Best Chocolate of 2009 You Couldn't Resist: Top 10

There is no denying that chocolate is the most popular and beloved food and flavor of all-time. What makes chocolate so special? For one thing it could be its taste. Whenever you eat a silky milk chocolate piece it melts right in your mouth and warmly slides down your throat. One of the most common myths about chocolate would be it's an aphrodisiac. There is no proof to this claim, however, it is associated with the pleasure one gets when eating chocolate. Another reason for the popularity of chocolate is its traditional use as a food type and gift for the holidays such as at Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine's, and Easter. Now we will find out what was the best chocolate of 2009. The list of these ten chocolate products will consist of a combination on the most popular and the best rated by certain consumer groups. These will comprise of the European and American chocolatier companies. Let's see if your favorite chocolate is one of the best of 2009.

10. Russell Stover - Based in Denver, CO since 1923 they are known for their boxed chocolates. They are America's largest manufacturers of these famed boxes of chocolate that you'll find in drug stores, card & gift shops, department stores, grocery stores, and other retail stores. Their milk chocolate mint dream single-packaged candy is my absolute favorite.

9. Cadbury - They are a leading confectionary company specializing not only in chocolate, but with other candied products. John Cadbury opened his first shop selling chocolate and cocoa in 1824 in Birmingham, England. The Dairy Milk candy bar and the crème egg are their most popular chocolate products. These Cadbury products can be purchased at drug stores, grocery stores, and other retail stores.

8. Lindt - When you think of Switzerland chocolate certainly comes to mind. Lindt - The Master Swiss Chocolatier since 1845 began with a father and son confectionery team. Rodolphe Lindt, a famous chocolate-maker of his time back in 1879 invented the "conache", which is a melting chocolate feature in their chocolate candies. The outside is hard and when you bite into the candy there is a melted chocolate center. This chocolate company enjoyed great success during WWI & WWII, even when rations were strict and expensive regarding chocolate. The people during those trying times still found a way to get this luxury. Now you can find these famous Lindt "melting" chocolates in drug stores, grocery stores, and retail stores nearest you.

7. Ghirardelli Chocolate - One of the few Americanchocolatemanufacturers who start with the cocoa bean on through to the finished product. They roast their cocoa beans in-house, which gives it their distinctive flavor. Also, Ghirardelli uses an intensive refining process to make sure that the chocolate you get melts right in your mouth. You certainly won't taste any of that grainy feel you'd find in a lot of other American chocolates. That is because this chocolate company makes sure the chocolate flakes are down to 19 microns. Other chocolate companies that mass produce only go down to 40 microns. It's no wonder their chocolate is so popular since they've been around for 150 years.

6. Harry & David - You can find this gourmet food and fresh fruit gift store at upscale shopping malls as well as at their own website. One of their gourmet foods is Harry & David's chocolates, primarily their luxurious chocolate truffles. These happen to be my sister's favorite chocolate. All of their chocolates are made at their factory and packaged carefully by hand.

5. Recchiuti Confections - Now we are getting into the more upscale chocolates that are pricier, but are worth every penny to the chocolate connoisseur. Based in San Francisco is a husband and wife team, Michael and Jacky Recchiuti, who in 1997 decided to introduce people in the U.S. to real chocolate. Michael oversees the selection of every ingredient and uses the finest and latest European techniques in making his chocolate as a work of art. Each piece of chocolate is hand crafted with certain pieces featuring drawings, etchings, and paintings.

4. Lake Champlain Chocolates - From beautiful Burlington, Vermont came an upscale chocolate company that uses the highest-standard of chocolate making by using only the freshest and most natural ingredients. Back in 1983 a restaurateur, Jim Lampman, whose restaurant overlooked Lake Champlain, was introduced to making chocolate by his pastry chef. Jim gave some of his patrons' samples of the chocolate he made. The results were astounding and the rest is history. This chocolate company's specialty is their chocolate truffles, along with Christmas and other occasion chocolates.

3. L.A. Burdick - Using only the finest ingredients by importing chocolate from France, Switzerland, and Venezuela, along with a minimal amount of sugar and real vanilla. No extracts, concentrates, and flavorings are used in the process. Larry Burdick began making chocolate in New York back in 1984. They now have a successful mail-order and website business located in Walpole, New Hampshire. The bonbons are cut and shaped by hand. Be sure to check out their chocolate snowmen and penguins.

2. Godiva Chocolatier - From Brussels, Belgium eighty years ago chocolatier Joseph Draps started his famous chocolate company in honoring the legendary Lady Godiva. They are the creator of the most elegantly hand-crafted chocolates in the world with their signature gold boxes. There are specialty Godiva chocolate stores throughout the U.S. in upscale malls, boutiques, and other exclusive shopping establishments, in addition to ordering their chocolate products online at their website. I absolutely love Godiva chocolate. It is my favorite.

1. Fannie May Candies - Out of the top five listings of upscale chocolates this is the most affordable. 85 years ago in Chicago is when the Fannie May Candies began. They are known for their assortment of chocolates featuring caramels and nuts. Fannie May was the first chocolate candy company to offer sugar-free chocolates to diabetics and dieters back in 1991.

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

ConsumerSearch.com - Chocolate: Reviews