From the checkout aisle to the local chocolatier, there’s no shortage of sweet options for Valentine’s Day. And, while it may feel convenient to grab a generic box of chocolates at the local grocery store, why not go the extra mile and treat your sweetheart (or yourself) to something extraordinary this year?
In order to find some of the best artisan chocolates in PA, we reached out to chocolate sommelier, Estelle Tracy of 37 Chocolates. She offered her top picks for Valentine’s Day chocolates – all made in Pennsylvania – that are sure to delight you and your loved ones.
Estelle Tracy
Tracy’s passion for chocolate ignited in 2015, when she decided to review 37 different chocolates for her 37th birthday. The depth and complexity she found in craft chocolate both surprised and delighted her, and it wasn’t long before she was leading tastings for others. In the decade since first falling for chocolate, the Chester County-based chocolate sommelier has led hundreds of chocolate tastings, pairings and talks throughout the world. She works with wineries, taprooms, large companies and the general public and offers a calendar full of ticketed tasting events you can attend.
Here are Tracy’s selections for treating your sweetheart (or yourself) to exceptional, made-in-PA chocolates this Valentine’s Day:
Bonbons, Bars and Truffles from Shane Confectionary (Philadelphia)
First on Tracy’s list are three divine confections from legendary Philadelphia chocolate shop, Shane Confectionary. “Few people know that Shane makes their chocolate in house and is committed to transparent sourcing – not just for their cacao beans, but for all their ingredients,” she says. “I tried several of their products, but their honey sesame praline bonbons are beyond amazing. The small piece packs a ton of flavor and the sesame really shines through.”
These gorgeous, bite-sized confections have black sesame praline, aromatic sesame paste and bright, local honey inside a dark chocolate shell resembling a beehive, and come in sets of six.
Tracy also suggests Shane’s 90% Tumaco, Columbia dark chocolate bar,” especially for those hesitant to try such high percentages. She say, “A lot of people don’t realize that dark chocolate isn’t actually bitter when it’s made with great quality cacao beans, roasted with care. Shane’s version is so mild and delicious that I could eat half of a bar in one sitting.”
Finally, for a treat with all the right aesthetics, she suggests checking out Shane Confectionary’s wild rose petal truffles. These gorgeous bonbons, with painted dark chocolate shell, creamy ganache center and delicate rose flavor, are a veritable chocolate bouquet. 110 Market St., Philadelphia; (215) 922-1048.
Dubai Chocolate from Bridge Street Chocolate (Phoenixville)
Chocolate Bars from Moka Origins (Honesdale)
It’s fair to guess that most chocolate lovers in PA have Moka Origins on their radar. This Pocono powerhouse produces some of the state’s finest chocolate products, which are crafted in small batches from raw cacao all the way to the finished chocolate bar. It’s worth a trip there for the free factory tours on Saturdays, or simply to sample some of its sweet delights.
Tracy points to a few of Moka Origins‘ chocolate bars for Valentine’s Day. She says, “Moka Origins is one of my all time favorite chocolate companies, not just in PA but in the country. Every chocolate bar is made from transparently sourced cacao beans roasted and ground in the Poconos factory.”
While its V-day signature strawberry swirl bar is sold out, Tracy suggests the 72% cherry bar. “It would be perfect to end a Valentine’s Day meal,” she says. “It’s bursting with tart cherry flavors that beg to be paired with a glass of red wine.”
While you’re shopping, check out Moka’s 72% Cameroon bar, one of Tracy’s personal favorites. “It tastes like a chocolate milkshake,” she raves. “So good.”
Tracy and Jeff Abella of Moka Origins
Follow Estelle Tracy and 37 Chocolates on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop on all-things-chocolate! And keep the local love going by perusing other PA artisans, farmers and winemakers for more ways to make the holiday special.
- Feature photo: Shane Confectionary
- Photos of Estelle Tracy: Estelle Tracy
- Stacked chocolate and wine photos: Bigstock
- All other photos: Courtesy of the respective businesses
