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Pros:
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Rich, creamy Belgian chocolate
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Gorgeous, high-end look
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Gift-ready packaging with bow
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Arrives well insulated and fresh
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Excellent value for the price
Cons:
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All inclusions are pralines
There’s just something about Belgian chocolate that makes it so much more indulgent than its American counterparts. Sure, there’s a place for both—I certainly never turn down a delicious truffle, regardless of its origin. But it’s hard to compete with sustainably sourced cocoa and natural ingredients, which is what Neuhaus chocolate offers. I tried the half-pound classic ballotin box 18-piece chocolate set, which looks just as lovely as the included pralines taste.
Bundled up in a classic Belgian ballotin box complete with a cute bow and metallic gold wrapping, this praline assortment is anything but ordinary. It boasts six different chocolates containing an assortment of fillings, from tender creams to rich, chewy nougat. I absolutely loved the chocolate truffles, which are rich and creamy. They’re also an amazing value at around $45 for a half pound of chocolates.
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The triangle-shaped white chocolate with coffee cream and nougat is by far one of the best things I’ve ever had, chocolate or otherwise. The flavors are perfect, as is the balance between bitterness and sweetness. The textures are also luscious and meld well together, making each bite a divine chocolate experience. The pralines also don’t skimp on presentation. One of them looks like a little ice cream cone, which I find adorable.
The chocolates themselves are very pretty and clearly high-end, making them a great gift choice. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday or a sympathy gift, the pretty yet neutral packaging ensures it rises to any occasion.
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Pros:
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Wide variety of flavor profiles
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Beautiful purple box
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Truffles look nice and unique
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Expertly packaged for hot conditions
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Adventurous, fun flavors
Cons:
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Some flavors will not appeal to the average person
Established in 1998, Vosges is a relative newcomer to the world of artisan chocolate. The company is headed by chocolatier Katrina Markoff, who apprenticed in Spain under the direction of Ferran and Albert Adria of the famed El Bulli. This experience led her to open her own chocolate shop, focusing on “visceral experiences.” Senior Editor Caroline Lubinsky says that’s exactly what the 16-piece milk chocolate truffle collection offers.
The chocolate box itself is a royal purple and looks luxurious. Each milk truffle in the box begins with 45% cacao deep milk chocolate with caramelized dairy and almond notes. But that’s where the similarities end. On the top of each truffle are accouterments of flakey sea salt, curry, nuts and flowers, giving them a particular fancy appearance. However, the real showstopper is the fillings.
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These truffles are complex. Instead of offering one note of chocolate, the exterior merges with other flavors and spices, leaving you with a pleasant aftertaste you can’t quite pin down. From curry-based picks to the Gianduia (a hazelnut and dark milk chocolate truffle), each inclusion feels purposeful and exotic without going too adventurous. Other fillings include Bulgarian rose water and pistachio paste, sweet churned cultured butter ganache and an Australian macadamia nut and Sri Lankan coconut blend, among several other fun flavors.
“Don’t default to the traditional mall chocolate stores when you’re searching for a gift,” warns Caroline. “The Vosges truffles offer unique flavors in a beautiful box that is sure to stun even the pickiest loved one. (Bonus points for them remaining fully intact, even in the 90-degree Southern heat).”
The chocolate is available on the Vosges site and Goldbelly, making it easy to enjoy these exotic truffles wherever you are. No cold packs are included with this one, but the truffles are shipped frozen per the website, so they don’t melt. We’re pleased to note none of them were melted upon arrival.
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What to Look for When Buying a Box of Chocolates
According to Alysha Kropf, EC Program and Marketing Director for Ecole Chocolat Professional School of Chocolate Arts, there’s a lot that goes into choosing a box of chocolates. “The chocolate shell should not be too thin or too thick; the chocolate should be sealed properly so that the fillings aren’t leaking out; and the flavors in the fillings should pair nicely with the chocolate used for the outer shell,” she says.
Another factor to consider is the packaging. While the chocolates inside are the star of the show, the box itself makes the first impression. Alysha suggests seeking out shops that invest time and money in developing a uniquely branded chocolate box that elevates the gifting experience for their customers. In addition, look for brands that package their chocolate carefully for shipment, especially during the warmer months.
