What chocolate brand do you recommend, hopefully available online?
September 29, 2013 7:40 PM Subscribe
I want to buy delicious chocolate, online preferably. I would prefer pure chocolate (milk or dark with no nuts or any distractions) or truffles (creamy with no flavor other than chocolate).
I have seen a couple of websites online, but would like your recommendations...
What chocolate brands are AMAZING?
What should I look out for if I want high quality chocolate? ingredients? country of origin?
Here are the websites I have found
Lake Champlain
Valrhona
La maison du chocolat
Looks are not important
Also, this is mostly for my husband, who is a purist and would prefer no caramel, nuts or fruits (and of course no chili or bacon!) just plain great quality chocolate bars or truffles. He does like salted chocolate, strangely.
Thank you and sorry if I made you crave chocolaty bliss! :)
What chocolate brands are AMAZING?
What should I look out for if I want high quality chocolate? ingredients? country of origin?
Here are the websites I have found
Lake Champlain
Valrhona
La maison du chocolat
Looks are not important
Also, this is mostly for my husband, who is a purist and would prefer no caramel, nuts or fruits (and of course no chili or bacon!) just plain great quality chocolate bars or truffles. He does like salted chocolate, strangely.
Thank you and sorry if I made you crave chocolaty bliss! :)
Best answer: My favorite salted chocolate is Theo
I do like Valrhona. E. Guittard is another favorite. Tcho is a lot of fun for tastings - their "citrus" or "nutty" chocolates don't actually have nuts or citrus in them, they're just the result of using different beans.
posted by aubilenon at 7:56 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
I do like Valrhona. E. Guittard is another favorite. Tcho is a lot of fun for tastings - their "citrus" or "nutty" chocolates don't actually have nuts or citrus in them, they're just the result of using different beans.
posted by aubilenon at 7:56 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I love Chocolove. It's a cheesy name, but it's my favorite brand. They have a great dark chocolate salted almond, but their plain dark and milk chocolate is wonderful, too.
posted by shortyJBot at 8:07 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by shortyJBot at 8:07 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: My favorite brick and mortar place to shop for chocolate bars is Meadow. And they have a website! Since they specialize in both salt and chocolate, they have a large salted chocolate section.
posted by Secretariat at 8:08 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Secretariat at 8:08 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: i get my chocolate from chocosphere.com, based near portland, oregon. my two favorite cocoas are pernigotti, which has 1% vanilla, and valrhona, great bass notes.
posted by bruce at 8:13 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by bruce at 8:13 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Can't link since I'm on my mobile, but I highly recommend Teuscher (Switzerland).
posted by Anima Mundi at 8:13 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by Anima Mundi at 8:13 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Mast Brothers is in a class -- no, a league -- by itself.
posted by KRS at 8:15 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by KRS at 8:15 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 2nding the meadow. Really good selection, and are in a couple cases are the only US distributer for a couple brands.
posted by furnace.heart at 8:23 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by furnace.heart at 8:23 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: I'm always trying new things and I generally like most chocolates I try (so a list of chocolate brands that I think are good enough to give as a gift is pretty long) but one of the first single origin chocolates I've had where I felt like I could really taste the difference between different bean sources is Woodblock (also available through Meadow's site).
posted by Secretariat at 8:26 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Secretariat at 8:26 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Theo, Divine, and TCHO. TCHO is an especially good match for your requirements.
posted by wintersweet at 8:33 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by wintersweet at 8:33 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Seconding Chocosphere. Specifically, Michel Cluizel. They have boxes that feature different chocolates from around the world. Very interesting to experience the differences from place to place.
posted by beetsuits at 8:38 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by beetsuits at 8:38 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I recently gave up chocolate, but a favorite brand prior to this was Dolfin.
posted by whistle pig at 8:40 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by whistle pig at 8:40 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Teuscher is great, yes. The champagne truffles are my favorite, but everything they do is wonderful.
