One of the few artisanal chocolate shops in Portland, Alma is famous for its Thai peanut butter cups, but Eater Portland editor Danielle Centoni says owner Sarah Hart's rose caramels are a must-taste. Alma recommends placing online orders at least three days in advance. [Photo]

Artisan produces bon bons in every color of the rainbow, but don't walk out without a taste of its passion fruit caramels, caramel marshmallow bars, and almond rochers. Valentine's Day orders must be placed by February 11. [Photo]

An hour's drive from Los Angeles, Christopher Michael's chocolates are some of the finest in the country. Michael's bon bons are impeccably constructed, with layers of flavor — rosemary caramel, spicy Pomegranate and lime, Thai tea — beneath each thin chocolate shell. Chocolates ship within two to three days. [Photo]

Master chocolatier Christopher Curtin makes incredible salted caramel truffles, bon bons filled with Shiraz-infused ganache, and hot chocolate infusers. His pretzel bar, infused with the flavor of Pennsylvania dutch pretzels, is also a hit. Shipping varies depending upon distance; see order guidelines for details. [Photo]

Jacques Torres has the Valentine's Day market cornered, but it's his caramelized macadamia nuts enrobed in milk chocolate that set our hearts aflutter. Visit Jacques Torres's Hudson Street shop for a mug of velvety hot chocolate or order bon bons online; shipping generally takes two to three days. [Photo]

Pastry chef and chocolatier Kate Weiser hasn't been making chocolates for that long, but has already won wide acclaim. Eater Dallas editor Whitney Filloon says Weiser is "insanely talented," and swears by her hand-painted dark chocolate creations. Weiser only ships chocolates from November through May. Two-day and overnight shipping is available. [Photo]

The chocolates at Katherine Anne fall somewhere between minimal and homespun. Favorites include the toasted coconut rum truffles and banana bourbon caramels. The shop ships FedEx ground only; order in advance. [Photo]

Pastry chef Kee Ling Tong has been hand-rolling her delicate chocolate truffles since 2002. The tiny storefront in New York City's SoHo neighborhood also sells macarons, but it's the chocolates — with their paper-thin shells and flavors like black sesame truffle — that make Kee's a must-stop for chocolate lovers. Unfortunately for non-New Yorkers, Kee's does not deliver. [Photo]

Bean-to-bar chocolate is still hard to find in most of the U.S., but Mast Brothers in Brooklyn helped pave the way with single-origin chocolates. Their vanilla smoke bar would make a lovely gift any time of the year. Want to add to the experience? Consider going on a tour of the Brooklyn factory or stopping into their brew bar, where cacao nibs are treated like coffee and brewed to order. Find Mast Brothers chocolate bars at fine shops across the country. [Photo]

Recchiuti's bon bons are what draws chocolate lovers into the jewel box-like shop, but their orangettes, pâte de fruit, and peanut butter pucks are the real standouts. Orders for Valentine's Day delivery must be placed by February 11 at 1p.m. PST. [Photo]

Sucré is known for a lot of things, including its gilded King's Cakes, hand-painted macaron towers, and fruit tarts. But Sucré's strawberry chocolates, which make use of fresh Louisiana strawberries, are the best way to get a taste of summer in the wintertime. Orders for Valentine's Day delivery must be placed by February 11. [Photo]

Theo Chocolate can be found at most higher-end markets, but a visit to its shop guarantees you'll discover new and hard-to-find flavors like ghost chili caramel. Theo also uses only organic and certified fair trade chocolate for all of its creations. Orders should be placed two to three days in advance. [Photo]