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Kcal 583 Fat 39.3g Fat(sats) 25.9g Carbs 48.0g (per 100.0g)One of the greatest things about running a website like this is that every now and then I get random parcels turn up on my doorstep with chocolate samples I didn't even know I was going to be receiving. Just a few weeks ago Kate from an agency called Nudge sent me a package on behalf of Thorntons, which contained one the latest limited editions from their Square Blocks *ahem* Ritter *ahem* range :D This White Chocolate with Coconut & Lime struck me as a suitable summery offering from the brand, involving a unique combination of ingredients. Thorntons are one of a very few brands that I believe make decent white chocolate (See HERE), so I was more than interested to see what I made of their latest white chocolate creation.
Despite all these Square Block bars looking the same you may have noticed that Thorntons certainly like varying up the size and weighting of them depending on the added ingredients. This coconut and lime bar clocked in at 80.0g, which served me for two sittings when sharing amongst a few willing tasting accomplices. I'm not sure of who picks the colours of the packaging at Thorntons, but I have a pretty strong feeling that guy/girl's favourite colour is green judging by the number of bars in this range that use that colour (Tonka, Pistachio & Mint). My green gripes aside, the overall presentation was of a good standard - the inner foil wrapper ensured a good degree of freshness, whilst the chocolate looked suitably intriguing on the eye with the golden bits of coconut visibly dispersed well throughout.
As I do with every chocolate I gave this one a good 'smelling-over' before I tucked in to it. The smells that emanated from the bar weren't the most forthcoming but when specifically searched for there were hints of citrus fruit amongst the underlying vanilla yoghurt like scents. As I have passed reference to already, Throntons are one of very few brands that I think have a decent white chocolate recipe and it didn't fail to impress me once again. During the initial phases of the melt, the chocolate presented a creamy milk based taste that was pleasantly passive in it's sugar emphasis. Moving in to the middle and latter stages of it's transformation, a subtle lime twist became noticeable which brought a switch of emphasis away from a creamy tasting chocolate, to a more fruit flavoured yoghurt like taste. Once the blocks had completely melted away, the remaining fragments of dessicated coconut provided a fitting end to each mouthful, bringing excitement in terms of both textures and nutty flavours. The progressive nature of the flavours and resulting taste meant this was a chocolate that demanded attention from the first to the last minute in the mouth. In this regard I felt like it was a satisfying chocolate.
Overall I thought this was an interesting and unique flavour combination, but I don't think it would be one that I would consistently choose to buy instead of Thorntons' plain white chocolate offering. Despite being listed in the actual ingredients as only 'flavourings', it was the lime element of this product that proved to be the X-factor, as it really changed the focus of the taste. The white chocolate started out very familiar with it's cream based flavours, however the introduction of the lime in to the mix made for a slightly sourer yoghurt like overall taste. Whilst this variation was still pretty delicious and a nice change up from the norm, I probably wouldn't include the lime in the mix if I was given the option, on relfection I would happily have settled for a plainer white chocolate with coconut offering. Whilst I may not have rated this as highly as Thorntons' white chocolate original, I would still happily suggest it as a nice variation for white chocolate fans to try. Be sure to check it out before it disappears with the summer sun.
8.0 out of 10
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27 comments:
I did see this the other day and I thought I would let you run the rule before I dipped into my pocket.
It sounds like an interesting new combo. I will probably buy one myself now.
Looks nice Jim. I really don't think any manufacture is using bounty enough at the moment. If you discount the bounty bar there isn't anything really out there. Thorntons would do well to make a permanent coconut bar for their range.
Dx
This bars are a shamless rip off of Ritter aren't they :) I can't say I blame them though. It is not as if Ritter is a super power in this country. These bars are some of the best things they do so we shouldn't complain too loudly.
I don't like the look of the chocolate it looks really spotty.
I don't know why but I have this idea in my head that the lime bit of this would make the white chocolate curdle and fizz.
You haven't mentioned anything of the sort in your review so I guess I'm wrong.
