Product Review: "Hunger Games" Chocolate Bars by Vosges

"Hunger Games" Chocolate Bar Box

When I read that chocolatier Vosges Haut-Chocolat and its sister company Wild Ophelia were releasing a series of chocolates to complement the movie, "Hunger Games: Catching Fire," inspired and named after districts and characters from the story, I was instantly intrigued.  And when I came across the District chocolate bars at my local grocery store, I knew immediately I had to buy one of each and told myself it was necessary for research and review.  :>)  Secretly, the curiosity and novelty of chocolate with a story was impossible to resist.  Ironically though, the varieties that I was most fascinated with--that sounded the most exotic--actually were not as satisfying and elegant in their flavor profiles as those that deceptively appeared at first glance to be too simple to be interesting.  While there are a dozen varieties in total, my store only had six and this review reflects only those varieties.

Let's start with my favorites.  The bar dedicated to District 12, the Mining district, is called Mined Salt and Milk Chocolate. Despite its simplistic title, this bar's mild sweetness and creamy texture are punctuated with little surprising and random spikes of salt granules.  Because the salty crescendos are random and unpredictable, the experience is of a complex flavor and textural profile, like an exhilarating adventure in chocolate.  District 6's variety, Crunch Runner Peanuts in Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate (aptly named for the Transportation District), has the creamy-salty flavor and texture of a peanut butter cup accented with crunchy peanut crumbles.  It has the comforting flavor of a familiar childhood favorite elevated by the texture of crunchy nut pieces which are neither whole nor crumbs, just the right size to provide a very satisfying few bites as the creamy chocolate melts away.

"Hunger Games" District Chocolate Bars by Wild Ophelia (Vosges)

For the Power District (District 5), Wild Ophelia created a Crispy Crunchy Caramel Corn and Dark Chocolate which unfortunately sounds a lot more fun than it actually is.  Far from a carnival in my mouth, the bitterness of the dark chocolate is almost overwhelming and the texture is a combination of crispy rice ending with a crunch that sticks to your teeth like the remainders of peanut brittle.  While the first two bars felt like a flight of fancy, this one kind of fell flat for me.  Technology District's (Distrct 3) Arabica Coffee and Crystal Salt with Dark Chocolate also missed the mark despite its alluring aroma of freshly ground coffee beans that permeated the air as soon as I opened the foil packaging.  Perhaps true coffee afficionados will appreciate the bitter taste and acidity of strong coffee in the chocolate, but the densely granulated texture creates an experience of swallowing a spoonful of coffee grinds mixed with sea salt.  Not a pleasant bite.

"Hunger Games" Truffle Collection by Vosges

There were two bars which I was most eager to try but which, I am sorry to report, were extremely unpleasant and which I can not recommend.  The Smoked Chipotle Chili and Milk Chocolate bar, inspired by  the Lumber District (District 7), while very promising with its creamy texture and hazelnut overtones, ends with a spicy aftertaste that burns the back of your mouth and throat and makes you feels like you're experiencing the acid reflux of heartburn before you've even swallowed the bite.  The final variety, Beef Jerky and Smoked Mesquite and Milk Chocolate bar created for the Livestock District (District 10), exudes its smoky aroma right out of the foil and has a matching savory aftertaste to match.  The chocolate is creamy but has pieces of stringy jerky mixed in it which you're left chewing long after the creaminess has melted away.  It gave me the distasteful experience of finding eggshells or fish bones in my food, something that wasn't meant to be there or to be consumed.

"Hunger Games" Katniss Chocolate Bar

The bars which I have not yet had the opportunity to try are:  Agriculture (District 10): Harvest Cherry and Dark Chocolate;  Grain (District 9): Milled Oats and Vanilla Hemp Seeds in Dark Chocolate; Textiles (District 8): Caramelized Crispy Rice and Dark Chocolate; DISTRICT 4 - Fishing (District 4): Sea Salt and Coconut in Dark Chocolate; Masonry (District 2): Caramel and Pecan in Milk Chocolate; and Luxury (District 1): Rare Harvest Cashews and Milk Chocolate.  Vosges has also created a truffle collection and a series of exotic chocolate bars which are named after the characters of Katniss, Effie and President Snow.

Normally, I would say that individual tastes differ so, despite my experience, others may enjoy chocolates that I didn't.  However, the $4.99 per bar price tag (Southern California prices) might make some chocolate lovers conservative about which bars they choose to try.  See my star ratings below:

5 STARS (out of 5):

• Mining: Mined Salt and Milk Chocolate

4 STARS (out of 5):  

• Transportation: Crunch Runner Peanuts in Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate

2 STARS (out of 5):  

• Technology: Arabica Coffee and Crystal Salt with Dark Chocolate
• Power: Crispy Crunchy Caramel Corn and Dark Chocolate

1 STAR (out of 5): 

• Lumber:  Smoked Chipotle Chili and Milk Chocolate
• Livestock: Beef Jerky and Smoked Mesquite and Milk Chocolate