Sunday, January 09, 2011

Consumer Reports Rates Chocolates

In the February 2011 issue of Consumer Reports, there is a piece called "Dandy Candy-- at a price." They tested some high-end chocolates and here were their picks for overall excellence, in order of taste quality:

  1. Norman Love
  2. Woodhouse
  3. Christopher Elbow
  4. L.A. Burdick
  5. Candinas (which was also voted the CR Best Buy)
  6. Jacques Torres
  7. John & Kira's
  8. La Maison du Chocolat
  9. Fran's
  10. Nonnie Waller's
  11. Theo Chocolate
  12. Martine's Chocolate

I've only tried five on the list (L.A. Burdick, Jacques Torres, John & Kira's, La Maison du Chocolat and Theo), so I have some work to do. Of course, I'll have to take out a second mortgage on my house to do so, but it's a small price to pay for top-notch chocolate.

6 comments:

ebidebby said...

I have only tasted two on the list, but I can highly recommend Norman Love. The chocolates are simply exquisite in both look and taste.

I'll add these brands to my "to try" list!

Jen said...

I haven't tried any of these chocolates! I'm really missing out.

Dan said...

I am very curious to know your thoughts on these chocolates. I sometimes wonder of any product touted as high end is touted as high end in order to justify a price.

When I was working in Manhattan, a salesman I worked for ordered an extremely expensive bottle or Merlot (well expensive for me who was scrounging in my seat cushions for change to buy a six-pack of Natty Ice at the time) to celebrate a big sale. After we finished the wine, I asked him what he thought, and he said, "Well ... it tasted like a merlot."

But I am hoping these chocolates are delicious.

Candy Yum Yum said...

@ebidebby: I'm itching to try those Norman Love chocolates. I'm intrigued by some of the flavor combinations.

@jen: As long as you have some sort of chocolate, you're not missing out!

@dan: You bring up some good questions. It all gets back to the law of diminishing returns; after a certain price, the benefits are negligible. Is a $4 bite-sized chocolate better than a $1 Kit Kat? It all depends.
I've broached this topic before here (http://www.candyyumyum.com/2007/06/stop-insanity.html) and here (http://www.candyyumyum.com/2009/06/great-debate-dark-vs-milk.html).
But I will say this: so far, I've only had one "upscale" chocolate that I'd take over a Ritter Sport Cornflake bar (less than $3 at Target), and that is the vanilla cream from Belgique (about $2 for a single piece). But even then, it's a close call.

Dan said...

"... the vanilla cream from Belgique (about $2 for a single piece)."

I need to try one of these! I trust your judgement. Where can I get one of these?

(Now I am starving!!!!)

Candy Yum Yum said...

Dan, they have a store in New Canaan: http://blog.ctnews.com/woods/2010/12/21/youll-thank-me-for-this/