Dark chocolate caramel is an extremely popular taste combination, and the number and variety of products reflects this popularity. Caramel, which started as a unique and different way to prepare sugar treats, was combined with dark chocolate in the mid-1800s, and the rest really is history.
Caramel is a firm chewy candy made from caramelized sugar, butter, and milk, plus maybe some vanilla or other flavoring. It seems that caramel was introduced in North America in the mid 1600s. By the mid 1800s caramels were extremely popular in America, and were gainng a large following in Europe. Milton Hershey started out making caramels, and was originally interested in chocolate as a coating for his caramels. The combination of chocolate and caramel started gaining popularity about this time.
The dark chocolate with caramel combination can now be found in three main forms: dark chocolate, caramel, and various kinds of nuts (this combination is often called "turtles", especially with pecans); bite-sized dark chocolates coating a caramel filling; and of course dark chocolate bars. There are also a few extras, such as with pretzels, and dark chocolate with caramel drink mix.
Turtles
The combination of chocolate, caramel, and nuts is often called a Turtle, especiallly if the chosen nut is pecan. But I've also seen them called Brags, Clusters, Myrtles, Patties and Puddles. Whatever you call them, they are declicious and very popular, such as:
Individual Bites
These might be simple: just dark chocolate around a regular caramel, or they could be fancier, perhaps handmade in small batches by specialty shops. The caramel itself might contain vanilla, or even additional chocolate
Dark Chocolate Bars
Extras
An interesting combination I have found is basically a turtle on a stick -- dark chocolate, caramel, and nuts on a pretzel stick. I've also seen hot cocoa mix with caramel. Finally, dark chocolate covered fruit often comes with caramel.
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