The Nose Knows

Chocolate, especially gourmet chocolate, is one of those universal constants when it comes to gift ideas. Women love chocolate. Few gifts illicit such a demonstrative response as opening a box of chocolates. Her eyes sparkle, a smile immediately broadens and an almost imperceptible sigh signals total joy. The aroma of fine chocolate may have something to do with it. Chocolate is intoxicating – at least in its aromatics.

According to, Dr Carolin Seyfried, of the Technical University of Munich, “Chocolate is one of the most-consumed treats around the world. (Its) Flavor is more than just what the tongue tastes – smell also plays a key role, with many compounds working together to create a unique sensory experience.”

In an article for the Daily Mail, Joe Pinkstone writes, “The cause of dark chocolate’s mouth-watering smell has finally been discovered as scientists pinpoint the exact chemicals responsible for the aroma. A host of chemicals, including one which also gives roses their unique fragrance, is the guilty party, according to a new study. Roasted cocoa beans are rich in beta-ionone, also found in perfume and essential oils, which contributes to its scent.”

Chocolate is also visually appealing. We eat with our eyes first so how we see the chocolate heightens our enjoyment. The more unique, the more pleasing. Chocolate Pizza Company capitalizes on both those senses. Central New York’s largest chocolate maker transforms gourmet Swiss-style chocolate into one-of-a-kind chocolate gifts.

Pizza and Wings

Chocolate Pizza blends rich milk or dark chocolate with homemade English toffee. Chocolatiers then top the confection with candies or nuts that create an artistic look. The result is a eye-catching chocolate gift with the aroma of fine chocolate. It is sealed in cellophane for freshness and served in a custom pizza box. Chocolate Pizza Company ships thousands of these unique gifts around the country every year.

There is little doubt that women value gourmet chocolate as a gift. But what makes it a universal choice is so do men. Guys like chocolate. They don’t get as wrapped up in the aroma and visual appeal but that doesn’t lessen their appreciation. For holidays, birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions, chocolate makes gift buying for men easy. Men go loco for the cocoa.

Chocolate Pizza Company knows this fact which is why they feature “pizza & wings.” But not just any pizza and wings – Chocolate Pizza and Peanut Butter Wings. The Chocolate Pizzas that are most popular with men tend to be the Avalanche. There is the Candy Avalanche, Peanut Butter Avalanche, Syracuse Avalanche and Holiday Avalanche for starters. Certainly, they all are delicious because they come loaded with candy favorites as toppings. But then they discover the Peanut Butter Wings. Show-stopper, mic-dropper – this confection more than any other is man-cave approved. Wings are a Chocolate Pizza Company exclusive. Crisp, rippled potato chips are covered in creamy peanut butter and drenched in gourmet chocolate. It is salty-sweet heaven. Literally, they should come with a warning label that you will eat the whole box.

That’s a lot of Chocolate

Americans spend $22 billion on chocolate every year. We consume just under 3 billion pounds of it. So, it is no surprise that when it comes to gifts chocolate makes the grade. Chocolate Pizza Company has been featured on Hallmark Channel, Food Network, CNBC and Forbes. Owner, Ryan Novak, started with the company as a dishwasher at age 15. Six years later, he owned it.