All journeys have a reason, whether it’s a heritage site to see or one of the natural wonders to explore. In short, travelling is always done with a purpose. What if you change the cause and venture on a trip, to seek things that not only please the eyes, but also the taste-buds? Here. We take you on an epicurean journey to taste some of the best chocolates in the world…
As the song by Queen goes, “I can't live with you/But I can't live without you”. The object of desire in context is not the usual suspect, but chocolate…yes, one of the sweetest sins in the world.
Since its early discovery in 1100 BC, chocolate has come a long way… it is now seen as a luxury item, rather than a mere piece of confectionary. And, with opulence being the order of the day, it comes as no surprise that confectionary houses the world over are spending huge moolah to ensure that they have the best chocolate in the world in their shelves…
La Maison du Chocolat
Country of origin: France
Price: Truffles are around $80 per pound and boxes are as much as $200
As one of France’s finest manufacturers, there may be no other store that makes chocolate as luxurious as La Maison du Chocolat. The name says it all—it translates to The House of Chocolate. La Maison packages its chocolates in leather boxes, which are fine enough to keep your best jewellery. Each sweet contains no more than 65% cocoa, which provides the best balance between sweet and bitter. The shop proudly offers the finest in dark- and milk-chocolate truffles, marrons glaces, caramels and mendiants (chocolate slices that are sprinkled with dried fruits, assorted nuts, or orange peel). For the perfect chocolate pairing, La Maison founder Robert Linxe recommends a glass of fine water. Since the chocolate is French, why not choose a French mineral water like Evian, that will not mask any of the nuances of the sweet. And, if you must serve it with alcohol, La Maison suggests a fortified wine such as Riversaltes, Maury, Banyuls or Rasteau.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate
Country of origin: US
Price: Approximately $40 per pound
Dagoba Organic Chocolate—the name means Temple of the Gods in Sanskrit—was founded by Frederick Schilling, a former chef who wanted to make top-quality organic chocolates. The Dagoba company buys only handpicked, organic beans and cocoa from cooperatives in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Madagascar. Dagoba’s selection of chocolate bars includes hazelnut, milk chocolate, roseberry, mint/rosemary, lime and macadamia nut, chai (milk chocolate mixed with cardamom, anise, black pepper, cinnamon and clover) and lavender/blueberry. The company also offers blended chocolates, single-origin chocolates, infusions, and drinking and baking chocolates.
Perfect chocolate pairing: These gems pair well with light, nutty Costa Rican....
Chocolatier Neuhaus
Country of origin: Belgium
Price: Prices range from $70 to $150 per pound
Founded by Jean Neuhaus in 1857, the Confiserie et Chocolaterie Neuhaus-Perrin is reputed to be the birthplace of the praline, a bite-sized treat that’s filled with chocolate. Since its creation, the praline has become a staple of all manufacturers. The company offers all kinds of milk and dark chocolates (80 varieties), filled with ganache, caramel, nuts, coffees and liqueurs—all of them made with only the best ingredients.
Perfect chocolate pairing: Neuhaus’ fruit pralines pair beautifully with strawberries and balsamic vinegar, while the more traditional bits go well with full-bodied red wines.
Charbonnel et Walker
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Price: Truffles go for about $80 per pound, while an assortment will grab $70 per pound.
Charbonnel et Walker was founded in 1875 and is one of the earliest producers of chocolates in Britain. Charbonnel et Walker prides itself on using the best plain chocolate with the finest dark coverture to produce the silkiest, smoothest texture imaginable.
The company’s range includes its famous Ginger Sticks, Rose & Violet creams, special assortments, and luxury truffles such as Champagne, Port & Cranberry, Cappuccino and Pink Champagne (strawberry and champagne).
Perfect chocolate pairing: Champagne truffles pair best with—what else—a bottle of Dom Perignon or other quality bubbly. Similarly, Charbonnel et Walker’s Port truffles match well with a tawny or other light port.
Noka Chocolate
Country of origin: Japan
Price: Prices range from $60 to $100 per pound
Noka Chocolate’s chocolatier Katrina Merrem says her life’s passion is to return chocolate to its purest, most luxurious state. She wants to craft the finest single-estate dark-chocolate truffles and chocolates in the world. The result is Noka’s Vintages Collection, a compilation of the best single-estate chocolates from the world’s best regions (Venezuela, Ecuador, Trinidad, and Côte d'Ivoire).
Perfect chocolate pairing: Noka compares tasting chocolate to tasting wine, and recommends bold red wines and brut champagnes as the ideal complements.
DeLafée Chocolates
Country of origin: Switzerland
Price: Prices range from $100 to $200 per pound
If it’s luxury chocolates you’re after, look no further than DeLafée, whose signature chocolates are dusted with edible 24-karat gold. The result is a beautiful and highly symbolic luxury product, that’s truly unforgettable. Founded in 2004, DeLafée is among the world’s best producers of chocolate. Its products are made from a blend of Criollo cocoa beans (from Ecuador and Venezuela) and Forestero cocoa beans (from Ghana) to produce a rounded, satisfying and sensual experience. Taste the gold pralines, which are made of a shell of 56% cocoa and filled with a creamy chocolate ganache, or try DeLafée’s signature gold lollipop—a heart-shaped, strawberry-flavoured chocolate offering that’s dusted with the company’s signature edible gold.
Perfect chocolate pairing: Since gold is the metal of celebration, edible gold must naturally be paired with your best bottle of champagne.
