Nonpareil Chocolates

[gfron1]

At risk of asking a silly question, I have someone who is looking for "high quality nonpareil chocolates." I thought that had something to do with the Kosher process, but when I looked up the definition of the word, her request became redundant since technically nonpareil means unparalleled quality. So what does this term mean in this context? And if its a legitimate term, does anyone have recommendations for such a thing? Thanks.

[patris]

Might they mean those chocolate buttons with the hard candy sprinkles on them? Like sno-caps, but bigger? We always called them nonpareils when I was a kid.

Edited November 1, 2007 by patris (log)

[John DePaula]

Might they mean those chocolate buttons with the hard candy sprinkles on them?  Like sno-caps, but bigger?  We always called them nonpareils when I was a kid.

←

Yes, that's right: chocolate drops covered with sugar sprinkles.

[gfron1]

I wonder why they didn't just ask for fancy Snow Caps then

Does anyone know a high quality brand?

Thanks guys.

[patris]

This sounds like an opportunity - raid the bulk bins at the grocery store (that's where I've always gotten them), package them nicely and call them "chapeaux de neige"!

[stscam]

Many chocolate and candy shops, particularly on the East Coast, carry high quality non-pareils.

If you have a way to temper, they are easy to make. We use 58% Cacao Barry couverture. We get the "seeds" from Pfeil & Holing in NY. And we use a $4 Wilton plastic funnel that comes with a finger-controlled "stick" to pour the choc into quarter-sized disks over the seeds (which are spread out in a sheet pan).

Cheers,

Steve Smith

[Kerry Beal]

Callebaut makes a quality chocolate sprinkle. Qzina carries them.

[jcho]

I get them for my shop from Nassau Candy, (here) a candy/fine foods maker/distributor in NY which claims to make their own. I initially doubted they could be very good (long story) but I tried theirs against some from other suppliers, and NC's won. My customers agree: At one point a few years ago I had a disagreement with NC and switched all my purchasing elsewhere (most of what I get from outside vendors is bulk gummies and novelty candy.) My regular non-pareil customers told me to get over my disagreement and switch back, because NC's non-pareils were best.

Still, I'd love to try making my own, and thanks to stscam, now I can. I never knew where to get the seeds!

[gfron1]

I'm laughing at myself because I vaguely remembered some eGer asking about non-pareils a long time ago and no one having the answer. Thanks to the search engine I found out it was me!

At the Fancy Food Show I found Sanders Candy brand non-pareils that were dark and good. I hope the next fool looking for these finds this post.

[tsquare]

I haven't tried them, but Trader Joe's has a house brand. If they are made with dark Belgium chocolate, they might be pretty good.