This year’s Taste TV sponsored Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon was a thoroughly enjoyable event. A variety of chocolatiers from throughout the US–including a respectable showing of locals–had products on display and available for sampling. The focus, of course, was on actually tasting the chocolates, truffles, and caramels on offer, but a a definite bonus was being able to talk with the chocolatiers about their craft. Chocolate making is a fascinating process limited only by the skill, imagination and access to raw materials available to the maker. Fortunately for everyone in attendance at the salon, the chocolatiers on hand all seemed to have plenty of each.

With so much great stuff from which to choose, selecting prize winners is surely a true challenge for the judges. I would have liked to give everyone a prize for their great work, but there were some items that stood out as my favorites. Crave Chocolates, of Bozeman, Montana, produces lovely to look at, even lovelier taste artisan truffles in dark, milk and white chocolate, with flavor combinations that enhance the chocolate without overwhelming it. Their Cold Smoke truffle–white chocolate, lime zest and coconut–was a taste of light zesty sweetness like a breath of fresh, citrus-scented air. Posh Chocolat, from Missoula, Montana, had a great selection of chocolates and truffles but it was their artisan sea salt caramels with flavors like coconut-pineapple caramel with Hawaiian pink sea salt, Thai peanut caramel with ginger sea salt, and bacon caramel with Applewood smoked sea salt that impressed me the most.

Speaking of caramels, my absolute favorite single item tasted today was the chipotle caramel from Forte Chocolates, out of Stanwood, Washington. Smoky, sweet, with the precise amount of richness to make them luxurious without being overwhelming, this was one of the best caramels I’ve ever tasted. Owner Karen Neugebaur also offers in-home chocolate classes and tasting parties; check out her web site for details. Oh! Chocolate, with locations in Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Madison Park is also offering chcoolate classes, every Friday at 3 pm through Labor Day at their Madison Park location.

Port Orchard’s Carter’s Chocolates presented what were my favorite truffles of the salon with excellent flavors inspired by wine, tea, liqueurs, beer and fuit and chili. Their chile, crafted using a blend of spices created by Two Snooty Chefs, also from Port Orchard, was a masterful blend of smooth chocolate and fire.