#43-48: Artisanal chocolate ups its game

The number of chocolatiers in the West boggles the mind, and chocolate just keeps getting better, from fair trade, organic, and single-origin beans to bonbons emblazoned in jewel tones. Here’s a taste of the new class.

43 | Cadeaux Chocolates, Seattle: Each gemlike truffle is filled with beautifully textured ganache. The caramels are dreamy too. cadeauxchocolates.com

44 | Chocolot, Ogden, UT: The company works wonders with the cacao nib, especially in its Orange Nib Bar. sweetchocolot.com

45 | Au Coeur Des Chocolats, San Francisco: These airbrushed truffles are (almost) too pretty to eat. heartofchocolates.com

46 | Michael Mischer, Oakland: We love his single-origin bars studded with toffee and salt. michaelmischerchocolates.com

47 | Xocolatl de David, Portland (pictured): We’re obsessing over the Raleigh bars (like a gourmet Snickers). xocolatldedavid.com

48 | Seth Ellis Chocolatier, Boulder, CO: Organic, handcrafted truffles with silky smooth ganache astound; try the raspberry. sethellischocolatier.com