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Below you will find my brief thoughts on both the 'Dark' and 'Caramel' variants - both of which I picked up in Tesco recently on an introductory 99p offer.
Werther's Original Chocolate Dark:
Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???
Described as 'dark chocolate marbled with the comforting taste of Werther's' these were simply just a dark chocolate version of the milk chocolate variant I reviewed previously and my positive thoughts around the packaging, presentation did not differ in the slightest.
As experienced with the milk chocolate variant these dark chocolate similarly smelt glorious when I opened the packet and a rich butterscotch aroma didn't fail in raising my anticipation. In regards to actual cocoa content I was surprised to see that Storck didn't go for a bolder recipe than the 42% implemented, but saying that the taste was noticeably less sugary than the milk chocolate and initially substantiated less of a sweetness in the mouth. Because the dark chocolate was more impactful in it's cocoa flavours the taste did last a little bit longer in the mouth, and I felt it's unsweetened nature went better with the sugary, butter flavours of the caramel white chocolate that was swirled inside. Unfortunately where this dark chocolate surpassed the milk variant in taste it was disappointing that the same disgusting waxy texture was present and it yet again really hampered my overall enjoyment.
7.5 out of 10
Werther's Original Chocolate Caramel:
Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???Unlike the other variants this Caramel flavour was billed as a completely different proposition - 'milk chocolate with a soft caramel centre'. Despite being fundamentally another sort of product altogether these Caramel chocolates came in the same style packaging and wrappers and it wasn't until they were bitten into that the different style centres were evident.
In contrast to the other solid piece chocolates these had a noticeably less strong aroma when the pouch was opened and had a lighter toffee smell. The first thing that came to my attention when I placed the first one in my mouth was that thankfully the texture of the outer chocolate wasn't half as waxy and it actually initiated it's own melt without any need chewing. Inside the caramel centre was as billed and had a nice soft, smooth feel in the mouth. However, whilst it felt nice on the tongue it was distinctly lacking in flavour, so much so that the very mild milk chocolate completely dominated the taste with it's very unspectacular sugary condensed milk focus. Sadly taste wise the caramel lacked pretty much everything a good caramel should have, and was absent of the desired strong buttery notes or salt licks, leaving just a bland tasting sugar based substance.
6.7 out of 10
Overall as you will be able to tell from my scores and write ups, I was pretty disappointed with this new range as a whole. What I find most frustrating about this range is that Storck managed to get many parts of these chocolates right - the packaging and presentation is good, the propositions are exciting, and the Werther's element is implemented in a interesting way in the 'Milk' and 'Dark' variants. Unfortunately Storck got it wrong in some very fundamental departments with two of the flavours having truly horrid waxy textures, and the other having a poor tasting soft filling. If I had to recommend one of the three to you I would suggest you try the 'Dark' flavour as it offers a genuinely delicious taste despite the really poor feel it has in the mouth. Frankly speaking I think Storck have really missed an opportunity here and I wouldn't be surprised if these were to all disappear from our shelves quite quickly given the other higher quality alternatives already available and established in the UK market.
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19 comments:
Of all three I think the soft caramels are the nicest. I didn't find them bland at all.
I do see what you mean about the others having odd textures though.
These are 99p in Tesco.
I thought the dark chocolates ones were also the best but unlike you I liked the caramel flavour as well.
The only thing that annoys me the most out all of three of these is that you can only buy them in these big bags and not smaller amounts. Grrr.
Rxxx
Hi Jim I love your site I found it through Impulsive Buy. I sure would love to try these. It is funny how everyone associates werthers with the British and not the Germans who make them isn't it.
It would be interesting to see if a German person thinks the feel of the chocolate is weird to them. Maybe that is how chocolate is over there?
Best
Tom
Speaking of Storck have you ever reviewed their Riesen chocolates? If you haven't you should do.
I'm surprised you didn't like the caramels Jim, they're quite similar to the Galaxy swirls that used to be out some years ago.
But the waxy texture truly spoils the other chocolates. I find it baffling really. I saw an advert for this range recently and it said something about how everyone associates Werthers with boiled sweets, but these are smooth and creamy. They're not really helping themselves are they!
