Gift Idea: French Chocolate!

Chocolate - Another Thing The French Are Famous For

By Gregg Hall

France is famous for many things, such as the Eiffel Tower, and high fashion. They are also famous for their rich cuisine such as crepes and quiche lorraine. They are well noted for their pastries, wine and of course, chocolate.

Chocolate has been around for centuries, beginning in 1500 BC where the Olmec Indians grew crops containing the cocoa bean. From there it went to the Mayans where only the wealthiest were allowed to consume it. In 600 AD they established plantations dedicated to the coveted bean and from there, the Aztec elite took it over.

The popularity of liquid chocolate continued to spread and the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus brought it back with him to Spain in 1502. The Spaniards added sugar to it, which enhanced its flavor and removed the bitterness from it. Oddly, when it reached France, it was scorned and called a "barbarous" and "noxious". It was Anne of Austria and King Louis XIII that adopted it as the favored drink of the French court which was the beginning of its popularity in France. Chocolate became known as an aphrodisiac in France. It was used by Casanova to seduce women. He would add it to champagne and then present it to his lovers. Madame De Pompador would also serve it to her lovers to energize them before seducing them. Chocolate was also used for intrigue by the Marquis du Sade. He would add poison to it and then give it to those he wished to harm.

The supply of cocoa beans to France increased after they conquered Haiti and Cuba in 1684. It was then that they first established plantations. In 1657 a Frenchman opened the first chocolate shop in London, where it was so expensive that only wealthy people could hope to afford it. A Frenchman named Doret discovered how to grind the beans and invented a hydraulic press for this purpose, circa 1778. This was the beginning of the chocolate production on a grand scale.

Between World Wars I and II, the French became famous for chocolate pralines.Many people consider French Chocolate to be the best in the world. Its rich smooth flavor is internationally famous and it is coveted by all who love this confection. The French are famous for their chocolate candies such as truffles and nonpareils, which means "without equal". They put it in scrumptious pastries, cakes and puddings. One of their most famous deserts that feature chocolate is the French eclair. Another favorite is chocolate mousse. There's nothing like the rich aroma that emanates from a French bakery. Few can resist entering them once they catch the scent and are lured inside where they can find a wide array of treats that feature chocolate.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as French chocolate at www.frenchchocolatedelivery.com

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Mahogany Chocolate Box Carved With A Golden Heart (15 pieces)

The perfect I love you gift!Dreamy stunning romantic -- World Champion Pascal Caffet along with our other award winning master chocolatiers created this unique selection of chocolates with passion to beget passion. Colors textures flavors and aromas coalesce in an entrancing assortment -- and the elegant hinged box lovingly conveys your feelings with a solid brass heart -- you can even add a brass plate boldly declaring your personal message -- eternally etched with a diamond.You may also want to consider our Touche Deluxe -- Our extraordinary Touche collectible box (described above) is accompanied by a two-pack chocolate refill at half the normal cost. Triple the bliss!

Mahogany Chocolate Box Carved With A Golden Heart (15 pieces)

Trendy Steel Colored Chocolate Box With Velcro Lock (70 pieces)

A veritable cornucopia of supreme hand-made French chocolates!Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience for our grandest assortment of artisan chocolates - 70 remarkably divine chocolates all hand crafted by award winning master chocolatiers virtuosos of their craft. Each masterpiece will seduce your senses with an array of alluring aromas incomparable flavors and tempting textures. You can even select each and every chocolate for the ultimate personalized assortment. Be prepared for the reactions of friends family co-workers and even the most discriminating chocolate lovers!

Trendy Steel Colored Chocolate Box With Velcro Lock (70 pieces)

Deluxe 3-Drawer Mahogany Chocolate Box (45 pieces)

Enrapture your Senses.Culinary mastery meets the utmost in luxury in this Mahogany chest brimming with the world?s finest truffles. Three drawers open to reveal 1001 flavors swathed in rich chocolate that slowly melts in your mouth to unfurl the aromas locked within each morsel. The Orpheon?s cover can be ornamented with your personal logo or image engraved on a beautiful brass plate that will draw everyone?s attention even long after the sweet contents has disappeared.

