Buzz
By Sarah Dobbs
On a dreary, chilly December morning, nothing makes it easier to face the day like a piece of chocolate. Specifically, a small square of chocolate you’ve spent five minutes wrestling out of its plastic compartment inside your Advent calendar. There’s just something about Advent calendar chocolate that feels unique. Sure, you could break off a piece of a Hershey Bar every day, but the ritual of discovering the right door, carefully opening it, and relishing your reward makes Advent calendar chocolate something truly special.
But is it really any different from regular chocolate? Well, that really depends on the calendar.
If you choose a branded calendar from a well-known chocolate maker like Cadbury or Lindt, you can expect the chocolate to taste quite similar to what they usually offer, even though the size and shape of the treat might be different.
Advent calendar chocolate is typically quite thin, usually molded into a square with rounded edges and an embossed design on the surface. This makes it melt faster on your tongue, and with the relatively large surface area, it gives your taste buds a strong chocolate burst. And while you might normally grab another bite or treat soon after, with Advent calendar chocolate, you know there’s only one piece each day, so most people tend to savor it a bit more.
In short, it tastes different because you’re more focused on it.
However, if you’re using a more generic calendar, the chocolate you get might be something you don’t typically eat.
Cheap chocolate often isn’t really "real" chocolate; it’s something called compound chocolate, which uses cheaper fats instead of cocoa butter. Most likely, it’s made with palm kernel oil, or possibly coconut oil. This results in a different flavor from authentic chocolate and can even alter its texture, making it feel a bit waxy or oily. Compound chocolate is simpler to work with and mold into shapes, which, combined with its lower cost, makes it a popular choice for Advent calendars.
So yes, it’s possible that the chocolate in your Advent calendar tastes nothing like the chocolate you’d serve at your holiday gathering. Whether you like it or not really depends on your personal preference—and a good bit of nostalgia. If you have warm memories of indulging in Advent calendar chocolate in the days leading up to perfect childhood Christmases, it likely tastes like pure bliss.
