MarketBasket | Old, original chocolate

Posted: September 06, 2007

When Tony Lore of Lore's Chocolates wanted to offer a trendier dark (72 percent cacao) chocolate, he rediscovered a stash of perfect cacao-pod molds in his shop. The result is a remarkably bright, clean piece of solid candy, its shape and the crunch of nibs (grindings of roasted cacao beans), pleasantly reminding you of where it all begins.

- Rick Nichols

Dark chocolate pods, $15.95 a pound. At Lore's Chocolates, 34 S. Seventh St. (north of Chestnut); 215-627-3233 or www.loreschocolates.com.

Bread of life

The ingredient list reads like a health food menu - flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame, dried carrots, banana chips, apples, rolled oats, wheat germ, honey, molasses and more. You couldn't ask for more in this light and luscious bread. Except, maybe, chocolate chips. No, it's perfect as is.

- Marilynn Marter

Marathon Energy Loaf, 18 ounces, $4.25. At Wegmans markets (Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Downingtown and Warrington).

Sustainable style

Bamboo gets bonus points for beauty and for not draining the environment. These stackable trays - 111/4-inch to 145/8-inch diameter in jewel tones of red, blue and green - show off that natural beauty in their golden spun bamboo grain.

- M.M.

Lacquered bamboo trays, set of 3, $38 (special price). Exclusive at www.RedEnvelope.com.