them.

I've fallen under the spell of TJ's dark chocolate peanut butter cups. We were speculating they might be Newman's Own, but regardless, they're delicious.

[ssfire]

The San Francisco Chronicle had a taste test, and ranked Newman's Own peanut butter cups to be 50% better than Trader Joe's peanut butter cups: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

Anyway, to keep this thread from being punted into the "national chains message board," I wonder if anyone has tried the salted caramels at Coco Luxe: they have set up shop for the holidays in the Palo Alto Town and Country, right next to Williams Cutlery. They have a 3-pack sampler of salted caramels, consisting of dark, milk, and white chocolate. They also have salted chocolate covered graham crackers.

[Windy]

Thanks. I did see that comparison. The Chron doesn't state which product they tested, milk or dark chocolate, which means it was probably milk.

Will check out the Coco Luxe caramels next time I'm down that way.

Does Tully's still have glass jars of chocolate-covered grahams?

[dordogne]

I don't want to start a "bank run" on caramels, but a fellow doing the stocking at the Rockridge store said that the boxes have been flying off the shelves and that they expect to run out well before the end of December (don't understand why this a seasonal item, but let's hope that the market-savvy TJ will recognize that dark chocolate salted caramels are timeless).

[wolfe]

They run out quickly every year. They are just plain caramels, no chocolate, and they have a shelf life almost to their next appearance. I would buy enough to last but where to store them and what to do with 40 to 50 of those cute little boxes. How many sewing kits can I give away.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_69eUcYOc_QI...

[dordogne]

The ones I bought yesterday are fleur de sel caramels covered in dark chocolate, 4 oz. box for $4.99.

[dordogne]

Oops, make that 6.3 oz. for $4.99, and the salt is sprinkled on the chocolate, not incorporated into the caramel. But it all goes to the same place.

[Ruth Lafler]

Right. In the past, TJ's has carried caramels with sea salt both with and without a chocolate coating. To be precise, the ones without chocolate say "fleur de sel" but the ones with chocolate say "sea salt" -- the sea salt on them has a completely different texture than fleur de sel (a specific type of flaky sea salt).

[wolfe]

The Pop Up General Store will have Fleur de Sel caramels this week $15.75 for 10oz.

[wally]

Not as good as Recchiuti's, IMO.

-----
Recchiuti
1 Ferry Bldg # 30, San Francisco, CA

[Scott M]

Have you tried the ones from Woodhouse in St. Helena?

http://www.woodhousechocolate.com/sho...

[budnball]

My favorite salted caramel chocalates are from Barlovento Chocolates in Oakland. I get mine at the Palo Alto farmers market but they are located in Oakland and do many east bay farmers markets. Great chocolate with a dense, chewy caramel as oppossed to the soft gooey type from TJ's. And a snap of seasalt on the bias. Addicting!

[happenstance]

I second the Barlovento rec. His are amazing. The best I have ever had. And I have tried a lot.

[dordogne]

Barlovento's salted chocolate caramels are also sold at the Oakland-Grand Lake farmers market and the Pasta Shop, and their shop in Oakland has limited weekday hours.

[Ruth Lafler]

Do they have a shop in Oakland now?

[wolfe]

Yes and we are invited.
http://www.barloventochocolates.com/c...

[Ruth Lafler]

Funny, I just looked on their site and didn't see that -- guess I didn't look under the right link!

[wolfe]

Young Caine: [looking down and seeing the insect] Old man, how is it that you hear these things?
Master Po: Young man, how is it that you do not?

[ceekskat]

Will give Barlovento's a try, have enjoyed their chocolates in past. Love Rechiutti's but PA FM is much closer. Also, I noticed a box (house brand I think) in the cheese section at Whole Foods RWC & was tempted to buy until I realized I needed an entire box as much as I needed a hole in my head : )

[mare]

I tried the Whole Foods ones last year, they aren't bad.

[wally]

Yes, very good, I prefer Recchiuti's for this.

-----
Recchiuti
1 Ferry Bldg # 30, San Francisco, CA

[jsaimd]

i adore salted caramels. I really enjoy Rechuitti's classic fleur de sel's. I am less enamoured with their new flavors (butterscotch and chocolate).

Coco Delice makes a very nice salted caramel.

Not local, but I also enjoy some Fran's and Lilli Belle's lavender caramel.

It has been awhile since I tried Barlovento's and Woodhouse. The former makes some nice truffles so I think their caramels are worth a try. I don't enjoy their bars though.

[rcspott]

Salt Chocolate (Celtic salt), very very addicting...

Bequet Caramels

http://www.bequetconfections.com/prod...

[bjh6969]

Hi, I've been looking for those today, they are my favorites!! But the "TJ's" @ Pier 39 didn't have them and won't get them either... Where or which TJ did U get them from??

-----
Pier 39
, San Francisco, CA 94102

[wolfe]

Berkeley and El Cerrito but they go fast and may be gone already.

[c oliver]

We both love them. Have a half one in my mouth as I type :)

[BigWoodenSpoon]

TJ's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels: Already gone for the season y'all.
I was lucky to find some at Berkeley last week, but I'm sure the few boxes I left are long gone by now.
Barlovento's would be my second choice and they have 4 different kinds of Salted Chocolate bars which go for about $ 2 each. Love the Pink Salt. Great stocking stuffers. : )

[dolcevita_sf]

As of Sat, 12/18, the Westlake TJ's still had the fleur del sel caramels (round wooden box, no chocolate coating).