I wanted to do something nice for a certain person who has been under a lot of stress lately, and I know that she, (being a she) has a deep love for chocolate. The problem is, I don’t really know what sort, and I have to confess I’m not especially well versed in my chocolates these days. So my question is, basically, what’s the best chocolate I can get, in stores or online, whatever, that won’t completely bankrupt me? I’m hoping for like, a $20-30 range, I guess. Less if possible of course, but something at least mildly memorable for the receiving party.
You want memorable? Edible Arrangements are memorable, even though only a few of them really emphasize the chocolate ingredient. They don’t seem to deliver to Eau Claire exactly, but other Wisconsin cities are listed as possible pickup locations once you place an order.
I do not know where you are located, but the local Chocolate factory is superb.
I believe they take phone orders to anywhere in the 48 contiguous states.
They are Criterion Chocolate at www.criterionchocolates.com. Here are some of their best.
If you decide to call them, do yourself a favor and order some of their Salt Water Taffy for yourself, it is the best in New Jersey, a state known for Salt Water Taffy.
If it’s just high-quality plain chocolate that won’t bust your budget, it’s hard to beat Scharffen Berger. While they sold out to Hershey, the quality hasn’t changed. The 62% Cacao Semi Sweet is terrific.
If you want inexpensive but good, and are willing to expend some effort, just make her some chocolate truffles. I’d recommend the recipe from Joy of Cooking (which your local library is sure to have).
It’s ridiculously easy – some semisweet chocolate bars, some heavy cream, and roll 'em in powdered sugar or coco powder. Takes a few hours, and they’re really good, too.
First thing is, do you know if she likes ‘gourmet’ chocolate (the dark, high-cocoa, slightly bitter stuff) or ‘normal’ chocolate (lots of sugar and vegetable fat, very sweet).
While the former is usually regarded as being the best, some people really don’t like it and prefer their Hershey’s or whatever. Be a shame to get some super-classy handmade dark chocolate if she’d really rather just have a bucketful of supermarket choccy bars.
Chocolaterie Stam, a Des Moines area chocolate-marker, makes the best chocolate I’ve had in my life. Their website seems to be down right now but check back later and see if you can order online. Their prices are really reasonable for the quality, too.
Belgium.
Okay, okay: there appears to be a Cold Stone Creamery location in your area (Eau Claire, Wisconsin, right? It should be at 4613 Keystone Crossing) and they sell the really seriously excellent kind of ice cream–personalized and everything. Makes for a fantastic gift.
There are some great American chocolatiers as well.
Some favorites:
Elbow - Chirstopher Elbow - These are delicious little works of art in unique flavors. You can also order these onlone through Cocoa Bella, a fabulous chocolate shop in SF.
Recchiuti - Probably the best coming out of San Francisco, where there is no shortage of awesome chocolate.
Woodhouse Chocolates - Out of the Napa Valley, they focus on fresh ingredients. These are definitely on my top five list.
La Maison du Chocolat is good for candy. Serious chocophiles, though, know that Michel Cluizel provides the hard-core stuff–specifically, their “sinister” little 99% bar.
For gifts, their 16-piece bonbon box is nice, as are the sampler boxes–there is one with different strengths of their usual cocoa blend, and another with samples of chocolate made with beans from single plantations. If you want to feel really, really sophisticated and in-the-know, try that one. It’s incredible how different they taste.
The best stuff I’ve ever had is Montezuma’s, but sadly that’s not available in the US. However, if you’re looking for some exceptionally high quality bars rather than fancy schmancy chocolate doodads, the British organic chocolate company Green & Blacks now has a US store locator. Their dark stuff is out of this world, particularly the orange spiced. I just checked, and I see it’s sold in Target in Eau Claire. Despite being stocked in a low-end retailer, it’s very very good.
Target, of all places, tends to have some basic, good chocolate, including Girardelli. I found some Bailey’s Irish Creme truffles there a few weeks ago and took them to work for the days when we can’t decide whether we need booze or chocolate more. They’re non-alcoholic, but good!
Wow, this is exactly why I came here. Thanks so much for all the ideas.
BTW, since a few people asked - Feminina in question does like dark chocolate, but definitely not Hershey’s or any sort of cheap, waxy garbage of the same ilk.
And yes, I’m currently located in Eau Claire. Home is a few hours east.