From time to time we get customer’s calling in about their bloomed chocolate. What’s bloomed chocolate you may ask?  Blooming is the change in the color and texture of chocolate due to improper storage.  When chocolate is exposed to high fluctuations in temperature and or humidity, it can take on a white discolored appearance and its texture can become grainy and feel oily on the surface.

While the chocolate is still perfectly safe to eat, many people can tell a difference in the taste profile of the chocolate as well.

In order to prevent blooming from occurring always store your chocolate at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry.  DO NOT put your chocolate in the freezer or refrigerator and during summer months make sure that you don’t leave chocolate in a hot car or in direct sunlight (this can also cause melting).

 If you find that your chocolate was all ready bloomed when you purchase it from a store, be sure to return it so that they can make sure that the chocolate is being stored properly.

 So remember even though your bloomed chocolate is safe to eat, with a little careful storage you can make sure that it will remain in the same pristine condition it was when it left our factory.

So you forgot your best friend’s birthday and know she swoons everytime she bite’s into a grizzly bar. You want to give her the perfect chocolate gift to make up for your absentmindness. Well lucky you, the ESC Store is now open for business! Located at our 73rd Street location, the store carries all ESC chocolate lines as well as ESC apparel, gift ideas and seasonal items.

Just stop by the store between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and not only can you pick-up a few bars for her indulgence but you can also pick-out a gift basket and t-shirt so she will have a very memorable birthday.

Now all you have to do is remember her birthday next year so you can get a headstart on all your chocolate shopping.

Summer and fall are my favorite times of year because I get to roll-out my sleeping bag and head to my favorite campsite. After a day of hiking or sightseeing, I always look forward to curling up next to the campfire and making smores.

I’ve never really put a lot of thought into the chocolate I’ve used until my most recent trip. I took a bag of Endangered Species milk and dark chocolate treats with me and realized that they are the perfect chocolate for smores. Not only does each treat fit perfectly in between the graham crackers but they both are delicious. The milk chocolate has a very engaging delicate taste and the dark chocolate is smooth and helps balance out the richness of the marshmallow.

Once winter comes, I always get a little sad because it gets too cold to camp but that doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy my smores year round, as I can just pop one in the microwave anytime I want!

Mmmmm its Sensory Day!

Being an employee of Endangered Species Chocolate always has its perks but one of my favorites is sensory testing day. Every Thursday I get to test the chocolate that our quality department has put out for us to sample. We inspect for color, inclusions and then taste for overall yummyness.

It’s always exciting to find out what chocolate is going to be put out for my day. A few weeks ago I got lucky and Sandhill Crane was sitting out. I quickly grabbed my sensory sheet and started letting the chocolate squares melt in my mouth while I savored each bite.

By the time I had tasted each sample and filled out my sheet, I was still craving the smooth creamy texture and crunchy almond flavor that I love so much. But I remembered that I hadn’t been in the gym that week and bathing suit season is just around the corner, so I put down the chocolate and walked away.

But then again, there is always next week!

Three minutes after my alarm went off this morning, our friends at the International Space Station woke up to a song called “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens.” That was at 6:43 a.m. EDT. In 20 minutes, the mission’s third spacewalk will occur. Starting at 11:43 a.m., the spacewalk will last 6.5 hours. That sounds exhausting! Maybe they’ll need some chocolate when they’re done…

According to nasa.gov, the shuttle is still scheduled to land on March 28. I talked with another source last week that said they may come home a day early. I’ll be doing my best to keep updated! I plan to visit Houston to meet the astronauts, either at the homecoming celebration after they land or at the mission debriefing in late April.

Back here on Earth, we’re producing our Dark Chocolate with Deep Forest Mint rainforest bar. I love mint day because the office smells minty. Visitors say our office always smells like chocolate, but I don’t smell it anymore. Except on mint day. Mmmmm…

My friend at www.CollectSpace.com just shared an amazing story. A small, stubborn bat was discovered clinging to the external tank during countdown on March 15. The tiny guy refused to budge, hanging on “until at least the vehicle cleared to tower.” In The Legend of the Bat-ronaut we learned that it was a free tail bat with an injured wing. We’re sad that he likely didn’t make it, but the images truly show his determination and courage.

