Gourmet Chocolates

Take your Valentine's Day gift of chocolates to the next level

Dark or light, milky or white, made by real people rather than factories or chains, artisanal chocolate bars go a long way toward reminding one that chocolate is meant to taste amazing rather than ordinary, to be nibbled and savored rather than gobbled. Here in New Hampshire, our chocolate makers work with passion, study with the best and are proud to source the best ingredients possible.

Pictured is a bar from the Premier Line of chocolate bars at Dancing Lion Chocolate. Photo by Susan Laughlin.

 

PLACE DISH DESCRIPTION IN A WORD

Dancing Lion Chocolate
917 Elm St.
Manchester  
(603) 424-0713
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 Cacao Tao
 

What looks more like it should be under glass in a museum than in a candy shop, this precious bar stands up to its promise. Inside, cacao from Sambirano emanating a hint of black cherries, with Madagascar chocolate and dried blueberries.

Tip:  For the ultimate gift, custom order Chocolate As Art bars — chocolate bars with an exquisite painting brushed over the top!

SUBLIME
L.A. Burdick 
47 Main St.
Walpole
(603) 756-2882
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Single Source Dark
Chocolate Bars

 Probably some of the silkiest bars around, each highlighting different chocolate growing regions and characteristic terroirs. Wow. One for the road, please!

Tip: Think “drinking chocolate” when you sample their famous hot chocolate, made from dark, milk, white or single source chocolates.

INTOXICATING
 
Byrne & Carlson Chocolatier-
Confectioner

121 State St.
Portsmouth
(603) 559-9778 Facebook
Chipotle Dark
Chocolate and Sea
Salt Bar

Spicy and smoky from the chipotle peppers, so smooth from the dark chocolate, all topped with a sprinkling of crunchy sea salt flakes, providing a symphony of textures and flavor notes. Other artisanal tasting bars include violet, mendiant, cranberry, caramelia, almond, pansy, seashell and orange cherry.

Tip: Handmade, small-batch equals very fresh. 

SOPHISTICATED
Unbridled Chocolates
 135 Main St.
Marlborough
(603) 876-4700
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Pistachio Ginger Dark Chocolate Bar

Horse lovers unite in their love for Unbridled’s solid chocolate bars embossed with magnificent horses and horse heads. Plain tasting bars are nut-focused: almonds, cashews and pistachios crowd the top of each solid Belgian chocolate bar.

Tip: To round out the horse theme, pick up their hunt cap truffles.

FUN
Van Otis Chocolates
341 El St.
Manchester
(603) 627-1611
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Cranberry Almond Bar

Made on the premises, chock-full of New England cranberries and toasted almonds.

Tip: Stop by the huge retail store, heaven for chocoholics on the prowl, and for a chocolate factory tour or truffle-making class.

SATISFYING

 

Categories: Slice