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La Selection – by Valrhona Subscription Box Review

Bekki Menzies
ByBekki MenziesOct 11, 2015 | 5 comments

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 3

La Selection is a monthly chocolate subscription box by the French chocolate company Valrhona.  Their description of the box is "a subscription program that delivers to your door, a box bursting with a changing variety of exquisite Valrhona chocolates.  This is a great opportunity for passionate chocolate enthusiasts to discover the company's wide range of decadent chocolate offerings."

They include various offerings from their online store, in addition to one exclusive product only available through the subscription.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription.  (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes)

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 1

The Subscription Box:  La Selection - by Valrhona

The Cost:  $48/month, plus 20.99 overnight with warm weather shipping (this will vary based on your location)

The Products:  Valrhona chocolate, with one exclusive product per month.

Ships To:  US Only

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 2

I live in Southern California where it is still most definitely hotter than you-know-where in September.  Shipping chocolate to my doorstep, even if it comes overnight, is a surefire way to ensure that I will receive fondue in a foil wrapper.  Thankfully, the people at Valrhona think of everything and have 'warm weather protection' for their shipments, ensuring that I can still get my chocolate fix, without having to use a spoon.  They package their shipments in a metallic bubble wrap envelope, with ice packs inside. So while shipping is seemingly exorbitant, you can definitely see where the money is going.

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 4

They included a nice little note card welcoming me to the service and I thought it was a nice touch that they personalized it.

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Here is one side of the information sheet, explaining the exclusive product for this month.  The other side has information regarding the other chocolate shipped this month!

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Here is everything that was included.  It was actually more than I expected.  I received 2 full size tasting bars, 2 'sticks,' a box of cocoa nibs, and a gift box of chocolate covered hazelnuts and almonds.

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 8

Valrhona Equinoxe Gianduja Gift Box - 8.8 oz - 25.99

Let me preface this by saying: I don't like chocolate covered nuts.  I freely admit to eating the chocolate off of chocolate covered almonds, and tossing the almond in the trash.  These though...there's something magical about them!  They are SO incredibly delicious.  The chocolate has the creamy consistency of butter while the hazelnuts and almonds are perfectly toasted, with no pesky skin to get stuck in your teeth.  I have a huge problem because I love these so much, but they're a little pricey for me to justify repurchasing.  I will probably end up doing so though...once I get through this stash.  Let's just say that if eating chocolate can be transcendent...this was that chocolate.

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 9

Ghana Cocoa Nib Pearls - $10.00?

This was my first time trying cocoa nibs and these are delicious!  I can see them being delicious on top of a pudding as a garnish, in ice cream, or just eaten alone.  By the description, I expected these to be similar to chocolate covered espresso beans.  Thankfully, they were not similar at all.  The bean inside was very soft, so it was like biting into a firm piece of chocolate.  Perfection!

2 Dark Caraibe 66% Tasting Sticks - $4.98

At the risk of repeating myself, these were also amazing.  In the past few years I have ventured into the dark world of dark chocolate and this is some of the best I've had, if not the best.  There was none of the harsh bitterness that can come across in many dark chocolates.  It was very smooth with just the right amount of sweetness!

La Selection by Valrhona Subscription Box Review - 10

Noir Manjari Orange 64% Cacao Tasting Bar - $7.49

I'm repeating myself by this point, but this was amazing.  The orange flavor came through just enough to mingle with the dark chocolate but didn't overpower the flavor at all.  It was the perfect balance of orange and chocolate, even for a chocolate purist like myself.  I definitely prefer plain chocolate or chocolate with "crispies" (don't even think about polluting my chocolate or baked goods with nuts...ahem, except for the above noted!), but this was definitely delicious!

Lait Bahibe 46% Cacao Tasting Bar - $7.49

What can I say?  This was also delicious.  I prefer milk chocolate, so this was my personal favorite of the shipment.  It was smooth, creamy, and absolutely divine.

The Verdict:  If you are a chocolate lover, I unequivocally think you should get this box.  The value comes out to about $56.00 with my estimate of the cocoa nibs.  This comes in a little lower than the cost of the box plus shipping, but I suspect my estimate of the exclusive product is low balling it.  This would be the perfect gift for a chocolate lover.  The product has gorgeous packaging, I could tell it was fresh, and it was all excellent quality chocolate.  I have had interactions with the customer service at Valrhona due to shipping problems in the past, and their customer service is top notch.  They are always friendly, responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to make any problem right.  Now, if you are the type of person that hates certain types of chocolate (dark, white, milk, etc), I don't think this would be the right box for you.  You can't specify your preference here, so I have to assume that you will get a mixture of all chocolate types they sell every month.

What did you think of this month's La Selection - by Valrhona?

Bekki Menzies
Bekki Menzies
Bekki first discovered subscription boxes in 2014 and they quickly took over her life! (Not quite, but pretty close.) She started with POPSUGAR Must Have, then moved to Little Lace Box, Birchbox, Hamptons Lane...the rest was history. Her favorite product find is Beekman 1802 Fudge (so, so good) and her favorite boxes are Birchbox and Hamptons Lane...but she's always looking for a new subscription to try!

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5 comments

Marissa

It hit 100 last week in San Diego, I think I will have to pass on this box until it cools down (if ever). It “cooled down” to 76 last night…

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PA Anna

I enjoyed reading your review! I checked the shipping charges to PA and it is about the same shipping charge of the average geeky box for ground and 19.99 for overnight. The chocolate looks delicious!

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Ann

Yum! I will have to keep an eye on this one! The shipping would be bad in AL as well.

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Tamara

Oh dear. I think I see some super expensive chocolate in my future. (But maybe I can hold off until I can avoid the crazy shipping cost to Florida.)

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heyhey

While this subscription box is too pricey for me I thoroughly enjoyed your review!

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