Chocolate selection boxes are what I live for. There are some great chocolatiers out there that produce wonderful selections such as Melt or Paul A. Young but there are other companies such as Hotel Chocolat and Thorntons that produce more commercial chocolate selection boxes. It’s a just a case of finding something that fits your budget.
But don’t forget chocolate shops such as Chocolate Trading Co. who sell luxury selection boxes from chocolatiers such as Domori, Valrhona and Michel Cluizel.
If size matters for you and you've got to find the biggest box of chocolates on the high street then you should take a look at these. I found them too sweet to consume in any great quantity, but I'm sure most people will love them.
Hotel Chocolat create Valentine's gifts that have more thought put into them than many chocolatiers - especially when it comes to the functionality and process of how they're given. If you want to show you love someone and want to lay the romance on thick, then this is what you need to buy.
Katie always comes up with supper awesome selection boxes that take you on a journey and over the two years or so I've been reviewing her chocolates I don't think I've had a more pleasurable journey than I've had reviewing this Valentine's Selection Box.
I had expected a great deal from these Black River Chocolates Selection Box given the price, but I just don't think they matched up to the price label. Don't get me wrong, they were nice, but not unique enough to stand out from the crowd.
For those of you who prefer chocolatiers to put some effort into what they produce - even before they get into their development kitchen then I implore you to try this Christmas selection from Sunshine & Butterflies as they were outstanding!
For those of you who would like to give some fine chocolates at Christmas with a seasonal tone but don't want to go down the route of giving something that is overtly Christmasy then you should really consider these caramels from Marc Demarquette.
Highly polished chocolate seems to be all the rage these days. But I much prefer the rustic, truly artistic bon bons that non-commercialised chocolatiers produced.
Some times its nice not knowing what you're buying. Even though I still think I would have chosen these, the wonderful Autumnal flavours were just devine. I didn't quite get the strawberry one, but the others were fantastic.
This selection box of unusual flavours from Matcha Chocolat is very interesting and utterly delicious. Some chocolatiers feel they can't be adventurous as they have to produce by committee. Katie does a great job breaking the mould and not being restricted to the same old flavours that many other chocolatiers offer.
When you buy a chocolate selection box how do you choose which to buy? Do you go for a brand name, a sleek website or do you just buy them on a whim. If there's any selection box, readily available in the UK, that I suggest you buy, then its this one.
Variety is the spice of life they say. But even selection boxes can be boring. But when you get them in the form of a Tasting Club box of chocolates then you can't go wrong.
This is a text book example of why you should never judge a chocolate buy its cover. The flavours were intense and sweet but actually incredibly enjoyable.
Rococo are absolutely fantastic chocolatiers and if you ever get a chance to try their chocolates then you most certainly should do!
The general type of chocolate caramels that I get to try are ones that are excessively sticky and gooey where the contents don't actually allow the flavour of the chocolate to come through - these do. Marc has done an awesome job with the Nutkeeper's aramels.
It's difficult to review vegan chocolates when you're not vegan. I love creamy truffles and that was never going to happen with these ones from Montezuma's. That being said, they were still very pleasant, although a touch flat.
These chocolates are a wonderful creation for someone so young. Without going over the top, David has done a great job with these ganaches and if there is anyone who can help him some more coverage that would be great.
I wonderful alternative to the high street selection boxes. These are definitely worth trying - not only because they taste great, but also because you're helping the little guys.
This has to be one of the best chocolate selection boxes I've tried - its most awesome.
If you're wanting some robust olive oil chocolates then you'll have to look elsewhere. There's nothing powerful or archetypal Italian here, they're very subdued to say the least.
If you like very sweet chocolate then this really is going to be your thing. They were far too sweet for me however.
In terms of the overall experience, this chocolate selection box has to be the best of 2011.
It would be hard to find a more gorgeous chocolate selection box than this anywhere in the world.
I love getting selection boxes sent to me as I never know what they'll be like. This one from Chocolate Craft I thought was lovely.
What a journey it has been for Katie with her wonderful Matcha Chocolat company. One year from inception she's created a much broader selection of ganaches that won't dissapoint.
I thought the 2011 version of the Hotel Chocolate Love Sleekster Valentine's chocolate selection box was very good and well worth the money. It seems they're getting more imaginative every year.
This Artisan du Chocolat Couture Collection is a very decent and enjoyable chocolate selection box. A great one for people that also want to try unusual falvours!
This Chocolate Selection Box from Robineau, who are based in Darlington is a wonderful and light offerring which is offers a more laid-back experience than many you'll find from the big names.
Undoubtably one of my chocolate highlights of 2010. If you ever get the chance to try a Geert Vercruysse Selection I can assure you, you won't regret it!
