Everyone’s got a foodie friend they’re shopping for this Christmas, and while it’s easy to fall back on kitchen accessories like hip culinary prints or innovative food gadgets, dare to buy them something they can eat—and that they’ll actually be blown away by. Fearless friends of foodies, look no further than Chuao Chocolatier, a So-Cal based artisan chocolatier that mixes its premium chocolate with the most unusual ingredients imaginable.
Chuao (pronounced chew-WOW) is basically the mad scientist of chocolatiers: they consider themselves pioneers of the “fusion chocolate” movement where the element of surprise matters as much as the quality of their fresh, natural ingredients. Take for instance, the irreverent Potato Chip Chocolate Bar, made up of kettle-cooked crisps and gourmet milk chocolate—a playful take on the perfect sweet and salty bite. You see that satisfying flavor profile again in their decadent Maple Bacon Bar—a heavenly pairing that’s amped up with a sprinkle of bonfire-smoked sea salt. We’re not gonna lie—we wouldn’t hesitate to try either one ;)
But now, it’s time to take a walk on the wild side. Check out this Pop Corn Pop Bar—it’s a chocolate bar with pop corn in it, right? Wrong! The treat includes mixed puffed whole grains, toasted corn chips, and popping candy. So basically, it’s like a movie theatre concession stand exploded into a vat of gourmet milk chocolate. Dark chocolate fans, have no fear: the Firecracker Bar mixes popping candy, smoky chipotle, and sea salt with the more bitter cocoa varietal, resulting in an equally wacky treat that’s too strange not to try.
Of course, Chuao has more up its sleeve than pure novelty. With chocolate bars that mix in honeycomb, roasted nuts, or candied orange, those with a more traditional sweet-tooth can enjoy the confections as well. We know we can’t wait to try its dark chocolate Spicy Maya Bar with cinnamon, pasilla chile, and cayenne—it’s Chuao’s signature flavor.
Each chocolate bar—crazy flavored or not—costs $6, which makes them the ultimate stocking stuffer for foodies and chocolate lovers alike. Chuao also sells drinking chocolate, gift baskets, and what might be our favorite item on their site: a box of bonbons with a specially selected drink pairing, including one with craft beer. You can pick up one of these outrageous confections right here at BritHQ in our holiday pop-up shop, Brit + Co SF at 550 Sutter Street in San Francisco! Come visit us from 11AM-9PM everyday starting Wednesday, December 4—Friday, December 20 to shop, make, and be merry!
Would you try any of these crazy candy bars? Or would you gift them to the foodie in your life? What holiday treats will you be giving this holiday? Tell us in the comments below!
