If you like chocolate, you might have wondered what the difference was between well-known brands and smaller artisan chocolatiers. Turns out, it's not just about the price! Artisanal chocolatiers are able to hand-select their ingredients, and for several reasons, this turns out a product that is miles different from what you find in the supermarket. We'll explore five reasons why it's worth favouring artisan chocolates.
1. Artisanal chocolate bonbons are unrivalled for flavour
Chocolate bonbons from the supermarket usually last for months and months, while an artisanal bonbon will generally last 2 months maximum. The traditional ingredients used to make the filling of a bonbon – ganache being the most typical – include cream, butter, and sometimes fruit purées or other fresh ingredients. It's impossible to make chocolates with a shelf life of half a year if we want to use these fresh ingredients, which is why the big brands tend to substitute them with oils, powdered milk, and other ingredients that do not have the same flavour. Pay attention the next time you try a commercial truffle compared to an artisan truffle, and you'll notice the difference.
2. Commercial bonbon texture just can't compare
Just as they affect the flavour, fresh ingredients also make a big difference in terms of the texture of the bonbon. Butter, in particular, provides a creamy texture that is very difficult to simulate, with most commercial pralines being oilier due to the use of palm oils and the like. Since the idea of a chocolate bonbon is to contrast the hard shell with the creamy interior, it would be a shame if the interior did not have the texture we are looking for!
3. Artisanal bonbons can be healthier
We won't go so far as to say that chocolate bonbons are a superfood, because it is true that most of them contain a generous dose of sugar and fat. But artisan chocolatiers tend to be much more careful when selecting ingredients, using the highest-quality fruits and nuts and avoiding the use of alternative fats such as palm oil. The relatively short shelf life of an artisan bonbon also makes it possible to reduce the amount of sugar and other preservatives.
4. Commercial chocolate brands usually use less ethical chocolate
We've all heard about chocolate plantations who use child labour, pay their workers a pittance, and provide awful working conditions. Big brands lack a transparent supply chain, and as a result, the vast majority of chocolate sold in the world is produced under seriously unethical conditions.
Luckily, there is a solution that does not involve giving up chocolate. We can opt for bean-to-bar chocolate, produced by smaller manufacturers who work closely with producers in the countries of origin to ensure that they maintain more dignified conditions for their workers and for the environment. We use chocolate couverture from Michel Cluizel, one of the first companies to adopt this policy of to the sourceIn the present day, they are still very involved with the communities where they source their cacao.
5. Originality
Big brands know what people like, and you'll always find popular flavours like almond, hazelnut, orange, or raspberry. But what if you want to go further and discover how lime, cayenne and white chocolate complement each other? Wondering if it's possible to create a horchata-flavored bonbon? In these cases, you will have more luck with an artisan chocolate shop. Like everything artisanal, small chocolate manufacturers seek to incorporate local flavours, giving free rein to their creativity and always striving for combinations that surprise us and teach us to enjoy chocolate in a different way.
How do I know if a chocolate is artisanal?
Not sure how to tell if a chocolate is artisanal? Start by reading the ingredient list. Look for chocolate products that contain cream and butter (or vegan alternatives), and avoid products that contain palm fat, hydrogenated fats, powdered milk, or other substitutes for fresh ingredients. If you still have doubts, we make it easy for you! At Danielle Pacheco Chocolatier all our products are artisanal, including the delicious chocolate bonbons and the white chocolate-covered almonds.