When I wrote about Askinose chocolate I never in my wildest dreams expected them to see that post, let alone send me free chocolate. But they did. And boy am I glad. Not only was I able to experience some really delicious chocolate unlike any I have ever tasted before, but I am now able to share it with you.

The lovely people at Askinosie generously sent me a lovely note along with the Del Tambo Nibble Bar and the Soconusco Dark Milk Chocolate Bar. I was really looking forward to trying both of them. I was so excited when they came that I thought I would break each chocolate bar in half, try both, give a review of both and then send off half of each bar to whoever won this giveaway. Then my husband was kind enough to talk me down from my chocolate-enduced stupor and ask “Would you eat an opened chocolate bar sent to you by a total stranger?” My answer: “Maybe…” Then I realized your answer might be “No.” So we only sampled the nibble bar and you, my friends, are eligible to win the dark milk chocolate bar with fleur de sel. But please, tell us how it was when you are done. I love that combination of sweet and salty.

Before I tell you about the giveaway let me tell you how wonderful this chocolate is.

Review of the Askinosie Del Tambo Nibble Bar

I’m not even sure where to begin, except to say that this chocolate is really good. Even though I grew up with a taste for chocolate bars that actually taste more like sugar (your standard candy bar), I now only prefer very dark chocolate. The Del Tambo bar is labeled as having 70% cocoa beans. I recently purchased a few bars of 88% fair trade chocolate bars. Somehow the 70% Askinosie chocolate has more chocolate flavor than the 88% chocolate bar purchased at the health food store. I believe part of the reason is because it is such a pure chocolate, with no other ingredients but cocoa butter (which they make themselves) and pure cane sugar. In small amounts, I even consider this chocolate a health food. Just take a look at their nutrition facts.

I’m going to be up front and say that I won’t be purchasing a ton of chocolate bars for our every day enjoyment. It is far more expensive than many of the bars that you will find in the grocery store. That is for a good reason, though. You see, unlike many of the large producers of candy bars, Askinosie actually meets the farmers that produce their goods. They also pay them fairly for their products, going beyond the fair trade standards.

We are so used to cheap food in this country that we do not understand what it takes to produce real food. Food like chocolate that comes from so far away should be a treat, not an everyday indulgence. Like grass fed meat, local and organic produce and real milk – you get what you pay for. This chocolate was so rich and delicious that I was only able to eat 2-3 small squares per day. With both my husband and myself taking nibbles here and there every day, a 3 oz. bar lasted us approximately five days. While I won’t be buying bars of this for everday snacks, I do believe I will purchase their products as gifts for other chocolate lovers and for an occasional treat for our family. I can also know that I won’t be supporting unfair and unjust farming practices when I buy Askinosie chocolate.

How to Enter the Giveaway

I am giving away one 3 oz. bar of Askinosie dark milk chocolate with fleur de sel. This bar contains 52% cocoa, organic cane juice, goat’s milk powder (instead of cow’s), and a touch of fleur de sel.

Here’s how to enter:

• For one entry into the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post. Be sure I have your email so that I can contact you!
• For a second entry you can blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your blog post in the comments.

This giveaway will run until Monday, January 12th, when I will randomly select a winner.

I can’t wait for one of you to try this wonderful chocolate!