Caramel is one of the cheapest 'sweets' and , in my opinion, doesn't belong or 'say'
quality as would different filler.
Next is the chocolate. All chocolate comes from Cocoa
Beans.
The flavors depend on only 2 things.
1. How much sugar and what else you add to it. Vanilla, Milk, fats (butter, oils) And by the way that's where
the calories are. Cocoa isn't fattening.
2. There are a few different kinds of cocoa
The flavors are different but dark and light chocolate is mostly about how much sugar and milk you add.
No milk and less sugar and it's dark and bitter sweet. Milk or cream and more sugar and it's like a Hershey bar taste.
Add butter and that changes the flavor. Vanilla and it's different.
But there are different processes to make cocoa powder from beans.
Save my breath .. buy Hershey cocoa powder for $5.50 / 26oz at Sams club , mix 2x sugar and 1x cocoa with
a bit of water (just enough to wet it) and heat it in microwave and mix it with a small fork or spoon because
the dusty cocoa will want to 'blow away' or move away. You'll have the beginning of a new inexpensive experience.
Once you realize how cheap it can be
then learn to add things and make
this at home for $6 instead of 27.00
delivered.
Oh and you'll probably avoid preservatives they may have included so
that it lasts for 2 years in storage (where oils can go rancid)
If you want to learn read more
http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=cocoa-beans&months=240
Right now and in the future, for a while, prices are dropping because people and companies are
scrambling to get cash flowing. They can't borrow and because the Fed has printed more cash it , ultimately,
makes what you get or have worth less.
So the future means that prices will go up but not until
the economy comes back.. it's not coming back for many many years so prices should be low in the
future until .. well study it..
So if you want this for a gift right now ok buy it. Someone will appreciate it.
If you're buying to eat it yourself.. get some control. They only 'quality' is the 0.06" layer of chocolate
while the inside is the stuff you buy at $1.00 / lb. or less the day after Christmas or Halloween.
Did you know it's pretty easy to make chocolates like this? You buy cocoa powder - price right now
here is
http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=cocoa-beans&months=240
1.10 / lb or $2200 / ton. Add a bit for getting it to you and that's the price of the main product.
Sugar is 25c / lb so now you have 90% of what you like (or 100% if you add some water) for 70c / lb.
Use 2x suger for 1x cocoa powder add some water and heat it and stir it and you have a nice tasty
ice cream syrup for 60c / lb (about)
[(2 x 0.25) + (1 * 1.10) ] / 3 = the price per lb of sugar / cocoa mix (base)
50 + 1.10 = 1.60 / 3 = 55c (about) per lb
Learn to do it yourself and stop buying