chocolate Issue No. 15
taste and discover the good things in life
Win a luxury holiday to a cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia!
FREE Chocolate
Tasting Experience – find out your true desires
INSIDE –
Why we love chocolate so much What are the
3 Secret Ingredients of Good chocolate?
Discover your chocolate
bliss point!
Some things are so easy to love... Chocolate seduces all of our senses – from glossy, hand finished shells and irresistible aromas, to silky smooth textures and the burst of flavours as you bite in – flooding our senses with deep feel-good sensations. It’s no wonder that chocolate is loved by all, it’s so easy to love.
SMELL
The aroma of fresh chocolate is unmistakable and irresistible to most, setting off a series of powerful responses. Chocolate contains the natural chemical phenethylamine, known as ‘the love drug’, which is released by the brain in moments of passion – giving chocolate its long association with love and romance.
SOUND
Good solid chocolate should break with a definite ‘snap’. This is the sign of well made chocolate that has been properly ‘tempered’ – a very precise process that ensures chocolate sets in the correct way and has the perfect texture. With filled chocolates, the shell should give way with a delightful crispness.
TASTE Chocolate contains at least 300 natural compounds, resulting
in a complex range of tastes and experiences. And as it also naturally melts at mouth temperature, tasting chocolate is a full-on flooding of our senses – from velvety textures in the mouth and mellow flavours on the tongue, to the release of feel-good compounds that leave you with a comforting sense of happiness.
Chocolate beats kissing hands down “when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz ”
Dr David Lewis, International Mind Lab
Why are so many chocolates disappointing?
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Quite simply, many chocolates are just NOT FRESH – made several months ago, they’ll spend several more on the shelves, which makes for dull, boring flavours. POOR QUALITY INGREDIENTS, like industrialised vegetable fats, or excessive amounts of cheap sugar make many chocolates sickly sweet and cloying. BORING RECIPES can also be to blame – dreamed up by cost engineers to save money, they stifle the imagination of chocolatiers. So...
Good chocolate has the power to captivate the senses and even boost your mood with its natural, feel-good compounds
Your bliss point When good chocolate works its magic, all of your senses are engaged and your brain is flooded with feel-good endorphins and serotonin. And as everything converges, you’re left with blissful feelings of happiness, wellbeing and even euphoria.
How to spot the symptoms of the Chocolate Bliss Point! Involuntary emitting of contented moans l Falling back into chairs, utterly relaxed l Far-away, glazed look in the eyes l Feelings of happiness, well-being and even euphoria! l
...how can you spot the ‘good’ chocolates before you buy them…?
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Exciting chocolates do exist! There are chocolate makers out there who devote themselves to chocolates that really excite the taste buds. People who believe that chocolate should seduce the senses on so many different levels – from mouth-watering looks to irresistible flavours. In short, they make chocolates that are…
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FRESH
AUTHENTIC
Chocolates just taste better when they’re fresh, which is why they should be enjoyed as soon as possible after they’re made. Not after sitting around the warehouse for months – fresh is definitely best when it comes to chocolate.
Using authentic, wholesome ingredients is the only way to make premium chocolates. Also, sugar just drowns out all other flavours, so if you can use more cocoa and less sugar wherever possible, the true flavours will shine through.
After all, what would be the point of making this Blueberry Bombe with tangy blueberry juice if it were just going to sit on a warehouse shelf? The fruity kick that is bursting out of this chocolate would simply fade away the longer it was left – far better to taste it fresh!
This Single Malt Smoothie is a prime example of an authentically made chocolate – what would be the point in using premium ingredients only to ruin them all with a nameless culinary whisky? This one has a specially chosen single malt Speyside whisky with distinct floral aromas and delicate flavours that can really be tasted.
Not everyone makes chocolates that are fresh, authentic and original – but when you find them, they’re definitely worth sharing!
If you can use more “cocoa and less sugar... the true flavours will shine through ” ORIGINAL Good chocolate makers firmly believe that chocolate should be exciting, so they make them with plenty of imagination and flair. That way they are constantly creating original, new chocolates that are a delight to discover.
Some new recipes, like this Billionaire Shortbread, were inspired by the well-loved favourite, Millionaire Shortbread, but it has been taken to a whole new chocolaty level with an upgraded name too – capturing the essence of the original and giving it a deliciously different twist.
BUT WHERE can you find all three of these chocolates and more? – Just turn the page!
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Introducing
The Chocolate Tasting Where you can discover, taste and enjoy gorgeous chocolates like this whenever you like! This Classic Introductory Selection contains an irresistible array of flavours within 26 stunning chocolates and 6 solid more-ish batons.
Illustration much reduced. 336mm x 178mm. Total Net Weight: approx 450g.
to find out why these dreamy chocolates “ Turn over are so absolutely irresistible… ” 6
It’s easy!
Club
1. TRY the Tasting Club with our special Introductory Selection – delivered to you in letterbox friendly packaging at a special introductory price. You’re under no obligation or commitment to buy anything else.
