My Chocolate Fantasy

Dave Owen asked:


While many people spend lots of money on fine wines, until recently you generally couldn’t say the same about chocolate –not even gourmet chocolate. However, with the advent of high-end Chocolatiers like Amadei, you can now find chocolates to which terms like terroir are now applied (a term from the wine-world that is used to describe the unique flavors and tones imparted by a specific region).

Amadei is an Italian company established in the 1990s whose gourmet chocolate is now in high demand by chocolate connoisseurs. They offer specially grown varieties of chocolate like Porcelana and Chuao that can sell for over $100 a pound!

For the true gourmet chocoholic, money is no object, and Amadei is definitely one of the ultimate gourmet chocolates around, bar none.

But What if I Don’t Want to Spend That Much?

For those who blanch at such prices, a less expensive gourmet chocolate option is Godiva of course. In comparison, for approximately $70 you can get a bit over two pounds of dark chocolate. You also might want to explore other options such as Valrhona, Scharffen Berger, and possibly small local producers if you’re concerned mainly with using chocolate in baking. For example, in Hawaii there is plantation on the Big Island called the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory that grows its chocolate locally and produces it within the state!

I’m Lazy – Give Me Truffles!

Maybe baking isn’t quite up your alley, and you just want to enjoy your gourmet chocolate in the form of truffles or other confections. Again, the aforementioned Amadei is probably one of the top companies to check out. Suffice it to say that their truffles are far cheaper than their pure chocolate squares. Otherwise, go with a standby like Godiva to satisfy your chocolate tooth.

With chocolate however, there’s almost no way to go wrong no matter what brand you choose. Do a Google search for gourmet chocolates and you’ll find interesting sites such as chocosphere.com that put you to the road to achieving chocolate nirvana. Just make certain to keep an eye on your pocketbook when your chocolate addiction kicks in!

deepika563 asked:


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Gourmet, from the word itself, stands in relation to food and means “of high-quality”. This is also known to be sophisticated, rare, meticulously prepared and sometimes expensive. With this definition, gourmet chocolates are regarded fine chocolate confectioneries.

Chocolate is made from both raw as well as processed foods from the cacao seeds. This seed is known to be cultivated in Central America almost 3,000 years ago. Cacao seeds are usually used in make chocolate beverages in those times.

To make chocolate, the cacao seeds must be fermented. After that, the seeds are dried and roasted. This is with the shell being taken out. This produces cacao nibs. These nibs are grounded until they turn into liquid, which subsequently becomes pure liquid chocolate. This is known as chocolate liquor. Thus, Cocoa solids and butter are created when this cocoa liquor is processed.

There are different kinds of chocolates. Unsweetened pure chocolates only have Cocoa solids and butter in it. Milk chocolates are the sweet type due to the fact that it contains condensed milk or milk powder. As for white chocolate, they do not have cocoa solids but they contain cocoa butter, milk and sugar.

Most people all over the world have become chocolate lovers whether it is in the form of food or beverage. With the advancement of technology, the production of mass chocolate candies is now made easier to make and sell. In addition, some chefs make use of chocolates as a part of their food delicacies, such as in specialty dishes, desserts as well as beverages.

At present, a popular type of chocolate has come out. This is known as gourmet chocolates. What does gourmet chocolate mean? Gourmet, from the word itself, stands in relation to food and means “of high-quality”. This is also known to be sophisticated, rare, meticulously prepared and sometimes expensive. With this definition, gourmet chocolates are regarded fine chocolate confectioneries. However, there are no regulations in terms of the standards of chocolate being classified as gourmet.

With this, how can one know if he or she is buying a gourmet kind of chocolate? From the definition in itself, you need to assess the total package of the chocolate being bought. To start with, the ingredients of the chocolate should be made from its purest form. The usage of pure cocoa butter as well as solids will make the gourmet chocolate delicately flavorful instead of having the usual vegetable fat flavouring. Moreover, these ingredients should be placed early on the list of other ingredients. In addition, if one is planning to buy truffle chocolates, one must look for unique as well as fresh ingredients. There must be no preservatives.

