The Best Chocolate Gifts Collections for Valentines

There is a lot of great chocolate to chose from for romantic times such as Valentine’s Day.  It’s a lot easier to chose when you select from three that are top award winners

Panache Chocolatier “With Love” Valentine’s Day Truffle Collection

GOLD MEDAL

Judges Summary:

Panache wins the gold with their incredible with Love Box, which not only comes with a wood veneer box and ribbon, but also with a custom pamphlet that describes the providence and history of each of the chocolates. These chocolates include ruby passion from Brazil, pistachio rose from Spain, raspberry noir from France, and spiced vanilla being from Madagascar. Of course the spherical design of these chocolates is very truffle-like, and they are each topped with a unique design, whether that is gold leaf, spices, or chocolate drizzle and cocoa powder. What is truly phenomenal about this collection is that the box extends outwards into three tiers, one of which contains the pamphlet, and the other two of which contain nine chocolates each, for a total of 18 chocolates. This gift is one that you want to be there forwhen it is opened, and once opened, you want to put it on display. Or at least, post a lot of photographs on Instagram.

From the chocolatier –

“Hand crafted, artisan truffles highlighting flavors from around the world.
Focus is on bringing flavors identified with regions and creating with a twist of uniqueness.
All created “With Love” by PanacheChocolatier”

chocolatekc.com


Craft-Chocolate Sweetheart

 

SILVER MEDAL

Judges Summary:

The Craft-Chocolate hazelnut and milk chocolate Irish cream is delicious and beautifully presented. The box design is simple yet elegant, and we love how the ribbon criss-crosses the heart in contrast with the arrangement of subtle pastel dots. The inside of the box is composed of two layers — two rows of chocolates — that are shaped like hearts and flowers. These caramels are a delicious luxury. The judges also loved the size of the packaging, which can be easily held in one hand but is substantial enough to be considered as a thoughtful splurge and gift.

From the chocolatier – 

“This Valentine gift gives heart shaped sweet chocolate to the one you hold sweet in your heart.”

https://www.craft-chocolate.com


Bella Sophia Chocolates Valentine’s Day Mix Box

 

BRONZE MEDAL

Judges Summary:

Bella Sophia‘s Valentine’s Day packaging is a gift within a gift. The outside artist paper is carefully folded and wrapped, while the box underneath features Bella Sophia’s trademark quilted box design. Inside of the box is delicate gold wrapping paper, which gives a sense of elegance and luxury. The gold is also reflected in some of the gold leaf that adorns various chocolates within. This box contains a variety of 16 chocolates, enough for the giver and the recipient to share together. They demonstrate a range of molding styles and chocolate techniques, as well as flavors, and colors. There is no chance of getting bored with this collection.

From the chocolatier – 

“Our mix box for Valentines day has a flavor for every chocolate lover in this box, with some hand painted bonbons, dark, milk, white, truffle, gianduja, nutted and pale d’or and hand dipped ganache.”

www.bellasophiachocolates.com


TasteTV Gift Guide: 10 Award Winning Gifts under $100

If you have a budget of under $100 but want to find award-winning gifts then you are in luck! TasteTV has discovered several from the annual chocolate, jerky, snack and fragrance awards competitions, as well as others from the Good Food Awards and the California State Fair.

VIDEO PROFILE: David Bacco Chocolatier

TasteTV and TasteTV.com Chocolate News Updates

TasteTV profiles award winning chocolatier, David Bacco

New Book Release: The Chocolatier’s Primer

TasteTV, the International Chocolate Salon and TCB Cafe Publishing and Media are pleased to announce the publication of the newest book,

THE CHOCOLATIER’S PRIMER

This new book contains experiences, tips, advice from those who have already done it.  A must-have for any aspiring or current chocolatier and chocolate maker.

Are you interested in chocolate and confections as a small business? There are many how-to books on starting an enterprise, but often the best advice comes directly from those with actual experience. Thus came the idea for this book; this “primer.” Why not ask chocolatiers firsthand what they have experienced and what they recommend? With this concept in mind, we composed a set of key questions and asked them to interesting artisans from around the world with experience in both the business and creative sides of chocolate. Their answers on creativity, product, branding and business are very frank and often personal, and written in a journal or diary style. The information in the resulting primer is worth its weight in gold.

