Cacao Cuvee’s truffles are an after-dinner treat with a glass of Cognac or whiskey. Above: White Chocolate and Raspberry truffles. Photo by Katharine Pollak | THE NIBBLE.

WHAT IT IS: Artisan chocolate truffles. WHY IT’S DIFFERENT: Impressive flavored ganaches (the center of truffles). WHY WE LOVE IT: Beauty, variety and tasty fun. WHERE TO BUY IT:  CacaoCuvee.com.

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Cacao Cuvée: Gourmet Chocolate Truffles

CAPSULE REPORT: The great thing about America’s artisan food movement is that gifted artisans can live just about anywhere. Today’s Top Pick, Cacao Cuvée chocolate truffles, are made in Rockford, Illinois.

We know absolutely nothing* about that city, except that every chocolate lover within driving distance should make tracks to the retailers that carry Cacao Cuvée (everybody else: order it online).

*O.K., we did some research: It’s the second largest city in Illinois, with a population of 157,272 and a metro-area population of 339,178 (per the 2000 Census).

Chocolate truffles are balls of ganache, that melt-in-your-mouth blend of chocolate and heavy cream. Chocolate truffles can be rolled in a variety of coatings (chopped nuts, cocoa and powdered sugar, for example). Or they can be enrobed in chocolate to create a hard shell.

Many chocolate truffles are pure chocolate-on-chocolate—ganache enrobed in cocoa or a hard chocolate shell. That’s fine for some people, but we need more excitement. Chocolatier Susan Pitkin has provided it.

Here are more than 20 flavors of truffles, from Coconut, Espresso and Lemon to newer flavors like Chili Pepper, Matcha, Saké and Sesame. And yes, there are classic Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate; and Peanut Butter truffles for Reese’s fans.

Ms. Pitkin really has a gift for flavoring ganache. You don’t have to guess what the flavor is: It is lusciously apparent without being heavy-handed. So if your habit is to treat yourself to a fine box of chocolate truffles, Cacao Cuvée should be next on your list.

Read the rest of the review. Start with the article index below.

INDEX OF REVIEW

This is Page 1 of a two-page review. Click on the black links below to visit other pages:

• Page 1: Cacao Cuveé Overview
• Page 1: Chocolate-Making Cookbooks
• Page 2: Serving Chocolate Truffles
• Page 2: Buy Chocolate Truffles
  Online
• History Of Chocolate Truffles
• What Is Ganache?

MORE TO DISCOVER

• THE NIBBLE’s Chocolate Section
  Product reviews, chocolate education and
  more.
• More Top Pick Of The Week Chocolates
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