2. DECIDE whether you’d like to continue with further Tasting Selections or not – it’s entirely up to you. All-new, completely different Tasting Selections are freshly made every 4 weeks and we can send one to you every 4, 8 or 12 weeks, you decide. 3. COME AND GO AS YOU PLEASE – there are no obligations, no commitments and no nasty surprises! You choose when you’d like chocolates and we send them, plus, you can change your mind whenever you like.
and that’s it! Three other selections available ALL DARK –
exciting filled dark chocolates and solid dark chocolate tasting batons can be found in the Dark Selection
NO ALCOHOL –
simple filled chocolates and thick, solid, melt-away slabs all alcohol-free feature in the Elements Selection
RARE COCOA –
for some of the finest cocoa on the planet paired with super premium ingredients take the Purist Selection
To order any of these just tick the relevant box on the Special Reply Form on page 15
ORDER
NOW
FREE
CHOCOLATE tasting kit see page 15 for details
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REVEALED: the Classic Introductory Selection From silky soft truffles and melt-away pralines, to caramel, chocolate batons and much more... this exclusive selection features some of the best chocolates we’ve ever made, including stunning No 1 chocolates as voted for by Tasting Club members – there’s no better way to reach your Chocolate Bliss Point! Drunken Mandarin
A gorgeously light and creamy ganache with mandarin juice and softened with a dash of mandarin liqueur.
Caramel Cheesecake
The characteristic sour cream flavours of cheesecake paired with oozingly soft and mellow caramel.
Poire Belle William
With a mellow coffee and whisky ganache sitting underneath a creamy, white chocolate top.
Florentine Dream
Melt-away hazelnut and caramel chocolate praline with the bite of florentine square on top.
Irish Coffee
Inspired by the classic Poire Belle Hélène, with a good measure of Poire William liqueur in a smooth ganache.
Lashings of mellow ganache with punchy coffee and a generous splash of whisky liqueur.
Minty Cream Liqueur
Swiss 40% Milk Tasting Batons
A good shot of classic cream liqueur in a soft ganache with a subtle hint of Tasmanian peppermint. 8
Macchiato Shot
A blend of beans from Ghana, Ecuador and São Thomé for long chocolaty flavours and classic Swiss creaminess.
The Introductory Selection features two each of the filled chocolates and three each of the tasting batons.
Griotte Deluxe has won more awards than any other chocolate in the Club’s 13-year history. Taste it for yourself in either the Classic or the Dark Introductory Selection
Olivier Nicod, the Club’s Head Chocolatier – just one of our many chocolatiers who create unique chocolate recipes each month
actual size
Blueberry Bombe created a whole new genre of chocolate with a big, all-natural fruity kick that will leave your taste buds tingling. Features in the alcohol-free Elements Introductory Selection
Caramelised Cherry Tasting Batons
An incredibly more-ish contrast of mellow caramel milk chocolate and fruity morello cherry flakes.
Griotte Deluxe
A chocolate with legendary status amongst members with a succulent, amarena cherry surrounded by soft amaretto cream.
Witch’s Brew
Smooth creamy ganache, laced with a generous amount of extremely fruity sloe vodka.
Rhubarb Truffle
Vanilla white chocolate and cream ganache blended with lots of rhubarb juice for plenty of fruity flavours.
Billionaire Shortbread
Our billionaire version of a classic with extra chocolate, shortbread cookie pieces and dark hazelnut praline.
Single Malt Smoothie
Premium Speyside whisky full of floral aromas blended with caramel to soften the edges a little.
Zesty Toffee Pudding
Essential oil of Valencia orange and a dash of orange liqueur in a silky soft ganache.
Try 26 of our best chocolate recipes
and 6 tasting batons for just £9.95 Order now – see page 15
www.chocs.co.uk/intro
including delivery
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Love chocolate? At £9.95 you’d be mad not to take up this offer! We’ve been delighting our members for over 13 years – here’s why we think you should give us a try too! You’ll be tasting some of our best ever chocolates for just £9.95 Each chocolate in the Introductory Selections is there for a reason. Most have been voted winners by our discerning Tasting Club members (difficult to believe 100,000 people can be wrong!) while others represent special character chocolates you’ll find in the regular selections including some that are controversial. All this and you save £9 off the regular price.
THERE’S A FREE CHOCOLATE TASTING EXPERIENCE for you too!
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NOT JUST CHOCOLATE – there’s a detailed menu, scorecard and more! Every tasting box comes complete with a menu to give you the inside track on each chocolate, a scorecard so you can give us your views (not obligatory!) and also a copy of our monthly periodical Club News.
There’s something to suit everyone – 4 different selections to choose from
As well as saving £9, we’ll also send you a FREE gift when you order an Introductory Selection – your very own Personal Taste Test. Featuring an array of 10 chocolate batons to take you on a delicious adventure across the chocolate spectrum.
Whether you love your chocolates mellow and milk chocolaty or deeper and darker, from silky soft truffles and smooth pralines, to melt-away solid chocolate – we have a selection that you’ll absolutely love. Including alcohol-free recipes and even super premium chocolate made from some of the planet’s most sought-after cocoa.
