Halloween Chocolate for Adults

Michael Recchiuti Chocolate Classes

By Michelle Alderson | September 18, 2007 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (2)

Get your chocolate fix via Chocomap

Got a favorite chocolate shop?  Or have you moved or planning a trip to a new city?  Well, consult Chocomap to find a chocolate shop near you, and also add your favorite shops to Chocomap to let others know where you feed your chocolate addiction.

By Robert | August 22, 2007 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: chocolate

Chocolate Note Cards

Chocoholics will understand the beauty of giving and receiving these "Chocolate on the Brain" note cards.  Each card is blank inside for your own message, and a recipe is on the back of the card to give your recipient something to cook after reading.  Four recipes include Triple Chocolate Brownies, Incredibly Easy Chocolate Mousse, Overly Indulgent Cupcakes, and Parisian Hot Chocolate.

Chocolate on the Brain Stationery Note Cards  |  $8.50 for 12 cards/envelopes at Galison

By Robert | June 13, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: cupcakes

The Chocolate Factory Truck

I'm a fan of inventive car graphics that brand the businesses they represent. One look at this mini-truck and you immediately wonder and want to check out this business - The Chocolate Factory in Stockholm.

Image by karin eriksson at Flickr [via Coudal] 

By Robert | May 25, 2007 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cutest Chocolate Easter Bunnies

Have a gourmet Easter with these tasty (and very cute) floppy eared chocolate bunnies. Try one of five delicious flavors: Red Fire (Chilies and Cinnamon), Naga (Curry and Coconut), Black Pearl (Wasabi and Sesame), Gianduja (Hazlenuts and Almonds), and Barcelona (Almonds and Sea Salt).

Floppy Eared Chocolate Bunnies  |   $9.50 at Vosges Chocolate

By Bryce Longton | March 30, 2007 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (2)

Chocolate Goes Pink

The Coco-luxe Pink Collection is generating some serious attention. With fun graphic representation and great flavors, such as Angel Food (white chocolate ganache infused with vanilla bean), it’s easy to understand why they are hard to resist. Stephanie, the genius behind these retro-ganache collections says that her inspiration comes from “combining the fond memory(s) of something (for example eating an orange dreamsicle with friends on the sidewalk curb as the ice cream man drives away) with the current experience of a gourmet confection the experience is fun but also delicious.” We love the Coco-luxe philosophy and their craveable, fun collections.

Final Word: Gourmet meets play…in chocolate.

link:  Coco Luxe Website  |  Pink Collection @ Hello Delicious 

By Lilly Stein | February 23, 2007 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Love Letter Collection

Chocolates and love letters are de rigueur come the 14th of February - the trick is finding the right chocolates, and the right words for those sweet nothings. Well, look no further. The Love Letter Collection from Wiseman House Chocolates has the requisite delectable chocolates: Wild Woman, Love Potion, Passion, and First Kiss, AND a sweet love letter originally written in 1895 from Adeline to Rufus (her betrothed). $38 includes the chocolates, the letter and a beautiful pink box with matching cocoa brown bow.

If you want to break the bank (and raise the bar for future Valentine's Day gifts) splurge on "The Perfect Evening" which includes a cozy chocolate brown bathrobe, jazz music from Chris Botti, a Cocoa Fleur candle AND the aforementioned Love Letter Collection of chocolates and already-written-for-you love letter. $175.

Final Word: For those who like chocolate and sweet nothings, this is a good bet.

link: Wiseman House Chocolates  |  Wiseman House at Yahoo! Food

By Bryce Longton | February 7, 2007 in Chocolate, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: chocolates wiseman valentines

Rex Ray Designs for Recchiuti Chocolates

Graphic designer Rex Ray was invited to create a collection for Recchiuti Chocolate's Artisan Collection in another collaboration of local San Francisco artists.  This boxed collection is made with Recchiuti's Burnt Caramel chocolates.

Rex Ray Artisan Collection  |  $18 at Recchiuti.com 

By Robert | October 23, 2006 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

"What I've Done for Chocolate" Richard Donnelly Valentine's Contest Winner

Continue reading ""What I've Done for Chocolate" Richard Donnelly Valentine's Contest Winner"

By Kyeann Sayer | February 14, 2006 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (2)

Michael Recchiuti Chocolate Tasting at Fog City News February 10

I like this new step in Valentine's Day's evolution.  Forget fluffy packaging, treacly cards and manufactured notions of romance.  The best outcome for our neo-pagan translation of February 14 is an emphasis on fresh chocolates from some of the country's best chocolatiers. 

