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Tuesday, October 8th
Vosges offers a chocolate club like nothing we've ever seen. The "creator-and-alchemist” behind the company wants to give customers the opportunity to "travel the world through chocolate” through "sacred cacao... infused with heart-opening and vibe raising frequencies”. That's definitely not your average assortment of caramels and truffles.
2 clubs to choose from but not a lot of detail provided
There are two main chocolate clubs you can consider here: the Signature Club Haut Chocolat (for 3, 6, or 12 months) or the 13 Moon Chocolate Lunar Club. The first option is more of what you'd expect from a chocolate subscription: monthly deliveries of an assortment of truffles, caramel marshmallows, peanut butter bonbons, seasonal and limited edition collections, and so on. That's about the extent of the detail you'll get, though: Vosges doesn't reveal exactly how much chocolate is going to come in every delivery. When you're spending over $60 per shipment (plus shipping, which at least for us was $32 total for the 12-month club), you should at least know if you're getting a few ounces or a few pounds.
Might not be available during the summer
This also isn't a chocolate club that's available year-round. When we went to subscribe to the 12-month club, starting in the summer, we were told that shipping was paused for a few weeks. We're not sure what that does to a year-long membership: are the scheduled, paused deliveries tacked on to the end? Vosges doesn't say.
Chocolate timed to the phases of the moon
But, let's go back to the chocolate club options, because there's a pretty... unique option to consider too. It's called the 13 Moon Chocolate Lunar Club, and, well, we'll let it speak for itself: "The new moon cycle is most potent for manifesting your intentions for the month. Each parcel will include a tasting experience specific to that moon cycle, with crystals and accoutrements included to allow you or your recipient to fully participate in the experience from new moon to full moon.” It probably goes without saying that this is the only chocolate club on our list with a shipping schedule determined by the lunar calendar - which can make it tricky to ensure that you're home for each delivery. This is also the most expensive chocolate club we evaluated, coming in at an extremely spendy $900 for a "13-moon” subscription (roughly 12 months), plus extra for shipping.
Not a lot of positive vibes coming from customers
People are a little on the fence about Vosges as a whole, and specifically about the chocolate clubs. Our concerns about this company start with a not-so-stellar "C-” rating from the Better Business Bureau; although there were only a few complaints filed there, they went unanswered by the company. And one of them was even about the company refusing to offer any alternatives when a customer got chocolate with ingredients they were allergic to, even after verifying beforehand that the treats wouldn't contain those elements.
Subscription disappointments
When we looked at customer feedback on a few of the subscriptions, some people were disappointed. Even on the most expensive chocolate club (remember, they paid $900 for it), there wasn't as much chocolate as promised and some of the non-chocolate elements were duplicated over the course of the subscription. We also found a few customers who said it felt like the attention was on the packaging and not on the contents.
Try the chocolate if you're passing through the Windy City
On the other hand, customers are usually enthusiastic about their in-person experience with Vosges (noting that you can get these gourmet chocolates in the not-so-luxurious O'Hare Airport). The chocolate itself gets plenty of compliments, even if the customer service for online orders doesn't.
Not our favorite chocolate club
Maybe if you've tried Vosges chocolate in person and would love to have regular deliveries (or to give them as a gift), this could be a club to take a peek at. But, for most of us, there isn't going to be anything here that's significantly better than any other subscription on our list. The clubs here are much more costly than average, and they don't necessarily deliver an exceptional chocolate experience.
Chocolate clubs are more popular now than ever before - and it's easy to see why. These clubs offer a delightful experience that goes way beyond just eating chocolate.
First and foremost, the universal love for chocolate is a central driver of chocolate club popularity. Chocolate has been a beloved treat for centuries, transcending age, gender, and cultural boundaries. Its rich, indulgent flavor provides a comforting escape from the ordinary, making it a universal pleasure. Chocolate subscription clubs tap into this passion, transforming it into a regular, eagerly anticipated event, offering a dependable source of joy in the subscribers' lives.
Variety is another important part of a chocolate club. Many chocolate subscription clubs carefully curate diverse selections of high-quality chocolates. These selections often include chocolates with varying cocoa percentages, origins, flavor profiles, and forms, such as bars, truffles, and pralines. The promise of new and diverse chocolate flavors and textures with each delivery keeps subscribers engaged and excited. This continuous variety fosters a sense of anticipation and curiosity.
Another reason why chocolate clubs are so popular is their convenience. In our fast-paced modern world, convenience is a highly prized commodity. Chocolate subscription clubs offer a hassle-free solution for accessing gourmet chocolates. Subscribers receive their personally selected chocolates at regular intervals, eliminating the need to shop for high-quality chocolates or search for unique, artisanal brands. This ease of access aligns with the preferences of busy individuals who want to savor life's finer pleasures.
Before diving in, it's important to figure out what kind of chocolate you're into. Do you find yourself craving a beautiful mix of milk and dark chocolates all wrapped up? Or are you more of a connoisseur, excited about single-source bars that melt in your mouth and bring out unique flavors? Chocolate is so universally-loved that even the Aztecs thought cacao seeds were a gift from a wise god.
Considering how much chocolate we all eat - about 11 pounds per person per year in America alone - is it any surprise that chocolate clubs have become a huge hit? These memberships deliver amazing truffles, bars, and tasty bites right to your door. The best part? Experts in chocolate hunt down the most delicious and interesting flavors for you to enjoy, and all you have to do is sit back and wait not-so-patiently for your box to arrive.
And if you're thinking about giving a chocolate club membership as a gift, you're on the right track. You can choose how often the chocolates are delivered, whether it's every month or every few months, usually for up to a year. Imagine getting chocolate regularly - that sounds like a pretty sweet deal.
Of course, not all chocolate clubs are the same. Some focus on bars, others put together mixed boxes similar to what you'd find for special occasions like Valentine's Day, and some are a surprise each time. As you think about your options, here are a few things to consider:
At Top Consumer Reviews, we've looked at and ranked the best chocolate clubs out there. We hope this info helps you choose the perfect club: whether it's for you or someone else, a chocolate club can bring months of delightful chocolatey moments.
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