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Chocolate
"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"
Lucy from Charles Schulz's Peanuts
Occasionally you should indulge yourself with the rich, satisfying taste of chocolate. It melts so perfectly in your mouth, and warms your soul. Chocolate gives you a mild feeling of euphoria, similar to when you fall in love, because it contains PEA a substance which releases endorphins in your brain. We have gather the very finest chocolate artists for your enjoyment.
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John Kelly Chocolates - John & Kelly have created a special treat. They call it truffle fudge, don't let the "fudge" part fool you. This creation is more of a chocolate covered truffle bar. It comes in a few size "bars" - one being a 2 oz. portion control! They are deeply satisfying but not "sweet". Wrapped like pieces of gold, they are in sophisticated packaging. Their newest creations are small squares of Chocolate & Caramel with Alaea Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt. SOOO wonderful.
Romanico's Chocolates - Handrolled truffles by Alejandra. Made with very high quality chocolate from Europe & South America. Her Truffles are what an authentic French chocolate truffle should be: bite-sized, very very smooth & absolutely wax-free. Each one has only 34 calories - what a perfect treat!! We sampled many of her truffles, chocolates & bars (Free of Dairy, Gluten Egg & Alcohol - each were outstanding. The chocolate art pieces are visually stunning and equally delicious. We also sampled "Sarah's Chocolates" a box whose net profits are completely donated to Chocolates for Autism. Sarah is owner Alejandra Bigai beautiful daughter.
Askinosie Chocolate - Small batch bean to bar single origin chocolate - they make their own cocoa butter! The first USA small batch maker to make white chocolate from the bean. Oh, and you must taste their Nibble bar - it is not the white chocolate "candy" that most are accustomed to. Their chocolate (each and every bar) but especially their 70% Ecuador is a true chocolate connoisseur experience. Shawn Askinosie, the founder has created not only exceptional chocolate but a business to be proud of. He puts the picture of the farmer that raises the beans on the front of the bar and most importantly they have a stake in "the outcome" - they share in his success. Going above and beyond fair trade. Each bar is also stamped with the exact date that it was made. Their is much more to be proud of with this business, visit their website for the entire story.
Lillie Belle Farms - Based on his Oregon farm, Jeff Shepherd makes fruit cordial chocolates using his own farm fresh organic fruits - raspberries, blueberries, strawberries & wild blackberries. Custom blending the finest covertures to go along with these handpicked berries & local ingredients he creates sensational chocolates. Winning numerous awards he does not bask in his glory, like a true artist he continues to create! Something new can always be found in his product line. Each and every piece we tasted was a little piece of pure joy. His lavender salt caramels will send you into a dream like state - this must be what heaven tastes like!
Recchiuti Confections - Known for its blend of contemporary San Franciscan style & traditional European technique. Natural ingredients with global influences/unique flavors. Made with French artisan methods & in small batches. LOVE the dark chocolate dipped green apple slices. A large variety of offering with carefully attention to unqiue flavors & ascetics.
Chokola ' J - Artisan chocolates made in the Hamptons (NY) using organic, single origins cacao & local ingredients (such as Hampton's wild flower honey, wines & herbs) make an ultra smooth taste sensation. The flavor pairings are ingenious. We applaud their passion," Being surrounded by great vineyards, farm stands & organic herb farms, we had to share, it was a calling".
Choclatique - Handmade chocolates (made in CA) using classic French-style artisan techniques. We fell head over heals for their Chocolate Almond Butter Toffee Bites and their classic chocolates are made in 150 different flavors!
truffle truffle - Handcrafting the “classics” with a twist. Truffles with flavors such as coconut key lime, pinot and cupcake...”beer & pretzel brittle”: toffee infused with stout covered in chocolate and sprinkled with salty pretzels! “s’mores” using shortbread cookies and infused marshmallow covered in chocolate: we loved the strawberry basil. Caramels that combine sweet and savory. You will taste the “love” that is put into each of these outstanding bites!
Theo Chocolates - The only organic, fair trade, Bean to Bar chocolate factory in the U.S. We sampled 4 bars: Nutcracker Toffee, Gingerbread Spice, Milk & Cookies and Peppermint Stick. Each one was excellent!! They earned a place in our Holiday Gift Pick'10!!
