HEIDEL

Founded in 1976, Heidel is a popular chocolatier, manufacturing a range of traditional treats and confections that are sold across Germany and available internationally. The company’s famous Dark Selection (an assortment of dark chocolate tablet bars presented in a tin container) and Fine Gold bars (milk chocolate wrapped to resemble gold bars) are highly sought after and enjoyed widely. The brand is particularly known for their beautifully decorated, traditional seasonal chocolates, especially their easter eggs and Christmas candies which are often exchanged as gifts. The company is part of the larger Windel Group, which includes a number of popular chocolate and coffee marques.

MAJANI

Italy’s oldest chocolatier, Majani produces masterful delicacies to please every sweet tooth. The Bolognese brand has been going strong since it first opened in 1796 and can now be found at retailers and boutiques across the world. It’s most popular, the layered Cremino, is particularly sought after as an indulgent creamy treat. No visit to Bologna would be complete without stopping by their historic shop where the rich aroma will invite you in.

BUTLERS

Ireland’s most famous chocolatier, Butlers has been producing Dublin Society’s favourite chocolate confections since Marion Butler founded the business that now bares her name. Successfully having established branches across the world, Butlers is a go-to café (their hot chocolate is legendary) in addition to being a widely popular manufacturer of gift-boxed chocolates for any occasion. For the more enthusiastic choclateers, Butlers also host visits to their Dublin factory.

CHARBONNEL ET WALKER: THE ULTIMATE TRUFFLES FROM A CELEBRATED CHOCOLATIER

Charbonnel et Walker is a British luxury chocolatier founded in 1875. It is the oldest luxury chocolatier in the United Kingdom and is known for its high-quality, handcrafted chocolates. Charbonnel traces its illustrious history back to a partnership between a Mr Walker of London and a Mme Charbonnel of Paris. Mme Charbonnel trained at the famous Maison Boissier before establishing her business in London where her fine chocolates quickly became popular with British society, ultimately attaining a Royal Warrant as purveyors to HM Queen Elizabeth II. The firm’s standing has remained to this day and they are still highly regarded for their delicious chocolate truffles including such classics as Marc de Champagne and lavender creams.

LUXURY CHOCOLATE & CHOCOLATIER BRANDS

Few things in this world are as universally loved and as guaranteed to bring pleasure as the consumption of chocolate. The health benefits may be questionable, but certainly it is known that chocolate can trigger the release of endorphins resulting in a feeling of happiness and elation. Long enjoyed by ancient Inca and Aztec cultures in South and Central America, Europeans developed a ferocious appetite for chocolate and a proliferation of chocolatiers were established across Europe and further afield.