Big Island Candies of Hawaii
I want to give a salute to Big Island Candies, a company that I’d foolishly ignored because of their misleading name. Big Island Candies (BIC) isn’t just a confectionary company producing sweet candy treats. They are a high-end producer of excellent Hawaiian chocolate creations that make a visit to the eastern side of the Big Island really worthwhile.
BIC produces authentic Hawaiian treats such as dried, chewy cuttlefish dipped in delicious dark chocolate. But it also makes a Hawaiian version of the turtle (one of my favourite chocolate treats) that replaces the traditional pecans with roasted Hawaiian-grown macadamia nuts. And, wow! They use really massive macadamia nuts in this creation, along with a not-too-sweet caramel encased in milk chocolate. I don’t believe this comes in a dark chocolate version, but I wish it did.
As well, BIC makes an amazing Hawaiian red chili butter toffee coated with a rich dark chocolate that was totally addictive. And my favourite treat of all … the toffee coated chocolate covered massive macadamia nuts that are dusted in Hawaiian grown cocoa. So delectable. This was one treat I absolutely would not share.
BIC makes so much more, and everything that I was sent for review, passed my test. Pure homegrown ingredients, fresh flavour, and a creative assortment of chocolates, nuts, and cookies that are among the best I have ever tasted. And everything came in really colourful attractive packaging, and to us ladies, that’s important. Big Island Candies is not a company to be overlooked by the chocolate connoisseur. I can assure you that on my next visit to the Big Island, I will be visiting Hilo to see firsthand how they make their creations, and I hope to meet the dynamic team that has been creating them and winning numerous awards since 1977.
Have you had the pleasure of trying some of the creations from Big Island Candies? How did you like them? Have you been to Hilo? What did I miss seeing there?
Exciting! We’ll be visiting Big Island Candies in October as part of our group Chocolatour to Hawaii! Details are at https://chocolatour.net/chocolatour-to-hawaii. Please join us if you can. 🙂
I’d never heard of Big Island Candies but everything sounds delicious!
I hadn’t heard of them either, Kristy. Until I’d returned home from Hawaii! I’m definitely hoping to get over to the Hilo side of the Big Island and visit Big Island Candies in 2015.
Oh wow. That looks so good.
Those look really good, I wonder if they sell them somewhere on Maui. Will have to keep an eye out for them.
It looks like BIC are only available in Hilo and Honolulu, but I’m sure they ship to Maui. Just click on the link at the beginning of the post. Cheers and enjoy!
I need to admit… that sounds really delicious I would love to try it.
Turtles are one of my favorite candies as well but all the candies look and sound absolutely amazing! It’s a good thing I’m reading this with my morning coffee instead of at my weakest evening hour… Stop me…!
Hi Anita: Yes, isn’t it funny how our cravings seem to be stronger at certain hours of the day? My chocolate cravings are always highest mid-afternoon. The trick is to have some healthy (pure dark) chocolate on hand so that when you have a craving, you can have a small piece to satisfy that craving without guilt.
Darn. Somehow I missed the chocolate covered cuttlefish—–NOT! But, I did get to try the chocolate covered bacon at the Honolulu Chocolate Festival. Right now, with 2 hurricanes headed their way, I think the folks in Hilo are just hunkering down. Hopefully, they have plenty of drinking water, bread, eggs, toilet paper AND chocolate.
Wow! I hadn’t realized a hurricane is heading for Hilo! Thx for alerting us, Suzanne! I hope they will survive the storm, OK, as there’s not much place to hide on an island!
Did you say cuttlefish dipped in chocolate? Yikes! I am a purist, I like nuts and caramel with my chocolate. No fruits. I am weird. After reading your wonderful post I will need to go look in my pantry for some chocolate, which will most certainly not compare to yours!
Hi Suzanne: My stash of really good chocolate is light right now. Chocolate makers generally don’t like ti ship in the hot summer unless by courier, as the chocolate can melt or be compromised so quickly if the package is left out even for a few moments! But Sept and the cooler weather is coming, so hopefully, the shipments will resume and I can continue my learning by tasting experiences.