Lol you are totally right about the colour of the packaging. There are loads of them that are green coloured, I bet loads of people don't even notice that this bar is out.
I myself must have overlooked it last time I was in one of their shops. Well either that or they weren't selling it.
lol I hope you are nearly finished with your 'summer' themed reviews Jim. Unfortunately it looks like summer could be well gone :(
If I see this I will buy it. Annoyingly I don't have a Thorntons in my home town though.
Rxxx
You should give them 10/10 for innovation. I haven't seen this flavour done before. Well done Thorntons.
Wow the nutritionals are pretty high for this one. I think it must be the coconut because the saturated fat is really high. That is saying that over a quarter of each block is saturated fat. That doesn't sound nice does it lol.
I bought this the other day after I went searching for the lemon smoothie you posted about.
I liked the way it came in a foil wrapper and not a plastic one. That is an improvement they have made. I also thought the chocolate was ok. Lol nothing more than ok. The white chocolate was nice but I didn't think the lime really went with it that well. It made it taste a bit sour I think. I agree it probably didn't need the lime and should have just had coconut instead.
Mmmmm white choc
Every bit of this sounds good to me apart from the lime. Its not something I have ever tried in chocolate but there is a good reason for that ......BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO lol.
I wouldn't have thought it would work with chocolate at all. Lol this isn't a glass of coke.
I've been keeping an eye out for a review of this. Me and a friend split a bar of this the other day when we went in there.
We both thought it was ok but she didn't like the coconut and I didn't think the lime should have been in there. It was interesting to try but I don't think either of us would buy it again. Once was enough.
I don't fancy this mixture at all. I can't think of anything else that I would choose to have with either lime or coconut so them both paired together is a right no no. It's good to see they are prepared to create some limited editions though. I look forward to seeing what the next one is.
Talk about showing off with your samples Jim ;P lol I'm only joking. I just wish people would send me parcels of chocolate.
Its cool to see Thorntons try something like this. A few years ago it wouldn't have been anything like them to try something so unusual.
I think this sounds really nice. I don't really see the Ritter comparison personally, the packaging is different, the bars look different (except theyre square)and most ritter bars are filled whereas these arent lol
It's interesting that everyone seems to think this is a wierd combo - its not when you think about it. You get plenty of summer fruit/summer/desert chocolate collections containg exotic fruits like lime and coconut to some degree, most often with white chocolate.
What about lemon Meringue? you wouldnt think lemon would go ina choc but it does. I can imagine HC making a bar with these flavours :)
I could have bought one of these yesterday, as I was in Thorntons. I saw it but thought it sounded too weird. I did try the tonka bean and pistachio bars though, they were nice.
Wooo go Thorntons. I love trying new white chocolate so I just have to try this sometime.
I got mega jealous when I saw your review of Lindt's Coco Excellence chocolate. That isn't a bar I have ever seen before but having white choc and coconut together sounds like a brill idea.
Are the limited editions the same price as the normal ones? If they are more expensive that is well damn cheeky.
I was lucky enough to be in the Torquay Store when these were delivery about 8 weeks ago :), after eyeing them up, and begging the very cute girl behind the counter to sell me some early because they shouldn't be selling them until they run out of the limited edition coffee ones lol.
I rate these very very high, i like how the coconut has a light burnt flavour, which really adds to the flavours.
Nice review Jim.
You ever been on one of those London Chocolate Ecstasy Tours?
A really good review and without a coffee or banana flavour chocolate in sight. Well done Jim :) sorry for having a go at you.
@Alan I really like your idea of a lemon meringue chocolate. You should try and copyright that before one of the big cheese companies rip you off. Im thinking of a white chocolate with biscuit and lemon curd in the middle. Tell me that wouldn't be totally delicious.
@Nigel haha well I wish i could but I'm pretty sure HC have already done it, as has Gordon Ramsay with his boxed chocolates (which are very nice btw). Yers that does sound delicious!
If I remember rightly GR's was white chocolate spinkled with somesort of crunchy lemon topping with a lemon curdy mouse type filling and a pastry type base. I'm pretty sure it was something like that. I thought it delicious.
