Chocolate Box Guide: See What's Inside Assorted Chocolate Pieces

Square and Rectangular Chocolates

Square or rectangular chocolates are almost always filled with a crunchy or chewy toffee or caramel filling. Typically, the square ones have a soft caramel filling, while the rectangular ones are chewy. (Fudge pieces can also be square but tend to be bigger than caramel-filled chocolates.)

When toffees and caramels are made, they’re hot and liquid. “[They] cool on large slabs, then are cut at right angles and dipped in chocolate,” explains Ward. This ensures no goodness is wasted.

Circular and Oval Chocolates

Rounded chocolates always contain soft fillings like ganache or cream (e.g., milk or dark chocolate truffles, vanilla cream, and raspberry cream). In production, the soft centers get scooped or piped into circular rounds and then drizzled with chocolate. You’ll find some rounded chocolates are domed and are also typically made with a creamy filling.

Bumpy Surface Chocolates

If the surface isn't smooth (read: bumpy on top), it's probably a nut candy. They're essentially lumpy piles of nuts (such as peanuts, almonds, or cashews) held together with a chocolate coating. Examples include pecan delights and nut clusters. Sometimes, nut-filled chocolates come in paper linings, like peanut butter cups.

Foil-Wrapped Chocolates

If the wrapper is foil, the chocolate probably has an ooey-gooey liquid center, like a cherry cordial. Hint: The foil protects against leaks.

Foil-wrapped chocolates can also be solid chocolates. Historically, chocolates were wrapped in foil so that chocolatiers could pass out samples to customers.