I’m in Love, and His Name is Chocolate

Ladies, let’s talk chocolate.

By Carly

If I needed to name one food substance I absolutely could not live without, I’m pretty sure it would be chocolate. My weapon of choice is dark chocolate, as dark as possible…I’ve had up to 88% cocoa and thought it was fantastic. Espresso or coffee mixed with dark chocolate is also possibly one of the best things on Earth.

I’m ashamed to admit that I actually believe this, but I think the chocolate I buy has medicinal qualities.

If I have a stomachache, I eat half a square and start to feel better almost instantly. If I’m feeling just crummy in general, even a little nibble can be enough to perk me up. Part of the reason my chocolate is so magical, I think, is because I don’t waste my dollars buying Hershey’s, which is like flavored candle wax to the dark chocolate connoisseur. Hershey’s has recently tried to go all high-class with their Cacao Reserve line, but let’s not kid ourselves. It’s basically the same stuff in more refined packaging.

No, when I spring for chocolate, I spring for the good stuff. Here are a few of my favorites and the reasons why they’re so fantastic.

Green & Black’s Organic: This stuff is heavenly. The espresso bar is fantastic, because they grind the coffee beans so finely you can’t even tell they’re there—you’re just left with a lingering, amazingly perfect ratio of coffee and dark chocolate. Green & Black’s also uses all organic materials to make their chocolates, so you can be sure that what you’re eating is fresh and natural.

Theo Chocolate: Oh, Theo Chocolate, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. First of all, this is the finest quality of dark chocolate I’ve ever tasted. I know it’s good because I only need a small fraction of a square to satisfy my chocolate craving. Secondly, Theo specializes in dark chocolate—it’s all they make. And, finally, all the chocolate they make is Fair Trade Certified, which makes me feel so much better about paying $5 a bar.

Godiva: How can you expect anything less than excellence from a chocolate with “God” in its name? Godiva delivers an amazing and delicious contrast of sweetness and bitterness in their Chocoiste dark chocolate collection of bars (especially the dark chocolate and raspberry…swoon). But the real winner for decadence is the Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Truffle ice cream. I can’t even describe it…you just need to taste it.

And oh my gosh, their hot cocoa. The Dark Chocolate Truffle canister of hot cocoa is one of the best purchases you will ever make in your entire life. SO, SO WORTH IT.

Got any other chocolate tips/products? You know I’m dying to hear them!!