Chocolate gifts for Valentine’s Day are a  traditional sign of love and affection, and this year Bittersweet Café, the Bay Area’s bean-to-bar Bittersweet Origins chocolate maker and chocolate cafés, has a full array of its own chocolate collections and special gift packaging ready for your special Valentine sweetheart. 
Bittersweet’s three Bay Area locations are a Valentine gift central with delicious, high quality chocolate gifts ranging from $4.95 to $34.95.  

Valentine tins, Share the Love tins and Big Love Pails are popular Bittersweet signature gifts.  The Mint Tin includes Dark Chocolate Holland Mints and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads while the Fruit and Nut Tin features Dark Chocolate Dried Strawberries, Dark Chocolate Cherries and Dark Chocolate Pistachios.
 
The Share the Love Tin provides a quarter pound each of Mint Mix (Dark Chocolate Holland Mints, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads) and Fruit and Nut Mix (Dark Chocolate Dried Strawberries, Dark Chocolate Cherries, and Dark Chocolate Pistachios), Solid Milk Hearts and Solid Dark Chocolate Hearts. 

Fabulous handmade Bittersweet truffles are available in a variety of flavors, from hand-rolled dark, Fleur de Sel, raspberry liquor-spiked Framboise, and the scintillating Spicy, to the elegant finish of heart-shaped Blood Orange, Passion fruit and Cinnamon.

Other unique Bittersweet Valentine offerings are the Love Letter and the Tasting Tins.  The Love Letter is a modern-retro envelope, enclosing a note card, one New Tree Alpha Disc (an unusual and incredibly delicious bar -flax seeds give it an unusual crunch and make it rich in anti-oxidants) one of their best-selling Vosges Mini Bars and a $10.00 Bittersweet Gift Card.  

Tasting Tins include How Many Ways Do I Love Thee (a wide selection of small bits of some of the world’s most delectable chocolates) and the popular Heart of Darkness Collection.   The collection also includes an outline of the most recent findings about the health benefits of chocolate with high cacao content.

And, for those quick and inexpensive gift needs, Bittersweet is offering Chinese Take-Away Valentine Boxes with Solid Dark and Milk chocolate hearts, along with Raspberry Cream, Caramel and Mint Crunch Hearts.

About Bittersweet  Origins and Café
Bittersweet Origins is a manufacturing and retailing company which creates craft chocolate and coffee in handmade, micro-batches to engage the senses and the mind.  Bittersweet Café retail stores’ ambience and furnishings reflect the one-of-a-kind nature of its chocolate bars, chocolate drinks and coffees.  The warm and welcoming spaces furnished with unique tables, benches, carts and artwork from local craftspeople and artists create a gathering place for the community to savor locally made chocolate delicacies, coffee and tea.  The Bittersweet Cafes are located in San Francisco on Fillmore Street, College Avenue in Oakland and the Rose Garden Shopping Center in Danville.  For more information, visit www.bittersweetcafe.com/ or call 510-705-1860.

We mentioned Bubble Chocolate in a previous post; today they are kindly sponsoring a giveaway for our readers.

Known as Aerated Chocolate Worldwide, All-Natural Bubble Chocolate® Makes Its Debut in the United States. A Chocolate Bar that’s Light, Airy, Satisfying and Delicious; It’s Bubbles Wrapped in Chocolate®

Bubble Chocolate® a new all-natural chocolate brand that brings the global phenomena of aerated chocolate to the United States has arrived and it’s now available at www.bubblechocolate.com

The Giveaway

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Tell your friends and family!

Prizes: 5 winners will each receive one milk and one dark Bubble Chocolate bar.

How to enter (required): Visit www.bubblechocolate.com and then come back and leave a comment telling us the name of your favorite product!

