301537 Thu Feb 16 20:48:43 -0800 2006 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1682048 As someone who usually prefers custard and fruit desserts to anything chocolatey, I have been strangely lured by chocolate lately...I think all the Vday promotions have been working their powers on me. I live in Central Coast CA, so I've been excited to see that a couple of local stores are bringing in some famous chocolates from outside the area...MarieBelle, Kakawa Cocoa Beans, and Vosges. I've known about Vosges for a while, but have only heard about the other two more recently. Kakawa was just featured in Saveur's Top 100. I can check Vosges off my list since husband got me the exotic truffle box for Vday. Pictured below, we're working through the box together (he has always loved chocolate), and I'll post back w/ a summary report after we polish off the last one. Our first tasting (black pearl) was very positive! Not that I need more chocolate in the house, but I'm very curious about the other two brands. What are hounds' opinions on the overall quality of products by MB and Kakawa (the company name may be Cocoa Puro)? I know that shipping and storage is a factor, but assuming that they are shipped and stored properly, might they be worth the $$ and calories? Is there a specific type of confection I should look for in the MB line? Thanks from a chocoholic in the making! http://www.mariebelle.com/ http://www.cocoapuro.com/ Image: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/btdoan/IMG_4440.jpg Thu Feb 16 20:48:43 -0800 2006 0 Carb Lover 1 1682049 I'm a big fan of MarieBelle. One of the better mass-produced gourmet chocolates. Subtler flavorings (that don't overwhelm the chocolate), super smooth ganache, and not too sweet. Vosges are good, but I think MarieBelle is a step up. Enjoy them. Scott Link: http://www.dallasfood.org Thu Feb 16 21:28:06 -0800 2006 1682048 0 Scott 1 1682051 I have only tried MarieBelle's drinking chocolate but I am a huuuuge fan. Thu Feb 16 22:27:00 -0800 2006 1682048 0 Snackish 2 1682101 Have to agree with Sanick and disagere with Scott--their hot chocolate, especially the spicy version, is incredible while you can do better for chocolate at that price range--one good option is jacques torres, a higher priced (and tastier) option is la maison du chocolat. Fri Feb 17 17:51:42 -0800 2006 1682051 0 D-NY 1 1682066 Unrelated but the Vosges Aztec hot chocolate is really good. Fri Feb 17 11:46:06 -0800 2006 1682048 0 JudiAU 1 1682302 Hi, The thing about MarieBelle is it's beautiful to look at -- unique graphics are on their truffles -- but the taste is not all that! Their stuff is a great gift, tho for the chocolate lover, like the others said invest in their hot cocoas and buy your bon bons somewhere else (try Vosges exotic caramel collection for a real treat!) Tue Feb 21 13:01:07 -0800 2006 1682048 0 Mdawn 1 1682322 Kakawa Cocoa Beans are the bomb. Why? Imagine fresh roasted whole crunchy criollo/trinitario cocoa beans, covered in white, milk, and dark chocolates then rolled in cocoa - five flavors of chocolate in one bite. I make them, and people tell me they're the bomb. The word I hear most is, "Wow!" In California you can find Kakawa Cocoa Beans in Sky Meadow Apothecary & Spa, in Santa Cruz (831 420 0660), and Yum in San Francisco, (415-626-9866) Check them out and tell me what you think. We also ship. Take care, Tom www.cocoapuro.com Tue Feb 21 15:45:51 -0800 2006 1682048 0 Tom Pedersen 1 1682704 I'm afraid I haven't tried either of them, but my family ordered me a box of Christopher Elbow chocolates for my birthday last year, and it made my day. You can order them online at his website. The rosemary caramel, spanish saffron and fresh mint chocolates particularly stand out. The only one that just didn't work was a tropical fruit chocolate. And they're so pretty to look at, too... Link: http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f378/capegooseberry/IMG_5157.jpg Sun Feb 26 01:44:10 -0800 2006 1682048 0 gooseberry 2 1682705 Struggling with the photo link... Image: http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f378/capegooseberry/IMG_5157.jpg Sun Feb 26 01:45:43 -0800 2006 1682704 0 Gooseberry 3 1682707 I love ogling designer chocolates more than handbags or shoes...thanks for the rec. I was flipping through the latest issue of Saveur and they feature 10 chocolatiers worth seeking...check it out. Sun Feb 26 02:00:51 -0800 2006 1682705 0 Carb Lover