TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates sounded like they would be right up our alley, since they make chocolates using organic, Fair Trade, and local ingredients.
Admittedly, though, the more time you spend sampling various chocolates, the harder it is for a new chocolate to impress you. So we’ve learned not to get our hopes up too high when sampling a new chocolate.
I’m happy to report that in spite of that, TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates knocked our socks off!
We enjoyed a 5-piece assortment that was packaged in a simple yet elegant purple box. Upon opening the box, we were greeted by the most delicious chocolate aroma–always a good sign. (And an even better sign when, after the chocolates are done, I am–yes, I admit it–still sniffing the box.)
I appreciated the included picture guide showing what each chocolate was.
The chocolates are small, but decadent. Upon biting into them, both reviewers noticed 1) the lovely, light texture that melts in the mouth and 2) the excellent chocolate flavor. Dark, but not the slightest bit bitter. All the chocolates we sampled had this in common.
Each of the TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates scored very well, and I suspect the differences between each chocolate’s score have more to do with the flavor preferences of the reviewers than any inherent differences in the chocolates.
Jasmine Green Tea
12.6.10
The tea notes are subtle, and we probably wouldn’t have been able to place the flavor had we not been told what it was. That didn’t make it any less than delicious, however.
Our rating: 4.5 of 5 bon bons
Chai Masala
12.6.10
Wow, I love chai, but all the chocolate chai combinations I’ve had have been disappointing. This wasn’t. A spicy Indian chai flavor that blends very nicely with the chocolate.
Our rating: 4.75 of 5 bon bons
Pomegranate White Tea
12.6.10
A delicate, yet distinct, fruity pomegranate flavor. I wasn’t expecting to like this even more than the chai, but I was quite enamored of it.
Our rating: 5 of 5 bon bons
Lavender Tea
12.6.10
Just a hint of lavender sets this off. It’s much more subtle than Dagoba’s Lavender Blueberry bar, and–dare I say it?–possibly better. Delightful!
Our rating: 4.75 of 5 bon bons
Black Raspberry
12.6.10
One tester liked this the best, the other liked it the least. The one who liked it best said it had a perfect black raspberry flavor; the other tester has never had black raspberry!
Our rating: 4.75 of 5 bon bons
We finished devouring our sampler and then noticed something that should have been obvious, but that we’d overlooked in our haste to start eating: these chocolates are VEGAN.
It isn’t terribly difficult to find chocolate bars that are vegan, but finding filled chocolates–the kind with a nice creamy (that is, milky) center–that are vegan is difficult. It’s even harder to find vegan chocolates that taste good. We were shocked, actually.
Not only do TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates taste good, they can compete with the best non-vegan chocolates. And did we mention they’re largely organic and Fair Trade, too? Yeah.
One reviewer commented, “Well this is the best chocolate we’ve had in a while.”
The other said, “Um, we might just have to buy some more of these…”
TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates are the perfect little gift for that eco-conscious person who doesn’t want much. What a great way to let them know you care!
Visit TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates online at: www.terrasourcechocolates.com.
:( Update 2/2012: TerraSource Gourmet Chocolates appears to be out of business.