BLOG: Best Chocolates Based On Taste Tests
By Jim Donovan: When it comes to chocolate, the good stuff doesn't come cheap. To find the ultimate chocolate experience – in time for Valentine's Day – ShopSmart magazine, from Consumer Reports, taste tested thousands of boxed bonbons ranging in price from $10 to $90.
The March 2013 issue of ShopSmart magazine spotlights the top chocolates from these tests. They recommend six sweet selections to consider for loved ones this Valentine's Day (prices do not include shipping):
Woodhouse Chocolate Assortment (16 ounces, 48 pieces - see photo), $90. Deemed the yummiest in ShopSmart's taste tests, these chocolates were bursting with flavors like cinnamon toast, pecan pie, and mint, and real whipped cream fillings. www.woodhousechocolate.com.
Candinas (16 ounces, 36 pieces), $49. A mix of dark and milk chocolates that are ultra-smooth, with yummy hazelnut, caramel, and liqueur-flavored centers that hint of fresh cream and butter. www.candinas.com.
L.A. Burdick Large Wood Box Assortment (16 ounces, 64 pieces), $65. ShopSmart's tasters made note of these bonbons' intense chocolate flavor with subtle-flavor fillings such as cherry liquor and hazelnut. www.burdickchocolate.com.
Fran's Assorted Truffles Collection (12 ounces, 36 pieces), $50. These milk- and dark-chocolate truffles have delicious chocolate-based fillings of hazelnut, coffee, and caramel flavors. www.franschocolates.com.
Vosges Exotic Truffle Collection (6.4 ounces, 16 pieces), $40. This delicious mix of traditional and unusual flavors (curry, paprika, and wasabi) is well worth the taste-bud shock, say ShopSmart's tasters. www.vosgeschocolate.com.
Theo Chocolate Confection Collection (4.5 ounces, 12 pieces), $26. Flavorful, dark chocolate encases outstanding fillings of lemon ganache, fig, mint, and more. www.theochocolate.com.
For more information, including additional picks from the taste tests, ways to save and tips for cooking with chocolate, you can check out the March 2013 issue of ShopSmart magazine, on newsstands now or visit www.ShopSmartmag.org.
