This Gourmet Chocolate is the Perfect Valentine’s Gift

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been in a love affair with chocolate for ages now. I like to tell myself that it’s okay to indulge every now and then. So just in time for Valentine’s Day, I took the liberty of trying out some fancy truffles (so you don’t have to!). I know, you’re welcome.

It’s been over a year since a box of Christopher Elbow chocolates appeared in our break room at work. They were so beautiful and had so many unique flavors I’d never heard of that I couldn’t stop thinking about them! But a quick search online revealed that they were a little too pricey for an after-Christmas splurge. I told myself I’d buy some eventually.

An entire year went by. But I was still thinking about those chocolates. I mean…champagne-filled chocolate? Violet cassis? I’ve never had those flavors before! And those pretty little pictures on them! I had to have them. And soon, because it was the week of Florida winter, and in only a few days it would be too hot to have chocolate sent to my door.

I splurged. $48.95 + shipping for a box of 21, which included (almost) all the flavors they currently make. After having studied the list of flavors again and again, the ones I most looked forward to were Salted Banana Caramel, Cinnamon Dulce De Leche, and Passion Fruit Caramel. I wish that there were more options for ordering, such as to customize your box with the flavors of your choice, or at least to order a box of all milk chocolate or all dark chocolate. But these are not currently possibilities, and sadly, I missed out on Passion Fruit Caramel as a result. It wasn’t as much of a mystery as Forrest Gump might have you believe, though; there was a handy guide in my box describing each and every piece.

Technical difficulties with the website prevented me from placing my order for three days. I tried from multiple browsers on my computer and phone, to no avail. And I was growing desperate, seeing as the week of Florida winter was nearly at an end. Finally I emailed the company. Customer service was responsive and fast. My only issue was not getting a response when I asked if I could still use the 15% off promotional code I’d created an account for. So despite creating the account, I did not get 15% off. I wasn’t thrilled about that.

I ranked every chocolate I or my boyfriend wanted to eat for you (so, 18 of the 21) based on 4 categories: Appearance (every single one automatically got a 10 for this–they’re just all so beautiful); Flavor, 1-10; Would Eat Again, Yes (10), Maybe (5), No (0); and Originality, 1-10. I’ll list them here from lowest score to highest. Keep in mind that just because I did not like something does not mean it was bad; it just wasn’t to my personal taste.

Rosemary, 22

The combo just did not work for me despite my love of rosemary. I found it too distracting from the chocolate and caramel, and it even turned my stomach a bit. Would not eat again.

Salted Banana Caramel, 30

This one that I had most looked forward to was a disappointment for me. I found it to be too rich and not sweet enough. It also tasted like dark chocolate to me, which I am not a huge fan of. Would maybe eat again, but wasn’t a favorite.

Salted Hazelnut Praline, 32

I think I’m just not a hazelnut fan in general. This was just a little too salty for me. I would maybe eat it again. A 9 for originality, since I’ve seen this flavor before, but not often.

Lavender, 32

I found the lavender to be just too overpowering at first. But I got used to it after a moment. I would maybe eat again.

Raspberry, 36

Dark chocolate again, but well-balanced by the sweet fruit flavor. An 8 for originality since I think everyone’s got a version of raspberry.

Fleur De Sel, 36

A perfect balance of sweet and salty. I think it was dark chocolate, but I didn’t care because it tasted so good. A 6 for originality since, again, this is one everyone has a version of.

Coffee Caramel, 37

I didn’t try this one as I can’t have coffee (caffeine intolerance), but my boyfriend did. He ranked it a 7 on flavor without any additional reasoning, and said that he would eat it again.

Strawberry Balsamic, 39

A 9 on flavor because it was mostly balanced, but there was just a hint of vinegar I didn’t care for. Very original, though. I didn’t expect to like this one and even cringed as I popped it in my mouth, but I would definitely eat again.

Pistachio Bergamot, 39

Only a 9 on flavor because it was amazing, but I couldn’t taste the orange at all, which was what excited me about it.

Coconut Caramel, 39

Deducted a point on flavor because while it was very sweet, it was an unusual blend that took a moment of getting used to before it worked for me.

Kalamansi-Lime, 40

Tangy, sweet, a strong lime flavor. Delicious.

Persia, 40

Not too rich like I thought it might be. The spice was exciting, but I felt it was perfectly balanced.

Butterscotch Bourbon, 40

Sweet and delightfully heavy on the butterscotch.

Violet Cassis, 40

Just sweet enough and like nothing I’ve tasted before.

Champagne, 40

It tasted like champagne. What more can I say?

Cinnamon Dulce De Leche, 40

This one tasted Christmasy. It was sweet and spicy and perfectly balanced.

Fresh Lemon, 40

This one tasted exactly like one of my favorite doughnut flavors–lemon-filled. Fantastic!

Vanilla Bean, 40

Tasted like caramel with something extra (vanilla, I’d imagine). Dark chocolate, but I was okay with that because it was so good.

In Conclusion…

Were I to do it again, I would like to be able to choose a box with only the last 8 or so flavors. (And definitely one with the Passion Fruit inside!) But like I said before, that isn’t currently an option. The flavors were hit or miss with me, but each and every one was gorgeous, with some even looking like tiny galaxies. And they were mostly pretty unique! Everyone is sure to find at least a couple they love. I think the beauty and originality would make these a great gift for that special someone on Valentine’s Day…even if that special someone is yourself.