Food

Emily’s Top 10 Chocolate Picks 2013

1. Askinosie Peppermint Bark

Artisan peppermint bark made in Springfield, Missouri by our friends at Askinosie. Few things say holiday cheer like layered slabs of single-origin dark chocolate, buttery white chocolate, and all-natural crushed peppermint.

2. Holiday Super Zzang Bars

Our very own Candy Manufactory has festively wrapped 13 glorious inches of peanuts, peanut butter nougat, and caramel dipped in dark chocolate just in time for the holidays.

3. Chocolate Moderne Drinking Chocolates

Welcome to the Cocoa Casbah! This entire suite of flavors from Joan Coukos features Valrhona chocolate, with a cocoa content in excess of 70%. Add a bit of milk, you’ve got a silk smooth potion on your hands.

4. Charles Chocolate, Chocolate dipped organic nuts

Darkly roasted toasty-tasting California almonds and buttery rich Oregonian hazelnuts dipped in a blend of milk and dark chocolates and dusted with cocoa powder, all packaged in a tin that makes them a great gift!

5. Askinosie Malted Milk CollBARation Bar

A specially crafted bean to bar chocolate made in Springfield, Missouri. Askinosie has paired up with their favorite ice cream maker to create a decadent milk chocolate bar with a barley malt sweetness that is creamy and velvety. Sure to please any milk chocolate lover.

6. Béquet Confections French Style Caramels

Thrill the caramel purest with these buttery, brown-sugary and rich caramels crafted in Bozeman, Montana. Available in salt, salt chocolate, chewy, and chipotle.

7. Bell Stone Toffee

An indulgent gift made with simple ingredients (chocolate, pecans, butter & sugar) mixed to create a sublime texture and the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Made in Michigan!

8. Truffles, Caramels and Bonbons

Delight those on your gift list with a special custom box of handmade confections. The Next Door’s truffle case is a treasure trove of handmade confections from producers located all over the World. Come peruse the selection or let one of our staff cull together the perfect assortment of flavors and textures.

For the Bakers…

9. Michel Cluizel Mini Grams

Treat a baker in your life or bump your own holiday recipes up a notch with fine flavored chocolate drops. Available in 63%, 72%, 85%, or white.

10. Mindo Chocolate Makers,unsweetened chocolate baking disks

Bean to bar made right up the road in Dexter, these full flavored and smooth Ecuadorian cocoa disks are sure to liven up your holiday baking endeavors.

Emily is the Chocolate Specialist at Zingerman’s Deli. Look for more from Emily on her favorite subject to appear here in the future.