Fog City News' Adam Smith has been counting down with Friday tastings at his charming San Francisco Financial District news and chocolate hub.  Richard Donnelly wowed visitors with his chipotle and raspberry ganaches.  Michael Mischer's Pistachio and Gianduja fillings pleased tasters.  This Friday Michael Recchiuti will present some of his signature infusions from noon to 2:00.  Don't miss him! 

Fog City's dedication to freshness means that gift boxes will be available a few days before Valentine's Day.

Fog City News
455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 543–7400

By Kyeann Sayer | February 7, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News, Gourmet Food Events | Permalink | Comments (0)

Single Origin Chocolates: The New York Times Weighs In

Yes, chocolate's trendiness has edged into that cocktail hour pontification/irritation zone.  Favored cacao content is bandied about and sources are named with an air of solemnity.  But with so much delicate, step-by-step artistry from bean to praline, how much stock can we put in a palate attuned to single origins?

"To say, here we have single-origin Madagascar or Trinidad, and leave people with the impression that this is what beans from Madagascar or Trinidad taste like, is misleading," Mr. Steinberg [a Scharffen Berger founder]  said.

So many factors affect a piece of chocolate: not only where the beans were grown, but the skill of whoever dried, fermented and roasted them, the amount of cocoa butter that was mixed back into the crushed beans, the two- or three-day process of mixing, heating and cooling (called conching and tempering), and the touch of the chocolatier.

True, true. Read more insightful nibs in Chocolate That Flashes Its Passport, by Kim Severson.

By Kyeann Sayer | February 7, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Serious Valentine's Gift: Chocolate Making Classes with Richard Donnelly

Spend a weekend learning chocolate magic from one of our premier chocolatiers.  Richard Donnelly offers chocolate basics, as well as truffle and assorted chocolate making, in his Santa Cruz studio.  You can plan now for April through November dates, or create your own group of six devotees and arrange a special session.  $150 per person per 3 hour course.

Don't forget to enter our "What I've Done For Chocolate" Contest!  Your confession could be rewarded with a Richard Donnelly assortment.  

By Kyeann Sayer | February 7, 2006 in Chocolate, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)

Win Richard Donnelly Chocolates or Join His Chocolate of the Month Club

Most of us have an humorous, impressive, or embarrassing story about the lengths we've gone to in order to get a chocolate fix.  What's the most extraordinary thing you've done? Describe it in 200 words or less and send it to kyeann(at)dailyolive(dot)com (along with your delivery address) by 11:59 PST February 9.  The winner will receive an 8 oz. Richard Donnelly assortment just in time for Valentine's Day and your confession will be posted (anonymously if you prefer!) for Daily Olive readers.

Maybe your pen isn't flowing with personal chocolate lore? Here's a gift that will give your favorite chocolate lover a reason to unconditionally worship you on Valentine's Day and once a week well into the year.  Joining the Chocolate of the Month Club will mean a sumptuous surprise sent from Richard Donnelly for three or six months. Choose between the Sampler and Deluxe clubs, each including an assortment of chocolates, bars, dipped fruits and other goodies.  Anticipating the mail will take on an entirely new meaning!

Donnelly Chocolates

By Kyeann Sayer | February 6, 2006 in Chocolate, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)

Top Ten Valentine's Day Gifts

1. Valentine Pez. Need we say more?
2. Strip chocolate board game. We're not sure how the rules work here, but chocolate with anything is a bonus.
3. Red Heart Casserole from Le Creuset. They make some of the best products around.
4. Valentine fortune cookie. You get to choose what fortune will be in the cookie. Nice.
5. Chocolate dipped Oreos. Chocolate + Oreos = yum.
6. Heart-shaped candy dish. A great gift for the person who loves to throw parties.
7. Fun foodie T-shirt. Love it. May have to buy it ourselves.
8. Wine tote in red. It's practical for wine lovers and perfect for V-day.
9. Dessert fondue pot. Melted chocolate: chocolate dipped strawberries, anyone?
10. Valentine popcorn pops. Sounded interesting and Oprah loves it. 

If you still don't know what to get your Valentine for the big day, take him/her out to dinner. Check out citysearch.com for your best local restaurants. Or cook dinner. Epicurious.com has some great ideas for a romantic feast.

