Chocolate heaven

By Dinna Chan Vasquez

Chocolate is a universally-liked food in practically all its incarnations. According to a study, people do not become addicted to chocolate. Rather, they desire chocolate because of the sensation of eating it. ?Chocoholism? is a word coined to refer to chocolate craving.

Chocolate is associated with love and romance. On average, $750 million worth of chocolates are sold in United States on Valentine?s Day.

Most people also love chocolate because they associate it with good memories. Chocolate is also known for being everything from an anti-depressant to an aphrodisiac.

There are theories as to why chocolate makes us feel good. Perhaps the most controversial findings come from researchers at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California. They believe chocolate contains pharmacologically active substances that have the same effect on the brain as marijuana, and that these chemicals may be responsible for certain drug-induced psychoses associated with chocolate craving.

The following list consists of brands that we think are the best (because we?ve tasted them).

? Patchi

Patchi is a Lebanese brand that offers over 40 varieties of Belgian-style chocolates distinctive in taste and quality. Its ingredients are all natural; there are no artificial flavors, additives, or preservatives.

Each Patchi chocolate looks as good as it tastes. Each piece is individually hand-wrapped with foil and distinctively adorned like a fine piece of jewelry with metallic papers, tiny little ribbons and bows, minuscule silk flowers and even tinier crystal baubles and decorations. Fillings include fillings of fresh coconut, nuts, caramel, and gianduja (hazelnut cream). Casablanca?milk chocolate with gianduja, hazelnut pieces and bitter orange peel?is one of the best flavors.

Patchi is known for its stylish boutiques in some of the most chic cities throughout Europe and Asia. Aside from chocolates, Patchi sells vases, dolls, cutlery and gift sets.

If you have relatives in the Middle East, ask them to buy you a piece or better yet, make it a box.

? Jeff de Bruges

Jeff de Bruges is a famous French chocolate founded in 1986 and one of the most wanted in Europe.

The brand has over 40 varieties of fine Belgian chocolates, including truffles, ganaches and pralines. There are also chocolate cherries, candied peel, fruit jellies or nougat squares wrapped in dark or milk chocolate.

All varieties are fresh and have a high content of original chocolate, up to 75 percent. Besides the unique chocolate, Jeff de Bruges offers special ice cream and dragee, a French candy that perfectly complement the cocoa treats.

? Perugina Baci

This delicious treat is the result of the relationship between Giovanni Buitoni, the young heir to Perugina, and Luisa Spagnoli, a confectioner, in the charming and ancient Umbrian hill town of Perugia in central Italy. The two kept their love a secret and Luisa continued to create many of Perugina?s truly indulgent chocolates, building the company into one of the most successful confectioners in Italy.

In 1922, Luisa created Baci, Perugina?s signature product, obviously inspired by the love notes she would wrap around her chocolate confections to send to Giovanni.

Each Baci, which means ?kisses? in Italian, with its creamy dark chocolate and rich hazelnut center, comes wrapped in a poetic love note in four languages describing the course of love.

? Royce

Royce is a Japanese chocolate that has extraordinarily high cocoa butter content that makes the stuff literally melt on your tongue.

Royce chocolates are made in Hokkaido and even if the Japanese didn?t invent chocolate candy, Royce has definitely made a mark with these.

And expect the Japanese to be obsessive-compulsive about it. Royce chocolates are wrapped in three layers of packaging, as well as a cooling gel pack to ensure that the chocolates make it from the shop to one?s home.

Hurray for us?Royce chocolates are now available in the Philippines at Rockwell Power Plant Mall so there?s no need to ask family and friends to bring some home from Japan or Singapore. A plus for Royce is that it is reasonably priced. It?s not cheap but you get what you pay for. A small box doesn?t cost a small fortune.

? Godiva

Godiva was founded in 1926 in Brussels, Belgium by Joseph Draps. The chocolatier opened his first boutique in the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium. Yes, it was named after Lady Godiva.

Godiva is one of the world?s most popular chocolates with annual sales reaching up to $500 million. It?s also very expensive as one truffle costs nearly $2. Godiva?s dark chocolate is really good although connoisseurs say it?s better to buy Godiva in Europe than in the United States.

The Godiva chocolates in the US are supposedly sweeter than in Europe.

? La Maison du Chocolat

This French chocolate is the best. The candied citrus peel in dark chocolate, truffles and hot cocoa are delicious. Another thing worth trying is the marzipan roll with dark chocolate.

The chocolates are decadent and sweet, and very French, with unique flavors and some intricate design work.

La Maison du Chocolat is very expensive (a piece costs nearly $2, just like Godiva) and not available in the Philippines.