Chocolate: Reviews

Updated November 2008

Yum, chocolate! Who doesn't love receiving a box (or two) as a gift? Of course, when you send someone bonbons you want to think they arrived beautifully wrapped. We were disappointed that no professional reviewers took presentation into consideration when ranking. We found many professional reviews of the actual chocolates but had to rely on amateur reviewers for other factors such as presentation, customer service and shipping satisfaction.

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January 24th:
Valentine's Day chocolates to make your sweetheart smile
From: ConsumerSearch

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Best chocolate overall.

L.A. Burdick

*Est. $28 for 35 pieces Learn More

Reviews say that L.A. Burdick makes sublime chocolates with a touch of whimsy: The company is best known for its molded penguins and mice. Experts agree that the flavor of this chocolate candy is intense and long lasting,… expandand the flavorings enhance, rather than mask, the chocolate. Several connoisseurs who've tasted hundreds of chocolates rank L.A. Burdick among the best, and reviews say that these chocolates are a good value. L.A. Burdick offers a choice of sturdy cardboard or wooden gift boxes, both tied with real ribbons. Chocolate gift baskets are also available. Shipping starts at $6.50 (domestic). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Rosengarten Report: David Rosengarten, a former writer for Gourmet and a Food Network reporter, selects seven all-time great chocolates from a pool of 700 confections.

Vogue: In this account, food critic Jeffrey Steingarten tastes 40 boxes of chocolates from the country's best chocolatiers.

SeriousEats.com: Ed Levine, an occasional contributor to The New York Times' dining section, runs this lively site for food enthusiasts.

Real Simple: Reviewer Sarah Humphreys recommends chocolates in seven categories.

The Washington Post: Erin Hartigan sampled eight chocolates, and although we're glad that she provides shipping costs along with the prices of the, her reviews are brief.

USA Today Magazine: Shawn Sell and Tish Boyle, editor-in-chief of Chocolatier magazine, pick 10 of the best "boutique chocolates" available by mail order.

NPR: Melody Joy Kramer and a panel of NPR employees conduct a blind test 30 of chocolate brands.

Eric's Site: Software engineer Eric Postpischil reviews more than 90 chocolate purveyors on his blog.

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Best gourmet chocolate for connoisseurs.

Recchiuti Confections

*Est. $83 for 32 pieces Learn More

Recchiuti Confections plays with nuts and herbs, creating bold, novel combinations that don't always work, reviews say. However, when he gets it right, chocolatier Michael Recchiuti's chocolates, in flavors like tarragon… expandgrapefruit and white chocolate-ginger, are nothing short of addictive. The company's website helpfully identifies every chocolate candy in each assortment, and the gift boxes look chic. But this adventurous chocolate is expensive, and during summer months, overnight shipping is the only option. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Rosengarten Report: David Rosengarten, a former writer for Gourmet and a Food Network reporter, selects seven brands of chocolates from a pool of 700 confections from 28 international chocolatiers.

Vogue: In this diverting account, Jeffrey Steingarten and Robert Steinberg, a cofounder of Scharffen Berger, taste 40 boxes of chocolates.

SeriousEats.com: Ed Levine, an occasional contributor to The New York Times' dining section, runs this lively site for food enthusiasts.

Eric's Site: Software engineer Eric Postpischil has posted reviews of more than 90 chocolate purveyors at his blog.

The New York Times: Marian Burros presents her annual list of top mail-order food gifts and kitchen accessories.

Real Simple: Reviewer Sarah Humphreys recommends chocolates in seven categories.

About.com: About.com's guide to candy, Elizabeth LaBau, reviews a large Valentine's Day box from Michael Recchiuti Confections in San Francisco.

The Washington Post: Erin Hartigan tested eight brands of chocolate.

USA Today Magazine: Shawn Sell and Tish Boyle, editor in chief of Chocolatier magazine, pick 10 of the best "boutique chocolates." These include Recchiuti.

eGullet Society for Culinary Arts and Letters: At this forum for food enthusiasts, members discuss high-end boxed chocolates in several threads.

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Best American-style chocolate candy.