For additional entries (leave a new comment for each additional entry):
- one additional entry if you become our fan on FACEBOOK;
- one additional entry if you grab our button from the sidebar and post it on your blog, please post the link;
- one additional entry if you follow us on Twitter;
- one additional entry if you send a tweet about this giveaway (once a day only); make sure to include @1happyblogger. You may use the following to tweet: @1happyblogger For a chance to win Bubble Chocolate, go to http://www.100cafestreet.com/bubble-chocolate-giveaway
- one additional entry if you fave us in Technorati;
- one additional entry if you blog about this Giveaway with a link back to 100CafeStreet.com and www.bubblechocolate.com
- one additional entry if you follow 100CafeStreet.com via email.

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The giveaway ends on Oct. 20, 2009 at the end of day, Pacific Standard Time. Bubble Chocolate will ship the prizes.

*Please make sure you leave a comment for each additional entry so you get credited.
*Also, please make sure you typed in the correct email address.
*The winners will be announced via e-mail and have 2 days to get back to us or other names will be chosen.
*Incomplete entries will be disqualified & deleted.

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And the winners are…

Here are your random numbers:

28
3
41
21
11

Timestamp: 2009-10-21 07:00:20 UTC

Thank you all for participating! Congratulations to: Tamara B., Sarah, Cori Westphal, Laura and Deborah!

Known as Aerated Chocolate Worldwide, All-Natural Bubble Chocolate® Makes Its Debut in the United States. A Chocolate Bar that’s Light, Airy, Satisfying and Delicious; It’s Bubbles Wrapped in Chocolate®

Bubble Chocolate® a new all-natural chocolate brand that brings the global phenomena of aerated chocolate to the United States has arrived and it’s now available at www.bubblechocolate.com .
 
Using the finest European chocolate, Bubble Chocolate® is available in 2.82 ounce premium milk and dark chocolate bars. The MSRP is $2.49.
 

While the sensation will be new to most Americans, it will be a taste of home to the millions of international citizens living in the States. With an estimated one billion dollars in annual international aerated chocolate sales (Mintel, 2009), Bubble Chocolate® introduces chocolate lovers to the light, airy, and unique melt-in-your-mouth experience.
 
“This is a new Bubble Chocolate® that’s all natural and reformulated to introduce Americans to the aerated chocolate craze that has dominated international markets for decades,” says Frank Drab, president Bubble Chocolate®. “The timing is right to bring something new and exciting to the U.S. market. Americans will love it, the international community will be happy to have it and it will be a favorite among dieters who are looking for a satisfying, yet lower calorie chocolate fix.”
 
People on restricted calorie diets, tend to prefer this type of chocolate. The nature of the aerated process makes the bars lower in calories than a regular chocolate bar, and despite the lower calories, it does not compromise the overall taste experience. In fact, since Bubble Chocolate® literally melts in-your-mouth, the taste is more immediate and the burst of flavor tends to satisfy chocolate cravings sooner. As the company slogan states, it’s “Just the Right Amount of Chocolate®.”
 
Drab has partnered with Paul Pruett who will serve as CEO of Bubble Chocolate LLC.  Pruett also is CEO of Bloomsberry, Inc., a chocolate company known for its clever and sophisticated packaging. Prior to Bloomsberry, Inc., Pruett helped to build the ZonePerfect Nutrition Company from $1 million to more than $100 million in annual sales.
 
“Americans don’t realize what they’ve been missing and it’s an honor to introduce Bubble Chocolate® to the marketplace,” says Pruett.  “Bubble Chocolate® is delicious and satisfying and we expect it will help make the chocolate aisle more interesting.” 
 
“Creating Bubble Chocolate® is both an art and a science,” says Drab. “Our proprietary procedure infuses bubbles throughout the chocolate at just the right temperature. Then it’s molded and cooled so the bubbly structure remains inside while a smooth outer shell is formed.
 
Bubble Chocolate® looks like a regular chocolate bar, but the inside has tiny bubbles. The best way to enjoy Bubble Chocolate® is to start by breaking off a small piece and chewing it gently until it begins to melt. Your mouth will change from slightly dry to moist and creamy. This delightful transition occurs when your taste-bud receptors are drawn to the chocolate bubbles as it starts to melt.
 
