Soup to
Nuts!... Chocolates by Personality Type
In this feature, we offer up a slew
of gourmet goodies that run the gamut from
cocktail nibbles to spirits to sweets and
everything in between. Each issue, we round
up a bunch of samples of a particular product
and then offer reviews on our favorites.
We have no dog in this fight - we're open
to trying just about anything, and we try
to be as objective as possible. Sometimes
the results surprise even us!
It's back to that most romantic of sweets
- the classic Valentine's box of chocolates.
Nothing says "sweets for the sweet"
better than these aromatic boxes of hidden
delights. Who knows what you'll bite
into next?
We've also tried to help you pick out
just the right box for your sweetie by matching
personality types to these delicious
treats. Enjoy!
- Vosges
Chocolate Collection Italiano ($37-$56).
We've been eyeing this visually arresting
collection for some time, but just recently
summoned up the courage to actually taste...
tentatively. After all, the ingredients
include Taleggio cheese, dried Kalamata
olives and balsamic vinegar, along with
more approachable things like burnt sugar
caramel, roasted Sicilian hazelnuts and
Sicilian sea salt.
The results? ABSOLUTELY LOVED THEM. Deep
and rich and complex, the flavor integration
and balance is so spectacular, that you're
not bowled over by, say, the taleggio. You
know it's there, but… it works.
- Fran's
Red Satin Heart Gift Box ($46, 20 pieces).
The thing we love about most of the Fran's
chocolates we've tasted over the years is
the intensity of her flavors. Even the milk
chocolate is rich and intensely chocolatey
- a feat too rarely achieved by chocolate
makers.
For Valentine's Day, Fran's is offering
a lovely heart-shaped box of assorted delights
- we particularly oohed and aahed over the
dark chocolate caramel, the milk chocolate
espresso and the single malt whiskey pieces.
But they were all darned good.
- Maison
du Chocolate Coffet Maison with assorted
chocolate ($47-$248). The Hermes of
chocolates, right down to the oh-so-stylish
cognac colored box and silky brown ribbon.
These petite bites are tres French, rich
with plenty of silky buttercream and classic
flavors. Ideal alongside a demitasse of
European-style coffee… or for bedside
reference!
- L.A.
Burdick Valentine's Day Wood Box Assortment
($18-$61). Burdicks may make the most perfect
chocolates around. From the signature wooden
box, to the adorable mice and penguin shapes,
to the reasonable prices - not to mention
the excellent balance between traditional
and modern flavors - they're just flat hard
to beat.
- See's
Famous Old Time Candies Red Heart with Nuts
& Chews ($18.75-$35). Classic Americana
here, with hard to resist assorted milk
and dark chocolates filled with nuts, nougats
and caramel. Pair with a dozen red roses
for the quintessential Cupid-worthy gift.
- Godiva
All Hearts G Collection ($50-$95). This
was definitely the surprise of our chocolate
tasting extravaganza. When was the last
time we got excited by Godiva? This G Collection
(a "regular" non-heart version
is also available, and possibly even more
appealing!) knocked our socks off. Cool
box is all posh sleek and angled, while
inside, the array of glistening, glossy
hearts is practically too artistically appealing
to eat. Reminded us of a jewel box filled
with shiny pretty things. Nice assortment
of flavors - we loved the PB&J, the
salted caramel, the bananas foster and more.
Well done!
- Teuscher
Champagne Truffles ($24-$102). Yes,
you can also opt for the assorted truffles,
but true bubble aficionados tend to be a
rather single-minded bunch, so why not just
commit to the obsession that is this original
classic. They really do melt in your mouth,
in a dreamy "how do they do that?"
kind of way. And it doesn't matter how many
you eat, you marvel over each one. Pair
with a bottle of Champagne for extra bubblehead
heaven.
|
