Mary's Fancy Chocolates - Japan

In a land dominated by big brand candy corporations what a pleasure it was to come across a collection of outstanding chocolates from Mary's Chocolatier in Japan. We tasted Mary's Fancy Chocolate collection which was given to us by a friend who just returned from a vacation in Japan. This is a collection of 13 delicious chocolates, each with its own unique look and flavors.

All are delicious. My personal favorites are the following:

• Apple - square shaped coated with dark chocolate and milk chocolate stripes. The apple is a gelatin candy consistency and is chewy and packed with flavor. This is my first apple chocolate but won't be the last.
• Soft Milk Cup - swirl shaped cup of milk chocolate. Very creamy and satisfying but won't push your belly over the beltline.
• Plain Bitter - looks almost like two pyramids side by side. Dark chocolate that is consistent and smooth. Melts very nicely.

The packaging is simple and elegant, although a la Japanese consumer marketing. Note the phrase at the bottom of the box: "Mary's products have gained a favorable reputation among consumers for their carefully selected ingredients blended into a flavorous taste." We certainly agree that the flavors of these chocolates are "flavorous".

Mary's also sells a variety of other sweets including, cookies, cakes, ganache, candied chestnuts and more. Their website is in Japanese and while they sell product via a Yahoo store you'll need a translator with you if you don't speak the language and it appears they are focused on domestic sales anyway. Can't find an English version (without going to the Google webpage translator). Given the travel bent of this blog however, we recommend you buy these chocolates while actually in Japan... They have stores in Osaka, Sapporo and Nagoya. Hai, doozo tabete kudasai!