Texas Candy - the Grand Finale!

Did you know the Texas state tree is the pecan? I didn't, but I was wondering why there was so much pecan candy. Candy is a clue to the mysteries of life.

We looked at pralines in New Orleans (where they are way too sweet for me). Let's see what they've got in Texas:

Love the box and the festive design and colors. These are nice because they are bite size:

See the pecans in there? These were good and chewy. Could have had more pecan bits. Very chewy like a good caramel. Like 'em.

This "pecan chewy" was enormous - about the size of a large hamburger.

And it was delicious! You know what was best about it? TONS of pecans with just a little sugar and other stuff. If you love pecans like I do - this is for you. I loved it. It should be called Fistful of Pecans. We could squint like Eastwood when we eat it.

It's made by http://www.monterreyproducts.com/ it's not a praline - that requires all the junk apparently. I think it was much, much better. YUM!! Made in San Antonio. It's so cool when you get to buy something really made locally. And not in China. Unless, of course, you're IN China, they it would be made locally. (God, get me out of this digression.)

This is a Texas Chewie by Lammes Candies - they also say it's a pecan praline. (This is getting kind of confusing - chewie, praline, fistful - what the hell?) There was a lot more of the other stuff - corn syrup, butter, milk, etc. here than in the pecan chewy by Monterrey. But still not as super sweet as those from New Orleans. I like these much better. These seem more like a caramel, those in New Orleans seem more like fudge.

Lammes is another one of those long standing American candy companies - http://www.lammes.com/. On their website there's a great section on their history and you can order a catalog. I want to see them continue - I requested a catalog.

These are very, very good and what a great American success story! Get a catalog!! Yehaw!! I squinted when I filled out the online form.

As you all know, everything is bigger in Texas. Look at these jelly beans:

I love jelly beans, so these are like a beautiful dream - giant, chewy, sugary - YAY!! Happy Easter to us!!

Well, not quite yet. I have some unfinished business to attend to. It involves the cherry. Meet me tomorrow at the O K Corral.

Texas Chocolate Continued

Everywhere I go I am thinking of you, Dear Readers. I was scouting out San Antonio for cool chocolate and candy to come back and share with you.

My room was on the 22nd floor of the Marriott River Center and when I looked out of my window, I could see the Alamo. It's right in the middle of downtown San Antonio and is not at all what you'd expect. It seems so tiny!! Of course, the whole compound is not still there, but it seems like it should be out in a vast stretch of desert somewhere.

And you sure don't expect there to be souvenir cookies!

Cool box! Love the artwork and the colors! And get a load of these great cookie designs:

Texas got a little broken, but aren't they great? Unfortunately the cookies themselves are no good. They have a weird lemon-like taste which I didn't like. I was bummed because I love shortbread. But hey, I'm thinking Walkers - my love! I guess Scotland does shortbread a little better than Texas. : )

Atkinson's (maker of Chick-o-Stick) is based in Texas http://www.atkinsoncandy.com/ and I hadn't seen these before:

I love the little square peanut butter bars. To be honest, these seemed a little stale. They were more chewy than crunchy - but not in a good way.

They could have been stale because there is no expiration date on them. You all know how I hate that!!! There are too many candy makers and chocolatiers and bakers who don't put an expiration date on their products. How can you tell if they are just God-awful or if they have gone bad?

This is one of my soapbox issues and I will continue to rave about it. I have some gruesome pictures to be shared in future blogs. Grrrr...... I want expiration dates!!!!!!!!

I was appalled by the price of these ($19.99) but they were so original and I soooo wanted to share them with you all!

Chocolate Tamales!!!!

They come in mint and regular, in milk and white chocolate.

Isn't that creative? They are wrapped in a corn husk just like real tamales!!

And I was thrilled and surprised to find that the chocolate wasn't half bad! (We're not talking amazing, but we're talking better than Palmer.) They are made by Claudia B Chocolates based in Texas. http://www.claudiabchocolates.com/ You can order your own online for less than I paid. While I liked the milk chocolate, the white chocolate was just too sweet for me. I didn't even try the mint - just not my fav.

This bar was a whopping $7.00! But I just couldn't pass it up. I mean, when will I have the chance to try this combo again?

I'm sorry - eeww! The chocolate was good - I found myself wishing the jalapeno wasn't involved. I'm just not a fan of these weird combos. I love chocolate and peanuts too much to have them junked up with jalapeno! You know what I say - just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it! But I'm glad it's out there and I know people like it. And what a great thing to get to try in Texas!!

It really is so much fun to check out the local candy makers when I travel - make sure you do the same thing (doesn't have to be candy). Try the local foods or listen to the local music. Don't do things you can do at home - enjoy the journey - have adventures. Even if you're just going to the next town - there is always something new and different. Try it!!