My Gourmet Guide

Milka Crispy Snax: Cornflakes and Raisins

2011-12-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

I went to the supermarket and while there, I felt like buying something sweet. However, I wanted something different and that was when I saw these small packs of Milka Crispy Snax. There were two kinds available and I decided for the Cornflakes & Raisins one. I can't remember what kind was the other one.

I got home, did some stuff and had dinner.
Still at the table, I opened the package to try one or two.
Well, let me put it this way: I had to close the bag before they were all gone.

Imagine the Toffee Crisp chocolate - I never saw that one again here in Portugal and don't know if it's still available. Now imagine it in chunks plus raisins.
Sounds good ? Well, it tastes even better.

Of course that there are differences because we're talking about different brands of chocolates, but I guess that this gives you an idea about how the Milka Crispy Snax Cornflakes & Raisins tastes and about its texture.

Without a doubt, this one gets my seal of approval.

Border Coconut Biscuits with Milk Chocolate

2011-11-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

I like to eat pretty much anything, but if there's something that I don't quite appreciate is coconut. A few of the only things that I like related to coconut are the coconut scent on the beach or soap. When I was a small kid I really enjoyed these coconut taste cigarrets - you know how kids are with cigarrets.

But when I saw these biscuits at the supermarket, I liked their aspect and thought that if the coconut part was not too influent on the taste, maybe a mix of chocolate and coconut could work well for my personal taste, moreover they had a really good sort of homemade aspect. So I decided to give them a try.

The coconut taste is not too pronnounced and has a good crunchy feeling. As for the chocolate, it has a good flavour and is added in good measure as not to make the biscuit too sweet.

My conclusion is of a well balanced combination between coconut and chocolate with a pleasant crushing sensation that will almost for sure get really positive reviews by coconut appreciators with a sweet tooth.
The Border milk chocolate coconut biscuits are baked in Scotland.

Clipper Tea

2011-04-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

Recently I came across with a tea brand that I didn't know of.
It's name is Clipper and for now it has proved itself to be a good surprise.

The first variety that I tried was the Organic White Tea. This is a chinese organically grown white tea bearing the GB Organic Certification 5 and packed in the UK by Clipper Teas Ltd.

I found its scent pleasant and its flavour surprisingly oblong, which leads me to conclude that this tea should now make part of my favourite ones.

So, if you like tea and especially white tea, this Organic White Tea should be on your soon to try list.

After the positive result of my first experience with this brand, I decided to try the Green Tea With Ginseng Enhanced With Raspberry.
This tea, bearing the Fairtrade certification, contains 90% of fairtrade green tea, 5% of natural flavour and 5% of Siberian ginseng root.

Again my opinion is remarkably positive and I can only advise the appreciators of green tea to try this one.

You can learn more about their line of green teas on this page.

I bought these at the supermarket and the price if not among the most accessible ones, it's plenty justified by the quality.

Note that the packaging layout may change from time to time, or even be influenced by the photo or by your screen, so you better read the labels carefuly to make sure that you're getting what you want.

Copa Natural Juices by Frubaça

2011-02-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

Influenced by its XII century Monastary, the portuguese region of Alcobaça is known for its tradition in pastries and orchards.

Developed by Frubaça agricultural cooperative and recurring to the High Pressure Processing (HPP), the Copa juices retain the taste and freshness of their 100% natural ingredients.

The juices are available in several tastes, including some combinations, such as: apple; orange; apple and orange; apple and strawberry; apple and pineapple.

From all the brands that I've tried until today, this is the one that approximates the most of a freshly squeezed natural juice - and I'm not seeing you squeezing an apple.

Its price is of course higher than those from most soft drinks or juices made from concentrate, but its taste and benefits for your health make it worth the expense.

The Copa juices are sold in several supermarkets in 750ml plastic bottles, without a set price, so you better look where it's cheaper.

My opinion about these natural juices is as positive as it can be, moreover they even carry the Portuguese Cardiology Foundation logo.

Wishes of a Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-24T07:44:00.001-08:00

To all the readers of this blog and their families, I wish a Merry Christmas 2010 with lots of good things.

Anthon Berg Strawberry in Champagne

2010-12-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

I could start by saying that marzipan is not one of my favourite things, but years ago I bumped into this box that had written "Strawberry in Champagne" and I thought: mmmm this must be good. Moreover it got chocolate, which is obviously a plus.

Maybe the marzipan wasn't that much, I thought, and decided to give it a try. Afterall a product from Danmark and from a company establish in 1884 and still going on could not be bad.

First bite: the chocolate is good and the combination of the strawberry (11%) with the champagne (2%) contributes to enhance the taste. The marzipan taste (10% of almonds) is noticeable, which is a good thing for its appreciators, while for those like me who don't like it much is greatly compensated by the other elements.

