I love chocolate. Anything from Hershey’s to Godiva and every bit in between. Whether it be white, milk or dark, savory or sweet, solid or melted, filled with nuts, cream or caramel (especially caramel!), I’m all in.
When given the opportunity to try Nestlé’s premium, Swiss-based chocolate brand, Cailler, I was intrigued. I mean, a high end product from the people that make the chocolate morsels for Toll House cookies, that couldn’t possibly be bad.
All bias and love aside, I have to say this is good chocolate. Not the kind you eat when having a craving, not the kind you eat because it’s fancy and you must try it, but truly good.
This chocolate needs to be treated like a fine wine - slowly rolled around your tongue to get all the flavors and textures, as well as the quality of the chocolate itself.
The story behind Cailler chocolates starts with happy cows. Really! The rumor that happy cows make better milk must be true. These creatures are pampered with lush green Swiss meadows, clear mountain streams, and a view that is to die for.
Then there are the cocoa beans themselves. Cocoa beans are hand-picked and only the best of the best make it through to be roasted at Maison Cailler. These are the base for all their products. Nestle beans “are also UTZ Certified, an organisation which campaigns for cocoa plantations that are socially and ecologically responsible.”
What is quite amazing is that the chocolates you see on the Cailler website are exactly what you get in the box. The detail is exquisite.
The best news is that Cailler chocolates are available in the United States for the first time in their 200 year history. They are a perfect hostess gift, as well as a sweet indulgence just because. Find eight of the Cailler bar varieties on Amazon.com:
L’Ecorce Bar selection (thin chocolate bars available in the following four flavors): 70% Cocoa Strong & Intense, 84% Cocoa Floral & Bittersweet, Smooth Milk Rich & Creamy, Smooth Milk With Hazelnut
Art du Brut Selection (a delicious blend of rich chocolate, freshly roasted nuts, and tangy fruit, available in the following four flavors): Intense Dark Almond, Hazelnut & Blueberry, Intense Dark Almond, Hazelnut & Cranberry, Smooth Milk Almond, Hazelnut & Cranberry, Smooth Milk Almond, Hazelnut & Raisin