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Finding the best chocolates is a tough job, so the Business Insider Reviews team entrusted the task to a professional chocolatier. After she sampled over 30 chocolate brands, Vosges Haut-Chocolat came out on top as the best chocolate brand for gifts, self-care treats, and everything in between.
We've been recommending this brand for years, so the home and kitchen team decided some retesting was in order. Truffles, bonbons, and bars — we tried it all. Deputy executive editor Lauren Savoie said it best: "The chocolates were delicious, but also incredibly beautiful. The interesting flavors and detailed packaging really make it feel like a unique and thoughtful gift."
Here's why Vosges Haut-Chocolat is still at the top of our chocolate list.
From the stunning packaging to glamorous garnishes to the lingering flavor of luscious chocolate, Vosges Haut-Chocolat makes the perfect gift for anyone and any occasion.
This set of dark and milk chocolate bars is a perfect mix of classic and innovative flavors. Each bar is wrapped and embossed with thematic prints and designs to create an immersive chocolate experience.
For a pop of luxury without popping a bottle of bubbly, try Vosges Champagne Truffles. The creamy chocolate balances out the Champagne taste, and the box is gorgeous.
Packaging
Each box of chocolate comes nestled in bubble wrap and cold packs with tasting notes, shelf life, and storage instructions. The boxes themselves are rich purple and wrapped with ribbon, more like fine jewelry than food.
Vosges clearly takes the preservation of the chocolates seriously. The shelf life varies, but keep in mind that the countdown starts when the chocolates are packed, not when they arrive. Shipping is limited during warmer months, and you may be required to select overnight shipping if the destination temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Truffles and bars
The flavors of everything we sampled were complex and luxurious. We started with Champagne truffles and home editor Jaclyn Turner was delighted: "They were creamy with a light Champagne flavor." It's a small package, but Turner recommends adding them to the dessert table for a celebratory event or dinner party.
Even the humble chocolate bar gets a Vosges upgrade, and the library box sets are wonderful gifts. Unusual flavor combinations, like Matcha green tea, Spirulina, and cacao nibs, are shelved next to riffs on classic combinations, like banana, coconut, and dark chocolate. In some of the bars, our testers found that the rich dark chocolate overpowered the unique ingredients: a pro if you shudder at the thought of a Reishi mushroom chocolate bar, but not ideal if you're looking for taste innovation.
The chocolate bars are embossed with text and designs that we, as editors, particularly appreciated. Pets editor Lisa Sabatini said, "This is definitely for special occasions. From the meditative card they included to the printed text on the bars, it really is meant to be an experience as opposed to general snacking."
Inside the exotic truffle boxes is the entire flavor spectrum. You can start with elevated candy bar flavors, sampling soft burnt sugar caramel enrobed in 45% cacao milk chocolate and decorated with a New Mexican pecan. Next, there might be an intimidating 62% cacao dark chocolate surrounding a center of Kübler absinthe, Chinese star anise, and fennel, dusted with ceremonial matcha and white poppy seeds.
We were surprised by the size of the truffles. I called the Milk Chocolate Truffles "just a touch bigger than a Lindt ball," and my co-testers agreed. Maybe this is the world of luxury desserts, but for $3 a truffle, we wanted more. Vosges recommends tasting each truffle in two bites, so be mindful when diving in.
Special collections
Vosges releases seasonal collections throughout the year. During the holiday season, we received Starseed truffle boxes, which were inspired by Nordic winter forests. Though the Starseed collection is no longer available, you'll find the same attention to detail in all the special editions. For instance, the new Ritual Collection for Joy includes peanut butter bonbons, a jasmine soy candle, and Rainforest Jasper crystal. The box is packed with dried moss and comes with a guided ritual card for eating your chocolate with the intention of joy.
Sourcing
The only information available about how Vosges sources ingredients are in the Superior Sourcing Initiative, which includes a promise to "seek organic, sustainably grown, and non-GMO ingredients with few exceptions." On the company's Green Initiative page, you can learn about their Fair Trade partners, Global Transparency certification, and green shipping efforts.
The bottom line
Vosges Haut-Chocolat offers classic chocolates alongside inventive flavor combinations and box sets. The tasting guides and beautiful packaging make anything from Vosges feel as luxurious as it is delicious. As the reigning top pick in our guide to the best chocolates, Vosges Haut-Chocolat continues to impress the Reviews team.
