AIBU to ask for your recommendations for best chocolates available in UK.

[LadyMacbethWasFierce]

I have recently had a huge life changing bereavement (loss of my daughter - I have posted about this on other threads).

The point of this thread is something quite superficial. I have barely eaten for 3 months and have lost lots of weight.

I never had much of a sweet tooth, but think I might fancy some really delicious chocolates and my wonderful friend has offered to buy me some and, on this occasion, cost is not really material.

I like milk and dark chocolate (not white), cream and truffle and ganache. I quite like a crispy coating. And fruit flavours. Do not want alcohol in them. So no champagne truffles. I like peppermint. And marzipan. And coconut. I like nuts ordinarily, but am struggling to swallow food (only eating soup) so probably best to avoid nuts at the moment.

I once had some Leonidas chocolates that I liked. My friend suggested Godiva or Audreys. Neither of us have ever had those.

Can anyone help me please with a suggestion for some really lovely chocolates that are readily available for the UK and that might restore a bit of my appetite.

Thank you in advance.

I love beetobean chocolates - https://www.beetobean.uk/home and always buy them for special occasions. However the owner trained with Ruth Hinks of Cocoablack in Peebles - I'm sure hers are spectacular too. Once retired I'm going on one of her chocolate making classes - they look great!

For completeness - Ruth Hinks is a master chocolatier who does chocolate and patisserie classes, and sells my mail order. www.cocoablack.com/product-category/boxed-chocolates/milk-chocolates/

Bee2bean chocolates

It's not just you, I wasn't impressed either.

Nothing special, ludicrously expensive, postage a rip off, stupidly long ingredients list including palm oil, the use by date was a year away so seemed nothing like the 'lovely fresh chocolate' that they present themselves as. Felt a bit conned to be honest.

My deep and sincere condolences

My favourite brand is charbonel et walker for their truffles. The hazelnut creams with gold leaf are amazing

Russell and atwell online - beautiful !

so very sorry that you have lost your daughter. Life can be so very unfair x

If you live in the Southwest, your choice is easy. Hobbs Chocolatiers are Plymouth based, Swiss trained, and are the chocolates that are sold in the House of Lords. They are exquisite visually too.

By your description you absolutely must try Lauden chocolates, I think they’d fit the bill very well and they are beautiful looking too. So sorry for your loss 🌺

https://www.marksandspencer.com/food/vegan-cocoa-dusted-truffles/p/fdp60482304

Thank you all so much.

My darling daughter had a sweet tooth. I didn’t used to. But I seem to have inherited it now! I have still not decided what to order. But am a tiny bit motivated to at least do something.

The Fortnum and Mason selection box is a contender. But I feel I should push myself and choose a selection! Kennedys looks good. But lots of others to consider too.

Thanks to everyone for your kindness. And especially to @24Dogcuddler and @outofofficeagain who have trodden a similar path to my own.

I really cannot eat much at all at the moment (cant seem to swallow solid food) and whilst chocolate is not a substitute for a properly balanced diet my friend did think it might introduce a tiny bit of pleasure.

Oh those Lauden ones look beautiful.

Your friend is very wise.

I think it’s lovely that you are paying tribute to your daughter and her sweet tooth by choosing some chocolates. I am so sorry for your profound loss.

You can’t get better than Jeff de Bruges. Be warned: they will ruin all other chocolates for you, for ever.

Oh @Papyrophile - have you tried the Hobbs chocolates? They are very close to me and I’m ashamed to say I’ve never heard of them.

Kreuzberg chocolates are a small chocolate business. I was given a selection box as a present and it was the best I have ever had. Every single one utterly delicious and such interesting and creative flavours. Made with really high quality ingredients, and a small business too. A couple in my box did have alcohol, so maybe enquire about an alcohol free box. But believe me, I have eaten alot of chocolates and these are really standout. Each one is like a whole experience xx

https://www.chococo.co.uk/non-alcoholic-selection-box-medium.html?gl=11g70aiq_upMQ..gsMQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt6GyiSQkgMVrYBQBh3gfgy6EAAYASAAEgL8pfD_BwE

Try these, made in Swanage and alcohol free. They hand pick the boxes, so I'm sure you could specify no white chocolates.

The cognac truffle logs are amazing from Friars. A Christmas staple for me.

neuhaus do very expensive praline based chocolates. They have shops in Harrogate, Chester, Bath and London where you can build your own box to suit or buy boxes from John Lewis.

Sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. Everything must be overwhelming right now.

I'd say Kennedy's chocolates are the best, better than Audrey"s. You can pick your own selection, so get exactly what you like. They deliver.

I hope you find something you like.

I’m so sorry for your loss!!
I have had some from here before

https://www.wickedtemper.co.uk

very delicious! :)

Laderach are gorgeous, lots of great flavours. Neuhaus is another high quality option.

i hope you find something that gives you a little bit of joy and helps you through.

My favourite is Hotel Chocolat, particularly the little gingerbread men

im munching my way through a box of these at the moment

I did a chocolate tasting tour in London. The only place I remember (possibly because it was one of my favourites) is Prestat. I really love good chocolate but it’s very hard to find these days.

Before I went vegan, I always loved Thorntons Continentals. They are local to me. Not sure how they are perceived nationally.

Neuhaus, Venchi or Laderach. They are a cut above Leonidas.

I’ve never tried Audrey’s so can’t comment on those.