The chocolate and marzipan count for 38% and the filling counts for 30%, the rest goes for the usual ingredients in these kind of products.

The fact that the brand has been appointed as purveyor to the Royal Danish Court confirms its quality, evident in these Anthon Berg Strawberry in Champagne from their Fruit & Marzipan line.

My opinion is obviously positive.

Twinings Infusions Selection (Fruit Flavour and Herbal Infusions)

2010-11-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

Among the brands of tea and infusions that I've tried, which aren't many, Twinings is one of my favourites, not only for its quality but also for its variety.
For people who don't get along well with caffeine, infusions are a good option.

Twinings offers different infusion selections and the one that I've chosen to review today is Fruit Flavour and Herbal Infusions.
The box contains 25 bags equally devided in 5 flavours: Lemon Twist; Strawberry & Mango; Peach & Passion Fruit; Raspberry & Echinacea; Blackcurrant, Ginseng & Vanilla.

I can tell you that I'm the kind of person who will eat anything, but I'm a bit more selective with what I drink, and one of the worst things that can happen is when a food or drink has a noticeable artificial taste.
Until now Twinings has proved itself worthy of my purchases and this Infusions Selection (Fruit Flavour and Herbal Infusions) has confirmed my trust, with all the flavours being tasteful, although I keep thinking that no boxed lemon infusion can beat a natural lemon one made directly from lemon peel.

If like me you like to drink a cup of tea or enjoy a new infusion, this selection should be on your list of things to try.
There's no link on this article to the product because I could not find it on Twinings official websites; of course that I didn't try all the countries.

NewTree Eternity Chocolate: Cassis (Blackcurrant)

2010-10-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

Created by Benoît de Bruyn and made in Belgium by Newtree S.A. this blackcurrant natural flavoured chocolate contains quality ingredients that include pure cocoa butter ( this one is for me a real plus in comparison to vegetable fats) natural grape extract and sugar - yes I prefer sugar - besides other ones that include of course the obvious.

The NewTree Eternity is a dark chocolate with 73% of cocoa and therefore rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.

With a pleasant blackcurrant bouquet and smooth degustation, it's a chocolate to eat parsimoniously and not like a chocolate bar that you eat in five or six bites. Besides in my opinion any dark chocolate is to be consumed moderately.

This chocolate is a good one, but for now it stays out of the group of my favourites, mostly because I'm not a huge fan of dark chocolate, however its quality has convinced me and it's more that likely that I'll try another of the several flavours from this brand that has already conquered some awards.

I cannot recomend a flavour, since I've only tried one, but it's a chocolate brand that I can recomend you to try, especially if you are an appreciator of flavoured dark chocolate.

Pur Natur Bio Blueberry Yogurt

2010-07-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

If you are a usual reader of this blog, you've already noticed that I like yogurt and buy it often.

One of my latest try outs are these organic yogurts from Pur Natur.

Today I'll let you know my opinion about the blueberry one (referred as billberry on their website)

Creamy towards solid, the consistency of the Pur Natur organic blueberry yogurt is similar to others of the same kind and quality.

Its taste, before reaching the fruit and if you don't stirr it, is a bit more sour than usual, which for me is a good thing since I'm of the opinion that nowadays yogurts have too much sugar.

When getting to the bottom of the glass pot where the fruits are, my opinion turns quite positive, influenced by the great flavour of the juicy blueberries.

I can't remember eating fresh blueberries, but I believe that these compare quite well with other fruits found inside other quality yogurts.

I haven't tried it stirred from the begining, but I'll do it soon since I have a unit inside my refrigerator.

The Pur Natur Blueberry Yogurt is a must try for any appreciator, even if the price tag is somewhat expensive in my opinion.

Milka Champiolade - For a Limited Time Only

2010-06-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, many are the companies bringing related products into the market.

Milka (a Kraft Foods company) has released a limited in time edition named "Champiolade".

Featuring a football (soccer) ball over each square, this alpine milk chocolate contains a creamy milk filling with butter caramel taste and rice crisps.

In the center of each square, one finds a crispy cocoa rice ball.

The chocolate keeps itself faithful to the quality of the other Milka chocolates, which is something that is up for you to decide about.

As for what I think and considering that I find the brand a good one taking into account the price/quality ratio, this Milka Champiolade doesn't have a noticeable chocolate taste, which is not caused for a lack of quality but only due to its characteristics (45% is filling), however it has a pleasant buttery taste and a good crispy feel to it.

I found it just a bit too sweet for my taste, but I've already received positive comments from other people who are picky about chocolates and even prefer dark ones.

