Chocolataria Equador

Last fall I ran across Chocolataria Equador during a visit to Portugal. The gorgeously packaged chocolate bars caught my eye as I was rushing towards the Porto train station. Even though I was on a tight schedule I stopped and dashed inside. Any excuse to get souvenirs, right? 

The kind salesperson briefly delayed his lunch break for me, so this was clearly meant to happen. I snapped up several oversized bars without tasting anything, so imagine my surprise when I came home. Each handmade bar contains an exquisite truffle ganache filling. They also weren't nearly as sweet as other gourmet brands.

My favorites were the Milk Chocolate with Lemon and the Dark Chocolate with Port Wine. The Port, one of their bestsellers, will blow your mind. My biggest regret is that I didn't buy more flavors. I hope they will sell online soon for international customers. When I was in Tokyo earlier this year, I spied a few flavors at the depachika inside Mitsukoshi Ginza. 

Credit: LocalPorto.com

There are three retail locations in Porto and Lisbon. For more info: www.chocolatariaequador.com. 

Endorfin Foods Chocolate

Based in Oakland, CA, Endorfin Foods specializes in organic dark chocolate that's made with unroasted, ethically-traded cacao. Blended with coconut milk, coconut sugar, spices, and essential oils, these dairy-free bars are ideal for vegan and paleo diets as well as anyone seeking a healthier confection. 

Because the cacao is not roasted, the antioxidants and flavor profile are present in each bite. It's not as smooth as regular chocolate, but it's definitely worth a taste if you have a gourmet sweet tooth.

I got to try three flavors. Ginger and rose are the stars of Passion (56% cacao). I love the warmth of ginger but thought the rose is too mild to stand out. Featuring SF's Ritual Roasters, Turkish Coffee (60% cacao) has fragrant cardamom to lift the lovely coffee notes. My favorite by far is Heirloom Nibs & Salt (72% cacao), which has heirloom Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cacao nibs and Peruvian pink salt. The nibs and salt make this one extra tempting—there's a mild nuttiness that's hard to resist. 

Each bar is $6.75 (1.4 oz). Available at endorfinfoods.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Recchiuti Confections Tweet Truffles

Mother's Day is just around the corner, so don't forget to get Mom some adorable treats from Recchiuti Confections. This year they're offering the charmingly cute Tweet Truffles ($26, 9 pieces). These new hand-illustrated birds adorn the popular and delicious Burnt Caramel chocolate truffles, bringing a smile to everyone. Pick up a box or two before they sell out!

Available at both SF retail locations (Ferry Building and Little Nib) and www.recchiuti.com. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Amedei Crema Toscana All'Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva

Amedei is back with another amazing product to tempt your taste buds. Their new Crema Toscana All'Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva is a rich, gorgeous hazelnut chocolate spread that's mixed with extra virgin olive oil. Founder Cecilia Tessieri selected a special olive oil from the Tuscan area of Bagno a Ripoli. You can taste a hint of it, lingering in the palate for just a bit. 

With the healthful benefits of olive oil, there's no guilt in indulging in this sumptuous treat. You can serve it with your morning brioche or toast, or if you're like me, just spoon it straight out of the jar!

The 7.05 oz jar (200 gr) is available for €15,50 (about $17 USD) at www.amedei.it.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Ascona Chocolat Suisse

My chocolate karma must be high as I recently stumbled across Ascona Chocolat Suisse in Madison Valley. Owner Hans Riechsteiner features the renowned Laderach truffles, which are flown in each week for optimal freshness. 

You'll get to choose from about two dozen flavors. I just love the Hazelnut Crunch Praline, Raspberry Heart Praline, Caramelized Nut Praline, Lemon, and Passion Fruit Truffle. Hans also carries baking chocolate chips from Felchlin. I never leave the shop without a bag. 

Perfect for the holiday season, you can call in your gift box orders in advance. Local shoppers can even use curbside service via the FlyBuy app.

To order online: asconachocolates.com.

Autumn Chocolates from Recchiuti

There's always something wonderful to look forward to whenever Recchiuti Confections rolls out their holiday treats. The seasonal Citrus Box ($26; 9 pieces) is one of the best small batch collections I've tasted from the artisan chocolate brand.

It includes a marvelously delicate strawberry pate de fruit, which is layered with candied grapefruit peel. The lemon truffle is beyond exquisite; white chocolate honey ganache, black pepper and lemon peel paste come together to form a culinary revelation. Lastly, the aromatic orange truffle features 70% dark chocolate and candied orange peel. It's a bit more subdued than the lemon but is just as sophisticated. Get your box soon as this one will likely sell out before Thanksgiving.

The Whooligan Box ($21; 8 pieces) just launched this week. A Halloween favorite, these burnt caramel truffles bring a sweet start to the holiday season. You won't be able to resist these adorable owls, especially when you see them in person! The Whooligans are available through the end of the month.

The super limited edition Shiitake Caramels ($8; 4 pieces) are currently sold out online, but you might be able to score a box at the SF Ferry Building store. Partnering with Far West Fungi, the shiitake gives a subtle, earthy note to a buttery caramel base. 

To shop Recchiuti's autumn chocolates: www.recchiuti.com

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Dark Days Chocolate Confections

Dark Days Chocolate Moon Patties founder Wren McMurdo is a born chocoholic. A passionate confectioner by day, she is also a talented comic illustrator. I just love meeting highly creative artisans so I was really excited to try her dark chocolate coconut treats.