Bridgewater Chocolate

*Est. $35 for 20 pieces Learn More

Taste testers say that Bridgewater's traditional turtles, peanut-butter patties and toffees are reminiscent of popular candies, only better, and they far exceed the quality of mass-marketed chocolates from See's, Russell… expandStover and Fannie May. Chocolates arrive in hinged wooden gift boxes topped with red or American-flag bows. Reviewers say this isn't gourmet high-end chocolate, but Bridgewater is a great choice for those who prefer traditional flavors. Chocolate gift baskets are also available. Shipping starts at a reasonable $9. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

USA Today Magazine: Shawn Sell and Tish Boyle, editor in chief of Chocolatier magazine, pick 10 of the best "boutique chocolates." She describes Bridgewater as "classic, American-style knock-your-socks-off" chocolate.

NPR: Melody Joy Kramer and a panel of NPR staffers blind-test 30 brands of boxed chocolate.

Eric's Site: Software engineer Eric Postpischil has posted reviews of more than 90 chocolate purveyors on his blog.

The Washington Post: Although we're glad that Erin Hartigan provides shipping costs along with the chocolate prices, her chocolate reviews are brief.

Order direct from Bridgewater Chocolate

Best caramels.

Frans Chocolates

*Est. $48 for 35 pieces Learn More

According to critics, Fran's Chocolates is the original and best purveyor of salted chocolate-covered caramels. The addition of smoked or regular French sea salt takes ultra-rich caramel and dark chocolate to new heights.… expandReviews say that these confections, which come in a dark box with a satin bow, will delight caramel fans and those who like sweet/salty combinations. Shipping is by overnight delivery during summer months. Fran's also offers corporate gifts and chocolate gift baskets. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: In this article, testers order chocolates from six chocolate boutiques and two distributors.

NPR: Melody Joy Kramer and a panel of NPR staffers blind-test 30 brands of chocolate, selecting 10 winners.

SeriousEats.com: Ed Levine, an occasional contributor to The New York Times' dining section, runs this lively site for food enthusiasts.

Order direct from Fran's Chocolates

Best truffles.

Candinas

*Est. $33 for 25 truffles Learn More

At a little over $1 per truffle, Candinas' handmade truffles are an excellent value, reviews say. Truffles are sold only at Candinas' Wisconsin shop and through its website, ensuring freshness. A typical box contains both… expandmilk- and dark-chocolate truffles with complementary fillings such as hazelnut, orange, espresso, and Champagne. Candinas truffles arrive in a sturdy cardboard box with a colorful, up-to-date design. Shipping starts at $7.50, but overnight shipping is the only option when the temperature tops 65°F. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors test 20 boxed chocolates ranging in price from $8 to $97 per box.

The Rosengarten Report: David Rosengarten, a TV program host on The Food Network and a former writer for Gourmet, selects seven brands of chocolates from a pool of 700 confections from 28 international chocolatiers.

Eric's Site: Eric Postpischil has reviewed over 90 chocolate makers in the United States, France and Germany at his personal website.

The Washington Post: Erin Hartigan teams with chocolate-shop owner Ginger Park to test eight brands of chocolate.

USA Today Magazine: Shawn Sell and Tish Boyle, editor-in-chief of Chocolatier magazine, pick ten of the best "boutique chocolates" available by mail order.

NPR: Melody Joy Kramer and a panel of NPR employees blind-tested 30 brands of chocolate, selecting ten winners including Candinas.

Order direct from Candinas

Budget chocolate candy.

Fannie May

*Est. $23 for 27 pieces Learn More

Inexpensive chocolates available in drugstores, card shops and supermarkets don't compete on the same playing field as the chocolates named above, but they do have two advantages: price and accessibility. Among these… expandbrands, Fannie May gets a small edge for overall quality and value. Like all budget chocolate candy, the experience varies with the particular candy. One report says that the nougats are particularly good, but other pieces are sweet rather than full of flavor. In addition to boxed chocolate, Fannie May also offers a huge variety of gift baskets and collections. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Forbes: Forbes testers examine six chocolate brands available at retail stores, looking for flavor, texture and presentation, as well as value.

Yelp.com: Five members of Yelp have posted reviews here of Fannie May candies.

Order direct from Fannie May