The finest chocolate the world has to offer is usually not so readily available in the local supermarket. Those sold in convenience stores and groceries are the mass-produced ones we've all grown so accustomed to – Hershey's, M&M's, KitKat, Toblerone, Cadbury, and maybe a Lindt here and there. For a truly chocolate experience, you have to probe deeper and go to specialty shops. Italian, French, Belgian, Swiss, German, Japanese, and Spanish chocolates are sold in these little chocolate shops which offer overwhelmingly diverse options that can make any chocoholic go crazy with glee with the sheer amount of choices. When it comes to defining what the “best” chocolate is, it still is a matter of preference and taste. Chocolates from different countries have distinct flavors and aromas that are unique to their origin. The best way to truly know what a gem is from a sham is to expand your palate and your chocolate experience. Below are some tips for hunting the best chocolate in town.



Trying Out Chocolate Shops

In Belgium, there are more than 2,000 chocolate shops owned by chocolate manufacturers who make their chocolate by hand. You can't get any fresher than that! In the U.S., there are little chocolate shops sprouting across the country. They either import the chocolates from the best chocolate-manufacturing countries and upscale brands or they make their own from imported cocoa. Chocolatiers and chocolate makers such as La Maison make exquisitely luxurious chocolates packaged in pretty boxes that are beautiful enough to present as an elegant gift. Most of these shops offer a wide array of expensive chocolate such as dark chocolate truffles, ganaches, and mendiants (chocolate sprinkled with assorted nuts or dried fruits), marrons glaces, and caramels.

Go Organic

Organic chocolate ensures only the purest and most natural ingredients. These types of chocolate are made from cocoa that are organically grown without any genetic engineering and pesticides. The result is pure chocolate goodness that melts delightfully in the mouth. Organic milk chocolate is also better because it is manufactured with milk that is free of recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), the artificial hormone injected to cows to increase their milk production. Organic chocolates may also prove to be healthier as some use soy instead of milk and others are free of sugar, called diabetic chocolate, for those who simply can't resist chocolate but could not afford to consume sweets for health reasons.

Always Look for Freshness

When sampling chocolate, buy from a source that you know is fresh. Always check the date when it was manufactured. Purchase chocolate that is as fresh as possible to experience its full flavor. Chocolate has a long shelf life when properly stored and can be eaten even after two years from its manufacture date, but its richness diminishes over time. Furthermore, chocolate that has not been properly stored, even when it has not yet reached its expiration date, can become stale and inedible. When you break a chocolate bar into two, it should still be creamy and compact, not crumbled and dry. Dry edges on the chocolate means that it is not fresh or do not have enough amount of cocoa butter.