It’s My Birthday and I Want Chocolate…..

Photo by Shiva Mardahi on Unsplash

I decided to try the most decadent, yet popular, chocolates on planet earth as a delicious treat to celebrate my birthday week. Oh. My. Tastebuds.

So, in a fit of birthday brilliance (or maybe just a sugar craving), I decided to mix things up and celebrate the day I graced this earth with something totally different.

And no, I will NOT be disclosing my age—unless you’re some kind of chocolate-fueled Sherlock Holmes, in which case... good luck.

But I digress.  We were talking about chocolate, right?

So many flavors and textures.  There had better be chocolate in Heaven, or I am not going (well, I might not be going anyway, but one can hope).

So let’s dive straight into the good stuff. Seriously. Let's open a box and start stuffing our faces like a toddler on a rampage! In no particular order—because they’re all sinfully fabulous—here are my favorite chocolatiers that made my birthday taste like pure luxury:

Valrhona (France)

• Why I love it: If you are a baker like me, their baking chocolate is second to none, and a favorite among Michelin-star chefs, coming in complex single-origin bars.  BUT they also have wonderful chocolate assortment packages so you can enjoy a smooth amazing taste without having to bake it into something.

  
  

• Signature: Guanaja 70% — bitter, deep, intense.

  
  

• Vibe: For the chocolate sommelier in your life (that would be you, right?)

  
  

• Dark Chocolate Squares Gift Box: 50 amazing artisan quality pieces for you to savor and enjoy.

  
  

• Assorted Gift Box:  A mix of dark and milk chocolate to die for, again, 50 little squares of “oh my”. 

Amedei (Italy)

• Why others love it: Amedei are the makers of Amedei Porcelana, one of the rarest and most expensive bars in the world.

• Why I love it:  This isn’t your average chocolate bar—it’s a full-on flavor opera. Bold and intense with just the right whisper of sass, it hits with deep, dark strength but still melts like a flirt. A little zing of acidity keeps things fresh (kind of like a good martini), while notes of toasted almonds and a tease of pressed olives strut in like they own the place. The finish? Long, lingering, and unforgettable—like a mysterious exe you kinda still dream about. This isn’t just chocolate. It’s chocolate that redefines chocolate.  Oh, and I almost forgot!  Amedai is made with ethically and sustainably sourced cocoa, so you can indulge guilt-free.

  
  

• Signature: Amedei Porcelana — made from rare white cocoa beans. 

• Vibe: Pure Italian passion and elegance in a bar.

  
  

• Dark Chocolate Bars:  Comes three in a bundle.  Pricey but so, so good.  One Porcelana, One Chuao, and One Nove (75% cocoa in this one).  You can thank me later. 

  
  

• Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts:  This isn’t just a chocolate bar—it’s a love letter to your sweet tooth. Crunchy, golden-roasted Tonda Gentile Trilobata hazelnuts (yes, they sound fancy because they are) get cozy in a dreamy blanket of creamy milk chocolate. Roasted in-house for peak aroma, these nuts don’t just show up—they waltz in and harmonize with that smooth chocolate like they’ve been besties for years. The result? A clean, rich finish that whispers, “go ahead, have another bite—you’ve earned it.”

La Maison du Chocolat (France)

• Why I love it: Their French craftsmanship shows through, with ultra-smooth ganache, and premium ingredients like Venezuelan cocoa and Piedmont hazelnuts.

  
  
  
  

• Signature: Their Traviata and Andalousie pralines are legendary.

  
  
  
  

• Vibe: Haute couture in chocolate form.

  
  
  
  

• Dark Chocolate Assortment: At La Maison du Chocolat, they don’t just make chocolate—they compose edible symphonies. We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth masterpieces that take your taste buds on a first-class trip to Paris, no passport required. These aren’t just sweet treats—they’re rich, velvety little adventures wrapped in elegance (and maybe a tiny bit of magic).

  
  

• Dark and Creamy Rich Milk Chocolate Assortment: The 84-piece Coffret Maison collection isn’t just a box of chocolates—it’s a whole mood. Think silky ganaches, flirtatious pralinés, and a mix of dark and milk chocolate that’s basically a Parisian love affair in every bite. Some pieces are infused with delicate fruits, others are bold enough to go “au naturel” (ooh là là), but all are handcrafted with that French flair we adore. One bite and you’ll be channeling your inner Audrey Hepburn—only with chocolate smudges instead of pearls.

  
  

• A very affordable Premium Dark Chocolate Bar with Pistachios, Almonds, and Hazelnuts: This isn’t your average chocolate bar—it’s a multitasking masterpiece. Crafted by skilled chocolatiers (probably wearing berets and whispering sweet nothings to cocoa beans), the Cavale Fruit Secs delivers not one, but two luxurious textures in every bite. Dark, velvety chocolate meets a crunchy crown of roasted almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts. It’s bold. It’s elegant. It’s basically a French love letter to your mouth—and yes, it flirts a little. 

Godiva (Belgium)

• Why I love it: Everyone has heard of Godiva, and sure, they are popular, but they have not sacrificed quality for quantity, my friend.  Here you have accessible luxury — you can find it worldwide, but it still feels like a treat.

• Signature: Gold Ballotin box of assorted truffles and caramels.

  
  

• Vibe: Your fancy aunt's go-to gift — and she has taste.

• Dark Chocolate Truffles: Who doesn’t love a good truffle?

  
  

• Assorted Chocolates Gift Box:  Take a delicious dive into Belgian indulgence with Godiva’s 72-piece Gourmet Chocolate Gift Box. That’s right—72 pieces. Creamy ganaches, gooey caramels, and enough decadence to make your yoga pants beg for mercy. Nearly a century of chocolate mastery, all in one glorious box you definitely don’t have to share (but probably should).

Ultra-decadent and by far the best (but some flavors very hard to get your hands on, my friend)…. To’ak Chocolate from Ecuador, with bars that cost $300+ and are aged in cognac barrels — think fine wine, but cocoa instead.  To'ak produces extremely limited edition bars, often as few as 100 per edition, further enhancing their exclusivity and desirability.  A once-in-a-lifetime treat, but I will be thinking about this one for a good long time.

So, what have we learned here today? That life is short, stretchy pants are forgiving, and you should never trust anyone who says “I’m not really a chocolate person.” (Red flag. Run.)

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a Tuesday, or just made it through the day without yelling at someone, you deserve a little bite (or 84) of bliss. From silky ganaches to nutty little show-offs, these chocolates don’t just satisfy cravings—they stage a full-blown flavor intervention.

Will I be doing this again next year? Absolutely. Will I share? Unlikely. But hey, at least now you know where to start your own chocolate-laced journey into joyful indulgence.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some birthday leftovers to “hide” from the rest of the household.

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