Best BBQ Sauces and Rubs

Best BBQ Sauces and Rubs

FIRST: BEST BBQ RUBS, 18 tested

rev 20 Sep 2020

B+

Interstate BBQ (Memphis, sold online)

Dreamland rub

Corky's

B/B+

Kosmos Cow Cover (sold online)

Killer Hogs – the BBQ Rub (at Walmart and online)

Dreamland Shake (strong black pepper flavor)

B

Holy Voodoo (from Meat Church, sold online)

Sucklebusters Hog Waller (sold online)

B-/B

Weber Barbecue (Walmart)

B - -

Rendezvous BBQ (Memphis, sold online)

Weber Original (Walmart)

C+/B-

Central BBQ (Memphis, sold online)

C/C+

BBQin Fools Jamaican (Bend, Oregon, sold online)

C

Bucanner BBQ

OLD TEST: (not graded, but in order, with 4 additional ones to the 14 above)

13 May 2011

1. Interstate BBQ, Memphis (also above)

2. Corky's, Memphis (also above)

3. Willingham's, Memphis

4. Rendezvous, Memphis (also above)

5. Big Bob Gibson's (Decatur, Alabama, sold online)

6. KC Masterpiece

7. BBQin Fools Jamaican (also above)

8. Jack Stack

9. Bucaneer (also above)

Best BBQ sauces in 2020 

First tested in 2004, with another test in 2007, and revised 7 Aug 2020.

A

Interstate BBQ, Memphis (can order online from their restaurant).

A-

Cattlemen's Carolina Tangy Gold (creamy mustard flavor; however, the restaurant version from Sysco is even better, but not available for the average person!)

A-/B+

K.C. Masterpiece Classic (not their "Original," but the "Classic." Although similar, "Classic" is the best of all the KC's tried)

K. C. Masterpiece 816 Original (better than their regular Original)

B+

Open Pit from Kraft/Heinz (you add clover honey also to the meat) (restaurant grade in gallon jug not sold in stores but is on internet. I first got it 11 years ago in 2009 from a restaurant food distributor.) It's meant to be a base, wherein you add other ingredients, but its great on its own 

Open Pit alone

B/B+

Rufus Teage Honey Sweet

Heinz Kansas City (better than their Texas and Memphis, similar to K. C. Masterpiece Original)

Sprouts Mustard BBQ - 3/4 reg. sugar

Kinder's Cali Gold

Dreamland (B+ as CAN ALSO USE AS FINISHING sauce for dipping, also great dipping fried chicken into it. As a mustard sauce, however, it's only B/B+ for glazing). Their dipping sauce is also very good for dipping!

B

Heinz Texas

Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Golden Mustard

Conagra Open Pit

KC Masterpiece Sweet Honey Molasses

B-/B

K. C. Masterpiece Original

KC Masterpiece Hickory Brown Sugar 

B-

C+/B-

Heinz Memphis

Noble Made Mustard BBQ - 3 g carbs, 1g sugar

True Made Carolina Gold - no sugar

C+

Kraft Sweet Brown Sugar 

C/C+

True Made Carolina Red - very low sugar, 1 G

True Made Kansas City, 2/3 reg sugar, 7 g

C-

KC Masterpiece - Honey Teriyaki 

SEPARATE TEST:

C/C+

Sweet Baby Ray's - Sweet Red Chili

Famous Dave's Georgia Mustard (low in sugar)

Sprouts Asian - 1/2 of reg. sugar'

K. C. Masterpiece 816 Hot

G. Hugh's Maple Brown Sugar (no sugar)

G. Hugh's Carolina Sweet Heat (when tested earlier, this one came right after Kraft Sweet &             Spicy above) - no sugar

Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ Wing Sauce

G. Hugh's Honey Mustard - no sugar 

Lillie's Gold - 2/3 reg. sugar

C

Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory and Brown Sugar

SEPARATE TEST 30 JULY 20 

C

Kraft Sweet & Spicy

Sweet Baby Ray's original

Bone Suckin' 

C-

Stubb's Original - is LOW SUGAR

C - - 

Stubb's Sticky Sweet

Ray's Hickory - no sugar

G. Hugh's Honey Flavored - no sugar

SEPARATE TEST (with others below and above that were re-graded, but these stayed the same:)

C-/C

Primal Kitchen Hawaiian BBQ - 7 g carbs, 1/2 reg. sugar

C-

Noble Made Classic BBQ - 8 g carbs, 2/3 reg. sugar

SEPARATE TEST:

C-/C

Bullseye Original 

Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Teriyaki 

Bullseye Sweet and Tangy 

Guy Fieri's Brown Sugar

Hunt Mesquite Molasses (their hickory smoke sauce: no longer available, was very good)

KC Masterpiece 816 Sweet Maple

Ray's Original - no sugar added - 3 g carb

C-

Kraft - Sweet Teriyaki

Guy Fieri Kansas City

G. Hugh's Hickory - no sugar

Bullseye Hickory Smoke

C - -

Stubbs Smoky Mesquite 

Bullseyes Sweet & Tangy 

SEPARATE TEST:

C-

Famous Dave's Natural Sweet (most of the other Famous Daves were tested in 2004 and 2007 and came up lacking)

Guy Fieri's Carolina 

Culinary Tours Sweet & Tangy Bourbon 

C - - 

Primal Kitchen Golden BBQ Organic Unsweetened - LOW SUGAR

Rufus Teague Maple (by contrast, their Honey Sweet above is VERY good!)

