Consumer Reports: Unique Gift-Box Chocolates - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Want to get your sweetheart an unusual gift this Valentine's Day? Consumer Reports says it might just be a box of chocolates!

Ahhh, chocolate! Have you ever tried champagne truffles covered in rose petals? How about a red fire caramel bar? Those are just some of the exotic bonbons available for purchase at Vosges.

Vosges Exotic Truffle collection was one of more than 30 gift-box chocolates Consumer Reports taste-tested. With unusual fillings like wasabi and paprika, this Vosges box rated excellent. It costs $40 plus shipping. The Woodhouse Assortment gift box was even better. It costs $90, plus shipping.

Erin Gudeux/Consumer Reports: "This assortment has great pieces with amazing flavors like cinnamon toast and buttery pecan pie. The flavors just seem to explode in your mouth."

While delicious chocolates can be expensive, there are ways to save. Buying at the chocolate shop can save you the shipping costs, and signing up for a company's newsletter or mailing list can help you find savings, too.

Erin Gudeux: "We also found some very good chocolates that you could try that are less expensive."

Those include the Ferrero Collection Fine Assorted Confections. It costs just $11 and is sold even at drugstores.

Erin Gudeux: "These chocolates were flavorful, and they had crispy interior coatings and
crunchy nuts that added interesting textures."

Remember, freshly made chocolates have a short shelf life of only 10 to 14 days — so your Valentine just might need some help finishing the box.