Chocolate Is Alive (Sort Of). Here’s How to Treat It Right.
Our chocolate is hand-crafted in small batches with real cream, real butter, and no shortcuts, which means it’s perishable, just like anything else worth eating fresh. A little care goes a long way.
When Your Order Arrives
- Open it right away. Don’t let a beautifully packed box sit in a hot car or on a sunny porch.
- Check for an ice pack. Warm-weather orders ship with cold packs and insulation. If yours arrived soft, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm back up; it’ll taste just as good.
- Inspect before you gift. If something looks off (melted, cracked, or discolored beyond a light “bloom”), contact us within 48 hours, and we’ll make it right.
Storage
- Best kept at: 60-72°F, away from direct sunlight and strong odors (chocolate absorbs smells from the fridge faster than you’d think).
- Refrigeration: Only if your home regularly runs warm. Store in the original packaging or an airtight container to avoid condensation, which is what causes sugar bloom, and absorbed odors. Let it come back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Freezing: Not recommended. It changes the texture, and our chocolate deserves better.
Shelf Life
Most of our chocolate keeps longer than people expect. Truffles and filled pieces are best within 4 months. Chocolate-covered Oreos, pretzels, and s’mores: also 4 months. Caramels and Texas Frito Brittle: 6 months. Solid chocolate bars and molded pieces go the distance at 12 months for milk and 18 months for dark. Gift boxes and crunch mixes combine several of the above, so they follow the shortest piece inside at 3 months. Chocolate popcorn is our one sprinter: enjoy that within a month.
All of that assumes proper storage. Check the card in your box for piece-specific guidance: some of our fillings (looking at you, Space City Truffles) are more delicate than others.
Shipping in Warm Weather
When it gets hot, we change how we ship. During high-temperature stretches you might see your shipping options reduced to overnight shipping only. We do this so that your box spends as little time in a warm truck as possible, and warm-weather orders go out with cold packs and insulation. It’s not us being cautious for no reason: it’s the difference between chocolate and soup.
Something not right?
We stand behind every box. If a perishable issue shows up after delivery, reach out at sweettoothsupport@winfieldscb.com within 48 hours with a photo and your order number, and we’ll replace it or make it right. No hoops to jump through.