Valentine's Day Guide 2016

Chocolate is the most important part of Valentine's Day. 

Some may argue with that, but they will be wrong. Chocolate can be given to ANYONE for Valentine's Day (mom, dad, kids, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, teachers, students, friends, neighbors...you get the idea), with the exception of maybe your dog (yeah, DON'T DO THAT!). 

Good chocolate is getting more and more accessible everyday in America which is VERY exciting! It's easier than ever to #eatbetterchocolate and GIVE better chocolate because it's easier than ever to FIND and BUY better chocolate. So make it a point this year to please skip the Palmer/$1 store quality chocolate and get something yummy. Something that is ACTUALLY chocolate. Not wax and vegetable oil. Your mom, dad, kids, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, teachers, students, friends, neighbors will thank you. 

I've spent some time curating what I think is a great variety of ideas to fill that all-important "chocolate" part of Valentine's Day. You might also want to use this guide as a gentle hint, hint to whomever might be buying YOU chocolate to make sure you get to #eatbetterchocolate too!

 1. Theo My Cherry Baby – $4 + $10 shipping or purchase in store – for the cherry cordial lover – this is a FABULOUS and FESTIVE chocolate choice for Valentine’s Day. In the Seattle area, it is pretty easy to find Theo bars, and most of those retailers will be carrying this also (I saw it at the University Bookstore just yesterday). And if you end up in a bind stuck at home with kids or at work…have no fear…PRIMENOW does have other Theo bars available with 2-4 hour free delivery in the Seattle area. You just download the app and fill your cart to $20+. TOO easy.

2. Zotter Mitzi Blue Rock & Roses or Marrakesh MilkChocolate – $7.99 + $7.99 shipping under $20 or purchase in store at Chocolopolis – for the international chocolate lover (or for the person who doesn’t like it when you buy flowers, because they die) – What a fun way to give chocolate AND roses without even buying roses. My friends spent some time in Europe over the holidays and were kind enough to bring me a lovely variety of chocolate. Zotter was, lucky for me, one of the brands they brought from Austria. I have thoroughly enjoyed Zotter, so I am sure these bars are also fabulous. And since they carry it at Chocolopolis, it’d be quite surprising if they were anything short of amazing. 

3. 33 Bars of Chocolate Tasting Notes – $5.00 + $2.60 shipping (or $5.74 w free prime shipping/free shipping for orders over $35 on Amazon) – for the chocolate explorer – My brother got this book for me last year and I love it. It is so fun to draw tasting profiles and fill out the pages for each bar. It feels very sciency. It’s like a lab notebook for your chocolate explorations. Plus, there is chocolate in the ink. Awesome! 

4. Godiva Coupes d’Amour Chocolates – $28 + $10.95 shipping (free for $50+) or purchase at a boutique – editor’s choice (this is what I want) – A few weeks ago I popped in at the Godiva Boutique and these caught my attention immediately. Tell me, how cute are they? I have never been disappointed with Godiva and can’t wait to try these little cups of love (on sale after vday, if my hubby doesn't get the hint).

5. Chuao Popping Hearts – $10.95 +$6 shipping (free for $60+) – for the adventurous chocolate lover – These are back on my Valentine Guide. I think they are just so unique and fun. Chuao makes great tasting chocolate and who doesn’t like the nostalgia of popping candy? 

6. Dick Taylor Bolivia, Alto Beni Limited Release – $11 + $10 shipping (free for $75+) – for the presentation-matters chocolate lover – Dick Taylor chocolate bars are the prettiest bars I have ever seen. This, or any of the Dick Taylor bars, would be perfect for someone who loves pretty things with it’s lacy pattern. The Belize, Toledo bar ($8.50), was recently featured in the NYTIMES as one of the top 8 best bean-to-bar chocolate. And this Bolivia, Alto Beni Limited Release just won a Good Food Award for 2016. Many retailers carry this brand including Central Market, Whole Foods, Chocolopolis, The Chocolate Box and more.

7. Ritual Bars – $5 + $7.00 shipping (free for $40+ with code or purchase in a store) – for the no frills chocolate lover – Ritual is rolling out new packaging soon and so they are in a mad rush to get all their current packaging out the door. All the bars are $5 on their site which is a steal. Ritual was also recently featured in the NY TIMES article and won Good Food Awards for 2016 for two of their bars. So they are fab and can be found at most stores who carry good chocolate.