“Chocolate is very delicate—it is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and it can get broken or bashed easily,” says Alysha. “Typically, a box of chocolates would be placed inside a protective layer (bubble wrap, for example), with an ice pack, and then another protective layer of bubble wrap. The first layer helps to protect the box of chocolates from any moisture coming from the ice pack. Then, there may be additional packing peanuts or something similar to keep everything in place within a box. This is one of the reasons why shipping chocolate can be expensive.”
The shopping team also has a few thoughts on what makes the best box of chocolates. After all, we tested over 25 boxes of gourmet chocolate! First, we urge anyone looking for a gift to do a little research. Does your recipient enjoy exotic flavors, or are they picky? If you don’t know or are aware that they prefer more traditional flavors, skip any specialty boxes. These contain busier flavor blends, which can dampen the experience for a persnickety person. Instead, opt for a well-loved brand that offers recognizable flavors using high-quality ingredients.
Second, consider any allergies. Lots of chocolate brands won’t guarantee that their chocolates are nut-free, but some do. Opt for those picks when you’re uncertain about someone’s medical history. This also goes for folks who stick with a vegan diet. Some of our favorite brands with vegan offerings include Compartes and Vosges.
How We Found the Best Box of Chocolates
The process of finding the best chocolates took over two months, including sourcing, intake and testing. We began by researching top chocolatiers, considering the average person’s price preferences and accessibility. From there, we narrowed our list to include only those offering boxed chocolates, preferably in assorted flavors. Lastly, we ensured that we covered various options, including exotic flavors, classic chocolates and those from several different price points. We steered away from including any grocery store brands, instead focusing on artisan and gourmet options.
Then, I enlisted the assistance of five additional testers. After all, how can one person enjoy 26 different boxes (and over 15 pounds!) of chocolate on their own? Each person tested at least two boxes, with most folks trying around four different options. While we all enjoyed our fair share of truffles, bonbons, and creams (oh, my), we also asked for the opinions of our friends and family to consider the average person’s perspective. After that, we compared notes, filled out an evaluation form and gave each option a number rating out of 20.
Evaluation Criteria
We evaluated each box of chocolate based on several factors, including:
- Packaging and Delivery:Â Testers note whether each package delivered during a hot day in June arrived intact and with any freshness precautions (ice packs, frozen, etc.). We then noted any packaging waste and the beauty and functionality of the box of chocolates itself.
- Looks: We look at each piece of chocolate in the box and note any artistic elements, hand-painted details, confectionary molds used, color and size. This is also when we note any blemishes and imperfections.
- Variety: Testers consider the number of flavors available in the box we’re testing and who the flavors appeal to. Additionally, we look at the website and note the number of varieties available. Testers note whether this is a traditional box of chocolates or a more exotic mix of flavors. Any differences between the chocolates beyond flavors (size, design, etc) are also noted.
- Flavor: Probably the most important consideration is flavor. Testers try many of the included chocolates, focusing on various flavors. We also consider whether the flavors are true to the description and gather additional insight from friends and family. Freshness and textures are also noted.
- Value: The final consideration, value, exists to compare the quality, cost, and size of each box of chocolates. This determines whether the box of chocolates is worth the price, or too expensive for the amount and quality.
Why You Should Trust Us
As Taste of Home’s shopping editor, I’ve covered everything from the best hop waters to cookie of the month clubs. My expertise lies in food and drink, and I’m no stranger to the joy of edible gifts—my long history of Harry and David orders attest to this. After all, it’s true what they say: the way to the heart really is through the stomach! As a hobbyist candy maker and coveter of all things chocolate-covered, I know my way around a cocoa confection.
Additionally, I tapped the tastebuds of five other chocolate lovers on the shopping team to taste and evaluate over 15 pounds of chocolate—that’s boxed chocolates from 26 different brands! While most of the options we tried are worth indulging in, the 10 top picks are truly some of the best luxury chocolates we’ve ever had.
For this piece, we consulted Alysha Kropf, EC Program and Marketing Director for Ecole Chocolat Professional School of Chocolate Arts.
Runners Up
- Bridgerton by Williams Sonoma: We loved the flavors and presentation of these edible artisan chocolates based on the hit TV series—just take a look at that edible tray! However, the lack of a flavor guide and the high price point kept this one out of our top picks.