Maybe next time they should take Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs “bat” chocolate in honor of the Bat-ronaut.

Shuttle Discovery is right on schedule to dock at the International Space Station at 5:12 EDT (I didn’t realize that space is on Eastern time). Nasa.gov has a great photo of two astronauts posing for a photo while working the controls on the flight deck. Both are wearing ball caps and big grins (is that a dark chocolate bar I see on the dash?).

Meanwhile, back on Earth, we’re enjoying unseasonally warm weather on this green St. Patty’s Day. I spoke to a group at the Customs and Border Control office in Indianapolis this morning. We talked about incorporating green into daily life – a great St. Patrick’s Day topic. Do astronauts have to go through customs when the return to Earth? Sorry, I can’t help but relate everything to space…

This just in:

Space shuttle Discovery is about 600 feet underneath the International Space Station and is starting to perform a back flip. This nine-minute Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver will expose Discovery’s heat shield to the space station, enabling Expedition 18 crew members Mike Fincke and Sandra Magnus to snap high-resolution digital photos that will be analyzed by imagery experts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Once the back flip is complete, Discovery will move from underneath to in front of the station and slowly close the gap. Docking is expected at 5:12:46 p.m. EDT.

The shuttle, crew and chocolate have been up for 1 Day 21 Hours 01 Minutes and 18 Seconds!

NASA successfully launched shuttle Discovery flight STS-119 to the International Space Station on March 15 at 7:43 p.m. After many delays, the launch occurred during a beautiful Florida sunset and is said to be the “the most visually beautiful launch…ever seen” (www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/ ). The STS-119 crew members are flying the S6 truss segment and installing the final set of power-generating solar arrays to the International Space Station. The S6 truss will complete the backbone of the station and provide one-fourth of the total power needed to support a crew of six.

Indianapolis’ WISHTV8 came out to the chocolate factory on Friday to do a story about our dark chocolate making the trek to space – http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/region_1/Indy_chocolate_to_make_space_trip_20090313. We had tons of fun with news anchor, Eric Halverson, and camerman, Gary.

It sounds like all is going well on shuttle Discovery. After the smooth countdown and launch, the crew sees no debris of concern and is looking forward to docking at the International Space Station at 5:13 p.m. on Tuesday. They awoke at 10:13 a.m. for what is called Flight Day 2. Keep up with the latest news of the STS-119 crew at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/.

Godspeed STS-119!

NASA is fixing a leak on Discovery that will hopefully prepare the shuttle to launch at 7:43:44 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. If the repairs are successful, this will be one small step for man and one giant leap for Endangered Species Chocolate.

STS-119 must arrive at the International Space Station, carry out its mission and depart the dock by March 25 in order to not interfere with an upcoming Russian mission. The astronauts will have to eliminate one of their spacewalks to complete the docked mission on time. Discovery must be off the ground by St. Patty’s Day or the launch will have to be delayed until early April.  �

We were so excited that Shuttle Discovery, along with eight Endangered Species Chocolate Supreme Dark Chocolate bars, was finally scheduled to launch this evening, until we learned that there is another delay.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has postponed the launch of space shuttle Discovery because of a gas leak. The leak of gaseous hydrogen occurred as the launch team was filling the external fuel tank for liftoff Wednesday night. The seven astronauts had yet to board the spaceship.

Discovery’s flight to the international space station is already a month late because of concern about hydrogen gas valves in the engine compartment.

NASA officials say the leak occurred in plumbing outside of the shuttle and had nothing to do with those valves.

Shuttle officials are now shooting for a launch on Thursday night.

Can you imagine being an astronaut, all suited up, ready to go, then finding out there’s a change in plans? Suddenly you have to figure out what to have for dinner tonight. Maybe they’re slightly relieved because it means they get to catch another round of American Idol. 

Of course, the most important thing is that the shuttle is completely prepared for a safe flight to and from the International Space Station, so any delay is fine by me (not that NASA called to ask). I’ll be watching the progress as they continue to prepare the shuttle. More later!