This box of chocolate squares from chocolatier Michel Cluizel is a gustatory journey of chocolate through seven plantations: Mokaya, Los Anconès, Mangaro, La Laguna, El Jardin, Vila Gracinda, and Riachuelo.
Arguably the best snacking chocolate, using only the best ingredients, each square has its own unique taste with aromatic notes unique to each plantation. The chocolate itself is smooth and creamy, thanks to the complex and detailed processes it undergoes, which is a testament to the passion and importance the Michel Cluizel chocolatiers put in their craft.
This is the perfect selection to serve after dinner, as a little sweet meal-ender. It’s great to pair with Port or Chianti, or even a strong cup of coffee if you prefer something non-alcoholic.
The Cluizel family’s affair with chocolate began in Normandy in 1947, when pastry chefs Marc and Marcelle Cluizel decided to venture into this line of confection. Their son Michel took their interest a step further and, in 1987, opened the now-famous La Fontaine du Chocolat on the Rue Saint Honoré in Paris. He insisted on only the best quality sugar cane and Bourbon vanilla pods in his products, and eventually began partnering with cacao plantations around the world. The rest, as they say, is history.
Store your chocolates in a cool, dark place, ideally between 18 to 24°C. You can use the refrigerator, but place the chocolate in an airtight container to keep the moisture and humidity out—and retain its full range of flavors, of course!