Cadeaux Chocolates are a sensuous gift to lovers of locally made artisan chocolates

I tend to pay close attention to chocolate, as it's one of my favorite things to eat. I've been seduced by bars laced with bacon and dusted with crispy bread crumbs; intrigued by a range of percentages of cacao; and conducted taste tests to find out the difference between chocolates from Madagascar, Argentina and Ghana.

But I have never seen or eaten more gorgeous, refined or seductively subtle chocolates as those made by local chocolatier Janet Shimada for her line, Cadeaux Chocolates.

Established in July of 2007, Cadeaux Chocolates are hand dipped and molded confections created with a fine dark European chocolate Shimada has chosen for its smooth taste and glossy appearance. Committed to using the freshest of ingredients, she infuses subtle hints of flavors like honey, ginger, black tea, kirsch and Caffe Fiore espresso into her fillings. Dense caramels are sprinkled with just the right amount of crunchy sea salt; a flick of gold leaf adorns a simple bittersweet ganache and a mold is painted with red cocoa butter to give a rosy hue to chocolate caramel. Beautiful modern floral and geometric designs made with an edible acetate transfer add sheen and color to the collection.

Cadeaux is a one-woman operation from start to finish. Shimada, a former internist turned psychiatrist, has trained at some of the most prestigious culinary institutions, including the Culinary Institute of America and the Notter School of Pastry Arts in order to fulfill her passion for chocolate-making. "There's no end to what there is to do with chocolate," declares Shimada, calling chocolate her, "creative outlet."

Cadeaux Chocolates retail for $2 each, with gift boxes ranging in price from $12 to $20. They can be purchased at Caffe Fiore, Ballard Market, Bella Cosa Foods, Sunset Hill Green Market or by e-mailing janet@cadeauxchocolates.com. To view a selection of Cadeaux Chocolates, visit her Web site.

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