Furthermore, the presentation is also the key for making gourmet chocolates. Being an art in itself, the packaging and presentation would show how the maker carefully and intricately designed his craft. To serve at its best, gourmet chocolates should be made with a big heart and passion for chocolates. With taste and quality masterfully interwoven together, this makes gourmet chocolates the most expensive and delectable treat.

Listed below are the top five gourmet chocolate makers:

1. Christopher Norman Chocolates

Christopher Norman chocolates are beautifully crafted chocolates that were created with utmost perfection. Each piece has been hand made, thus creating a sensual luscious treat with extraordinary provoking taste. One of the finest in New York City!

2. MarieBelle New York

Created by Maribel Lieberman, her fine chocolates are a combination of art and electic ingredients. A taste would bring you poignant emotions of delight and contentment. Just like the beautiful gems delicately placed in their stylish Italian boxes, MarieBelle New York gourmet chocolate is sure worth the treasure hunt!

3. Lake Champlain Chocolate

Native delicacies such as these bring traditions to ultimate experience. Especially made from Vermont, this craftsmanship has been passed from generation to generation, bringing with them the classical flavours of the original Vermont pride. It sure makes you feel like home.

4. Romanicos Chocolates

Owned by Alejandra Bigai, her mastery would account to her presentation of the chocolate, according to its own nature: luxurious, sultry, and most of all mouth wateringly delicious. Hand rolled to its perfection, these gourmet chocolates exude delectable flavours such as passion caramel, and holy berry, heavenly vanilla, wild coconut, and a whole lot more! The Piccolo Art Collection also showcases chocolates that are hand painted wand are filled with nuts like hazelnuts, almonds, as well as pistachios. These are even beautifully and wonderfully packaged! You will never go wrong with Romanicos Chocolates.

5. L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates

This company makes gourmet chocolates at its most natural! This is aside from being fresh, delicious and original. This is due to the fact that each chocolate being made is uniquely designed. They are handmade can be ordered beforehand. This is what L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates are known for.

Aside from this, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, you will find the home of Hershey’s chocolate itself. It is also regarded as the sweetest place in the globe. Aside from the Hershey Park, it also has the Chocolate Spa and the Hershey’s Chocolate World. This area is definitely a chocolate lover’s paradise. Aside from experiencing their Chocolate Tour, they also have the Kitkat Cafe and the Hershey’s Factory Works among others. Not only will you be able to view the entire Hershey’s Chocolate Factory, you can also take part in an interactive chocolate making project. You will have the chance to design your own chocolate cupcake and chocolate flavoured ice cream. Thus, Every July is the anniversary of Hershey Kisses.

Anand asked:


Designed in rich cranberry and gold colors, and arranged beautifully in this dark cherry stained willow basket, they’ll enjoy for days! If you have friends, relatives, kids, colleagues and employees who are consistently hard to buy presents for, gift baskets are a festive and affordable alternative with ideas for every personality on your gift list. Online shopping is a convenient idea for stress-free solutions sending your presents.  One very popular gift idea is a gourmet food basket, perfectly designed for any occasion, celebration or holiday; notably Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, even your pet’s Birthday—all are perfect occasions for showing off your gift-buying talents. Why not select their favorite food and turn it into a theme basket filled with mouth-watering gourmet gifts, with selections from spicy Mexican salsa or Cajun to Hawaiian or Italian; with specialty gourmet foods designed to make their mouth water with appreciation. Add a bottle of fine wine to top it off for a true lasting impression of good taste. We offer a wide range of exclusively designed gifts and gift baskets, perfect for any occasion, including birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and Hanukkah; as well as any sentiment you wish to express — Thank You, Get Well, Best Wishes, and Thinking of You.

Gourmet coffee is popular among various coffee blends. It tastes so tropical and rich and delicious. When you prepare your best blends of coffee, choose your coffee beans. You may choose a special blend of beans, an original Jamaican or Italian coffee, or even flavored coffee beans. Hosting a gourmet dinner is much more than good food. It is rich in proteins and the nutritional value is extremely high. They are inexpensive and packed full of flavor.Gourmet gift baskets are unique to gift your loved ones. Surprise them with lot of goodies. They are suitable for all occasions. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching to express your love to that someone special. Make your beloved one’s day all the more special by giving him or her heart shaped chocolates and candy, red and pink jelly beans, or their favorite candy.