Not in the same class as Teuscher, but I'm fond of Lindt as well, especially the dark chocolate and milk chocolate Lindor truffles.
posted by gudrun at 8:42 PM on September 29, 2013
Not in the same class as Teuscher, but I'm fond of Lindt as well, especially the dark chocolate and milk chocolate Lindor truffles.
posted by gudrun at 8:42 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: I don't mean to add complication to your life, but I'm going to. Sorry.
When I moved to SoCal 10 years ago I had to do dark chocolate dipped fruit for an event - I had just moved back to the US - so I taste tested multiple brands... There is a brand here that is NOT Ghiredelli(sp?) but does begin with a "G" that is AWESOME.
I don't see it often, and have not seen it in a few years.
I mention it because (a) someone may help us out with the brand name, and (b) it really is exceptional chocolate.
We ALWAYS have dark chocolate on hand in my home. I know of what I speak here.
Anyone know what I'm referencing??
It is definitely better than Valrhona, I remember that VERY specifically, and I have not bought pricey Valrhona since, because this less known brand was so much better.
Hope that helps:)
posted by jbenben at 8:49 PM on September 29, 2013
When I moved to SoCal 10 years ago I had to do dark chocolate dipped fruit for an event - I had just moved back to the US - so I taste tested multiple brands... There is a brand here that is NOT Ghiredelli(sp?) but does begin with a "G" that is AWESOME.
I don't see it often, and have not seen it in a few years.
I mention it because (a) someone may help us out with the brand name, and (b) it really is exceptional chocolate.
We ALWAYS have dark chocolate on hand in my home. I know of what I speak here.
Anyone know what I'm referencing??
It is definitely better than Valrhona, I remember that VERY specifically, and I have not bought pricey Valrhona since, because this less known brand was so much better.
Hope that helps:)
posted by jbenben at 8:49 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Guittard? I like their chocolate chips a lot.
Lindt (like Godiva) has become awfully sugary lately, I think.
posted by wintersweet at 9:11 PM on September 29, 2013
Lindt (like Godiva) has become awfully sugary lately, I think.
posted by wintersweet at 9:11 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: The MarieBelle Brown Box might work.
I like Guittard dark chocolate and it's available nearly everywhere.
posted by 26.2 at 9:16 PM on September 29, 2013
I like Guittard dark chocolate and it's available nearly everywhere.
posted by 26.2 at 9:16 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Moonstruck, from Portland, OR
posted by ainsley at 10:14 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ainsley at 10:14 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I've tried many of the famous European brands of chocolates as well as many North American boutique brands. Many are good (including the above mentioned Chocolove brand in particular), but they are often too bitter, brittle, dry, chalky, or weak-flavored. So what do I like best? DOVE dark chocolate. I know that may sound proletarian, but to me nothing hits the spot like DOVE does. The taste and texture and after-taste are all amazing (as long as you don't have an issue with the fact that they add milk fat to the product). And no it does not taste sugary and weak like Hershey's dark chocolate. It's got a very robust cocoa flavor. I really recommend that anyone who loves dark chocolate have an open mind about trying it.
posted by Dansaman at 11:10 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by Dansaman at 11:10 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Yup, Guittard chocolate chips are so tasty we keep at least 20 bags in the pantry at all times (we're a little nuts).
I also love love LOVE Valhrona.
posted by Doleful Creature at 11:45 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
I also love love LOVE Valhrona.
posted by Doleful Creature at 11:45 PM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The German brand Hachez is worth checking out. I have seen it in the States, albeit sporadically.
posted by Namlit at 11:52 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by Namlit at 11:52 PM on September 29, 2013
Best answer: Not gourmet chocolates, but damn if I don't love the German Ritter Sport bars. They have straight-up dark of varying percentages. I hear tell Trader Joe's may sell Ritter Sport but I tragically don't live near a store. I just bought a 12-pack online for $33. The solids are great, and there is a very rich truffle bar (but my favorites are the dark chocolate bars of the marzipan, peppermint and whole hazelnut varieties, and the milk chocolate with nougat). Each bar is a square in a different solid color depending on the flavor. Nomnomnom...
