Hawaiian Host Chocolates

Hawaiian Host is a confectioner from Hawaii, specializing in products using macadamia nuts.  They sell plain nuts, but most of their products involve chocolate in some form or another.  

"Hawaii residents voted Hawaiian Host the best tasting chocolate covered macadamia nuts in the island."

When co-workers return from Hawaii, they frequently bring the macadamias, plain and chocolate coated.  I have never really cared for them.  But, Hawaiian Host is "World Famous" and has been around since 1927, so when I saw them at L & H Hawaiian BBQ in San Francisco, I couldn't resist picking up a few treats, since I love trying new chocolates.  Sadly, I didn't like them any more than the low quality macaroni salad from L & H either ...

More years, more co-workers going to Hawaii, so whenever they show up on our shared snack tables, I always try new ones, hoping, believing, that this brand must be popular for some reason.

I still don't like them.  At all.

Maui Caramacs®.

"One of the most popular island treats with a twist! Our smooth, soft caramel is united with delicate dry-roasted Macadamia nuts and smothered in rich milk chocolate. "

Hawaiian Host makes a large number of Caramacs®, all featuring roasted macadamias, caramel, and chocolate.  Additional varieties like the Kona Caramacs® add Kona coffee to the caramel, and Coconut Caramacs® infuse the caramel with coconut and are dusted in additional coconut, but I had the originals, Maui Caramacs®.

I really didn't like them.  The caramel was too chewy, the macadamias bitter, and the chocolate unremarkable.

MacNut Crunch.

"Dry-roasted macadamia nuts and crisped rice covered in rich milk chocolate."

I moved on to the MacNut Crunch.

I also didn't like these.  The nuts were again bitter, and the rice was crispy, but not enjoyable.  Same mediocre chocolate.

Whole Macadamia Covered in Premium Dark Chocolate.

"For the more sophisticated palate, we’ve created a luxurious taste sensation just for you. Premium whole macadamias are dry roasted and covered in our signature dark chocolate. It’s simple, sweet perfection that delivers our desired note of chocolate flavor!"

"Premium", eh?

I wasn't impressed.  The dark chocolate was just sweet and not complex.  It took over the entire product, not allowing me to taste the macadamia really.

Meh.

Selected Whole and Halves Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts.

"Selected Macadamias whole and halves covered with Hawaiian Host’s special blend of rich and creamy chocolate. "

The milk chocolate ones weren't good either.

The low quality milk chocolate ruined them.  I liked the form, with lots of crunchy nut, like a turtle, but, the chocolate was just sweet and generic and overwhelmed.  What's the point if you can't taste the "Selected" nuts?