Let's Talk with Debra H. Goldstein
Give me February 1 over February 14
February 17, 2022
I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. Hearts, cards, chocolates, flowers, and being taken out to dinner are nice, but February 14 has nothing on February 1. The truth is that Valentine’s Day, much like Christmas, has become commercialized. It has become a holiday of the masses with the vendors of those cards, hearts, chocolates, and flowers being the beneficiaries. No, I’d much rather celebrate February 1 – National Dark Chocolate Day.
Dark chocolate is pure. I
t has no added milk or butter. How dark it is depends on the percentage of cocoa solids in the chocolate. Some find it bitter, some bitter-sweet, and others, like me, don’t worry about anything except the delight and high I get from the very first bite. I view dark chocolate’s essence as almost the equivalent of King Arthur’s concept of a virgin’s purity. Unwrapping and eating dark chocolate is pure ecstasy.
Of course, like in books, different people have different views. Some readers zero in on mysteries, some on romance, while others stick to non-fiction, biographies, or literary fiction. When it comes to reading, I sample many genres, but when it comes to my chocolate, I want dark chocolate.
What about you? Dark or milk chocolate? Cozy mystery or another genre of book? Leave a comment for a chance to win a print or e-book copy of One Taste Too Many, the first of the Sarah Blair mysteries (U.S. only).
While you’re here, check out our Extravaganza WINNER TAKE ALL contest this month! The winner will receive ALL THE BOOKS IN THE VAULT. The contest runs from Feb 1-18, so hurry! CLICK HERE to enter now!
Posted in 3-Debra H. Goldstein, Let's Talk, with Debra H. Goldstein • Tags: Debra H Goldstein, Give me February 1 over February 14, giveaway, Let's Talk, One Taste Too Many | 17 Comments
Hi, Debra! I like a blend, something like Hershey’s nuggets. Add toffee bits and I am in heaven. Because I’m so ready for winter to be over, Valentine’s is a nice break and a day of giving chocolate is nice. Happy day!
Vicki,
I’m a purist … although I don’t mind if the dark chocolate is blended with a shade of mint or raspberry. But, I think the blend offers you more variety.
For most of my life I would’ve given my right arm for a lifetime supply of Snickers candy bars or plain M&Ms. Now that I’ve got a little salt and pepper in my hair, dark chocolate is my go to for many reasons. I truly love the tastes and I like to hold each nibble in my mouth until it melts in taste bud splendor.
You’ve got it! Plus we can argue that it offers us great antioxidants! I like blueberries, but much prefer dark chocolate. Funny, I also like plain M&Ms, but only get into Snickers when they are leftover mini bars from Halloween bags of candy.
I absolutely crave dark chocolate and love any excuse to give and/or receive a fresh supply.
You are my kind of person!
I used to prefer milk chocolate, but my taste has changed over the years, and I now like a good dark chocolate as well. As for genres, it depends on my mood. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of historical mysteries, both cozy and non-cozy, along with my favorite contemporary cozy authors. I also found myself reading quite a bit of historical fiction the last year or so.
I’m wondering if aging a bit changes our tastebuds or our appreciation of tastes. Also wondering if the genres are impacted this past year by the covid restrictions subconsciously wanting us to go back in time —
Dark Chocolate always! Unfortunately, I’m cursed with gastritis so I can’t indulge as much as I’d like (it’s on the “Never Eat” list but I do every so often). Along with other no-no’s, such as cheese, wine, tomatoes, cream, coffee, potato chips, etc., etc., etc.
It’s like being in love with Daniel Craig and Idris Elba but being married to their grandfathers :).
What a sad comparison…. hope when you do indulge, you do it within a limit that doesn’t hurt.
Dark chocolate
The genre I read depends on my mood.
Even as a kid, I much preferred dark chocolate to that wimpy old milk chocolate! Unfortunately, my hubby always forgets this, and I end up with Valentine’s candy that is the latter. But as long as it has nuts or caramel or something mixed in I still can choke it down. 🙂 I’m a bit more flexible with my reading genres!
You’d think after so many years, our husbands would get the chocolate right, but they go for the pretty heart or the sentiment behind the candy’s presentation.
I am a purist in that I love Dark Chocolate 70% or higher! I have tried flavored but still go back to just plain 70%-80% and then I am happy again! Cajun hubby rarely eats any sweets but, if he does, he is a Mounds® fan so he is a Dark Chocolate lover, too!
I am a dark chocolate fan. A fun place to visit is Chocolate World in Orlando. I saw how artisan chocolate is made and they had some amazing chocolate sculptures.
I like a blend in both chocolate and reading. But with the addition of caramel and murder mystery, that’s always where I go first.
And the winner is Cheryl Arcemont — part of a couple who love dark chocolate …. even though that is an influence, the winner was randomly selected. Please send me your address by emailing dhg@debrahgoldstein.com