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 1:01 AM on September 30, 2013
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 1:01 AM on September 30, 2013
Best answer: Purists love chilli and chocolate.
posted by Mister Bijou at 3:22 AM on September 30, 2013
posted by Mister Bijou at 3:22 AM on September 30, 2013
Best answer: Living in Seattle, naturally I have to second the recommendation for Theo chocolate.
posted by stubbehtail at 10:23 AM on September 30, 2013
posted by stubbehtail at 10:23 AM on September 30, 2013
Best answer: We went through an exhaustive tasting process at our house, and it turned out each favorite was totally ffppppth-worthy of the other. Lesson: my good chocolate may not turn you on. However, my good chocolate is better than 75% mentioned which I've tasted.
Divine Dark Chocolate
delicious! One square (bar of 24) each night makes me happy. Also they package a milk chocolate called "The Gay Bar."
posted by Jesse the K at 11:42 AM on September 30, 2013
Divine Dark Chocolate
delicious! One square (bar of 24) each night makes me happy. Also they package a milk chocolate called "The Gay Bar."
posted by Jesse the K at 11:42 AM on September 30, 2013
Best answer: Mast Brothers and Askinosie both make ridiculously good (and expensive) single-origin chocolate bars. You can REALLY tell the difference between the different growing locations, the subtle underflavors of the beans are really put on display.
Mast Brothers has some flavored bars that are really subtle and support the chocolate rather than overpower it. One is Vanilla and Smoke with a hint of vanilla and smoked cacao nibs. They also have Crown Maple with a hint of maple syrup. Bad. Ass.
posted by TheRedArmy at 11:45 AM on September 30, 2013
Mast Brothers has some flavored bars that are really subtle and support the chocolate rather than overpower it. One is Vanilla and Smoke with a hint of vanilla and smoked cacao nibs. They also have Crown Maple with a hint of maple syrup. Bad. Ass.
posted by TheRedArmy at 11:45 AM on September 30, 2013
Best answer: See's Candy and Tazo are my favorites....
mmmm, featuring this question!
posted by jrobin276 at 1:22 PM on September 30, 2013
mmmm, featuring this question!
posted by jrobin276 at 1:22 PM on September 30, 2013
Best answer: Nthing Meadow as a great place for a variety of high-quality chocolate, especially salted chocolate.
Some of my favorites:
Akesson's Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel
Domori D-Fusion Milk Chocolate Bar with Salt
Dick Taylor Dark Chocolate with Fleur de Sel, or any of their plain dark chocolate bars
Askinosie--any of their dark chocolates
Amedei Porcelana--dark chocolate, ridiculously expensive but astoundingly complex and balanced. Every chocolate purist should try this one at least once, if they can.
Right now, if I had to pick only one pure chocolate bar, I'd go with Rogue Chocolatier. Their Silvestre Limited Edition bar is amazing. The guy is an artist working with nothing but cacao and sugar, and the range and balance of flavors is fantastic. Their other bars are excellent, if not quite as perfect as the Silvestre.
posted by creepygirl at 10:18 PM on September 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Some of my favorites:
Akesson's Milk Chocolate + Fleur de Sel
Domori D-Fusion Milk Chocolate Bar with Salt
Dick Taylor Dark Chocolate with Fleur de Sel, or any of their plain dark chocolate bars
Askinosie--any of their dark chocolates
Amedei Porcelana--dark chocolate, ridiculously expensive but astoundingly complex and balanced. Every chocolate purist should try this one at least once, if they can.
Right now, if I had to pick only one pure chocolate bar, I'd go with Rogue Chocolatier. Their Silvestre Limited Edition bar is amazing. The guy is an artist working with nothing but cacao and sugar, and the range and balance of flavors is fantastic. Their other bars are excellent, if not quite as perfect as the Silvestre.
posted by creepygirl at 10:18 PM on September 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 7:51 PM on September 29, 2013