@Nigel - Thorntons already do a range called 'Desert Gallery' which includes a white choc lemon meringue. I got a pack yesterday, haven't tried it as it's a gift for my mum.
PART 1
Nick
Quite a few people seem to be waiting for my judgement on things recently :D Its nice to know you trust me but it ramps up the pressue a bit.
Daisy
Mass produced offerings wise you are correct in saying the market is sparse. The Bounty does have it sewn up nicely. It would be cool to see some of the likes of Hotel Chocolate experiment with it though.
Phillip
The concept of these bars similar to Ritter but I wouldn't put it as negatively as them being a 'rip off' of their bars. Like you say don't complain too much - these are indeed some of the best things to come out of Thorntons lately.
Anon
It looked interesting on the eye. The photo doesn't do it justice.
Craig
I get what you mean .. sort of! You do get citrus flavoured yogurts and milkshakes though. It can work when done properly.
Mark
Indeed they should have tried using a different colour for this one. It might have been wise to have made it a bit funkier with a brown background, with lime bits.
Rachel
Indeed I think you could be right. Its been raining pretty much all week now. I wish the summer sun would come back again. Who knows we could get some more before August comes to an end.
David
Indeed they desvere some plaudits for coming up with a new flavour combination. Not even Ritter have tried this one yet :D
Alicia
Coconut is pretty high in fat so yeh that is probably what is accounting for what we see there. Still though its a treat :D let yourself go.
Lauren
I'm glad to hear you came to some similar conclusions that I did. It is always nice to hear from other people that have tried these chocolates so don't think your views go without being noticed! The only way these companies can improve is from hearing what people think from the horses mouth after all!
Jason
I take it you are no great fan of lime then :D I admit this bar would most likely have been better without it.
Kim
Hmmm oh dear the lime part is getting many fans is it. In a way I do see why they put it in there, as it does make for a more intriguing proposition than just plain coconut does. The problem is that I don't see many people repeat purchasing it.
Richard
Totally agree it is great to see that they are prepared to constantly innovate with some limited editions. Doing too many, too often is a bit of a no-no, but if they follow the Ritter model and do it seasonally they are on a winning formular in my opinion.
Franc
It is nice when I get the unannounced packages turn up :D
PART 2
Andrew
Yeah a few years ago they were a bit more rigid with their product range weren't they. Then again I think most manufacturers were to be honest. Its good to see them experiment.
Alan
As I said to Richard I think the concept is similar, but the execution is pretty different like you say.
Lemon Meringue sounds like a decent idea. I think Nigel has described the sort of concept that would be great to see. Who knows one day we could be on to a ChocolateMission Lemon Meringue bar :D ... thats if Hotel CHocolat don't get there first.
Phil
I think you chose wisely trying those others first. Both of them are really fine tasting milk chocolates. I would highly recommend them to anyone that hasn't tried them! Especially the Tonka!
Sally
Whilst we are on the subject of great tasting white chocolates you are right in mentioning that Lindt bar. To this day it remains as one of the best ever white chocolates I have had! It really was phenomenal. It is another I highly recommend.
Anon
They are price aligned to the rest of the range.
Matthew
Where you been all my life chap!? Its been a while since you last posted.
Good work on getting one of these, I'm glad to hear you thought highly of it like I did. If coconut is your thing you should have a try of the Galler coconut bar I reviewed a few weeks ago. That was also seriously worth trying.
Chocolate ecstasy tours - I can't say I have I'm afraid. That isn't the sort of thing that really interests me. have you been on it?
Mysterio
No problem - try be a tad less agressive though next time :D I can't help what these people send me.
Nigel
I'm liking your thinking here. That sounds like a bar with potential to me. You and Alan might want to make sure no one nicks it :D It could be a real money spinner.
Thanks for the comments and feedback today everyone. I'm glad a few of you have managed to try this one and add your own views. You know how much I value hearing them so please continue to do so.
JIM
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