By Michelle Alderson | January 31, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richard Donnelly Chocolate Tasting at Fog City News January 27

San Franciscans are lucky to have Fog City News and its vast array of international periodicals and impressive selection of the world's best chocolate.  We are doubly lucky that the sponsor of our "What I've Done For Chocolate" contest, Richard Donnelly, will host a tasting there this Friday, January 27 from noon to 2:00. 

Fog City News
455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 543–7400

By Kyeann Sayer | January 24, 2006 in Chocolate, Food | Permalink | Comments (0)

"What I've Done for Chocolate" Daily Olive Valentine's Contest

Most of us have an humorous, impressive, or embarrassing story about the lengths we've gone to in order to get a chocolate fix.  What's the most extraordinary thing you've done? Describe it in 200 words or less and send it to kyeann(at)dailyolive(dot)com (along with your delivery address) by 11:59 PST February 9.  The winner will receive an 8 oz. Richard Donnelly assortment just in time for Valentine's Day and your confession will be posted (anonymously if you prefer!) for Daily Olive readers.

We are very pleased to offer Richard Donnelly Chocolates.  Often premium chocolate is associated with elaborate packaging or sophisticated branding rather than quality.  Richard Donnelly focuses primarily on the highest caliber ingredients and on craft at his low-key Santa Cruz, CA studio.  Many of us have become accustomed to products (even quite expensive ones) that sit on shelves for months - so much so that we don't know how fresh, fine chocolate should taste.  Donnelly urges consumption of his preservative-free truffles, caramels and chocolates within one week!

Stay tuned as we fill you in on Donnelly Chocolates' offerings between now and Valentine's Day. And start writing!

By Kyeann Sayer | January 23, 2006 in Chocolate, Contests, Daily Olive News, Special Promotions, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (23)

Norman Love's "G" Collection Chocolates by Godiva

Pastry chef, Norman Love, has collaborated with Godiva Chocolate to create a gourmet collection of "couture style line of handcrafted chocolates made from pure and fresh ingredients."  Just in time for Valentine's Day, the G Collection is limited in production and available as supplies last through February 14, 2006.

G Collection is available in 3 different packages

• 15-pc. G Collection Gift Box (5 oz.)
• 30-pc. G Collection Gift Box (10.25 oz.)
• 48-pc. G Collection Gift Box (1 lb. 0.75 oz.)

Plus, in an all-hearts collection just for your Valentine's sweetheart

• 15-pc. All Hearts G Assortment (6.25 oz.)
• 30-pc. All Hearts G Assortment (12.75 oz.)

By Robert | January 23, 2006 in Chocolate, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)

Center for Culinary Development: 2006 Trends

By Kyeann Sayer | January 16, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News, New Food Trends | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three Hours With Gregory Renard

From Monday's Washington Post, a fun, little, snippet of a day in the life of a Parisian chocolatier:

Platters of bite-size nuggets of chocolate beckon like edible gems: ebony hearts filled with layers of crispy wafer and chocolate ganache, dark chocolate rounds dusted with gold-leaf glitter, almond pistachio logs drenched in milk chocolate crowned with a glazed emerald-green pistachio nut.

Walking into some of Paris's fanciest chocolate shops is akin to entering a bank vault under the suspicious eye of a guard. Stepping into Renard's little store, wedged between a dry cleaner and an underwear shop on rue Saint Dominique near the Eiffel Tower, is like ambling into the family kitchen.

Seductive Gems From the Kitchen Of an Artisan, Molly Moore of the Washington Post

By Kyeann Sayer | January 15, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recchiuti Confections Valentines Box and Chocolate Obsession

 

Give the chocolate devotee in your life a sumptuous Recchiuti box, and the secrets to confection artistry. With three layers of delicious infusions of tea, herbs and flowers, your love will have so many delicious ways to think of you.  Michael Recchiuti's Chocolate Obsession provides step-by-step instructions to the those ambitious enough to take on, say, Force Noire ganache.  It offers page after page of chocolate pornography for the rest of us. 32 Piece Large Valentines Box, $75, Chocolate Obsession, $23.

By Kyeann Sayer | January 15, 2006 in Chef Books, Chocolate, Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saveur Favorite: Kakawa Cocoa Beans

The Saveur 100 is always filled with good finds, but for those dependent on chocolate, these Kakawa Cocoa Beans stand out. Criollo and Trinitario beauties are roasted and then covered in layers of white, milk and dark chocolates before a final sprinkling of cocoa powder. Mmm. Have you tried them? $36.95 per 12 oz. bag.

By Kyeann Sayer | January 11, 2006 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chocolate & Dessert Fondue Recipes

Get your chocolate fondue ready for your Christmas holiday parties.  Here's some links to chocolate and dessert fondue recipes and ideas.

