Killer chocolate

chocolate_garden_trufflesYeah, I’m hooked. What of it?

Here are my favorite chocolate sources; should anyone feel it appropriate to send me a box as thanks for sharing them, feel free….

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Killer handmade truffles (pictured above)
The Chocolate Garden
chocolategarden.com
To rock your world, try: Dark Chocolate and Cinnamon Love

Killer liquid filled chocolates (thin shells)
Quintessential Chocolates, Inc.
liquidchocolates.com
To rock your world, try: Sam Houston Bourbon and
Carlschafen Ruby Port

Killer mixed chocolates
Candinas Chocolatier
candinas.com
To rock your world: Take a chance. They change up the flavors all the time; order a 25-piece box and revel in joy.

Killer caramels (not chocolate, but tasty nonetheless)
Fran’s Chocolates
franschocolates.com
To rock your world try: Gray Salt Caramels. Dark or milk chocolate. Divine.

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Got suggestions of your own? Add ‘em below. I’m always game for experimentation.

Please refrain from listing store hours or including marketing language so I don’t inadvertently turn into a big chocolate billboard. Thanks!

Julia January 25, 2010 at 1:55 pm

xox truffles in san francisco

sahagun in portland

belle fleur in sydney (australia)

more commercial options: max brenner, haigh’s, and lindt

Kimberly January 26, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Hi! I just wanted to let you know there are two salt caramels from Fran’s Chocolates: the Gray Salt Caramel is the dark chocolate caramel with gray salt and the Smoked Salt Caramel is the milk chocolate caramel with smoked salt.

Oh yeah…definitely know about both…best one’s the dark chocolate version, in my humble give-me-chocolate-or-give-me-death opinion. — Cinda

Lisa Jordan March 1, 2010 at 8:24 pm

You’ve got to try Wolf’s handmade chocolates, in Attica, IN.

These handmade goodies can be found in outlets around the state and were so good they were once actually sent to the space station! But, you’ll love to eat them anywhere, in the car on the way home (because you can’t wait), at work when your co-workers love you the most, out of the Easter basket, or even mixed in with the ice cream at their ice cream stand across the street from their Attica, IN store. I love them all…the french chocolates may be my favorites, but the haystacks and the gooey carmel ones of some of my favorites. In the summer, they have ice cream, in the fall they have candy apples, in the winter, you’ll order them for executive gifts and find the excuse to buy yourself a treat at the same time. If you love chocolate, reeeeaaaaly good chocolate, come to Attica, IN, because they make them handmade in the original store, and only make them here in Attica, IN!

Editor’s note: This comment may have been written by an employee of Wolf’s—not an unbiased consumer.

brian March 11, 2010 at 9:29 am

Killer list indeed. Add one to top them all:

Derry Church Artisan Chocolates
derrychurchartisanchocolates.com

Their chocolate will change you.

karin skacel March 19, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Cinda – I met you at the YMN Conference on Monday. You were keynote speaker – I was the sponsor. We actually sat at the same table, but never had time to officially meet.
Anyway – if you love chocolates…Theos (made from start to finish in Freemont (Seattle), has a Ghost Chili Caramel. Think Frans Caramels with Sea Salt – only add the spice of the ghost chile. They are hot, sweet and salty. Nothing is better! Where do I find an address to send you a sample?

HOLY COW…caramel, chocolate, and a ghost chile twist? I just died and went to heaven….. If you’re serious about sending a sample, I’m more than happy to oblige (she says, drooling). Shoot me an email via the Speaking link on the Contact tab above and I’ll give you my shipping address.

By the way, it was an absolute delight to speak at the YMN Conference! I hoped to catch you immediately after the session to say thanks, but wasn’t able to spot you in the crowd once everyone was up and milling about. What an amazing organization you have…a-ma-zing.

Mary March 28, 2010 at 11:23 am

Oddly enough, I learned of project 3/50 on the website of my favorite chocolate makers, Dietsch Brothers in Findlay, Ohio. It’s only 2 hours south of Detroit down I-75… It WILL be worth the trip.