Even if not among my favourites, this chocolate deserves a positive score and I think that will please to most people with a sweet tooth.

We're looking forward to read your opinion about it.

"Making OeuF" by Alexandre DUBOSC

2010-05-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

Once in a while you may spot some videos on this food and drinks review blog.
These are chosen for their creativeness and relation to this blog's theme.
After the amazing animation "Western Spaghetti", My Gourmet Guide presents another quality stop motion animation entitled "Making OeuF" by Alexandre DUBOSC for the Food about you - Concours Festival d'Annecy 2010.

Andechser Natur Mango-Vanilla Bio Yogurt

2010-05-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Usually organic products are considerably more expensive and therefore I seldom buy organic or also called bio yogurts.
However from what I've seen, the german products are not as expensive, namely yougurts.
So, I've decide to try some from from a company named Andechser Molkerei Scheitz GmbH, afterall it was established in 1908 and if it still exists it must mean something.
I've tried a few flavours, including a stracciatella one that I found quite good.
But the one that really came up as the most positive surprise was the mango-vanilla one (mango-vanille in german).
This organic yougurt features the flavours of mango and vanilla in the correct quantities and its consistency is quite pleasant.
Besides the obvious ingredients, this bio yogurt contains L-type lactic acid and raw sugar (which I prefer to sweetners) It's also glutenfree.
If you like yogurts, I trully advise you to try this brand, especially the "Mango-Vanille".

Stamp Out Hunger 2010 - Special Article

2010-04-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

The articles that are presented to the readers of this blog are usually about food and drinks, however some exceptions can and will happen, and what better reason than a good cause ?

On the 8th of May 2010, letter carriers will collect non-perishable food items donated by individual households, left by the mailbox.

This massive one-day food drive campaign has started in 1993 and since then many starving individuals and families have received precious nourishment.

It's important to emphasize that many people are going through serious difficulties, many of them were working and have recently lost their jobs.

These people are often ashamed to ask for food, just as many of us would probably be.

Implemented by the National Association of Letter Carriers, the 2010 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will be organized in partnership with Feeding America.

Facebook users can also help the cause by clicking the "Like" button that can be found on the Stamp Out Hunger website, since Campbell's Soup will donate up to one million cans of soup to Feeding America for each fan.

So, if you want to be a fan, be a fan of a good cause.

Don't forget, it's on May 8, 2010 and you can sign up for e-mail or text message alerts to remind you to leave your food donation by your mailbox.

Tagliatelle Egg Pasta Delverde

2010-04-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

If there's something that I eat alot, that's pasta (here in Portugal we say massa).
Although I suppose that we have some portuguese brands of good quality, the italian ones are indeed superior and obviously me preference goes toward them.
I know this brand for a couple of years, but it's been some time that I've seen it, since it's usually not avaiable in the supermaket that I go to.
Yesterday I saw it there and bought it right away, namely because I needed to buy some pasta.
I bought the tagliatelle egg pasta n. 91, in the form of a nest (tagliatelle al'uovo a nido nº 91).
Like any good italian pasta, it keeps its consistency quite well and it's especially suited for those who like it "all dente".
Usually I like to cook it during a bit more time, but even so it doesn't get mushy.
Comparing with the brands that I know, this one can be placed side by side with the best ones, but that's my opinion.
Have you tried this brand ?
Let us know your opinion.

Emmi Choco Latte Original

2010-04-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

With 84% swiss skimmed-milk and 14% swiss chocolate, the Emmi Choco Latte Original is a drink that will please most of those who, like me, like to drink chocolate milk.

Usually I don't buy these kind of drinks, since I prefer to buy the chocolate in powder and mix it with the milk, but a couple of months ago I was given a coffee version of this brand and I was nicely surprised, namely because I'm from a country where coffee is one of the best in the world.

Besides, I also know Emmi's yogurts and I thought that it wouldn't do any harm to try it.

I won't say that it was the best chocolate drink that I've tasted so far, but this Emmi Choco Latte does have a good chocolate taste and deserves my positive opinion and recomendation, even if I find it to be a bit expensive for the portuguese market.

Alvalle Zumo de Tomate (Tomato Juice)

2010-03-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed tomato juice and it has been one of the few kind of juices that one can find without too many "strange stuff" added.

This tomato juice from Alvalle is proposed in a 750ml cardboard packing featuring an attractive layout.

According to the maker, the juice is made with fresh tomatos (95%), extra-virgin olive oil (1.8%), lemon juice and salt.

As you can see, the ingredients are as good as one can ask for, although I like the tomato juice with a bit of pepper, but lets taste it: this tomato juice has a lighter colour that the ones that I'm used to, which I believe means more quantity of tomato than usual, something manifested by it's thickness.