I honestly doubt that people will buy these at the full price, once they're no longer on offer I bet sales will go down dramatically.
It is a shame I had really high hopes that these would be better. I'm not sure I will bother trying them now.
I still haven't been able to find them anywhere this is getting very annoying because I love Werther's Originals.
Jim I think you should try the caramel flavour again because like some of the others have said I really liked them.
I would say they aren't as strongly flavoured as the other chocolates varieties but saying they are tasteless is bit over the mark.
I first tried the milk chocolates a couple of months ago and haven't bought them since. To be honest I can't remember that much about them which I guess tells the story itself. Nowt special in my opinion.
I haven't tried the milk one but I did try the dark and the caramel and thought they were both pretty nice. I know the firm ones have a funny texture but I 've never found it particular unpleasant, more interesting than anything else.
The caramel ones reminds me also of Galaxy, actually the packagng is very old style Galaxy too with the deep brown and gold and even the 'caramel' font lol! I thought them quite tasty if a little shortlived in the mouth.
I like the photos again today but I disagree with you about the caramels. I think they have better caramel than Cadburys but the chocolate isn't as good. Sorry for being random but I would also like to see you review Riesens if you can.
How do you get these in England but we can not in German?
What a shame. Haven't tried them, and I'm not likely to either. I'll stick to the Werthers Original which I love.
i just saw the tv advert on channle 4 and it made me laugh. it was so fake have you seen it jim>?
Nick
Fair enough. The textures of the milk and dark chocolates really ruined these for me.
Anon
They will be for the next two weeks! They are £1 in Mozzas aswell.
Rachel
They are a bit of the hefty size to carry around aren't they. I would like to have seen them come out in the roll packs like you can get other Werther's products in.
Tom
Hi there and welcome to the site. Stick around we are a friendly bunch.
I think you raise a good point about Germans being more used to it, but personally I have tried over 150+ chocolates from Germany and never before have I had a chocolate textured like that. Nice point though.
Wendy / Justin
http://www.chocolatemission.net/2008/05/may-22nd-riesen.html
Phil
I am afraid I didn't :( I think the chocolate that surrounded Galaxy swirls were nicer myself.
I think you could well be right about people not buying at full price. Like I said at the end of the review I don't think this will be a range to stick around all that long. I think they are a bit of a missed opportunity.
David
If you still fancy at least trying them I would buy them now at the cheap price.
Chris
Tesco or Mozzas are sure fire bets to find them!
Kim
I didn't call them tasteless but I did think they were a little bland. Believe me I tried enough of them to make sure ... they just weren't the best caramels I don't think.
Steven
That does suggest you didn't think much of them. Like I said it is a shame as they had something to work with here in my opinion.
Alan
I guess it is just dependant on whether you get on with it or not. I like my chocolate to melt without chewing so I guess I was never going to really like the feel of them in the mouth was I? It is funny that the milk variant looks Cadbury like, whilst the caramel variant looks like old school Galaxy! Funny huh!?
Anon
You don't have these in Germany? That is a surprise!
Susanne
I hope I haven't put you off them completely. If you do want to try them I would give them a try now when they are really cheap ... it might soften you disappointment :D
George
I haven't seen it yet. When I do I will pass comment. It doesn't sound like a good one :D
Thanks everyone - I hope you all had lovely weekends. Roll on the new week.
JIM
The texture has really grown on me, in fact I really like these. the caramels are my favourites :D
Anyone that says they can't find these in Germany needs to put on their glasses.
I'm American and I find these things everywhere in Germany.... they are in almost _every_ grocery store. Maybe not the ALDI because they dont usually carry so many brand names, but I've clearly seen them at REWE, LIDL, Plus, Edeka, at the Gallerias and the Kauflands.
Look more carefully.
Personally I like the caramel ones. My fiancee foisted one off on me months after they came out and I murdered the entire bag in what must have been record time. Thank god I exercise plenty.
Anon
From what I am lead to believe don't you guys have another flavour in Germany aswell?
Isn't it called caramel mousse?
I wouldn't imagine they are hard to find given they are made there.
Cheers
JIM
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