Why they’re great: It only makes sense that one of America’s premier bean-to-bar chocolatiers would put out outstanding truffles that showcase the nuances of single-origin chocolate. Each bonbon is a uniform, Brutalist cube filled with ganache made with chocolate sourced from one of five distinct locales, from Madagascar to Belize (a bonbon’s coating is the same single-origin chocolate as the filling). Though these truffles are all ostensibly the same flavor (chocolate), what’s remarkable is that they taste discernibly different. A pamphlet supplies evocative characterizations of each one, complete with harvest date. One might wonder how much the power of suggestion dictates the experience (does the Maya Mountain, Belize bonbon really have notes of “European drinking chocolate and strawberry coulis”?), but the proof was in the fillings. Our panelists found the chocolates to be true to their descriptions, sometimes uncannily so. The Maya Mountain, Belize truffle was indeed bright and fruity, with prominent strawberry flavor. And it was entirely unlike the Ambanja, Madagascar truffle, which sang with the promised essence of pineapple.
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There's no doubt that the best chocolate brings joy, conveys love, heals heartache, and forges connections. And when it comes time to find the perfect gift, chocolate is the answer then, too. The best chocolate is rich in flavor and almost too beautiful to eat.
To find the best chocolates, I sampled more than 75 chocolate products from the 36 top brands, testing for appearance, flavor, and texture of the chocolate. Our favorite brand for gifting is Vosges Haut-Chocolat thanks to the artful packaging and unique flavor combinations. We also love Compartés for the brand's joyful flavor innovations, like incorporating glazed donut pieces into a chocolate bar.
I'm lucky enough to say that my career revolves around chocolate. I trained at the Culinary Institute of America, pursued further training at the Chocolate Academy, in Chicago, and worked for years at EHChocolatier, a small-batch artisanal chocolate producer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These are the best chocolates money can buy, delivered right to your door (or the lucky recipient's). Trust me, I'm a chocolatier.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches products.
Best for gifting: Vosges Haut-Chocolat
From the stunning packaging to glamorous garnishes to the lingering flavor of luscious chocolate, Vosges Haut-Chocolat makes the perfect gift for anyone and any occasion.
Best hot chocolate: Christopher Elbow Chocolates
Christopher Elbow's Drinking Chocolate is grown-up, yet still approachable; the cool older sister to your childhood hot cocoa.
Best candy bars: Compartés
Compartés seamlessly draws upon familiar flavors and tailors them to contemporary, stylish candy bars.
Best budget: Chocolove
Chocolove has it all: decadent, rich chocolate, high quality ingredients, ethically sourced cacao, and fair prices.
Best truffles and ganaches: Bon Bon Bon
Bon Bon Bon's truffles are a treasure trove of fun, inventive flavors; each two-bite bonbon is meticulously and playfully decorated, and wrapped in its own individual box.
Best bean-to-bar: Dandelion Chocolate Factory
Dandelion Chocolate Factory is the premium vintner of the chocolate world, offering dynamic chocolate bars with helpful notes to guide you through your tasting experience.
Best for kids: Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli's individually wrapped chocolate squares are great for kids, and help introduce your young ones to more sophisticated flavors and textures in an approachable way.
Best for caramel lovers: Fran's Chocolates
The caramels from Fran's Chocolates possess everything a caramel lover seeks in the perfect bite: pull, chew, and just a touch of salt.
Best subscription: Chocolate of the Month Club
The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club from monthlyclubs.com offers delicious, diverse chocolates with a conscience.
Best for nut lovers: See's Candies
From classics to creative morsels, See's Candies knows how to honor the perfect pairing of nuts and chocolate.
Best vegan: Seattle Chocolate
Seattle Chocolate has an entire line of Vegan Truffle Bars that are divinely rich despite their lack of dairy.
Most beautiful: Petrova Chocolates
Each brilliant chocolate from Petrova is meticulously painted with vivid-colored cocoa butter to represent the filling within.
Best for adventurous flavors: Cacao & Cardamom
Cacao & Cardamom's chocolates are filled with intriguing flavors from unusual ingredients like chile peppers, spices, leaves, flowers, and berries.