Head Country

C - - -

G. Hugh's Sweet & Spicy - NO SUGAR 

End of 2020 list. 

Best sauces in 2007 (13 tested)

A (in order)

1. Dreamland
2. Hunt's Hickory and Brown Sugar
3. Bullseye Hickory
4. KC Masterpiece Original
5. Kraft Brown Sugar

(Not very good, but in order:)

Famous Dave's Rich & Sassy

Bone Suckin' Sauce (was #4 in 2004)

Famous Dave's Sweet & Zesty

Famous Dave's Texas Pit

Hunt's Original

Western Family Original

Cattleman's original

Kraft Original

Best sauces in 2004

A-B grades (not in order)

1. Dreamland (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
2. Interstate Neeley's (Memphis, TN)
3. Bullseye Hickory
4. Bone Suckin' (Raleigh, NC)
5. Iron Works Spicy (Austin, TX)
6. Smokin Joe Jones (San Diego, CA)

C grade (not in order)

7. Tony Roma Carolina Honey
8. Tony Roma Blue Ridge Smokies
9. Tony Roma Red Hots
10. Sticky Fingers
11. Fiorella's
12. Wingers Amazing Sauce

C- to D grade (not in order)

13. Ring of Fire
14. Western Family Distinctive Selection Original
15. Coopers Old Time
16. Kraft Honey Hickory Smokehouse
17. Nasty Sauce (two guys)
18. Original Arkansas Roscoe's BBQ Hot Sauce
19. Western Family Honey
20. Dakin Farm with maple
21. Famous Daves Sweet & Zesty
22. Armstrong's Pit BBQ Hot
23. Armstrong's Pit
24. Kraft Spicy Honey
25. Dave's Gourmet Insanity Steak Sauce
26. New Brunsfield's Texas BBQ Sauce
27. Michelbob's
28. Damron BBQ Mild Sauce
29. Arther Bryant (in order on this one)

Best Taco Sauces and Picante sauces

Best Taco and hot Picante sauces!

18 Jan 2020

These sauces were all tested side by side with mashed, fresh avocado – a great combination. When tested with pork rinds, A- through B remained the same but the order changed for the others. With various foods such as scrambled eggs or shredded pork, the order may also change. Years ago we also tested a few other brands  no longer as available in Utah's local stores as they used to be, including Old El Paso (although their enchilada sauces are still readily available), and cannot be included here as they are not tested side by side with these in this most recent test:

A-

Macayo Taco Sauce and Chip Dip

B+

Ortega Taco Sauce, Original

B

Taco Bell Hot

Del Taco Mild (best by far of the Del Taco sauces)

Taco Time Original Hot

B-/B

Taco Bell Mild

Cullinary Tours Street Taco Sauce, Hatch Green Chile
Taco Bell Fire

B-
Herdez Verdez (green) sauce
Herdez Salsa Taquera (red)
Pace Picante Mild
Pace Picante Medium
Culinary Tours Roasted Chipotle
El Pinto Fire Roasated Green Child Sauce, Hatch Valley Chile, mild

C+

Pico Pica
Tobasco Pepper Sauce
Del Taco El Inferno
Del Taco El Scorcho
Kroger Taco Sauce (red)
El Mexicano Salsa Mexicana
La Victoria Red Medium Taco Sauce

El Tapatio hot sauce
Valentina Hot Salsa Picante

Cholula Hot Sauce Original

Herdez Rojo (red)

Best Olive Oils

BEST OLIVE OILS

rev 12 Oct 21, 8 Mar 22

Finished purchasing most 16 Oct 2019 at Tony Caputo's Salt Lake City (sold on his website everywhere)

Graded and ranked by editor of this site in order of best to worst. Note that most are much better than any sold at regular grocery stores! They had all they sold tested, and half were found to lack 100% true extra virgin olive oil. Nearly all the grocery store brands have this problem, they say. Finished testing 3 Dec 19. Four Morocco ones added summer of 2021.

SECTION 1 (testing them alone)

SECTION 2 (testing them with white bread). The results were different, but the best one stayed the same for both.)

A

1. Gianfranco Becchina Olio Verde, Italian, assorted olives

2. Viola Sincero, awards, including most prestigious: Flosali Award, uses 2 olives

3. Kirtland Tuscano (much better than their other two, standard olive oils!) (sold at Costco only)

4. Le-Ferre (first trip B-/B), got only 3.4 oz. for testing

5. Mediterranean Artisan Crete – buttery, also good for cooking

6. Romanico Arbequina (type of olive), smoky, small olives

A-

7. Crudo

B+

8. Viola Colleruita (same farm as Sincero)

9. Ritrovo Trampetti Olio, like Tuscany at Costco, butter and peppery

10. Casa Pareja Organic (Spain)

B-/B

11. Herdade do Esporado

12. AL'Olivier, got tin for $24 750 ml, vs. nice white crock $30 for 500 ml), butter taste (first trip B)

13. Romanico Aceite de Olivia (Traditional) – mix of Arbequina and Picual olives. Same company makes Romanico Arbequina above

