Product Review: President’s Choice Gourmet Belgian Chocolate Collection

Yesterday’s holiday treat from President’s Choice was not difficult to test in my kitchen at all! PC Gourmet Belgian Chocolate Collection? Twist my rubber arm! First test? Are they as pretty as they are on the cover of the box?

Absolutely! These are stunning chocolates. There might not be as much safflower sprinkled on top of the Chilli Mousse Chocolate but overall, visually speaking, you get a stunning box of chocolates for only $14! Now, how do they taste?

Almond Praline: “Creamy milk chocolate filled with an airy almond praline and decorated with white chocolate striping.”

When my husband ate it all he said was, “Mmmmmmm.” What I liked is I could taste the nuttiness. I was surprised at how smooth it was considering it was called a praline which are caramelized almonds. I think having some inside would have made these more interesting. My husband gave this chocolate four out of five, I gave it four and a half out of five wooden spoons. Had there been actual pralines inside, it would have gotten top marks from me!

Chili Mousse: “Smooth mousse infused with chilli powder, enrobed in dark chocolate and topped with safflower.”

For me, this fell completely flat. I do not usually mix savoury with sweet for a reason. I literally could not taste the chilli powder at all. I had to sample it three times to feel the heat. I persisted because my husband insisted that it was there and I wanted to experience it. When I did, it was so subtle. I found this one non-descript which is shocking considering I figured it would be the strongest chocolate of all of them. My husband on the other hand, because he could taste the chilli and feel the heat, said this one was his favourite. He gave it four and a half and I gave it three out of five wooden spoons.

Speculoos: “Traditional Belgian Speculoos biscuit enrobed in creamy milk chocolate and topped with caramel hazelnut pieces.”

Now you’re talking! Love the crunch. I adore hazelnuts. Milky but dense good chocolate. This one was a winner for me. My husband felt this tasted more like an old fashioned chocolate, a little more sweet than the others and for some reason, reminded him of donuts. He only gave it three and a half out of five but I gave it four out of five wooden spoons. 

Cappuccino: “Coffee mousse filled milk chocolate decorated with dark chocolate stripping.”

Both my husband and I immediately picked up on the coffee flavour, which we also both adore. We found it nice and smooth, airy, rich… He gave this one four out of five wooden spoons. I gave it five out of five!!! Love this one. By far my favourite.

Stragiatelli: “Airy Stragiatelli creme with dark chocolate bits, enrobed in white chocolate and decorated with double dark chocolate striping.”

We both immediately took note that this was high quality white chocolate. Not too sweet like a lot of white chocolate can be, this balanced very well with the dark chocolate inside. We loved the texture and found it nice and smooth. We both gave this one four out of five wooden spoons. 

Chocomousse: “Gently whipped chocolate mousse enrobed in white chocolate decorated with dark chocolate striping.”

Again, excellent white chocolate and the filling was super creamy, light and fantastic. My husband felt this was a very good traditional chocolate and for some reason reminded him of those chocolate Easter bunnies you got as a kid. He gave this four out of five, I gave it four and a half out of five wooden spoons. 

The PC Gourmet Belgian Chocolate Collection is ridiculously impressive. Any other company would probably charge twice as much for this generous box of chocolates. I can happily recommend this product for either gift giving or for having around the house for when guests comes over. I do wish they had varied the fillings just a little. After a while I did feel as though they were a little too similar. More texture would also have been appreciated. Where is the caramel? How about essence of raspberry? Irish Cream…

I suppose in a way, this is a gift for the chocolate purist. Very traditional, good quality… this box is all about the chocolate. Are they as good as Godiva chocolates? No. But! They are very, very good. Overall I give this box of chocolates four out of five wooden spoons. A total bargain and a pretty treat for the holidays.