Handmade Fleurir Chocolates
The name of this Hartfield, VA chocolatier, Fleurir, literally means “to bloom.” And there’s no doubt a craving for these tiny artisan chocolates will sprout after just one bite.
Twenty-five-year-old Robert Ludlow started the business in April with his 23-year-old fiancee, Ashley Hubbard. Ludlow, who earned a grand diplome from Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Australia, uses fresh cream and butter in these handmade chocolates that come in such intriguing flavors as Coconut Lime, Carrot Cake, and Lavender Shiraz.
The couple recently sent me a sample to try. A 4-piece box is $8, a 9-piece is $18, and a 25-piece one is $48. The chocolates are available at select locations in the Washington, DC-area or on the chocolate company’s Web site.
So, how do they taste?
I’ll use my patented scale of 1 to 10 lip-smackers, with 1 being the “Bleh, save your money” far end of the spectrum; 5 being the “I’m not sure I’d buy it, but if it was just there, I might nibble some” middle-of-the-road response; and 10 being the “My gawd, I could die now and never be happier, because this is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth” supreme ranking.
Fleurir Hand Grown Chocolates: The first thing you’ll notice with these bonbons is how nicely thin the outer shell is. They give way easily to an utterly smooth interior that is as silky as mousse and melts on your tongue like butter. The flavors are all clean and intense.
The Ginger Rogers is studded with tiny bits of candied ginger and gets an even fresher kick with a bit of mint. The Almond Amaretto will have almond paste lovers smiling. Amaretto-laced ganache is topped with a thin layer of smooth, sweet marzipan. The Grand Marnier Orange Blossom tastes like candied orange rind. Lavender Shiraz has real complexity with deep berry flavors and a subtle floral hint. It’s a wine lover’s delight. The Raspberry one will make you think you’re eating a bowl of fresh berries with milk chocolate sauce drizzled over it all. If I had to pick only one favorite, though, the nod would go to the Sesame Hazelnut. It’s like Nutella with a lot more nuance and oomph. It’s rich, very nutty, and just fills your entire mouth with the taste of toasted hazelnuts and sesame. Wow! Rating: 10 lip-smackers.
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Tuesday, 29. December 2009 5:56
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Tuesday, 29. December 2009 6:50
These are really gorgeous. I’m a sucker for good truffles. The name is interesting because blooming is usually a negative thing in chocolate making.
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 9:09
These look insanely cute! Great work!
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 9:21
Stunning work of art…oh the pleasure of sinking my teeth into one of those
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 9:22
These are so beautiful! I’d love to try them, especially the almons amaretto.
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 9:49
Wow, a 10?! It definitely looks like a 10. How do you think they compare to some local varieties like Rechiutti and Charles Chocolates? While I like their designs, I do feel Virginia is far to go for chocolates.
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 11:31
Totally addictive chocolates! They look marvelous, impossible to resist a box of them
Happy and Sweet New Year 2010 Carolyn!
Cheers,
Gera
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 12:16
More chocolate after Christmas???
But these look beautiful and the flavors sound delicious! I will have to give these a try.
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 13:36
A 10LS rating. That’s rare! I notice you leaped into the Ginger one first.
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 14:00
Waw,…these chiocolates look incredibly delicious!! Just look at the top: just beautiful!!!
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 15:41
These look beyond beautiful! And after hearing your review…I think I might just have to order some! How could I resist 10 lip-smackers?!!
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 19:27
those are so beautiful, I thought for sure they would be awful. The flavors sound divine though!
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 20:44
Single Guy: We do have great chocolate makers in the Bay Area, that’s for sure. And Rechiutti is tough to beat. Fleurir is definitely worth trying, though. I often am on the prowl for good chocolates in other parts of the country, because I send them to out-of-town friends for Christmas and birthday gifts.
Tuesday, 29. December 2009 22:29
Oh my goodness! So beautiful!
Wednesday, 30. December 2009 6:56
They’re in the DC area? I will definitely have to pick some of these up when I’m back there!
Wednesday, 30. December 2009 10:51
What fun – I’ll have to look them up next time I’m in DC. I loved the opening picture – so pretty
Wednesday, 30. December 2009 15:16
The chocolate is beautiful! Glad its delicious, too!
Wednesday, 30. December 2009 15:46
So pretty and, apparently, tasty, too! That doesn’t happen that often! The sesame hazelnut sounds awesome!
Thursday, 31. December 2009 9:34
the chocolates are lovely!