C+

14. Salma (from Morrocco) (BELONGS ABOUT HERE -- NOT TESTED WITH MANY ON THIS              LIST)

15. Deseret Miracle (from Morroco) (belongs about here, but not tested with many on this list)

16. Bariani – best domestic, from CA, says Shaymus, csr, (first trip B-)

17. Itran's Madonna Del Olivio, expensive

18. California Destination Everyday (best one I tried sold in regular grocery stores)

19. Nicolas Alziani 1868 – buttery, floral, delicate, French

C

20. Kirtland regular (sold at Costco)

21. La Vucciria

22. Estornell

23. Lametia

24. Olive & Co. (sold in regular grocery stores)

25. Antiqua Italia (ALREADY bought FROM AMAZON, FOUND AT ANNAPOLIS CAFE March 2019)

26. Hemisfares (sold in grocery stores)

C-

27. Melies Greek (first trip also C-)

28. Lucini (sold in grocery stores)

29. Tenuta di Capezzana

30. Trader Joe's (sold at Trader Joes only)

31. Kirtland Organic

32. Mina (from Morrocco) (goes about here, not tested with all on this list)

33. Gundry MD (from Morrocco) (goes about here, not tested with all on this list)

DID NOT BUY, BUT TESTED at Tony Caputo's tasting bar – not in specific order, but grouped by grades after tasting only once or twice, so it's not as accurate as the list above, which was tested numerous times side by side in for accuracy. Below are the rejects, which the editor of this site did not find as good-tasting at the above list, so they were not purchased:

B Carm Grande Escolina (first trip: also B)

B Laudemio Fresbaldi-laudemio, very green, expensive $38.99

B Grezzo, replaces Paesanol Unfiltered, has sediment, for finishing only since the sediment burns. 2^nd most unripe flavor, after Bariani Early Harvest above. (trip 1 B-). Paesanol Unfiltered is now discontinued.

B Galateo, in silver bottle

B- Costa D'oro

B San Giuliano

B Navaroino Icons

B Colonna

B-/B Ritrovo Monie Iblei-Marino (first trip B-)

B- Mediterannean Artisan Kalamata, strong olives, perhaps similar taste to Trader Joes, who thus might make it for them, (first trip B)

B- Eleon-Navarino (first trip B/B+)

C/C+ Bariani Early Harvest, too unripe olive flavor (first trip: C+)

INFUSED OLIVE OILS, BOUGHT THE 5 BEST, NUMBERED BELOW. BUT TESTED SEVERAL OTHERS BELOW NOT AS GOOD SO NOT PURCHASED, PLUS 2 others TESTED but not available, discontinued but very good):

1. B+ L'Oliviera Marjoram Infused

2. B Agrumato Tangerine

3. B Castillo smoked: Castillo de Canena, blue bottle, uses real oak wood while other smoked ones on the market use liquid smoke; this is the only smoked one they carry.

4. B Villa Manodori Essenziale Garlic

5. B-/B Il Tartufo Di Paolo “Dalu Umbria” Black Truffle, got 55 ml size

The following were tested at their tasting bar only once, with grades assigned that may not be as accurate as the grades further above, whose oils were tested numerous times.

DID NOT GET, BUT VERY GOOD, TOO HOT:

B/B+. Villa Manodori Red Pepper.

B/B+ Agrumato Citron (replaces Oliveira Lemon Infused, but I prefer Agrumato Citron )

B/B+ DISCONTINUED AT THIS STORE BUT VERY GOOD, LIKELY AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE ONLINE:

Oliviera Lemon Infused

B Colonna Bergamot (Infused with Bergamot oranges) (first time B/B+)

GET LATER TO USE WITH POTATOES:

B Castillo de Conena, Harissa (Spanish Harissa peppers), hot. Danger recommends with potatoes, which he had at local restaurant

B Agrumato Lemon, with crushed lemons, rather strong

B Oliviera, Lobster Infused

B Tarturo Di Gaolo White Truffle

C/C+ Agrumato Orange

C AL'Olivier Thyme Lemon Infused

C- AL'Olivier Lavender Infused

BEST OLIVE OILS WITH WHITE BREAD DIPPED IN IT:

A

1. Gianfranco Becchina Olio Verde, Italian, assorted olives

   2. Le-Ferre (first trip B-/B), got only 3.4 oz. for testing

A-

3. Mediterranean Artisan Crete – buttery, also good for cookin

4. Romanico Arbequina (type of olive), smoky, small olives

5. Kirtland Tuscano (much better than their other two, standard olive oils!) (sold at Costco only)

6. Viola Colleruita (same farm as Sincero)

B+

7. Viola Sincero, awards, including most prestigious: Flosali Award, uses 2 olives

8. Crudo

9. Casa Pareja Organic (Spain)

10. Ritrovo Trampetti Olio, like Tuscany at Costco, butter and peppery

11. Herdade do Esporado

B/B+

12. Al 'Olivier, got tin for $24 750 ml, vs. nice white crock $30 for 500 ml), butter taste (first trip B)

13. Romanico Aceite de Olivia (Traditional) – mix of Arbequina and Picual olives. Same company makes Romanico Arbequina above

