On Sunday, April 22nd, people around the world will be participating in Earth Day activities and celebrations. The events remind us that we must care for our planet, the importance of a sustainable future and to continuously raise awareness and consciousness to protect our environment.
Valentine’s Day is fast arriving and you’re not particularly enthused about getting a reservation at the same restaurant you went to last year… or picking up some flowers on your way home from work, and who can blame you? Thinking along the lines of “maintaining the status quo” and “staying out of the doghouse” isn’t going to lead to a fun and memorable Valentine’s Day – trust us. Our advice? Don’t just survive Valentine’s Day; get that perfect gift for the special someone in your life and earn some brownie points while you’re at it!
It's true...around here we really get into Valentine's Day and really wish everyone could have a sweet chocolate treat. But for those of us who are dog lovers and owners - or have dogs in our lives that we just adore, we know chocolate is definitely not on the list. At TCN we definitely have puppy love (see a photo of my youngest nephew, Bulleit)
Ordinarily when you see the word squash on a chocolate blog, you think uh-oh – that sounds messy. But we are actually talking about the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions January 20th through January 26th in New York City.
People love to send edible delicacies as gifts – there’s nothing like pleasing the palate of a friend or loved one! From the tried-and-true gourmet baskets to the less commonplace (BBQ Sauce of the Month!) more and more people are showing that they care by sending artisan food, craft beer or even local honey to someone’s doorstep. The trend of local ingredients, freshness and the increase of farmers.
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The Chocolate Nation would like to wish you all a Happy and Sweet New Year. We hope your holiday is filled with family, friends and of course, great chocolate!
When it comes to giving yourself a treat, there’s no limit to your choices. There’s vintage wine, craft beer, gourmet cheeses – just to name a few popular delicacies for your pallet. But there’s one indulgence that people of all ages, shapes and sizes can all enjoy: chocolate.
Chocolate is universally loved, but not often given the thought it deserves. Shouldn’t this sweet, small indulgence demand more thoughtful consideration? Are there chocolates besides what you can find in your local market every day of the year? Are there chocolates that aren’t factory made and loaded with preservatives? Yes, yes, and yes. Artisan chocolate is your answer.
What is artisan chocolate? Technically, we think of it as handmade, all-natural, small batch chocolate. But really, it’s much more than that. It’s chocolate that demonstrates that it’s really about quality over quantity, that one small piece of hand-crafted, rich dark chocolate can be more satisfying than a value pack of mass-produced candy. It’s chocolate that balances traditional tastes with a Chocolatiers’ imagination and innovation; the taste makes you think you’re part of something special. It’s chocolate that people will want to know about, talk about and chocolate like nothing you’ve ever tasted; chocolate that is so good it will stimulate your senses even before you eat it!
Where do you find the ideal artisan chocolate? You’re already here! The Chocolate Nation sends the most talented, renowned Chocolatiers’ finest work to your doorstep, delivering memorable treats your whole family can enjoy. It’s fresh, it’s easy, and it’s the highest quality chocolate you can find anywhere in the US. Have a safe and happy holiday, and we’ll see you back at the Chocolate Nation/Dish in 2012!
It's the holidays, time for gathering family, friends and acquaintances. Often we include guests that may not know one another at our party or open house. To lighten things up and to get guests mingling ... we set up a chocolate bar. We put out a selection of different chocolate, labeled with a few tasting notes and let guests have some fun.
Truffles, bars or bark they all work…remember, it's chocolate! Set the chocolate trays near your bar or drink area - and see how your guests pair their chocolate...wine or coffee? Water or cognac? Have fun - your evening is sure to end on a sweet note!
Remember to pick high quality, fine artisan chocolate.
It’s a week before Christmas and Hanukah and all through THE CHOCOLATE NATION… people are looking for last minute gift ideas! It’s not too late to get your order in to give the gift of chocolate to all your loved ones. Last minute Christmas gifts are our specialty; we’ve already put together a special holiday gift-giving page, so the perfect gift is only a few clicks away!
This Holiday season, we’re seeing more and more people looking for the perfect chocolate and as always, our online chocolate store is ready and willing to provide that last minute chocolate delivery. We have gifts to fit every budget, and chocolates to delight everyone on your list. Not sure of what type of chocolate to give? Our gift sets offer a wide range of elegant truffles and delicious chocolates that are guaranteed to please. Look no further than The Chocolate Nation to take care of your chocolate delivery this holiday season.
As summer days start to become a distant memory and the morning chill rolls in – I start thinking of fall and all the traditional events that go with it. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, hay rides and long walks in the woods. Being in a city, those events may not happen quite so frequently (especially those hay rides!) but those memories inspire me…and like so many I look to food for seasonal flavorings.
We love to see what our chocolatiers will find at their local farms and spice markets. We welcome fall with truffles filled with pumpkin ganache, dark chocolate with a touch of chili, white chocolate with a hint of cardamom. And let’s not forget caramel apples, vanilla fudge with caramel pecan…Happy Fall!
As a website that’s dedicated to American made, artisan chocolate, it’s not all that surprising that The Chocolate Nation is all about supporting small chocolatiers that are focused on their local communities. While most famous luxury chocolate brands hail from Europe, there are many great, under-the-radar fine chocolates being produced by small craft makers here in America. Our relative proximity to these chocolatiers means that we are able to get our hands on superior product both from ingredients and a freshness standpoint. And thanks to the internet, The Chocolate Nation is able to deliver fresh chocolate to your doorstep in a matter of days.
Similar to the farm-to-table movement and the growth in farm share co-ops, buying local chocolate is a great way to support local business while getting to enjoy the freshest chocolate possible at the same time. Enjoy seasonal chocolates using in-season fruits or spices, in many cases fresh from your local farm. Sounds like a win-win situation to us!
Over the past couple of years the term “artisan” seems to have permeated the consciousness of America. It’s not hard to go to your local gourmet store or Whole Foods and see the term on many products. Everything from cheese, to body care products and of course, chocolate….”artisan”. This begs the question, “What does this term imply?”
If you check with trusted sources whether it be a dictionary or Wikipedia, the term artisan means a product that is hand crafted using traditional methods, resulting something distinct and of the highest quality. We are realizing and appreciating the art of the craft, the quality of ingredients, as opposed to “mass production”.
At The Chocolate Nation, we search the United States for chocolatiers who embrace these values in their craft. We look for artisans that use the finest and freshest ingredients, no preservatives and who are committed to fair and responsible business practices.
The Chocolate Nation is excited to welcome you to our new blog, The Chocolate Dish, dedicated to celebrating artisan chocolate, fresh seasonal ingredients, and the craftspeople that create our superior chocolate. We plan to use this blog as a forum to educate interested clients and friends about fine chocolates and the criterion we use to identify all of the fantastic chocolatiers found on our website. Look for tips on tasting menus, pairing, entertaining and all sorts of (fun) chocolate information.
One of our goals is to help you make an informed decision about the chocolate you select for tastings, gifts, pairings or just a little indulgence for yourself. We will be devoted to answering your questions…see below:
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