31 December 2016
I have always loved chocolate. From as far back to my childhood as I can remember. Therefore, starting a blog to capture and share my adventures and memories of chocolate was simply a natural evolution in the pursuit of this passion. Thanks Matt and Kainaaz, for giving me the nudge to make this a reality.
I’d never imagined, a year ago, that I could get so much more immersed in the world of chocolate – from amazing people, new friends, newly discovered places and countries to the most awesome chocolate experiences. And yet, there is still a great deal to learn, places to discover and most importantly, chocolates to experience! But before the curtain comes down on a stellar 2016, it’s most befitting that I celebrate my year in chocolate with a list of my top ten experiences.
Top Ten Chocolate Experiences
1. Self-guided discovery of the Tuscan Chocolate Valley, Italy with hubby in the driver’s seat. The experience of navigating and getting lost along narrow, winding and almost deserted country roads, amidst the rolling green Tuscan hills and golden fields, in search of Torrefazione Trinci, Amedei, Slitti and Roberto Catinari made it even more memorable.
2. The chocolate tour/ tasting at the Amedei headquarters and factory in Pontedera, Tuscany, Italy. The experience awakened my senses to chocolates made from single origin criollo cocoa beans and deepened my appreciation for these beans. To top off the Amedei experience, the limited edition Porcelana and Chuao have changed the way that I taste and appreciate “real” chocolate.
3. Attending ChocolART, a showcase and celebration of chocolate-inspired art, revealed in the charming backdrop that is Tuebingen, Germany. It was inspiring to be amongst throngs of like-minded chocolate-crazed fans who live, eat, breathe and drink chocolate, enjoying artisanal handmade chocolates, inventive chocolate dishes, traditional treats and beverages through to creative chocolate artworks and the beautiful cocoa-inspired motifs that were projected in the stunning light show. Thanks Mike, for playing the virtual tour guide.
4. Self-guided chocolate discovery of London, UK with hubby’s skillful navigation on a bicycle, in search of the latest chocolate trends and flavours as well as the Queen’s favourite chocolates. We achieved a lot in 6 hours, covering top contemporary chocolate shops like Paul A Young, Rococo, Artisan du Chocolat and Melt, and the Royal Warrant holders, Prestat and Charbonnel et Walker.
5. Christmas markets and chocolate discovery of Strasbourg, France. More about this in the New Year. Thanks Fred, for all your recommendations.
6. Self-guided chocolate discovery of Munich, Germany. Through this experience, I have met some of the most passionate chocolate friends, namely Inna from 1001 Sense and Christine from Chocolates & More, discovered the global chocolate library that is 1001 Sense and learnt about German chocolates, including home-grown bean to bar makers like Georgia Ramon and Coppeneur.
7. Chocolate High Tea at the Abode Bistro & Bar, Sydney, Australia. It’s not every day that one is able to see, smell, taste, touch and discuss chocolates with the creative mind behind the experience, in the presence of great company. Plus, I was stoked to hear that I’d inspired my friend Elliot to appreciate chocolates in a completely different light.
8. Self-guided chocolate discovery of Gothenburg, Sweden. It was refreshing to learn about a completely foreign culture and to be immersed in “fika”, as well as to discover what the Swedish do for sweets and more importantly, how they eat their chocolates.
9. Attending my first “by invitation only” chocolate tasting at Jeff de Bruges, Sydney, Australia. I felt that I’d achieved a milestone as a chocolate blogger. Thanks for the experience, Audrey and Esther.
10. Experiencing chocolate closer to its native form, xocoatl, courtesy of my chance discovery of Antico Dolceria Bonajuto’s chocolate bars. The coarse, “cold worked” chocolate, with an unfinished appearance and grainy texture from the fine cocoa nibs and intact sugar granules, takes getting used to but has definitely grown on me.
What are your top ten chocolate experiences for 2016? I’d love to hear about them! In the meantime, here’s a toast to all my chocolate friends the world over for a fabulous 2017 filled with love, laughter and amazing chocolates, of course? To hubby and the rest of my family, thanks for supporting my consuming passion and partaking in my chocolate adventures and experiences, where possible? Happy New Chocolate Year everyone!
Imagine…..a charming and peaceful small university town, with a population of under a hundred thousand inhabitants.
It’s not widely publicised compared to other more high profile chocolate events like the International Chocolate Awards, Eurochocolate, Salon du Chocolat, The Northwest Chocolate Festival or the World Chocolate Masters. However, the idea of visiting a new, lesser known town and broadening my knowledge on German chocolates highly appealed to me.
The cobbled stone streets snaking up to the Old Town are lined with stall after stall of chocolates and related products. From chocolate bars, filled chocolates/ pralines, cakes, biscuits, nougat and panforte to crepes, waffles, pancakes, traditional German treats, hot chocolate, chocolate beer and even chocolate jewellery! There are also chocolate workshops, tastings and chocolate art exhibitions. Essentially, something for everyone.
When the sun sets on the charming Old Town, a treat awaits its visitors. A captivating light show of chocolate inspired art is projected onto the beautiful old buildings. Chocolate has never looked so beautiful in the dark.
In terms of the actual piece de resistance, where do I even begin?! There are so many chocolate brands, mainly artisanal; some that I have encountered and many that I have not from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and even Vietnam and Ecuador. Schell, Weber & Weiss, Kallari, Zotter, Pacari, Marou, Chapon, Chocami, Original Beans and Bean to Ciok, to name a few. Stay tuned for future posts on these discoveries.
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Does this rate as an ultimate chocolate experience? How can it not, for celebrating chocolate in all its beauty and forms!
The Weihnachtsschokolade, in German, or simply Christmas chocolate, in English, is only made and sold during the Christmas period, and in certain parts of Europe. Locating it proved to be a challenge, like finding a needle in a haystack. My search took me to many a supermarket and department store during my travels in Germany. In the end, I located a variant in the German fine food store Dallmyr, in Munich, and later on, the Lindt range of Weihnachtsschokolade at the local Rewe supermarket, in the charming little town of Tuebingen.
The Weihnachtsschokolade is generally milk chocolate that comes in a bar. Nothing special at first glance. However, as I unwrap the bars, the point of distinction becomes apparent. The initial nose is distinctly cinnamon, as is the case for both bars, plus hints of star anise in the Dallmyr bar, in a sweet, milky mixture.
I put a piece in my mouth and let it melt. The taste is sweet and spicy, and conjures up memories of gingerbread and gluhwein (spiced mulled wine) consumed over a warm open fire, in the wintery cold. The initial spicyness is punchier in the Lindt bar but fleeting, leaving a finish of sweet milk chocolate.
The Dallmyr bar is more complex in comparison, but milder. I taste the cinnamon first, along with hints of raisins. The sweetness of the milk chocolate carries through, though not as sweet as the Lindt bar. The finish is slightly spicy with a very mild peppery taste, perhaps from the star anise or maybe even ginger.