The Winter Solstice Approaches

The 5 Best Chocolates to Buy at Aldi — For Valentine’s Day and Beyond

updated Now

(Image credit: Lisa Freedman )

If you’re frantically walking through Walgreens, looking for a package of Sweethearts conversation hearts, you’re going to be profoundly disappointed. The New England Confectionary Company (Necco) that made the seasonal heart-shaped candies since 1901 suddenly closed its factory last summer (after months of speculation that it would do that very thing) and its Sweethearts and Necco brands were sold to an unnamed buyer who then sold them again to the Ohio-based Spangler Candy Company.

All of that corporate reshuffling means that there were several months when none of these candies were being made — so that means you won’t be able to give your crush a handful of Sweethearts’ signature disappointments this year. (They will be back for Valentine’s Day 2020, though!)

But what to do now? You can either hand-write “LOVE BUG” and “CUTIE PIE” on a handful of Tums tablets — same flavor, don’t @ me — or you can go to Aldi and get some chocolate that you (and your Valentine) will actually enjoy eating.

We’ve gushed about Aldi’s chocolate selection before, and for good reason. Right now its always-irresistible shelves are filled with heart-shaped chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels, and bottles of chocolate wine (!!!), but the year-round selection is hard to beat. In the name of journalism, I tried more than 20 pounds of Aldi chocolate confections and have deemed these to be the best ones.

(Image credit: Lisa Freedman )

1. Moser Roth 85% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, $1.99 for 4.4 ounces

Moser Roth is Aldi’s premium brand of chocolates and it has WON AWARDS, you guys. And fancy chocolate tasters almost always approve of the stuff — especially once the price tag is revealed. These bars, which are technically made up of five smaller, individually wrapped bars, come in a few varieties (milk, dark sea salt, mint, milk truffle crunch, etc.), but this 85 percent cocoa option is my favorite. It’s rich, indulgent, and doesn’t taste over-roasted the way other dark chocolates can. And it’s just $2!

(Image credit: Aldi )

2. Specially Selected Belgian Cocoa Dusted Truffles, $2.89 for 8.81 ounces

These are literally some of the best chocolates I’ve ever eaten, and that rich dark chocolate flavor intensifies with every bite. You will audibly “Mmmm” when you eat these, no joke. They’re so decadent that it almost seems insulting to call them candies. Note, this item is seasonal and may not be available at all locations.

(Image credit: Jelisa Castrodale )

3. Choceur Dark Chocolate Pomegranate, $2.99 for seven ounces

I like the idea of assorted chocolate-covered berries, but usually either the chocolate is too bland or the berries are underwhelming. That’s not the case with these fantastically tangy treats, which combine quality chocolate with a pleasant sharpness from the pomegranate. Although I like almost — almost — all of Aldi’s chocolate offerings, I always enjoy the dark chocolates juuuust a bit more).

(Image credit: Aldi )

4. Choceur Dark Chocolate Covered Coconut Almonds, $3.99 for 10 ounces

Speaking of dark chocolate, I love the ultra-coconutty flavor (and smell!) of the dark chocolate coconut almonds. After eating one of these almonds, my boyfriend described the flavor like “an upscale Almond Joy,” but after finishing an entire handful, he’d forgotten about that other candy entirely.

(Image credit: Jelisa Castrodale )

5. Choceur Peanut Butter Cups, $2.69 for 12 ounces

One of the things that Aldi does best — throughout the entire store, not just in the chocolate section — is making its store-brand foods taste a lot like the brand names that you already love. ( Its version of Girl Scout cookies are a super example of this.) But these peanut butter cups aren’t just almost-Reese’s … they’re better! The peanut butter filling tastes like it has a darker roast, which gives each cup a more complex flavor. One warning, though: These are unwrapped inside the resealable bag, which makes it way too easy to eat half a bag at once.

Do you have a favorite chocolate at Aldi? What is it?

Jelisa Castrodale

Contributor

Jelisa is a freelance writer who has covered food and travel, sports and pop culture for numerous publications. When she's not on deadline, she enjoys getting new passport stamps, collecting records and shouting at her beloved Liverpool Football Club.

Source : food