Chocolate Capers

Chocolate Caper is the nom de business of our neighbor Claude ("clowed") Marendaz, al Swiss ex pat chocolatier.  We've sent close friends and family chocolate from Claude's shop for years.  Now, after all this time casting bread upon the waters and expecting nothing but soggy bread, really, we have wonderful returns this year.  Beth's Dad sent us a box of Michel Cluizel dark and darker chocolate.  And from the left coast, Joanna and Mark sent us Scharffen Berger chocolate bars from Berkeley.  I'm partial to the "Nibby Bar."  This may be because I like the name.  Reminds me of an Inuit term for fun in the sleeping bag ("nibbytuk" is how it transliterates).  Nibbytuk aside, I notice a bittersweet trend in the treats we're receiving.  Friends and family know we enjoy dark chocolate, and this year we've been gifted with chocolate so dark it ranges from 62% to 70% pure chocolate.   After just a couple of these flavor treats, you'll want to climb the pyramid of the sun and offer a human sacrifice or two.