I ❤ USA

Do all my anipal chums know Barley? Well you should do! Barley lives in Massachusetts (thank goodness for spell check there) and made brofur Casco Bear and mom promise to send me some local chocolate to try for my blog over Christmas. Now I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a HUGE fan of the US- I love everything from its TV and cinema, to its great food, theme parks, and of course its many varieties of nommy scrummy candy bars. Yep, America is my kinda country. I wonder if they give Green Cards to teddy bears?

The place where Casco and mom visited to get the chocolate was Hebert’s Candy Mansion in Shrewsbury, MA. Yes, you heard that right- an entire mansion dedicated to the creation of chocolate, since 1917 no less! And boy did they go above and beyond the call of duty- look how many candy bars they got me!!

So many chocolates!!

Hebert’s Candy Mansion

Casco Bear outside the mansion

On arrival they were greeted by an elf who gave out delicious cups of chocolate, and guess what? They even sent me a jar of drinking chocolate to try too! Inside they met Santa and got a free chocolate bar (note to self- must find the source of Santa’s chocolate stash).

1. Marshmallow S’mores Galore (Milk Chocolate)

I had to google (other search engines are available, but let’s face it, we all use google) what S’mores actually are. Apparently they’re roasted marshmallow with a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two crackers, traditionally eaten around a campfire. It’s an American thing.

The milk chocolate itself is shiny and smooth, and breaks with a nice snap. The marshmallow filling is yummy and soft, and the crispy bits must me the Graham cracker pieces referred to in the aforementioned s’mores recipe. Very nice. 5 paws out of 5

2. Strawberry Cheesecake (Milk Chocolate)

Nice soft centred filling which tastes precisely like strawberry cheesecake. Summer in a candy bar. 5 paws out of 5

3. Peanut Butter Cup (Milk Chocolate)

Pals who know me well know that I’m partial to the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, and this did not disappoint. No sir. 5 paws out of 5

Made in America

4. Coconut Craze (Dark Chocolate)

The Dark Chocolate used in Herbert’s chocolate is 53% cacao, and once again the chocolate has a nice shine and texture, not too waxy or sweet. Combined with dried coconut filling, this was surprisingly good. It’s no Bounty, but I still enjoyed it very much. 4 paws out of 5

Jedi Jeremy approves

5. Café Espresso Bean (Dark Chocolate)

Wow, a real kick up the behind, the espresso beans in this dark chocolate will wake you up and give you a good caffeine-related pummelling. 4 paws out of 5

6. Salty Sea Shore Caramel (Milk Chocolate)

Another delicious soft centred chocolate bar, this is basically creamy salted caramel in delicious milk chocolate. Winning! 5 paws out of 5

7. Banana Cream Pie (Milk Chocolate)

So delicious, you’ll go ape for this! Geddit? Geddit? Why do I hear groaning? 5 Dr. Zaius’ out of 5 (one for Planet of the Apes fans there)

Well, such was Barley’s generosity, that there are still many more candy bars from my Hebert’s stash to try, including Peanut Butter and Fluff, Mint Cookie Crunch and White Chocolate. But I hope you got a flavour (not literally, that’s my job) of the fine establishment that is Hebert’s Candy Mansion in this review. One thing’s for sure- Massachusetts has been added to my ever growing list of travel destinations…. *sigh* one day……

❤Needless to say, a HUGE thank you to Casco, Barley and Linda❤

Coming soon: More delicious North Chocolates via Boo Boo Bear Green and Lindt Chocolates via Burnie, Greg and crew.