An edible miniature frieze of top quality chocolate and gold luster, this is just one of eight perspectives in Bon Bon’s remarkable box of Kama Sutra tablets.

Chocolate For Sculpture Lovers: Bon Bon Chicago

Kama Sutra is Sanskrit for “aphorisms* of love.” It is a scholarly guide to sex, and to other sensual pleasures as well. But we have read the Kama Sutra, and chocolate is not mentioned even once. So it is obviously an incomplete guide.

*An aphorism is a wise saying that bears repetition.

Here to remedy the situation is a very serious chocolatier who sought not to create erotic fare, but beautiful sculpted chocolates.

In fact our first thought, upon looking at the boxed delights of Bon Bon Chicago, was that it was the work of an artist. We’ve seen a lot of fine chocolate, some with each piece exquisitely painted into a Jackson Pollack masterpiece. But no one works as hard as chocolatier Elizabeth Hulme-Zuverink to present each piece as its own little sculpture.

Elizabeth, who had hoped to study art but whose practical dad guided her to culinary school, knows her way around shapes and forms. She searched antique shops and the global marketplace to find special molds in which to shape her fine chocolates. As a result, each box of her chocolate is a treasure chest visually as well as on the palate. There are plump hearts, fans and jewel shapes, crocodile and quilted-pattern bonbons...plus stunning buddhas, pyramids, Cleopatras and King Tuts.

These are executed in rich dark, milk, and white chocolate. Also handy with an artist’s paintbrush, Elizabeth and her co-chocolatier, daughter Madison Zuverink, paint the chocolates with gold, silver, copper and aubergine edible mica lusters that give them a heavenly glow. (That isn’t fancy lighting on the Kama Sutra chocolate above—it’s gold luster.)

Underneath the surface art is the culinary art. There are delicious fillings from the traditional chocolate box, like Calvados, Cherries in Kirschwasser, Espresso, Frambois Caramel, Grand Marnier Caramel, Hazelnut, Mint, Pear Brandy Caramel, Pistachio-Almond, Rum, and Vanilla Bean Ganache; contemporary flavors like Cacao Nibs, Lady Grey Tea, Lavender and Honey, and Peanut Butter; and “exotics” like Ancho Chili (mild and smoky) with Clove and Cinnamon, Arbol Chili with Cinnamon (spicy), Cardamom, Chai, Ginger, Rose Petals, Spice (anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove), Sweet Curry and Chinese Five Spice, and White and Green Tea Ganache. The spices, liquors, and chocolate ingredients are top quality. Bon Bon is not wedded to a specific couverture, but uses different French and Belgian blends of high butterfat content—36% plus—for a silky-smooth mouthfeel.

Dark Chocolate Set	Exotic Set	Exotic Set 2

If you’re a true chocophile, you’re already reaching for the phone to order a box of everything. But if you need guidance, here it is: order a box of everything.

And don’t for a moment overlook the Kama Sutra chocolate friezes: they are no gimmick. Yes, they do show explicit sexual positions; and thus not every grandma might appreciate box (grandpa, though, for sure). But beyond your own nibbling and aesthetic pleasure, it’s the kind of gift any friend—lady or gentleman, bridal shower or bachelor party attendee, current or potential love interest, et al, will not soon forget.† You can also use the tablets as a cake and cupcake toppers.

†We gave a box as a bridal shower gift with a handsome copy of the Kama Sutra, and it stole the show. No one paid any attention to the La Perlas.

Some classy Hollywood leading men have ordered these by the case as a result of a mention in Playboy magazine. We won’t name names, but if you are reading this, we’d like to be on your gift list.

—Karen Hochman

BON BON CHICAGO Designer Chocolates 12 piece set, $20.00 20 piece set, $32.00 35 piece mixed set (mainstream and exotic chocolates), $55.00 Kama Sutra (box is 6"x9" and has 2 large and 6 small chocolate friezes, shown at right), $20.00 Purchase online at www.bonbonchicago.com Or telephone 1.773.784.9882 Or visit Bon Bon’s retail shop at 5410 North Clark in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago (a 15 minute drive from the Water Tower downtown). Shipping additional. Prices and flavor availability are verified at publication but are subject to change.
		Sir Richard F. Burton, 19th century scholar and translator of the Kama Sutra, would have loved these gorgeous Kama Sutra chocolates. The photograph doesn’t do them justice.

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Sweet, Sweet Love

The Comprehensive Guide to Chocolate Molds: This book is a nostalgic journey through the world of antique chocolate molds. Click here for more information.	The Book of Chocolate: This lavishly illustrated book takes readers on a journey through the history and production of the world's most seductive confection. Click here for more information.	Chocolate—From Start to Finish: This book focuses on the manufacturing processes from raw materials through the finished product. Click here for more information.

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