July Fireworks!
That’s what this month’s flavors remind us of; an explosion of colors and big tastes! Ever notice how just about any summer event seems like a good excuse for fireworks? The same goes for a box of Intrigue truffles; great for any event.
Balsamic-Strawberry Truffle
New! Balsamic-Strawberry Truffle – Shocked at this combo? Well, it’s actually an old standard; dipping fresh strawberries into a good balsamic vinegar is a mouth-freshening treat! Once again, we have translated a something gourmet into chocolate-language. In a confounding way this vinegar made from un-fermented grapes (it’s not a wine vinegar!), brings out the sweetness of the fresh fruit perfectly. Only fresh, organic strawberries are used along with quality balsamic vinegar.
Lavender Lemonade Truffle
New! Lavender Lemonade Truffle – Summer and lemonade (evoked by fresh lemon zest); synonymous, or what? Memories of lemonade stands, whether on long, dusty country roads, or in the thick of suburbia, occupy a place in most of our childhoods. Lavender (Washington-grown!) goes the extra mile to soothe and refresh in the summer heat. Put the two together (and mix it into a truffle, of course) and you have the poster-truffle for a summer day.
Coconut-Cardamom Truffle
Coconut-Cardamom Truffle – You don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate this truffle (though some of our best friends are vegans, and they tell us this is great). Using coconut milk to create non-dairy creaminess makes for a delightful taste. Used around the world in cooking, baking and medicinally, you might recognize cardamom in Scandinavian breads or in curries.
Mojito Truffle
Mojito Truffle – (That’s moe-hee-toe, gringos!). “Mi mojito en la Bodeguita” is written on the wall of the Cuban bar (the Bodeguita) in Hemingway’s handwriting. Quite an endorsement for this tropical-heat defying highball concocted of white rum, fresh lime zest and fresh organic mint. Check it out if you ever get there, the writing is still on the wall! (Intrigue’s favorite Hemingway pick; “The Old Man and the Sea”, of course! Also set in Cuba.)
St. Basil Truffle
Saint Basil Truffle – Fresh herbs are one of the rewards for being alive on this planet, and Basil may be our top pick. Sweet and aromatic, Basil lets you know that it is good to be alive (and eating chocolate, too! Extra goodness).
Jamaican HOT Chocolate Truffle
Jamaican HOT Chocolate Truffle – Sometimes it’s nice to know what to expect. And with this truffle, you can always expect the unexpected. It will be hot (not too hot) and spicy (not too spicy) and their will be rum involved (dark, but not too dark). We think that our Jamaican HOT is the perfect blend of familiarity and complexity that keeps you coming back for more.
Happy Birthday, Canada! (Canada Day, July 1st). And Happy Fourth of July, you ol’ USA! Party safe, Everyone. Keep your drinking off the road, keep your limbs attached and enjoy this month’s Intrigue Truffles responsibly.
Hibiscus – We all want to look younger, especially during the warm months and this truffle made with hibiscus petals just may help you do that. Hibiscus is supposed to make your hair more lustrous and keep it attached! This is just a happy coincidence for us, because we really chose this flavor because of the pattern on Dad’s Hawaiian shirts.
Smokin’ Scotch Truffle – The peaty, smoky Scotch whisky in this truffle tastes of chocolate, a flask, and a campfire. Oh, those summer nights…
Coriander the Great Truffle – Said to have many medicinal powers (diuretic, antioxidant, antibacterial to name a few) coriander is indeed Great! This truffle is made of toasted coriander seed and a drop of honey. Roasted nutty and lemony aromas are anchored by a touch of sweetness.
Orange-Rosemary Truffle – You know beyond doubt that orange is a natural with chocolate. Fresh orange zest and fresh organic rosemary bring bright musky, earthy notes to the chocolate, reminding us of the best men’s cologne.
Jasmine Green Truffle – Flowers used to make jasmine green tea are gathered during the darkness of night when their fragrance is most powerful. Culturally significant all over the world, the jasmine flower symbolizes motherhood in Thailand.
Vrai Chai Truffle – Made with black tea steeped with big, chunky pieces of the real deal: 14 herbs, spices, roots, and fruit. This is not some commercially extracted and flavored powder, or a two-dimensional tea and cardamom rip-off. True to tradition, Intrigue uses a complex blend of black tea, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, orange peel, astragalus (ancient Chinese herbal treatment) , cardamom, coriander, galangal (citrusy/piney/earthy aroma, used as an aphrodisiac in Southeast Asia), gingko (memory enhancer), gotu-kola (improves mental clarity), fo-ti (longevity tonic), nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla beans.
Orchid Truffle – Flavored with real vanilla beans, the Orchid truffle emulates the singular specialness of mothers. The vanilla bean is the fruit of an orchid (Vanilla planifolia), found originally only in Mexico. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world, hand harvested from a rare flower that lasts only for one day.
Sweet Raspberry Truffle – Liqueurs are said to be descendant of herbal remedies perfected in ancient monasteries. Raspberries rank high among fruits for their antioxidants, so the raspberry liqueur in these truffles may very well have healing properties!
NEW! Bear Trap Truffle – A honey schnapps from those clever Germans, the Barenjager brand name translates as “bear hunter” but the general type of liqueur is called barenfang (“bear trap”). This vodka-based liqueur adds a wistful sweetness to the chocolate.
Cardamom Truffle – Don’t know what cardamom is? You are not alone. From the ginger family, this aromatic seed is used in cooking, tea, and medicine in India, Asia, and the Middle East. It is also a favorite spice in cookies and breads from Scandinavia. Here it highlights the comforting aspects of chocolate.
Lemon Truffle – You shouldn’t be surprised (but you probably will be pleasantly!). Lemon and chocolate go very well together, but we already knew that the citrus/chocolate coupling was a smash, didn’t we? Wow!, but of course…
Fresh Mint Truffle – This tastes like the real leaves of the plant, not the processed oil or extract (that’s because we use the real leaves!). Fresh and green tasting, Menthe was a Greek nymph who was transformed into a mint plant!