14. Nicolas Alziani 1868 – buttery, floral, delicate, French

15. Bariani – best domestic, from CA, says Shaymus, csr, (first trip B-)

16. California Destination Everyday (best one I tried sold in regular grocery stores)

17. Antiqua Italia (ALREADY bought FROM AMAZON, FOUND AT ANNAPOLIS CAFE March 2019)

B

18. Iran's Madonna Del Olivio, expensive

19. Lametia

20. La Vucciria

21. Melies Greek

22. Kirtland regular (sold at Costco)

C+

23. Salma (from Morrocco, not tested with all on this list but goes about here)

24. Desert Miracle (from Morocco, not tested with all on this list but goes about here)

25. Estornell

C

26. Tenuta di Capezzana

27. Hemisfare (sold in grocery stores)

C-

28. Lucini (sold in grocery stores)29.

29. Kirtland Organic (sold at Costco)

30. Trader Joes (sold in their stores)

31. Mina – (goes about here, not tested with all on this site)

32. Gundry MD – (goes about here, not tested with all on this site)

BEST INFUSED OLIVE OILS FOR DIPPING WHITE BREAD

A

Olivera Majoram

Agramato Tangerine

A-/A

Villa Mandoora Garlic

A-

Castillo Canena - smoked

B/B+

Tartifo di Paolo - black truffle

Best Balsamic Vinegars

Best Balsamic Vinegars

Editor's faves

9 Sep 21 (same order in 5 Sep 21 test)

B++

Leonardi Sabo (sweeter). WITH SPROUTED BREAD B+

B+

Vincotto 1825 “Poriginale” (graded #8 by Danger) WITH SPROUTED BREAD B/B+

B/B+

Saporoso (medium vinegar flavor, Danger's favorite) WITH SPROUTED BREAD B-

B-/B

Italia Antiqua (very vinegary, supposedly is best for cooking) WITH SPROUTED BREAD C+/B-

BELOW WERE Tested at Joe Caputo's Deli, Salt Lake City.

November 2019

10 Recommended vinegars (8 balsamics) by “Danger:” his favorites of 50+ varieties of balsamics and other vinegars they carry.

These are their grades by the editor of this site, resulting in the first four purchased; the 8 numbers after each listing was the order recommended to him):

A- Italia Antiqua (he recommends for cooking) (7)

A- Vincotto 1825 – cooked grape must, mostly sweet 

B/B+ Saporoso (1)

B/B+ Leonardi Saba - more sweet, made in oak barrels 5 years, a grape must (8)

B Villa Manodori – dark cherry (5)

B-/B Villa Manodori Classic Aceto Balsamic – strong (first trip tested: C) (6)

B- Cavali Soft and Fruito (3)

B- Cavali Classic – maple note (2)

Non-balsamic he recommends for cooking:
C- El Majuelo, sherry vinegar, for cooking (4)

MORE BALSAMICS ON COUNTER, TESTED WITH GRADES TO LEFT: 

C Ritrovo Selection Organic Apple Balsamic Vinegar

B Bariani

Best Burgers at National Fast Food Chains

Best Burgers at National Fast Food Chains
4 August 2019

Tested using fave condiments of : lettuce, tomato, real cheese (not American, preferably Cheddar but only if high quality, otherwise, either another cheese if high quality or NO cheese), mayo, RAW onions (preferably red),  pickles. If very good sauteed mushrooms are also available, those can be worth adding, such as at Mooya.

1. Mooya Burger (for cheeseburgers: just sub out the American cheese for cheddar - high quality cheddar there,  which is rare for fast food places!) A- 

2. Shake Shack A- overall (great buns!)

3. Smashburger (just sub out the American cheese for Cheddar! - high quality cheddar there!) A-

4. The Habit. B++ overall. (graded this high using raw onion; it grades lower if you order it with their default carmelized onion) (Meat B+, bun B)

5. Culvers. B+ overall (meat B, bun, buttered and grilled! B+)

6. Five Guys B/B+ overall (meat B+, bun B+)

7. Burger King B/B+ overall (meat quality B- but char flavor B/B+, bun B-. This is an odd one, because at times they seem to lower the quality of meat and buns and this burger rates lower. This grade is when they are at their best, maybe with the freshest of buns and meat, with newly cooked meat.)

8. Wendy's B/B+ overall (meat B+, bun B)

9. In & Out B/B+ overall (meat B-, bun B/B+; note: the big raw onion slice helps it a lot - a fun place to go because of shakes and fries there are better than average and the places has a great vibe)

10. Carl's Jr. a. Star Burger B overall (meat B, bun C) 
                     b. Original Thickburger B- overall (meat C, bun B+: next to the top 3 above in quality of bun but only                           for this Original Thickburger, not for the Star Burger!)

11. McDonald's Quarter Pounder overall B (meat B-/B, bun C+). Note: their other burgers rated a tad lower. Still, it's a go-to place because of the fries, which have a "secret ingredient" that makes them so good - beef stock!)

12. DQ (Dairy Queen). Overall C+ 

13. Sonic C

14. Del Taco C- 

BEST KETO BURGERS 
(RATED FOR TASTE OF MEAT ONLY): 
(Get lettuce instead of buns. The rating below is for taste of meat only:)

1. Mooya B+
2. Smashburger B+
3. Shake Shack B+
4. The Habit B+
5. Five Guys B+
6. Wendy's B+

MEAT QUALITY DROPS DOWN FOR THE OTHERS, RATED IN THIS ORDER: 
7. Burger King (only if freshly cooked! - tasty charred flavor but low-grade meat) B/B+
8. Culvers. B
9. Carl's Jr. Star burger B
10. McDonald's Quarter Pounder B-/B
11. In & Out B-
DQ, Sonic, Del Taco are all lower

Best Homemade Vanilla Extract Ingredients

Best Homemade Vanilla Extract Ingredients
posted 24 July 2019

For a 6 oz bottle, use 5 long (6 inch) Madagascar Beans, plus just under 6 oz of liquor, to meet qualifications of FDA for single strength vanilla extract. 

