Cocoa Chai Chocolates - the pink sparkle-dusted chocolate in the front is the beloved Liquid Gold Truffle (the fav by far). The polka-dotted truffle in the back is the cinnamon-habanero chili. In the center row, from left to right: Indian mango, brown butter, and the Grand Marnier.

Chocolates are like fine wine in (at least) one respect: the artisan shops tend to rule. Why? Because, like terroir, the personnalité of the artisan vintner/chef/chocolatier shines through like sunlight through stained glass – truly, a thing of beauty.

While Seastar’s truffles certainly rock the palate, there’s something to be said from making chocolates in your own home.

Just ask Ivy Chan, Artisan Chocolatier of Cocoa Chai Chocolates. Her love affair with Europe, when combined with her self-proclaimed fetish for the beauty of ordered, repetitive patterns, it’s no wonder Ivy became a chocolatier.

“I think there’s nothing more beautiful than sheets and sheets of chocolates, all displayed one by one in rows,” admits Ivy Chan.

Think edible art, dear hedonists. Her company’s tag line is “Each piece is a serving of paradise.”

Ivy travels the world in search of the perfect ingredients with which to make her latest creations; she makes her chocolate goodies – from chocolates to confections to hot cocoa mix – in her Queen Anne home … and her personality really comes out in each and every one of them. Here are some tasting notes of a few (but by no means all) of her latest creations, which Ivy treated your Hedonista to during a visit to Ivy’s home (some were also bought for the road ):

Her cinnamon-habanero chili chocolates – topped with warm-colored polka dots – layers the smooth dark chocolate with a spicy-bite-finish. The brown butter dark chocolate truffles are smooth and oh-so buttery. The fresh Indian mango chocolate truffles have a natural mango fruit taste that pairs well with the dark chocolate. The music notes-laden Grand Marnier dark chocolate truffle melts in the mouth.

But, by far, the best selling – and simply the best  – truffle in Ivy’s coveted stash is her Liquid Gold Truffle: a dark chocolate truffle filled with a liquid fleur de sel caramel filling. Think liquid sea foam/honey comb, here. Hands down her greatest work of art – order an entire box and you’d want for nothing in the chocolate department (at least until you emptied the box, that is).

Ivy began her passionate pursuit in 2004, when she opened L’Atelier de Chocolat - her chocolate-making classes and workshops business.

Ivy’s clients run the full range, from corporate clients to chocoholic chums.

So step on up and go cuckoo for Cocoa Chai Chocolates.

Enjoy a Liquid Gold Truffle … or a box full.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.