As recommended by readers of Electric Speed; compiled in January 2024.

• I am a huge fan of Bridgewater Chocolate. The sampler box is a good intro (it was for me!) and I stan their peanut butter cups. —Tiffscribes
• My favorite special occasion chocolates are from the lovely Maine company, Ragged Coast Chocolates. —Susan Joyce
• Favorite gift chocolate: Cacao & Cardamom. Founded and locally-owned by a woman who stumbled into chocolate making taking a break after the LSATs. Glad she did. They ship, but the chocolate is delicate, so getting to the recipient is a bit of a trick in summer. —Kelly Turner
• Ghirardelli for gift giving and Frango Mints Dark Chocolate for eating. I lose all self-control and could eat an entire box. 😬🤣 —Cari Galeziewski
• Purdys’ chocolate hedgehogs (an odder form of mouth bliss) are not to be missed by the savvy. And, of course, Cadbury’s chocolate bar—but it has to be direct from Britain, or you’re cheating your tastebuds. —Michael Bowden
• For special-occasion chocolates: Lake Champlain Chocolates in Vermont—I love their 72% varieties. I order in bulk during the cool seasons (shipping is less expensive). Ritual Chocolate from Oregon. Raphio Chocolate from California—I received some of these as a gift, and greatly enjoyed. —Deborah Robson
• Chocolate made in Cincinnati: Aglamesis in Oakley! —Peg Conway
• For quality, sensory appeal, innovation, and phenomenal flavor, you can't beat Highland Chocolatier. My once a year treat is the São Tomé truffles. —Grace Burrowes
• **L.A. Burdick** is my go-to for special occasion chocolate gift giving.  Not only are they adorable and delicious, but the penguins and mice come in a wooden box with a beautiful ribbon and wax gold seal that elevates the celebration. —Corrine Li
• Garcia Nevett. Two sisters that produce exquisite chocolate boxes, cakes, etc. with the best cacao in the world: Venezuelan. 🇻🇪 like me. —Janine Vici Campbell
• I love the San Diego chocolate shop, Eclipse Chocolate. —Erin Castelloe
• Some of my favorite chocolates for special occasions are from Zoe's Chocolates in PA and MD, a family-run business that includes some delicious Mediterranean flavors in their menu, and Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco, which is where I tasted 100% dark chocolate for the first time. —Jessica Snyder
• Bar none, See’s chocolate, not just for special occasions but for my own cravings. —Valerie Harms
• There is nothing like the See's Candy California Brittle in dark or milk chocolate. I build my own box and add Cafe Au Lait truffles and Bordeau truffles. —Tonya Pember
• Favorite luxury candy (esp chocolate) ABDALLAH , a Minnesota-based company. divine! —Maria Murad
• Donnelly Chocolates, made in-house in Santa Cruz, CA are celestial—your mind and body will sing upon the eating. Even though it was more than 15 years ago my memory is sharp: my girlfriend and I lived on a tiny, food-deprived island in Micronesia, and when someone sent us the chocolate brownie mix from Donnelly’s we nearly cried at the ecstasy. We’ve visited—and delighted—many times since. A bit pricy, but worthy every dollar. —Tom Bentley
• Peace by Chocolate was founded by Syrian refugees in Canada, and 3-5% of their profits are donated to the Peace on Earth Society, a Nova Scotia nonprofit that helps peace-building projects around the world. Also, it’s excellent chocolate. My favourite chocolates, though, come from Rogers and Purdys’. I’m not sure either is available in the States. Next time you’re in Canada, though, definitely pick some up (especially the Rogers sea salt caramels…ZOMG). —Sarah Chauncey
• My absolute favorite purveyor of chocolate is, hands-down, See's Candy. I can smell it as I type this! —Linda Juliano
• Whittakers (Aotearoa / New Zealand) without a doubt. Amazing tastes and textures, delicious creamy centres, and willing to take risks with unexpected flavour combinations. (They regularly offer these as limited runs which adds to the excitement of a new release). They even had Nigella Lawson front a series of ads for them. I used to be a Cadbury boy, but as their recipes have changed over the years, the consistency of Whittakers has won me over. —Matthew Goodall