For centuries chocolate has delighted both the palate and the senses. Ever evolving chocolate is much more than a sweet treat and ingredient; it’s more of an indulgence. Molded in different shapes and sizes, it fills many roles. It can be used as a symbolic gift to display love and affection, while indulgent emotional eaters relish the soothing comfort it can give them to feel good.
Chocolate aficionados and connoisseurs will even go an extra mile to savour an exquisite bite, even if it costs them a fortune. Whether sampling a smooth or sharp truffle, chocolate praline, or fondue, here are some of the best brands you could ever try.
DeLafee
The Swiss chocolate brand is known for its unique chocolate assortments made with edible gold leaf. They have a delectable selection of truffles made with cocoa beans, coconut oil, cocoa butter, vanilla, and milk. Their edible gold chocolate collections include 24-karat gold leaf as a special ingredient that elevates the dessert and adds an extravagant touch. With an ever-growing collection, the chocolate house sells chocolate boxes with an antique Swiss gold coin dating back to 1910 and 1920.
Godiva
Since 1926 Godiva has used the finest ingredients to craft its gourmet chocolates. Godiva has an astounding selection of chocolates with delectable variations, including dark truffles. The secret to their delicious chocolate is their simple yet high-quality ingredients comprised of fine cocoa beans and sugar cane mixed with powdered milk to produce some of the finest chocolate pieces in the world. Now available in over 100 countries worldwide, Godiva is synonymous with luxury.
Maison Richart
Maison Richart has handcrafted the most authentic gourmet chocolates utilizing the finest ingredients worldwide since 1925. Their unique collection is characterized by its tropical citrus fruit notes and tantalizing flavours. They also have an exquisite collection of macrons, delightful crispy dark chocolate pralines, and chocolate squares with smooth, creamy ganache. Maison Richart likes to experiment with various blends; they sell unique chocolate combinations with exotic fruits and spices. The brand uses authentic ingredients in all their time-tested recipes, including cocoa beans directly sourced from growers in Venezuela, Madagascar, and Haiti.
Laderach
Laderach has a delectable array of indulgent chocolates. It is one of the few chocolate manufacturers in the world to exquisitely manufacture all its chocolates at their homebase in the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland. They have a unique assortment of chocolates creatively handmade with the freshest ingredients to ensure a delightful sensory experience of the most exquisite flavours and textures. As of 2020, Laderach has opened stores in over 35 countries, exclusively producing and shipping all their chocolates from Switzerland.
Vosges Haut Chocolat
The Chicago-based chocolate store is known for experimenting with unique flavours. Their chocolate creations include infusions that break barriers merging chocolate with flavours like chipotle chiles, matcha, masala, and even aged cheese. Owned and operated by Chef Katrina Markoff, their unique artisanal chocolates have gained popularity and momentum all over the world. Their latest creations include smoky bacon truffles, ginger turmeric milk chocolate, and an exotic truffle collection accompanied by a bottle of Krug Champagne. Any order is priced around $69, one of their most popular gifting options is their luxury gift box set priced at $325.
