Newman's Own Organic Hermits- Cinnamon

I thought I knew all the major types of hermits...

After all there are reclusive hermits like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Religious hermits such as monks and musical hermits like Herman's Hermits. I didn't know that there was such a thing as cookie hermits- or hermit cookies if you prefer- and dare I say I think I'm into something good! (a hermit for you if you got the reference)

The Newman's hermits are little square pillows of soft cookie bliss!
The hermit has a spicy molasses base to it- and I love molasses cookies (sadly, I think I am one of 5 people under 90 who feel that way). The cookies are studded with plump and juicy raisins and the whole thing is sprinkled with cinnamon and big sugar crystals. They are chewy and soft and just a little sticky- all the things I love about a good molasses cookie.

Did I mention that the vast bulk of the ingredients are certified organic?
Anyone who thinks that organic cookies can't taste good really needs to get a pack of these cookies because they WILL be converts after one bite. OUTSTANDING!

PURCHASED FROM:
Sample From Company

Trader Joe's Espresso Chocolates

TJ's has redeemed themselves with this one!
This is one of those candies I am a bit late to on the review. Both Jim from Jim's Chocolate Mission (read his review HERE) and Cybele from Candy Blog (read her review HERE) I had been eyeing the candy on the TJ's shelf for a while now but for various reasons just never got around to buying. My last trip I had made a point of looking for them. I wanted a coffee/chocolate combo and I wanted something different then chocolate covered espresso beans (not that they aren't pretty spiffy themselves)
Would it be embarrassing to admit that I barely waited until I was at my car to open the box and have one?

Just like on the front of the box the candies themselves look like little logs- they even have the faux wood graining on the top. The first one that I ate I had whole allowing it to completely melt in my mouth. The dark chocolate of the outer shell is just this side of of semi-sweet, and works really well to contrast the bitter espresso. The espresso filling really is a completely liquid center and when the chocolate shell breaks down oozes out and is cool on the tongue. The espresso center it's self is not the strongest coffee flavor out there. But it does have a nice bitter edge to it and I give TJ's points for doing it "black" instead of the way most coffee fillings seems to go on the overly sweet and creamy side.

This is one of my favorite coffee chocolates yet!

PURCHASED FROM:
Trader Joe's