Hey fellow chocolate lover! If you‘re craving something extraordinary, let me introduce you to my latest obsession: Vosges Haut Chocolat. This innovative Chicago-based brand is turning the chocolate world upside down with its wild flavor combinations and luxury ingredients. I recently tried a bunch of Vosges‘ most popular offerings, and I‘m dying to dish all the delicious details.
But first, let‘s start with the basics. Vosges Haut Chocolat was founded in 1998 by Le Cordon Bleu Paris alum Katrina Markoff. Her mission? To create "experiential chocolate" that incorporates the flavors and stories she discovered while traveling the globe. Today, Vosges is one of the most acclaimed chocolatiers in the U.S., with hundreds of specialty shops and high-end retailers carrying the iconic purple truffle boxes.
So what‘s all the hype about? I‘ll give you the full scoop on Vosges‘ exotic collections, surprising ingredients, gift options, and more in this ultimate guide and review. Warning: serious chocolate cravings ahead.
Why Vosges Chocolate Is Unlike Anything You‘ve Tasted
The first thing you need to know about Vosges is that this isn‘t your grandma‘s box of chocolates (no offense, grandma). Katrina and her team craft chocolate experiences that push the boundaries of sweet and savory. While other brands focus on classic flavors like caramel or raspberry, Vosges goes global with ingredients like Indian curry, Chinese star anise, and even bacon. Yep, you read that right.
But it‘s not just weird for weird‘s sake. Vosges puts an incredible amount of care into sourcing the highest quality ingredients from around the world. We‘re talking single origin cacao from Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and beyond, Italian olive oil, Irish whiskey, and Japanese matcha tea, to name a few. The resulting flavor combinations are surprising, yet balanced – kind of like a thrilling first date for your tastebuds.
By The Numbers: Vosges‘ Delicious Success
All those sexy ingredients seem to be paying off big time for Vosges. While the private company doesn‘t share its revenue, a few stats show just how in-demand the brand has become:
- 300% – Vosges‘ annual growth rate in its first 10 years of business
- $30 million – Estimated net worth of founder Katrina Markoff
- 1000+ – Specialty food shops & retailers that carry Vosges worldwide
- 50+ – Number of countries Vosges ships to
- #1 – Ranking on New York Times‘ 2007 list of best chocolates
Clearly, Vosges is doing something very right to stand out in the $130+ billion global chocolate market. Industry experts have taken notice too – Food & Wine called Vosges "perhaps the most creative chocolatier in America" while Forbes praised the brand‘s "entrepreneurial genius."
Vosges Exotic Truffle Collections: A World Tour in Every Bite
If you‘re new to Vosges, the Exotic Truffle Collections are the perfect place to start your flavor adventure. Each luxe purple box contains an array of daring truffles made with international ingredients. And I have to say, the unboxing experience is almost as delightful as the actual tasting.
The OG is the Exotic Truffle Collection, with bestsellers like the sweet-spicy Naga truffle (milk chocolate + coconut + curry) and the smoky Oaxaca truffle (dark chocolate + guajillo & pasilla chillies). I‘m obsessed with the Wink of the Rabbit – a sultry mix of soft caramel, New Mexican pinion pine nuts, and Hawaiian sea salt in 41% cacao milk chocolate.
For spice lovers, the Aztec Truffle Collection brings the heat with truffles like the Red Fire (dark chocolate + cinnamon + ancho & chipotle chillies). If you‘re feeling extra bougie, splurge on the Gatsby Truffle Collection which has Vosges‘ most lavish truffles in a keepsake art deco box. The Olive Oil & Kalamata Olive is shockingly delicious.
Curious how Vosges‘ truffles rank? Here are my top 5 favorites:
| Rank | Name | Collection | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wink of the Rabbit | Exotic | Soft caramel, pine nuts, Hawaiian sea salt, milk chocolate |
| 2 | Naga | Exotic | Curry powder, coconut flakes, milk chocolate |
| 3 | Dubliner & Stout | Emerald Isle | Milk chocolate, Guinness stout, Dubliner cheese |
| 4 | Salty Caramel | Aztec | Dark chocolate, burnt sugar caramel, sea salt |
| 5 | Pearl | Exotic | Dark chocolate, ginger, wasabi, black sesame seeds |
Note: Flavor preferences are subjective, YMMV!
Vosges Chocolate Bars: Creativity In Every Bite
Along with truffles, Vosges has a tasty lineup of chocolate bars with unique global ingredients. One of my go-tos is the Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt Caramel bar, which perfectly balances salty and sweet. For an antioxidant boost, try the Matcha Green Tea & Spirulina dark chocolate bar – don‘t worry, you can barely taste the spirulina!
I also have to shout out the Smoke & Stout Caramel Bar with its toasty notes of Alderwood smoked salt and chocolate stout caramel. Beer in chocolate sounds crazy, but trust me, it works.
Some other popular bars include:
- Coconut Ash & Banana – 72% dark chocolate + coconut ash + Sri Lankan bananas
- Guajillo & Chipotle Chili – Dark chocolate + Mexican guajillo and chipotle peppers
- Golden Milk Chocolate – 50% dark milk chocolate + turmeric + ginger + maca
And for a grown-up take on peanut butter cups, try the Boozy Caramel Marshmallows with a splash of bourbon. I‘m also drooling over the Enchanted Mushroom Collection featuring dark chocolate shrooms with flavors like Thai Coconut Curry and Peanut Butter & Banana.
In short, no matter your ingredient mood, Vosges probably makes a chocolate for that. And boy is it fun to explore all the different flavors.
