The Best European Chocolates You Need to Try

European chocolate is made differently than American chocolate. The sugar content is lower, the cocoa flavor is more present even in milk chocolate, and the texture tends to be smoother from slower conching and higher-quality fats. The difference is noticeable on the first bite.

At Kalinka Euro Market, we import chocolates from Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and Poland — including nostalgic brands that Eastern European families grew up with, alongside European imports that chocolate lovers discover for the first time.

Russian Chocolates

Alyonka (Алёнка)

Russia's most famous chocolate bar, first produced in 1966 by Krasny Oktyabr factory in Moscow.

The story: The wrapper features a girl in a Russian headscarf. The design is based on a photograph taken by photojournalist Alexander Gerinas of his eight-month-old daughter Elena in 1960. The image became widely known from Soviet magazine covers before being selected for the chocolate wrapper.

Taste: Creamy milk chocolate, slightly less sweet than American chocolate, with a clean finish and no aftertaste. The benchmark for Russian milk chocolate.

Varieties available: Classic bar, with hazelnuts, with wafer, with crispy rice. The classic is the place to start.

Babaevsky (Бабаевский)

One of Russia's oldest confectionery factories, with roots going back to 1804. By 1899, they were the official supplier to the Russian Imperial Court.

Best products: Vdokhnoveniye pralines (dark chocolate with filling), Mishka Kosolapy (chocolate-wrapped wafer pralines with a bear on the wrapper — one of the most beloved Soviet-era candies), and their dark chocolate bars.

Who it is for: People who prefer less sweet, more complex chocolate. The dark chocolate line is particularly good.

Korkunov

Premium Russian chocolates in gift-style packaging. More expensive than Alyonka, positioned as the upscale Russian chocolate brand.

Known for: Assorted praline boxes with milk and dark chocolate shells. Ganache and nut fillings. The presentation makes these the go-to gift for Eastern European households.

Who it is for: Gift-giving, special occasions, people wanting to impress.

Rot Front

Historic Moscow factory famous for Korovka (Коровка — "Little Cow") — soft, chewy caramel toffees individually wrapped. They melt in your mouth rather than sticking to your teeth like most caramels.

Also produces Truffle candies and assorted boxed collections.

Ukrainian Chocolates

Roshen

Ukraine's largest confectionery company. Wide range including milk chocolate bars, dark chocolate, pralines, and candy collections. The quality is consistent and the dark chocolate line is underrated.

Try: The standard dark chocolate bar, the Kiev Cake-flavored chocolates, and the wafer assortments.

German Imports

Milka

Made in Germany (despite the alpine branding). Known for exceptionally smooth, creamy milk chocolate with a distinctly gentle flavor profile that is less cocoa-forward than other European brands.

Popular varieties: Alpine Milk (the standard), Whole Hazelnuts, Oreo, Caramel, Strawberry Yogurt. We stock 20+ Milka varieties at Kalinka including some flavors not available in standard US Milka distribution.

Who it is for: People who want mild, sweet, creamy milk chocolate. The hazelnut variety in particular has a strong following.

Ritter Sport

Square chocolate bars from Germany. The square format is functional — each bar breaks into equal small squares. Wide variety of flavors, all using German chocolate manufacturing standards.

Eastern European Candies

Ptasie Mleczko (Poland)

"Bird's Milk" in Polish. Light, aerated marshmallow filling (vanilla or chocolate) covered in dark chocolate. The texture is unlike anything in American candy — very light inside, with a soft snap from the chocolate shell. Made by Wedel, one of Poland's oldest confectionery companies.

Zefir (Зефир — Russia/Ukraine)

Soft, aerated confection similar to marshmallow but less sweet and with a slightly denser texture. Made from fruit purée (apple is traditional), sugar, egg white, and a setting agent. Coated in powdered sugar or dipped in chocolate. Vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate varieties are common.

Halva

Traditional confection made from ground sesame or sunflower seeds and sugar. Dense, crumbly, with a rich, slightly nutty sweetness. Available in blocks (sliced to order from larger pieces) or packaged. Eaten as a standalone sweet or with tea.

Types available: Sesame halva (denser, more bitter note), sunflower halva (lighter, more popular in Russia and Ukraine), chocolate-swirled halva.

Seasonal and Holiday Chocolates

Around Orthodox Easter, New Year, and other Eastern European holidays, we bring in special seasonal packaging and limited-run items. Call ahead in late December and March to ask what holiday items are in stock.

Gift Ideas

European chocolates are a practical gift for people from Eastern Europe who miss specific brands, and a discovery gift for people who have not tried them before.

• Assorted Babaevsky or Korkunov box — for birthdays and formal occasions
• Alyonka + Zefir + Halva — for someone new to Eastern European sweets
• Milka variety pack — for chocolate lovers who want something different from American candy

Finding European Chocolate Near Vancouver and Portland

Kalinka Euro Market has the largest selection of European chocolates in Clark County — multiple Russian brands, German imports, Polish confections, and seasonal items.

813 W Main St UNIT 110, Battle Ground, WA 98604 Open daily 10 AM – 8 PM 15 minutes from Vancouver WA, 25 minutes from Portland