Making Chocolate – from Bean to Bar

September 20th, 2010 by Chocaholic

I’m off to New York in December and just found that New York is Number 7 on the top 10 chocolate destinations. The post recommends Jacques Torres as a must see in New York so thought I’d look it up.

Jacques got a great video showing the process he goes through to make his bean to bar chocolate. The shop doesn’t deliver to the UK though so I’ll have to wait until December to try it!

Check the video out below.

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Hotel Chocolate tasting club – Box 1 :)

March 21st, 2010 by Chocaholic

My name is Donna and I’m a chocoholic. Born in Birmingham, too close to Cadbury World, chocolate has always featured very heavily in my life. I enjoy at least one bar of chocolate a day and if not consumed, I’m a not a very happy lady. My husband, always looking for an easy life has now invested in a monthly taster box from the Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Tasting Club.

I have enjoyed all of box T16 and scored each of the 14 different types of chocolates giving four chocolates 10 out of 10. My favourites were the Tipsy orange truffle, Florentine Dream, Caramel Hush and Poire Belle William.

The Tipsy Orange Truffle – yum chocolate meets zesty orange – really have and always will love that combination. The Florentine Dream had a lovely sweet praline in caramel chocolate topped with Florentine biscuits – very sweet, and delicious. The Caramel Hush another lovely crunchy praline with a layer of soft caramel. Finally the Poire Belle William was a really interesting flavour, one that I have not enjoyed before, silky milk chocolate and cream ganache with a boozy pear surprise. Yum.

I always enjoy a lovely crunchy praline, or an orange chocolate flavoured number, but never before have I tried pear flavour with chocolate. This may be a new taste for the future for me to experiment with.

The Tasting box didn’t last long and now I just have to wait 3 weeks and 6 days until my next box to arrive.

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Some great posts from Google

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    LEWC To Host Wine, Chocolate WeekendJamestown Post JournalFive ''host wineries'' and a few others will provide a non-chocolate food pairing. Ticket holders will receive a wine glass, recipe booklet, a. […]
  2. Decadent chocolate covered caramel corn - Tulsa World (blog) Sunday, 5 February 2012, 11:03 pm
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  4. Think Outside the Chocolate Box This Valentine's Day - Clarksville Online Sunday, 5 February 2012, 2:05 pm
    Think Outside the Chocolate Box This Valentine's DayClarksville OnlineJust add white chocolate chips and a few other ingredients to a Martha White Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix and bake for 10 minutes. Yo. […]
  5. Recipe Card: MILK CHOCOLATE MANGO MOUSSE - Muncie Star Press Sunday, 5 February 2012, 8:18 am
    Recipe Card: MILK CHOCOLATE MANGO MOUSSEMuncie Star PressValentine's Day practically screams for a chocolate dessert. And this mousse is an easy way to incorporate chocolate without being overly indul. […]
  6. Eats: Coconut creams, nonpar'ellas' and other chocolate decadence from Ella's - Lewiston Sun Journal Sunday, 5 February 2012, 4:52 am
    Lewiston Sun JournalEats: Coconut creams, nonpar'ellas' and other chocolate decadence from Ella'sLewiston Sun JournalWhen Mary's Candies sadly closed up shop in Lewiston a few years ago, Ella Magee lo. […]
  7. Bourbon Buffalo Wings, Queso Fundito & Chocolate-Covered Bacon: 15 Killer ... - BostInno Saturday, 4 February 2012, 6:54 pm
    Bourbon Buffalo Wings, Queso Fundito & Chocolate-Covered Bacon: 15 Killer ...BostInnoIn honor of the Patriots this Sunday, take to the kitchen and impress your party guests with these 15 snackable rec. […]
  8. Side dishes: Chocolate bake-off, fondue, garden wisdom and a bourbon dinner - Wisconsin State Journal Saturday, 4 February 2012, 2:08 pm
    Side dishes: Chocolate bake-off, fondue, garden wisdom and a bourbon dinnerWisconsin State JournalWisconsin author Jerry Apps' new book offers stories, advice and recipes tied to his six decades of ga. […]
  9. Brooks on Beer: Chocolate and beer - San Jose Mercury News Wednesday, 1 February 2012, 8:05 pm
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  10. Handmade Chocolates Recipe: Quince-Filled Chocolate Marzipan Bonbons - Huffington Post Canada Friday, 27 January 2012, 10:25 pm
    Handmade Chocolates Recipe: Quince-Filled Chocolate Marzipan BonbonsHuffington Post CanadaThe result is this ridiculously simple — yet outrageously delicious — recipe for quince-filled marzipan bo. […]