Where To Find The Absolute Best Chocolate In Las Vegas
Spoiler alert! You’re going to want some chocolate after looking over this list. And it’s a good day to justify no limits, because it’s National Chocolate Day! Can I get…
Assorted chocolate bar and chunks, background. Flat lay with a multitude of chocolate kinds. Delicious cocoa dessert. Baking chocolate collection.
Say-Cheese via Getty ImagesSpoiler alert! You're going to want some chocolate after looking over this list. And it's a good day to justify no limits, because it's National Chocolate Day! Can I get a cocoa-dipped "heck yeah!!"?
And since we're celebrating one of the most delicious food groups (yes...I said food group...move along), let's talk about where chocolate even comes from. You might be surprised how different it looks, and tastes, when it's first harvested. In fact, someone is straight up a genius for what they did to a simple cocoa bean.
So let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (thank you, Mary Poppins). Chocolate starts as a cacao pod on a tree. About 66% of the world's cocao is grown and harvested in West Africa. The pods must be removed from the trees with a strong knife or stick, cause they're tough little buggers. Initially the taste of the cocao is actually quite bitter, even more so if the pod is harvested when it's not fully ripe. The seed must be fermented before consumption, to develop the best flavor. This is done with natural micro-organisms in the environment.
After the fermentation process, the beans are dried and then roasted. After the roasting, the shell is taken off so the "nibs" inside can be ground into a powder, or "mass". The mass is then blended with other ingredients, depending on which type of chocolate is being made. Finally, the mixtures are poured into molds to create the chocolate meant for shipping around the world.
Thank you to the World Atlas of Chocolate for that chocolate-making lesson. Yeah...there's a lot that goes into making this stuff. In fact, have you seen a cocao pod on a tree? Here you go:
Soaps via Getty ImagesI never would have come across this and thought there could be something so wonderful inside. Thank goodness there are people more curious than I in nature! But where to find the best chocolate here in Las Vegas...well, there I got you covered. :)
–Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas
Red Rock Chocolate Factory
Location: Downtown Summerlin
Fan Favorites: Candy Apples, Espresso, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Location: Fremont
Fan Favorites: Truffles, Caramel Apples, Peanut Butter Buckets
See's Candies
Location: Sahara & Decatur, Park Run Dr & Town Center Dr, Durango & Elkhorn
Fan Favorites: Peanut Crunch, California Brittle, Molasses Chips
Royce Chocolate
Location: Grand Canal Shoppes
Fan Favorites: Champagne Chocolate, Nama Chocolates, Chocolate Potato Chips
Jean Marie Auboine
Location: Harmon & Decatur
Fan Favorites: Double-Salted Caramel, Key Lime Truffle, Chocolates
Ethel M Chocolates
Location: Town Square, California Hotel & Casino, Sunset & Mountain Vista
Fan Favorites: Chocolate Peanut Brittle, Caramel Candy Apple, Chocolates
Ghirardelli Chocolates
Location: Linq Hotel & Casino
Fan Favorites: Cookies & Cream Shake, S'mores, Chocolates
Dandelion Chocolate
Location: Venetian Las Vegas
Fan Favorites: Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, House Mocha, Frozen Hot Chocolate
Lolli And Pops
Location: Fashion Show Mall
Fan Favorites: Sparkling Champagne Gummy Bears, Cocoa Bombs, Crispy Treats
Hershey's Chocolate World
Location: New York, New York Casino
Fan Favorite: S'mores, Kisses, Melted Hot Chocolate