These Wittamer Classic Carré didn't look too great, but the flavours and textures of the assortment was actually exceptional. My personal favourite was the pepper ganache.
The The Sleekster Classic Christmas Selection is a very good selection for people that want to give something stylish at Christmas but don't want to break the bank.
The latest chocolate selection box from Matcha chocolat offers a delightful journey and experience and is absolutely perfect for a winter's night.
I just love the interesting chocolates that Katies creates. Every box has at least absolute gem in. If only more chocolatiers would push themselves as much as Matcha Chocolat does.
These Cocoa Mountain Chocolate Truffles, Gianduja and Turkish Delight boxes were utterly fantastic! Quite possibly my most favourite chocolate selection box this year!
The Pour Toi Chocolate Selection Box is a damn fine box of chocolates and should be sought out if you can find them.
This selection box from Lauden was full of fruity zinginess and should tantilise the tastebuds of anyone that loves sharp, fruit-flavoured chocolates.
The Pierre Hermé Signature And Classics Assortment Box is just out of this world. You have to try them if you get the chance!
These assorted batons from Galler are pretty damn good and well worth trying!
Truly dreadful. You should really avoid these.
Thornton’s Continental Chocolatier’s Tasting Collection Heart
Hotel Chocolat Love Notes
Matcha Selection Box for Valentine’s Day
Black River Chocolates Selection Box
Sunshine & Butterflies Christmas Selection Box
Demarquette Festive Caramels
Chocolats Mussy Selection Box
Hugo & Victor 6 Semi Spheres
Matcha Chocolat Selection
Cocoa Black Signature Selection
Hotel Chocolat The Chocolate Tasting Club
Vintage Collection Boite Blanche
Rococo Mixed Chocolates Medium Ballotin Box
Marc Demarquette’s Nutkeeper’s Caramels
Montezuma’s Vegan and Organic Chocolate Selection
The Chocolate Wizard Selection
Sunshine and Butterflies Limited Edition Selection Box
Demarquette Selection Box
Cioccolatini All’Olio D’Oliva by Nudo Italia
Parisian Creams from The Arran Chocolate Factory
Pierre Marcolini Selection Box
Cocoa Black Dark Chocolate Selection Box
Chocolate Craft Assortment
Matcha Chocolat Mixed Selection Box
Hotel Chocolat Love Sleekster
Artisan du Chocolat Couture Collection
Robineau Chocolate Selection Box
Geert Vercruysse Selection
Wittamer Classic Carré
The Sleekster Classic Christmas Selection – Luxe from Hotel Chocolat
Matcha Chocolat Winter Selection
Danucci Luxury Dark Chocolate Assortment
Certainly not the best selection box ever, but it did offer something worth buying if you come across it.Monk Bar Selection Box
The Monk Bar Selection Box wasn't as great as I'd hoped, but it was still pleasant.Neuhaus Lady Chefs Praline & Ganache Collection
The Neuhaus Lady Chefs Praline & Ganache Collection is a wonderful box of pralines and ganaches. Just make sure the person you're buying for likes chilli.Marks And Spencer Swiss Chocolate Collection
This Marks And Spencer Swiss Chocolate Collection was quite possibly the worst chocolate selection box ever!Paul Wayne Gregory Pure Indulgence Chocolates
These Paul Wayne Gregory Pure Indulgence Chocolates were actually pretty good. But I don't know why I had my doubts.Patchi Chocolate Selection Box
The Patchi selection box is great if you love pralines or nutty chocolate, not so much if you prefer fruity bon bons - as I do. They were still nice though.New Thorntons Continentals
The New Thorntons Continentals are exceptionally good value for money and worth buying.Thorntons Personalised Photo Chocolate Boxes
Get 15% off Thorntons Personalised Photo Chocolate Boxes for the week.Matcha Chocolat The Lotus Selection
Cocoa Mountain Chocolate Truffles, Gianduja and Turkish Delight
Pour Toi Selection Box
Devnaa Signature Chocolate Box 9 Piece
These Indian chocolates from Devnaa were mild and delicate and not at all excessive. Well worth a try.Paul A Young 4 Piece Selection Box
Chloe tried the Paul A. Young selection box - and loved it. I'd have to agree!!Lauden Chocolates 12 Mixed Box
Pierre Hermé Signature And Classics Assortment Box
Matcha Chocolat – The Jade Selection
If you haven't tried chocolate infused with rare and unsual teas then you don't know what you're missing!Galler Mini Bâtons
Patrick Roger Assorted Carré
This Patrick Roger Assorted Carré selection box was pretty damn good. If you're ever in France you must seek his shops out."Cocoa" Selection Box
