Xpress, the Coolest Section of the St. Petersburg Times, is the home for features, news and views of interest to young readers. Most of the work in Xpress, which appears on Mondays in Floridian, is produced by the Times' X-Team. The team of journalists ages 9-17 from around the Tampa Bay area is selected every year at the end of the school year to serve during the following school term. The current team of 12 was chosen out of 150 applicants. Watch for X-Team application forms in Xpress during the month of May.
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A chocolate sampler
By SHARON GINN, Times Staff Writer
Published February 7, 2005
Xpress trolled a discount-store candy aisle and one high-end confectioner to see what's on the menu for Valentine's Day. We taste-tested a half-dozen offerings, ignoring anything that claimed to be low carb or sugar free or had any NASCAR driver's name on it. And if you're looking for a last-minute gift idea, you probably can't beat chocolate.
Godiva nine-piece assortment (4 ounces, $13): It's pricey, but for packaging and elegance, it's hard to beat Godiva. The company offers more expensive Valentine's packages - you can even customize one if you visit a Godiva store - but this little gold box, tied with a red bow, holds a yummy sampling of beautiful chocolates. This would be a good one for that special someone, your favorite teacher or your mom.
Ferrero Rocher Fine Hazelnut Chocolates (3.5 ounces, $5.99): A clear, acrylic heart-shaped box holds eight gold-wrapped chocolates. These addictive candies are the right mix of chocolate and crunch on the outside, with creamy chocolate and a whole roasted hazelnut inside. A winner.
Hershey's Pot of Gold Premium Assortment (6 ounces, $6.95): The coconut crunch and cherry-filled pieces are good, but most of the candies are disappointing. They are much too sweet, and all that sugar does nothing to bring out the chocolate flavor.
Whitman's Sampler (3.75 ounces, $2.99): By far the best value. Every piece in this little red box is tasty, with nice texture and a delicious chocolate fragrance. The fillings are just right - not too sweet - a rarity for a less-expensive brand.
Russell Stover Assorted Chocolates (4 ounces, $2.99): Some of these just taste funny, although the coconut-, cream- and caramel-filled pieces help make up for the weird ones. But there are better choices, even for the budget-minded.
Russell Stover Just For Him Assorted Chocolates (4 ounces, $2.99): Don't be fooled (we were): This is the same product as above. The chocolates are the same but the packaging is, well, more masculine - that is, as manly as a heart-shaped box can get. This might be a good one for dad or grandad.
