The best artisan chocolates around

THOUGH THE RECESSION HAS FORCED people to cut back on some luxuries, artisan chocolate sales are booming. It is an affordable indulgence.

Boutique, premium chocolate makers are popping up all across America, challenging established European chocolatiers. Two of the best are right here in the Foothills: Dorado Chocolates in Grass Valley (and now Reno), as well as the Truffle Shop in Nevada City. Both offer gourmet chocolates at reasonable prices.

Dorado Chocolates’ ignature “D” line uses fresh ingredients from all over the world, including cocoa beans from Eastern Venezuela (the Napa Valley of chocolate), Tahitian vanilla beans and French lavender honey.

The Truffle Shop has been handcrafting some of the world’s finest chocolates since the ‘80s. Chef Willem DeGroot’s products have been sent to the White House, the Vatican and other famous customers.
This “tale of two chocolatiers” highlights the best our area has to offer in artisan chocolates, a comfort food in its own right.

During his childhood, Dorado Owner Ken Kossoudji helped his parents and grandparents in the kitchen. His father, a chocolatier, was Ken’s inspiration. Ken’s professional training is at top culinary schools in Paris.

Ken opened Dorado Chocolates in the historic district of Grass Valley five years ago. The handmade chocolates, with their signature “D” lettering, are sublime. Their flavors range from a bit earthy, to slightly
fruity to caramel. “Great chocolate is a lot like great wine, full of complexity,” he says.

This year Ken opened a sister store in Reno, and his chocolates are being sold at Whole Foods Market.

Both of his stores also offer an expresso bar with European-style coffee and chocolate drinks, ideal for winter.

Like Dorado, The Truffle Shop has built a regional following. It was one of the original tenants in the New York Hotel in historic Nevada City.

Chef Willem DeGroot founded The Truffle Shop in 1985 with three other chefs. DeGroot uses Belgian chocolate, imported liqueurs and fresh ingredients.

“The truffles are all made by hand,” says Willem, originally from Holland. “Producing a batch (all 23 flavors) is a three-day process.”

Gourmet Hot Chocolate

Treats is a new artisan ice cream shop in downtown Nevada City. But it also will offer winter fare, including bread puddings homemade apple-cranberry crisp, and ginger bread with a dollop of ice cream.
Treats also will offer hot mulled cider and five flavors of hot chocolate to take off the winter chill: Milk chocolate, 70 percent dark, spiced, orange infused and peppermint.

Treat’s owner and ice cream maker Bob Wright uses local, organic and seasonal ingredients when possible.

Besides chocolate and vanilla, unique flavors include pear-ginger sorbet (our favorite), Chai Coconut (vegan) ice cream and Black Cherry (sugar-free).