michel cluizel

all photographs ©
Ron Dunlap Photography

Valentine's may be over, but hearts never to out of style. Michel Cluizel's Coeur d'Amour, which is fancy schmancy French for Hearts of Love are the year round perfect gift for anyone dear to you. That might include a good friend needing a pick me up, your partner to let them know you love them, your lover - (it's French isn't it?) and even for your cat, even though everyone knows it's not your cat that will be eating them.

An unspecified time ago, after all I am une femme d'un certain age which means in French, "Don't ask me my age, it's really rude and I am not going to answer you anyway", I used to live in Canada. We had this candy called Smarties.These are not the thin candy wafers in six incredible flavors but instead the Canadian version of M&M's.

Imagine Smarties, without the colors and instead of mass produced chocolate (nothing wrong with that), each little candy reveals a rich, dark chocolate center that is 72% cacao and delivers that rich chocolate taste that only a master chocolatier like Michel Cluizel can deliver. The combination of textures, the first satisfying crunch when you bite into these and then the  72% cacao center makes these little hearts irresistible. And to top it off, the chocolates comes in a darling giftable tin with a red grosgrain bow. It's really a perfect gift for the chocolate enthusiasts in your life.

And if you happen to be a baker, I see these little hearts scattered jauntily over your baked goods. Cupcakes anyone?


michel cluizel information

valentine pick: seattle chocolate truffles

all photographs ©
Ron Dunlap Photography

Holidays are always the worst for singletons. Whether it's just being alone or having just gone through a poorly timed break up, there's nothing worse than seeing happy couples laughing and holding hands skipping down the sidewalk. It is almost as if they come out of the wood work just on holidays. So why not make yourself that special someone? This brightly colored bag of truffles from Seattle Chocolates is sure to bring a smile to your face. And all the delightful flavors will make even the pickiest connoisseur happy.

Each chocolate comes wrapped in a brightly metallic foil that makes a provocative crinkly sound when you open them to reveal a perfect, bite sized chocolate shaped like a little loaf. And despite the size, you'll find each truffle packs a big flavor punch. Plus, the truffles are just exactly the right size that it's impossible to feel guilty say, even if you inhale the whole bag accidentally.

If you're looking for a little crunch may we suggest the Toffee, Salted Almond or Peanut Brittle. There is just enough of a crumbly crunch in each of these so you get the right amount of texture that you end up frantically searching the bag for just one more bite. Thankfully, the wrappings are all color coded and labelled for good measure.

For the chocoholics who enjoy the classic fillings, the Milk Chocolate Mint, Cool Mint or Peanut Butter will satisfy your cravings and, Seattle Chocolates has a whole bevy of brightly naturally flavored, fruity fillings all tinted just so that when you bit in, you see a slight blush from the fruit; Blackberry Crème, Strawberry Crème and Raspberry Crème.

And if you think that's it how about the Coconut Macaroon, Espresso and Sea Salt for the more adventurous?

I used to think if I was left on a deserted island and I could bring one thing it would be Mascara, that or Ryan Gosling. But now I think I would be perfectly happy with a bag of assorted Seattle Chocolate Truffles.

seattle chocolates contact information

jcoco chocolates

all photographs ©
Ron Dunlap Photography

Jcoco knows, presentation isn't everything but when you have the whole nine yards going, from joyous, brightly colored packaging and velvety, dazzling flavors you have three 3 oz of pure joy in your hands.

Jcoco doesn't skimp on your pleasure. To start, their vivid packaging in bright greens, purples and fanciful designs brings to mind the same anticipation you have when unwrapping a package from you favorite luxury retailer. Jcoco, is the Tiffany of chocolates. The packaging is made from gorgeous thick board that just screams class - except when does class every have to scream? Inside each box is another surprise. Three mini-bars await you, delightfully wrapped with happy inspiring black and white photos. This makes these exquisite chocolate bars the perfect gift for your favorite chocoholics this upcoming gift-giving season. And if giving chocolate weren't enough - every purchase of jcoco gives back in the form of a fresh, healthy serving of food to someone who would otherwise go without. Affiliated with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Northwest Harvest,SF Marin Food Bank and Food Bank for New York City this is one chocolate that goes beyond delivering sensational couture flavors.

We might also add, many of these chocolate offerings are all-natural, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and Kosher so you can reduce your sweet tooth guilt factor too!