Dark Days Sea Salted Lemon Moon Patties. (Credit: Dark Days Chocolate)

Tied to sacred moon cycles, these delicately sweet vegan confections are infused with nourishing herbs like red raspberry leaf, lady's mantle, nettle and motherwort. It's a gourmet healing experience that doesn't feel heavy on your system. Perfect for any occasion, you won't feel guilty about indulging in one...or two, like I did! They're especially awesome for PMS or whenever you're feeling low energy or need sweet sustenance.

Mini Baby Moon Patties.

The seasonal Sea Salted Lemon ($4; 1.25 oz) is my favorite. The lemon isn't strong but it stood up well against the salt's brininess. I also loved the Date Bourbon Vanilla—that one's slightly sweeter. I would prefer the Peppermint to be more punchy but that's because I enjoy bold mint flavor. Wren's handcrafted creations are made with organic, fair trade ingredients (locally sourced when possible) and are gluten-free.

 

Seattle chocolate lovers can get Dark Days Moon Patties at Central Co-op, Sugarpill and Oddfellows Cafe. They're also available on Etsy. You can also custom order for weddings and gifts. For more info: www.darkdayschocolate.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Honey Mama's Cacao-Nectar Bars

Leave it to Portland to churn out some of the loveliest confections I've had in a while. I've been searching for healthier chocolate alternatives and the Honey Mama's Cacao-Nectar Bars were a godsend. It's a decadent fudge that's crafted with care and elevated to the gourmet level, with the addition of many health benefits.

Credit: Honey Mama's

I've tried a lot of raw/vegan/paleo desserts and nothing comes close. Founder Christy Goldsby sources each ingredient with absolute care; you can really taste the pure goodness of raw Oregonian honey, sprouted organic Californian almonds, Himalayan pink salt, organic Agostoni cocoa, and unrefined organic coconut oil. Paleo-friendly and GMO-free, each bar is also free of soy, egg, dairy, gluten and grain.

The classic Dutch bar is like an almond fudge brownie with a subtle crunch. I really enjoyed the Peruvian Raw — the raw Peruvian cacao has a milder, fruitier finish than the Dutch one. Mayan Spice definitely has a kick if you like it hot!

CocoNoNut is a great for those who want a nut-free dessert. The coconut base is very satisfying for those who like a bit of texture. The Oregon Peppermint (also nut-free) is not as bracing as you'd think; the sweet mint lingers in the background, melding seamlessly with the bolder flavors of cocoa, salt and honey. My favorite is the amazing Lavender Red Rose. Oftentimes you can barely taste the floral note in lavender-based confections but this one has a balanced yet evident presence.

The bars must be stored below room temperature to avoid melting. I can eat a tiny piece and be pretty satisfied for the most part. However, it's also way easy to keep on snacking so you might end up inhaling the whole package in two days, maybe even less if you're sharing with a friend!

Each bar is $5.99 and can be found online at www.honeymamas.com. Seattle area folks can find them at Central Co-op, PCC and Whole Foods. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Charm School Vegan Chocolate

I discovered Charm School Chocolate when I was browsing at my local vegan candy store. I've been searching for artisanal vegan chocolate and this brand makes the most delicious bars. Smooth, creamy, and not too sweet, the chocolate comes from fair trade cocoa beans that are roasted and refined for up to 5 days. Founder Joshua Rosen has trained in top restaurants in SF and NYC, so naturally his confections have the gourmet pedigree. And, his Coconut Milk Chocolate Bar is a 2015 Good Food Awards winner. 

I absolutely love the Coconut Milk Chocolate with Maple Candied Pecans bar ($7.99). Crunchy bits of candied nuts are generously folded into the 49% cacao bar, making this quite addictive. The Vanilla Bean White with Caramelized Rice Crisps is a brilliant white chocolate alternative — toasted brown rice and French sea salt add such great texture. Both bars are soy-free and made with organic ingredients. I'm going to stock up the next time I visit the candy shop!

Available at www.charmschoolchocolate.com.

Valentine's Day Gifts for All Budgets

We'll never say no to flowers on Valentine's Day, but you might get extra sugar if you put more thought into your gift. Here are some ideas that should add genuine romance to the overly commerical holiday:

The Alexis Bittar Lucite Dust Small Hinged Bracelet ($101.98) is an elegant choice for any fashion-forward Valentine. As an added bonus, it's also on sale at 40% (originally $170). www.nordstrom.com.

Pamper your beloved with some awesome Red Flower bath products. The Italian Blood Orange Bath Soak Set ($14) is great for a weekend getaway while the Isla das Rocas Revitalizing Sea Salt Scrub ($36) can be used a home spa treatment. www.redflower.com. 

Gourmands will definitely appreciate the Michel Cluizel Coeurs d'Amour ($12). Filled with premium 72% dark chocolate, these tiny pearly hearts are almost too lovely to eat. www.cluizel.us.

You'll be showered with sweet kisses when you gift your sweetheart with the limited edition Eminence Lip Trio Kit ($60). The luxurious three-step treatment includes a Citrus Enzyme Exfoliator, Lip Comfort and Plumping Masque, and a minty Citrus Lip Balm. eminenceorganics.com/us. 

The Jose & Maria Barrera Gold-Plated Flower Necklace with Crystals ($715) makes a splashy, extravagant declaration of love. The stunning 24-carat yellow gold plate bib necklace is studded with glittering Austrian crystals. www.neimanmarcus.com.

The Eau Aimable Botanical Cologne of Love ($38/3.4 oz; $49/8.4 oz) from Le Couvent des Minimes is the perfect fragrance for a romantic overture. This uplifting floral-fruity fragrance features orange blossom, bergamot, mandarin, wild rose, nasturtium, and petitgrain to evoke visions of a stroll through a Mediterranean orange grove. usa.lecouventdesminimes.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand's PR representative.