I tested these vanilla extracts in 3 categories, doing several tests in each category. I always tested all 7 head to head:

1. First, I tested the vanilla extracts with "sweet cream" ice cream - which is vanilla ice cream with no vanilla. I added the extracts to it to make vanilla ice cream. I used my favorite brand, a super premium, McConnell's, out of the Oakland area, sold in local stores and Whole Food Markets.

2. Secondly, I experimented with French toast, which is better with vanilla extract.

3. Third, with Scrambled eggs. The vanilla extract was whisked into and cooked with egg and milk, fried in a pan with butter.

The brands of the spirits used were the most highly recommended in each category per several lists of magazine reviewers and taste-testers - 2 corn vodkas, rye vodka, potato vodka, white rum, bourbon.

6 of the 7 batches were 3 to 4 months old when tested. Those batches will be better after a couple years. 

1 of the 7 batches was 2 years old. That was the winner, using Costco vodka. Grade A. It tastes very similar to Grey Goose, and may be Grey Goose. 

(Note that extract works at 6 weeks old, but is much better at 6 months, and better at two years old.)  

The most accurate test came from using with scrambled eggs, per the following formula:

1/2 T (tablespoon) vanilla extract

1 T whole milk

1 egg

1 T butter in skilled.

RESULTS WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS and also with French toast:

1. Costco's vodka (likely Grey Goose), resting in glass jar with vanilla beans for 2 years. Grade A ALL THE REST BELOW WERE TESTED WITH SPIRITS ONLY 3 TO 4 MONTHS OLD:
2. Grey Goose vodka (corn). Grade A-
3. Titus vodka (corn). Grade B-/B
4. Monopolova Vodka (potato). Grade C+
5. Bellvue Vodka (rye). Grade C
6. Captain Morgan's White Rum. Grade C-/C
7. Maker's Mark Bourbon. Grade D (even using 1/2 the amount of the others, it tastes bad for extract. Using the same amount as the others makes it horrible).

RESULTS WITH SWEET CREAM ICE CREAM (which lacks vanilla until added for our tests):

GRADES IN ORDER OF CHRONOLOGICAL TESTS for Sweet Cream Ice Cream:

TEST 1     TEST 2     TEST 3

Costco vodka, likely Grey Goose brand, but aged 2 years with vanilla beans:

A                B+            A

THE FOLLOWING BATCHES WERE ONLY AGED 3-4 MONTHS WITH VANILLA BEANS, tested 18 May - 12 June 2019:

Grey Goose vodka (corn)

A                 A-             A-

Titus vodka (corn)

B                  B-             B-/B

Bellevue vodka (rye)

D                   C              C

Monolopova vodka (potato)

D+                 D+            C+

Captain Morgan's white rum

D+                  B               C-/C

Maker's Mark bourbon

D                      D              D

Best Chocolates Candies in Utah / Best Chocolate Shops in Utah

Best Chocolates in Utah (fine chocolates)

2022 TEST

Best Chocolate Candies in Utah

NOTE: Missing from this 2022 test are chocolates from three companies that were tested in 2019, the results of that 2019 test are posted further below, after this 2022 test. Leonidas Belgian (available mailorder) would be #1 again. The other two not re-tested in 2022 are Ethel M's (mailorder) and 
CK Cummings, SLC. 

BEST CHERRY CORDIALS AND MISC CHERRY CHOCOLATES

10 Jan 22

A

Godiva cordial, dark

B++

Cummings Studio cordials, dark (milk: B)

B+

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory? Rum cherry cordial, milk

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Black Cherry Truffle, milk only tested

B/B+

Rebecca Black Cherry crème, dark (no liquid, so it may be a creme rather than cordial)

Chocolate Covered Wagon Black Forest, dark

B

Sees Cherry Cordial, dark

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Cherry Cordial, dark (milk: also B)

Rebecca Cherry Cordial, dark (milk: B-)

B-

Godiva Black Forest, dark (extra dark choc ganache with 72% cacao dark choc infused with cherry flavor in dark choc shell)

C+/B-

Nightingale Chocolatier Cherry Blossom – cherry flavored milk chocolate ganash with dark and white shell

Condies Candies, dark

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Black Cherry Cream, dark

C/C+

Chocolate Cottage, dark

C

Hatch Family Chocolates, dark (milk: C+)

C-

Chocolate Covered Wagon Cherry Cordial, dark

Cavanaugh, dark

D+/C-

Sees “Mayfair” (cherries and mixed nuts) in milk chocolate (tested with dark chocolates)

Chocolate Covered Wagon Cherry Cheesecake in milk chocolate (tested with dark chocolates)

D+

Rebecca “Cherry Hill” – cherry cream, dark (with strong artificial cherry flavor) (milk: also D+ but better than dark)

Best Chocolate Truffles

15 Jan 22

DARK TRUFFLES

B+

Godiva Truffle, dark chocolate souffle (mailorder: “Dark Chocolate Truffles” box of 24) (double dark choc filling in dark choc shell)

B/B+ (in order)

Godiva double dark gelato (mailorder: “Dark Chocolate Truffles” box of 24)

