The quest for the BEST Chocolate.

imdointhis

My wife has the most gourmet pallete when it comes to chocoloates; rickert of paris and godiva have both failed to satisfy her.

Most erudite chocolatiers, where in the US can I obtain the best of the best, the creme de le creme for her? Money is no object.

Her particular favorites: dark, praline, ammereto, and hazlenut.

knitdan

This may sound dumb, but has she ever mentioned a chocolate that she likes?

Also dark is a kind of chocolate, whereas praline, amaretto and hazelnut are added flavors.

Avoid milk chocolate.

Try these folks, they do interesting things with chocolate

https://cowgirlchocolates.com

Armoroc

I don't know too much about chocolates. To be honest I am quite satisfied with the chocolate kisses or maybe just a snickers.
One day at work though someone brought a bag of Lindor chocolates to share and... Wow! Those little chocolate balls are amazing. Those things melt in your mouth and then you get to the creamy insides... awesome!
I only tried the milk and white chocoflavors though. There's dark and super dark flavors too, but I can't comment on those... I don't like dark chocolate.
http://www.lindtusa.com/
I suppose you can find them at any supermarket? Not sure.

L Ron Howard

For my quality chocolate, I go to Sarris Candies.

Cambiata

Unfortunately I've never tried buying any online, but when I was in Belgium I tasted the best chocolate I've ever tasted. If I were in search of the best chocolate now, I would google Belgium chocolatiers and order samples until I found what I tasted then.

imdointhis

Cambiata wrote: »

Unfortunately I've never tried buying any online, but when I was in Belgium I tasted the best chocolate I've ever tasted. If I were in search of the best chocolate now, I would google Belgium chocolatiers and order samples until I found what I tasted then.

Ah, you understand my challenge, she is an american born swiss girl whose mother has an apartment in belgium that they visit several times a year.

finding an american company to compare to what she finds there has been challenging

Cambiata

imdointhis wrote: »

Cambiata wrote: »

Unfortunately I've never tried buying any online, but when I was in Belgium I tasted the best chocolate I've ever tasted. If I were in search of the best chocolate now, I would google Belgium chocolatiers and order samples until I found what I tasted then.

Ah, you understand my challenge, she is an american born swiss girl whose mother has an apartment in belgium that they visit several times a year.

finding an american company to compare to what she finds there has been challenging

I'd be surprised if you could find an American company that made anything like that, but is there anything against ordering online from one of the 100+ year old chocolatiers in Belgium? (aside from Godiva)

Siska

Yeah, order online from suppliers of chocolate from her home country. I get a Swedish chocolate craving now and then, Marabou to be specific. Which even though it's been owned by a US company for 20 years is not sold here in stores (Why not? It's awesome!). Ikea used to carry it, but they've stopped. But I can order it online. Even on Amazon.com. It will cost like 4 times as much but once or twice a year it is worth it.

imdointhis

Cambiata wrote: »

imdointhis wrote: »

Cambiata wrote: »

Unfortunately I've never tried buying any online, but when I was in Belgium I tasted the best chocolate I've ever tasted. If I were in search of the best chocolate now, I would google Belgium chocolatiers and order samples until I found what I tasted then.

Ah, you understand my challenge, she is an american born swiss girl whose mother has an apartment in belgium that they visit several times a year.

finding an american company to compare to what she finds there has been challenging

I'd be surprised if you could find an American company that made anything like that, but is there anything against ordering online from one of the 100+ year old chocolatiers in Belgium? (aside from Godiva)

No, there isn't! What a great idea!

Akilae

You'd be hard pressed to find chocolate that can beat the Belgian stuff. That being said, the best American chocolate I've ever had, that can be obtained over the Internet, would be Recchiuti.

Noxy

There is a little shop in Wichita Kansas, I think they might have a few locations though. It is called Cocoa Dolce.

Honestly, I don't have a lot of experience with chocolate but the lady that runs that location knows her stuff and the chocolates are fantastic.

Wassermelone

The best chocolate I've had was Bernachon

I think theres a way to order it by mail but you might need to know french to navigate their website. Alternatively you can buy it in Lyon, France where its made, or the one other store that sells it, A l'Etoile d'Or in Paris

Seriously, its good.

Cowboy-Bebop

I had this chocolate called La Joya in Spain and it was unbelievable- I didn't know they made chocolate like this. Maybe it would be different from the standard Belgian fair and thus interesting? The package how the normal fluff on the back about tasting notes and stuff that I usually discount but I could actually pick up on the elements they were describing. You could actually taste raisins and tobacco and licorice. I highly recommend you try it.

http://www.caputosdeli.com/products/cacao-sampaka-la-joya-70-chocolate-bar.html

WonderMink

Moonstruck chocolate in Portland OR is very good.

http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/

Not cheap at around 50 bucks per 20, but since we are spending big.

