Handmade Chocolates

Chocolate is usually accompanied with a sigh. A sigh that elicits warm memories and sweet happenings. Chocolate can usually do that. Gifting chocolate is quite common. For the purpose of gifting people usually prefer handmade chocolates.
Handmade chocolates are usually very custom chocolates that are prepared by very experienced and specialized chocolatiers with high quality of ingredients.

Handmade chocolates are made in small batches and sold through specialized agents and distribution systems. Most of the handmade chocolates are luxury handmade chocolates.

Chocolate has had a decadent history. Chocolate was brought to the western world by the Spaniards over 400 years ago. It was initially only had as drink but slowly other forms of chocolate were also introduced. Chocolate has also found a mention in Roman history. Today the best chocolatiers are in Europe with Switzerland and Belgium today reputed to be the best chocolate makers in the world.

Some of the better brands world over associated with good handmade chocolate is Askinosie Chocolate, Barry Callebaut, Felchlin Switzerland, Guittard Chocolate Company, Scharffen Bergen and Valrhona Chocolate.

A popular handmade chocolate is Gianduja. This is a handmade chocolate with 30 per cent hazelnut paste, giving it a certain richness associated with handmade chocolate. Gianduja is made with
5 ounces of hazelnuts (or peanuts, almond, cashews)
8 ounces of dark chocolate

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in a microwave until just melted.

Grind the nuts (after roasting them) to the consistency of butter.

Mix the two and let it set for a little while.

Once it has set slightly, you can roll them into balls into small paper cups and freeze them. This is how you can make one kind of handmade luxury chocolate.

You can also make chocolate truffles which are quite popular in the handmade chocolate shops. These truffles are simple balls of melted chocolate and cream and any flavoring of your choice. There are other kinds like truffles with exotic flavors like passion caramel, vanilla, coconut, blood orange, Mexican chili, pumpkin, sea salt, burnt caramel and even odd pairing like tarragon grapefruit and dulce de leche. Other exotic chocolate preparations include hand painted chocolates, chocolates with a high percentage of cocoa.

These chocolate makers are slowly selling their merchandise online which makes it available for many more users all over. These handmade chocolate companies sell all kinds of truffles and other goodies through the internet so that you can experience their chocolate despite not living close by.

Submitted on January 16, 2014