Godiva 72% cacao extra dark chocolate (darkest ones) (mailorder: “Dark Chocolate Truffles” box of 24) (extra dark choc ganache with 72% cacao dark choc wrapped in dark choc shell dusted with black pearl cocoa powder)

Godiva Cacao dark chocolates (mailorder: “Dark Chocolate Truffles” box of 24)

Godiva truffle, 50% cacao, dark (mailorder: “Dark Chocolate Truffles” box of 24) (dark choc ganache with 50% cacao dark chocl surounded by dark choc shell)

Godiva dark chocolate lava cake (mailorder: “Dark Chocolate Truffles” box of 24) (dark c hoc liquid fondant with dark choc ganache in dark choc shell dusted with powdered sugar)

Lake Champlain (mail order) Legendary Dark 54% truffle or 72%

B/B+

Godiva “Masterpieces: dark chocolate ganache heart” (in store bag at Costco)

Godiva “Midnight swirl,” 85% cacao, dark chocolate ganache and dark shell in gold collection

Godiva “Dark Chocolate carre” in gold collection

Godiva “Dark Chocolate ganash heart, dark” in both “Gold collection” (C) (and above: Godiva's Materpieces bag at Costco B/B+)

Godliva “Dark Chocolate ganache bliss” 72% cacao ganash, dark shell – in gold collection

Godiva Aztec Spice in box of 24 (dark choc ganache with cinnamon, vanilla, and spices in dark choc shell sprinked with red cocoa)

B

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory semi sweet truffle, dark

Harry and David

B-/B

Godiva Dark Chocolate Truffles (dark choc with dark choc filling) (4 oz own store bag)

V Chocolates dark truffle, dark

Sees Dark Truffle

Nightingale Willete (not in order with above 2)

B-

Sees Deep Dark Truffle

B- -

Condies Candies Fudge, dark

Godiva, dark “Chocolate Lava Cake Dessert Truffles, layered” store bag)

B- - -

Rebecca truffle, dark

C/C+

Chocolate Cottage truffle, dark

C

Nightingale Madagascar

C-

Chocolate CoveredWagon “Dark decadence” truffle

C- -

Chocolate Cottage 701 Fudge

C- - -

Chocolate Covered Wagon – “all dark” truffle

D+/C-

Condies Candies chocolate crème, dark

MILK TRUFFLES

B

(in order)

Cummings truffle, milk

Truffles Cottage truffle, milk

Sees chocolate truffle, light

V's truffle, milk

Rebecca truffle, milk

B-

Cummings Dark (in test with milk chocolates)

B- -

Condies Candies Choc Creme milk

C+/B-

Lake Champlain (mail order) “All milk” truffle

C+

Hatch chocolate cream

C

NOT IN ORDER:

Cummings Plain Fudge Milk

Hatch Choc Cream milk

IN ORDER:

RMCF truffle, milk

Sees Butter cream, milk

C-/C

Chocolate Cottage truffle milk

C-

Cavanaugh truffle, milk

C- - - -

Cummings truffle, dark

C- - - - -

Hatch truffle, dark

D++

Cummings Plain Fudge, dark (not truffle)

D

Chocolate Covered Wagon all milk truffles

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE

27 Dec 21

B+

V's Chocolate – almond

Garden Gate (no chocolate)

B

Chocolate Cottage

Rebecca

Cummings Studio, dark

Cummings, milk

B-

Chocolate Cottage, dark

C+/B-

Condies, dark

RMCF, dark

RMCF, milk

C

Cavanaugh, dark

Cavanaugh, milk

C-

Sees, milk

Chocolate Covered Wagon almond

NUT - CARAMEL CHOCOLATES

1 Jan 22

A-

Condies Pecan roll (no chocolate)

B/B+

Cummings Studio Pecan roll – no chocolate

Cummings Studio caramel pecan slow poke, dark

Cummings Studio caramel pecan slowpoke, milk

B (not in order)

Sees caramel almond

Lake Champlain – honey caraamel, dark

C+/B-

Hatch – almond coconut caramel (almond flavor too strong), dark

C+

Hatch – caramel pecan

Hatch – almond coconut carmel, milk

Caramel chocolates

(winner has no chocolate)

1 Jan 22

A

Nightingale Chocolatier (no chocolate)

B

Godiva Salted Caramel

Truffle Cottage Bordeaux

NOT IN ORDER:

Lake Champlain honey caramel

C++

Chocolate Covered Wagon Seat Salt Caramel (non-store made) (tastes artificial)

C

Chocolate Covered Wagon – sea salt caramel (store version: made in store)

C-/C

Godiva salted caramel truffle

C-

Lake Champlain salted caramel (mailorder)

C- -

Godiva – gold collection: caramel lion of Belgium

D+

Chocolate Covered Wagon – caramel truffle, milk

NUT CHOCOLATES

2 Jan 22

B/B+

Condies Boston Fudge with pecans, dark

B

Lake Champlain hazelnut mail order, milk

B- -

Condies Almond crème? Dark

B

Cummings Studio Virginia fudge with pecans, dark

Cummings Studio Virginia fudge with pecans inside and almonds outside, light

B-

Condies Boston Fudge with pecans, light

Sees - Chelsea (pecans inside a soft chocolate center)