Deluxe 3-Drawer Mahogany Chocolate Box (45 pieces)

A Wine Gift

A Wine Gift - A Gift That Keeps Giving

By John Wineberger

If you have been looking for a gift that suits nearly all occasions, then why not consider a nice bottle of wine? For anyone that has passed the legal alcohol age limit, receiving a bottle of wine on a special occasion or day is always well received. A wine gift is a classic custom that has been performed for quite a long time and is re-finding its popularity today. A fine bottle of wine is always right and will never sit on a shelf gathering dust.


What Is In A Wine Gift Basket

A very popular way to give wine today is in the form of a wine gift basket. The basket usually contains a least a couple of bottles of wine and selected appetizers that are pre-matched to the wine. Chocolates are usually paired to reds, crackers and various yummy spreads with chardonnay and cheeses like Brie and fruit to sweet wines. Whatever the wine, there is always an appetizer that will be perfectly matched to it. If you would like to make your own gift basket, just go down to your liquor store and ask some questions. More often than not, the clerk will be able to help you.


Chosen Wine for The Month

If you really want your wine gift to stand out from the crowd, then may be you should look at a wine of the month club. This gift will appeal to nearly everyone but mostly to wine lovers. The recipient of the gift will receive certain wines on a monthly basis that needs to be pre-selected by you. Membership to a wine of the month club, will approximately cost you around the $300.00 mark. You will also have the opportunity to request whether white or red wines are to be delivered or a combination of both. One added bonus of the gift is that any wine can be re-ordered from the club and as many times as you would like.


Wine Gift Assortments

If one bottle of wine is not going to impress, then why not give two bottles and if that also makes you feel uneasy, why not give an entire case? However, remember that wine is always well received and is a gift that can easily stand on its own.


Choosing The Wine

If the recipient of the wine gift is a wine lover or a connoisseur of fine wines, maybe a vintage wine will be more appropriate. You should always try the wine before giving it as a gift as you need to know that the quality that you are paying for will measure up to the expectations and taste.

Vintage wines nearly always have a story behind them and if you are lucky enough to purchase one that is a gift box, more often than not, it will be accompanied by a little booklet giving some facts about the origins of the wine. However it this is not the case, you can always do a quick search for it on the Internet.

If you have really gone the extra mile and driven off the beaten track to find that special gift, make sure you tell your story. A true wine lover will always enjoy such tales and who knows that, one day, they might want to go and find that special place themselves.


About the Author: If you want your wine gift to stand out from the crowd, make sure you check out our site for many wine gift ideas as well as a coffee and wine gift basket.

Source: www.isnare.com

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Sweet Treats Chocolate, Cookie and Candy Gourmet Food Gift Basket

We've designed the perfect gift of sweets and gourmet treats to fit any gift giving occasion. With 5 generous sizes available (large pictured) your gift is filled overflowing with the very best gourmet goodies for everyone to nosh, nibble and share. The X-Large basket features Italian Espresso Chocolate Cake, Pineapple Cake, English Almond Toffee, Chocolate Toffee, Chocolate Wafers, Strawberry Wafers, Vanilla Wafers, Worlds Finest Mochachino Chocolates, Chocolate Caramels, Mint Meltaways, Chocolate Fudge, gourmet Caramel Corn, Chocolate Popcorn, White Chocolate Popcorn, Butterscotch Candy, tin Fruit Bonbon candy, Butter Toffee Pretzels, Tomato Basil Pretzels, decadent Chocolate Truffles, Licorice Candy, Fruity Gel Candy, Strawberry Bonbons, Kiwi Bonbons, and assorted Ghirardelli Squares... WOW! Your beautiful gift is presented adorned with grape ivy vines, tied with ribbons and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your best wishes. NOTE: During warm weather, we will substitute delicate chocolate and truffles with another high-quality candy item to protect your gift from melting during transit. To determine when your gift will be delivered, please click on the "View Shipping Rates and Policy" link.