We have an amazing list of different types of cookies, here’s a short list: assorted cookies; oatmeal raisin cookies, frosted hearts cookies, frosted mint chocolate cookies, frosted eggs cookies, macadamia white chip cookies, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip cookies, frosted lemon burst cookies, frosted chocolate caramel pecan cookies, frosted pumpkins cookies, and snickerdoodle cookies.

Cookies are baked fresh; we guarantee the quality, freshness, and presentation of our gifts. If you’re not 100% satisfied, we’ll do what it takes to make it right. Our impressive selection includes boxed chocolates, sugar free chocolate and classic gourmet candies. We also offer an extensive selection of holiday chocolates, chocolate truffles, chocolate covered fruits and more. Whether you’re looking for holiday candy, English toffee, or even a Radko ornament, you’ve come to the right place! You can buy gourmets online without having to shop outside. That’s the best way to save time and money. If you are looking for savings then coupons are the right choice to get discounts. There are several stores that provide coupons but it is time consuming to search which one is offering you discounts on coupons. People are relying on coupons largely. I have come across one site that is dedicated to make aware which merchants are offering coupons and coupon codes all under one roof. That means you will find the coupons instantly after looking for a particular store or merchant. It saves your time a lot and dealing with such major discount stores will greatly save your hard earned dollars. These additional savings can be used for fun or entertainment. Besides, there are free shipping offers for which you need not pay for getting them delivered to your home. Just at the comfort of your home, search for coupons and order the items and relax. There would be great bargain offers for the coming Valentine’s Day. Take advantage of the coupons and avail discounts. With coupons you can save almost up to 50%.

Visit the site deals4now.com for more information on coupons, coupon codes and discounts

for more information visit www.freecouponsbuzz.com

Anna Sher asked:


There’s no better gift for the chocolate lover in your life than a chocolate candy gift basket. It makes a great present for just about any occasion … a birthday, Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, Easter, even Christmas.

So what do you look for in a chocolate candy gift basket?

If the gift is for a close friend or a spouse or a family member and you know the person’s tastes … go with what you know. Even chocolate lovers can have their own personal preferences. So if you know she enjoys a particular type or a particular brand, seek out a collection that you know will satisfy her.

If she enjoys variety, consider chocolate truffles, butter creams and soft centers, dipped fruits, caramels, and gourmet chocolates. These can all be prepared in milk, dark, or white chocolate combinations that are simply irresistible. And if she enjoys a variety of brands, these can include everything from Belcolade to Callebaut, from Ghiradelli to Lindt, from Rocky Mountain to Lake Champlain, from Romanicos to Recchiuti Confections.

You can even find gift baskets for the vegan. Or the sugar free variety for the diabetic.

For a more personal touch … make your own chocolate candy gift basket. You can pick up a beautiful basket at your local crafts shop for less than a few dollars. Line it with a colorful cloth napkin or two, fill it with a few gourmet chocolates (for instance. Godiva or Lindt or Ghiradelli are all popular brands), add some candy bars, perhaps some mint truffle hot cocoa, Hershey’s Kisses, and wrap it all up with a beautiful ribbon and bow. That’s all it takes. A few minutes of preparation and your thoughtfulness will be appreciated for a long time to come.

On the professional side, gift baskets are also great for business promotions or to express appreciation to company team members or even the whole office. While a wonderful selection of different chocolates that suit a variety of tastes should be your first and foremost concern, you can even do more. For example, why not take advantage of modern technology and customize some of the chocolates with your business emblem or name? What a powerful way to brand a business while expressing appreciation to those who help build and run the business!

Whether your budget is large or small, your choices are gourmet or everyday and available at your local grocery store, a chocolate candy gift basket is sure to bring a smile to your favorite chocolate lover. In fact, it’s hard to go wrong.

quinlanmurray asked:


What better way could there be to make some extra money than becoming a part of the wholesale chocolate business? Everyone loves chocolates, whether it is a special occasion, a gift for someone you love or just while sitting at home alone. Many even say that you don’t need a reason to have chocolate, enjoying the taste is occasion enough!

