Having debuted in spring 2008, early reports were that Starbucks Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans are part of a unique collection of artisan-style chocolates, developed in cooperation with the Artisan Confections Company, a subsidiary of The Hershey Company.

Straightforward enough, but upon purchasing a box of these chocolate covered coffee beans, I quickly noticed that the manufacturer’s description on the box reads, “Manufactured for Artisan Confections Company, Berkeley, CA…under direct authority of Starbucks Coffee Company.”

I admit I’m thrown by the seeming discrepancy of the word “for” versus “by” in the manufacturer’s description. Who is actually making these chocolates? Is it merely a matter of semantics? Perhaps. Regardless, I have to admit that Starbucks Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans are outstanding.

Perfectly balanced between a creamy milk chocolate flavor and a hint of bitter coffee, these chocolate covered coffee beans are an epicurean delight.

Have questions or concerns about the caffeine content of these delicious gems? Yes, I wondered about that too.

I looked into it, but neither the product box or the Starbucks website addressed this concern. What I can tell you from reading the back of the box is that one serving of Starbucks Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans consist of 40 pieces (or 40 g), with each serving containing 190 calories, 110 of which are from fat.

At a loss of what to do with Starbucks Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans?

How about serving them as a snack alongside your daily coffee, setting some out with the desserts at your next dinner party, or trying them in a tempting cookie? In the end, whether enjoyed as a daily indulgence or served as an occasional treat, coffee fans and chocolate lovers alike will appreciate this product’s unique flavor and sweet, satisfying crunch.

Interested in learning more about this product and the rest of Starbucks artisan-chocolate line? Visit Starbucks for more information.

And while I don’t disagree that you need one olive oil to do this (saute, grill or fry) and another olive oil to do that (salad dressings, finishing or marinades), I also believe there exists rare olive oils whose quality, taste, stability and viscosity make them capable of handling the majority of these tasks (and more) for most recreational cooks.

With that in mind, this particular extra virgin olive oil has become one of my all-around favorites: it is smooth, mild, buttery, and fruity yet peppery (i.e. well-balanced); performs well under a variety of circumstances; and has flavor beyond reproach that is so good, I could practically drink it from the bottle. Meet my latest discovery, Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil…

Suggested to me by the executive chef at our local Dean & Deluca (sold at Dean & Deluca for $28, seen elsewhere for $32), this Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil is among the best I’ve tasted and had the pleasure of cooking with. Over the past few weeks, I’ve put it through the paces, using it to: roast garlic, potatoes and an array of colorful vegetables; fry eggs and crab cakes; saute onions and celery; drizzle over salads and pasta dishes; create various dressings, dips and marinades; and grill chicken, seafood, fruits and veggies. All of it has turned out well whether cooking with high heat, low heat or no heat at all.

Produced in southwest Spain from olives grown on the family’s Perales de Miraflores estate near Merida (Badajoz), this extra virgin olive oil is (cold) extracted from olives grown in environmentally responsible groves. Blended from the Arbequina, Picual, Hojiblanca and Morisca olive varieties, this extra virgin oil has been specifically targeted to avid, recreational cooks who enjoy entertaining at home, yet was also intended for export as a premium olive oil capable of rivaling established Italian brands in the UK and US (it launched in 2004). In 2006, Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil received the Mario Solinas Quality Award for medium fruitiness, as judged by the International Olive Oil Council.

When you have an extra moment, I invite you to check out the gorgeous site of Marques de Valdueza for more information on this versatile extra virgin olive oil. Beautifully designed, easy-to-navigate, and accompanied by stunning photos and classical music, visiting the site is an experience as lovely as the premium olive oil this producer creates.

FYI - Marques de Valdueza also produces Spanish wines and a more moderately priced, “second pressing” extra virgin olive oil by the name of Merula, which is available bottled or in an award-winning tin. Sold at gourmet purveyors such as Crate & Barrel and Dean & Deluca, after enjoying Marques de Valdueza Extra Virgin Olive Oil, I would feel confident giving the Merula Extra Virgin Olive Oil a spin in my kitchen as well.

Welcome to the exciting, sometimes stupefying world of cookware.

Whether you are building your collection from scratch, upgrading a few select pieces or replacing an entire set, before investing in any sort of cookware you must evaluate your needs and budget. Do you cook every day and love nothing more than preparing four-course dinners from scratch? Are you moving into your first apartment or into a more spacious home? Do you mostly microwave, but still need to boil noodles or fry the occasional egg? Do you exist on take-out five nights a week, but cook like a gourmet chef on the weekends?

For each and every type of cook, there exists a perfect set of cookware. Perhaps the right pieces are conveniently packaged in one collection, which can often save you time and money. In other situations, you might be best served to hunt and gather your ideal pieces, building your collection one pot or pan at a time. While the latter method may prove more time consuming, it also allows you to be more choosy. In the end, you’ll only own the pieces you truly need and use which can save you valuable kitchen space.

The beauty of buying any cookware is that you can expand or replace your collection as your needs, demands and/or financial situation change. The types and pieces of cookware that suit your needs now may not be the types and pieces of cookware that will suit your needs in 5-10 years time. Perhaps you plan on getting married, starting a family or growing your existing one. Maybe your household will be shrinking with children going off to college. Or perhaps you find yourself newly widowed or recently divorced and learning to cook for one. Whatever your needs, rest assured there exists a perfect set of cookware and with just a bit of due diligence, you’ll find yourself ready and able to tackle the decisions that await you.

In effort to streamline the process and help you wade through the (not quite) endless possibilities and tantalizing choices of pots, pans and accessories, I’ve compiled a short list of online sources that will enable you to make a more informed decision. My best advice as you begin your sojourn into the land of cookware? Buy the highest quality cookware you can afford. Proper cookware should always be considered a long term investment and it is better to own fewer, quality pieces than be stuck with a cupboard full of future castaways.

• To help discern the differences between materials used to make cookware (aluminum, cast iron, ceramic, copper, glass, etc.,) Cookware.com offers this helpful guide. For more information on specific types of pots and pans, check out the guides at Cookware.com & Pots and Pans.com.

• Taking it a step further is this cookware product guide published by Kohl’s department store. Not only does it provide information on different types of cookware, but also on cookware handles, shapes, sizes and how to build your cookware set.

• Ready to delve deeper into the land of cookware? I highly recommend this cookware tutorial on Fantes.com.

• Curious about the safety of the materials you’re cooking on? Health Canada has an article worth checking out entitled The Safe Use of Cookware. Also, the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center has this page devoted to Cookware Safety, and there’s also this informative article on About.com if you have additional concerns.

• Love reading reviews before you decide? Consumer Search does a great job of weeding through expert (and some consumer) reviews to provide you the lowdown on cookware. For Consumer Search’s reviews of cookware reviewers (sounds confusing but I promise it’s not,) click here.

*Neither myself, The Cook’s Kitchen or the Well Fed Network are affiliated with any of the above sites, stores and/or merchandisers in anyway. Any reference to the above sites or merchants does not endorse the use of, or purchases initiated through, their respective stores. Rather, any reference to these sites, stores or merchants is intended to act solely as an additional resource for educating and familiarizing our readers with the basics of cookware.

Photo from Kohl’s.