Oregon Wine Country / About Wine, Food, and and Wine Country Living

Posted February 2006

Chocolate Covered Oregon

PORTLAND—Try not to fog the glass case at Portland’s Pix Patisserie as you stare at rows of neatly ordered truffles, though it may be difficult. With flavors like rosemary ganache with port reduction, pear and milk chocolate with pear brandy and Pix Nutella, restraint is measured in minutes--usually the exact number it takes to make it from the counter to the seat of your car. At that point, all bets are off, and destruction of the carefully crafted little masterpieces all but inevitable.

In Oregon, candy-makers are breaking the chocolate mold with explanation-defying creations that pair the best local fruits, honey, spices, wines and even a cheese or two (don’t gag just yet) with exotic chocolate from around the world. It’s a match made in, well, Oregon.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Alma Chocolate: A brand new player on the Portland scene, this chocolate shop uses fair trade chocolate, fresh herbs and other local ingredients to craft elaborate Buddahs, Virgin Mary’s and just about anything else owner Sarah Hart can come up with. 140 NE 28th in Portland, OR, 503.473.4278, www.almachocolate.com

Pix Patisserie: Young chef Cheryl Wakerhauser is a local celeb known for her funky style and amazing pastries. Pix has become an offbeat hotspot featuring Wakerhauser’s unusual creations (like a Blue Cheese Truffle with Chocolate Caramel Ganache or her chocolate drenched drunken cherries) as well as an outstanding beer and wine menu.3402 SE Division, Portland, Oregon, 503.232.4407.

Sahagún Chocolate Shop: Another newcomer, Sahagun is taking Portland by storm with her natural chocolates. Don’t miss the pepitapapas: pumpkin seeds on a bed of deep, dark chocolate. 10 NW 16th Avenue, Portland.

JaCiva’s Chocolate: Best known for their amazing cakes, JaCiva’s also creates stunning chocolates at their Portland bakery. 4733 SE Hawthorne Ave, Portland, OR 97215
(503) 234-8115

Euphoria Chocolate Company: Based in Eugene, Euphoria makes a line of Wine Truffles that incorporate local wines: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cabernet. 6W. 17th St., Eugene, Oregon, 541.343.9223. www.euphoriachocolate.com

Lillie Belle Farms: Artisan chocolates with a twist; owner Jeff Shepherd also has a two-acre berry farm in where he raises many of the products used in his chocolates. Don’t miss the Raspberry Ganache and Marionberry encased in a dark chocolate shell. 888.899.2022 or www.lilliebellefarms.com.

Moonstruck: A Portland classic, Moonstruck has, um, struck out and is now located throughout Oregon (and in Walnut Creek, California and Chicago). Beautifully crafted chocolates good enough to make it to the Academy Awards (Moonstruck chocolates will be featured in the upcoming gift baskets given to award winners.) www.moonstruckchocolate.com

Dagoba Chocolate: Made in Ashland, these organic chocolate bars from Latin America and the Caribbean make for incredible baking and eating. 541.482.2001 or www.dagobachocolate.com