For more information about Bubble Chocolate®, please visit the company website at www.bubblechocolate.com.

I have previously featured Jer’s Handmade Chocolate in our Chocolate Manufacturers – Guide for Chocoholics and in a separate post. Jer’s is one of my favorite chocolate manufacturers! I could eat those Peanut Brittle Bites all day long! That’s why I am honored to host a giveaway sponsored by Jer’s!

About Jer’s Handmade Chocolate: With unique, award winning flavor combinations, Jer’s uses all natural peanut butter and chocolate in combination with rice crisp, pretzel, toffee, or caramel. The award winning chocolate flavors now come in gourmet chocolate peanut butter bars and peanut butter brittles in decadent flavors. With more than 75% of all candy bars sold in the U.S. containing peanuts or peanut butter, Jer’s takes a classically loved combination of chocolate and peanut butter to a gourmet level.

Signature Collections:
• The Original Incrediball: Jer’s Original Crispy Peanut Butter Recipe, created in Milk, Dark, or White Chocolate
• Pretzo Change-O: Baked Pretzel Bits & Peanut Butter Center, offered in Milk, Dark or White Chocolate
• Toffee Break: Homemade savory toffee chips married with natural Peanut Butter in Milk, Dark or White Chocolate
• Cara Mella: Creamy Homemade Caramel & Peanut Butter center, double-enrobed in Milk or Dark Chocolate

Website: You can visit them online at www.jers.com.

image courtesy of Jer's

Jer’s Peanut Brittle Bites
Jer’s has reinvented a fun, classic favorite, Peanut Brittle, in new and exciting flavor bites! These heavenly brittle bites are blended into an all-natural, crunchy peanut brittle, immersed in premium Chocolate creating an experience like no other. Jer’s 1.6 oz. Chocolate Peanut Brittle Bites come in 4 exciting flavors.

Coco Nutty™ – Smooth coconut blended with decadent peanut brittle covered with dark chocolate.
Yippee Cayenne™ – Sweet peanut brittle with a spicy touch of cayenne pepper covered with milk chocolate.
Pretzo Change-O™ – Sweet and salty, with crushed pretzels and rich peanut brittle covered with premium milk chocolate.
Toffee Break™ – Rich, buttery handmade toffee mixed with crunchy peanut brittle covered in dark chocolate.

The Giveaway

This giveaway is open to US residents only.

Prizes: The two winners will each receive a pack of the Peanut Brittle Bites in the 4 delicious flavors.

How to enter (required): Visit www.jers.com and then come back and leave a comment telling us the name of your favorite product!

For additional entries (leave a new comment for each additional entry):
- one additional entry if you become our fan on FACEBOOK;
- one additional entry if you grab our button from the sidebar and post it on your blog, please post the link;
- one additional entry if you follow us on Twitter;
- one additional entry if you send a tweet about this giveaway (once a day only); make sure to include @1happyblogger. You may use the following to tweet: @1happyblogger For a chance to win Jer’s peanut brittle bites, go to http://www.100cafestreet.com/jers-peanut-brittle-bites-giveaway
- one additional entry if you fave us in Technorati;
- one additional entry if you blog about this Giveaway with a link back to 100CafeStreet.com and www.jers.com
- one additional entry if you follow 100CafeStreet.com via email.

#########

The giveaway ends on Sept. 30, 2009 at the end of day, Pacific Standard Time. Jer’s will ship the prizes.

*Please make sure you leave a comment for each additional entry so you get credited.
*Also, please make sure you typed in the correct email address.
*The winners will be announced via e-mail and have 2 days to get back to us or other names will be chosen.
*Incomplete entries will be disqualified & deleted.

We featured Bloomsberry & Co.  in our Chocolate Manufacturers – Guide for Chocoholics.

