Winter Treats

No category in specialty foods has enjoyed more growth in recent years, or experienced greater diversity and consumer awareness, than chocolate. Estate chocolates are sought after like fine wines and artisanal cheeses.  Superior brands like Valrhona of Hermitage, France and Vosges of Chicago, Illinois have become commonplace, replacing pop icons like Nestlé’s and Hershey on specialty shelves everywhere.

This time of year, winter reminds us of the simple pleasures of a cup of steaming hot cocoa. The creation of a chocolate drink goes back to the Mayans over 2,000 years ago, but the “modern” sweetened hot beverage was not invented until the Spanish started importing cocoa in the 16th century. Then a luxury item enjoyed by the upper classes, hot chocolate took another 100 years to work its way out into the European mainstream.

Whether you’re looking for a just-add-milk, heat and serve powder or a slow-melting, traditional drinking chocolate, we have you covered. In addition to those mentioned above, we proudly feature the products of many of the best chocolate producers in the U.S. and the world, including:

Jacques Torres Chocolate
Classic and Wicked Hot Chocolate
Lake Champlain Chocolate
Traditional and Spicy Aztec Hot Cocoa
Silly Cow Farms
Classic Hot Cocoa
Chuao Chocolatier
Venezuelan-Inspired Varietal Chocolate
Dagoba Organic Chocolate
Varietal Hot Chocolates
Blanxart Chocolate
Spanish Hot Chocolate and Dipping Chocolate

And don’t forget the outrageous marshmallows from BAKED of Red Hook, Brooklyn!