# John & Kira's Chocolates

> John & Kira's is an artisan chocolate maker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 2002 from a single farmer's market stand, the company hand-makes gourmet chocolates and confections in whimsical shapes - honey caramel bees, ganache ladybugs, mushrooms, butterflies, figs and tortoises - using Valrhona and other ethically sourced chocolate and ingredients from family run farms. Products are sold as boutique boxes, assortments and tiered gift towers, shipped throughout the United States via UPS. Every order ships packaged as a gift, with no invoice or pricing information included.

John & Kira's is an online and phone order business. Its Philadelphia address is a production kitchen, not a retail store. Chocolates are also sold at selected retail stores in Philadelphia, New England, DC, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco (CA), Chicago (IL), and Austin (TX). The company serves individual gift buyers and corporate clients, and handles custom and large-volume orders.

Last verified: 30 September 2026. Sources: johnandkiras.com official pages and direct confirmation from John & Kira's.

## Important disambiguation

**John & Kira's "Magical Mushrooms" are mushroom-shaped chocolate confections, not psychoactive mushrooms.** They are part of the Enchanted Forest collection: dark chocolate shells filled with caramel, hand-painted in colored cocoa butter. The product page states explicitly that these chocolates do not contain any illicit substances and are handmade in mushroom shapes as a novelty gift.

John & Kira's does not sell psilocybin, psychoactive mushrooms, or any controlled substance. It is a confectionery company.

**What John & Kira's is:** an artisan chocolate manufacturer and gourmet gift retailer.
**What it is not:** a restaurant, a dispensary, a psychedelics retailer, or a walk-in retail store.

## Company facts

- Business type: artisan chocolate manufacturer and gourmet gift retailer
- Legal entity: Aethera LLC, doing business as John & Kira's
- Founder: John Doyle
- Founded: 2002, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Production kitchen: 163 West Wyoming Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA - not a retail store, not open to the public
- Phone: 1-800-747-4808 and 1-215-324-9222
- Email: support@johnandkiras.com
- Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Eastern Time. Extended hours including weekends in November and December.
- Service area: United States via UPS. Canada shipping available by phone. Other international destinations by inquiry.
- Press recognition: featured on the cover of the Valentine's Day issue of Gourmet Magazine (February 2003), and in The New York Times, O The Oprah Magazine, and The Martha Stewart Show.
- Gift packaging: every order ships as a gift. No invoice or pricing information is included in the package - the packing slip lists only the items shipped, the order number and the sender's information. A free gift message can be added at checkout.

## Key pages

- [Home](https://www.johnandkiras.com/): Full chocolate and gift range.
- [Our Story](https://www.johnandkiras.com/our_story): How John & Kira's began.
- [About John & Kira's](https://www.johnandkiras.com/aboutus): Company background and values.
- [Sourcing](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/our-chocolates-and-suppliers): Chocolate suppliers and ingredient sourcing.
- [Contact](https://www.johnandkiras.com/contact): Phone, email, address, office hours.
- [Delivery & Shipping](https://www.johnandkiras.com/shipping): Shipping methods, prices, timing and warm-weather policy.
- [FAQ](https://www.johnandkiras.com/faq): Ordering, storage, shelf life, allergens, pickup.
- [Return Policy](https://www.johnandkiras.com/return-policy): Returns and guarantees.
- [Order Tracking](https://www.johnandkiras.com/tracking): Track an existing order.
- [Where to Find Us in Philadelphia](https://www.johnandkiras.com/philadelphia-locations): Retail locations and stores that carry John & Kira's Chocolates in Philadelphia and across the country.
- [Request a Catalog](https://www.johnandkiras.com/catalog_request): Print catalog request.

