Chocolate

With nuances that can range from floral to nutty to tropical, chocolate is the most complex of baking ingredients.

It comes in a variety of forms―block, bar, powdered, chips, and nibs; all can be used in baking, as can milk, white, and dark chocolates.

Our top chocolate: Guittard Chocolate Company, Burlingame, CA  

Family owned and operated for four generations, Guittard sources the highest-quality cacao beans, from South America to West Africa to the South Pacific. Then Guittard’s blenders combine the beans to create chocolates perfect for both baking and eating straight from the package. guittard.com  or 800/468-2462.