The Best Chocolates
Before forming the blended bars we know and love, cacao was enjoyed by the Mesoamerican kingdoms of millennia ago. These days, you'll find chocolates of all shapes and sizes infused with almost every decadent taste you could imagine. Whether you indulge the chocolate craving on the regular or just take an occasional bite as a treat, there's a whole world of flavor to explore. We've gathered some of our favorites below, so get ready to treat yourself — or your loved one.
What to Look For
Finding the perfect flavor profile is a matter of individual taste, but there are a few things to consider if you’re trying something new. Sweet tooths tend to prefer milk chocolate over bitter dark bars, and the texture can be just as important when choosing nut or fruit combos. The presentation also counts if you’re buying them as a gift. With all that in mind, our favorite all-rounders are the opulent Lindor truffles from Lindt. These smooth and creamy milk chocolates are likely to please most tastebuds, and they come in neat individual wrappers. For a deep and rich flavor unlike any other, though, try the 100% cacao bars from Raaka. Without further ado, it’s time to sink your teeth into the rest of our list.
Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles
Melt in the mouth
This sumptuous collection of melt-in-the-mouth candies from the master chocolatiers at Lindt is sure to ignite the passions of any sweet-toothed nibbler. With a memorable creaminess that’s hard to resist, the classic Lindor truffle gets its signature flavor from almost two centuries of crafting experience. And it’s not just the taste that will see you reaching for another — the subtle combination of the hard shell with smooth and creamy truffle delights inside is a treat for all the senses.
Pros:
- With 36 truffles inside, this pack is perfect for sharing
- Individually wrapped for arranging in a dish or anywhere else you choose
- Kosher ingredients
Cons:
- Delicate truffle inside can melt at lower temperatures than solid chocolate
Hu Grass-Fed Milk Chocolate, 5-Pack
If you tend towards mild and creamy chocolate delights, it’s just as important to consider the quality of the other ingredients in the mix. This deluxe milk chocolate from Hu is crafted from a minimal and selective blend of ingredients. You won’t find refined sugars here, nor palm oil or synthetic emulsifiers. Instead, the rich taste of organic grass-fed milk blended with rich 48 percent cacao presents bold natural flavors in their element.
Pros:
- Find your favorite in this sample pack of five classic recipes
- Fair-trade certified
- Suitable for paleo diets
Cons:
- Unsuitable for those with nut allergies
Lindt Creation Dessert Assorted Chocolate Gift Box
Sweet things are made for sharing, and this treasure trove of delights from Lindt is sure to be a winner on gifting occasions all year round. The seven delicious bite-sized chocolates will take even the most trained tastebuds on a journey through subtle sweetness and smooth and crunchy textures. Adorned in a luxurious golden bed, each bite is sure to make that special someone feel pampered.
Pros:
- Each chocolate sits in an elegant paper wrapper
- The range of recipes means there’ll be something inside for finicky eaters
- Lavish gift box looks like a treat without additional wrapping
Cons:
- With an odd number of each chocolate, sharing between two people may require a negotiation
Godiva Chocolatier Signature Truffles
Belgium is well known for its chocolate pedigree, and Godiva pairs this age-old Belgian expertise with contemporary techniques to deliver this unforgettable twelve-piece selection. Made to be savored, these luxurious treats feature with exotic blended spices, fruity essences, and irresistible nutty sprinkles. Though they don’t come cheap, these lavish candies aren’t for scoffing, so you can take your time to enjoy every last one.
Pros:
- Layered insides offer unparalleled texture
- Ribbon-adorned gift box
- Other sizes available as well
Cons:
- They are costly, but considering their exceptional quality and delicious flavor, we think that’s justified
Raaka 100-Percent Cacao Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate
Pure delight
These days we’re all extra vigilant about where our food comes from. Made from 100% cacao, these purist bars leave little to the imagination. The unroasted blend results in a deliciously unique flavor profile that makes a great accompaniment to coffee. Alternatively, we recommend trying it alongside red wine as an indulgent after-dinner treat.
Pros:
- Transparently traded with farmer-owned cooperatives
- Free of gluten and soy
- USDA organic
Cons:
- Milk chocolate lovers may find these bars too bitter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dark chocolate healthier than milk chocolate?
Few of us turn to chocolate as the foundation of a healthy diet, but if you’re looking to avoid several common overindulgences then you might consider trading milky bars for the darker variety. Depending on the recipe, dark chocolate often contains less or no sugar. With less milk, it can often contain less fat than milk chocolate, although is still high in fat and calories relative to most other tasty treats.
How can I store chocolate to keep it fresh?
If you’re not planning to devour your new bars in a flash, you’ll want to keep them in an appropriate environment to preserve their great taste. Fresh chocolate will always taste better, but you can preserve its flavor for some time if you keep it at a cool temperature away from direct exposure to light and air. To prevent your chocolate from melting on delivery, you should aim to collect it at the door when it arrives.
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