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.
La Maison du Chocolat are chocolatiers that I have a sense of guilt about. When I first started reviewing chocolate a few years ago I caught up in the swell created by their funkier alternatives. The Banksies of the chocolate world pushed from the underground closer to the mainstream and naively this seemed...
Normally when I review Paul’s wonderful selections it’d be after they’d turn up on my doormat with the purpose of a review. These, however, were purchased by myself because I’ve been working so darn hard lately. The only problem is that I’m just too keen to try them that I...
One of the big problems chocolatiers face during the summer is keeping people buying chocolate throughout the warm months when there are few excuses to by chocolate other than birthdays and Father’s Day. Somehow, though, Hotel Chocolat manages to bring out new collections that really do grab the...
You don't have to spend great amounts on marketing to get your name out. Sometimes you just have to focus on producing lovely chocolates and the rest will follow. That's exactly what The Chocolate Society are doing.
As usual Marc DeMarquette has created a truly inspirational box of caramels. You just can't miss these when they come out at the same time as Chelsea Flower Show.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to for unique chocolatiers to make a splash in the chocolate world so dominated by the big names. Lazy chocolate buyers will reach for the tried and tested offerings found in the supermarkets or whichever company manages to get top rankings in Google. But looking...
They say that youth is wasted on the young. My youth flashed passed at such a high speed I can barely believe I’m the same person that set up in business on his own some fifteen years ago. That experience engendered in me a huge respect for those who strike out on their own at a young age. It’s...
The single most awe-inspiring moment of my chocolate reviewing life was two years ago yesterday. Then I received a delivery from someone I had never heard from. That clear plastic case contained the most amazing chocolates I have ever tasted. To this day those Patisserie Vercruysse ganaches have only ever...
No Christmas Day morning would be complete without unwrapping a box of chocolates, and that goes for men, women, old and young alike. The issue for Father Christmas is whether he visits many different chocolate shops and buy something to please the individual recipient, or does he just pop online and find...
You can make the finest tasting chocolates in the world, but if they’re unimaginative, presented shoddily and have an unsavoury corporate attitude then frankly the quality of your chocolates is a moot point. Thankfully Claire, Andy, the rest of the team and Chococo are jolly nice people, they make...
Few things in life are truly worth waiting for. The birth of a child, the return of a lover, Christmas morning with bucks fizz and wrapping paper covering every inch of the carpet. Considering that list, it would remiss of me not to include Katie’s wonderful, mouth-watering chocolates. As the seasons...
This has to be one of the most adventurous and interesting chocolate selection boxes I've tried. There's only the one classic truffle whilst there are numerous ones with unusual flavours such as cigar leaf and red onion.
I really didn't know what to expect from these Haggis Chocolate, but I really didn't anticipate licking them as much as I did! There weren't massively flavoursome, but cunning with what flavour they had.
If Mothers' Day was one to truly endulge her in magnificence then you have to get her a box of these wonderful ganaches and feuillantine, they are really fantastic! I adored the fruit flavours against the dark chocolate bitterness.
These Baruzzo hand created Italian spring chocolates were incredibly good, the flavours were undramatic but fantastic all the same. They contained theatre of the highest order and kept you wanting to know what the next was like. they certainly were a hit.
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.
Coffret Duo de Ganaches Andalousie/Yuzu
Paul A. Young Spring 2013 Collection
Hotel Chocolat Summer Fusions
Chocolate Society Selections – Banoffee Pie Truffles and Salted Caramels
Demarquette Britannia’s Kitchen Garden Chocolate Selection Box
Toot Sweets Chocolate Selection Box
Chocally Chocolate Gifts
Patisserie Vercruysse Winter Collection
Hotel Chocolat The Sleekster Christmas Desserts Selection
Chococo Seasonal Selection Box
Matcha Chocolat Christmas Selection
Paul A Young Selection Box
Haggis Chocolates
Matcha Chocolat Mothers’ Day Selection Box
Baruzzo Spring Chocolate Collection
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!