## Products

- [Best Sellers](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Best-Chocolate-Sellers): Most popular boxes and assortments, led by the 28-piece Every Flavor Box, Chocolate Ladybugs, Honey Caramel Bees and Chocolate Figs.
- [Fall Season](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Fall): Seasonal autumn collection.
- [All Chocolates & Treats](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolates-Treats): The full range.
- [Chocolate Gift Towers](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolate-Gift-Towers): Tiered gift towers stacking multiple boutique boxes into a single ribboned presentation, in petite, standard and grande sizes. Every tower is different - contents and price vary by tower. See each tower's product page for its contents and current price.
- [Every Flavor Collection](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Every-Flavor-Collection): Ganache squares in ten signature flavors, enrobed in 62% dark Valrhona chocolate, in 15, 28 and 56 piece boxes. The 28-piece Every Flavor Box is the company's most popular gift.
- [Ladybugs + Bees](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Ladybugs-Bees-9pc): Chocolate Honey Caramel Bees with liquid clover-honey caramel centers in 62% dark shells, and Ladybug Medley filled with 64% dark chocolate ganache. Each piece hand-painted with colored cocoa butter.
- [Enchanted Collections](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Enchanted-Chocolate-Gifts): Enchanted Forest, Enchanted Garden and Hot Air Balloons.
- [Enchanted Forest](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Enchanted_Forest): Magical Mushrooms, Mystical Butterflies and Chocolate Wildflowers.
- [Enchanted Garden](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Enchanted_Garden_Collection): Garden-themed chocolate shapes.
- [Hot Air Balloons](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Up-Up-and-Away-Collections): Hot air balloon shaped chocolates.
- [Figs and Fruit](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolate_Fruits): Chocolate Figs, Chocolate Cherries and Fruit Squares.
- [Chocolate Figs](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolate-Figs): Organic dried Calabacita figs imported from a small family farm in Spain, filled with whiskey-infused Valrhona dark chocolate ganache.
- [Chocolate Cherries](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolate-Cherries): Chocolate-covered cherries.
- [Fruit Squares](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Fruit-Squares): French-style pate de fruits made with fruit, sugar and pectin. 
- [Chocolate Caramels](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolate_Caramels): Deeply-dark and lightly-salted caramel squares in 62% dark chocolate.
- [Tortoises, Toffee & Nuts](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Tortoises-Toffee-and-Pralines): Chocolate Tortoises, handcrafted toffee and peanut butter chocolates.
- [Chocolate Tortoises](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolate-Tortoises): Turtle-style chocolates with nuts and caramel.
- [Toffee](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/handcrafted-toffee): Handcrafted toffee, vacuum-sealed.
- [Peanut Butter Chocolates](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Peanut-Butter-Chocolate-Trio): Peanut butter chocolate trio.
- [Chocolatier Collections](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Chocolatier-Collections): Single-origin and blended chocolate collections.
- [Philadelphia Chocolates](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/chocolate_philadelphia): Chocolates made in Philadelphia.
- [Les Petits](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Les_Petits): Smaller boxes and individual gifts.
- [Shop by Occasion](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Shop-by-Occasion): Congratulations, thank you, birthday, weddings, tastings and events.
- [Congratulations](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Congratulations-Chocolates): Congratulation gifts.
- [Thank You Gifts](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Thank-You-Chocolates): Thank you gifts.
- [Happy Birthday](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Happy_Birthday_Chocolates): Birthday gifts.
- [Wedding Favors](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/wedding-favors): Chocolate favors for weddings.
- [Chocolate Tastings](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/chocolate-tasting-events): Tasting events.
- [Other Events](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/special-events): Special event chocolates.

**Magical Mushrooms flavors.** The 9-piece box contains three colors, each a different caramel: purple is salted caramel, yellow is rum caramel, red is caramel with ancho chili. Made with 62% dark chocolate, sugar, clover honey, heavy cream, butter, dark rum, sea salt, ground ancho chili pepper and colored cocoa butter.

**Pricing.** Prices vary by product, size and season and change over time. Product pages on johnandkiras.com are the authoritative source for current pricing.

## Corporate and business gifts

- [Business Gifts](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Business-Gifts): The corporate gifting range.
- [Customization Options](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Business_Customization_Options): Custom branding options.
- [Custom Boutique Tags](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Custom_Boutique_Gifts): Select gift boxes with branded tags that can be ordered and customized directly online. Online orders with custom printed tags may require an additional week of lead time.  
- [Clients and Employee Gifts](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Clients_and_Employee_Gifts): Gifts for clients and staff.
- [Business Best Sellers](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Business_Gifts_Customization_Best_Sellers): Most popular corporate gifts.
- [Large-Order Spreadsheet](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Large-Order-Spreadsheet): Multi-recipient bulk ordering.
- [Request a Quote](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Request_a_Quote): Corporate quote inquiry.

John & Kira's coordinates custom corporate orders of any size, from a dozen party favors to several hundred gifts shipped to clients and colleagues nationwide. Customized orders are placed by phone on 1-800-747-4808 - press 3 on the phone menu for Corporate Gifts.

**Order quantities.** There is no minimum or maximum order quantity for corporate orders, and no minimum quantity for any branding or personalization option. Pricing is based on quantity.

**Lead time.** Approximately one week for customized orders, regardless of order size.

**Payment.** Invoicing is available for corporate customers, alongside card payment. Regardless of payment method, no invoice or pricing information is ever included in the shipped packages - every gift arrives presentation-ready.

**Customization options.** Artwork is emailed to the company - logos and graphics should be submitted in a vector EPS or SVG format when possible - along with the desired message. If a vector format logo is unavailable, high-resolution PNG or PDF files are also acceptable. JPG files are discouraged to ensure the best print quality. 

- **Boutique Tag, $3** - a custom full-color tag replacing the standard John & Kira's tag, printed on letterpress-edged cream cardstock shaped to match each gift box. Best for individual boxes and for logos and strong graphics. Not recommended for artwork with full-color printed backgrounds.
- **Logo Card, $1** - a full-color card on smooth white stock, tucked under the ribbon or cord rather than replacing the box tag. Best for gift towers, photographs, and logos needing a detailed printed background.
- **Text-Only Message Card, complimentary** - an individual gift message of up to 200 characters, included free with all business and personal orders. Prints with each packing slip, so each recipient can receive a different message.