Its flavour is not what I expected, since for my taste it lacks a "je ne sais quois" to make savoury (maybe a bit of pepper) and besides I had the impression that a slight taste of cardboad was noticeable.

I believe that Tropicana Alvalle S.L. has elaborated this tomato juice with the best intention to bring a good natural product to the consumer and although I didn't appreciate it (especially for the supposed cardboard taste), I cannot suggest to avoid it due to the quality of its ingredients.

Maybe they should use different agricultural procedures and develope better fruits.

Having your opinion about this juice would be very important to the readers of this blog.

Quaker Cruesli Chocolate

2010-03-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

I know the Quaker Cruesli brand for more than 20 years and has always been one of my favourites.

Some years ago they introduced the chocolate version into this breakfast cereal line, but only now I decided to try it since I may like chocolate, but for breakfast I prefer other flavours.

My outlook was positive, but at the same time I was aprehensive since the chocolate could mean that I could find it too sweet.

So, I opened the package and put some Cruesli on a plate (some chunks may seem to big, but that's ok), to which I added milk (cold or room temperature).

The cereals, which are mainly constituted by oats, revealed themselves crunchy as is usual with this brand and the bits of dark chocolate, supplied in a generous quantity, have a good flavour.

The chocolate doesn't have that pronounced flavour usually found in chocolates, in fact I suppose that most cereal brands are the same, which in my opinion is a good thing because it would make it too sweet for a breakfast cereal.

Other included ingredients are: wheat, cinnamon, dried coconut and molasses.

Cruesli Chocolate from Quaker Cruesli will satisfy kids and grown-ups who like breakfast cereals and chocolate.

Grove Fresh - Apple & Mango Organic Fruit Juice (Grove Organic Fruit Company)

2010-03-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

Recently I saw a brand of organic fruit juice that I haven't seen before here in Portugal.

Since I like things as natural as possible, especially what I eat and drink, the product deserved my attention.

The apple and mango mix seemed a good combination and after skimming through the ingredients' list (94% of pure organic apple juice and 6% organic mango puree), I thought that it might be a good idea to give it a try.

Usually apple juices tend to be too sweet for some people and the mango balances that quite well, besides handing its characteristic flavour.

That is for me one of the most relevant facst of this organic fruit juice.

Although pleasant and certainly deserving a positive note, I feel that something is missing and in my opinion what is missing a more fruity taste.

I believe that this is something that Grove Organic Fruit Co (Grove Fresh) and most companies of its kind would have some difficult to improve because fruit nowadays, even organic, doesn't taste as it used to, namely due to the use of green-houses and lack of enough sunlight for a good photosynthesis.

However I suppose that the orchards from which the apples are picked for this juice are not in green houses and catch natural light, so maybe the region where they're from is not as good for fruit as lets say a mediterranean or tropical one.

Nonetheless I can advise you to try this juice, not only for its good taste, but also because it's an organic juice.

One positive thing that I must mention is that the contacts are easily available, something that transmits that they care about their customers' opinions.

Carrying the Soil Association logo on its pack (the brand displays it since 1993), this apple and mango juice is made by Grove Fresh Ltd, UK.

Please note that the juice reviewed in this article is part of the rebranded Grove Fresh, now Grove Organic Fruit Company.

Nonetheless the only difference that I've noticed is the percentage of the mix (the one on the website has 91.5% apple juice and 8.5% mango puree.

A case study about this company founded in 1994 by John Taylor, can be read here.

Gerblé Omega 3 Orange and Chocolate

2010-02-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

I'm not the kind of person who buys food supplements, but a couple of years ago I saw this box that grabbed my attention because of its layout.

It featured a cereal bar with bits of orange and partially covered with chocolate.

Now, I guess that most of us thinks that chocolate and orange is a great combination, moreover with the benefit of cereals, what could I do besides giving it a try.

Part of the Gerblé's range "Objectif Santé", the orange and chocolate omega 3 cereal bar (barre omega 3 orange chocolat) includes in its relevant ingredients: B9 and E vitamins, wheat flakes, puffed wheat and rice, bits of confit orange and lemon peal, dark chocolate and a soy phospholipids complex that Gerblé has registered with the name Cérocholine.

But how tasty is it ?

Well, for me it was love at first sight.

The combination of orange and dark chocolate really works and the consistency of the cereals is good too.

In my opinion, the ingredients are used in a adequate quantity, resulting in a well balanced and really pleasant result.

Like I said, I'm not the kind of person that buys food supplements and I don't really care if these bars perform as they are intended to, but as long as they don't hurt me, I'll buy them once in a while.

