Chocolate. It's one of the most magical culinary creations that has graced the world for centuries.
Thought to be a gift from gods, this delicate bean was once used as currency, made into a drink that was thought to give strength, and determined to have aphrodisiac powers.
Though still thought to have powers in the realm of love, the process of chocolate making has been refined to create a smooth luxury that we cherish and savor in the modern world.
Scientifically, chocolate must be treated with great care, or it could be easily ruined. It's an art that requires diligence and devotion that is rarely admired beyond that minute or two of enjoyment that comes from a bite of a spectacular chocolate.
These chocolatiers in New York City have perfected their craft, and continue to provide us with an ever changing variety of flavor combinations.
1. Jacques Torres Chocolate (various NYC locations)
inquisitive_eating Monday is never this sweet โค๐๐ I still remember walking by the now closed Chelsea market location a couple years ago. By @JacquesTorres #inquisitiveeating #jacquestorres #premium #chocolate #handcrafted #onlyinnyc
Chocolatier Jacques Torres is known as Mr. Chocolate, a titled earned over a long and illustrious career making the best artisan chocolates in New York.
His devotion to chocolate led him to be one of the first chocolatiers in America to make chocolate from bean to bar in a workshop that he built by hand.
We've talked about his chocolate chip cookies before, but his truffles, confections, and hot chocolates are works of chocolate art.
2. Fine & Raw (various NYC locations)
tjareborg true cowgirls eat raw chocolate. paikallista savustetulla suolalla maustettua raakasuklaata, kรคsityรถnรค brooklynistรค. ๐๐ผ #munloma #newyork #brooklyn #fineandraw #rawchocolate #smokedsalt #cowgirl @fineandraw
This chocolate company has innovated the chocolate making process by adapting low heat techniques to maintain the flavor and nutritional value of the raw chocolate.
Created in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Fine & Raw embraces the hipster takeover by labeling their chocolate bars and truffles with pin up girls for their Brooklyn Bonnie Collection.
We'd recommend trying one of their Hazelnut Butter Bars or any of their truffle chunky bar.
3. La Maison du Chocolat (various NYC locations)
uligor When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile โ๏ธ #whatwomenwant @lol_lily @thegudalife
Hailing from France, this chocolate shop arrived in New York City in 1990 with their shop on Madison Avenue.
These truffles have a thin coat of chocolate enrobing a variety of different centers. Their ganaches are some of the richest, smoothest we've ever tasted.
We're basically loving anything from La Maison du Chocolat, but their "Bohema" mousse chocolate enrobed in milk chocolate is a like a "Milky Way Bar" underwent the transformation of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
4. Stick With Me (202A Mott Street)
dr__dee Thanks a lot for the sweet invite & friendly staff you got ! Had fun shooting for @swmsweets This place is a must visit if you're in New York ! What's better than art & chocolate combined ? Their packaging is adorable too ! Highly recommended! ููู ูู ูููููุฑู ุงู ุฌุงููู ููุง ูุงุฒู ูุฑูุญูู ูุงูู ุญู ! ุงูุดููููุงุชู ุญููู ูุฐูุฐู ู ุฑู !! ุนูุฏูู ุฎูุทุงุช ูุงููุงุน ู ุฎุชููู .. ุนูุฏูู ุตูุงุฏูู ุฌู ููุฉ ุฌุฏุง ูู ุญุจูุช ุชูุฏู ุงุญุฏ . ูู + ุดููููุงุชู = @swmsweets ๐๐๐ผ ุทุจุนุง ุญุจุงุช ุงูุดููููุงุชู ุตุบูุฑู ู ุนูููุง ุฏู ุฌ ุงููุงู ุจุทุฑููู ูููู More pics will be added soon ๐ ุจุญุท ุตูุฑ ุงูุซุฑ #ูููููุฑู
This little shop is the perfect place to get some bon bons that look like a work of art and taste even more amazing than they look (yes, it's possibl).
Stick With Me was opened by a former Per Se chocolatier, Susanna Yoon. Her creations are perfect little bites of elegance.
We're digging the "Black Sesame" or the "Vero."
,5. Kee's Chocolates (various NYC locations)
Kee's Chocolates was open in 2002 by Kee Ling Tong, who quit her job to open a flower and chocolate shop.
We'd like to say that her chocolates have definitely reigned supreme over her floral arrangements, though she still has seasonal flowers at her shops.
The ever changing chocolates look to embrace the freshest ingredients to make interesting and delicious combinations.
Try the "Hazelnut Praline," "Thai Chili," or "Yuzu."
6. Mariebelle (484 Broome Street)
Owner Maribel Lieberman began Mariebelle after a time in the fashion industry and catering industry. We're grateful that she decided to make delicious chocolates instead of clothes we couldn't afford.
Her signature chocolates use single-origin chocolate (meaning made from cocoa beans from the same region or area). This brings out the subtle flavors that are imparted by the terroir (environment, soil, weather, etc.).
We're loving her "Running Espresso Bar" or anything from her Signature or Connoisseur Collections.
7. Mast Brothers Chocolate (111 North 3rd Street- Brooklyn)
Though created in Brooklyn, these chocolate bars can be purchased at specialty stores across the world.
Brothers, Rick and Michael Mast, created Mast in 2007.
Their packaging is as whimsical as their interesting chocolate flavors like "Smoke Chocolate," "Sheep Milk Chocolate," or "Olive Oil Chocolate."
8. Li-Lac Chocolates (68 35th Street- Brooklyn)
lilacchocolates Please join us for a.... ๐๐Grand Opening Celebration๐ ๐ at our ๐NEW๐ Bleecker St. Store! -This Saturday, October 3rd @ 12pm/Noon-5pm After the Ribbon Cuttingโ Li-Lac Chocolates will offer 1923 Pricing! Come see what .23 cents can buy 92 years ago! Every delicious item behind our counter will be available at the 1923 price of $0.23 per piece until 5pm! ๐ฒ ๐Balloons๐ & Oompaloompa Characters for kids! Complimentary Chocolate ๐ซ & Wine ๐ทpairings for adults! ๐The First 100 Customers in line can get a $50 1lb. French Assortment for the 1923 Price of $3.59!๐ Experience Li-Lac Chocolates Hand Made, Stubbornly Old Fashioned Chocolate! Manhattan's Oldest Chocolate House - Since 1923! #lilacchocolate #lilacchocolates #nyc #NY #chocolate #bleeckerst #bleecker #grandopening
No list of NYC chocolate shop would be complete without Li-Lac Chocolates. As the oldest chocolate house in Manhattan, Li-Lac definitely has some of the best.
Their small-batch production methods have remained the same for almost 90 years. You can see their chocolates being made at their factory on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While you're visiting, make sure you try their "Salted Caramels, or "Butter Crunch."
Check out 5 Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in NYC. Period.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]