From House To Home

Rich. Sumptuous. Extravagant. Truffles: The name is as decadent as the treat itself. Chocolate truffles epitomize classy desserts, a nod to the lavish lifestyles of kingdoms long gone.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Mayan and Aztec people discovered the magical cacao tree and the goodness it produced—chocolate. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that French confectioners created the sinfully sweet treat known as a truffle. Henri Nestle and Daniel Peter had recently concocted “milk chocolate” by combining condensed milk and chocolate, and the French used the creamy chocolate to create ganache, the velvety smooth center of a truffle. Truffles share their name with the rare mushroom that grows underground in France; handmade chocolate truffles resemble the mushroom in shape and size.

We scoured the United States and Canada for the best chocolatiers and their finest confections, and when the truffles were laid out, the result was a broad expanse of the richest, most delicious chocolates we’d ever seen.

During testing, each truffle was appreciated and savored for its distinct qualities, and we’d like to share them with you.

BEST APPEARANCE

(Photo at right)

It’s difficult to imagine any chocolate confection looking anything but delicious, but the truffles in this category are also distinctly artistic.

• The Cosmic Bomb Shimmering Fizz truffle from Cosmic Chocolate delights the eyes with its perfectly symmetrical shape and shiny, metallic coat.
• Norman Love’s Lemon Cream contrasts inky dark chocolate with bright, artistic yellow and white swirls atop this tiny truffle.
• While most truffles are round in shape, Woodhouse Chocolate’s handmade dark truffle is formed into a minute square—perfect for popping into your mouth.
• DeBrand’s Coconut truffle is a culinary masterpiece of swirling white chocolate in a dark-chocolate shell with a sprinkling of crunchy coconut.

BEST OF TASTE

Plucking the best-tasting truffles out of a sample of more than 50 proved to be as difficult as picking the brightest star in the night sky. The following are a few of the most delectable truffles, though all are delicious in their own right.

1. DeBrand’s Almond truffle perfectly combines rich dark chocolate and fresh, crunchy almonds, which add just the right amount of nuttiness that meanders through the smooth, bitter chocolate.
2. Norman Love Chocolate’s nod to the milk chocolate connoisseurs of yesteryear, the Milk Chocolate truffle is nothing short of heavenly with its velvety, creamy goodness.
3. Many coffee-flavored candies risk being overpowering, but the XOX Truffles Inc. French Roast finds the delicate balance between the richness of both chocolate and coffee without either taste being overwhelming.

BEST FLAVOR COMBO

Although they are a delicacy traditionally made of chocolate ganache and cocoa, truffles today are available in a wide range of flavors. While each chocolatier is commended for his or her innovative combinations, a few emerged as having the most unexpected unions.

1. Noka’s Tamborina truffle blends dark chocolate, tobacco, and cherry in an unusually tasty combination that’s smoky, rich, and fruity all at the same time.
2. The offerings of Cosmic Chocolate’s Cosmic Bliss collection include two distinct truffle fusions: Minx and Sweet Dreams. The Minx mixes earthy basil with tart lemon ganache that’s sweet and satisfying. Sweet Dreams combines spicy cinnamon, sweet caramel, and dark chocolate in a dreamy haze of sugar and spice.
3. Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s Black Pearl truffle unites ginger, wasabi, and dark chocolate with a sprinkling of black sesame seeds for extra flavor.

BEST DARK

Dark chocolate is good for your heart, and these truffles are amazing for your taste buds.

1. The Christopher Norman Chocolates Manhattan Dark’s dry, bitter taste and slowness to melt are indicative of the high-quality ingredients it contains.
2. The Jasmine truffle by Chocolate Arts combines rich dark chocolate with a slight hint of floral taste and aroma.
3. Recchiuti’s Signature truffle is a beautifully molded confection that fuses silky smooth chocolate with faint herbs and teas.

BEST FRUIT FLAVOR

Chocolate and fruit make a great pair, and these truffles are among the tastiest ones.

1. DeBrand’s Key Lime truffle is an intense blast of sweetness.
2. The flavor of XOX Truffles Inc.‘s Framboise/Raspberry truffle is subtle and sweet.
3. The Grande Valencia from Lake Champlain Chocolates heightens the citrus flavor with the faintest hint of orange liqueur.

BEST TEXTURE

What makes a truffle so indulgent? Is it the distinctive flavors that tantalize the taste buds? Or is it about more than just the taste experience? For many, the silky smoothness of a truffle and the way it melts in the mouth distinguish ordinary chocolate from decadent dessert.

1. The Ambrosia truffle from Vosges Haut-Chocolat has bright citrus notes that kiss the tongue while the white chocolate melts deliciously slowly. The sprinkling of macadamia nuts on top adds the slightest crunch before the chocolate dissipates over the tongue.
2. Noka’s Viviente truffle melts so smoothly that it’s a wonder it makes it to your mouth without melting in your fingers. But thank goodness it makes it—that would be a terrible waste of amazing chocolate!
3. There’s something magical in the marriage of caramel and chocolate, and XOX Truffles Inc. offers one of the best unions available in their Caramel truffle, a luscious combination of silky caramel and creamy chocolate intermingling atop your taste buds.