- John Kelly: These chocolates stand out because of their behemoth size and delightfully fudgy interior. The tops have elegant letters so you can tell which is which. However, it can be tricky to read since they’re written in the same chocolate the bites are covered in.
- Harry and David: While these chocolates impressed with a beautiful airbrushed look and assortment of true-to-life flavors, their similarity to Norman Love with slightly less exciting flavors took them out of the running.
- Jaques Torres: We loved the flavor and variety of these NYC-famous chocolates. However, we think you can find equally tasty options at a lower price point.
- Dallmann: While a little pricey, they’re clearly handmade, so the price feels fair for the labor. That said, we found a few other exotic options that were a bit more budget-friendly and just as tasty.
- Wildflower Chocolate: Tested as part of our favorite gift-of-the-month clubs, Wildflower Chocolate’s surprise subscription is well worth trying if you’re a die-hard cocoa fanatic. The chocolates are delicious, and the subscription is entirely customizable to your tastes. The only sticking point is the price, which we find rather high for the quantity.
Other Boxes of Chocolate Tested
- John and Kira’s: The chocolates are small, and less than 10 of them are included. While delicious, we don’t think they’re artisan enough to justify the price point.
- Fannie May: Fannie May is a familiar brand with many chocolate offerings, including bars, mixes, and boxes. While delicious, it just couldn’t stand up to the higher-quality offerings we tried.
- Le Maison du Chocolat: While we found the cassis truffles to die for, we thought that the price was far too high for only 13 chocolates.
- V Chocolate: Although we thought this sampler was good, there wasn’t anything “wow!” about it that would have us telling people they must try it.
- KOHO: According to our tester, if you have a friend who loves Hawaii or wants to be transported to a tropical destination by way of chocolate, perhaps this is a good gift for that individual. However, we thought the price was too high and found the flavors lack variety.
- Charbonnel Et Walker:Â While tasty, we found the flavors lackluster and the overall experience a bit lacking for the price.
- Simply Chocolate: These chocolates taste good. They’re smooth, well-blended and made with quality ingredients. However, we didn’t find them special enough to mention in our top picks.
Options We Suggest Skipping
- Newton Paisley: Unfortunately, while delicious, these melted in transit. This brand only offers the Dark Chocolate Truffles and the two other product offerings, so the variety is also a little lacking.
- Knipschildt: Despite the delicious flavors and good value, the lack of ice packs during packaging meant that these weren’t as fresh as we would have liked—a big oversight.
- Sugarfina:Â While the packaging on these chocolates is absolutely adorable and the candies themselves are tasty, we found the price far exceeded the quality and serving size of these sweets.
- Hawaiian Host:Â While macadamia lovers will do backflips for these fun Hawaiian-inspired sweets, a lack of variety and lower-quality chocolate blended with oil sunk this ship for us.
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FAQ
Which chocolate brand is best?
According to our tests, the overall best chocolate brand of the 26 options we tested is Compartes. These truffles boast excellent value and delicious and surprising flavors. Additionally, the lovely look makes these an excellent pick for gifting (or binging during a breakup—we don’t judge). However, you can’t go wrong with any of our top picks or runner-ups!
How do you save a box of chocolates?
According to Alysha, the length of time a box of chocolate should last is not a “one-size-fits-all” answer. Consider factors such as whether the chocolates are filled and, if so, whether dairy is present in the fillings.
“A high-quality box of chocolates made without any preservatives or additives should not last more than two or three months—the chocolatier will have a ‘best before’ date on the box. If you really, really need to store the box, put it into a zippered freezer bag and store it in the fridge,” she says. “The freezer bag protects the chocolates from absorbing other odors. Then, for longer storage, move the bag and box into the freezer. When it’s time to enjoy the chocolates, let the bag and box come to room temperature on the counter before you open to protect against condensation on the bonbons.”
What is high-quality chocolate called?
Couverture is a fancy way to say ‘professional chocolate’ or ‘coating chocolate,’ according to former Taste of Home food editor Rashanda Cobbins. While it contains similar ingredients to standard chocolate, it incorporates a higher percentage of fat from cocoa butter—at least 31%. It’s typically used for dipping or coating fruit and other fillings. The higher fat percentage gives it a gorgeous, glossy look that appears more professional than standard milk chocolate.