The pursuit of excellence in chocolate has long captivated connoisseurs the world over. As far back as Aztec times, cacao was revered as a delicacy fit for nobility.
Today, a new generation of artisanal chocolatiers continues pushing the boundaries of taste, texture, and flavor with their blended creations. This elite community raises the craft of chocolate making to an art form.
In this article, we will take you on a tour of some of the best chocolatiers in the world. We will discover how their exquisite chocolates offer layer upon layer of complex flavor profiles and textural surprises that delight the senses and transport the mind.
Overview of The Best Artisan Chocolate Makers in the World
Many of the world’s great chocolates come from artisan producers who have been making chocolates for generations. The best chocolatiers in the world create fine chocolates from scratch, which results in a high quality product that is unparalleled.
When you buy chocolate online or at your local grocery store, it’s likely made with cocoa powder and vegetable oil instead of real ingredients like pure cacao butter. This results in an inferior product that doesn’t really taste like chocolate at all.
The chocolates you want to try are the ones that come from small chocolatiers because they take great pride in what they create. These chocolatiers spend time perfecting their craft and making sure each chocolate will tantalize your taste buds.
Smaller chocolateries also offer unique flavors of chocolates that you may not be able to find at bigger chocolatiers. Many chocolatiers create their chocolates in small batches, which means that they use the best ingredients and pay close attention to detail when making them. You can also get a better feel for each chocolate by seeing it made right before your eyes while standing in front of the chocolatier.
List of the Top Chocolatiers Globally
If you’re looking for some amazing chocolates, then look no further than these chocolatiers that are known throughout the globe. Whether it’s milk chocolate bars, hot chocolate or chocolate truffles, there is something here for everyone. While some candy brands such as Godiva Chocolatier are focusing increasinlgy on their online business, many artisan chocolatiers are expanding their retail outlets due to demand.
18. andSons, United States
This second generation Beverly Hills chocolatier was founded by two brothers who have a family background in chocolate. Their mother previously ran the first Teuscher concession in the United States.
andSons specialize in ethically sourced chocolate that is beautifully presented. They are known for their innovative flavors such as Caramel Apple Cider and Double Yuzy.
They have a great selection of gift collections such as the Beverly Drive Gift Collection and the special edition Chocolate Monster Box for children.
17. Richart, France
For nearly a century, Richart has been creating some of the most exquisite handmade French chocolates and macarons the world has ever tasted. Founded in 1925 by Joseph Richart, this family-owned chocolatier has become synonymous with sophistication, elegance and luxury.
Each mini gourmet chocolate is handcrafted using only the finest ingredients, expertly blended together to create tantalizing flavor combinations that are truly unrivaled. With its commitment to quality and its unwavering dedication to the art of chocolate making, it’s no wonder that Richart is widely regarded as one of the best chocolatiers in the world.
Whether enjoyed as a decadent treat or given as a gift to someone special, Richart chocolates are always a luxurious treat. We particularly like their Petits Richart filled chocolates which come with a tasting guide – so delicious! Richart deliver to many countries including the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.
16. To’ak Chocolate, Ecuador
Produced like a vintage wine and aged like a whisky, To’ak Chocolate is sourced from the rarest cacao variety on earth. Their Ecuadorian cacao was awarded the Heirloom designation from the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund.
Being tree-to-bar chocolate makers, To’ak works closely with a small group of cacao growers and pays them the highest price per pound in Ecuador. What’s more, To’ak donates 1% of its sales to rainforest conservation foundation Third Millennium Alliance (TMA), and all wood that they use is replenished by planting native hardwood trees.
The packaging itself is a work of art, making To’ak chocolate the perfect luxury Christmas gift. At the heart of each To’ak chocolate bar there is a single-roasted cacao bean, hand-selected by co-founders Carl and Jerry.
15. Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier, Brussels
Awarded best chocolatier in Brussels 2021, Laurent Gerbaud makes amazing hand crafted chocolates at his atelier on Rue Ravenstein. After travelling to Asia, Laurent learnt about sweet treats that were less heavy in sugar content.
He creates fabulous chocolates using unusual ingredients such as Madagascar pepper, Shanghai orange, the Izmir fig and the Taggiascha black olive. What’s more, you can try your hand at chocolate making as we did on a trip to Brussels! You can then take the results home with you.
14. Läderach, Switzerland
This Swiss chocolate manufacturer was established in 1962 by Rudolf Läderach. He patented a process to make thin-walled hollow chocolate truffle balls.
The Läderach ethos is about top quality, from the cocoa bean to the chocolate shop. As well as chocolate pralines and truffles, they also produce Läderach chocolate popcorn.
Today, Läderach is still a family business making some of the best chocolate in the world. They have expanded to shops in the USA, Canada and the UK.
13. Neuhaus, Brussels
The founder of the legendary Neuhaus Chocolate was Jean Neuhaus. He opened a pharmacy in Brussels and covered his medicine with chocolate to make it more palatable for customers.
