When holidays and special occasions roll around, there’s always one thing for certain – someone will buy a box of chocolates. Whether it’s for a friend, a loved one, or even for you to enjoy, chocolate assortments make the best gift.
Why buy assorted chocolates? It’s simple – you’re shopping “one size fits all”! Even the pickiest eater can find a chocolate they like in chocolate assortments. Usually, chocolate assortments are comprised of all types of fillings, not to mention a delectable variety of chocolate.
If you are one to battle over a good chocolate assortment with friends, you probably already know milk chocolate is the biggest crowd pleaser. Not as rich and bitter as its dark cousin, milk adds a creaminess and sweetness to chocolate that is delicious. Still, there are those who love the pure, rich decadence of a very dark chocolate. Also, dark chocolate usually contains more than 70% cocoa, which means its better on your heart and your health. So what better way to enjoy the two, than pick a box of chocolates that is comprised of dark and milk chocolates? Now you’ve got the best of both worlds – and so do your friends.
With so many scrumptious chocolate choices, giving assorted chocolates is like giving your recipient the chance to dig into piece after piece to see what type comes next. Most assorted chocolate boxes come in a half pound, one pound or two pound assortment. You can get sugar-free options for the health conscious or diabetic recipient. You can find “organic” chocolate assortments. These are usually made with all natural ingredients that are not genetically modified, and milk powder from cows not treated with hormones, perfect for the “green” chocolate eater.
So when you choose an assortment of chocolates or a gourmet box of chocolate, you can feel comfortable that you are giving a gift that will be appreciated and shared. After all, every time they take a bite, they will remember you!
When it comes to gourmet chocolate, no one does it better than Belgium. It is Belgium chocolate that sets the standard to which all other luxury chocolates measure themselves. Why is this? In Belgium chocolate making is quite serious business and a big business. The country produces over 170,000 tons of Belgium chocolate per year. And just about every town in Belgium has a chocolate store. There, chocolate shops are a big tourist draw. Just like wineries in Italy, Belgian chocolate shops offer tours and taste centers. And the process hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. Most Belgian chocolates are still made by hand, adhering to age old techniques that create the best chocolate on the globe.
The beginnings of this fine, gourmet chocolate began In 1912. It started when chocolate maker Jean Neuhaus created a new process for manufacturing chocolate confections. He experimented with different types of chocolate called “couvertuer” which is a hard chocolate shell. Neuhaus was able to fill this shell with a variety of soft chocolate and other yummy fillings. This was the world’s first filled chocolate, dubbed the “praline”. Over time Neuhaus kept updating his praline, using only the finest ingredients possible. This standard still exists today. Neuhaus chocolates remain one of the premier chocolate companies in the world, offering top-tier Belgian chocolates in outlets in over fifty countries.
Today, Belgium houses many of the top chocolate producers. Leonidas and Godiva are just two of the many well known brands to come out of Belgium. Companies such as these pride themselves on their top-quality ingredients. They use 100% cocoa butter, no vegetable oils or fats. Only the best cocoa beans are used. By such strict adherence to quality, there is a guarantee that the chocolate is of the very best man can produce.
Still the most popular Belgian chocolate is by far the praline. The hard coated shell with rich, smooth filling is what makes this the most sought after confection in Belgium. You now are able to obtain these scrumptious confections in sugar free Belgian chocolate versions as well.
Now that Easter has gone by, it’s time to start thinking of what Mother’s Day chocolates you are going to send? There is something that would work for just about every mother’s chocolate tastes. Whether the chocolate gift is a box of assorted chocolates or a wonderful gift basket, you can find something that will be just right.
Now remember, you don’t hvae to limit yourself to just your own mother? There are grandmothers, aunts, friend’s mothers and a whole lot more that would love to get a special chocolate gift in the weeks ahead.
Top favorites are the 1 lb box of gourmet chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries (remember, they need to ship next day in order to get there in perfect condition?, and some of our wonderful chocolate gift baskets.
We will dress each of your gourmet chocolate selections up with ribbons and bows appropriate for the holiday. We guarantee all of our chocolates so if it doesn’t arrive in perfect condition, you can return it for a full refund! If you have any special requests, please email us or call and we will see what we can do to help you get just the perfect Mother’s Day chocolates available!