• Whiskey Chocolate Fondue Recipe - via GourmetSleuth
• Chocolate Fondue Recipe - via Epicurious.com
• White Chocolate Fondue Recipe - via Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade
• Caramel Cognac Fondue - via Epicurious.com
• Bittersweet Chocolate-Orange Fondue - our favorite recipe with a dash of Grand Marnier and grated orange peel - via Epicurious.com

By Robert | December 17, 2005 in Chocolate, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: christmas

New Scharffen Berger Gianduja Bar

By Kyeann Sayer | December 15, 2005 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daily Olive Welcomes Kyeann Sayer to the Chocolate Section

My family still hides it from me, and with good reason.  There was a time when I couldn't tolerate the notion of chocolate left uneaten.  An unopened bar, lonely in the pantry (or hidden in my brother's backpack), meant a squandered opportunity. Six Pudding Pops stuck in the freezer? How cruel to leave them stranded!  Dessert that didn't incorporate it? Not much point.  If the average American consumes twelve pounds per year, I would wager that I doubled that amount more often than not.

As I grew, however, so did my tolerance for complexity and moderation (for the time being, two nibbles per day of the robust and biting Dagoba eclipse 87% sate me).  Also, I have learned that like most pleasures, chocolate resonates more completely when shared and savored rather than hoarded and, well, pilfered.  This is why the opportunity to write about it for Daily Olive readers thrills me. 

From criollo beans to silk screening, flower essences to nibs, scones to sauces, Scharffen Berger to Puyricard to organic; there is much chocolate ground to cover! Please be sure to share your discoveries.

By Kyeann Sayer | December 13, 2005 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chocolate for Baking - by America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen just recently tested chocolates in preparation for our holiday baking.   Here are their Test Kitchen winners--

• Unsweetened Chocolate - Scharffen Berger Unsweetened Chocolate
• Cocoa Powder - Callebaut Cocoa Powder
• Bittersweet/Semisweet Chocolate - Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate
• Chocolate Chips - Guittard Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Nestle Semisweet Chocolate Chunks

via Cook's Illustrated

Give a Cook's Illustrated Gift Subscription this holiday season.

By Robert | November 7, 2005 in Baking, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gourmet Chocolate Bars with Classic Creme Fillings

Chocolate Bar NYC introduces Retro Chocolate Bars made with their finest gourmet chocolate and filled with flavors inspired by "broadwalk candy stores".  Creme flavors include Salted Pretzel, Key Lime Pie, Peanut Butter Caramel, Coconut Cream Pie, Malted Milk, Caramel Apple, and Raspberry Jam.  Available individually or in a chocolate gift box.

Purchase Retro Chocolate Bars directly from their website at ChocolateBarNYC.com.

via Wallpaper.com

By Robert | November 5, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Homemade Pumpkin Creme Marshmallows from Pete's Gourmet

Pete's Gourmet Marshmallows, called by Bon Appetit "a modern miracle", adds a seasonal twist to their marshmallows.  Give a box of pumpkin creme marshmallows covered with white and dark chocolate this Halloween.

Pumpkin Creme Marshmallows  |  $19 at Pete's Gourmet

By Robert | October 17, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chocolate Fondue Fountain for Holiday Parties

Wow your guests with your own chocolate fondue fountain!  Perfect for holiday celebrations, birthdays, weddings, and turning any party into a memorable one.  Be careful - your friends might want to borrow it for their parties too.

Chocolate Fondue Fountain
$69 at Chef's Depot

Sephra Chocolate Fountain
$249 at Chef's Depot

By Robert | September 26, 2005 in Chocolate, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Halloween Brownies by Fat Witch

Just in time for Halloween, give the Fat Witch Brownie Gift Tin made in NY.  Fat Witch brownies were chosen by Oprah in 2002 as one of her Favorite Things.  This chocolate gift tin includes 27 brownies in dark bittersweet, chocolate walnut, and blonde chocolate chip.

Brownie Gift Tin  |  $39 direct from Fat Witch Bakery  |  888-41-WITCH

By Robert | September 13, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gourmet Chocolate Market Growing

The gourmet chocolate market has mostly been the realm of smaller chocolate  makers who have mushroomed from just 250 manufacturers to over 1000 today.  With such a demand, the market has become big enough to attract the attention of the big boys.  Watch out here comes Hershey, Mars, and Godiva with recent moves to get their piece of the gourmet chocolate pie.

