A Visit To Siamaya In Chiang Mai

I find more and more countries are making chocolate bars. It used to be that a great deal of the milk and dark chocolate of the world was made in Europe. The cocoa would be grown in a select places based on the fact that cocoa plants needs the perfect climate, but making bars is really possible almost anywhere in the world, however Europe really seemed to dominate this market. Today we’re seeing more and more chocolate from different parts of the world, and best of all these new chocolate companies are taking their chocolate and making it reflect the culture and flavours of the place their being made.

Siamaya (a blend of the words “Siam” and “Maya”) is a perfect example of just such a chocolate maker. Founded in Chiang Mai Thailand, the brand has expanded all over Thailand and can be found in just about every single grocery store in Thailand. Probably the highlight of this brand is the fact that they’re taking good quality chocolate and adding flavours that really make them feel Thai. Their durian chocolate is probably the most notorious, but I would argue one of the best ways to taste durian for the first time. They also have flavours based on Thai tea, spicy Thai food dishes as well as local fruit.

I recently found myself in Chaing Mai and I decided to pay a visit to their factory store. At the time their cafe was being renovated, but their chocolate store was totally open. The store not only serves as a place to buy every flavour of chocolate that they manufacture, but it also gives you the opportunity to watch them make the chocolate while you’re browsing.

One of my favourite details about this particular brand (beyond the tasty chocolate) is their package design. The good thing is if you feel as passionate about their package art as I do, you can pick up postcards, magnets and even t-shirts. I got myself a t-shirt and absolutely love it.

The store also offers some great learning experiences to teach you all about the chocolate process. They have a really great explanation about their chocolate making.

They also offer examples of cocoa at various stages in the process.

Since the chocolate is the highlight of this shop, they really have so many flavours to choose from at this shop. Best of all they offer samples of each and every flavour, so you can pick out your favourites. This is also a great opportunity to sample the durian chocolate to make sure you can handle a whole bar. This factory tour is a great hidden gem in Chaing Mai for any candy lover. The shop itself isn’t that big, but it has everything you might want if you’re into the chocolate process as well as munching on samples.

Junk Fud and You - What Is Candy?

 One of the most common questions I get is to define what is a candy, and the number of answers I give is bigger than the question.

Facts About Snacks

 If you crave facts as much as you crave snacks, then I think I have the perfect book for you.

Check out my awesome series called Snack Facts, a fun look at the history as well as some general information about the snacks you love.

Pick up your copy right now at candycritic.org/snackfacts/buy.htm or on Amazon.

Potato Chip Problem

I'm not sure if this is a trend in all snacks, or just in the regions I've been buying my treats lately, but for some reason there seems to be a great number of potato chip companies that don't use slices of potato anymore. It seems to be the trend to use potato starch or ground potato to make potato snacks. My assumption is that it's cheaper to make, but I really can't figure out why since you have to add a few extra steps to make these fake potato treats. Worst of all many companies imply that you're getting the real (classic) potato chip, only to let you down when you open the bag.

Check out my latest "potato" treat review, I'll warn you that I wasn't that impressed.

Chris, Why Would You Eat That?!! - Dried Peas and Mangoes

 In this episode of Chris, Why Would You Eat That?!! Chris tastes two things that taste great on their own, but who would have thought someone would put them together.

Blue Orchid!

 

Did you know I've written and drawn 3 Chapters of Blue Orchid?

You can pick up each chapter right now at bewarethecheese.com/blueorchid/ or on Amazon.

All In The Package?

When I first started candycritic.org I had a slight rule that I wouldn't judge a candy by its package. In the last few years I've really changed my tune on that rule. For one thing, the package is often the first reason I buy almost any candy from a store shelf. Unless it's suggested to me by people like you, I almost always inspect the package to figure out what I might be getting into. The package has to not only attract the eye, but it should also explain what might be inside. There can be a element of surprise, but in the case of this week's new review, some package are so surprising that they're down right confusing.

Check out my latest review featuring a package that just doesn't make sense at all.

Laura Secord

One of Canada’s most popular chocolate companies has a really odd relationship with Canadian history.  Laura Secord the person is a Canadian war hero from the war of 1812. She learned of an impending invasion of then British occupied territory (later Canada) and informed the British soldiers of an American invasion. Her information helped the British soldiers win an important battle that kept Canada from becoming American.

Laura Secord the chocolate shop has no real relation to the person, other than being named after her. None of her family owns or has ever owned any part of the company, it wasn’t even founded in the city/town she lived in (although it’s kind of close). The Laura Secord website says the following:

“In 1913, Frank P. O’Connor opened a small candy store in Toronto where he sold hand-made chocolates. He named his store after Laura Secord, the Canadian heroine who was a symbol of courage, devotion, and loyalty.”

While I’m sure Frank P. O’Connor wanted his business to thrive, I’m sure he couldn’t have guessed that it would be one of the biggest candy companies in all of Canada. This is where things get a little weird, because there are likely several Canadians in the world now who know Laura Secord as only a chocolate shop and not a person. While Laura Secord the person did make some history in her time, it appears her legacy is more tied up with chocolate.

The extra odd thing is that the chocolate shop still pays tribute to her. Many of their packages and even the chocolates themselves have her image printed or engraved into them. Her face is still on their logo as well. If I was seeing this store for the first time, my assumption would be that this Laura Secord started this chocolate shop. The thing is, she’s never been to this chocolate shop and never tasted their chocolates.

I’m not sure how the chocolate shop could change that, or even if they would want to. This is a really odd situation where the shop named after a person has become so much more popular than the person themselves. 

10 Second Kitchen - Deep Fried Pancake 16th Street Yangon

 A 10 second look at a deep fried breakfast pancake in Yangon, Mynamar.

Those Treats and Those Beasts

 If you've every wanted to read a fun alphabet book about all kinds of beasts and the treats they love, pick up my book called Treats And Beasts.

You can get Treats and Beasts right now at bewarethecheese.com/treatsnbeasts/ or on Amazon.

The OG Gummy

 

Did you know that the gummy bear is the first gummy ever? They've been around for a very long time (you can learn more about the history of the gummy bear in my book called Snack Facts), but what I want to know is when did they start making gummies sour? It's a really odd collection of flavours and textures if you think about it. Soft and squishy, sweet in the middle, but sour on the outside. The thing is, it works.

Check out Haribo's attempt at making their classic gummy bear sour.

Quick List - Worst Kit Kat Bars

 My favourite candy bar (according to candycritic.org) is a Kit Kat bar, but not all Kit Kat bars are great.

Snack Those Facts

 If the history of snacks has always eluded you, why not pick up my book called Snack Facts right now.

Pick up Snack Facts at candycritic.org/snackfacts/buy.htm or on Amazon.

Different Names For The Same Cookie

I'm sure you've come across the great debate "is it called a cookie or a biscuit" before, but have you ever considered the word cracker as well. You might be arguing that a cracker can't be put into the category because it's savory. I argue that there are many cultures that have sweet/sugar crackers. Now you might think that's crazy, but then I argue "graham crackers". This then begs the question, can you have a savory cookie too?

Check out my latest treat labelled as a cracker, but it's not savory at all.