Champagne Truffles

The first solid chocolate bar is believed to have been produced and put on sale in 1847 by Fry & Sons of Bristol, England. It was in 1875 that a Swiss manufacturer, Daniel Peters, discovered how to blend chocolate with powdered milk. He came up with the world's first milk chocolate, the precursor to the several dainty and delicious varieties that we relish now.

There is a mind boggling array of chocolates available today. There are so many fine varieties that it becomes very difficult to make up your mind as to what to buy and what not to buy. Making a very broad classification in chocolates, they can be differentiated as non alcoholic chocolates and alcoholic chocolates. The main varieties of non alcoholic chocolates are chocolate fudge and toffee, chocolate fruit truffles and other assorted varieties like marzipan and other unusual combinations like ginger, apricot, strawberry, passion fruit and the like. When it comes to alcoholic chocolates there are basically three broad varieties - champagne chocolates, liqueur creams and liqueur marzipan.

Champagne truffles are in a class of their own. These chocolates are a luxurious combination of finest champagne like Marc de Champagne and milk chocolate. The most popular shape for truffles is the heart. A lot of attention is paid to details in the making of champagne truffles. The quality of champagne, the quantity to be used for each truffle, the thickness of the milk chocolate encasing- all these factors have an effect on how the champagne truffle will taste. The ratio of chocolate and champagne has to be just perfect to achieve the right flavor that will taste right.

Mostly handmade, chocolate truffles are available in exclusive outlets. Because they are handmade, these chocolates can be made to order with specific instructions about outward appearances. Special care also goes into packing them attractively. This makes them an ideal unique gift. All these features contribute to the pricing of champagne truffles, making them pretty expensive - but an excellent luxury gift.