Rayze

Armoroc wrote: »

I don't know too much about chocolates. To be honest I am quite satisfied with the chocolate kisses or maybe just a snickers.
One day at work though someone brought a bag of Lindor chocolates to share and... Wow! Those little chocolate balls are amazing. Those things melt in your mouth and then you get to the creamy insides... awesome!
I only tried the milk and white chocoflavors though. There's dark and super dark flavors too, but I can't comment on those... I don't like dark chocolate.
http://www.lindtusa.com/
I suppose you can find them at any supermarket? Not sure.

I adore Lindt chocolate. I've found them in supermarkets and Hallmark stores

CelestialBadger

Lindt is not going to cut it for a gourmet.

The best chocolate is probably going to be some small swanky single location gourmet hipster place. Take her there and let her pick and sample them. Fun romantic trip out!

Six

I'm a huge fan of http://www.nunuchocolates.com/

Their store being around the corner from me doesn't hurt. They're also great people.

Creagan

Godiva chocolate's gross. It's really crumbly but doesn't have a nice snap to it when you break off a piece. The melt's too grainy. Lindt's a little better, but it's always seemed kinda greasy to me. (Yeah, I'm picky.)

My family is fond of Leonidas, which supplies Belgian chocolates. Equal Exchange makes good Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut bars as well. (Smooth melt without being greasy.)

schuss

Rechiutti and Valrhona (can get in Trader Joes) are likely the best stuff that's widely available. Definitely try to find a GOOD specialty shop, as the difference between good chocolate and bad chocolate is monstrous.

Cog

CelestialBadger wrote: »

Lindt is not going to cut it for a gourmet.

The best chocolate is probably going to be some small swanky single location gourmet hipster place. Take her there and let her pick and sample them. Fun romantic trip out!

Was just going to suggest this. Try to find a local chocolatiere. I've never seen one that doesn't give out free samples.

ThunderSaid

The owner of Olive and Sinclair was on Alton Brown's podcast a few weeks ago. I've never tried their chocolate, but he seemed passionate about his work, and Alton gives them the thumbs up.

http://www.oliveandsinclair.com/

Mr Obersmith

I'm a big fan of Sirius which is an Icelandic chocolate. They have it in Whole Foods. I also like http://www.garrisonconfections.com/. I used to live a couple of blocks away from their storefront. That was dangerous.

imdointhis

sigh i wish i could find a hip local shoppe, but alas I am in Cleveland.

We got Malleys.

imdointhis

working my way down the list, i've placed three orders so far.

a 20 pack of truffles from nunu, a 20 pack from moonstruck, and i'm working my way through http://www.bernachon.com - i'm going to give them my corporate fedex acct # and have it shipped in.

after those come in, i'll report back, and then i'll place a new round of orders

LoveIsUnity

I haven't had them in about five or six years, so the quality may have diminished, but Vosges makes some dope truffles: http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/

Ammaline

I second the bernachon, but I'm married to wasser, so I might be biased! Hope to see follow up if she likes them. I have had a lot of fun looking through this thread as a fellow chocolate fan! I'm also weirdly happy to see someone who agrees with me on Godiva, sometimes I feel I'm the only one who doesn't like their products at all.

I just wanted to chime in: if you aren't planning on ordering from these places every couple months, for a decent 'grocery store' type chocolate that should be available just about everywhere, Ritter sport has some very tasty varieties. I personally like them better than Lindt, but their plain chocolate isn't really anything special. It is more their bars with stuff in them--hazelnut, coconut, and a bunch of others depending on the store. They have a staggering amount of options, so I feel like that can be fun. Amazing? Life changing? No, but tasty and fun, and easy to obtain

Not Mandatory

My favorite chocolate is from Theo - "the first organic and Fair Trade fair for Life Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in North America." I've gone on their chocolate factory tour at least five times!

https://www.theochocolate.com/shop

Mmm.

Gizzy

After you report back .. I might have to go order myself some special chocolate!

schuss

Whatever you get, also make sure it's Criollo, as those beans have much richer flavors.

NightDragon

I've found Krause's chocolates (of NY) rather good. My boyfriend's parents actually ordered some for my birthday, which is how I know they deliver!

http://www.krauseschocolates.com/

Shadowfire

The best chocolates you're going to find in the states are going to be at local shops. Something small, mom & pop that's been around for a long time. I honestly would ask your friends and co-workers for information.