C+/B-

Hatch – marzipan

C+

Rebecca – chocolate fudge nut with crème center, dark

C/C+

Rebbeca chocoalte fudge nut, milk

Hatch – almond cluste,r dark

C

Cummings – Walnut Fudge “rough,” milk

Cummings – pistachio truffle, dark

Lake Champlain – hazelnut (mailorder)

C-/C

Lake Champlain – green mountain

MAPLE & MAPLE NUT CHOCOLATES

20 Dec 21

B/B+

Cummings Maple pecan, milk

Lake Champlain maple crunch (no maple flavor, it's like toffee) (Mailorder)

B-/B

Cummings maple pecan, dark (rare to find a dark one not as good as milk/light ones)

Sees maple walnut

B-

Rebeccda Vermont maple fudge, milk

B- -

Rebecca Vermont maple fudge,dark

Cavanaugh maple

C/C+

Lake Champlain maple caramel, dark

C

RMCF aspen cream

BLACK WALNUT CHOCOLATES

20 Dec 21

B/B+

Cavanaugh, dark

Cavanaugh, milk

C-/C

Cummings Studio black walnut cream, dark

C-

Cummings Studio black walnut cream, milk

RASPBERRY /STRAWBERRY / BLACKBERRY CHOCOLATES

25 Dec 21

B+

Godiva raspberry truffle, dark (rd and black raspberry puree inside dark choc shell)

Lake Champlain white chocolate (chocolate raspberry ganash with white shell)

B

RMCF raspberry truffle (perfume flavor)

B-/B

Sees raspberry crème, dark

B-

Cummings raspberry truffle, dark

Cummings raspberry truffle, milk

Sees raspberry truffle

C+/B-

Godiva – gold collection – raspberry ganash twirl (white choc ganash with raspberry, dark)

C

Rebecca blackberry truffle

Hatch strawberry crème, dark

Hatch strawberry crème, milk

Truffle Cottage raspberry truffle, dark

Godiva gold collection: Raspberry caramel Duet, dark

C-/C

Rebecca raspberry truffle, dark

Chocolate Cottage raspberry crème, dark

C-

Rebecca raspberry truffle, milk

Cummings Studio white raspberry crème

Rebecca raspberry crème, dark

Chocolate Cottage raspberry truffle, dark

C- -

Rebecca Raspberry crème, milk

Rebecca cranberry truffle, dark

D+

Condies raspberry cfreme, dark

Hatch raspberry crème, dark

D/D+

Hatch raspberry crème, milk

Hatch strawberry crème, milk

CITRUS CHOCOLATES

December 2021

B/B+

Rebecca orange truffle, milk

B

Cummings Studio orange crème, dark

Hatch orange creme, dark

Hatch Apricot, dark

Rebecca BL truffle, dark

B-/B

Hatch Apricot, milk

Condies orange cram, dark (artificial, strong orange)

Godiva key lime truffle, dark

B-

Hatch orange crème cream, milk

C+

Truffle Cottage orange, dark

C+/B-

Rebecca BL truffle, milk

Hatch sour grapefruit, dark

C/C+

Condies lemon, dark

Rebecca lemon crème, milk

RMCF? – pina colada

C

Rebecca orange crème, dark

Hatch lemon crème, dark

C-/C

Condies orane crème (artificial, strong orange), milk

C-

Rebecca lemon crème (strong), dark

Condies lemon crème, milk

Cummings Studio orange, milk

Chocolate Cottage orange crème, dark

C- -

Hatch lemon crème, milk

COCONUT CHOCOLATES

Dec 2021

B

Cummings Studio coconut roll, dark

Rebecca (brown spots on top), dark

B-/B

Rebecca coconut Supreme (crème) (like Almond Joy)

B-

Cummings Studio coconut roll, milk

C

Nightingale German chocolate

C-/C

Godiva Gold – coconut pyramid, dark

C-

Cummings Studio coconut roll, dark

RMCF coconut haystack

Rebecca (brown spots on top), milk

D

Chocolate Cottage coconut cream, dark

Penuche & similar chocolates with sugar crème fillings

4 Jan 22

B-/B

Chocolate Cottage – penoche

B-

Condies salted crème brule, dark

C+

Godiva French vanilla, dark

C/C+

Condies penuche

C

Godiva gold collection – Lady Godiva

C-/C

NOT IN ORDER:

Cummings pecan penuche, dark

Cummings pecan penuche, milk

Hatch penoche, milk

Rebecca penuche, milk

C-

NOT IN ORDER:

Cummings Studio, Opera, dark

Cummings Studio Opera, milk

Rebecca Butter Creme, dark

MINT CHOCOLATES

6 Jan 22

B

IN ORDER:

Cummings double dip mint

Cummings Mint truffle, dark

Cummings Mint crème, dark

NOT IN ORDER:

Condies Meltaway Mint, dark

V – pattie, dark

Rebecca – mint - dark

B-/B

Cummings Mint truffle, milk

Cummings mint crème, milk

Rebecca – mint, milk

B-

Godiva – gold collection: mint medallion

RMCF – peppermint

V – pattie, milk

B- -

RMCF – mint truffle, milk

C+

V- mint truffle, milk

C/C+

Condies – mint crème, dark

C

Lake Champlain – evergreen mint, dark crunch peppermint (mailorder)

