Nothing Says "I Love You" Like Bacon
It’s that time of year again. Loved by some (i.e. women) and dreaded by others (i.e. men). When couples force a romantic evening and single people stay in to hide the scales on their backs. That’s right, folks, it’s Valentine’s Day. The time for flowers, cards and, let’s be honest, the real reason for the season…chocolates.
Except something is different this year. There is a new chocolate on the block that lets you turn your nose up at the generic Whitman’s Sampler and give (or treat yourself to) the most unique of truffles. Think bacon. Chipotle and lime. Peppered mint with chili peppers. All covered in chocolate. Don’t worry – they’re delicious.
John Eric Battles (“Johnny”) is a chocolate artisan and the creator of Sweet Teeth. Playing with the bitterness of chocolate more than the sweetness, Johnny creates chocolates with as much personality as his tattooed fingers. It can take him up to four days to make one of his concoctions, and you can taste the labor of love.
If you are more of a traditionalist, go for his signature salted caramel or chocolate truffle. Hands down our favorite is the bacon truffle. An extraordinary play on salty and sweet, it’s like a little Trio hip-hop party in your mouth. He’ll try anything (he once had a disastrous incident with a roasted garlic confit chocolate), and he’s particularly excited to unveil his upcoming parmesan reggiano with bay leaf truffle.
You can pick up a box of Sweet Teeth chocolates for your Valentine at a handful of local spots including EVO, O’Hara and Flynns, Sugar Bake Shop and Avondale Wine and Cheese.
Johnny, will you be our Valentine?
Story by Caroline Nuttall