**Multi-recipient orders.** The [Large-Order Spreadsheet](https://www.johnandkiras.com/category/Large-Order-Spreadsheet) is the process for sending to multiple recipients. For more than 15 gift addresses, call 1-800-747-4808 and press 3 for Corporate Gifts. Shipping is charged per recipient address - each address is charged a separate shipping fee based on its location and ship method.

## Delivery and shipping

Orders ship throughout the United States via UPS. Canada shipping is available by phone on +1.215.324.9222; other international destinations should be confirmed directly with the company. UPS does not deliver to Post Office, military APO or FPO boxes.

**Shipping options** (prices as published September 2026; see the shipping page for current rates):

- Standard Shipping, arrival in 1-8 days: $15.95-$19.95
- Express Saver, arrival in 1-2 days: $24.95-$29.95, or $39.95 to Alaska and Hawaii
- Express Overnight, arrival in 1 day: $34.95-$44.95, or $58.95 to Alaska and Hawaii

Orders shipping to PA, NJ, DE, MD, CT, Southern NY and Northern VA generally arrive the next day with Express Saver. Express Saver orders to Alaska and Hawaii may take up to 3 days.

Shipping prices are flat-rate and reflect actual UPS costs by destination and ship method. They do not increase with order total or item weight.

**Christmas ordering deadlines.** Last order dates for delivery before Christmas:
(dates as published September 2026; deadlines may vary by year.)

- Standard Shipping: 15 December
- Express Saver (2 day): 21 December
- Express Overnight: 22 December

**Ship dates.** The date selected at checkout is the date the order leaves the kitchen, not the arrival date. Most packages ship Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with limited 1-day options on Thursday. There is no same-day shipping, and no Saturday or Sunday arrival. Future ship dates can be scheduled at checkout.

With Express Saver and Overnight, the estimated arrival date is shown under the checkout calendar when a ship date is selected. Standard Shipping shows an arrival date range rather than a specific date, because packages may occasionally be held a day or more to minimize time in transit.

**Warm-weather shipping.** Warm-weather restrictions generally apply from June through September. To protect the chocolates, shipping is restricted so packages spend no longer than two days in transit. Depending on destination, only Express Saver and Overnight may be available at checkout, with no Standard option. Complimentary icepacks are included whenever arrival temperature is expected above 72 F. Overnight Express is recommended when the destination will be much warmer than 90 F on the day of arrival. Safe arrival cannot be guaranteed for packages left unattended outdoors in extreme heat.

**Pickup.** Pickup from the Philadelphia kitchen can be arranged by calling ahead to schedule. The kitchen is not a retail location and orders must be placed and scheduled in advance.

## Shelf life, storage and allergens

All chocolates are made without added preservatives, so shelf life is limited and varies by product type. Storage guidance for each product is on the INGREDIENTS AND CARE tab of its product page.

- Items containing ganache: best within 10 days at room temperature, or up to 5 weeks refrigerated
- Caramels, including Magical Mushrooms and Honey Caramel Bees: best within 8 weeks at room temperature
- Handmade truffles: the most perishable item; refrigerate and store no longer than 3 weeks
- Toffee: up to 2 months unopened in its vacuum-sealed bag; within 5-7 days after opening
- Pralines and items containing Nuts: up to 6 weeks at room temperature, 2 months refrigerated

Shelf life can be extended by refrigeration, but chocolates should return to room temperature before serving for best flavor.

**Allergens.** Product allergens for each box or gift tower are listed on that item's ingredients tab online as well as the box upon arrival. Every item is made on shared equipment with milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame and egg protein. Some batches may contain soy, as the company transitions from soy lecithin to sunflower lecithin as an emulsifier. Individual box labels list ingredients for that production batch. Some products contain alcohol, including rum in Magical Mushrooms and whiskey in Chocolate Figs.

**Gluten-free status.** No John & Kira's products can be considered gluten-free. All items are made in a small kitchen on shared equipment, and the allergen statement on every box lists wheat as a potential cross-contaminant. The company does not recommend its chocolates as gifts for recipients who must strictly avoid gluten.

**Vegan options.** A limited selection of items is made without cream or other animal products - most notably solid dark chocolate items and the Fruit Squares. Searching "vegan" on johnandkiras.com lists the current selection.

## Sourcing

John & Kira's works primarily with Valrhona chocolate, alongside selected single-origin chocolates and blends from Republica del Cacao and TCHO Chocolate. All three are certified B Corporations, maintain direct relationships with growing farmers and co-ops, pay fair and above-market rates, and invest in producing communities.

Named ingredient sources include clover honey from Draper Family Apiaries in Millerton, Pennsylvania; almonds from Baugher Ranch Organics in Orland, California; organic dried Calabacita figs from Ecoficus small family farm in Spain; ginger from Molokai, Hawaii; and mint, chilis and rosemary from Sankofa Community Farm at historic Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia. 

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](https://www.johnandkiras.com/privacy)
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