Sweet Treats Chocolate, Cookie and Candy Gourmet Food Gift Basket - Xlarge (Large Pictured)

Feast of Flavor Gourmet Food Gift Basket with Smoked Salmon

We specialize in fancy flavors and fine gourmet fair - this impressive sampler delivers with an entire feast presented in exquisite detail and style. Impress your friends and family or thank your most important client with Godiva Milk Chocolate Pearls, Pacific Northwest Premium Smoked Salmon, fancy Lobster Pate Spread, Lady Walton Butter Wafers, Toasted Praline Coffee, Chocolate Mint Candies, Cheese Lover's Pub Mix, Fancy Water Crackers, Rothschilds Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce, Savory Beef Salami, Natural Sharp Cheddar Cheese, French Country Olives, Artisan Breadsticks, Intense 76% Dark Chocolate, assorted Fruit Candy Bonbons, Deluxe Mixed Nuts, Bavarian Dill Pretzels, Tavalore Savory Snack Mix, Ahmad Premium Tea, Holland Cheese Biscuits, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Butter Cookies, Belgian Chocolate Seashells and two bottles of Sparkling Apple Cider. Enough to feed any large office or crowd! Each gift is carefully hand crafted with attention to detail, tied with ribbon and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your best wishes. NOTE: During warm weather, we will substitute delicate chocolate and truffles with another high-quality candy item to protect your gift from melting during transit. To determine when your gift will be delivered, please review the "Shipping Rates and Policies" link below:

Feast of Flavor Gourmet Food Gift Basket with Smoked Salmon - X Large - Gourmet Picnic Hamper

Epicurean Feast Grand Gourmet Food Gift Basket with Caviar

For anyone who demands and appreciates the best in life, this impressive gift says it all and is a tribute to your fine taste. Our wicker basket presents an elegant assortment of the finest in gourmet fare from Capelin Caviar, gourmet Lobster Pate, savory Shrimp and Salmon Pate, Los Olivos Wine Bites, White Chocolate Amaretto Cookie, Dark Chocolate filled Cookie, Decadent Chocolate Cookie Bites, Chardonnay Wine Cheese Spread, Cabernet Wine Cheese Spread, rich French Chocolate Truffles, Pimiento Stuffed Olives, Angelina's Sweet Butter Cookies, Sesame Crackers, Black Peppercorn Crackers, and Vanilla Cream Caramels. Each gift is carefully hand crafted with attention to detail, tied with an elegant ribbon and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your best wishes. Copyright Art of Appreciation. NOTE: During warm weather, we will substitute delicate chocolate and truffles with another high-quality candy item to protect your gift from melting during transit. To determine when your gift will be delivered, please review the "Shipping Rates and Policies" link below:

Epicurean Feast Grand Gourmet Food Gift Basket with Caviar

Sweet Birthday

Sweet Birthday Gifts for Girls

By Natalie Aranda

When you are selecting birthday gifts for girls, candy has always been a favorite choice. The idea comes from the old saying that girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. The choice of candy can say something about the girl for whom the gift is intended if you want to add a special touch. The Ce De Candy Company makes a fruit flavored candy called Smarties, and this would be an ideal gift to show the girl that her intelligence or good performance in school is appreciated. Smarties would make an ideal gift idea for a teacher to reward a student’s birthday.

