This updated roundup highlights ten respected gourmet chocolate makers: Godiva, Neuhaus, Lindt & Sprüngli, Teuscher, La Maison du Chocolat, Richart, Nirvana, Jacques Torres, Pierre Marcolini, and Baci (Perugina). It notes each brand's signature strengths - pralines, truffles, bean-to-bar craft, artistic flavors - and offers a brief storage tip: keep chocolate cool, dry, and away from strong odors.

Ten Best Gourmet Chocolates - updated

Indulging in high-quality chocolate remains one of life's simple pleasures. This updated list highlights ten widely recognized gourmet chocolate houses from Europe and the U.S., with a short note on what each is best known for.

Godiva

Godiva began in Belgium and grew into a global brand known for smooth dark and milk chocolates and signature gift boxes. You can find Godiva products in shops, supermarkets, and online at godiva.com.

Neuhaus

Neuhaus is a historic Belgian chocolatier credited with popularizing the praline. Their pralines and truffles remain a classic choice for gifts and special occasions.

Lindt & Sprüngli

Lindt (Swiss: Lindt & Sprüngli) dates to the 19th century and is recognized for silky milk chocolate, excellence in innovation, and broad international distribution.

Teuscher

Teuscher, based in Switzerland, is best known for its rich truffles, including champagne-style truffles. Teuscher focuses on artisanal techniques and boutique presentation.

La Maison du Chocolat

La Maison du Chocolat (Paris) specializes in refined ganaches and elegant collections designed for serious chocolate lovers. They operate boutiques worldwide and offer online ordering. 1

Richart

Richart (France) emphasizes artistic box design and inventive flavor pairings - think floral and herb-infused ganaches. Their chocolates often appear as elegant gift selections.

Nirvana

Nirvana was described historically as a distributor of premium Belgian chocolates with assorted flavors. Its current status and distribution footprint should be verified before ordering. 2

Jacques Torres (Mr. Chocolate)

Jacques Torres is a New York-based chocolatier known for small-batch production, hands-on demonstrations, and retail shops in New York City and beyond. His brand emphasizes craft and approachable luxury. 3

Pierre Marcolini

Pierre Marcolini (Belgium) practices bean-to-bar production and is praised for pure, high-quality single-origin chocolate and refined presentation.

Baci (Perugina)

Baci (by Perugina) is an Italian classic: individually wrapped dark chocolate kisses with hazelnut centers. They remain a popular, widely distributed gift chocolate.

Choosing and storing gourmet chocolate

Choose by cacao percentage and flavor profile (single-origin, nutty, floral, or spiced). Store chocolate in a cool, dry place away from strong odors and direct sunlight; avoid the refrigerator when possible to prevent condensation.
  1. Confirm the current official website and spelling for Neuhaus (praline maker) and update link accordingly.
  2. Verify La Maison du Chocolat's current boutique locations and official website.
  3. Confirm whether the brand 'Nirvana' still operates as a distributor of Belgian chocolates and its current web presence.
  4. Verify Jacques Torres's current retail locations and official website (MrChocolate vs jacquestorres.com).

FAQs about Gourmet Chocolate

How should I store gourmet chocolate?
Store chocolate in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Avoid refrigerating unless necessary; refrigeration can cause condensation and affect texture.
What is the difference between Belgian and Swiss chocolates?
Belgian chocolates often emphasize pralines and filled centers, while Swiss chocolatiers highlight smooth milk chocolate and refined tempering techniques. Both traditions include a range of styles and high-quality products.
Are champagne truffles alcoholic?
Champagne-style truffles often include a small amount of champagne or a champagne-flavored liqueur in the ganache, but alcohol content is typically low. Check product descriptions if alcohol avoidance is important.
Where can I buy these brands?
Many of these brands sell through their official websites and boutique stores, and several appear in specialty food shops and high-end department stores. Availability varies by region.
What should I look for when choosing a gift chocolate?
Consider the recipient's taste (dark vs. milk), presentation (box design), and known favorites (truffles, pralines, nut centers). Single-origin or artisanal bean-to-bar options suit serious chocolate lovers.

News about Gourmet Chocolate

‘Delicious, classy and festive’: the best (and worst) chocolate Advent calendars, tasted and rated | The food filter - The Guardian [Visit Site | Read More]

The 24 best chocolate gifts for people who always get dessert - CNN [Visit Site | Read More]

Best chocolate and snack deals in the Amazon Black Friday sale - Bristol Live [Visit Site | Read More]

Chocolate shops in Paris: our top picks for buying delicious chocolate - Sortir à Paris [Visit Site | Read More]

Best chocolate deals including Cadbury, Lindt, Nestlé and Thorntons - Plymouth Live [Visit Site | Read More]

The Best Chocolate Gifts for Anyone Who Loves a Sweet Little Treat - Bon Appétit: Recipes, Cooking, Entertaining, Restaurants | Bon Appétit [Visit Site | Read More]

These 10 Delicious Chocolate Perfumes Promise To Bring In The Compliments - ELLE [Visit Site | Read More]

I ate 100+ chocolates to find the best for gifting — it was a hard job, but someone had to do it - Business Insider [Visit Site | Read More]