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Dallmann Confections: Austrian Chocolate in the US

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What better way to spend World Chocolate Day, aka International Chocolate Day, than at Dallmann Confections, an Austrian chocolate boutique in San Diego.

Pro-tip: Because it’s World Chocolate Day, calories don’t count today.

If only….

Regardless of whether calories count, Dallmann fine chocolates are worth every bite.

I had the pleasure of meeting chocolatier Isabella “Bella” Knack (nee Dallmann) and touring her production facility.

Sweets are in Knack’s blood, literally. Her grandfather, Guenther Dallmann, founded Dallmann, a pastry shop in St. Gigen, Austria in 1954. Knack’s parents still run the shop.

But Knack left the pastries and sweets business, to pursue a career in hotel and restaurant management.

While working at the Westgate Hotel in Downtown San Diego, a call about Mozartkugel, Knack’s family specialty, stimulated her sweet tooth and reawakened her passion for chocolate.

Named after composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mozartkugel is a chocolate ball filled with hazelnut nougat and pistachio marzipan.

Dallmann Confections

assorted box of Austrian chocolates handcrafted from Dallmann Confections in San Diego

Knack realized a unique business opportunity and opened Dallmann Confections in 2004. Using her family’s recipes and the finest ingredients, the business grew from a demonstration kitchen to three retail locations.

Dallmann chocolates are handcrafted in small batches using the best ingredients sourced from Belgium and France. Chocolate beans come from Ecuador, Ghana, and Madagascar.

Recent events have caused Knack to close her stores. She now offers customers the opportunity to buy Dallmann chocolates online directly or via Amazon.

You can buy Dallmann gourmet truffles and other treats, chocolate making kits and accessories, and attend live online chocolate workshops. The online workshops were inspired by a recent mother/daughter trip where they took a virtual chocolate workshop. Use promo code “SUPPORTSMALL” for a 10% discount.

Pro-tip: The chocolate making kits are great for all ages are perfect for birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and girls’ weekends.

Choose from several chocolate collections or create a custom box of your favorite flavors. A 9 piece box costs $25, 16 pieces is $35, and 25 piece box is $45. Truffles come packaged in a thick, sturdy heavy cardboard white box that keeps your delicious morsels safe during shipping.

Shipping is via FedEx second day air (two business days) using thermal wraps and ice packs.

Pro-tip: Save on shipping. If you’re local to San Diego or visiting, order online and arrange a time and date to pick up your chocolates.

Dallmann Chocolate Flavors

Dallmann Confections gourmet handcrafted Austrian chocolates. Blackberry flavor.

Dallmann Confections offers truffles made from milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate in 35 flavors from traditional Austrian favorites like marzipan and vanilla to creative innovations like lemongrass and mint, matcha tea, and coconut curry.

Pro-tip: Dallmann offers vegan truffles.

Collections are a great way to experience these Austrian chocolates. And they make an easy and coveted gift. After all, who wouldn’t want a chocolate gift?

The Traditional Collection, their first collection, is an homage to Knack’s grandfather. A photo of him on the day he opened his store adorns the cover. This box showcases Dallmann’s recipes and traditional flavors made with dark chocolate: Coffee, 60%, Champagne, Bourbon Vanilla, Roasted pine nut, Marzipan, Gianduja, Croquantine, Gianduja, 72%, Blackberry, and Banana Foster.

The Exotic Collection lets you travel the world through chocolate. “If you dare to try something different, this is the collection for you.”

cover of Exotic Collection Austrian chocolate by Dallmann Confections

This box features Dallman gourmet truffle flavors like Sea Salt Caramel, Coconut Curry, Bacon & Smoked Salt, Passion Fruit, Togarashi, Lemongrass & Mint, Strawberry Balsamic, Hibiscus & Raspberry, Spicy Sea Salt, Elderflower Carmel, and Ginger.

Every box comes with a photo flavor guide so you know which truffles to eat before anyone else. Okay, so you know what each chocolate’s flavor.

But you and I both know, how it really works.

It’s so we can scarf down our favorite flavors first!

My Sanity Saver box included an assortment of 25 chocolates in various flavors including:

Dallmann Confections Sanity Saver assorted Austrian chocolate box
  • FleurDeSel (sea salt)
  • Ecuador Truffle
  • Vanilla
  • Caramel Latte
  • Lemongrass and mint
  • Rosewater Caramel
  • Coconut Curry
  • Blackberry
  • Spicy Passion
  • Cardamom
  • Lemon and Thyme
  • Gianduja
  • Bananas Foster
  • Pine nut
  • Ginger

And, OMG! These perfectly bite-sized truffles are delicate and flavorful. The dark chocolate shell gently snaps between your teeth and the filling oozes out into your mouth. Some truffles have a soft filling like the Gianduja.

It is the perfect touch of luxurious rich chocolate decadence.

Once you eat a Dallmann Confection, you’ll never look at or taste truffles the same way again.

They are so delicious, one bite can satisfy. But why stop at one bite? Where’s the fun in that?

Be sure to eat these alone or prepare for someone to try to pry the box from your hands.

Pro-tip: The FleurDeSel (sea salt) chocolate is their best-seller and Knack’s favorite.

Watch this video for a behind the scene tour of Dallmann Confection.

Dallmann Confections Made to Last

dark chocolate from Dallmann Confections Austrian chocolate fresh from the mold

Made fresh daily and shrink wrapped to ensure freshness, if you don’t want to eat your Dallmann Confections Austrian chocolates right away (GASP), you can put them in the freezer or refrigerator.

When frozen in their shrink-wrapped boxes, the truffles maintain their flavor. Knack says, they’ll “taste just like I made it yesterday.” When ready to eat, remove from freezer 15 to 20 minutes to let your truffles come to room temperature.

Once opened, Dallmann Confections are good for up to six weeks.

Pro-tip: Chocolates can absorb the flavors of a fridge or freezer. When storing uneaten chocolates put in an airtight container.

Dallmann Confections
757 N Twin Oaks Valley Road, #1
San Marcos, CA 92069
619-808-1749

Hours: By appointment only.

Conclusion

Who doesn’t like chocolates? Especially handcrafted, Austrian chocolate truffles. Dallmann gourmet chocolates are a sweet ending to any day.

Or a tasty beginning.

I would have loved to test out Knack’s claim that Dallmann Confections last for up to six weeks. Sadly, they barely made it home.

Yes, I broke into that shrink-wrapped box immediately! YUM!

What can I say, chocolate is my precious. I LOVED them and am planning to place an online order.

What Dallmann Confections flavor triggers your tastebuds?

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