Hi guys!

I need to buy a thank you gift for someone and have decided on chocolates.

Which is better Leonidas or Jeff De Bruges?

I have had both, but am having trouble deciding.

Thank You!

Tough decision.

Jeff De Bruges is a lot classier packaging, and considering the look, reasonably priced.

Leonidas was my first European chocolate.
While some may think it's a lower class type of chocolate based on their very reasonable price, I say you can't go wrong with them if money is a factor.

Both of these are much better than Godiva.

dh

Agreed. Bear in mind that US Godiva is, or at least used to be,
different from European. By the way, I never saw why people
got so het up about Leonidas, either (it is better than G. and
I feel not so good as J.).

ML

Jeff de Bruges?

I'm surprised. This French chain (nothing to do with Belgium) is pretty much unknown in the UK, I only know it because it has branches in Spain. Their chocolates are completely unmemorable to me - but I do have lots of happy recollections about their ice-cream!

Leonidas is OK, but European Godiva is better.

Out of JdeB and Leonidas I'd say the latter... but then if I was in the same position I'd go for neither and would be debating between William Curley's Chocolates and Paul A Young's... mmmm! Salt caramels!

Go for Maison du Chocolat !

Am I the only one who finds their chocolates disappointing? I was given a large box from one of their Tokyo stores as a wedding present, the box was beautiful but the chocolates in themselves somehow lacked drama and 'substance'.

Nope. I feel the same way. Well, okay, I heart their girottes and their rochers, but I'm not big on their mixed boxes. Give me Foucher, Debauve and Gallais or Christian Constant and I'm a happy girl.

I <heart> their champagne truffles.

In April I stumbled across the Godiva factory outlet in Brussels and decided to taste for myself. The chocolates were far inferior to other brands around town, even as the saleswoman said she found the US version inferior to the Belgian. It's been a while since I've squandered calories on Godiva in the US but I certainly didn't think Belgian Godiva was any better.

Reading the label on the pre-packed assortment I bought I noted that they contained vegetable oil. This is now permitted in the EU, so you have to be vigilant.

I flew home next to a woman who is allergic to food additives, and she said that Galler is one of the few supermarket brands (they also have storefronts) which doesn't have additives.

Neuhaus was ok but not that thrilling. Leonidas is supposed to be decent and well priced. I didn't see Jeff de Bruges.

If you're in Brussels and shopping for a really nice gift? Marcolini or Wittamer, no question. Though apparently Marcolini has sold out to a large company, to increase distribution....

Bottom line for pralines (filled chocolates): freshness counts.

Is Christian Constant sold anywhere besides Paris?

TH adores Galler and buys the hazelnut praline tubes whenever she can find them.

I just brought in the tail end of a box to work -- it was mostly white and coconut stuff left. It disappeared in a heart beat.

I'm not a huge fan of their chocolates, but love their caramels.

Keep in mind that the Belgian style candies are usually made with fresh cream and only keep so long. I believe Leonedas says ten days to two weeks. If you are buying in Japan or elsewhere outside of Europe freshness can be a big issue.

Be very careful of this, especially if you're buying a large quantity!

Marcolini, Galler or Godiva. Leonidas is awful.

I made the serious mistake of not refrigerating the chocolates when I got back to the states - it melted.