As for their price, I must say that I find them a bit expensive (at least here in Portugal and taking into account our wages), but I don't know about that elsewhere.

So, my final conclusion is: positive.

Wild Strawberries Yogurt by Swiss Delice

2010-02-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

I know the Swiss Delice brand for some time now and although not one of the most accessible ones in the genre, once in a while I buy their products.

Made in switzerland and without (at least it's not mentioned) those E aditives, I believe that it's a healthy option.

But lets talk about the Wild Strawberries flavour from their "Excellence" line.

The eventual difference between the strawberries that one buys at the supermarket or at the local grocery and the wild ones got me curious and I thought that it might be something that the readers of this blog would like to know about.

I have to say that from the strawberries preparation of 19%, only 6.5% are wild strawberries, while 5.5% are the other ones. It has a 75% of cream yogurt.

If you add 75% plus 19% it doesn't sum 100%, but don't ask me what's missing.

Now it's time to write if I liked it or not.

The answer cannot be positive, since I found the taste a bit artificial, although the ingredients are natural. It has a kind of a chewing gum taste that I didn't like.

Maybe wild strawberries are just like that.

Of course that I'm not going to advise you on buying this flavour or not, since it's the first time that I've tasted it and cannot compare with others.

In the future I'll review other products and flavours from Swiss Delice since it continues to deserve my trust and I like other products that they have.

If you have tried this flavour, let us know your opinion.

Cuétara Krit Canapé Mediterráneo (Black Olive)

2010-01-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

About a week ago I went to the supermarket and saw these biscuits that caught my attention.

Made by Cuétara, the Krit Canapé Mediterráneo contains black olives and olive oil.

Soon after having the first one, I realized that it wouldn't live up to my expectations.

The taste to black olives is practically imperceptible and I also found it to be excessively sweet (especially for a thin cracker that supposedly is an appetizer) and greasy.

If you decide to try these or already have, please share your opinion with us.

Gullón Mega Duo Chocolate Biscuits

2010-01-16T15:52:00.000-08:00

Most of people like biscuits and most of people also like chocolate, thus biscuits and chocolate is bound to be a winning combination.

Of course that many of us have had some less satisfying experiences, but let me reassure you that this is not the case.

Produced by Galletas Gullón, S.A. in Palencia (Spain), these sandwich biscuits filled with chocolate are a really good option.

I haven't bought them, so I don't know the price, but I know Gullón for many years and their products carry a price tag that usually shows a good relation between price and quality.

But lets talk about what really matters.

I will not say that these biscuits are at the same level as the top brands, but then again you'd have to pay three or four times their price, or even more, but I can tell you that they are enjoyably crunchy and have a decent quantity of chocolate that really tastes like chocolate.

Therefore I will give these chocolate biscuits a positive note.

Jardin Bio Hybiscus Lemon Tea

2009-12-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

After trying the infusion of red vine (vitis vinifera) with natural aroma of red fruits, from biological agriculture, I've decided to try the hybiscus lemon tea from Jardin Bio (part of the Léa Nature group).

This green tea from bio agriculture contains hybiscus flower, lemon peel and lemon natural aroma and is picked at the Venture plantation, situated 1000 meters height in the region of Dimbula, Sri Lanka.

With a light pinkish colour, it's a tea with a light body and suitable to drink on its on, or with a quick snack.

The lemon notes are pleasant and although I haven't gone into a garden before to eat hybiscus flowers, I will give this tea a positive note.

Carrying the Max Havelaar logo, this tea is part of the line of Jardin Bio Équitable, respecting the environment and contributing to fairtrade commerce and solidarity.

In the case of the Ventura plantation, exists a model of social development that includes kindergartens, professional improvement and house construction.

Cadbury Crunchie Chocolate Bar

2009-12-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

Originally launched in 1929 by J. S. Fry & Sons (merged with Cadbury in 1919) the Cadbury Crunchie is a milk chocolate bar with a honeycombed centre.

Reminding of a honeycomb with very tiny holes, the centre feels hard and shattering when bit, featuring an attractive golden tone and its taste is of a subtle mix of honey and burnt sugar, with a slightly salty note.

Available in several sizes, being the most common the 40g single-serve bar, Cadbury Crunchie has known some limited editions.

The fact of resisting all these years is a good reason to give it a try.

Image from Candy Blog

Wishing a Delicious Christmas

2009-12-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

I wish you all a delicious Merry Christmas in the company of family and friends.
Calories are our friends :-)

Whitman's Chocolates 1.75 oz Sampler

2009-12-21T16:20:00.000-08:00

Only recently I tried the Whitman's chocolates and my reaction was quite positive.

I was given a 1.75 oz sampler box with four chocolates.

