Charles Chocolates’ chocolate nuts: almonds and hazelnuts. All photography courtesy Charles Chocolates.
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PETER ROT is the THE NIBBLE’s chocolate specialist.
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April 2007
Last Updated July 2010
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Charles Chocolates Chocolate Nuts
Page 2: Chocolate Almonds, Chocolate Hazelnuts & More
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Chocolate-Covered Nuts
Most fine chocolatiers we patronize don’t make chocolate-covered nuts, so when the temptation calls, the products we grab at gift shops or club stores are usually a product of disappointment—inferior nuts and lackluster chocolate. Charles Chocolates’ nuts just might be the best chocolate-covered nuts on the market. Mere words can’t convey how divine these little jewels are, so do buy lots—a 6.5-ounce tins don’t last long. Chuck roasts his nuts longer than most confectioners; this creates a more pronounced, deeper nuttiness that pairs exquisitely with the layers of 41% cacao milk chocolate and 65% dark chocolate that cover the nuts. |
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Triple Chocolate Hazelnuts.
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Only two varieties of nuts are currently offered—almond and hazelnut—but perhaps Chuck can be convinced to experiment others (pistachio, please!). Our personal preference gravitates to the hazelnuts, but public opinion (and our editor) prefers the almonds. They’re Chuck’s best-selling product!
Pâte de Fruits
Don’t like chocolate, or not in the mood? Pâte de fruits—fruit jellies—are available in two collections: Classic Collection (Blood Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Raspberry and White Peach) and Wine-Infused (Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne, Gewürtztraminer, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, all Californian wines). These bite-size morsels of fruit jelly are ferociously vibrant, which is not surprising since they contain at least 45% fruit. The freshness of the fruit shines through so clearly, one might mistake the candy for actual fruit (you cannot, however, substitute it in your 5-A-Day servings of fruit and vegetables). |
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Pate de fruits, or fruit jellies, for sophisticated palates.
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Our leaning is to the classics: While we like the Wine-Infused Collection, it can be somewhat light on the wine flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon is the highlight, with Merlot coming in second. The white wine flavors are just too subtle to compete against the fruit flavors with which they are paired. Perhaps we can look for a dry Chardonnay, or better yet, a Shiraz in the future?
It seems mean-spirited to complain, though...we ate every piece!
CHARLES CHOCOLATES
Boxed Chocolates, Chocolate Bars, Chocolate-Covered Nuts, Edible Chocolate Boxes, Orange Twigs, Pâte de Fruits, Tea Collection
- Boxed Chocolates
$14.00 to $54.00
- Chocolate Bars
3.4 Ounces
$4.50/5 For $20.00
- Chocolate-Covered Almonds or
Hazelnuts
6.5-Ounce Tin, $12.00
Duo, $21.00
- Edible Chocolate Boxes
Various Contents, 14 Ounces
$60.00
- Orange Twigs
7 Ounces
$16.00
- Tea Collection
8 Ounces
$30.00
- Pâte de Fruits: Classic or Wine Collection
25 Pieces, $25.00
Both Collections, $45.00
Purchase online at CharlesChocolates.com.
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Above, marzipan squares, below, the Tea Chocolate Collection, both in edible chocolate boxes. The box is dark chocolate, the lid is white chocolate. $60.00 each.
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*Prices and product availability are verified at publication but are subject to change. Shipping is additional. These items are offered by a third party and THE NIBBLE has no relationship with them.
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