Norwegian chocolate

Hei again,

Caught up in a dizzying spin of CVs, cover letters, catching babies and exam study at the moment, so not much to report. Went to an awesome jazz club last night called Blå. Free entry and really cooolll musicians. Also hit the town on Saturday after a day on the labour ward (1 birth and 1 c-section) as they had a free music festival. Was a very nice night, with stages all over town playing concerts of any genre you could wish for. The night was pleasant so we wandered around, partook in carnival rides by the harbour and watched the glowing orange full moon slowly ascend (at about 11 at night).

But, I now offer you the post you've been waiting for, the reason you decided to read this blog in the first place, the pinnacle of reporting from the Norwegian front: my review of Norwegian chocolate.


I'll start with my favourite. Freia is the main chocolate company here and many of the chocolate bars to follow are produced by them. Their specialty is to combine their chocolate with some other ingredient. In this case, they've combined their chocolate with Non-stop (which are like smarties).

And it works! This is a well chosen combination. The rich colours of the Non-Stop contrast the sultry brown of the Freia chocolate. The flavours blend magnificantly: the interior of Non-stop a darker chocolate than the Freia, offering a delightful mouthful of two types of chocolate with a hint of fruity flavour from the crispy sugar layer. The chocolate squares are just the right size to fill the mouth with flavour without offending the sensitivities of the taste buds.

The only downside this reviewer sees to Freia med (with) Non-stop is the price. At 26-30 kroner (5-6 dollars) per 200g block, this is an expensive treat.


Next up is a late addition to the reviewer's desk. Having recently been released for summer, Freia med Jordbaer (strawberries) offers a new flavour to the Freia range.

Once again, a combination that works. The moderate size chunks of the sweet, dried strawberry
contrast superbly with the encasing smooth chocolate. Perhaps the proportion of strawberry to chocolate could be increased, but otherwise a solid blend that is threatening Non-stop as the reviewer's favourite.

At 25-27 kroner a pop, this is also not a cheap treat, but perhaps this reflects the high costs of living in Norway.


Another Freia combination, though more complex than the previous flavours. Walters Mandler is a combination of roasted and caramalised almonds and salt.

This is a flavour that has potential, however delicate Australian tastes will not appreciate the salty flavour, which is at times, overdone. Ideal for those who like a crunchy chocolate.

For those looking for a smaller treat, Walters Mandler does come in 100g size, although at 13-16 kroner a bar, the larger 200g (23-27 a bar) is more cost efficient.

Next up is Freia med Daim. Daim is a hard toffee that combines well with Freia chocolate. Persons with delicate teeth may need to exercise caution however, as the dozens of tiny toffee bits tend to play havoc on the dental bills.

At 23-27 kroner a bar, Daim is usually a cheaper option than Nonstop or Jordbaer, and it definitely has its devotees (Lena loves it). But this reviewer would suggest spending the extra few kroner to reach chocolate heaven.
An outsider, not a Freia combination, Smash is constructed of an inner wafer layer surrounded by an external chocolate coating.

Smash offers an alternative for those who do no appreciate Freia chocolate. It is a light, summer chocolate although perhaps does not fill the mouth as well as the chocolates mentioned above. Devotees of wafer chocolates will appreciate this.

A cheaper alternative for a quick chocolate hit, but not one to be savoured at a special occasion.

The typical Norwegian chocolate, Kvikk Lunsj (quick lunch) is like a kit-kat. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of it, but you will find one in the article below.

http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvikk_Lunsj

Kvikk Lunsj is the chocolate you take for a day's skiing. It's tough. Your friend in the middle of nowhere. Something to slam down quickly for an energy hit.

Cheaper than the other chocolates and available in a variety of sizes, Kvikk Lunsj is the best option for kids parties or a trip outdoors.

I hope this has been useful so that should you come to Norway you need not go through the adjustment period that I grudgingly suffered when I first arrived.

Anneke