ErinSlick

I usually have chocolate in some form or another everyday. I choose dark chocolate, primarily because I like it best and because it’s really good for you. (I can get behind a movement that makes chocolate a health food, I don’t even care if it was a chocolate company that funded the study.) I almost never eat milk chocolate and I loathe white chocolate. To the point that if something contains white chocolate I won’t eat it. This means that I have never tasted one of those admittedly yummy looking chocolate-covered, nut crusted, caramel-gooey apple things they sell during the holidays. I’ve never had a good experience with white chocolate so I just avoid it.

Since I eat it everyday AND I’m a creature of habit, I do tend to gravitate toward certain brands and varieties. I’m by no means a connoisseur, nor do I know anything about chocolate beyond what I’ve learned on the Food Network or in cookbooks. I just know what I like.

Dove Dark Chocolate Squares – I realize that this is probably cheating since it is owned by Mars. I’m not even sure if the antioxidant count in their chocolate is all that high. I don’t really care, this chocolate is really good, if on the sweeter side of dark chocolate. It’s my preferred “go-to” chocolate, mostly because you can buy it anywhere which makes it the perfect foil for a Chocolate Emergency.

Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Powder – This stuff is so amazing, I don’t drink any other type of hot chocolate anymore. This is pure chocolate without any of the weird solids that other brands use. You can tell in the flavor. I make it with skim milk and put an ass ton of whipped cream on top. When I’m feeling Fancy Pants, I’ll add chocolate shavings or a peppermint stick. I like the double chocolate variety.

Kingsbury Dark Chocolate with Nibs – Kingsbury is a local brand. Made in Old Town Alexandria, it’s a usual stop when we’re on King Street. I’m a huge fan of nibs and frankly don’t think folks use them enough. This is a smooth chocolate with a crunchy, bitter nib taste. Delicious. (Speaking of nibs, I also enjoy Scharfenberger’s Nib bar, when I can find it.)

Teuscher Ganache Truffles – I’m not a huge truffle fan, but these are amazing. It’s Swiss chocolate, so the coating is very smooth and melty. They’re ridiculously expensive because they’re imported, but def worth the indulgence.

Ulker Dark Chocolate Bars – Ulker is a Turkish brand. I’m not sure if this chocolate is just really good, or if it holds really strong childhood memories for me. Turkish chocolate has a different taste that is a little difficult to explain. If you’ve ever had frozen hot chocolate, imagine that chocolate taste in a bar. We have a Turkish grocery store in Fairfax that sells these.

Lindt Lindor Dark Truffles – These are creamy, rich and taste like they have about 1000 calories in each one. I also like the peanut butter ones, but really struggle with limiting myself to one or two, which means they probably contain a lot of sugar.

I’m always ready and willing to try new flavors, so leave your dark chocolate favorites in the comments. Thanks to SP Gass for the post idea.