 
A cornucopia of chocolate-coated nuts, seeds and dried fruits from Translucent Chocolates. Photo by Melody Lan.
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MELODY LAN is a member of THE NIBBLE editorial staff and wishes for an endless supply of chocolate-covered sunflower seeds.
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October 2006
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Translucent Chocolates
Chocolate-Coated Candy Jewels
CAPSULE REPORT: Translucent Chocolates offers gorgeously-colored, chocolate- and toffee-enrobed nuts, dried fruits and sunflower seeds packaged in transparent display boxes that create “candy art.” Perfect as anytime gifts, favors for parties or corporate events, the color combinations can be customized in Pantone shades for holiday and other themes. The result is a beautiful gift, somewhat anchored in nutrition. For a Halloween party, Thanksgiving dinner, or other fall event, it’s the perfect party favor.
One does not have look for the end of the rainbow to find the pot of gold. Discover Translucent Chocolates and you have all the colors of rainbow plus the [chocolate] gold. Offering high-quality versions of Jordan almonds, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds and a variety of nuts, toffees and fruits, the result is a dazzling display of mixtures for gifts, the candy dish, to decorate desserts or simply to enjoy as a delightful self-indulgence.
The dried fruits, nuts and sunflower seeds are enrobed in either a toffee coating, milk, white or dark chocolate, or both toffee and chocolate (your choice). Each is sealed with a vibrant-colored candy shell, creating edible jewels. Nothing is too sweet: everything is perfect for a sophisticated, adult palate (although you won’t be able to keep the kids from polishing off everything they can get their hands on).
Beautifully hand-packaged in clear boxes are:
With a vast spectrum of color and flavor combinations, you can personalize your  mélange for any occasion—wedding themes, corporate and college colors, dining room decor. There also are pre-made seasonal mixes that simplify gift-giving for every holiday. Depending on the size of the order and whether colors are in stock, orders can be turned around in one to three weeks.
The combinations of different shapes, sizes and colors make an artistic statement; the flavors of the delicious chocolate and buttery toffee, combined with either the chewy dried fruits, crunchy nuts or crispy seeds make a gustatory one. These little jewel boxes are sure to please.
Dried Fruits
The bite-size dried fruit pieces—apricots, blueberries or cherries—are enveloped in layers of milk chocolate with an outer layer of white chocolate blended to the fruit’s color to create a chewy, creamy, sweet-and-tart treat. There are numerous brands of chocolate-covered fruits. These are excellent, in both the quality of the ingredients and the tempered hand that does not make the chocolate too sweet a contrast to the fruit.
Ink Orbs
These are simply pure milk or dark chocolate pieces with a colored shell—think gourmet M&Ms®. While they are beautiful, we prefer the other chocolates and toffees with a fruit, nut or seed inside for their complexity of flavor.
Nuts
 Almonds. These nuts are available covered in dark chocolate and finished with a Jordan sugar coating. They also available in metallic colors. Not rock-hard and potentially damaging to dental work like many nuts of this name, these large nuggets fill the mouth with rich chocolate and almond flavor. We especially like the almonds when a layer of toffee is added along with the chocolate.
Photo at the left: a combination of the larger, chocolate-coated almonds and the smaller, chocolate-coated pistachios. Photo by Melody Lan.
Pistachios. True crowd-pleasers, we love the pistachios in all forms: covered in dark chocolate with a colored shell, as a praline (toffee coating with no chocolate) or layered with toffee, milk chocolate and then dusted with powdered sugar. Be sure to order some—if you don’t want all-pistachio boxes, at least get then in a mix.
Cashews & Pecans. These two nuts come in a mix as toffee-coated pralines. The cashews are also available with a sugar-free chocolate coating, but no color shell.
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Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower Seeds. Oven-roasted sunflower seeds are coated in milk chocolate and finished with a colorful shell. Like little pieces of heaven, the roasted seed balances out the sweetness of the chocolate and candy shell. One of the best we’ve had of its kind.
Toffee Bites
Milk Chocolate Almond Toffee Bites. Heath Bar®-lovers—in fact, everyone—will adore this almond-flavored toffee dipped in milk chocolate.
English Toffee Caramel Bites. A gourmet version of Milk Duds® that don’t stick to the roof of your mouth, these tiny balls of caramel are wrapped with a layer of toffee and sealed with milk chocolate. |
Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds. They’re tinier than they appear in the picture. Photo by Melody Lan. |
Serving Suggestions
You can give them as gifts, fill the candy bowl and eat them from the box. You also can use Translucent Chocolates chocolate-coated fruits, nuts and seeds as ingredients and garnishes.
- Bake them into cookies, cakes or brownies in place of chocolate chips or nuts.
- Dip caramel or candied apples in the chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, or make a larger statement with a few studded pistachios.
- Sprinkle a few over yogurt or pancakes for a special brunch.
- Toss them over ice cream, frozen yogurt or other desserts for garnish (seasonal colors can add to a holiday dinner).
- Top or cover the sides of iced layer cakes.
- Fill transparent ornaments, bud vases or other containers and use them as holiday decor or place settings.
The butter-based pralines (toffee) have a shelf-life of four months, while all other products stay fresh for a year.
However, we doubt that these tempting packages will last even last a week unopened. It takes a disciplined person not to devour them immediately upon receipt.
TRANSLUCENT CHOCOLATES
Colorful Chocolate- or Toffee-Coated Nuts, Dried Fruits and Seeds
- 6-Ounce Box
Any Assortment
$8.50
A good favor or stocking-
stuffer size
- 9.5-Ounce Box
Any Assortment
$11.00
- One Pound Box
Any Assortment
$16.00
- Chocolate Gift Tower
Any Assortment Of:
Two 6-Ounce Boxes
Two 9.5-Ounce Boxes
Two 1-Pound Boxes
$85.00
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Colors for spring or a Sweet 16 party, with
chocolate-covered almonds and pistachios.
Photo by Melody Lan.
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Purchase online at TranslucentChocolates.com.
Shipping and taxes additional. Prices and flavor availability are verified at publication but are subject to change.
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