Nestle Milkybar

It's pretty difficult for me to find complaints about white chocolate bars in the same way that it's difficult for a mother to see flaws in her "perfect" child. However, I occasionally come across chocolate bars that simply don't impress too well.

The Nestle Milkybar is a popular chocolate bar in parts of Europe. So, when I saw this bar at the local import store, I had to give it a try and see what the hype is all about. The best way to describe the texture of the bar is that it's similar to an ordinary Hershey's Milk Chocoalte bar... in white chocolate form with a milky scent. The Milkybar is a plain white chocolate bar without the glitz and glam: there are no fillings or toppings.

Upon biting into the bar, I tasted a milky, sweet confection. The bar was both sweet and milky all at once. I love white chocolate that embraces milk flavor, yet the flavoring didn't seem to do anything for me this time. One thing that brought down the bar's score is the strange aftertaste it leaves. It's difficult to describe: not necessarily chalky, but a similar texture. Would I go out of my way to purchase a Milkybar again? Probably not. This white chocolate bar may be an acquired taste, or perhaps one of those chocolate bars that you grow up eating and simply stick to for nostalgia's sake.

Price: $0.99
Score: C
Comments: Plain, ordinary white chocolate bar. Milky.

Nestle Lion White Chocolate

I recently came across Nestle Lion chocolate bars at my favorite store, which imports goodies from Europe. There were two varieties to choose from: the original milk chocolate flavor and the white version. Naturally, I grabbed the white chocolate version to review.

My first impression upon removing the wrapper was awe at how bulky the chocolate appears to be. A white chocolate coating covers what appears to be crisped rice, giving it an almost rough look. Upon taking a bite of the bar, a lot takes place all at once: crispiness, chewiness, and crunchiness. The bar is filled with chewy caramel and crunchy wafer giving the bar an interesting and yummy middle.

My main issue with the Lion White chocolate bar is the white chocolate covering. Nothing really stands out about the white chocolate. It's not particularly flavorful, yet it's not particularly bad either. The best word to describe the white chocolate covering is "decent". The bar is saved by it's delicious interior, which gives it a small boost in score and flavor.

Price: $1.50
Score: B
Comments: Delicious caramel/wafer interior, ordinary white chocolate base.

Ritter Sport-- White Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts

It only makes sense to start with what I consider to be one of the best white chocolate bars on the market: Ritter Sport White Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts. I have to warn you: this bar is pretty difficult to find in the United States. Although Target and other American stores carry several varieties of Ritter Sport, this bar is usually not found in chain stores. I purchased my chocolate bar from a local ethnic store that imports food from Europe.

On to the good stuff: there are several characteristics of this chocolate bar that distinguish it from others. First, and most importantly in my opinion, is the actual white chocolate base. Fillings and toppings aside, a good chocolate bar is designated as such based on the quality of the chocolate. This Ritter Sport bar is miles away from the waxy, tasteless white chocolate bars that one frequently comes across. The chocolate gives a light vanilla scent and is flavorful and creamy. It's not overwhelmingly sweet and reaches its true creamy potential once placed on the tongue and allowed to melt just a bit.

The hazelnuts found throughout the Ritter Sport bar do full justice to the term "whole hazelnuts" . They are indeed whole, abundant, and fresh. Upon consuming the chocolate bar, I was surprised to find it also loaded with crisped rice. I would have realized this had I inspected the picture on the packaging more closely.  Unfortunately, I was far too much in a rush to rip off the packaging and try the bar.

Overall, the combination of a good quality white chocolate base with fresh, whole hazelnuts and crisped rice results in a white chocolate bar that stands apart. This is one of the best white chocolate bars I have tasted... and I have had my share.

Price: $2.99
Overall Score: A
Comments: Excellent white chocolate base, loaded with fresh hazelnuts, plenty of pieces to share.   

White Cocoa... What is this all about???

I remember the very first time I tasted a white chocolate bar. I had traveled with my family on vacation to Europe and the Middle East. At some point during the trip, I walked into a convenience store in the city of Ramallah abundant with non-Hershey's chocolate bars (a drastic change, to say the least). I was rather overwhelmed.

The chocolate bars came in flavors and colors I had never been exposed to back in the States. The chocolate bars came in milk, dark, and white with fillings, toppings, and the inclusion of fruits and nuts... something I had never seen back home. Ultimately, I was given the choice to pick exactly one bar to purchase at the convenience store. The eight-year old me chose a white chocolate bar with a tart, strawberry filling. As they say, the rest is history.