Editors’ Choice
Harbor Sweets, Salem
Philosophy: All their treats are truly small-batch, artisanal chocolates—human hands are involved at every step of the process—and the company adheres carefully to traditional methods.
What’s unique: Harbor Sweets built its four-decade reputation on the Sweet Sloop, a beguiling combination of sailboat-shaped almond butter crunch toffee covered in white chocolate and hand-dipped in rich dark chocolate and crushed pecans.
What’s new: A portion of each sale from the new Gather line, six distinctly flavored chocolates unified by 70 percent cacao dark chocolate and local wildflower honey, is donated to the Pollinator Partnership, whose mission promotes the health of honeybees.
85 Leavitt St., Salem, 800-243-2115, harborsweets.com
Readers’ Choice
Winfrey’s Fudge & Chocolates, Rowley
Fun fact: Chocolate fudge was the first candy this second-generation chocolatier ever made, nearly 40 years ago. Winfrey’s now sweetens four locations around the North Shore.
Flagship location: 40 Newburyport Tpke., Rowley, 978-948-7448, winfreys.com