I've made chocolate covered strawberries on a number of occasions. Sometimes plain, other times adding a sprinkle of coconut, candy or crushed nut here and there. But if you don't have the time, there are also a number of companies doing interesting things with the berries. I wanted to write some comments about what I saw in comparing some of the different vendors to help others make a wise decision. To get the health benefits from the real chocolate, it needs to be of good quality. Some companies add a number of preservatives, additives, and bad fats to make their ingredient price cheaper and profit higher. So be sure to review the ingredient list from a company or store that you are checking out. Don't be hesitant to ask them if they use a lot of fillers besides the chocolate. You or someone you know is going to be eating it, so take the responsibility and ask. The finer the chocolate, the better the entire taste of the whole berry will be. It only makes sense. Your recipe, no matter how exquisite your technique and skill, can only be as good as the quality of the original ingredients you put in. So be an informed consumer and demand a good quality product. Some companies dip the strawberries about halfway up with chocolate. Others take the chocolate more near the top and cover everything but the stem. That means more chocolate for you to eat. Some companies may skimp on the chocolate to save some money. Thousands of berries with a half-inch less coating makes a big difference to the bottom line. But you as the consumer get less chocolate berry. If you're shipping the chocolate strawberries when it's hot outside, or if it's going to someone in a humid and hot place, shipping details are very important. How many ice packs will be used to make sure the package stays chilled? Will insulated containers be adequate? Will dry ice also be used if requested? Does the company offer money-back policies if the package is not in satisfactory condition (i.e. melted and inedible) when received? Take a look how satisfied other buyers are. Did they review the store or company favorably? See if anyone in your area has can recommend based on their experiences. After trying one or two stores first hand, you'll know if you can go with that company for many times to come. Experience is the best teacher. Price is important, yes, but it has to be enjoyed too. Perhaps after purchasing a couple times, you'll even decide to go it on your own and send some hand dipped chocolate strawberries yourself!
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