Theo’s Big Daddy – Peanut Butter
When I heard at the Chocolate Show that Theo was releasing a line of snacky confections, I was excited.
I find their 3400 Phinney line of flavored bars more interesting than their handful of single origins, and judging by this move into confectionery, I’m not the only one. Theo has demonstrated a knack for combining flavors and textures in innovative, tasty ways, and the Peanut Butter Big Daddy continues this trend.
One of two Big Daddys to hit the shelves, this one has a base of graham cracker, then caramel, and a thick layer of milk chocolate and peanut butter. The whole thing is enrobed in chocolate (two dark and one milk in the pkg). The contrast in textures is very nice, though the graham cracker tends to crumble into bits. The caramel isn’t especially flavorful but the texture is great, a far cry from the brown corn syrup prevalent in mass-market candy bars. The chocolate/peanut butter “praline” is wonderfully smooth, and the real star of the show. Overall the Big Daddy is approachable, harmonious, and delicious.
But it’s dying for a touch of sea salt. If you ate one of these guys without looking at the box, you might not know there was peanut butter in it. A little sea salt would draw out the savory peanut flavor perfectly. Moreover, caramel and graham cracker are both star candidates for a dash of salt. The Big Daddy is pretty awesome, but without salt if lacks a unifying element to tie it together and make it last on the palate.
The Peanut Butter Big Daddy is a Whole Foods exclusive, but since you probably live near a Whole Foods, it’s not too exclusive. At around ten dollars, though, they may not fly off the shelves. The Big Daddy’s closest relative, Lake Champlain’s Five Star Bars, weigh in at just over one third the size and price. A $3.50 price tag can be an impulse purchase, but a three pack of Big Daddys is in a price-point limbo. Should you find yourself with ten bucks to spend on new chocolate, you won’t be disappointed.
Tags: bean to bar, confection, peanut butter