Laura May 4, 2010 at 5:53 pm

I think the BEST Chocolate in the world is right in my back yard – Fort Myers Florida!

The Company is Norman Love Confection (and yes Norman Love is his real name ;), you can find their web site at NormanLoveConfections.com

The company I work for did his web design & we were sooo lucky to be able to sample all of his chocolates after the Christmas photo shoot – I easily gained 10 pounds, but I COULD NOT say no to his chocolate S’mores & the Peanut Butter & Jelly, they are heavenly!

Congrats on the Project 3/50 – will be sure to tell all our clients about it! Thanks!
Laura

JoAnne Meyers August 19, 2010 at 11:38 am

If only I’d seen this earlier I would have dragged you to Jacques Torres’s shop in DUMBO (Brooklyn)!

66 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
mrchocolate.com/dumboLocation.aspx

Teresa November 12, 2010 at 11:18 am

I would be lost without some of my local businesses… I love your 3/50 Project.
My to-die-for chocolate comes from Dolly Mama in Durham, NC. Her sea turtles are divine.
dollymamachocolate.com
Keep up the great work!

Doreen Pendgracs January 17, 2011 at 11:44 am

Wow! This list will keep me tasting forever! Can’t believe how many amazing chocolate makers there are.

Am really impressed with B.T. McElrath chocolatier, also of MN. Must say Brian’s “Peppermint Buttercreams” (a holiday specialty) are my festive season favorite. Wish they were available year-round!

Melissa February 11, 2011 at 5:39 pm

I LOVE that you so freely proclaim your fondness for chocolate! I am equally open about my addiction ;-)
My personal fav’s: Sarris Cocolates in Cannonsburg, PA…best chocolate covered pretzels on the planet! Zoe’s in Frederick, MD…amazing and unusual truffle flavors…and Sanborn’s in Hampton, N.H…just wow! Everything they make is absolutely awesome!

Rebecca Paulon March 10, 2011 at 10:38 pm

Wow, so many chocolate shops to choose from and many in the Upper Midwest. My absolute new favorite is Chocolat Celeste in St. Paul, MN. The truffles are to die for. The caramel truffle is sooo incredible and I’m also partial to the artisan bonbons.

Carla Rash October 6, 2011 at 10:01 pm

Piper’s Candy in Chariton Iowa, check out their website and order something online!

natacha December 13, 2011 at 7:37 pm

we highly recommend Daily Chocolates from Vergennes Vermont.
enjoy!

Darla Buhler February 9, 2012 at 2:03 pm

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (Belgian) Three bars for under $2.

Barb June 6, 2012 at 1:27 pm

Soma Chocolate, hands down. A friend of mine, who travels widely and eats chocolate everywhere she goes, says it’s among the best, if not *the* best in the world. Beans roasted on site in small batches. Their Mayan hot chocolate is amazing.

http://www.somachocolate.com

Eva Atkinson July 2, 2012 at 10:10 am

I <3 the 3/50 Project & admit your spunk in splitting up with AmEX! Will send chocolate to help salve the break up wounds when it gets cooler! 110 degrees here in Kentucky for past week!!!

A struggling Mom & Pop business since 1959, ours since 1991 and no AmEx for past 5 due to outrageous fees.

I believe our English Toffee is the bomb, but many favor our Kentucky Bourbon Chocolates (aka "Bourbon Balls").

Andria's Candies
217 Allen St.
Owensboro KY 42301
call David or Frank…they don't do internet! 270-684-3733

Add note: My favorite Belgium style chocolates in the US come from Mom & Pop Jack & Iva: Jaciva's in Portland OR. We've visited many candy stores in our years as chocolatiers!

Amy @ Sunbreak Soaps October 14, 2012 at 8:39 pm

My two favorites:

http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/
They’re local, and very gourmet!

http://www.woodhousechocolate.com/
Some of the very best chocolate I’ve ever tasted!

Deanna Hookway November 6, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Chocolate for the Spirit (Indulgence for the Soul), Indianapolis

multiple award winning chocolate by chocolatier Julie Bolejack. She uses Grand Cru’ chocolate, the best of the best. And her flavors are awesome. The toffee is to die for!

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