*crispy waffle*

Slate has ratings of the "tastiest" chocolates (quotations are mine) you can get by mail. Don't listen to any of it. Since the Holland stint, I have become the biggest chocolate snob in America. (Yes it's true, even more of a chocolate snob than either a waffle or french-fries snob. The french fry snobbery I will get to in another post). I usually really like Slate's Shopping column, with the exceptions, of course, being their coffee-maker article and their vacuum-cleaner article. (Many know about my obsessions with my Francis X5, (which I've nicknamed "Francis"-- what else?) even though I've gotten lazy and use a regular ol' Krups nowadays, and my newer obsession with our Miele vacuum cleaner, which cost more than anybody should ever spend on a vacuum-cleaner, ugh. But I love it! And I'm getting away from the subject here.)
Anyway, I think Puccini Bomboni in Amsterdam ruined me, ruined me! for regular chocolates. It's the combination of super, super dark (i.e. at least 70% cacao content) chocolate and super-strong, unusual flavors, the best of which are fig-marzipan, tea, lemongrass, tamarind, and last but not least, pepper. We also had a Den Haag based chocolatier called Westerbroek, which had the best damn hazelnut chocolate anywhere. Unfortunately, Puccini does not mail-order, so Kyle, Tricia and I are incredibly depressed whenever we imagine pepper chocolate and fig-marzipan bonbons. How sad!

As far as the Slate article goes, avoid pretty much everything on the list, with the exception of La Maison du Chocolat, the French company. They actually have stores in NYC, and are highly regarded. Some chocolate-crazies that I know prefer Maison's best of all, so even though I didn't get to try them while in Paris (even more expensive than Puccini, so I couldn't do it!) I trust that they truly are some of the best out there. Avoid Leonidas, the Belgian company on Slate's list: totally mediocre. A Belgian company I really like just for regular chocolate bars is Galler. They also have bonbons with flavors like curry, but I did not get to try them. Actually, now that I think of it, for regular chocolate bars and for baking, one of my favorites happens to be Scharffen-Berger, which is an American company! So that gives me hope: maybe I will come upon the ultimate American bonbon one of these days.

Speaking of bonbons in America, when we got back to Seattle last year, one of the first things I did was check out Fran's. It is sometimes regarded as the best chocolate in America. I'm gonna go old school here-- Don't believe the hype! It was totally overpriced, and to me, tasted like the commonest Belgian chocolate this side of Bruges. Not only that, it was too sweet-- one of the typical crimes of American chocolate. It is $45 per pound! Compare that to Puccini's 40 euros per kilo, and you'll understand why I think Fran's is overpriced. The only worthwhile bonbon was the salt caramel, but it's still not worth the cost.

Anyway, I can't write about this anymore, it's too depressing! Soon I will have to have a Holland-based friend send us some chocolates when this withdrawal becomes too unbearable. It'll be totally worth the shipping cost! Better yet, anyone going to Amsterdam soon?? :)

Puccini's Staalstraat location. Staalstraat is one of the cutest little streets in Amsterdam, and this shop has a tasty sandwich shop next door (also named Puccini). (sigh... I can see the tamarind flavor right there in the forefront...)

Labels: travel

posted by sheryl | 9:33 PM |

Love them Love them....I bring them home and watch the expression on others faces when they taste a Puccini for the first time. Truely a halmark moment!!!!
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Anonymous 2/1/06 9:23 PM

I am so crazy about them....tht i have started a community on orkut named Puccini Bomboni... so all the die hard fans can join in.....
i happen to have accidentaly walked across the shop,so lucky was i to discover Puccini... now i can ask my cousin to ge me some..every time she visits me......hmmmmmm Puccini
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Sunayana 2/28/07 2:47 PM

I will never forget my first taste of Puccini chocolate truffles. i had that moment when chocolate is better than sex...
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Anonymous 3/2/07 5:34 AM

I was very dissapointed with my Puccini powdered chocolate for milkshakes and hot chocolates. I bought it on my last day in the Dam so by the time I got to use it I was back home. The Sales Assistant assured me I could add cold milk to it but I have tried this (by liquidizing it and by turning it into a paste) but it continually seperates from the milk and we are left with a sloppy powdery layer on top with milk underneath. Urgh!
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Anonymous 7/10/07 11:48 AM

Yes, Puccini is one of THE greatest, together with Marcolini in Brussels, Hermé in Paris, and the little Dumon in Brugges. Great article!
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Anonymous 9/23/07 8:59 AM

A friend bought me a box of these chocolates back from Amsterdam this week. Is it possible to become addicted to Puccini after eating your first one? I think it may well have just happened to me.
I wish I could buy them here in London, because from now on, no other chocolate will do. Nothing comes close. They're delicious

Viva Puccini!!!
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Anonymous 10/4/07 11:42 PM