Looking for a truly exquisite
Chocolate Gift Idea?
Are you looking for a gourmet chocolate gift idea?......the internet is full of them! But I've had so much fun narrowing it down for you! Chocolate is an absolute passion of mine, and so I've enjoyed researching the best around and putting together some useful tips to consider before buying online.
For my reviews of the best sites around for Corporate Gourmet Chocolate Gifts, CICK HERE.
Below you will find:
- My personal choice of the best sites around
- Descriptions of the most popular chocolates
- Tips on storage
- Ideas for customizing gifts
- Tips on how to make your chocolate gift EXTRA special!
My criteria for selecting my favorite chocolate gift ideas are simple - I have searched for the VERY BEST! In particular that means:
- A unique and heavenly assortment of chocolates of the very finest quality
- Innovative and luxurious packaging and design
- Exemplary customer service
- Easy to navigate and use website
- Reliable, international delivery to most parts of the World
- Value for money
My number one recommendation for the perfect chocolate gift idea not only satisfies the above criteria.....it exceeds them! Recommended by none other than Forbes, this internationally renowned Corporation undoubtedly suppliers some of the finest chocolate gifts available today. Prices range from about $25 (£15) up to $300 (£200). These handmade French chocolates, crafted by four award winning master chocolatiers including world champion Pascal Caffet, are now available, online, wherever you live from the World Class Corporation..........zChocolat.com
But don't just take my word for it, read what Forbes has to say:
When world champion chocolate-maker Pascal Caffet asks foodies to "prepare for a journey to an enchanted world," he isn't kidding. The hand-crafted confections, lovingly displayed here with enticing photos and descriptions, are all made by four award-winning French master chocolatiers, whose mouth-watering wares include praline truffles, cinnamon-apple caramels and lavender honey dark chocolates.
Shop for one of the 57 assortments by price or by category. Under Easter, we found offerings ranging from a box of festive foil-wrapped hazelnut and almond praline eggs ($46.59) to a leather-strapped "book" filled with 400 seasonal delicacies ($287.59). For an extra $6.55, the site will even swath your goodies in handmade paper, clasped with a heart-shaped golden wax seal.
White-glove service includes free e-mail delivery alerts within three hours of your chocolates' arrival and a concierge who announces deliveries to lucky gift recipients with "warmth and courtesy."
Description of Chocolate Varieties Most Commonly Purchased
- Praline: This delicious confection is composed of richly flavored chocolate to which caramelized sugar, well-roasted, finely-ground hazelnuts (or almonds) and vanilla have been added.
- Buttercream: A traditional soft, light filling, butter creams contain a fluffy chocolate cream interior.
- Truffle: Truffles are made by heating a rich blend of butter, cream, chocolate, and often a flavoring, delicately shaping it, and enrobing it in exquisite milk, dark or white chocolate.
- Fondant Cream: Fondant Crème is a smooth, delicate filling achieved through a combination of sugar and confectionery cream paste to which fruit and other natural flavorings are added.
- Caramel: Caramel chocolates are made by carefully roasting sugar until the typical aromatic caramel flavor is reached, then adding fresh cream.
- Ganache: With velvety consistency and incomparable flavor, a ganache requires the highest percentage of cocoa solids, which is combined with heavy cream and a variety of flavors.
- Marzipan: Marzipan is a thick paste achieved by skillfully mixing melted sugar with finely ground almonds.
Tips on Storage
Hand-made chocolates are made with the freshest and all-natural ingredients, such as fresh butter, cream, fruits and nuts. Because there are no preservatives or artificial ingredients added to extend the shelf-life of the chocolates, it is recommended that they are consumed within three weeks of delivery to ensure their freshest taste.
Like fine wines, chocolates should be stored in a cool, dry and dark area. Since chocolate is highly susceptible to picking up odors, your chocolates should be kept away from other strong food odors. Optimally, your chocolate should be stored at 59 to 65 Degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 18 Degrees Celsius) and under 65% humidity. There is no need to refrigerate your chocolates if they can be eaten within 3 weeks and if the temperature stays below 72°F (21°C). By storing this way, the chocolates will retain their smooth texture, freshness and flavor.
CAUTION:
When selecting a Supplier for your chocolate gift idea, check for details of suitable packaging to withstand warm temperature conditions. At zChocolat.com, their summer packaging guarantees that your chocolates will arrive in perfect condition, anywhere in the world. They use insulated containers and refrigerant packs to maintain a temperature between 15°C and 20° C (59°F to 67°F) until delivery regardless of the outside weather and temperature.
Customizing Chocolate Gift Ideas
Look for unique ways that will make your gift truly memorable. At zChocolat.com here are just a few of the services that they can offer:
- Beautiful hand-made mahogany presentation boxes
- Diamond engraved brass plate with your message
- Complementary personalized gift card
- Choice of luxurious gift wrapping
- And even.......Concierge Call - a personal call from zChocolat.com headquarters in France to advise the lucky recipient that their gift is on the way!
Whatever the occasion, and be it for personal or corporate giving, a chocolate gift idea such as those above are guaranteed to make a lasting and memorable reward that will be treasured by the recipient.
More information.......
TIP
zChocolat.com is a TRULY international corporation. You can order FROM and deliver TO, most parts of the World. To see prices in the currency of your country, click on the appropriate flag in the top left hand corner on their site. |
Other Excellent Chocolatiers Worth Considering
Hotel Chocolat
This British-owned phenomenon brazenly committed to real, authentic chocolate. Founders Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris had one goal in mind when they started over 10 years ago - to make a better type of chocolate available to consumers bored by the mediocrity of the chocolate available in supermarkets and on the high street.
In the UK and USA marketplaces, Hotel Chocolat stands out from the rest with stylish packaging, innovative designs and excellent value for money......unique and unusual chocolate gift ideas. Plus there is a Hotel Chocolat corporate site dedicated exclusively to the business gift market.
Check out their Chocolate Tasting Club……a great way to spoil yourself with a range of new chocolates delivered to your door, every month! More information....
Definitely Chocolate
If you would like to send gourmet, hand-made chocolates in Australia then in my opinion  Definitely Chocolate is amongst the very best on offer.
The range and quality of these exquisite chocolates is very impressive and bring together the flavors and textures of Europe and Australia. I love the fact that you can hand-pick your precise chocolate selection to make up a ballotin. Plus a whole range of gifts are available to suit almost any occasion.
Definitely Chocolate will deliver anywhere inside Australia.
Nirvana Chocolates
For exquisite, hand-crafted, fresh Belgian chocolate gift ideas (USA and Canada only). Praised by The New York Times, Time and Chocolatier magazines, you are able to individually pick and choose the chocolates that you desire for your gift. This corporation represents the finest that the USA has to offer.
Produced in Belgium, Nirvana Chocolates are always made in small batches so that the freshest chocolate possible is guaranteed. Because the ingredients are pure and wholesome, the smooth supreme quality is attained. This makes the difference between mass-produced chocolates and true, fresh, hand-made chocolates.
A full range of customizable corporate chocolate gift ideas are available with discounts on volume orders.
Whatever the occasion, be it Valentines, Mother's Day, Christmas, Birthday or just to say "thank you", a beautifully wrapped gourmet chocolate gift is guaranteed to deliver your message.....perfectly!
I hope that my personal reviews will assist you in your search for the perfect, unforgettable chocolate gift idea.
Enjoy!
To go from this chocolate gift idea to
Suggestions for Valentine's Chocolates
CLICK HERE
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