Although I cannot speak about the other boxes with more pieces, I would suppose that quality will be on the same level.

I'm not going to say that these chocolates are the best that I ever had, but in terms of price/quality they stand quite high.

Of course that to know if you agree with me or not, you'll have to go and buy them.

Now part of Russel Stover, Whitman's was established in 1842 by Stephen F. Whitman at the age of 19, in Philadelphia.

Bontà Divina Tiramisù

2009-11-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

There was only once that I had a tiramisù in a restaurant here in Portugal that I liked (they tend to skip the marsala wine), however since I've never been to Italy, I cannot compare.

I suppose that the top restaurants, namely those in hotels, must do it well, but I don't frequent them.

Some years ago I found the Bontà Divina brand in the supermarket and when I saw the tiramisù, I had to give it a try.

I must say that I'm always suspicious about buying desserts that are not home-made, but after reading the ingredients that include mascarpone cheese from Alto Adige, sicilian DOC marsala wine and coffeee, I thought that it could be a good option.

Like I said before, I've never been to Italy to try the original, but I can tell you my option resulted quite positive.

The product is well presented and its degustation is pleasing, with a special touch given by the marsala wine.

Lizi's Treacle and Pecan Granola

2009-11-16T16:02:00.000-08:00

I know that cereals are good for breakfast and that they are a healthy and lasting source of energy, however I get tired after a couple of days eating them.

There are not rare the times that I eat them before going to bed, instead of having them in the morning.

Anyway, I'm not the kind of person who goes to buy something just because it showed in the media, however a packing with a good image will call my attention. That's what happened with Lizi's Treacle and Pecan Granola, from GoodCarb Food Company.

I can't remember if at that time I had the intention to buy breakfast (or not) cereals, but since the packing had such a nice look and the word "granola" was on it (I had read good things about it on a blog), I picked it up, read the ingredients, that include pecan, which is something that I like and it's rare to find in products here in Portugal, and decided to buy it.

With roasted pecans that contain selenium, zinc, vitamin E and anti-oxidants, this granola is complemented with black treacle, resulting in a "golden toffee flavour".

Included are also sunflower and pumpkin seeds (know for their benefits in prostrate problems prevention).

The taste is pleasant, not as sweet as those breakfast cereals for children, nor dull like other ones and after adding the milk, they keep crunchy.

If you like cereals, you should give it a try.

Milka ChocoWafer

2009-11-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

Milka, a Kraftfoods company, has recently introduced a round shaped wafer sandwich with cocoa filling and covered with milk chocolate.

The wafer is of good quality, which is noticeable when crunched.

As for the chocolate, it features the Milka's quality and is used in a suitable quantity.

If you don't have a sweet tooth, but still like these kind of wafers, there is also a white chocolate version that has a more subtle taste.

At the time of this article being published, Milka doesn't seem to provide an easy to find information on their websites about this product.

Rio Mints Honey Melon Flavour

2009-11-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

The brand Rio Mints has recently launched two new flavours that took their main debut in the australian market and are now available in other countries, yesterday I had the opportunity to taste them here in Portugal.

Pink Grape Fruit and Honey Melon are the new fruit flavour options in a line of sugar free mints that come inside these really neat tin boxes with a practical mechanism.

Not being a fan of these kind of products and not wanting to make judgements about their use in terms of diet/health issues, I found the Honey Melon flavour to have a good taste and a pleasant cool sensation.

If you are into these kind of products, it's quite possible that your opinion may be positive.

Rio Mints is a brand from Sweet Life AG, Switzerland.

Win a Christmas Gourmet Box

2009-10-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

My Gourmet Guide, the food and drinks review blog, wants to thank its readers for their support and this Christmas is going to offer to one of them, a box with some of the goods that were reviewed.To win this gourmet box you only have to acomplish two simple tasks :

a) Be a follower of this blog

b) Write an article on your blog (with a link to this post) mentioning this promotion and make a comment here with a link to your post.

The post doesn't need to be about this promotion, you can just mention it together with other subjects, just don't forget the link.

The deadline to participate ends on November 30th, 2009.

Everyone can enter and the shipping expenses are fully supported by My Gourmet Guide.

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Fox's Chunkie Fruit & Nut Extremely Chocolatey

2009-10-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

The Fox's brand of biscuit exists since 1853 and is part of Northern Foods plc since 1977.

Based in UK, they have three factories, one of them located at Batley in West Yorshire, which is also the head office.

Today I bought the Fox's Chunkie Fruit & Nut Extremely Chocolatey cookies and will tell you that they deserve a positive review.

In the market there are many brands that offer chocolate chip cookies and biscuits, some of them are quite good and others have a long way to go.

