See, Why Care ??? - See the world through Forwarded Email: January 2007

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Knipschildt

Chocopologie by Knipschildt

Cost : $2,600 per pound*
€2,173
£1,491
Can$2,992
Aus$3,500
Rs114,816
Where: Norwalk, Conn.
Web site: www.knipschildt.com

Knipschildt Chocolatier was founded in 1999 by Fritz Knipschildt, who got his culinary education as a chef in Denmark. The most-expensive chocolate he sells--a $250 dark chocolate truffle with a French black truffle inside--is available on a preorder-only basis. It's made of 70% Valrhona cacao, which is blended into a creamy ganache with truffle oil. The truffle is then hand-rolled with a dark truffle on the inside and dusted with cocoa powder.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Noka

Noka Vintages Collection

Cost: $854 per pound
€714
£490
Can$982
Aus$1,149
Rs37,712
Where: Dallas, Tex.
Web site: www.nokachocolate.com

Noka chocolate is a compilation of the finest dark chocolates, sourced from select plantations in Venezuela, Trinidad, Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador. The Vintages Collection of chocolate is 75% pure, single-origin cacao, with other ingredients that include cacao butter and sugar. Noka does not use any type of emulsifier, such as soy lecithin, in their chocolate-making process, nor do they add vanilla.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Delafee

Delafee

Cost: $508 per pound
€425
£291
Can$584
Aus$684
Rs22,433
Where: Neuchatel, Switzerland
Web site: www.delafee.com

For those who enjoy a sparkle in their chocolate, there's Delafee. The chocolate is prepared with fine cocoa beans and flakes of edible 24-karat gold applied by hand to each praline. Other ingredients include sugar, coconut oil, cocoa butter, milk powder and vanilla.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Godiva

Godiva "G" Collection

Cost: $120 per pound
€100
£69
Can$140
Aus$161
Rs5,299
Where: New York, N.Y.
Web site: www.godiva.com

The well-known chocolatier, which originated in Belgium, recently introduced the "G" Collection of chocolates, which are made with various ingredients and flavors, such as Palet d'Or, Tasmanian Honey and Mexican Hot Chocolate. Each chocolate is comprised of premium cocoa beans and other ingredients that are dependent on each type of bonbon.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Richart

Richart

Cost: $120 per pound
€100
£69
Can$140
Aus$161
Rs5,299 Rupees
Where: Lyons, France
Web site: www.richart-chocolates.com

Richart chocolate is made from 70% Criollo cocoa from Venezuela--considered the best cocoa in the world. It has a mild-but-full flavor and is only paired with the finest ingredients, such as almonds, raspberries and exotic spices. The cocoa used in each chocolate is finely ground to ensure a smooth taste.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Pierre Marcolini

Pierre Marcolini

Cost: $102.50 per pound
€86
£59
Can$118
Aus$138
Rs4,526
Where: Brussels, Belgium
Web site: www.marcolinichocolatier.com

Pierre Marcolini truffles are made from the finest cacao beans with ingredients varying with each truffle. One example is the Truffle Bresilienne, which has a Caraibe (a 66% blend of beans from Ghana and Venezuela) ganache center with a Gianduja almond praline with milk-chocolate outside and is finished with caramelized almonds.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Debauve & Gallais

Debauve & Gallais

Cost: $94 per pound
€79
£59
Can$108
Aus$127
Rs4,151
Where: Paris, France
Web site: www.debauveandgallais.com

Debauve & Gallais has a tradition of making chocolates that are low in sugar and high in fine-quality cocoa. They do not use soy lecithin or any type of emulsifier in their chocolate. Other ingredients include Piedmont hazelnuts, Perigord nuts, Turkish raisins, Spanish almonds, Turin chestnuts and Antilles rum. There are no dyes, preservatives or other additives permitted in Debauve & Gallais chocolate.

Most Expensive Chocolates

n i d o k i d o s
© Chuao

Chuao

Cost: $79 per pound
€66
£45
Can$90
Aus$106
Rs3,488
Where: Encinitas, Calif.
Web site: www.chuaochocolatier.com

Chuao Chocolatier, named after the cacao-producing region of Chuao, Venezuela, uses European techniques to make their Venezuelan chocolate. Only fresh ingredients are used, and absolutely no preservatives are allowed in these handmade chocolates.

Most Expensive Chocolates

Richard Donnelly

Cost: $75 per pound
€63
£43
Can$86
Aus$100
Rs3,312
Where: Santa Cruz, Calif.
Web site: www.donnellychocolates.com

Richard Donnelly started making chocolate in 1988 after studying with master chocolatiers in Paris and Brussels. His chocolates are made by hand from the finest French and Belgian couvertures. He focuses on creating simple, sophisticated flavors and, after Valentine's Day, will begin creating chocolate flavors based on the best-selling chocolate bars in the U.S.

Most Expensive Chocolates

Vosges Haut Chocolat

Cost: $69 per pound
€58
£40
Can$79
Aus$93
Rs3,047
Where: Chicago, Ill.
Web site: www.vosgeschocolate.com

Vosge has several signature flavors, including Naga, milk chocolate with Sweet Indian Curry and coconut, Black Pearl, dark chocolate with ginger and wasabi, and Red Fire, made with ancho and Chipotle chili, cinnamon and dark chocolate. There are also flavors like Finnochio, which is made with wild fennel pollen and dark chocolate, and Balsamico, which includes dark chocolate, a ten-year aged modena balsamic vinegar and Sicilian hazelnuts.

Most Expensive Chocolates

La Maison du Chocolat

Cost: $65 per pound
€54
£37
Can$75
Aus$87
Rs2,870
Where: Paris, France
Web site: www.lamaisonduchocolat.com

La Maison du Chocolat uses blended chocolate, made by Valrhona, to make their couvertures. They prefer to use Criollo cacao beans, while all of their chocolate is made exclusively with cocoa butter.

Most Expensive Chocolates