The Chocolate Tasting Experience (contains an array of 10 solid chocolate tasting batons)
Our four selections – Classic, Dark, Elements (no alcohol) and Purist (rare cocoa) (clockwise from top left)
You’ll get 5% discount at our sister company Hotel Chocolat every time you shop! As a member of the Tasting Club you won’t just enjoy exciting chocolates delivered to your door – your membership card entitles you to a preferential 5% discount at Hotel Chocolat both in-store and online. Which is sure to make you very popular indeed!
You could WIN a LUXURY holiday to The Hotel Chocolat in Saint Lucia When you order an Introductory Selection you’ll be able to enter our exclusive competition to win a stunning 7-day, all expenses paid holiday at The Hotel Chocolat in Saint Lucia (includes air fares and £500 spending money) – Hotel Chocolat’s boutique hotel set in the beautiful surroundings of the Rabot Estate cocoa plantation.
Our boxes are letterboxfriendly – for hassle-free delivery Your chocolates will always arrive in tough packaging specially created to fit through the average letterbox. So, no card from the postman, just a fantastic surprise!
Order Now to save
£9 and get your
FREE gift!
See page 15
Don’t just take our word for it –
here’s what our members say
“
First timer at the tasting club – eating chocolate has never been so entertaining !!! Thanks.
”
Sue from Yorkshire
“
My first tasting and I am very impressed! Can’t wait for my next box. I’ve opted for the Dark Selection as I’m more a fan of dark choc. Let’s see how I will score next time.
”
Victoria from Camberley
“
Love the speed of arrival. The fact that the box fitted through the letterbox.
”
Julie from Gloucester
“
This was my first box, my only regret is that I did not join earlier. They were gorgeous. Looking forward to my next delivery.
”
Terry from Chelmsford
“
I loved the whole experience of receiving these chocolates. Especially the fact that I could smell the gorgeous flavours before I even opened the box. Lucy from Essex
”
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Our cocoa story We started our Club over 13 years ago and since then our passion for chocolate and our love of great ingredients has led us in all sorts of interesting directions – from helping cocoa farmers in Ghana to growing our own cocoa on the island of Saint Lucia. In Saint Lucia we are following our dreams and have become one of the few cocoa growing chocolate makers in the world – rejuvenating the island’s oldest plantation, Rabot Estate, and nurturing the rare Trinitario cocoa that grows there. We’ve also established our Engaged Ethics Cocoa Programme – through which we guarantee to buy the farmers’ entire crops at rates substantially higher than the basic commodity price they used to get, as well as providing technical help and cocoa seedlings. Our guarantee to buy whole cocoa crops means that local growers now have the confidence to invest in their farms and therefore grow more cocoa of ever increasing quality – this year alone, we’re supplying 40,000 rare cocoa seedlings to local growers. Most recently we have opened The Hotel Chocolat at Rabot Estate, our boutique hotel that connects luxury and style with the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with cocoa on a working plantation.
Harvesting cocoa at our own estate in Saint Lucia
In Ghana we’ve been actively helping to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers since 2002 when we began our Engaged Ethics programme. It’s a unique approach that combines direct funding for sustainable projects, with a hands-on approach. We regularly visit the region to see our projects in action and to talk to cocoa farmers about how best to help them help themselves. Our borehole sustains 6 villages in Ghana Angus Thirlwell, Club Founder
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Become part of this exciting story – try the Introductory Selection and let the adventure begin
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FREEPOST ANG10659 ROYSTON SG8 5YD
Chocolate Tasting Club
Š The Chocolate Tasting Club plc 2011 Mint House Royston SG8 5HL www.chocs.co.uk
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A fun way to assess your chocolate preference. Includes solid chocolate batons with caramel, praline, 40% milk chocolate, single origin dark and 85% dark chocolate.
CHOCOLATE TASTING EXPERIENCE...
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(I am over 18) If you would prefer NOT to receive the Classic Selection as your introductory selection please tick your preference here. DARK ELEMENTS PURIST
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All orders subject to acceptance and stock availability. Offer applies UK and Northern Ireland only (Sorry!). We will not pass your details to any third party. If you would prefer not to receive special offers or mailings from us using the information you have provided please let us know any time. Terms and conditions apply which are available on request or at www.chocs.co.uk/TERMS
FREEPHONE 0800 408 6266 (our own UK call centre) ONLINE www.chocs.co.uk/mos FREEPOST just complete the form and post in the postage-paid envelope attached. Please quote this code J533
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Your payment of £9.95 is only due AFTER you receive the chocolates, full details are enclosed with the delivery. You are under no obligation to buy or receive any further selections, you can decide after you have sampled the introductory selection, just let us know if you don’t wish to continue. Otherwise we will send you regular selections every four weeks (less frequently if you prefer) and the annual Best of the Best collection. All selections are £18.95 (incl. delivery).
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If you love chocolate – take a look inside!