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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
