Marilyn Lysohir has plenty of fun as the Head Cowgirl at Cowgirl Chocolates.
"Chocolate is joy," says Marilyn. "It really is a joyful thing." For the past three years, Marilyn has made and distributed chocolates and other treats in addition to working as an artist in Moscow. Marilyn jokes that one of the hard parts of running Cowgirl is that "it takes all of my willpower to stay out of the chocolates."
Cowgirl Chocolates are all-natural, kosher chocolates that are unique in that they contain hot pepper as an ingredient. When you first put one in your mouth, it will taste smooth like other high quality chocolates. After a second or two, you'll taste the fiery pepper. Be forewarned, they are quite hot. Marilyn admits that not everyone can take the heat of her chocolates. However, enough people enjoy both chocolate and spice to keep Marilyn busy shipping her candies from Moscow to all over the world, even as far as Norway and New Zealand.
Cowgirl Chocolates come in mint, orange, lime-tequila, espresso, and milk chocolate. Although espresso is the hottest, all five flavors are hot. In order to appease people who prefer chocolate without spice, this year Marilyn has started making "mild-mannered" milk chocolate and dark chocolate truffles. Also in the line of Cowgirl Chocolates' products are a spicy caramel sauce and merchandise emblazoned with the company logo and the tongue-in-cheek warning: "sissies stay away."
What inspired Marilyn to combine chocolate and hot pepper? As with the whole business of Cowgirl Chocolates, Marilyn credits a team effort. Marilyn's first job was at a candy factory, where one of her duties was carving 8-foot-tall chocolate animals. (Marilyn's interests in art and chocolate have a long, parallel ...