Since then, Neuhaus has become known for its Belgian pralines. The luxurious Belgian company has made it into several “best” lists and is a Royal Warrant Holder.
Neuhaus has a wide variety of praline ballotins, chocolate bars and assorted sweets that are all made from high quality ingredients. Their cacao is 100% sustainably sourced and their chocolate is made entirely from products of natural origin.
12. Firetree, U.K.
Firetree make great single-estate chocolate bars from rare cocoa beans. Master chocolate maker Martyn O’Dare has created rich volcanic chocolate from remote Oceanic islands, with an unparalleled flavour.
Their chocolate bars are made with the highest quality ingredients and high in cocoa content and antioxidants. The limited edition Innovations Collection by Firetree features five rare varietals. One of our favourites is the gluten-free oat milk.
This vegan-friendly chocolate brand is ideal for all your gifting needs. As well as the new Innovations range, there are luxury gift box selections and Create with Firetree easy melt bags for chocolatiers and home cooks.
Firetree has won six Academy of Chocolate Awards and three Great Taste Awards. Find the entire range at www.firetreechocolate.com.
11. Teuscher, Switzerland
Founded by Dolf Teuscher in the Swiss Alps, Teuscher are considered to be among the top chocolatiers in the world. This is not only because of their amazing Swiss chocolate but also because of their beautiful chocolate box packaging.
Their master chocolatiers make their pralines and truffles fresh daily. These are then shipped to their branches in Geneva, Zurich, Munich, Asia and the Middle East, the USA and Toronto, Canada.
Teuscher chocolatiers are known for their Champagne truffles, made with dark and milk chocolate, Champagne and butter cream. They also have an extensive collection of other Swiss chocolates and jelly fruits.
10. Jacques Torres Chocolate, New York
Jacques Torres Chocolate is a fantastic chocolatier in New York City that has been around since 2000. They offer small batch chocolates with exquisite flavors and quality ingredients to bring you the best chocolate experience possible all within your budget!
Chef Jacques Torres, aka Mr. Chocolate, learnt his craft in Bandol in the South of France where he is originally from. Jacques was awarded the M.O.F. (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) for Pastry at 26 years old. In 2016, he was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
A pioneer of the bean to bar movement, this chocolatier specializes in bonbons, chocolate covered candies and hot chocolate.
9. Confiserie Sprüngli, Switzerland
This Swiss chocolatier has been making delicious chocolates, cakes and desserts since 1836! Established by David Sprüngli on Paradeplatz in Zurich, the iconic chocolate maker still has a store and cafe there today.
These days there are many other Sprüngli stores in Switzerland, as well as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Among the most famous Sprüngli sweet treats are the Luxembergli mini macarons, star-shaped chocolate bars and mini pralines.
Now part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group, they prioritize using Swiss ingredients where possible for minimal carbon impact and also use recycled or recyclale materials where possible.
8. Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Ashland, Oregon
Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger co-founded Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, which makes some of the best chocolate in America. Originally a sparkling winemaker, John used his expertise to produce high-quality chocolates that are rich in flavor. Today, Chris Spirko carries on Robert and John’s legacy.
The chocolatiers at Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker are well known for creating luscious chocolates that taste out of this world. They source the best cacao beans from around the globe to create chocolates with rich flavor profiles, using ingredients you can actually read and understand on their labels.
The chocolate makers at Scharffen Berger only use cacao from Rainforest Alliance Certifiedâ„¢ farms. They are known for their intense baking chocolate and chocolate bars.
7. Norman Love Confections, Fort Myers
Norman Love chocolates are some of the best chocolatiers in the world. Norman and Mary Love have been making chocolates since 2001.
Norman was previously a pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton. This is why Normans’ chocolates are so good!
They have 25 signature chocolates, from Peanut Butter Cup to Sicilian Pistachio and Key Lime Pie. Norman Love Confections are also known for their chocolate bark and chocolate love pops.
6. Vosges Haut-Chocolat, Chicago
Chocolatier Katrina Markoff of Vosges Haut-Chocolat had a vision for her company to be one of the best chocolate makers in the world.
Based in Chicago, the company has some amazing flavors such as Dulce de Leche, Balsamico and I.G.P. Piemonte Hazelnut Praline Bonbons. Vosges chocolates are made in the USA, in a certified organic manufacturing facility functioning on 100% renewable energy.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat packaging is made of 100% post-consumer recycled material for their purple boxes and chocolate bars.
5. Chuao Chocolatier, California
Known for their fair trade chocolate, Chuao (pronounced Chew Wow) are based in Carlsbad, California. They have a famous chocolate shop in San Francisco.
Chuao use European chocolate making techniques to craft fair trade certified chocolate. This artisanal chocolate is free from additives, colorings, fat substitutes, flavorings and artificial preservatives.
Chuao chocolate have some interesting chocolate gifts including “Exploding Coal Mini Bars”, Firecracker Truffles and “Snuggle Up S’mores”.
