Sending out early happy Valentine’s Day wishes to you all! I know that not everyone celebrates it, for one reason or another, but when the big red heart day hits later this week, lots of flowers, chocolate, other candy and cards will be changing hands. I, for one, can do without the flowers (I really only like them for big anniversaries), but oh, my, the chocolate!!
I’m definitely an equal-opportunity chocolate lover, enjoying everything from basic Hershey bars, M&M’s (particularly the caramel), See’s chocolates (love their bordeaux and butterscotch ones), and Vosges, all the way up to the pricey Maison du Chocolat boutique lovelies. We used to have a Bissinger’s in the big city near me, and I miss their great creations, particularly their blackberry creams. I’m not the biggest white chocolate fan around, but those Lindor white chocolate truffles are pretty nice, and my son is crazy for Hershey’s Cookies n’ Creme candy bars.
As for chocolate in perfume, I adore wearing Guerlain’s Iris Ganache and Armani Prive’s La Femme Bleue, as well as Seveline Vanille Chocolat. But the epitome of fragrant chocolate elegance is, to my mind, Chanel Coromandel. Every time I wear it I feel like a million bucks. And for sweetness in general, not much can beat Indult’s Tihota, in my book; ranking up there near that one is Le Labo’s Vanille 44, whose vanilla gets a delicious injection of incense that gently cuts the sweetness.
About the only chocolate-centric scent that I’ve sniffed that I haven’t cared too much for is Thierry Mugler’s Angel, due to its tendency to easily overwhelm the wearer. Although I have to admit, the tiniest dab on a wrist or neck can be quite nice.
What about you? What are your favorite chocolates or candies? Or your yummiest gourmand perfume? Or is there some other treat you’re looking forward to this time of year?
Yes on the See’s chocolates (California Brittle!!) and Coromandel. I also love the Chocolate and Orange perfume that Fresh used to make! We have a lovely chocolate shop in Seattle called Intrigue Chocolates. Little squares of chocolate truffles with amazing flavors like Bourbon Vanilla, Lemon Ginger and Turmeric, Cardamom and much more. Jars and jars of spices line one of the walls. It is pretty amazing :).
I have to admit, I love Vosges chocolate chili creations and treat myself to them occasionally. For every day chocolate, I stick with Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chips in the baking isle. Cannot beat the great flavor for the price. It is easier to limit my chocolate pigginess with the chips vs a bar!
I have never tried chocolate perfumery. I have not found a gourmand perfume I really like yet.
It’s funny, but…for someone who loves chocolate as much as I do, I realized that I don’t actually eat a lot of chocolate! I mean, I do, but it’s usually cake – and I’m specific about that as well! But for candy, my beloved Recchiuti Fleur de Sel caramels top the list! That little lick of salt that runs through the dark chocolate cover. And the burnt caramel inside. On a ‘regular’ day (since I don’t live anywhere near SF any longer, alas)…Lindt’s Excellence bar – the Caramel one, followed by the Lemon. Both dark chocolate – the only milk I like are Hershey’s Kisses (and I LUH those!)
And, for someone who loves the smell of chocolate (omg. Blommer Chocolate on the days they are cooking that stuff? YUM!) I confess to not liking the smell of chocolate in perfumery AT ALL.
Folks is weird, ain’t they?
xoxoxoA
Ah, SF and those divine Michael Recchiuti fleur de sels and burnt caramel lovelies! It’s been way too long. Let’s head west right now, shall we, darling?
In my small town, we have a candy kitchen that’s been family owned and in continuous operation since 1912, olympiacandykitchen.com. Their handmade chocolates are fantastic; the Charlie Chaplin is my favorite, it’s roasted peanuts and a bit of toasted coconut in milk chocolate surrounding a marshmallow center that is sweet, salty, crisp, creamy and melty all at once.
My favorite chocolate perfume is En Voyage perfumes Chocolate series, separately or combined, and Angel Taste of Fragrance that amps up the dark chocolate of Angel. I’m all for celebrating love and chocolate year round! ??
I just went on there and saw they have a very limited selection of dark chocolate. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me, since you all are covered in snow over there and I don’t want to hitch up the huskies right now 😉 xoxoxoA
I’d rather the flowers to be honest cause I’ll eat pretty much any kinda chocolate (except the cheap Palmers brand!) and it goes right to my hips so noooo….gotta exert self control in the matter of all things choclatey!
For chocolate scents, I like the Chocolate Man scent by Dame Perfumery, layered with vanilla. Almost enough to make me overcome my chocolate candy habit. I like Lily’s Sweets dark chocolate bars.
I’ve never smelled Iris Ganache, but would love the chance someday. Armani Iris Celadon has an iris and white chocolate scent — is it kind of like that? I also like Borneo 1834 — it’s chocolate, but super weird. Does that count?
For chocolate, I will do anything for Leonidas chocolates — when I was young, we lived in Belgium and the Leonidas shops were everywhere. They are SO. GOOD. You can get them on Amazon now, rush-delivered because they’re full of cream and butter and every good perishable thing. Every so often I treat myself to a ballotin of the dark chocolate ones.
I just loaded up on truffles at Godiva yesterday – raspberry, vanilla and praline – plus marzipan hearts. I prefer dark chocolate, usually Marou bars of 70%+.
As for gourmand perfumes, I’m having a love affair with Mancera Choco Violette at the moment, but I love vanilla too: Profumum Dulcis in Fundo, Vanitas, Sorriso, Battito d’Ali and Indult Tihota are favourites. Not to mention all those Guerlains! Iris Ganache, Tonka Imperiale, Angelique Noire, Cuir Beluga, SDV, Gourmand Coquin. The list goes on and on. I like sweets!
Taza’s vanilla mexican chocolate round is awesome! I don’t love Truffles and other individually sized chocolates as much but definitely love the whiskey and bourbon flavored ones.