Vosges Haut- Chocolate - They continue to delight us more & more, their creations are always changing, but always unique & exceptional. Their beautiful packaging puts is the icing on these treats! Known for their unique flavored exotic truffles that capture the flavors of the world! Their hatbox with exotic caramels is dreamy!Their organic, single origins solid chocolate bars come will "wow" you. Any of their creations will make the perfect gift.
Ococoa - Selected as one of Editor's Pick, we love these grown-up nut butter cups w/ sophisticated flavors: the pistachio date is to die for!
Martine's Chocolates - Handmade daily, Martine's chocolates are delicious. They are old fashion molded chocolate with traditional fillings made with the very finest Belgium chocolates. She uses only the very best ingredients for the fillings. The whipped cream fillings are real whipped cream! If you can't get to NYC to see these creations being made right in front of you - order them online. You can customize your box piece by piece. Each piece is placed in a pink jewelry type box to honor just how special they are!
Charles Chocolates - We tasted (savored is a more fitting word) this entire collection of outstanding chocolates & confections. Everything is made by hand in very small batches using traditional techniques, the chocolates are shipped within three days of being created. The triple coated almonds & orange twigs are completely addictive, and their signature edible chocolate boxes, painted and filled with their best make the perfect gift.
Valerie Confections - A CA based artisanal confectioner, they use only the best ingredients to handcraft their chocolates & confections. We just love small producers that have a real passion for what they do- Valerie & Stan's products clearly exhibit this passion!
Wiseman House Chocolates - Amazing handmade truffles and over the top toffee. Their gift boxes/ribbons are exquisite. Tasting their creations was pure delight. The mocha crunch topped with crushed coffee beans is designed for the dark chocolate lover.
Christopher Norman Chocolate - John Down, Chief Chocolate Officer, uses his background in painting/arts, to create a unique artistic quality in the taste and feel of all his chocolates.Know for their hand painted & sculptural truffles, & innovative flavors. The variety we sampled were terrific.
Valrhona - A renowned French chocolate manufacturer,they produced bars, boxes, and their baking chocolate is used by the best pastry chefs worldwide. Their "Collection Grand Crus is a selection of solid chocolates including a tasting wheel to provide a true tasting experience. We also loved their small round tins of chocolate covered figs, orange rind & biscuit.
Poco Dolce - Unusual Chocolates - Bittersweet chocolate tiles topped with gray sea salt, they satisfy both sweet & salty cravings. They are nicely accented with bits of almonds, crystallized ginger, burnt caramel toffee, & Aztec chile. They are simple, sophisticated & very delicious - these were a big hit at Food411! We loved them.
Original Hawaiian Chocolate - The only chocolate of it's kind in the world. From tree to bar and 100% from the USA!! Pam & Bob Cooper grow their own coca right in Hawaii- on the slopes of the Hualalai Volcano. The dark was our pick & their cocoa nibs are wonderful for the tops of ice cream or cakes.
Amano Artisan Chocolate - They start with the bean (not many chocolate makers do) & their bars are individual varietals, single-bean origin chocolate, we tasted both the Ocumare Grand Cru Dark & Madagascare Premium Dark . These bars should be broken into small pieces & enjoyed by melting in your mouth. This is not a "candy" bar to be bitten into! We preferred the Ocumare's smooth, delicate flavor to the strong fruity Madagascar. Both are rich chocolate with complex flavors. A real treat for the true dark chocolate lover. Very high quality.
Patric Chocolate - One of the few bean to bar US chocolate makers, a true artisan company dedicated to the handcrafted art of using the best beans to create the finest chocolate. Only two ingredients are used- no added anything. Layers of flavors -these bars are to be savored.
Coco- Zen - Organic & fair trade these insanely delicious handcrafted truffles are winners. Coco-Zen hopes to create a state of nirvana - ecstasy, peace & chocolate! Available in several flavors & packages - their stainless steel tins create a tower of truffles that makes an unforgettable gift. We also like their "truffles to go" idea which is a small tin of bite sized truffle so one is never without their chocolate nirvana!
