With myriad holiday parties and gatherings to attend this season, one never wants to show up without something in hand for the hosts. When all other gift ideas fail, there’s always chocolate.
From a hand-selected box of See’s Candies all the way up to gourmet confections that will test the boundaries of your bank account … chocolate is suitable for just about any palate.
Unless that person does not like chocolate. In which case, should you even be friends?
1. Philippe Padovani has a way with chocolate. His confections are beautifully crafted with fillings that pop, many in unique tropical fruit flavors. He’s also known for packaging — tiered boxes with magnetic closures, for example, that can be reused as jewelry boxes once the chocolate is savored. Now customized boxes of Padovani Chocolates can be ordered online.
At padovanichocolates.com you can select a box and fill each slot with the flavor of your choice. Nearly 40 choices are available — if you pick the 36-piece tier cube ($153), you can specify 36 different candies, from apple banana to Redbreast Whisky to yuzu caramel.
Pick them up at Padovani’s shop at Dole Cannery, or have them shipped (that 36-piece box would cost $16.58 to ship locally). Prices start at $15 for four pieces in a basic cardboard box.
Yes, they’re pricey, but the quality is undeniable, and through Dec. 8, purchases through the website are discounted 10 percent.
— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser
2. Honolulu Chocolate Company is back … sort of. The Ward Center confectionery closed back in February, much to the dismay of fans of their truffles, chocolate-dipped fruits and other sweets.
Founder Michael Cummins quietly reopened the venture in late August with all the old recipes and some new delights under the name Diamond Head Chocolate Co. a couple of doors down from the old space at the ewa end of Ward Center.
The beautiful shop still changes its displays seasonally though on a smaller scale suited to the smaller space. Select a box of glossy truffles ($3.50 each full size, $2.50 mini) for an impressive hostess gift or pick up a package of milk, dark or white chocolate-covered Oreos for $1 a piece.
Call 593-0363.
— Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser
3. I eat too much chocolate. Yes, I know there are antioxidants and health benefits to chocolate, but still it’s a treat that should be had in moderation. When I’m jonesing for a chocolate fix but can’t justify consuming another bar, I turn to Manoa Chocolate Tea ($10 for a 4-ounce bag).
The loose tea made from the husks of Manoa Chocolate’s roasted cacao beans. That’s it, just husks. It’s not the prettiest tea, but leave it steeping in hot water and you get the aroma and essence of chocolate without any of the guilt.
Manoa Chocolate is at 315 Uluniu St., Suite 203, in Kailua and in the Hyatt Regency, 2424 Kalakaua Ave., in Waikiki.
— Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser
4. My first introduction to Kapuakea Products was when our office was lucky enough to be gifted a basket of the delectable baked goods. From its bestselling lilikoi lemon bars to banana poi bread, you can’t go wrong with any of the goodies.
However for chocolate fans, the moist double chocolate mac nut bread ($11.95) delivers a rich chocolate hit combined with mac nuts and almond flavor.
The bakery only accepts preorders and requires two days’ notice, so plan ahead if you’re buying this as a gift. At this time of year, you can only order over the phone or in person at the bakery.
Call 596-7855 or visit them at 439 Kamani St.
— E. Clarke Reilly, Star-Advertiser
5. Serious chocolate lovers seem to me to fall into one of two camps: the purists and the milk chocolate aficionados. The former are dark chocolate fiends who love their chocolate made with little more than some cocoa butter and a bit of sugar, the better to taste the profiles of fruit or spice or whatever flavors are inherent in the cacao itself. The latter appreciate the artistry of chocolate whipped up into a smooth, delectable confection.
Lonohana Estate Chocolate, my favorite go-to for gift-giving, has navigated the line between both camps in excellent fashion with its Hapalua Dark Milk, made with Hawaii cacao. The depth of the prominent dark chocolate is rounded out beautifully with organic cocoa butter and organic whole milk powder for a full-bodied creaminess that coats the tongue in a most luxurious fashion.
Find it for $14 at Lonohana’s shop in Salt at Our Kaka‘ako, 691 Auahi St. Call 286-8531.
— Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. The information presented represents the authors’ opinions and experiences; your results may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
