Food & Wine

The Most Luxurious Chocolate in the World

By Lisa Maliga

Chocolate truffles, bonbons, hand painted chocolate, 24-karat gold drizzled upon chocolate…such decadent luxuries. Chocolate connoisseurs seek richness of flavor upon the palate, and for those in the know, it will be couverture chocolate, which has the best finely ground cocoa beans and a higher cocoa butter content. Here are some tantalizing offerings from a variety of international chocolatiers.

Knipschildt is based in Norwalk, Connecticut. The Danish founder, Fritz Knipschildt, began his career as a chef and trained in Spain and France. He came to America in 1996 and while working as a private chef his clients were amazed with his unique chocolate creations. Now he has invented a very unusual and costly truffle. La Madeline au Truffe is enrobed in the intense and fruity 70% Valrhona cacao from South America and is the perfect way to offset the exotic and intoxicating aroma of an authentic French Perigord black truffle embedded inside this wondrous chocolate truffle. They sell for $250.00 each or $2,600.00 per pound.

Noka Chocolate is the chocolate connoisseur’s dream confection. What makes them different? “Regular dark chocolate contains a blend of cacao from a variety of different origins or countries, whereas our chocolates are crafted with couverture made from cacao beans from a distinct cacao estate.” Another superb addition to their truffles is the use of fresh, organic cream. Located in Dallas, Texas, they were voted the #1 Luxury Chocolate in the World by the editors of “Taste,” a British gourmet food TV show. Their SKY Collection comes in ten brushed stainless-steel silver gift boxes and contains the 220-piece Vintages collection, allowing the receiver to try all four exotic cacao estate’s offerings: Venezuela, Ecuador, Cote d’Ivoire, and Trinidad. There are 22 Grand Cru truffles made with organic cream and boasting a mighty 75% cacao content. (A high percentage of cacao equals more intense flavor.) This magnificent tower of chocolate treats sells for $495.00.

If you want to celebrate a special occasion, consider buying a box of chocolate pralines sprinkled with 24-karat edible gold flakes. DeLafee is located in Switzerland and uses a blend of Criollo cocoa beans from Ecuador and Venezuela and Forestero cocoa beans from Ghana. The creamy chocolate ganache inside the pralines makes this a silky smooth flavor along with the glittering golden topping. The Celebration Box includes an antique Swiss gold coin and eight chocolate and gold pralines. The price is approximately $240.00.

Godiva is a famous name in the world of chocolate. Founded in Brussels, Belgium, it is noted on their web site: “Joseph Draps, a renowned Belgian chocolatier, created a line of chocolates with extraordinary richness and design, a collection of passion and purity. He sought a name that embodied the timeless qualities of passion, style, sensuality and modern boldness.”

The Godiva “G” Collection is a brilliantly flavored and eye-catching array of chocolates. The 48-piece top of the line collection features: “Lemon Drop, Tart Raspberry, Bananas Foster, Apple Pie, Tahitian Vanilla, P.B. & Jam, Salted Caramel, Caramel Macchiato, and more, plus new for the season, Root Beer Float and Wild Bolivian Dark Chocolate.” This is a gift for those who have a true appreciation for exotic and diverse tastes. A brown and green trimmed box sells for $125.00.

Located in Lyons, France, Richart Chocolates uses 70% Criollo cocoa from Venezuela – a more exotic and expensive base for all the fine ingredients that are mingled with the gourmet chocolate. The ballotin (decorative gift box) contains three drawers filled with 72 chocolate pieces in this Ligne Classique Discovery Ballotin. The blissful array ranges from cinnamon ganache to thyme praline to mango or passion fruit, in butter cream or sauce. This exquisite collection is $184.50.

Debauve & Gallais is a traditional chocolatier headquartered in Paris, France – a location they have occupied for over 200 years. These chocolates are hand molded and can be shaped like the company’s coat of arms or a fleur de lys. Naturally low in sugar, the fillings contain ingredients from around the world, such as: Turkish raisins, Spanish almonds, chestnuts from Turin and rum from Antilles.

Perhaps the most unique present you can give to someone who loves chocolates and books would be Le Livre. “Our deluxe gold-embossed leather box in the shape of a book, Le Livre was introduced in 2000 to commemorate Debauve & Gallais’ 200th year. Each Livre is handmade in France and contains 35 of our creamy ganaches and crunchy pralinés as well as a delightful book celebrating the history and tradition of Debauve & Gallais. The ultimate in luxury.” $550.00.

Another memorable gift is the Chocolate Picnic Steamer Trunk from MarieBelle, located on Madison Avenue in New York City. Handmade and containing up to 72% cacao, these fine treats are numerous: 500 pieces of chocolate ganache, a hefty five pounds of chocolate bark. A quartet of tins contains Aztec Hot Chocolate and one with Aztec Iced Chocolate. Chocolate bars come with the presentation – eight of them. Any traveler needs a teapot and infuser, along with a pair of china teacups. Books about chocolate and a leather-bound journal complete this textured blue and brown Italian leather trunk laden with chocolate love. Special order for $15,000.00.

For the ultimate chocolate aficionado who wants to indulge in the most unforgettable dessert ever, it can be found exclusively at the New York City restaurant, Serendipity 3. Entitled Frrrozen Haute Chocolate, it boasts a blend of 28 cocoas and 5 grams of edible 23-karat gold. The goblet is lined with edible gold and around the base is an 18-karat gold bracelet complimented with a carat’s worth of diamonds. A La Madeleine au Truffe from Knipschildt Chocolatier is included in the package, as is a diamond studded golden spoon – another keepsake of this extravagant dessert. The price is $25,000.00.

As Charles Schulz, the creator of the famous Peanuts cartoon, once said, “All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.