10lbs to Eggnog latte, 10lbs to salt carmels

Ok I have to apologize in advance for writing a REALLY geo-centric post but oh my god it’s time for Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels! These things are easily my favorite candy IN THE WORLD. That’s a big claim right? I know. But here I am standing behind it.
Trader Joe’s only brings these out during the holidays and as Christmas gets closer they WILL run out people! Two weeks before
xmas last year and my local TJ’s had nothing but a big blank-shelf space that glared at me with smug humbuggery.
The thing about the Trader Joe’s salt caramels that make them superior to other salt caramels (you heard me) is that the caramel center is like a thick gooey sauce rather than a stiff chewy chunk. What you think that sounds gross? Wrong! It sounds like heaven in a seasonally available box.
To enjoy the salt caramel you must:
- enjoy the sweet savory combo. (Do you dump m&m’s or milk duds in your mouth with a handful of popcorn at the movies like me? Trust me you’ll love these.)
- recognize the awesomeness that is salt.
That’s it. If you do those things you are primed to enjoy the salty gooey goodness of the season. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you then I am very, very saddened to hear it. Like, Tiny Tim is dying sad. The are that. good.
I suggest buying 2 boxes at a time. Four if you’re me.

They sound perfect. Unfortunately, the nearest TJ’s is 607 miles…
What is your technique for retrieving all the salt? Do you pile it on before eating or attempt to take a bite that creates a sharp point of carmel to stick the remaining salt crystals? Not that I have given various techniques any extensive thought, or anything….
We made the 3 hour drive from Iowa to our closest Trader Joe’s in Wisconsin yesterday … and I bought 2 boxes home that I have put away to cherish bit by delicious bit. Now you’re making me wish I’d bought more :^)
well lisa i find that i have consistent system…but most of the time i pick any fallen crystals out of the tray and throw them in my mouth solo followed by the caramel…mmmm
stef i applaud your commitment to the drive. well done. next time, buy more.
i had no idea these existed. also, there is a tj’s literally within 2 minutes of my office. so if you’ll excuse me…
So happy I didn’t read this post until well after the holidays. There’s a TJs about a mile from my house and I’ve had similar sea salt caramels and they are to die for. /whew!
On a totally unrelated (and slightly cyber-stalker) note, I was re-reading the Chickens in O-Town post (I also have chicken envy) and wanted to share this link with you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCwnFyLKLY0
Enjoy!
chicken song video? yeah that kicks ass! thanks for that!