All My Love Chocolate Gift Basket With Teddy Bear - Romantic Gift Basket

Send all your heartfelt hugs and kisses to that very special loved one in your life! Your gift is overflowing with premium chocolate and a soft and cuddly keepsake teddy bear she can cherish forever after the sweets are savored and gone. Indulge her every chocolate fantasy with a premium Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Candy Bar, luscious Lindt Linsor Chocolate Truffles, creamy Chocolate Fudge, Too Good Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies, Raspberry Bonbon Candy, and Heart Sugar Cookies - with each cookie decorated with it's own little heart. Your sweetie will LOVE this great Gift Basket and cherish the adorable teddy bear for years to come. Each gift is carefully hand crafted with attention to every detail, tied with ribbons, adorned with roses and a personalized gift message from you. To determine when your gift will be delivered, please click on the "View Shipping Rates and Policy" link below:

All My Love Chocolate Gift Basket With Teddy Bear - Romantic Gift Basket

The Lindt chocolates date back to 1845 in Zurich, Switzerland. The company began to make solid bars of chocolate which at the time was a new concept in candy production. Today, they offer a wide variety of chocolate treats that would be sure to please the sweet tooth of a young girl.

Another interesting candy choice is the Willy Wonka Candy Company which is a division of the Nestle Company. Willy Wonka Candy was made famous by a pair of motion pictures, and several of the famous candies produced by Willy Wonka were introduced in the movie.

Of course, candy is only one of many choices for a birthday gift for a girl. Often times, a very good idea for a gift even for a young girl is to have flowers delivered on her birthday. The flowers can accompany a more practical gift like a toy or article of clothing that the girl had wanted badly. The flowers and especially the delivery make her feel very “grown up” and special.

It is important to remember that certain years are very special to girls and deserve a bit more recognition than other birthdays. They represent a form of rite of passage to a young girl. One of these is the thirteenth birthday when she is finally a teenager, and another is her sixteenth birthday. Most fathers are not quite sure of just what is so important about a daughters sixteenth birthday, they just know that she is getting way too grown up for their taste. The girls seem to view it as special though, and it is wise to pay a bit more attention to your birthday gifts on this special day. It will make you long for the good old days when she was little and a sweet gift could be one of candy.

Lindt Chocolate Gift Basket

Lindt, master chocolatier since 1845, creates choclate sought after by every chocolate connoisseur in the world. Our imported wooden tray is filled with a collection of Lindt classics, the ultimate combination of sumptuous Swiss Chocolate and delectable fillings, chocolate covered hazelnuts, three Lindt Excellence Bars, boxes of creamy smooth chocolate Lindor Truffles plus Lindt cappuccino florettos. This gift is sure to please all the chocolate lovers on your list. Sinful!

Lindt Chocolate Gift Basket

Natalie aranda writes about family. When you are selecting birthday gifts for girls, candy has always been a favorite choice. The idea comes from the old saying that girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. The Ce De Candy Company makes a fruit flavored candy called Smarties, and this would be an ideal gift to show the girl that her intelligence or good performance in school is appreciated. Smarties would make an ideal gift idea for a teacher to reward a student’s birthday. The Lindt chocolates date back to 1845 in Zurich, Switzerland. The company began to make solid bars of chocolate which at the time was a new concept in candy production

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Lindt Bonanza Chocolate Gift Basket

Sending this chocolate gift is like sending a hug. Everyone loves chocolate. Caution: only send this chocolate gift basket to loved ones with a chocolate habit.

Lindt Bonanza Chocolate Gift Basket

Gift Idea: Belgian Chocolate!

Belgian Chocolate - A Taste That Can't Be Beat!

Picture this on your mind: it is a food that has a circular shell-like shaped object with a diameter of at least one inch; it has shallow grooves around and is about ½ inch thick; it is slightly soft to the touch and may melt if you hold on to it for long and then when you take a bite, a burst of wonderful flavors will fill your mouth. What is it? If you answer Belgian chocolate, you are correct! Belgian chocolates are these handmade bite-sized delectable filled with nuts and cream or dark chocolate that will leave your mouth craving for more.

Even though Belgian chocolates are similar to any other chocolate made from cacao seeds, these are considered to be the gourmet standard for chocolates the world over! Belgian chocolates have been around since Leopold II of Belgium colonized Congo in 1885. Belgians were able to import cocoa beans from cacao trees planted on the rich land of Congo. Leopold II was able to take advantage of the country's cocoa beans supply and ever since Belgian chocolatiers concocted different kinds of tasty treats. However, Belgian chocolates made its mark when a Swiss family from Brussels created the praline in 1912.