Richard H. Donnelly - One of Chocolatier magazine's ten favorite chocolate artisans in the US. Full line of treats but the bite size truffles are notable. Intense chocolate subtly flavored with unexpected ingredients like Earl Grey tea, rosemary and Chinese 5 spice make for a unique experience.
Norman Love Confections - Based in Fort Meyers, FL, Mr. Love creates works of art with hand painted colors, each filled with fresh ingredients like pineapple,ginger, passion fruit, banana.
Knipschildt Chocolatier - Knipschildt makes top quality artisan chocolate & confections using classic recipes with a modern twist. If you are in South Norwalk,CT (SONO) treat yourself to a visit at his cafe & see the chocolate being created.
Chocolove - Made in CO. from fine Belgian chocolate these bars have a smooth creamy finish. 11 different bars are made with the Chocolove wrapper, each gives the appearance of a love note. Any of the darks were our favorites! They also make - Chocolatour - a line of "single origin, vintage chocolate bars". You can select a terroir & vintage , "you'll be able to taste something of the country where the cocoa beans were grown." Very enjoyable bars.
7:3 Chocolates - Truffles, complex & funky, pure . Seasonal flavors. Finest chocolate with fresh cream and natural fruit juices, extracts, spices.
Jin Patisserie - Kristy Choo creates her dark & milk chocolates with Asian inspired ganaches, such as green tea & mango basil presented in a beautiful wooden box, her online store also offers cookies from her Asian recipes & teacakes.
Woodhouse Chocolates - Handcrafted in Napa Valley these chocolates are given the care of a fine jewel.
Anna Shea's Chocolates - In Tarrytown, NY, Anna creates her chocolates with unique flavors & her artist's eye for beauty. She also fashions chocolate hat boxes and jewelery boxes.
Cocoapuro - Fresh roasted whole cocoa beans covered in dark, milk and white chocolate and cocoa powder.
Ghyslain Chocolates - Hand painted chocolates.
Mr. Chocolate-Jacque Torres - NY's Jacque Torres' famous chocolates.
Legacy Chocolates - Hand-crafted from Criollo cocoa beans from Venezuela. Four levels of cocoa intensity are offered, 8 fresh flavors.
Partistry - Jehangir Mehta creates handmade chocolates, teas, and confections, Mehta finds endless inspiration in cultural heritage & Ayurveda. His favorite ingredients are fruits and spices. His predilection for these ingredients is evident in Partistry's line of Star Anise & Grand Marnier Truffle.
Fiori Chocolatiers - Artisan chocolate confections created using handcrafted European-styled cream & butter, organic fruits, herbs & spices. All natural, no preservatives or artificial additives. Chocolate sourced from small environmentally-friendly cacao plantations in Ecuador, Java, and Venezuela.
Cocoa Vino - Drunken Figs; aka, Figs gone wild. Chocolate-covered organic figs filled with vintage port & organic dark chocolate. Their signature treat; bacchanals (definition=a wild night of lusty indulgence) - fruity, organic Malbec is folded into a creamy dark chocolate center, then covered in dark chocolate.
Sans Souci Confections - Owners, Angela & Laure, favor the sophisticated flavor & lower sugar content of fine bittersweet chocolate. Salt butter caramels, nut barks, hand-dipped truffles, crunchy nut toffees, brownies/cookies, & hot chocolate mixes.
B.T. McElrath Chocolatier - Proud of their handmade, and homegrown approach, innovative flavors include Passion Fruit, Zinfandel-Balsamic, Green Tea, Cinnamon Star Anise, and Kaffir Lime with Coconut and Ginger.
Jubilee Chocolates - (John & Kira's) - Handcrafted with local Philadelphia flavors, supporting local agriculture. Now, well known for their ladybugs, bees and drunken chocolate figs. We have not tried these but have been told they are terrific.
Temper Chocolates - handmade artisinal chocolates - great spicy flavors i.e. spicy habanero, flavors change often.
Boule Patisserie - Homemade chocolates infused with teas. Also offer pate de fruits.