I absolutely love Turtles so would definitely put Big Island Candies on my list to visit. The chocolates would make great gifts for those at home too.
Hi Michele: Indeed, chocolate from away always make a great gift for family and friends. Problem is …. often (when they’re this good) they don’t make it home with you. Either you’ve eaten them enroute, or hate to give them up once you get home! Cheers, and tasty travels!
Oh my! Your descriptions, your photos…I just had dinner and I am suddenly hungry!! They sound simply delectable!!
Thx very much, Marilyn. Glad you enjoyed my post. But if you enjoyed that … Just think how much you’d enjoy Big Island Candies! cheers.
I have toured Big Island Candies and fell in love. With the shortbread cookies dipped in white chocolate and milk chocolate. I order them by mail order when I get weak. I didn’t know about the macadamia nut turtles until I read your post. Oh dear, I must have some. That will fatten my next order.
Oh, yes, Carole. I neglected to mention the amazing macadamia shortbread cookies dipped in dark choc, milk chocolate, or green tea! All good. But absolutely do order the choc mac caramel clusters in your next order. You won’t be sorry!
I haven’t had any chocolate in about a week, and this post makes me crave it all the more. Is there any good chocolate in Jordan, I wonder…
Hi Rachel: I haven’t yet done much investigating in the Middle East, as that part of the world will be in Volume III of Chocolatour, and I’m currently researching Volume II (which will feature the Americas and the Caribbean.) But if you happen to encounter any wonderful artisanal Jordanian chocolate, by all means … let me know! Cheers, and safe travels.
Chocolate-covered cuttlefish? Wow, these candies are unique!
Yes, I guess I’ll have to try the cuttlefish, Irene! I’ve had just about everything else that is available with a chocolate coating. I wonder if it’s an acquired taste …
Great post about my favorite candy. What you missed? We had a blast riding on a catamaran boat after a storm. Never spilled any of our beer on that fun ride. The other “off the wall” thing that I’m not sure you would try is: talking to a homeless man. He told us his life story and I’m glad we let him. He had quite a life!
Thanks for your comment, Neva. Glad you had fun on the Big Island! I do love boating, so would love to do a catamaran ride next time! and yes, I’ve heard there are some homeless people on the island. We hadn’t encountered any during our time there, but I suspect there are more over on the Hilo side as that city is more industrialized by my understanding. Believe me. We certainly have homeless unfortunate individuals here in Canada as well, and I have indeed listened to their stories. Thx for sharing – and caring.
Those chocolates just look soooo good!
Oh my Doreen, tasting all these chocolates. Are you an exercise fiend or just have a good metabolism. And did you try the cuttlefish? The rest sounded absolutely delicious, especially the red-chili-butter-toffee. Yum.
Hi Alison: I admit it is a bit of a challenge to keep the weight off. 🙂 but it’s worth every pound!
And no, they didn’t send me a sample of the cuttlefish, so I guess I’ll just have to head back to the Big Island and taste some!
Hey, Noël. Lucky you to have taken the Big Island Candies tour. With any luck, I will get over to Hilo to do that sometime soon. Aloha!
Big Island candies and cookies are pretty amazing and the quality of their merchandising is very well done, it’s a fun tour of the facilities and tasting areas.
Wow, the Hawaiian version of the Turtle looks delicious!!!
It really IS delicious, Chris! I’ve tasted a lot of really good turtle-type chocolate creations, but this was one of the best — and the biggest! Do you think there’s any correlation? 🙂
Chocolate? What’s not to love – and on the big island of Hawaii, even better!
I love the Big Island and spent a whole month near Hilo in the rain forest at a nice place called “Yoga Oasis” to get my teacher certification. I would love to visit “Big Island Candies” when I finally get back there, but I may end up in the hospital due to a sugar coma. I’m not a diabetic, but sugar is my biggest weakness!
Thanks for your comment, Michelle. I do recall when you posted about the Yoga Oasis. I’d forgotten it is on the Big Island! I’ve definitely got to get back there!
