There's something special about sharing a passion. When you introduce someone to the world of specialty chocolate, you're not just giving them a gift, you're inviting them into a community of discovery, opening the door to new flavors, stories, and connections they might never have found on their own.
This holiday season, we've created a guide to help you match the perfect gift to where someone is in their chocolate journey. Whether they're just beginning to explore beyond everyday chocolate or they're ready to commit to year-round discovery, there's a way to welcome them into our world.
The Adventurous Taster: Club Favorites Box
For someone who loves trying new things and savoring special experiences.
Some people light up at the chance to taste something they've never encountered before. They're the ones who pause to savor each piece, who notice subtle differences between bars, who want to know the story behind what they're experiencing.
The Club Favorites 2025 collection brings together ten chocolates that created memorable moments at our tasting events this year. These aren't just bars we liked, they're the ones that got everyone talking, surprised us with unexpected flavor notes, and had members reaching for one more piece.
The collection spans single-origin bars from Guatemala, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Maui, and Oahu, alongside creative inclusions like Piety & Desire's collaboration with Parleaux Beer, Bibamba's plantain crisp-studded Jungle Crunch, Chocolate Naive's unexpected porcini dark milk, Eldora's Green Chile Biscochito and Zotter's Cacao Safari filled ganache bar.
What makes this gift especially meaningful? Everyone who receives this box is invited to join Chief Chocophile Lauren Adler for a live Zoom tasting and conversation. Choose from two dates, Tuesday, December 30 or Saturday, January 10, 2026. It transforms a box of chocolate into a shared experience and a personal introduction to our community.
What's included: Ten craft chocolate bars (5 single-origin, 5 inclusion/filled bars) plus invitation to exclusive live tasting event with Lauren Adler.
The Dedicated Explorer: 3-Month Gift Subscription
For someone ready to embrace regular discovery and see where the journey takes them.
Three months is enough time to truly experience what makes specialty chocolate different. Your gift recipient will receive three thoughtfully curated boxes, each introducing them to new makers, origins, and flavor profiles. They'll start noticing how Ecuador differs from Madagascar, how fermentation affects flavor, how a maker's approach shapes the final bar.
Our Enthusiasts Membership delivers more than chocolate. It's an ongoing invitation to explore. Each month brings new bars selected for their craftsmanship and distinctive character, along with invitations to "Meet the Maker" virtual tastings where members can ask questions and hear directly from the artisans behind the chocolate. Members join a community of fellow explorers sharing tasting notes, discoveries, and excitement.
The best part? Your gift recipient chooses when their subscription begins, so they can start fresh in the new year or dive in immediately, whatever works for their life.
What's included: Three monthly shipments of curated specialty chocolate bars, access to virtual tastings and "Meet the Maker" events, full community membership benefits.
The Passionate Devotee: 12-Month Gift Subscription
For someone who's all-in, ready to make chocolate exploration part of their year.
A full year of discovery means they'll think of you twelve times, not just once. Month after month, your recipient will encounter new makers, follow cacao origins across continents, and develop their palate in ways that surprise them. They'll witness how seasonal variations affect chocolate, how a maker's approach to roasting and refining impacts flavor, and become part of a community that shares their enthusiasm.
This is the gift for someone who doesn't just enjoy chocolate, they want to understand it. They're curious about the difference between cacao varieties. They notice when a maker uses longer roasting times. They remember the specific notes in their favorite bars and get excited when a new origin appears in their box.
Over twelve months, they'll build genuine knowledge and connection, both to the chocolate itself and to the community of people who share this passion. They'll have stories to tell, favorites to recommend, and a whole new lens for experiencing one of the world's most fascinating foods.
Like the 3-month subscription, they choose their start date, and they receive all the benefits of full Enthusiasts Membership throughout the year.
What's included: Twelve monthly shipments of curated specialty chocolate bars, year-round access to virtual tastings and "Meet the Maker" events, full community membership benefits.
The Curious Newcomer: Digital Membership
For someone who wants to learn, connect, and choose their own chocolate adventure.
Some people want to be part of the conversation before they commit to monthly deliveries. They're curious about craft chocolate but want the freedom to explore at their own pace, selecting bars that intrigue them rather than receiving a curated box. They love the idea of learning from experts and connecting with fellow enthusiasts, but they want control over their chocolate choices.
Digital Membership is designed for this kind of explorer. Members join our online community where chocolate lovers share discoveries, ask questions, and discuss everything from fermentation techniques to favorite makers. They attend live virtual tastings and "Meet the Maker" events, getting direct access to the artisans behind the bars and learning about origins, processes, and the decisions that shape flavor.
The beauty of this membership is the flexibility it offers. Members can source their own chocolate from local shops, online retailers, or even our recommendations, then bring those experiences back to the community. They can participate fully in discussions about Madagascar's bright fruit notes or debate the merits of different roasting approaches without the logistics of monthly shipments.
This works wonderfully as a gift for someone who values learning and connection, or as a gift to yourself if you want to dip into our community and see what resonates. You're not missing out on anything that matters most about being part of The Chocolate Explorers Club. You're choosing your own path through the world of specialty chocolate while staying connected to people who share your curiosity.
What's included: Full access to community, live events, educational content, and virtual tastings. Available as monthly or annual membership.
Finding the Right Invitation
The right gift meets someone where they are and invites them forward. Whether you're welcoming a curious friend into the world of craft chocolate, sharing an unforgettable tasting experience, or giving someone a full year of discovery, you're offering more than chocolate. You're opening a door to new flavors, stories, and connections.
We're here if you have questions about which option might work best for someone in your life. And if you're considering the Digital Membership for yourself? We'd love to welcome you to the community.