Fox's cookies have a good balance between the dark chocolate chips, hazelnuts and raisins, resulting in pleasant taste. They don't have that strong chocolate taste found in some good brands of chocolate chip cookies, but if you are not looking for that and want to try something different, this can be a safe bet.

image found at womanandhome

Jacques Callebaut - Panaché

2009-09-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Using a knight as its visual key, the belgian Jacques Chocolaterie was founded by Antoine Jacques in 1896.

Later in 1982, Stollwerck acquired Jacques Chocolaterie and in 2002 Stollwerck was acquired by Barry Callebaut.

Finally in 2005 the brands Callebaut and Jacques were merged, originating the Jacques Callebaut brand.

Yes, it does seem complicated, but lets talk about what really matters: chocolate.

Now, the first thing that got my attention was the box showing chocolate bars with raisins and some orange peal by the side, it seemed a good combination.

I picked up the chocolate box, turned it around, read the ingredients and that it was made in Belgium, which for me is a plus, of course.

The orange flavoured chocolate covering the bars is good and the rumflavoured filling with its raisins is of a very pleasant consistency and a really well achieved taste.

Maybe a bit too sweet for some, I found this Panaché version to be a really good surprise.

Emmi Swiss Yogurt (Mango Flavour)

2009-07-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I didn't like yogurts that much because they were quite sour and I guess that many kids didn't either.

Then manufacturers started adding more sugar (too much in my opinion) and other "strange Exxx things". Now kids like them better and yogurts have a more prolonged shelf life.

Nevertheless I suppose that we lost in terms of quality.

I've always preferred yogurt in jars, namely because it gives a healthier impression (ok, it's psychological) and well, because usually they're really better.

This Emmi brand seems to have some care with its products and I could confirm it with this yogurt.

The Emmi Swiss Yogurt is available in several flavours, depending upon the country where is sold, like for insteance UK and Germany.

I usually buy yogurts with bits of fruit, but this time I've decided differently and picked the mango flavour one.

With a creamy aspect and a very pleasant taste, this yogurt was a pleasant surprise.

If you like yogurt and haven't tried this one, give it a try and then tell me.

Andros Pressed Pineapple Juice

2009-06-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

With all these soft drinks available for the consumer to choose from and marketing campaigns supported by relatively high budgets, the niche of natural juices may have some difficulties to achieve a noticeable position.

Nevertheless in the later years there has been a more conscious approach of the consumer and natural products have conquered some territory.

Of course that I also buy soft drinks, but I do prefer the natural juices.

When looking at the price tag, usually the consumer's first reaction is : this is much more expensive than a soft drink. However if one thinks that when buying a soft drink you are buying something like 10 to 20 per cent of concentrated juice and the rest is water and chemicals, considering the health benefits of drinking a natural juice, which one is more expensive ?Although I don't buy their juices that often, namely because I know a more affordable brand here in Portugal, yesterday I've decided to try the Andros Pressed Pineapple Juice ( Andros Jus d'Ananas Pressés).

This is an almost 100% natural pasteurized juice (I say almost because it contains pectin and gellan gum) made from pressed pineapples.

You can expect a very pleasant taste, almost identical as if you had pressed the pineapples yourself.

Magnum Mini (Double Chocolate & Double Caramel)

2009-06-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend I bought a six units pack of Magnum Mini with double chocolate and double caramel.

Both flavours feature an exterior coat of chocolate and a thinner one separated by a layer of the mentioned flavour.

As the name implies, chocolate is the core element of the double chocolate version, while the caramel one has a vanilla inside (it's white so I suppose it's vanilla).

With a creamy interior, one of the main characteristics of the Magnum line of ice creams is the quality of its chocolate, confirmed by Magnum Mini.

TUC Crackers - Bacon Flavour

2009-06-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last bought these biscuits from LU.

Thin crackers with a bacon flavour inside layer and the correct salty taste, these biscuits are a pleasant surprise for those who never tasted them.

After trying the first one, it's difficult to stop.

LU PiM's - Orange Flavour

2009-06-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

We all know that the combination of chocolate and orange is one of the most appreciated ones.
Knowing this fact, LU (a Kraft Foods subsidiary) has come up a few years ago with a line of soft biscuits covered with a top layer of dark chocolate and a tangy orange fillng.
I've known these for years and I can tell you that they are one of my favourite choices in terms of cookies, or biscuits if you prefer to call.
The most worth mentioning fact is the well achieved balanced between all the ingredients, making of Lu PiM's a pleasant degustation experience.
Soon I will review the raspberry flavour, which I bought yesterday.

Toblerone Fruit & Nut

2009-06-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Known for its smoothness and the bits of almond nougat with honey, the Toblerone chocolates are appreciated worldwide.