The good news is that today, with the advent of the Internet, it has become easy to start a wholesale chocolate business right from your home. All you need to do is zero in on the kind of chocolates you would like to sell, find reliable suppliers and spread the word around that you are now in the business of spreading joy through chocolates. After all, you can’t but feel better after a piece of chocolate.

The wholesale chocolate business is a great way to earn from home. You can be your own boss, you can fix your own timings to work, and the pleasure of setting up and making profits from your own venture can be the most rewarding experience.

The first thing you need to do to start this business is to decide on what kind of chocolates you want to sell. There is a huge variety of chocolates available in the market today, and with the Internet boosting the availability of global sourcing and multinational wholesale suppliers, the choices have become almost limitless. You can access everything from exclusive gourmet chocolates to gift hampers on the Internet. And of course, there is healthy chocolate, which is fast gaining popularity as people become aware of the benefits of choosing healthy chocolates over other varieties.

The next step is to decide on the supplier. Different suppliers offer different facilities in terms of dropshipping, product pricing, etc. The most important thing to focus on is the track record and reports of people who have already used a specific supplier. One needs to be extra careful because the wholesale chocolate business means that you will be dealing with food, which needs to be absolutely safe for consumption.

The last thing to focus on is making your presence known through both online and offline means.

The pioneer and leader in the field of wholesale healthy chocolates is Xoçai. The chocolates produced by this company are based on a huge body of research on how one can derive health benefits and the antioxidant potential of cacao. Xoçai has come up with a unique combination of cacao and acai berry to bring the best dark chocolate and gourmet chocolates available in the market today. Visit http://ilovehealthychocolate.com today to learn more about the wholesale chocolate business opportunities available with Xoçai.

Julie Spear asked:


When you think of gourmet food, you’d think of edibles that is expensive, heavenly delicious, and of very high quality. Gourmet Belgian chocolates are considered to be the best kind of chocolate in the world. It is so delicious that people from all over the world flock to Belgium just to experience the taste of the original Belgian chocolate because nobody in the world has successfully duplicated these sweet little things.

Belgian chocolates are the toast of the chocolate world. It is the gourmet of all chocolates that exist and nothing beats it for being in the number one list of all chocoholics. Even diabetics crave for it! The good thing is that there are now sugar-free Belgian chocolates that are now available in the market.

The special factor that makes Belgian chocolate standout among its contemporaries is the great respect for the chocolate manufacturing techniques that have been perfected by Europeans for centuries as well as the excellent quality of the ingredients used for making the chocolates.

In the age of mass production, everything seems to be just the standard to deliver the products to as many people as possible which sometimes have sacrificed a bit of quality of the products. Good thing that Belgian chocolatiers did not give in to the pressure of the global market and still stick with the old tradition of small production but with topnotch quality tastes of their chocolates.

The country of Belgium is populated with chocolate shops and manufacturers that up to now are still making chocolates by hand and/or with the original equipment from the olden days. The chocolate in Belgium is like wine to France. Like the French wineries, chocolatiers in Belgium provide chocolate tasting programs for the visitors to sample the gourmet chocolates.

Although Belgian chocolates has been around for a long time, the new way of making chocolates that is very popular nowadays only started in the early years of the 20th century. This new way of making chocolate is the placement of a filling inside a chocolate nugget. Fillings can range from fruits, creams, hazelnut, coffee, or other forms of chocolate. This kind of chocolate is called pralines, which refers to the chocolate covering.

Another factor that makes gourmet Belgian chocolates special is the technique of storing the chocolate nuggets before filling it up. The course of making the chocolates is quite interesting as the grounded cocoa beans are combined with the mixture of cocoa butter and sugar. It is then eventually spread out by tempering or gradual heat addition. A lot of chocolate houses in Belgium obtain their chocolate in forms of solid. These solid forms of chocolates are then heated again for it to be formed or structures into the desired shape and taste. Since the chocolates are not chilled, Belgian chocolates have the luck of preserving the cocoa essence much more than the other inferior chocolates.

A lot of Belgium’s old family owned chocolate houses have their own line of gourmet Belgian chocolates. They have been around for a long time and can be trusted of the high quality chocolates they manufacture. Through the years and generations of family owners, they have perfected the way of making the perfect gourmet Belgian chocolates.

