Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I bet you need some ideas of what to get for mom. All moms love chocolate. When you place a box of chocolates in front of her, her eyes will light up with joy. I guarantee it.

Most of the time I’m writing about chocolate bars, primarily dark chocolate bars., but today I’m going to share three of my favorite U.S. chocolatiers to shop for a selection of boxed chocolate this Mother’s Day. All of the chocolates are made by artisan chocolatiers. Everything is made by hand from the finest quality ingredients and may be ordered online.

Alma Chocolate is located in Portland, Oregon. Alma means “soul” or “to nourish”, so how perfect is that when thinking of mom? Alma Chocolate is known for their hand-poured, 23K gold leaf molded chocolate ($15-$45). You can’t go wrong with any of those items. If you can afford it, I would do that and also pick from either the Super Sampler Box ($22.50) which includes a traditional truffle, salted lavender caramel, bourbon bon bon, habanero caramel, salted peanut butter cup, deux pistaches, Mexican truffle, Thai peanut butter cup, and 2 of their rotating seasonal flavors.  If you really want to specialize, you can put your own box together (BYOBBB – Build Your Own Bon Bon Box), ah technology, on line. They make it easy for you with a drop down menu ($4.50-$22.50). Nourish your mom with a selection of chocolates from Alma Chocolates. You may buy Alma Chocolates online at http://almachocolate.com/store/

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier is super popular since she was featured on the Food Network’s “America’s Best.” Alton Brown called her “the Holy Grail of chocolate.” Something interesting about Gail is that she used to be a map mapper which is pretty cool since she uses flavors from all over the world to create her chocolates. Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier put a special Mother’s Day box together for you already. It’s a six piece truffle selection in a pretty butterfly box ($11.75). My particular favorite is the Chocolatier’s Choice ($4.25 – $80). It’s a surprise across the board.  Gail will choose the finest collection for you from her wide variety of classic, adventurous, tea-inspired and seasonal truffles. It will not disappoint! Shop Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier at http://gailambrosius.com/store/

Where can you find edible mice and penguins, why at L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolate, of course. L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolate has an entire page devoted to Mother’s Day.  What would I pick? You can’t go wrong with the little chocolate mice (ears are almond slivers, tails are ribbons) or penguins (wings are almond slivers). They make everyone smile. They come in a colorful box or a lovely wooden crate with ribbon, depending on the size you order ($32-$48).  Burdick also offers a chocolate assortment in a wooden box. It comes in sizes ranging from petite to large ($14-$65) and you’ll get one or two mice in the box. The box also features anywhere from 10-64 hand-crafted chocolates made by the chocolatiers at L.A. Burdick (depending on the size you order). Buy from L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolate at http://www.burdickchocolate.com/mothers-day-gifts.aspx

In today’s day of technology, make sure you get mom something sweet to show her how sweet you think she is this Mother’s Day. If she receives handmade, artisan chocolates from Alma Chocolate, Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier, or L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolate, she won’t bit in the least bit disappointed. You’ll be her favorite child.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms all out there!

Annmarie Kostyk, the Chocolate Expert

I’m catching up on some of my chocolate reviews from the past few months since I’ve been computerless.  Lots to talk about!  A few months back, I was lucky enough to meet up with Sarah Hart, owner of Alma Chocolate in Portland, Oregon while she was visiting Chicago. Turns out we were long lost soul sisters.  Imagine an entire night of talking about chocolate and food!

We had a lovely dinner at The Purple Pig.  Lots of great conversation and lots of pig products that were to die for!  I always appreciate a great waitstaff and our lovely lady treated us to a delicious complimentary dessert.  Not sure what it was called, but she knew we were chocolate people and we weren’t disappointed.  It was a brioche stuffed with chocolate and then fried.  I would have taken a dozen to go, but I didn’t want them to look at me funny…

Sarah was kind enough to bring me a wonderful selection of chocolates from her shop called Alma Chocolate located in Portland, Oregon.  I first found out about Alma Chocolate two years ago when I was working on my Chocolate Travel book.  To me, food is on a spiritual, intellectual and emotional level.  Alma Chocolates drew me in right from the start.  I felt the love and passion brought into the beautiful work coming out of this shop. Ironically, according to Alma Chocolate’s website, Alma means “soul” in Spanish and “to nourish” in Latin.  What makes the name even more special?  Sarah’s grandmother’s name is Alma.  How incredibly wonderful is that?

Alma Chocolate Swallow

Alma Chocolate uses single-origin chocolate and organic ingredients to create their masterpieces. They create iconic solid chocolate works, bon bons, truffles, toffees, barks, sauces and caramels.  Sarah brought me a Swallow made from 100% Venezuelan, single-origin chocolate covered with 23 karat edible gold leaf. I almost couldn’t eat her.  She was so beautiful.  I had visons of a Christmas tree covered in Alma Chocolate icons.  How incredibly would that be?  Perhaps at a holiday party, you can cover your tree in Alma Chocolate icons and guests can bring an ornament to replace the icon your guest decides to take home and enjoy… I digress, as usual.

Alma Chocolate Candied Fruit and Nut Bar

You won’t find any typical English toffees at Alma Chocolate.  Alma’s toffees are as distinct and original as Sara herself.  Her selection includes Pistachio, Ginger Almond, and Oregon Hazelnut and Dried Cherry. The Ginger Almond is deliciously full of contrast with the spiciness of the ginger, the buttery sweetness of the toffee and the delicate crunch of the almonds.

Alma Chocolate Bark

Alma Chocolate’s  barks include Mocha Almond Nibbly Bar and PMS (for the gentlemen too!).  The nibby in the nibby bar?  It’s cocoa nibs!  A nice special treat.  PMS?  Yep.  Over the top and everything you need… candied peanut, milk chocolate (sometimes you just need the sugar) and a bit of salt.  It all balances the flavors out.

The mini bars?  Little bars of heaven!  Pistachio Hazelnut Bar, Salty Nutty Toffee, and Candied Fruit and Nut Bar.  I love pistachios.  They are by far my favorite nut.  I’ve never had pistachio and hazelnuts in the same chocolate bar before and it was an outstanding combination!  Four stars!

Alma Chocolate Bon Bons

Alma Chocolate will blow your mind in the bon bon department!  The flavors are innovative and over-the-top.  How about a Habanero Caramel Crown?  Sabrina (marzipan and fig)? Thai Peanut Butter Cup (ginger, lime, Thai chile and red volcanic sea salt)? Smoky Joe Truffle ( smoked paprika)?  See what I mean?  To see a fulll ist of what Alma offer in the way of bon bons and truffles… click here.

Alma Chocolate Caramel Sauces

Don’t care for chocolate?  Gasp!  Alma makes a fabulous caramel to top your ice cream or pies off.  I’d like to try it on some buttered toast myself.  Something for everyone – lavender, habanero or rosewater.

Thanks for coming to visit me Sarah!  My taste buds and tummy thank you for your gift bag full of chocolatey goodness.  I’m still smiling… You may purchase Alma Chocolate at their store, online, or at any of their other stockists including Cork – A Bottle Shop on 2901 NE Alberta Street and 1715 NW Lovejoy Street, and at the Portland Farmer’s Market.

Have a great day and don’t forget your daily dark chocolate!

Annmarie Kostyk