 

FEATURING

  • Aelan Chocolate Makers
  • Amella Caramels
  • Bella Sophia Chocolates
  • Cōchu Chocolatier
  • David Bacco Chocolatier
  • Dean’sSweets
  • Delysia Chocolatier
  • Endorfin Foods
  • Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates
  • Finding Fine Chocolate
  • Flying Noir
  • Forte Chocolates
  • La Châtelaine Chocolat Co.
  • Michael’s Chocolates
  • Mignon Chocolate
  • Mink Chocolates
  • SELEUSS Chocolates
  • Solkiki Chocolatemaker
  • The Oakland Chocolate Company
  • Waialua Estate Chocolate

DELICIOUS TASTE: Chocolate Awards Announced for Best Toffee and Best White Chocolate

Toffee and White Chocolates may not first come to mind when you think of premium artisan chocolate, but they are definitely part of the category. More and more chocolatiers have found that both toffee and white chocolate can be made personally, with fresh ingredients, and using amazing flavor combinations.

With this in mind, TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon have selected some of the top Toffees and White Chocolates from around the world. They come from the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, England, and other far flung sources. The results of the TOFFEE AWARDS and the WHITE CHOCOLATE AWARDS have been announced, and can be found at www.InternationalChocolateSalon.com

The Chocolate Judges Panel reviewed product submissions in categories such as Taste, Ingredient Combinations, Texture, Uniqueness, and Overall Experience, as well as others, to come to a final decision.

TOP TOFFEE

The International Chocolate Salon has now announced that the Top Toffees this year include:

Gold Medalists

  • – Tomo Toffee Dark Chocolate Toffee
  • – Crack’d Toffee Company LLC Crack’d Premium Dark Roast Toffee

Silver Medalists

  • – Holm Made Toffee Co. Oregon Hazelnut Toffee – Lavender
  • – Holm Made Toffee Co. Oregon Hazelnut Toffee – Cardamom and Vanilla
  • – Holm Made Toffee Co. Oregon Hazelnut Toffee – Himalayan Pink Salt
  • – Vollie Austin Inc. Oregoin Hazelnut Toffee

Bronze Medalists

  • – Heavenly Taste Toffee Dark Almond Toffee
  • – The Sweet Girl Pecan Bourbon Toffee

See all of the Toffee Awards results here, including Star Ratings and awards for Best Ingredients, Best Texture, Best Taste and more: https://www.internationalchocolatesalon.com/2019-toffee-award-winners-announced/

BEST WHITE CHOCOLATE

The International Chocolate Salon also announced that the Best White Chocolates this year include:

  • #1 – Oro de Cacao AG Oro de Cacao / Chocolat Dieter Meier – White Chocolate Guatemala 42%
  • #2 – St. Croix Chocolate Company Black and white bon bon box
  • #3 – Michael’s Chocolates Pomegranate Orange
  • #3 (tie) – Panache Chocolatier White Jasmine

See all of the White Chocolate Awards results here, including Star Ratings and awards for Best Ingredients, Best Texture, Best Taste and more: https://www.internationalchocolatesalon.com/2019-white-chocolate-awards-winners/

The Artisan Chocolate Awards are produced by TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon. For more information, go to http://www.ArtisanChocolateAwards.com.
For more Information and to see additional results at the ICS, go to: http://www.internationalchocolatesalon.com

NEW RELEASE: The Official Chocolate Journal helps track your Good Taste

Our second publication of the year, THE OFFICIAL CHOCOLATE JOURNAL. Use for tastings, recipes, travels, shops, chocolate salons.

Now available, you’ll be able to keep track of your chocolate tastings, your favorite chocolates, your favorite shops and even recipes with THE OFFICIAL CHOCOLATE JOURNAL (2nd Edition).

Over 140 pages for you to fill.

Find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TZLokL