I've known the classic version for years, but today I tasted the Fruit & Nut one for the first time.

The consistency of the chocolate seemed almost imperceptibly smoother than the classic one (maybe it was because of the temperature) and the raisins add a nice touch.

Although not revolutionary, I found the composition well achieved, making the degustation of this chocolate a pleasant moment and a secure bet for Krat Foods Switzerland.

Virtual Cuisine

2009-05-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Jordans Organic Muesli

2009-05-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Made with wholegrain organic cereals, meaning high fibre, Jordans Organic Muesli has no added sugar or salt.

In its ingredients one can find wheat flakes, hazelnuts, vine fruit and coconut.

Although I'm not a fan of breakfast cereals, I eat them once in a while, namely because it's healthy.

These get my approval for their natural taste and pleasant texture.

According to the brand, these are suitable for vegetarians.

I believe that the images are of the same product, depending upon the country.

McVitie's Fruit & Form

2009-05-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday I went to the supermarket and saw these packs of McVitie's Fruit & Form.

Usually I don't buy these kind of products, namely because I don't need to diet.

Nonetheless I like to eat healthy food and so I've decided to give them a try.

Since I'm thin, calories and sugar are not a problem, so what I really appreciate is flavour.

This recent line from United Biscuits may even be good in terms of nutritive quality, but the taste ( I tried the Forest Fruits ) was somewhat disappointing, since I found it weak in terms of intensity.

The crunchy characteristic of the cereal bars ( or cereal biscuits, if you prefer) is a pleasant one though.

Anna's Thins and Biscuits

2009-05-06T12:55:00.001-07:00

I picked the box from the shelf, observed the cookies, read the ingredients and the info about the company.

I liked what I read and bought a flavour which I can't remember now.

After eating a couple of Anna's Thins, I've come to the conclusion that it was somewhat difficult to stop and that I would have to try the other flavours.

The cookies have a natural flavour and are very pleasant to byte.

Gingerbread is quite probably my favourite, but there are others such as lemon, orange and cappuccino.

Anna's was founded in Stockolm ( Sweden) by the sisters Emma and Anna Karlsson in 1929.

Molenaartje Syrup Waffles

2009-04-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Having tried a couple of brands, some of them dutch, I was positively surprised by these ones.

Usually I don't go to the bio section of the supermarket, but when passing through it, this package draw my attention, namely because I like these kind of waffles.

Well, since they are based on natural ingredients, contain whole wheat, malt syrup and honey, I've decided to give them a try.

Ok, I confess.... I openned the package and ate half of it on my way home.

If you still haven't tried the organic Molenaartje Syrup Waffles, give them a try, you may like them.

Russell Stover - Fine Chocolates

2009-04-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

I don't know if they are sold here in Portugal, but fortunately I have eaten them a couple of times.

Russell Stover chocolates "talk" to me about sincerity. That's how I feel about them.

If you haven't tasted yet, you should give them a try.

Their name may not be among the top "chocolatiers" in the world, but it's one of those brands featuring a line of chocolates that will please almost anyone. And the price is right.

Russel Stover began as a home-based candy business in 1923, started by Russell and Clara Stover.

Deloba by Bahlsen

2009-03-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

With a good price (at least here in Portugal), these Deloba biscuits from Bahlsen feature a puff pastry with a sublime currant center.
It's a simple buiscuit, but addictive and one cannot eat just one, or should I say just five or six ?

Cadbury Drinking Chocolate

2009-03-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

I know that there are these exquisite brands of cocoa and chocolate for making drinking chocolate.

But for someone who likes to drink some hot chocolate regularly, it's not that convenient to pay a high price.

From the few that I know and tried, Cadbury Drinking Chocolate is my favourite, namely because it doesn't have that "sugary" and lack of cocoa feeling that some brands have.

There's one annoying thing though that I have to mention: the tab that is used to pull the foil top, comes off too many times.

I hope that they do something about it.

St. Dalfour - Fruit Conserves

2009-03-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

I will say that I'm not an expert about fruit conserves, but I've had my share and tried some known brands, including those that are home-made.

From those, the St. Dalfour fruit conserves are my favourites due to their faithfulness to the flavour of the fruit and the quantity of it.

It's difficult to pick a favourite flavour, but I quite like the "Black Cherries" and the "Golden Peaches".

It Starts Here

2009-03-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

This first post establishes the directives for this blog and gives an insight about what to expect.
In a world with millions of blogs, it will be a challenge to raise from the crowd.
My Gourmet Guide will help you to chose food and drink related goods through the publication of reviews by its author.
On a regular basis I will buy goods and will post my honest review about them.
As this blog's motto states : "I try before you buy".