First it was lavender. Then it was sea salt. Then chili, durian, and lemon grass. Now, it’s habanero, rosemary, and salted mango… and the list goes on and on. New chocolate flavors seem to arrive faster than one can say “truffle,” but hey, who’s complaining? Although all chocolates were created equal in terms of making humans happy, I had my picks at the 6th Annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon organized by Taste TV at the Fort Mason Herbst Pavilion on Sunday.
WD William Dean Chocolates from Florida look like holiday any day. Colorful morsels of exquisite designs are infused with combinations of flavors, like lemongrass and coconut, port with fig and plum, and rosemary caramel. Old favorites like lavender, passion fruit, and coffee caramel are as good as ever. The multiple award-winning chocolatier is now testing his new line of macaroons – bright and bursting with pure-taste freshness. http://www.williamdeanchocolates.com/
“Toffee Talk” a.k.a. “Little Pieces of Conversation” from San Francisco are literally pieces of “toffee so good it starts conversations.” Made with pure butter, chocolate, and nuts, Toffee Talk delicate varieties include almond, pecan, peanut, and rare red walnut. http://www.cjstoffeetalk.com/
NewTree from San Anselmo, CA, is “re-inventing chocolate” with high percentage of cocoa and added plant extracts. The name is more about nutrition than it is about a tree. NewTree chocolate bars are rich and aromatic, and send out motivational messages. “Rejuvenating” RENEW dark chocolate bar is made with blackcurrant and 73% cocoa, while “soothing” REJOICE milk chocolate one is made with bitter orange and crisped rice. http://www.newtree.com/
Saratoga Chocolates from Saratoga produces 30 flavors of ganache- and caramel-filled chocolates. Among those – strawberry balsamic, jasmine green tea, and ginger cognac. http://www.saratogachocolates.com/
La Chatelaine Chocolat Co. from Montana has Desire – dark chocolate wrapped in white with raspberry puree and chili – how decadent is that? www.chatelainechocolate.com
Socola Chocolatier from San Francisco has a new flavor this year – peanut butter and jelly, with peanut crunch and bright jelly taste. www.socolachocolates.com
Vice Chocolates from Oakland never tires of creating new stunners, like Vamp with blood orange, cardamom, and honey, and Vixen of dark chocolate ganache, passion fruit and chili. www.vicechocolates.com
Sixth Course Artisan Confections from San Francisco comes up with Raspberry Cosmopolitan and Rosemary Caramel, and other bold combinations of white and dark chocolate with spices. www.sixthcourse.com
David Bacco Chocolatier from San Diego makes an impressive selection of fusions, like Joyeux with caramel, lemon, and marzipan, or Estragon with tarragon and licorice. www.bacco-chocolatier.com
Dandelion Chocolate from San Francisco makes small batches of bean-to-bar chocolate bars with pure cocoa from Colombia, Venezuela, and Madagascar. www.dandelionchocolate.com
Victoria Chocolatier from Folsom, CA, operates with dark, milk, and white Belgian chocolate with 42 different toppings. www.victoriachocolatier.com
Besides many more of the best artisan and premium chocolates and confections from near and far, samples of wines and spirits were presented at this premier chocolate show on the West Coast.
21st Amendment Brewery brought in Americana-themed canned beers cleverly named Brew Free! Or Die IPA, Bitter American, Allies Win the War, and Back in Black. www.21st-amendment.com
Chocolate Salon sponsor TasteTV is a leading food, wine and lifestyle network, and can be seen online at TasteTV.com, ChocolateTelevision.com, Hulu, on Comcast On Demand, and on over 100 television stations nationwide. TasteTV is also the presenting sponsor of the Annual TASTE AWARDS in Hollywood, celebrating the year's best in food and fashion programs on TV, in Film, Online, and on Radio. More information at www.TheTasteAwards.com, www.SFChocolateSalon.com.
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