![\"Ashby](\"https:\/\/chocolatebythebay.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/AshbysnacksA.jpg\" "\\"Ashby")
<\/a>Based in Aptos (near Santa Cruz), Ashby Confections<\/a><\/strong> offers truffles and chocolate \u201csnacks.\u201d They have a retail space shared with a patisserie in Aptos, plus several local stores carry part of their line. They also have an online store.<\/p>\n Ashby uses a Grand Cru couverture for their chocolates. Made from criollo beans (the best), this is a delicious choice to start with. They hand-make their candies using fresh, local (as much as possible) ingredients and no preservatives.<\/p>\n We tried some of their snacks and salted caramels. The Monterey Bay Salt Caramels come 5 to a pack for about $11. The clear box with the chocolates lined up on a layer of excelsior and tied with an orange bow makes for a very attractive gift for friends who like assertively salted caramels. We liked the dark chocolate and thought the chewy caramel was just the right texture, but the candies were too salty for us. And we both thought they would taste great with nuts.<\/p>\n Lucky for us, Ashby also makes \u201cTortoises\u201d (over-sized pecan turtles), which were a good combination of fine dark chocolate, chewy caramel and pecans. They also feature Monterey Bay sea salt, but for us at least, it was too much of a good thing. Less salt would make these perfect for us.<\/p>\n We also tried the dark chocolate Rocky Road, but think the balance of the ingredients could use tweaking \u2014 there\u2019s so much chocolate that instead of enrobing the marshmallow and almonds, it\u2019s more like a chocolate bar with ingredients sprinkled on top (probably not a problem for most chocolate lovers). And the marshmallow was so light, it disappeared. We like a chewier pillow with some flavor of its own. And again, the sea salt was more pronounced than enhancing to our tastes.<\/p>\n But these are picky criticisms, the chocolates are delicious; and since Ashby chocolates are handmade, we probably just hit on a batch that was a little heavy on the salt. Next time I\u2019ll select ones with the lightest sprinkle. Because otherwise, I think Ashby Confections is a good find. I look forward to trying their other chocolates.<\/p>\n Lula\u2019s Chocolates<\/a><\/strong> was a find for us last time we visited the area<\/a>. We were happy to discover this time they have their own shop now in Carmel-by-the-Sea, which carries their full line of truffles and other chocolate treats. \u00a0Opened in November 2011, the chocolate boutique is conveniently located across the street from Carmel Plaza (home to the Fountain of Woof in the dog-friendliest town in the U.S.).<\/p>\n Lula\u2019s Chocolates are old-fashioned chocolates: think big, sweet, with heavy shells. We tried their 70% assorted mix which includes caramels, nuts, and creams.<\/p>\n As before, we liked their chocolates with macadamia nuts best. The macadamia caramels had good caramel and a nice amount of nuts. But I think they need to upgrade the chocolate they use for their shells.<\/p>\n If they switched up their chocolate, I\u2019d recommend these for people who like their chocolates on the sweet side, but still want handmade chocolates with healthy ingredients.<\/p>\nPretty gift idea<\/h3>\n
Gift for me<\/h3>\n
Like Grandma used to make<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a>Chocolate detour<\/h2>\n
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