Read "Chocolate makers target consumers' sweet spot" via USAToday

Read More:  Chocolate  |  All Things Wine

By Robert | August 16, 2005 in Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dark Chocolate--Good for the Heart Says Researchers

FOOD SCIENCE: Some research suggests that the flavonoids found in dark chocolate may produce beneficial cardiovascular effects, much like those found in green and red fruits and vegetables, red wine and green tea.

Move over milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is commandeering real estate in the candy aisle, quite pleased with its deep, dark self.

It's not just pricey imported chocolate bars taking up shelf space and boasting how dark they are. Take a look at the dark chocolate M&M's and dark Hershey's Kisses.

There's method to this darkness. It just so happens that researchers recently have focused on the potential health benefits of dark chocolate, which ultimately could translate into ... cha-ching. In fact, candymakers are reporting an increased demand for the biting taste of dark chocolate.

So far, candy packaging doesn't claim such benefits, but some labels now billboard the candy's "percent cocoa" content -- 50, 60, 70 percent. That's because the higher the cocoa content, nutrition researchers say, the better.

Read "Heart-healthier Dark Chocolate Gains Shelf Space in Stores" (via DuluthNewsTribune.com)
More "Sweet! Study says dark chocolate has benefits" (via CNN)

Related article:  Chocolate Lovers' Websites 2005

By Robert | July 24, 2005 in Chocolate, Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chocolate Lover's Websites - Best of Web 2005

From praline truffles to white raspberry ganaches, you'll find lots of luscious artisanal chocolate to ogle over on the Web. Sophisticated French and British sites boast white-glove service and mahogany boxes, while U.S. master chocolatiers like Scharffen Berger round out its scrumptious offerings with things like chocolate lip balm and in-depth white papers on the art of chocolate-making. Aficionados should bookmark Chocophile.com, a news, review and discussion site whose stated mission is to elevate the awareness and appreciation of chocolate on a par with that of wine. --Constance Gustke

• zChocolat.com
• Chocolate Trading Company
• Chocosphere.com
• Godiva
• Hotel Chocolat
• Scharffen Berger.com
• Chocoholic.com
• Gourmet Chocolate Club of the Month

Via:  Forbes.com Best of Web

By Robert | July 18, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (1)

Holiday Gift: Richart Chocolate Introduces a Chocolate Vault

French chocolate maker, Richart, introduced a burlwood chocolate vault with temperature and humidity gauges for the perfect storage of their chocolates.  "Chocolate is very absorbent.  The same air will be circulating around onions!," says John Scharffenberger of Richart.  Makes sense to us.  Coming with 112 pieces of chocolate at $750, is this decadence at its best?

Visit RICHART Chocolate online.

By Robert | November 20, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (1)

MarieBelle Chocolates - Food as Art

Tucked in a small shop in New York's Soho District, MarieBelle has developed a loyal following who probably buy their chocolates as much for how they look and packaged as how the chocolate tastes.  A great gift idea for the holiday season, MarieBelle offers beautifully packaged hot chocolate gift tins and boxed chocolate sets.  Shop at the MarieBelle website.

By Robert | November 9, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (4)

Delicious Chocolate Recipes from France

One of foodie readers' favorite blogs might be ChocolateandZucchini.com, and we love their Chocolate is My Friend archives. These aren't your usual chocolate dessert recipes, but ones that remind us of eating great desserts on our trip to France last year. If you're looking for a cultural twist on a chocolate recipe, then pick one here. Our favorite is the Apricot & Ginger Chocolate Cake. Even if you're not in the mood to cook, blog writer, Chotilde, is a joy to read.

By Robert | October 4, 2004 in Chocolate, Cooking | Permalink | Comments (1)

K Sensual Chocolates for Valentines

K Sensual Chocolate Bonbons are filled with a blend of Chinese herbs specially mixed to stir the passions in women. Perfect for your special Valentine's loved one.

Available thru their website.

By Robert | January 31, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Foodie Gift Idea: Chocolate Candies with a Spicy Kick

Cowgirl Chocolates features handmade chocolates with a unique spicy kick. These award winning chocolates are the creation of founder Marilyn Lysohir, and come in a selection of truffles and truffle bars with flavors like Spicy Lime Tequila, Spicy Peanut Butter, Spicy Mild Chocolate Mint, and Spicy Orange Espresso. Packed in unique gift bags, boxes, tins, and baskets, this could make an ideal gift choice for the adventurous chocolate lover.

By Robert | December 2, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (1)