What Other Chocoholics Are Saying
Of course, I‘m not the only one gushing about Vosges chocolate. Here‘s what a few other customers had to say:
"I got the Exotic Truffle collection as a birthday gift and oh my god I‘m in love! Every piece is an adventure. The Naga is my favorite – that curry coconut combo blew my mind. Worth every penny." – Rachel M.
"I splurged on the Vosges Chocolate of the Month Club for myself and it‘s the best decision I‘ve made. It‘s so fun to look forward to a curated box of fab chocolates each month. The quality and creativity is amazing." – Tiffany D.
"Yes, Vosges is pricey, but you can really taste the difference in every bite. I love all the global influences and how they introduce you to the story behind the chocolate. It feels super fancy and special." – Mike R.
A few people did feel that certain flavors were too experimental or "out there" for their tastes. And the price point is definitely a sticking point for some. But most agreed that Vosges is a worthwhile indulgence for adventurous chocoholics and special occasions.
How Vosges Stacks Up To Other Luxury Chocolate Brands
So how does Vosges chocolate compare to other gourmet players? Glad you asked. Let‘s size up some key competitors:
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Godiva – The OG fancy chocolate brand. While Godiva oozes old world elegance, most of the Belgian chocolatier‘s flavor options are pretty traditional compared to Vosges. If you‘re looking for classic champagne or raspberry truffles, Godiva‘s your gal.
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Lindt – Lindt is known for its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffles at a slightly lower price point than Vosges. They lean on classic flavors like hazelnut and caramel, with a few funkier options like Hot Cocoa or A Touch of Sea Salt thrown in. Yummy but generally tamer than Vosges.
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Compartes – The only real rival to Vosges in the wacky flavor department. LA-based Compartes describes itself as "chocolate for the wild child" and is known for far-out creations like the Avocado Chocolate bar and the Cereal Bowl Chocolate bar with Rice Krispies, Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles. It‘s just as premium and pricey as Vosges.
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Läderach – If you‘re a sucker for Swiss chocolate, Läderach crafts artisanal bark, truffles and pralines in Switzerland. The brand has more classic flavors like the Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle, plus some creative combos like the White Chocolate Blueberry Yogurt bark. Also in the premium price tier.
So in summary, I‘d argue that Vosges still leads the pack in terms of its sheer creativity and breadth of global flavors. But there are some solid options if you‘re in the mood for something a bit more traditional or wallet-friendly.
FAQs About Vosges Haut Chocolat
Before I wrap up, let me answer some of the most common questions about Vosges:
Is Vosges chocolate gluten-free?
While not officially certified gluten-free, Vosges states on its website that its products are made without gluten ingredients. However, they are produced in a facility that also processes wheat, so cross-contamination is possible. Check the ingredients on individual products if you have a severe gluten allergy.
Does Vosges have vegan chocolate options?
Yes! Vosges has a nice variety of vegan-friendly chocolate bars like the Super Dark Banana bar and the Matcha Green Tea Dark Chocolate bar. They also used to offer a "Vegan Collection" truffle box, but it seems to be discontinued at the moment. Let‘s hope they bring it back soon!
How long does Vosges chocolate last?
Vosges recommends enjoying its chocolate within 2 weeks of opening for optimal freshness. You can store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature for up to 6 months. In the fridge, it‘ll last around a year and up to 18 months in the freezer.
What are Vosges‘ shipping policies?
Vosges offers standard ground shipping and expedited options for most orders. Since chocolate is temperature-sensitive, they‘ll pack your goodies with ice during warm weather months. Some good news: ground shipping is free on orders over $150! They also ship to Canada, but it‘ll cost ya (customs fees are the buyer‘s responsibility).
Does Vosges have any special discounts or loyalty programs?
Vosges has a fab loyalty program called "Chocolate Rewards" – basically you earn 1 point for every $1 spent, and 100 points gets you a $10 reward. They‘ll also give you a free gift on your birthday (happy birthdayyy to you!). Keep an eye out for seasonal promos and sales around major chocolate holidays like Valentine‘s Day too.
The Final Verdict: Are Vosges Chocolates Worth It?
Whew, you still with me? I know I just threw a lot of chocolate knowledge at you. But the burning question remains: is Vosges chocolate worth your hard-earned cash?
I‘ll put it this way. If you‘re a chocolate purist who believes the cacao bean is sacred and not to be trifled with…Vosges probably isn‘t for you. Its mad scientist approach to chocolate is undoubtedly polarizing.
Personally though, I‘m firmly in the "heck yes, give me ALL the funky flavors" camp. Tasting Vosges‘ genre-bending creations is a sensory adventure like no other. I love how each unexpected bite transports you to a different corner of the globe. It‘s a deliciously creative departure from the chocolate status quo.
There‘s also something to be said for Vosges‘ obsessive sourcing of top-tier global ingredients – you can really taste the quality. Sure, $9 for a chocolate bar isn‘t pocket change. But like a fine wine or aged cheese, I believe artisanal chocolate is a worthwhile splurge in moderation. It‘s all about savoring the experience.
So if you‘re hungry for a chocolate thrill ride, I highly recommend giving Vosges a spin. Start with the Exotic Truffle Collection and go from there. Grab a few bars for your chocolate-loving besties while you‘re at it (sharing is caring!). And if you really want to treat yourself, go wild with the Chocolate of the Month Club. Your tastebuds will thank you later.
Got a favorite Vosges chocolate I didn‘t mention? Or think I‘m totally off my rocker with these recommendations? Let me know in the comments! I‘m always down to talk chocolate shop. ‘Til next time, sweet friends.
Disclosure: as an affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying Vosges purchases.
