I have become something of a chocolate snob since moving to San Francisco. There are just so many great chocolate shops in this city that I can no longer be satisfied with your basic Hershey’s bar. I want exotic. I want delicious. I want more.

As a result, I was intrigued when I learned about Chocolatique, a California-based chocolate business that’s been around since 2003. The goal of this company is to merge American and French chocolate-making techniques to create a new kind of chocolate that is high-class but distinctly American.

I have to admit that my first sample of the good from this business didn’t leave a sweet taste in my mouth. I tried out the company’s darkest chocolates because I tend to really be a dark chocolate kind of gal. However, it turns out that what I consider dark isn’t nearly as dark as what a true chocolate aficionado will love. The dark chocolate was just too dark for me.

Nevertheless, I could tell that the quality of these chocolates was high so even though I wasn’t in love with the chocolate I’d tried, I was drawn to try more of what Choclatique had to offer. I got a sampler box of delicious Chocolate Boutique chocolates. Not only did these ones taste totally unique and delicious but they were also beautiful to look at. Now this is the kind of chocolate that I’ve become accustomed to and this is the kind of stuff that I want!

Tags: california chocolate, choclatique, chocolate, recommendations

I remember reading teen magazines when I was a tween (although the word tween hadn’t been invented yet) and being warned by them not to eat chocolate as I got older because it was going to be bad for my skin. I didn’t really listen to that advice much because I happen to love chocolate.

I used to love all different kinds of chocolate. I loved Hershey’s bars and Milky Ways and Kit Kats. I still kind of love Kit Kats but my chocolate tastes have changed since moving to San Francisco. There are so many great San Francisco chocolate shops where you can get such high-quality delicious chocolate that I have to admit I’m no longer much of the fan of the Hershey bar.

Although I was warned away from chocolate by those teen magazines, everything I’ve read as an adult suggests that chocolate is healthy for you if you eat it in moderation and you eat the right kinds (typically dark chocolate which is fine with me). Chocolate is reported to possibly be good for circulation, brain stimulation and prevention of cough among other things.

And you know what? Chocolate makes me feel good. I start every morning with a tiny bite of something sweet – a few chocolate chips or a bite of chocolate chip cookie dough. For me, this symbolizes that the day has started off right and no matter what else happens, I’ve had those few moments of pure indulgence. I think that makes chocolate a healthy thing in my life!

Tags: chocolate, hot chocolate, kathryn vercillo, San Francisco, san francisco is sexy, sexy chocolate