Chocolate is arguably the New World's greatest culinary gift to mankind. Today, this ancient foodstuff is in the midst of a great renaissance, inspiring in-depth culinary and scholarly research, as well as exquisite artisanal creations. A quest for the finest, purest, and best has become an obsession for chocolate lovers! Gone are the days when mere mundane chocolate candy would suffice; now, single-bean chocolates, bars of exotically flavored organic chocolates, luxurious baked goods, hand-dipped truffles, and elegant molded bonbons are all the rage. Though the most famous new American chocolates are currently being produced in the cooler climes on the East and West coasts, Austin and Central Texas could just be a new chocolate destination. Claudia Alarcón investigated the exclusive Venezuelan company Chocolates El Rey that chose to locate its American offices in Fredericksburg, while MM Pack and I visited with Miles Compton, Rick Bristow, and Tom Pedersen, learning what attracted the three Austin entrepreneurs to the chocolate business and sampling their distinctive individual products. We've also got the scoop on new books on chocolate just in time for Valentine's Day – the perfect opportunity to indulge in your own personal chocolate obsession.
