Mail order special chocolates
I have a friend (out of state) turning 50 next month. She loves chocolate, but as a busy wife and mom of 3, she puts everyone first and never gets herself anything special.
I am debating between chocolates, truffles, brownies, and cakes but would like to find something that says "I really think you are special." She isn't going to be into exotic flavors with chocolate, but I want to wow her.
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I just bought from Wiseman house - what wonderful truffles and their toffee is the best I've ever had. I found them in the chocolate section of www.food411.com. They have a very good directory of the best chocolate makers
http://www.food411.com click on the chcolate section
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Of course, there's always Teuscher, chocolates from Switzerland flown weekly to their stores in major cities all over the world. Their most famous chocolate is the champagne truffle--just heavenly.
http://www.teuscher.com/For brownies, The Farm of Beverly Hills makes perfectly moist, very chocolately, absolutely delicious brownies. These brownies were featured on Oprah, not that I think she has any taste buds at all, but the brownies are excellent. Apparently also featured in Gourmet magazine, according to their website.
http://www.thefarmofbeverlyhills.com/ -
A true American treasure is Rebecca Ruth's bourbon balls! These are nothing like the ghastly confectioners' sugar things that some people feel compelled to make at the holidays. This is a Kentucky business that has been around a long time, making traditional American (as opposed to Frenchified) chocolates. Give them a try -- you won't be disappointed.
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I'm a huge fan of Enstrom's out of Colorado - I could eat an entire box of their toffee (I shouldn't, but I could).
Ethel M's can also be a fun treat. I still miss their dreamy white covered raspberry creams. I like their fruit creams because they have such an hoenst flavor to them. Nothing artifical to me.
One additional idea would be a company in NC called "A Southern Season" that does great gift baskets that you could send that would include chocolates and perhaps much more?
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re: DC Gal
Non Cognomina
Aug 8, 2006 12:05 AM
I forgot all about Enstrom's! I worked for a company that always had the toffee around for the Christmas season. I haven't had any in about 5 years, but I think this year I should order some for myself!
I used to LOVE Ethel M's raspberry creams. I tried them again at the Chocolate Show in NYC last year and found that they were very sugary sweet. I'm not sure if they changed their formula or if my preferences changed, but they are too sweet for me to eat now.
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A sentimental favorite with me is Schwartz Out of This World Chocolates
http://www.schwartzcandies.com/index.htm
especially the marshmallows, which are light and fluffy, unlike anything I've ever had called a marshmallow, and coated with excellent bittersweet chocolate. Their online ordering is limited but you can order by phone. I particularly like the coffee-flavored marshmallows.
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Gooseberry
Jul 22, 2006 03:43 AM
For my birthday, my parents, who are too far away to celebrate with me, sent me some chocolates by Christopher Elbow, a Kansas City (of all places) chocolatier. I think my mum saw his chocolates in Fine Cooking. It was such a wonderful gift, because each chocolate was gorgeous, delicious, and a different, interesting flavour. The rosemary caramel, french lavender and vietnamese cinnamon still stand out in my mind, among others. It was a wonderful chocolate adventure, so much more fun than a box of exquisite, but identical, truffles.
I know you said your friend isn't into 'exotic', which some of these certainly were, but I thought others interested in sending chocolates might find this useful. I think that whatever you choose, luxurious sweets are a thoughtful gift for a friend, because you just know they'll be savoured, but it's something we all too rarely get for ourselves.
Here's a photo of my box. Thinking about it still makes me feel warm inside.
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jennaroo
Jul 22, 2006 01:56 AM
I just saw a episode of Food Finds on the food network and they featured a chocolate shop int Michigan. It was called the Chocolate Garden. I believe the prices were around $40 a pound, which for good chocolate is not too bad. The web site said they do not coat the truffles in a thick layer of chocolate, which in my opinion is a good thing. I was somewhat impressed with the shipping rates, which for a pound was like 8 or 9 dollars. That included the freezer packs, which enable the chocolates to be shipped in summer. I do believe that I will be trying them as soon as I can afford it, and I do LOVE chocolate.
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re: jennaroo
Non Cognomina
Jul 22, 2006 03:49 AM
I have had the Chocolate Garden truffles and they are indeed good!
But if I had to pick special chocolates for a mom, I would choose either La Maison du Chocolat (2 stores in Manhattan), Woodhouse Chocolate (in Napa Valley, CA) or Chocolate Springs in Lenox, MA (in the Berkshires).
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/commerce/accueil.php?x&PHPSESSID=11c1985695f4bfdb9bb49d6a1628309d#
La Maison du Chocolat is the best chocolate I have ever had.
http://woodhousechocolate.com/
Woodhouse has beautiful packaging--a blue box that looks like it is from Tiffany & Co. Chocolates are very good.
http://www.chocolatesprings.com/index...
Chocolate Springs is very good chocolate, and the chocolatier there trained with La Maison du Chocolat. I recently had his chocolates and was surprised at how good his product is.
All three of these places let you make up your own box, although they may not advertise it online. Simply call one of the shops and tell them you want a custom box.
What a great friend you are to give your friend such a thoughtful present! Hope she enjoys!
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re: Non Cognomina
Funwithfood
Jul 22, 2006 02:17 PM
I recieved La Maison du Chocolat truffles for Christmas--wow, good...and expensive.
Fran's caramels with gray salt are really scrumptious.
By the way, what do you like from Woodhouse?
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re: Non Cognomina
sweet ginger
Jul 22, 2006 05:39 PM
I adore Woodhouse Chocolates- you're right about the beautiful packaging. It just feels like such a luxurious treat when you open the box! They have some different, but not too "exotic" flavors- the Quatre Epice is my favorite- reminds me of gingerbread. I love the fresh mint and the milk chocolate caramel mousse too.
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I have gotten beautiful Belgian truffles via mail order from Annedore's in Kansas City. Probably the down side to any mail order this time of year is that you will have to spend an exorbinant amount to ship chocolate to keep it cool and safe. If you call Annedore's they can set you up with something more special than seen on the web site.
A fun thing I got my sister one time is a chocolate tastingwhich is set up like a wine tasting. You get chocolate from a single origin and they tell you what tastes to be aware of, how the choc. finishes, etc. -
chocolate chick
Jul 20, 2006 09:22 PM
Sweet Bliss is a wonderfully unique chocolate company. The owner used to be Ralph Lauren's personal chef for eight years and then opened up this great choc. business. It is sure to impress!
worth checking out.
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re: chocokitty
PseudoNerd
Jul 22, 2006 07:52 PM
Does Chocolate Bar NYC not produce their own stuff? I remember seeing the Moo collection on their site and thinking that I ought to make my way there the next time I happened to be in New York. I was also considering ordering gifts for East Coast friends from them since sending truffles from Jin Patisserie might not be the best idea even in "winter."
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re: PseudoNerd
chocolate chick
Jul 23, 2006 01:55 AM
Chocolate Bar NYC does produce SOME of their own stuff, but they also outsource. I believe their chocolate bars are their own and maye a few other items. But they absolutely buy from Sweet Bliss and other chocolatiers. But I think you can't go wrong with Choc. Bar or Sweet Bliss! They are both great.
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