C-/C

Hatches – mint crème, dark

Hatches – mint crème, milk

C-

Hatches Bavarian mint truffle, dark

Hatches Bavarian mint truffle, milk

C- -

Chocolate Cottage truffle

C- - -

Chocolate Covered Wagon – Bavarian mint

COFFEE FLAVORED CHOCOLATES

5 Jan 22

B

Lake Champlain salted caramel latte (mail order)

B-/B (not in order)

Cummings coffee truffle, dark

Godiva Cappacino, dark

RMCF Kalua

C

Cummings coffee truffle, milk

C- (in order)

Lake Champlain (mailorder) Cappucino, milk

Rebecca mocha truffle, dark

Rebecca mocha truffle, milk

LIQUER FLAVORED CHOCOLATES

(winner is in cordials list above)

6 Jan 22

B+

Rebecca Rum cherry cordial, milk (also in Cordials)

B

Rebecca rum cherris Bacadi, dark

C+ (NO IN ORDER)

Rebecca Rum Victorian, dark

Sees Rum Nougat

RMCF Irish Creme

C/C+ (NOT IN ORDER)

Cummings Grande Mariner coconut milk truffle

Cummings rum victora, milk

Rebecca rum not, dark

C (NOT IN ORDER:)

Rebeccca Rum victoria, milk

Rebecca rum nut, milk

Rebecca rum truffle, dark

Hatrch Rum nut dream, dark

Hatch Rum Nut cream, milk

Cummings rum victoria, dark

C-/C

Cummings rum victoria, milk

C- (NOT IN ORDER:)

Rebecca rum truffle, milk

RMCF rum truffle

Condies Rum coconut cream

Chocolate Cottage victoria rum, dark

Chocolate Covered Wagon Grande Mariner truffle

Chocolate Covered Wagon Irish creme

Cummings Bacardi Butter rum, dark

Cummings Bacardi Butter rum, milk

Truffle Cottage Butter rum truffle

MISC CHOCOLATES

B

Lake Champlain: peantu butter chocolate, milk (cup shaped)

B-/B

Lake Champlain: like Reeses but in truffle shape

B-

Lake Champlain: Peanut butter milk

C

Dark chocolate ganache heart, Dark COMPARE TO BAG!!!

2019 TEST

11 July 2019, addition 14 Aug 21 

Note: Godiva Truffles were tested after all these were tested side by side; it rated 2nd to Leonidas Belgian in Dark Truffles, and first in Milk Truffles.

DARK TRUFFLES

A+ 

Leonidas Belgian (via mail order in New York City and shops in London, Chester, UK)

A

Cumming Studio

A-/A

V Chocolates

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

B-/B

C. Kay Cummings ("double chocolates")

B-

Sees Candies

B- -

Sam's Choice (at Walmart)

C+

Dove

C

Lindor

MILK TRUFFLES

B++

V Chocolates

B/B+

Cummings Studio

B-

C. Kay Cummings

C+

Sees Candies

C/C+

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

C

Sam's Choice (Walmart)

C-/C

Dove

C-

Lindor

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY CORDIALS

A+

Leonidas Belgian (via mail order New York City and shops in London, Chester, UK)

A

Cummings Studio

B

C. Kay Cummings

C++

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

C+

Sees Candies

Note: not made by V's, Sams Choice, Doves, Lindor

MILK CHOCOLATE CHERRY CORDIALS

A

Leonidas Belgian (via mail order New York City and shops in London, Chester, UK)

B+

Cummings Studio

B-/B

C. Kay Cummings Studio (note: their chocolate marachino cherries rate B/B+)

B-

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (note: their cherry truffle rates C/C+ with artificial flavor)

C

Sees Candies

OTHER HIGH-RATED CHOCOLATES

B++

Cummings Studio: Coconut cream

B+

Cummings Studio: Black Walnut
Sees Candies: Maple Walnut

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Almond Cluster
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Kalua truffle

OTHER RATED CHOCOLATES
B/B+

Cummings Studio: Penoche Pecan dark chocolates (milk chocolates B)

Cummings Studio: Nutty Fudge Walnut dark chocolates

Cummings Studio: Maple Pecan (but with artificial, strong maple)
Cummings Studio: Rum truffle - dark chocolate 
Cummings Studio: Rum truffle - milk chocolate

B
Cummings Studio: Penoche Pecan milk chocolate
Cummings Studio: chocolate fudge
Cummings Studio: opera pecan dark chocolate
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: rum truffle
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Irish Cream

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Grapefruit truffle
Sees: Nutty Fudge Walnut

B-/B
Cummings Studio: Vegan coconut truffle - milk chocolate with orange atop
Cummings Studio: Pina colada dark truffle - dark chocolate (milk choc is C+/B-)

B-
Cummings Studio: fruit bark 57% cacao Ecadorian 
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: haystack (coconut) - dark chocolate
Sees: Vanilla coconut cream

B - - 
Sees: Vanilla cream with walnut

C+/B-
Sees: mocha valencia
Cummings Studio: Pina colada truffle - milk chocolate

C+
Cummings Studio: chocolate covered almonds
Sees: coconut cream - milk chocolate

C/C+
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory cherry truffle (artificial flavor)

C
Sees: walnut milk chocolate
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: aspen cream maple

C-
C. Kay Cummings: Moscato and orange chocolate
Sees: Chelsea

C- - 
Sees: Bourbon milk chocolate

DARK CHOCOLATE (bars?)

Rocky Mountain A-

Cummings Studio B/B+

Sees C+