Austrian chocolatier Josef Zotter makes exquisite chocolate bars, combining unusual flavors that work seamlessltogether to produce a unique sensual experience. His bars consist of dark chocolate and creamy ganache mixed in with different ingredients — anything from vegetables or spices to bacon bits.

My friend started off by offering me the bar with pork greaves — a.k.a. crackling or basically pork rinds. Can you imagine how excited I was?! I knew it would taste good, but I was still a little apprehensive about how it would work. Once I tried a bite, I couldn’t stop. The inside of the chocolate was one creamy explosion of sweet almond nougat. And the greaves added a crispy crunch without an overly intense flavor — their purpose was to accent, not to overpower. The greaves are roasted so that they become crispy and then caramalized. The quality of this chocolate bar is much higher than many artisanal chocolate bonbons in the City.

Zotter chocolates can be found at Garden of Eden, Zabar’s and Blue Apron in Park Slope. The Amish Market will start carrying them soon too. For the online shopper, you can order at www.austrianchocolate.com.