Zingerman's Chocolate 5: Zzang!

I wonder if it's possible to use the word "penultimate" without sounding pretentious. I'll give it a shot. Herein, I give you the penultimate installment of chocolate advice from Duff Anderson at Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Duff's final contribution to Chocolate in Context will run next week):

Although Charlie Frank has been making Zzang! bars at Zingerman's Bakehouse for a few years now, he just recently launched his own company – Zingerman's Candy Manufactory. This newly minted company is the eighth business in the Zingerman's Community of Businesses.

Announcement of the Zingerman’s Candy Manufactury is clap-your-hands, dance-at-your-desk news for all of us devotees of full-flavored confectionery because it means that great candy/combination bars are going to get a second run at the American palate.

There are a slew of candy bars out there, but there really aren't any great ones. Charlie and the Zingerman's Candy Manufactory are out to change that. Charlie wants "to make candy the original way, like it was 100 years ago." This means great ingredients, small batches, and traditional techniques.

Currently, Charlie is making three candy bars – the Zzang! Original, the Ca$hew Cow and the What the Fudge. While all three are super tasty, the Zzang! Original is my favorite. Fluffy honey nougat, a generous scoop of Spanish peanuts, muscovado brown sugar caramel and dark chocolate. This is something you Need. To. Eat. This. Year. In Ann Arbor, you can find Charlie's candy bars for sale at Zingerman's Deli, Roadhouse, Creamery and Bakehouse. Don't live in Ann Arbor? Do not despair! The Zzang! bars are available through Mail Order, and at a growing number of retailers around the country.