2018 Christmas Gift Ideas For Craft Chocolate Lovers
Craft chocolate lovers have high expectations.
We are talking about people who spend $9 on a chocolate bar. Who read every single word of an ingredients list (parenthesis included). Who look for fruity and spicy notes in a square of dark chocolate. Who travel the world just to be with other chocolate-obsessed fellows. Who love to educate and be educated about everything cacao and chocolate. Therefore, no supermarket chocolate or discounted boxes of bonbons will make them happy for Christmas.
If you want to make an impression on your craft chocolate lover friends (or just treat yourself), here are 12 gift ideas for an unforgettable Christmas.
(NOTE: nothing is sponsored here. I have researched and picked on my own all of the following items based on my personal taste. These are all things that I would like to be gifted myself.)
WRAPPED THREE-BAR GIFT SET by Dandelion Chocolate
Price: $30.00
Dandelion Chocolate is a craft bean-to-bar company based in San Francisco. They make single-origin chocolate with just cocoa beans and sugar; no added cocoa butter, lecithin or vanilla. Beautifully wrapped, ribboned and ready to gift, this box contains three of Dandelion's single-origin 70% chocolate bars and a tasting guide. Click on the image for more details
COCOA JEWELRY by Cocoa Vintage
Price: $20.00-$100.00
Based in Trinidad and Tobago, Crystal Antoine - Alleyne makes jewelry that is Caribbean focused, classic, ornamental and draws inspiration from things found in nature. Her line Cocoa Vintage focuses on ceramic jewelry and also includes metals, acrylic, leather and wire. A constant in all her collections is her homage, love and admiration of the Cocoa Pod fruit. From earrings to necklaces, these pieces are unique and carefully crafted in every single detail.Click on the image for more details
BLUE ADAM BOX by Amedei
Price: €80.00
Amedei is a renowned Italian chocolate brand based in Pisa. Born in 1990, it has grown its fame thanks to the production of fine chocolate bars and bonbons, especially Single Origin and Inclusion bars. This luxurious box includes 4 chocolate bars, a wide selection of Napolitains (mini chocolate squares) and 3 different kinds of pralines. Click on the image for more details
TASTE WITH COLOR by Hazel Lee
Price: £15.00
Hazel Lee is a British chocolate maker, expert, blogger, educator and adventurer. Her Taste With Color Map is a tool to help you identify the tasting notes in craft chocolate thanks to colors. When you can't come up with a specific flavor, you can imagine its color and look on the map to find the words you were looking for. The map is currently available in English, Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese.Click on the image for more details
BAR GIFT BOX by Manoa Chocolate
Price: $79.95
Manoa Chocolate is a craft bean-to-bar maker in Hawaii. They are known for their Single Origin bars, but also for Inclusion bars like Lavender, Breakfast Bar, Sea Salt and Goat Milk. This box contains an assortment of ten 1.76 oz (50g) chocolate bars in a luxury gift box. Each bar will be a different flavor and will vary depending on availability (ships USA only).Click on the image for more details
COCOA by Kristy Leissle
Price: from $14.56
Dr. Kristy Leissle is a scholar of cocoa and chocolate. Since 2004, her work has investigated the politics, economics, and cultures of these industries, focusing on West African political economy and trade. Published in 2018, her recent book reveals how cocoa, which brings pleasure and wealth to relatively few, depends upon an extensive global trade system that exploits the labor of five million growers, as well as countless other workers and vulnerable groups.Click on the image for more details
CHOCOLATE TASTING KIT by Askinosie Chocolate
Price: $24.00
Askinosie is a craft bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Springfield, Missouri and renowned for its ethical sourcing practices and initiatives in the countries of origin. This Chocolate Tasting Kit contains everything you need to host your own tasting party, or have fun learning to taste chocolate like a professional. It contains 4 distinct chocolate bars (1 White, 1 Dark Milk and 2 Dark), plus tasting steps and a flavor wheel.Click on the image for more details
CACAO PAINTINGS by Juan Andara Nieto
Price: varies depending on size.
Inquiries by email.Passionate painter from Venezuela, Juan Andara Nieto is known on Instagram for his colorful paintings that represent the best of Venezuelan nature. The main subjects of his paintings are landscapes, flowers, trees, mountains and rivers. But mostly, he has a soft spot for cacao pods and trees: red, orange, green, yellow and pink. You can check out his work on Instagram and email artejuanandara@gmail.com for details and prices.Click on the image for more details
HOLIDAY GIFT BOX by Markham & Fitz
Price: $40.00, $50.00, $75.00 or $100.00
Markham & Fitz Chocolate is a craft bean-to-bar maker in Bentoville, Arkansas. They are known for their high-quality inclusion bars (Lavender, Mocha, Brain Food) as well as for their drinking chocolate (Peppermint, Haiti, Bolivia). They have four different types of gift boxes available this Christmas season to satisfy every chocolate lover's palate and budget.Click on the image for more details
MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION BOX by Cocoa Runners
Price: £19.95 x month
For craft chocolate lovers who need their fix regularly, Cocoa Runners offers a monthly subscription that will deliver 4 chocolate bars to your (or your loved one) doorstep every month. You can choose whether to receive dark chocolate only, dark and milk chocolate, milk chocolate only or 100% cocoa chocolate only. Although the company is based in England, the service is available internationally.Click on the image for more details
HAND-SCOOPED MINI COLLECTION by Zotter Chocolates
Price: €37.80
Zotter Chocolates is one of the most creative chocolate makers and chocolatiers you could possibly encounter. Based in Austria, their selection of chocolate bars and bonbons is outstanding. In this gift, you will find 24 mini versions of their famous hand-scooped chocolates, enclosed in a sophisticated box. Flavors include raspberry and coconut, orange liqueur, Vienna Melange, Strawberry Yogurt and many more.Click on the image for more details
CHOCOLATE TASTING EXPERIENCES
Price: varies
Craft chocolate aficionados love to attend tastings. There are many different types of pairings nowadays: chocolate & cheese, chocolate & wine, chocolate & beer, chocolate & rum, and so on. With a quick research on Google, you can find out the best chocolate tastings in your area and gift your craft chocolate lover friend a fun experience to share. For example, if you are in the New York City area, Megan Giller from the Chocolate Noise is known for organizing professional tastings of all kinds.Click on the image for more details
Which one of these gifts would you like to receive for Christmas?