After being smitten with the presentation, my Argentine Tango classmates eagerly began our tasting. We started of course with Peanut Strawberry Baobab as it came in the brightest packaging, and we're all for shiny objects. If you still crave for PB&J in your lunchbox this chocolate has your name written all over it. Immersed in a rich, dark chocolate, you pick up nice crunch bits of peanuts and a surprisingly, satisfying rich, chewy strawberry pâté.

Our instructor demanded the Agave Quinoa Sesame next. This bar boasts little puffed pieces of quinoa that crunch delicately under your teeth, followed by a sexy honey (actually agave) flavor and then ending in that unique taste of toasted sesame. We were all silenced momentarily until she declared this was her favorite chocolate ever and promptly claimed the remaining bar and went to teach the Viennese Waltz.

One bar short but still rich with experience we tackled the Black Fig Pistachio next. Figs have a special place in my heart. We have a Black Mission Fig tree in our yard. This tree has become the watering hole for animals of every persuasion - red foxes, skunks, possoms, Red Cheeked Bulbuls, Mockingbirds, Western Jays and a squirrel named Oliver to name a few who get sloshed with fermented figs. But I digress. I have a soft spot for figs, pun intended. In this confection, the figs pair with a toasted, fresh pistachios so you have the complex, chewy chorus of figs paired with tasty, crispy nuts.

Our last bar was the Edamame Sea Salt. This had to be especially most excellent because it knocked the Black Fig Pistachio off my list for my favorite chocolate bar. The edamames are toasted, making them quite different that how you might usually enjoy them. As such they acquire a habit inducing nutty taste and with the touch of salt gives this a unique sophisticated flavor. A flavor, that creeps into your mind and soul and permanently into your dreams.

jcoco chocolates contact information

An Indulgent Guide to Chocolate

A beautiful visual history of chocolate for you to enjoy created by MyChocolate, a specialist provider of chocolate making workshops in London, Manchester and Brighton.

Whether you're trying to sweeten an upcoming corporate event, celebrate a birthday or milestone or just looking for something to spice up your love life by learning to make irresistible chocolates yourself - MyChocolate is your cocoa partner! Doesn't chocolate just makes everything?

MyChocolate has served over 109,097 satistfied chocolate connoisseurs with their organic chocolate treats as of this post - will you be the lucky 109,098th?

Provided by MyChocolate

Hedonist Chocolates 2014 Spring Truffle Collection

all photographs ©
Ron Dunlap Photography

Girls and boys, if it's your waistline you're worried about come this Easter debauchery, you would be well advised to stay clear of Hedonist Chocolates latest truffle creations. These truffles are so sinfully addictive it's not the one truffle you need be worried about, it is the entire box. And how you will be tested. Each truffle is a careful balance of unusual flavors and creamy, velvety, rich textures that will require you to reach into your most deepest, darkest reserves to prevent yourself from taking the box, and turning into Gollum.

The beginning in this case starts with Hedonist's beautiful packaging, perfect as a gift for you, a friend, a lover - and did we mention for you?

Inside we found this devastating, array of truffles: Tarragon Carrot, Cardamom Rosewater, Hibiscus Cordial, Strawberry Rhubarb, Earl Grey Caramel and Strawberry Rhubarb.

We started out chocolate bender with Tarragon Carrot because it sounded so unusual. The truffle itself is a work of art with a beautiful little candied piece of carrot on it. Still, we did wonder - would we like it? Who knew chocolate, carrot and tarragon was a match made in heaven? This is so good you feel like you want to get an entire vat of the filling and just crawl into it. The earthy sweet carrot flavor blends perfectly with the chocolate and the Tarragon leaves just a perfect - almost minty after taste. And so for all of you who love to try something different we highly recommend this jewel. This truffle was my personal favorite.

Next, we forced ourselves to sample the Cardamom Rosewater. I am a sucker for the spice Cardamom and this chocolate did not disappoint. Wonderful and rich with the gingery, cinnamony taste of Cardomom with a light ribbon of Rosewater to dance on your tastebuds after the chocolate has melted deliciously away. We made short order of this Truffle and we think a box of these chocolates would be de rigueur if you're hoping to get lucky or needing to get out of the doghouse.

The Hibiscus Cordial attracted us next. This is the truffle with the elegant hibiscus petal perched on top. A word to the wise - do not cut or attempt to share this chocolate. Instructions: pop into your bouche, bite down and as the cordial bursts, close your eyes and enjoy the burst of flowery flavor. Delicious and if you are a Chocolate covered cherry fanatic - this most certainly needs to be added to your chocolate bucket list.