These delicious sweets may come with a price but once you have tasted its palatable flavors you will realize that it is worth all your money. You can actually taste a part of heaven. And that is what makes gourmet Belgian chocolates tick.

Anna O’Malley asked:


The beginnings of chocolate began in the ancient cultures of the Mayas and the Aztecs, who spent over five hundred years drinking it without sugar. Not until it was introduced to Europe that chocolate was sweetened for the refined palate that wanted a richer taste.  Fast forward two thousand years, and we’ve gone back to where it all started – sugarfree chocolate!

Although sugar-free chocolate was not very popular initially, more and more people are shifting over to it for numerous health benefits. In fact, the number of sugar free chocolates being consumed by consumers has been growing dramatically as have the number of chocolatiers that are creating new and gourmet sugarfree chocolates. Weight-watching has become an unconscious norm in our society, and with sugar-free chocolate candies, chocoholics can finally get their daily fix of chocolate with less worry about their waistlines. 

Chocolate, and particularly dark chocolate, can actually be very healthy for you.  There are new studies coming out regularly regarding the benefits of chocolate to your health.  However, you have to be careful because the sugar content in it tends to wipe out any health benefits gained! Sugarfree chocolate choices are easier to find online, as compared to supermarkets. While supermarkets have a range of sugar-free and portion-controlled chocolate bars, the selection and quality of available sugarfree chocolates is greater when you are online shopping.

While there are a number of sweetners on the market, the main ingredient that most chocolate companies use in lieu of sugar is maltitol. Maltitol is essentially a type of sugar alcohol, and is a substitute for the actual sugar in sugar-free chocolates. According to research, the sugar replacement contains other compounds such as mannitol, xylitol and sorbitol.

Chocolates containing this sugar alcohol are also frequently referred to as diabetic chocolates. This is due to the fact that this sugar replacement cannot be absorbed into the blood-stream, and hence does not require insulin to break it down. So, for the diabetic chocoholics out there, there’s no call to curb those urges! Eaten in reasonable quantities, diabetic’s can enjoy a delicious gourmet chocolate break as well!

Although most chocolate companies do produce sugar-free products, they require that you read the possible side-effects from these. Eaten in large quantities, these products can have laxative effect.  Since the sugar replacement cannot be absorbed into the blood-stream, it passes through the digestive system quickly! It’s a good way to make sure that you pay attention to portion control when enjoying your sweet treat -

When watching your weight or paying attention to calories and carbs, every calorie counts! With sugarfree chocolates, you’re saving yourself a little bit of extra working out per week and still having a delicious chocolate treat once in awhile.  However, you should keep in mind that although the sugar content is gone, these chocolates still contain cocoa butter, which contains a lot of saturated fat! So keep to the limits!

There are many, many different types of sugar-free chocolate candies. White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate lollipops, chocolate truffles, chocolate turtles, chocolate kisses, are all types of chocolate candies that can be produced sugar-free! While some companies specialize in sugar free chocolate candies, others produce only traditional chocolates. The trick is to know which sugarfree ones provide the best candies!

There are some sugar free chocolates that taste exactly like the traditional chocolates.   By using high quality ingredients and delicious flavors, these gourmet sugar free chocolates taste delicious and you can not notice that they are missing the sugar!  Due to the quality and cost of the ingredients, these products will be more expensive than supermarket type products.  However, when you want to truly enjoy some delicious sugarfree chocolates, these will truly satisfy!

In the making of sugar-free chocolates at home, always remember that the key ingredient for having sweet tasting candies is sugar alcohol! This can be obtained at most grocery stores or online shopping sites. You can get this as powder or liquid form. However, when making this type of chocolate it is slightly more difficult as compared to traditional chocolates. 

All in all, gourmet sugarfree chocolates are decadent and delicious treats for the palate! Not only do they help keep you healthy, they also can taste just as good as traditional chocolates. Remember, the darker the chocolate, the more flavonoids it contains, and thus, the better for you! So if you want to stay healthy and enjoy your chocolate, why not acquire a taste for dark, sugar free chocolate candies? You’ll definitely be happier and healthier in the long run! Thinner too!