8. Godiva Mini Chocolate Hearts Box – $7 + $10.95 shipping (free for $50+) or purchase at a boutique – for the littles – maybe you are skipping chocolate all together this year for the kiddos. I was considering that myself, until I saw these adorable boxes. How fun for the kiddos to get their own little box (there’s only 6 pieces). Skip the disgusting poor quality Palmer candies and novelty Frozen/Avengers themed sweets. The kids can #eatbetterchocolate too! 

So there you have it! Hope you all have a delicious Valentine's Day!!

Cheers!

Holiday Special: Chuao Holiday Bars 2015

8 days until Christmas!!! There are very few people who do not love chocolate. So, if you are still in a bind, hopefully this post helps you ease your shopping paralysis. I got these bars at Central Market for $5.99 each.

***1. hope, joy & gingerbread - This one surprised me. I was sure it would be ranked lower than the peppermint, and that I wouldn't even like it. I'm not a huge fan of gingerbread. I mean, it smells amazing, but I can't get past the lingering ginger taste. But when it's combined with chocolate in this fabulous bar...problem solved. I really love the texture of this bar. This brand is so aware of the importance of texture in their bars. I love that. Also, the milk chocolate is just soooo perfectly smooth and sweet.

***2. peace, love & peppermint - This is like eating a cup of peppermint hot chocolate. So so good. The candy canes are crushed just right, providing texture but not getting stuck in your teeth. Delicious and well done.

Not everyone loves holiday flavors. If you are one of those people, these bars are NOT for you. I would refer those readers (or if you are shopping for someone like that) to these two posts - milk and dark - for more fabulous Chuao bars.

Easter Guide 2015

Seems like I'm not the only one who is sick of mediocre mass-market egg and bunny shaped chocolate. It's everywhere. "Hey look, this solid milk chocolate bunny is only a dollar!" But there's a REASON it's only a dollar...it is gross. I am reminded of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. episode in which Monica has to make "Mockolate" products. 

Anyway, in an effort to guide you to accessible delicious Easter chocolate, here are my top picks to fill those Easter baskets:

 

1. chuao hopping popping bunny bars - $7.95 - To replace the overpriced, low quality chocolate bunny. I know I picked some popping hearts for the Valentine's Day Guide, but I really don't think Chuao can over do it with the popping candy. 
2. lindt chocolate carrots - $8.00/4pc  (also at many grocery and drug stores, including Central Market) - To replace the carrots you may leave out for the Easter Bunny. Nuff said.
3. godiva beaded egg with wrapped chocolates - $30.00 (online only and unfortunately out of stock) - To replace plastic eggs or glam up an Easter Basket. I love this egg for the same reason I loved the godiva bling box for Valentine's Day. Also, like the bling box, it is unfortunately out of stock. So I guess you can tuck this idea away for next year!
4. lindt gold bunny and friends - up to $20.49 (this assortment available at amazon.com, but 5 packs are at many grocery/drug stores including Central Market for around $4/pack)  - To replace filled mini bunnies. 
5. see's candies peanut butter egg - $6.20/4oz egg (online or in stores)  - To replace the beloved Reese's Peanut Butter Egg. I know, I know...I may get egged for merely suggesting the Reese's PB egg be replaced...but trust me...it's not the Reese's that makes you love the candy...it's the combo of pb and chocolate. Just try a higher quality pb and chocolate combo like this, and you will see what I mean...or rather TASTE what I mean. 
6. seattle chocolates spring bars - $3.50 (online, $2.99 at Central Market) - To replace everything OR to use in addition to everything else. Check out my power rankings of these bars. They are a welcome addition to any basket.
7. see's candies milk chocolate or dark chocolate eggs- $7.00/8oz bag (online or in stores) - To replace various other low quality mini eggs. The Easter Bunny is bringing us Lindt mini eggs. Godiva has some also. Any of these options are solid. Pun intended.
8. cadbury creme eggs from the UK- $8.50/6pack (Amazon) - To replace the horrible knock off version Hershey's produces here in the US. I have beef with Hershey's about their beef with Cadbury among other reasons which merit an entirely different post. In any case, I have eaten both British Cadbury and American Cadbury (Hershey's has the license to manufacture under the same name with a different recipe). It's different. British Cadbury is milkier, smoother, less chemically. Do yourself a favor, and try the original stuff. Eggs from the UK are wrapped in purple and red only, there is no blue on the wrapper. Also, the nutrition facts are listed per 100g rather than per serving. ENJOY! 

So there you have it. A guide to help you overhaul your Easter baskets this year. HAPPY EASTER!!!

Cheers!