Ways to indulge locally on International Chocolate Day

Attention chocoholics! Today, July 7, is International Chocolate Day and local chocolatiers have both Maryland classics and international flavors for those looking to indulge in their passion.

International Chocolate Day is celebrated as the time when Europeans discovered in July 1550 the plant long used by the Aztec and Mayan empires, according to San Francisco learning laboratory, The Exploratorium. And take heart chocolate lovers: With the cocoa plant officially classified as a vegetable, chocolate eaten in moderation has a few health benefits such as reducing pain and the risk of heart disease.

Towson-area chocolatiers A. Kirchmayr and Wockenfuss Candies both sell international items for people looking to treat themselves this holiday.

Located on Deereco Road in Timonium, Kirchmayr's store wafts with the smell of chocolate as soon as the door is opened. A tall man with glasses and a soft German accent, Kirchmayr is usually in the back of the store making varieties of dark and milk chocolate for the next day. He said he experiments with chocolate each year, and this summer's creation is a candy bar with fruits from all over the world baked inside.

"We have mango from the Philippines with chocolate, golden berries from Peru, Inca berries and barberries from Iran," Kirchmayr said.

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"We also have chocolate bars with the day of the week on it," Kirchmayr said. "You can ration yourself, if you're not disciplined enough."

Kirchmayr also sells six different flavors of homemade ice cream.

The Wockenfuss Candies' location in Towson Town Center sells luscious treats such as Baltimore caramel fudge and Australian licorice. Manager Sara Bosque said the store has about 50 different types of chocolate.

"[Baltimore fudge] is a gritty, sugary chocolate fudge," Bosque said. "If you're looking for something sweet, that is definitely going to do it."

The store also sells orange and black decorated baseball nonpareil chocolate pieces for Orioles fans, dark honeycomb sponge chocolates and milk chocolate champagne truffles.

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But take care of your indulgences, Bosque warns — be aware of how you store your chocolate. For example, white chocolate absorbs odors so keeping it next to a strong smelling food could have disastrous results.

"If you put chocolate in the refrigerator, it will get condensation on it," Bosque said. "We recommend do not put it in the refrigerator."

Ways to indulge locally on International Chocolate Day — (Maya Earls / Baltimore Sun Media Group)

International Chocolate Day comes but only once a year so for those looking to celebrate, Wockenfuss Candies is located on the fourth floor of Towson Town Center, and open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call 410-296-2007 or view wockenfusscandies.com. A. Kirchmayr Chocolatiers at 9630 Deereco Road is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. they can be reached at 410-561-7705 or fineeuropeanchocolate.com.

Follow the chocolate trail

International Chocolate Day would be the perfect time to do a taste test at area chocolate shops. In addition to Wockenfuss and A. Kirchmayr, here are some other dangerously delish stops to visit.