Photo Courtesy of Bloomsberry & Co.

This chocolate company is based out of New Zealand, and since its creation, have used premium all natural chocolate.   Established in 2001 by graphic designer Giles Baker and wife Vanessa Kettelwell, a trained cook, Bloomsberry & Co.’s has been tantalizing tastebuds and seducing senses. Now this exotic designer chocolate, infused with a delectable sense of humor and superior ingredients, has come to America.

About the products:

Bloomsberry & Co. produces fun chocolate bars, dark and milk chocolate, made from the cocoa from New Zealand.  The bars have unique and quirky designs, most with a sense of humor.

Milk Chocolate bars are 34% cocoa, and Dark Chocolate are 55% cocoa.

Bloomsberry & Co. groups its products into categories based on design.  All products come in either the milk chocolate or dark chocolate bars.  Right now the categories offered are as follows:

Climate Change Chocolate – 4 products are in this line to get people to think about their carbon footprint and make a change.

Halloween Collection – 6 designs are offered,  such as Broom Fuel, Next Full Moon, and the original Emergency Bar with pumpkin design.

1oz. Chocolate – Smaller portions (1oz.) of the Emergency Bar can be purchased in boxes of 24 bars.  Available in Milk and Dark bars, including the Milk Chocolate with pink Emergency Bar label.

Casino Collection – 3 products are offered, including the famous Las Vegas welcoming sign, casino chips with cards, and the King Size Me bar.

Romance Range – The largest product offering, with 14 designs. Chocolate bar labels include: Lusty, Oral Pleasure, World’s Greatest Pick Up Bar, and Instant Gratification.

Easter Collection – 7 products are offered, including Easter Hunt, Hear, See, Speak No Evil, and Do this Ears Make Me Look Fat? designs.

Mother’s Day – 10 products are offered all fit for Mother’s Day, including labels such as, Mother’s Little Helper, More Fabulous, and Chocolate Fit for a Queen.

Location for Bloomsberry & Co. Products:

Bloomsberry & Co. can be found nationwide at Safeway, CostPlus World Market, and Beverages & More.  For more locations, check out Bloomsberry & Co.’s  store locator.

To view all the products offered by Bloomsberry & Co., check out the company’s online store to view all product offerings.

We featured Bittersweet in our Chocolate Manufacturers – Guide for Chocoholics.

photo courtesy of Roxy Chocsmith

About Roxy Chocsmith

Roxy Chocsmith offers small batch, preservative free, high quality hand-made chocolate truffles to sweet tooths everywhere. 

About the products:

Deriving inspiration from desserts like cheescake, key lime pie, cookies ‘n cream, creme brulee – Roxy Chocsmith is a truly unique multi-layered chocolate experience.  They use fine white, dark, and milk chocolate in creating otheir sweet inspirations- because much like yourself, chocolate is many different things, but fabulous above all!

Their chocolate collection comprises many delicious flavors from salty, creamy to sweet or tangy. Here are some of our favorites:

Cookies’n cream Chocolate: Cookies- good, sweet cream-good.  Chopped bits of oreo cookie fleck the white chocolate center, which is then covered in a mixture of milk and semi-sweet and then rolled in crushed oreo cookies.  Chocolate with crunch.  It’s all good.

Chocolate Cheesecake: The  melding of chocolate with the inimitable zing of cheesecake. A semi sweet, creamy center with the slightest cheesecake tang, covered in graham cracker crumbs. It’s a bite sized dessert. Like eating a whole slice- but less than half the calories!

Orange Ginger Chocolate: Dark chocolate center infused with the perfect amount of orange, drenched in silky-smooth dark chocolate, and topped with a spicy slice of crystallized ginger.

The chocolate from Roxy Chocsmith makes the perfect gift for the chocoholic in your life or would be a perfect choice as a party favor. For more info on how to order, check out their website at RoxyChocsmith.com.