Zorro Chocolates - “Just right” one ounce bars of the highest quality dark chocolate infused with fresh natural flavors ( no oils or extracts used). Chocolate maker Ed Fox has created a unique product that really delights your senses. His passion shines through.
Sterling Truffle Bar - Triangle truffle bars, each a work of art.
Chocolat Moderne - In NYC, Joan Coukos, uses French chocolate, Valrhona, featuring high cocoa content. Her fillings include 5 varieties of dark chocolate, pistachios, hazelnuts, fruit purées, fresh juices, honey, liqueurs, essential oils, teas & spices.
MarieBelle - Chocolate as art; famous for their Aztec hot chocolate, which makes a wonderful gift.
Thomas Haas - Handmade chocolates and fresh fruit gelees, grown up gumdrop squares.
Teuscher Beverly Hills Chocolates - Fine chocolates imported from Zurich, Switzerland. Known for their champagne truffles!
Candinas Chocolatier - Made by Swiss-trained confectioner Markus Candinas using only the finest ingredients. Created with equal parts artistry, science and love, each chocolate is a composition of balance and harmony.
Garrison Confections - Andrew Shotts works in small batches & hand-enrobes each piece in milk, dark, or white chocolate. His trademark style allows many bonbons to include two distinct flavor or textural combination within each piece.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates - They import chocolate from France, Switzerland & Venezuela, (higher cacao content & minimally sugared). Complementing flavors come directly from their sources i.e. brew coffees/teas, cook fruits, squeeze oranges/lemons, local honey. Only butter/fresh local milk/cream used.
Compartes - They specialize in chocolate dipped fruits - orange peels, apricots, peaches, pineapples, pears dipped in a signature blend of chocolates. Their all natural stuffed fruits, are handmade every day. While the quality of their product is very good (that is why we have listed them)we did not have a good experience with their customer service.
Scharffen Berger - First-tier dark chocolate manufacturer. They execute every step of the process...from bean to bar. They begin with sourcing the finest cacao & use small-batch, artisanal methods.
Fran's Chocolates - Hand dipped truffles, luxury caramels, chocolate dipped fruits.
Chocolate Bar NYC - Everything chocolate, NYC store that reps 5 of the top NY chocolate chefs.
La Maison du Chocolate - Demand for the greatest quality.
Green & Blacks - Organic dark chocolate bars, fair trade. These chocolate bars are just delicious. The original with the orange is terrific.
Site of the Month
Better Together
Outstanding brownies made with organic & local ingredients and fair trade chocolate. Todd and Kestra Kelly’s passion extends beyond baking to support a local and global community. Their Salted Carmel brownie is exceptional, highly recommended.
Editor’s Pick
Zabars
The Zabar family has been selling smoked fish and appetizing for over 70 years, there original location is now over 20,000 sq feet! Fortunately for everyone outside of NYC they have a great website and many of their offerings are available mail order. Recently they have been offering several items with free shipping!! Wonderful gifts of NYC bagels, baked goods and appetizing right to your door.
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pizza dough, pasta, lasagna, gnocchi, risotto, polenta, and articles on history of Italian food." />
Anna Maria's Open Kitche
If you like Italian Food this is the site for you! Traditional Italian Recipes Illustrated Step-by-Step A unique site about Italian Cooking where you will find Italian Food recipes for Tiramisu, and Traditional Italian recipes for pizza dough, pasta, lasagna, gnocchi, risotto, polenta, and articles on history of Italian food.
Keep Your Cooler
Keep Your Cooler offers insulated shopping bags, lunch coolers, coolers on wheels and much more!
Chocolate Cravings
Amano Chocolate
They start with the bean (not many chocolate makers do) & their bars are individual varietals, single-bean origin chocolate, we tasted both the Ocumare Grand Cru Dark & Madagascare Premium Dark . These bars should be broken into small pieces & enjoyed by melting in your mouth. This is not a "candy" bar to be bitten into! We preferred the Ocumare's smooth, delicate flavor to the strong fruity Madagascar. Both are rich chocolate with complex flavors. A real treat for the true dark chocolate lover. Very high quality.
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