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Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Classic General Assortment

Product Description

Leonidas General Assortment...with a well balanced and representative selection of Leonidas' fresh butter creams, sinfully smooth truffles and delectable pralines, there is sure to be something in this assortment to please everybody, and is guaranteed to tantalize even the most discerning palates. Introduce a grateful friend to Leonidas today, or give in to temptation and indulge yourself...Leonidas Famous Belgian Chocolates...a great tradition of quality and freshness, since 1913.

Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Classic General Assortment

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Praline is Belgian chocolate with a shell-like appearance filled with nuts, nougats or creams, coffee, fruit or dark chocolate. It has a taste all its own and most chocoholics can't get enough of them. Some of the most popular chocolatiers based in Belgium since the early 1900s include Leonidas, Neuhaus, Godiva and Nirvana. Praline Belgian chocolates are wrapped in a special packaging called the ballotin. It was made when the first praline was created in 1912 because Belgian chocolates were given as special gifts during that time.

This then became a tradition and until present times praline Belgian chocolates are bought to be given as gifts by locals and tourists alike. Even though a box of praline can be very expensive compared to buying a pound of Swiss chocolates, most chocoholics would prefer biting into a Belgian chocolate just to experience bursts of flavors leaving an exciting taste in their mouths. The praline Belgian chocolate is Belgium's national pride and this is quite evident with the country's tourism. Chocolate companies around Belgium are included in tourist package itineraries where tourists can see how praline Belgian chocolates are made.

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Neuhaus Belgian Chocolates Crême Fraiche

Product Description

The Ballotin was invented by Neuhaus and has proven to be a true classic. A delight to the eye, time and time again. This is the Neuhaus ballotin that includes fresh cream (Crême Fraiche) filled chocolates.

Neuhaus Belgian Chocolates Crême Fraiche: 750 G (1.65 Lbs), 50 Pcs, 30 Flavours

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The best thing about this is that you can get a taste of the praline you will see being hand made by the chocolatiers in each chocolate company you will be visiting. Tasting this handcrafted treats will leave you craving for more. So when in Belgium don't miss visiting the many Belgian chocolate stores in every town and village in this chocolate country. If you think you are a self-proclaimed chocoholic and you haven't tasted a piece of praline Belgian chocolates, then you are really missing a lot. Biting into a Belgian chocolate will be an experience you will never forget because the unique taste of praline will leave you looking for more. Many chocolate lovers around the world visit Belgium just to discover for themselves why Belgian chocolates are being regarded as the gourmet standard for all chocolates around the world. Every chocolatier in Belgium have their own unique taste and style for creating their praline Belgian chocolates. This is the reason why many chocoholics make a round of all the chocolate stores in Belgium.

Colleen Maguire

Writer, Traveler and Chocolate Lover

For More Delicious Chocolate Ideas and Tastes:

http://www.UltimateChocolateShoppe.com

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Nearly One Pound of All Dark Belgian Chocolate Truffles.

Product Description

When shipping to warmer locations, even in winter, please refer to "Shipping Policies". Telluride Truffles were reviewed by Kris Browning, Food editor for the Denver Post as "the best truffles I've tasted". Telluride Truffles are freshly hand-made with high-grade Belgian chocolate, organic Colorado cream and natural flavors or liquers. We leave out all preservatives and waxes that are found in many other chocolates. Triangular in shape in honor of the mountains that surround Telluride, a Colorado town that stands at 10,000 feet. In this box are 7 large triangular shaped truffles in assorted chocolates and flavors each truffle weighing around an ounce each. Packaged in the award-winning triangular black box with red label, and containing 14 truffles in the 5 bittersweet filled flavors: Grand Marnier, Jack Daniels,Raspberry, pure Bittesweet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and our newest addition, Tequila with rock salt on top.

Nearly One Pound of All Dark Belgian Chocolate Truffles.

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