*Standing up on soap box*
*clears throat* *ahmen*

Hey You! Yeah you! With that crappy box of chocolate bars you think is going to impress your Valentine this year! Forget the milk chocolate that has been molded into childish chocolate bars and get your special someone something that is truly representative of the way you feel for them! Something that melds years of thought and creativity into something so harmonious and perfect in every aspect that it will blow the mind of both you and your significant other! As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches I wanted get something out to the world that has been bothering me for some time. Each year millions of Americans flock to the grocery store (of all places) to buy what they think is an “artisanal” or “gourmet” chocolate truffle when in fact, they are buying nothing more than an unimaginative piece of “chocolate” that has been molded into the shape of a ball and passed off as a truffle.

Unlike the rare, edible mushrooms from which the truffle got its name, chocolate truffles are a sweet delicacy that cannot be missed this time of year. Having originated from France in the early 1920s, chocolate truffles have since become synonymous with holidays, hostess gifts, and decedent, luxurious desserts. But what makes a truffle artisanal and why are they so much more costly then the Russell Stover chocolate truffles you get from the grocery store?

The first and I believe most important reason for the difference is the quality of the ingredients being used. Store bought truffles such as Russell Stover or Whitman’s contain milk chocolate that has been mass produced in the most cost effective manner and is similar to that of the milk chocolate found in M&M’s (which by the way can’t even be called milk chocolate anymore). These so called “Gourmet” chocolates are then filled with a chocolate nugget and caramels that lack any real inspiration, flavor or creativity. While these chocolates are great for those who are on a budget, they are not a real representation of a true artisan chocolate. Unless you like the flavor of vegetable oil rather than real cocoa butter. (If that is the case you can stop reading here and return to your local grocer). True artisanal chocolates will be made only from the highest quality chocolates and the master chocolatiers in charge of these beautiful concoctions refuse to use substitute ingredients for any reason.

While store bought truffles tend to stick to the basics of a chocolate ganache center, truly gourmet and artisan truffles tend to stretch the palate by incorporating various tastes and textures into the center of the ganache or using very expensive or difficult-to-obtain ingredients such as rare herbs, flowers, fruits, green tea or even wine.

The master chocolatiers who make these decadent truffles in small batches do so by hand. Most of which are then creatively packaged and made visually appealing with hand painted designs and shapes. If you have not had the chance to taste a truly artisanal chocolate truffle I highly suggest taking some time to find one. These little gems will surely create a new and exciting appreciation for the thought process and creatively that can only be brought to you from the years of training and experimenting from these master chocolatiers.

*Getting down from soap box, bowing to the sounds of applause*

Now that I have finished my rant I want to know – How do you truffle? Leave me a list of your favorite chocolatiers artisanal truffles in the comments! I will do my best to try each and every one and let you know what I think!