Tis the season of CHOCOLATE. Now traditionally I’m not a huge fan of chocolate unless it’s of the best quality and face it, you usually don’t get quality chocolate throughout the year unless you really go looking for it. I wouldn’t say I’m a chocolate snob, but I just wasn’t the kid or woman who thought chocolate was the bees knees until I tasted chocolate made by a chocolatier. Reminds me of a mouseketeer, but cooler. Haha
Once you have good chocolate, I’m sorry you just can’t go back. And the good thing about a good quality piece of chocolate is that you don’t have to have a lot of it. Just a piece and you’re satisfied. I’ve even read that dark chocolate is good for you, so it’s kinda like medicine right?
This is the fourth blog post in my Valentine’s Day series and if you’ve missed the first three, please check them out here:
19 Valentines Day Nail Ideas with Press-ons
24 of the Best Items to Wear on Valentines Day
The 6 Best Jazz Clubs for Valentines Day
21st Century chocolate is not the chocolate of our childhood. Chocolatiers are being really innovative with their flavor pairings and even the decorations are more like a piece of art and the manipulation of chocolate is like sculpting. I’m getting excited just thinking about it but I promised myself I wouldn’t have any chocolate until the actual day.
I’ve compiled a list of the best chocolate shops only here in the Atlanta area because really good chocolate should not be shipped. So, if you’re in the area, please look up these chocolate shops and you won’t be disappointed. I encourage you to search out really good chocolate shops in your neck of the woods too; good chocolate is almost a religious experience.
1. Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory
1575 Old Alabama Rd, Atlanta, GA 30076
Order Online or Visit Store
Chamberlains is a family run business that has been open since 1986. Most of their chocolates are free of the top 8 or 9 allergens; including wheat, dairy, nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, and egg. They specialize in truffles but they also have other wonderful chocolate gifts like chocolate covered pretzels, popcorn, oreos, etc.
They also have classes for a family to “make your own bars” and a BYOB adult chocolate making class. With custom bars and oreos, this place sounds like a lot of fun!
This box of assorted truffles comes in milk and dark chocolate. The boxes come in 4, 8 and 12 pieces and the flavors are selected by the store based on seasonal ingredients. If you have any special requests, you can let them know.
Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory Assorted Truffle Gift Box 12pc – $24.00
If you want to take it a little lighter this Valentine’s Day, try this fruit platter individually dipped in chocolate.
Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory Hand-Dipped Chocolate Fruit Platters – $64.99
This 4-piece truffle box is made to go over a bottle of wine. Pick a full-bodied red wine to pair perfectly with the chocolate.
Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory 4pc Truffle Wine Gift Box – $10.00
3400 W Hospital Ave, Ste #102, Atlanta, GA 30341
Order Online and/or Pickup Locally
From the mind of Pastry Chef Jocelyn Dubuke, Jardi Chocolates are handmade works of art. Since she worked in some of the best restaurants in the country, she learned that the way food looks is just as important as it tastes. She opened in 2015 and brings unique flavor combinations and artistry to her chocolates. Everything is made with all natural ingredients, no preservatives or dyes and they can do custom orders too.
They used to have a Thursday Gift Shop where you could come inside and order, but they’ve closed that option so you have to order online and have it shipped to you or choose local pick up at their Chamblee production facility.
This beautiful gift box consists of one of every flavor available. These flavors include lychee mango mezcal, pecan ginger, herbs de provence and passionfruit sesame etc. You see where I’m going with this right?
Jardi Chocolates Sampler Gift Box 12pc – $33.00
There’s a full list of vegan chocolate bars including dark chocolate, peanut butter and below is a Strawberries & Cream Bar.
Jardi Chocolates Strawberries & Cream Vegan Bar – $7.00
If you’re curious about CBD, check out this CBD Infused 3-pack of dark, milk and minty dark chocolates.
Jardi Chocolates CBD-Infused 3-Pack – $10.00
3099 Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096
Order Online or Visit Store
The Chocolaterie is located in the oldest building on Main Street in downtown Duluth, Georgia and they’ve been open since 2006. In 2018, Diane and Nancy, who worked at the store, bought the store from the founders and carried on the tradition of beautiful handmade chocolates. They also have fudge and ice cream.
The chocolate covered strawberries are decadent but please note that they have to be pre-ordered. If you’re in the area or even close to Atlanta, please go to this shop. There’s a huge mural of “The Chocolate Lady” on the side of the building so you can’t miss it.
This 12pc Box of roses and chocolate truffles is absolutely gorgeous. You can pick red, white or pink roses.
The Chocolaterie 12pc Chocolate and Roses Gift Box – $85.00
Here is a beautiful 9pc assorted box of chocolates, but they also come in 5, 12, 15, 24 and 30 pieces.
The Chocolaterie Chocolate Gift Box 9pc – $29.95
825 Jamerson Rd, Ste 527, Marietta, GA 30066
Order Online, Pickup or Local Delivery
Owner Karl Vivier uses only Swiss chocolate to make unusual combinations of flavors like pink peppercorn and roasted hazelnut nougatine, old spiced rum and roasted cocoa nibs, japanese citrus skin infused with ginger root and chai tea with cayenne pepper, just to name a few. My mouth is watering just typing this. These decorative bon bons can be chosen in the “make your own” box but they also offer chocolate dipped strawberries, truffles, bars and other novelty items..
Opened in 2013 with his wife Eva, A Cacao Affair can custom make anything out of chocolate and there are no artificial sweeteners or flavors in any of their products. I highly recommend you check out this shop for an extraordinary chocolate experience.
Here is the “make my own box” with 16 pieces. They also offer 4, 9 and 24 pieces.
A Cacao Affair “Make Your Own Box” 16pc – $32.00
A Cacao Affair Chocolate Purse – $27
Order a few things, including sipping chocolate, and make a party out of it like below.
5135 Peachtree Pkwy, Ste 930, Norcross, GA 30092
Order Online or Find a Store Near You
I’ve included Peterbrooke because nothing can beat the variety of items that they provide. Their packaging isn’t that sexy, but they have chocolate covered pretzel twists and rods, oreos, potato chips, popcorn, graham crackers, jag paws (their version of turtles) and more.
They also have the classic assorted boxes and chocolate covered strawberries. The quality is great and they pride themselves on pairing traditional old world chocolate making with American treats. Founded in 1983 by Phyllis Lockwood Geiger, she is credited with creating chocolate covered popcorn.
Here’s the 12-piece assorted box, but there’s also 8, 16 & 24 along with different size baskets. You can’t make your own box, but the flavors included are nut clusters, caramels, creams, peanut butter meltaways, etc.
Peterbrooke 12-Piece Assorted Box – $30.00
Peterbrooke Chocolate Covered Popcorn Drum – $75.00
So as I sit here salivating while writing this, I’m counting all of the pieces of chocolate I want to get for Valentine’s Day. How about you? Are you looking forward to some really good chocolate, are you a flower person or do you like both? Let me know in the comments.
See ya next time.
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