4. Puccini Bomboni, Amsterdam
Priding themselves on their artisan chocolates, Puccini Bomboni were first established in 1987. Their delicous bonbons use fresh cream and have some unique flavors such as Lemongrass, Tamarind and Golden Amarena Cherry.
Puccini Bomboni chocolates do not contain artificial preservatives. The ethos of Master Chocolatier Sabine van Weldam and co-founder Ans van Soelen is that their bonbons must look as good as they taste.
They have 2 shops in Amsterdam and one in Utrecht. Puccini Bomboni deliver to all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, the USA and Canada and make some of the world’s best chocolate.
3. La Maison du Chocolat, Paris
This French chocolatier is known for making some of the finest chocolate in the world. They have been perfecting the art of chocolate-making since 1977.
Founder Robert Linxe achieved fame for his chocolate ganaches, for which the cream is boiled three times. His successor Nicolas Cloiseau and team of professional chocolatiers blend the finest cocoa to make amazing handmade chocolates in Nanterre near Paris.
La Maison du Chocolat has shops all over the world, from Paris to London and Tokyo and even one in New York City. Along with classic French chocolates like pralines, they also make chocolates covered with fruits or nuts and pastries such as macarons and éclairs.
2. Donnelly Chocolates, Santa Cruz, California
Established in 1988 by Richard Donnelly, this American chocolatier creates amazing chocolates in Santa Cruz, California. These high-quality chocolates are made with love and care by hand every day to ensure they’re as fresh as possible.
Donnelly Chocolates are known for their hand-dipped chocolate ice cream bars, dark cocoa tiles, chocolate-dipped fruit gummies and liquor ganaches. Each chocolate box comes beautifully packaged with a colorful ribbon bow.
Try the Chipotle Dark Chocolate Ganache, flavored with spicy chipotle, the Tequila Patron Gold liquor ball or the always popular Sea Salt Caramel. These small batch artisanal chocolates are a true delight.
1. Pierre Marcolini, Brussels
Pierre Marcolini has shops all over Europe, but they are especially popular in Brussels, Belgium. This is where Pierre began making chocolates and macarons.
Pierre Marcolini’s chocolates are made with only the finest ingredients and are often infused with spices, herbs or other flavors that enhance the chocolates without masking their natural taste. All their cocoa beans are sourced from 8 sustainable plantations.
Pierre Marcolini have won countless international awards including Best Pastry Chef in the World at the World Pastry Stars 2020. He could well be the best chocolatier in the world.
In Conclusion – Best Chocolatiers in the World
The chocolatier has a history that is intricately tied to the evolution of chocolate. The best chocolates in the world will always have one thing in common, and it’s not just an amazing taste – they are all made by hand with care and passion for their craft. In fact, many famous chocolatiers start their careers as chocolatier apprentices, and it can take up to five years before they are even allowed to make chocolates of their own.
Chocolate lovers are sure to enjoy these high quality chocolate brands. Good chocolate is a delicious treat that can also be good for you in moderation!
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The best chocolate in the world is made by the famous Lindt chocolate company from Switzerland… 👌👌👌
We’ve included Confiserie Sprüngli which is part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group.
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There is a small chocolate shop in Canonsburg, PA called Sardis Candies that services the Pittsburgh area. You should give it a try. They make incredible chocolate. It’s a shame those outside of the Pittsburgh area can’t experience it.
CoCoVaa in Madison, WI started entering National and international competitions in 2017 and by 2019 had won a total of 70 Awards, 28 of which were at the International Academy of Chocolate Awards competition for the last two years it was held, where she was awarded the 2018 International Rising Star. She is also one of only 9 6-star Grand Masters in North America in 2018. She should be on everyone’s list for best in the world.
CoCoVaa in Madison, WI. Her chocolate and pastries are transcending and heavenly. Her flavors are unique, bright, imaginative and intense . There is never any question as to what you are tasting. Her Artistry is superb. She started entering National and international competitions in 2017 and by 2019 had won a total of 70 Awards, 28 of which were at the International Academy of Chocolate Awards competition for the last two years it was held, where she was awarded the 2018 International Rising Star. She is also one of only 9 6-star Grand Masters in North America in 2018. I have had chocolate from several of the chocolatiers mentioned on this list. She is better than all of them. She should be on everyone’s list for best in the world.
CoCoVaa in Madison, WI. Her chocolate and pastries are transcending and heavenly. Her flavors are unique, bright, imaginative and intense . There is never any question as to what you are tasting. Her Artistry is superb. She started entering National and international competitions in 2017 and by 2019 had won a total of 70 Awards, 28 of which were at the International Academy of Chocolate Awards competition for the last two years it was held, where she was awarded the 2018 International Rising Star. She is also one of only 9 6-star Grand Masters in North America in 2018. I have had chocolate from several of the chocolatiers mentioned on this list. She is better than all of them. She should be on everyone’s list for best in the world.