The rustic, dusty brown tiles may not look like much, but they happen to be the most popular chocolates The Cultured Cup has ever carried. “People buy one, and come back and buy 30,” co-owner Kyle Stewart says. “We could fill the case up, and it’s gone. A woman came in, and I thought she was going to cry because we didn’t have them.” The Chocolate Caramel Turtles from Nib Chocolates have a dark chocolate shell, lightly dusted with coco powder. A whole Texas pecan is tucked inside, surrounded by fleur de sel caramel. “It really has a nice balance,” Stewart says. “It’s just the right amount of everything.” And it pairs well with the Christmas Spice tea for the holidays. Several gift packages are available, starting at $13.50. The Cultured Cup began in Addison 15 years ago and has spent the past five in the Plaza at Preston Center. In 2009, Stewart became the first certified Tea Specialist in Texas, learning about different tea rituals all over the world. He has made it his life’s mission to educate people about tea’s benefits. “I didn’t want it to be a nose-in-the-air kind of thing,” he says. “It’s a communal beverage. It’s the perfect beverage for the culture we’ve created.”

The Cultured Cup
Preston & Northwest Highway
972.960.1521
theculturedcup.com

Three more spots to indulge

1 Paper & Chocolate
As the name suggests, this Inwood Village nook specializes in two of life’s simple commodities — paper and chocolate. Half stationery shop, half chocolate shop, the store carries gourmet chocolates and gift assortments.
Lovers & Inwood
214.357.2737
paperandchocolate.com

2 Neuhaus
This Preston Royal café started as a gourmet Belgian chocolate shop, and still offers its latest decadent desserts at the restaurant, plus plenty of candy in the back.
Preston & Royal
214.739.4600
neuhauscafe.com

3 Noka Chocolate
Located in NorthPark Center, this shop has received national attention for its goal to return chocolate to its purest and finest state.
Park & Central Expressway
214.295.4560
nokachocolate.com