Chocolate and macadamia nuts are a match made only in heavenly Hawaii. My mouth is watering. Aloha!
Aloha, Betsy, and thanks for stopping by. Have you visited the Hilo area? Would love to know what else I’m missing besides the great chocolate!
This post is very bad for my waste line! I haven’t heard of this brand before but the Hawaiian dark chocolate and macadamia nut one sounds divine!
You’re right, Samantha! Eating chocolate mixed with caramel and nuts is not good for our waistlines. But it sure is good for our taste buds! If you stick to pure dark chocolate, it is not fattening at all, when eaten in moderation. 🙂
All of Big Island Candies treats sound wonderful. But I love Turtles. Wondering what they call their version of these delightful candies over in Hawaii?
Hi Susan: Nothing fancy or highly creative in the name of those amazing treats. You’ll see the brown box in the lower left of the pic. It just says Chocolate Macadamia Caramel Nut Clusters, but what it lacks in a creative name is more than made up in the fantastic flavour.
Yeah, Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list. I will most definitely be partaking in the chocolate I have read about in your posts. Yum!
Thx, Cheryl. I’m glad I have inspired you with my posts. That’s what I’m here for. 🙂
Big Island candies sound, and look, delicious. If I ever to to Hawaii I will definitely try out their chocolate. Amazing that so many types of chocolate are produced on the islands.
Hi Catarina: It is indeed amazing how much amazing chocolate is produced in Hawaii! A chocolate lover’s dream come true! Thx for your comment.
Sounds like we missed a delicious stop on our adventures. Glad you were able to research (e.g. taste test) and share this.
Thanks, Suzanne. Ys, I think a return visit to the Big Island to explore the Hilo side is in order, as well as a return visit to Maui. I haven’t been there in years!
Hi Doreen,
It’s been many years since I’ve been on the Big Island. |I have never tried their brand of assorted candies, but they do look delicious.
What did you miss? Have you gone up in a 10-minute helicopter tour?
P.S.
I’m still keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers.
Kind Regards,
Bill
Hi Bill and Thx for the good wishes.
We did a heli tour over Kauai a fe years ago and loved it. I’m sure I’d enjoy one of the Big Island. Hopefully … Sometime soon. Cheers!0
Cuttlefish in chocolate. Not sure I would have come up with that combination but that wouldn’t stop me from trying it. I love the fact that you are taking your time on your travels through the Big Island.
Tim, I only wish we did have more time on the Big Island. Believe or not, we crammed a lot into the 3 days we were there. I long for slow travel, but it seems that I am never allowed that luxury.
Thx also to Debra and Donna for your comments. Happy long wkend!
I’ll admit it, there was drool happening as I read this post and looked at the pictures. So yummy.
I love making you and other readers drool, Debra. 🙂
I am currently planning a Chocolatour to Hawaii for early 2018 during which we will visit Big Island Candies. Can’t wait!!!
Toffee coated, chocolate covered macadamia nuts! Sounds wonderful.
I actually know about Big Island Candy… but that’s because my mother lived in Hawaii or over 20 years so I have been so lucky to have tasted many of their candies. Top of the line, as far as I am concerned:)
Right on, Jacquie! Yes, I believe they have a shop in the Ala Moana Center on Oahu as well as their retail operation and factory in Hilo.
Those chocolates look awesome. There must be a pineapple flavored one as well, right? Anyway, thanks for such a tasty.. I mean great post!
Hi Carl: Yes, there are many hawaiian chocolates that do feature pineapple. Kokolani on Oahu is one of them. But BIC primarily features the delicious macadamia nuts and freshly roasted cacao.
Doreen – it seems like you’ve been in Hawaii forever! Lucky, you. I have to say my impression of Hawaii is beautiful beaches, sunshine, and macadamia nuts! I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten any chocolate from there.
Hi Jeannette: Yes, I’ve tried to bring you different snippets of our time in Paradise, including some delicious ones! Thx for joining me (virtually) on the journeys. 🙂