Friday Freebie: Christopher Elbow Chocolate Giveawayfeatured

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates

It’s February, and around these parts, that means it’s Chocolate Month! Every Friday this month, we’ll be giving away a box of some of the tastiest chocolate treats we’ve sought out and discovered, just for you.

First up…beautifully crafted, exquisite chocolates from Christopher Elbow. (What a great name, huh?) Christopher is a true culinary artist, meticulously sculpting his chocolates from small batches of the finest ingredients (like 100% Venezuelan bean chocolate, French lavender, Vietnamese cinnamon, even Moet Champagne), to create jewel-like treats that look as good as they taste.

Woodsy Rosemary Caramel

Christopher’s chocolates have a gorgeous polished sheen to them, and a couverture shell that snaps delicately when you bite into it. Inside, you’ll find intensely, rich ganache, pate de fruit, or molten caramel. The thing that stands out most about Christopher Elbow chocolates though, is how evocative the flavors are.

Fresh Mango: caramel blended with butter and fresh mango

For example, the Fresh Mango transported me immediately to India…under a shady mango tree, with the heady scent of ripe fruit all around me. The warmth of the sun is infused into this fresh mango puree, concentrated into a pure, singular flavor. This golden mango elixir is blended together with caramel and butter, and encased in a glossy saffron colored white chocolate shell that will crackle like an eggshell with a single bite.

Caramel Apple: caramel infused with fresh apple and spices

Meanwhile, a taste of the Caramel Apple, and I found myself at home in New Jersey. The air is crisp outside, the leaves are ablaze in reds and yellows and oranges, and the unmistakable smell of apple pie is permeating from the kitchen. This confection is best enjoyed in one bite, allowing the thin white chocolate exterior to melt into a mingle of buttery caramel, sweet-tart apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Macadamia Praline: caramelized macadamia nuts with
milk chocolate & Hawaiian pink sea salt

Saving the best for last, the Macadamia Praline stunned me silent. Wow. This makes my top 3 favorite chocolates ever (along with Fran’s Smoked Salt Caramels and Bissinger’s Kreta Olive Oil Truffles, in case you were wondering).

Encased in a smooth dark chocolate shell is velvety milk chocolate ganache that has been graced with delightful bits of caramelized macadamia nuts. The nuttiness is subtle, but you get the depth of that wonderful buttery macadamia flavor, punctuated by a hint of sea salt and the texture of the burnt sugar crystals. The Macadamia Praline is a classic, executed to perfection.

Christopher Elbow Chocolates

Do you have a chocolate-fantasy induced smile on your face yet? Here’s your chance to experience Christopher Elbow’s Artisanal Chocolates for yourself. To win this 21-piece box, leave a comment at the end of this post AND send me a picture of something that makes you smile. Send your picture to fridayfreebie@lickmyspoon.com and you’re entered to win.

Giveaway deadline is Tuesday 2/8, 11:59 pm PST. (Contest is open to US residents only. Winner will be selected by random.org.)

From front to back: Mango, Lavendar, Passion Fruit, Balsamic Caramel, Vanilla Cognac

Disclosure: This giveaway was made possible via free sample and giveaway donation by Christopher Elbow.

Update: Congrats to Tara, winner of Lick My Spoon’s Christopher Elbow Giveaway!