For tea and salted caramel lovers, Hedonist Chocolates presents the Earl Grey Caramel. And just like every confection in this collection - it is just enough unique - not unique for unique's sake mind you, but unique in that it's a sensation of taste, flavor and texture. So good.

The last chocolate we tried was the Strawberry Rhubarb. This one was my husband's favorite. When sliced open, the truffle revealed a tiny layer of strawberry and rhubarb jelly and underneath rich velvety truffle. Simply divine and the most perfect way to end our Hedonist chocolate tasting.

hedonist chocolates contact information

Sweetly Demented

all photographs ©
Ron Dunlap Photography

If the recent holidays, Valentines and Easter has taken you overboard with saccharine sweetness in the form of hearts with velvet ribbons and cute bunnies then a visit to Sweetly Demented is clearly in order.

Sivonne Imnotelling's vision is a slightly maleovolent, more sinister twist of the dark side of chocolate (although she uses white and milk chocolate too). Inspired by Tim Burton who Sivonne claims to have "watched too much of..." (as if you could ever watch too much of Tim Burton), Sweetly Demented seems to be the lovechild of Tim Burton, Edward Gorey with a sprinkle of some Victorian malfeasance mixed in.

The chocolate is all cleverly designed: Bird Skulls, your strange relatives wooden souvenir, a dissident candy rose in a ornate chocolate frame - all perfect for the a slightly twisted, gothic love - or better, an unrequited love. Hunger Games anyone?

sweetly demented contact information

Amore Chocolates

All photographs ©
Ron Dunlap Photography

Like love, Amore Chocolates has something for everyone. Decadent. opulent truffles? Check. Filled with made from scratch buttercream fillings, ganache and homemade caramel? Check. The classics just as you remember them in your best dreams? Check. Adventurous fillings made with ingredients that would please even a Portlandia foodie? Check.

The only thing is, if you don't like rich, silky, decadent chocolates, then Amore Chocolates is not for you. Thankfully, that's not me.

Amore chocolates arrived on my doorstep in a unassuming box. But when the lid was removed, it revealed a center chock full of tempting truffles and a rapturous chocolate aroma filled the room. Amore Chocolates sells by the pound and they don't skimp when they are packing. The box was literally packed to it's gills. And so when they say a 1, 2 or 3lb box they really mean it.

As an homage to Jeremy Lin we devoured the Chinese 5
Spice first. Chinese 5 Spice is a combination of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Szechuan Peppercorns, and Cloves. It is used in many dishes including interestingly Mao Tse Tung's favorite pork dish (which incidentally is also my husband's favorite pork dish). But for those who might worry this spice may be more compatable with savory than sweet - fear not. It is works perfectly with chocolate. And, for any of you chocolate lovers who were early adapters to gourmet Chocolate with Chili - this is the Chocolate with Chili, Chocolate and you would must try it!

I fell off the wagon with Amore Chocolates'truffles filled with beer, wine and spirit ganaches. The Balsamic Cabernet, Bourbon and German Wheat Beer were simply divine. The dark, velvety and complex ganache mingled with the snappy chocolate exterior perfectly. After they were all imbibed, I felt like belting out "Baby Please Don't Go" but everyone was glad when I didn't.

After slipping into a chocolate coma for a few hours, we decided to tackle the white chocolates next: Eggnog and Pumpkin Spice. Each center was especially creamy and sinfully rich - probably because their secret ingredient is butter. The Pumpkin Spice was absolutely, irrevocably delicious. It's the kind of truffle you can eat all day and all night until you need to invest in some "I've been eating too much chocolate" jeans - not that anyone is suggesting you can ever eat too much chocolate.

For purists, there is a wonderful selection as well. Dark chocolate lovers, make sure you include at least one Seriously Dark, Amore Chocolates' most popular truffle and a Mudslide in Dark in your box. And for those who have a sweeter tooth, Mudslide comes in Mud (milk chocolate as well) and be sure to ask for a Coconut Chiffon.

I would be remiss not mentioning the Cinnamon Espresso. This chocolate was developed by a reknowned surgeon and very, very serious chocoholic, known to horrify his dinner companions by downing four pot de crème in one sitting, Dr. Alan Rothblatt. It is a perfectly balanced little treasure of a chocolate and a superb example on how Amore Chocolates collaborates with their customers. So if you have a special diet; require a gluten free, vegan or kosher chocolate, Amore Chocolates can work with you to create gems of your own.

amore chocolates contact information