Calling all chocolate fiends

[sleep envy]

I don't have a sweet tooth but every now and again a decent bit of dark chocolate goes well with an espresso after a nice meal

I managed to pick up a bar of Willie's Delectable Cacao Peruvian 70 at the weekend having been seduced by the box and was mildly let down by the chalky quality

what else is there worth trying and would the 72 have been the better choice?

[uncinqsix]

Anything made by this chap: http://uk.cluizel.com/

and Mr Pralus' single origin offerings: http://www.chocolats-pralus.com/chocolat.php?pge=1...

[Quick silver]

sleep envy said:

I don't have a sweet tooth but every now and again a decent bit of dark chocolate goes well with an espresso after a nice meal

[sleep envy]

have I acquired an internet stalker?

you really appear to be a very odd individual indeed

[juice]

Green & Black's - not expensive but tastes good IMHO

Edited by juice on Tuesday 1st September 19:05

[shirt]

malagasy sambirano grand cru.

http://www.malagasy.co.uk/our_product_details.php?...

you can get it in saisnbury's. pricey at about £3.50 for an 85g bar but its bloody amazing. keep it away from the mrs!

is willies that posh guy from the c4 program?

[Silver993tt]

THese have a fantastic choice and excellent quality:

http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/?gclid=CP2x9eeZ0ZwC...

[kiteless]

sleep envy said:

I don't have a sweet tooth but every now and again a decent bit of dark chocolate goes well with an espresso after a nice meal

I managed to pick up a bar of Willie's Delectable Cacao Peruvian 70 at the weekend having been seduced by the box and was mildly let down by the chalky quality

what else is there worth trying and would the 72 have been the better choice?

High cocoa chocs and espresso after a meal?

I'm understanding your name, now.

[Bullett]

mmm, I've got some willies 70% here and don't find it at all chalky.

That said I do prefer the 72% over the peruvian.

[sleep envy]

shirt said:

is willies that posh guy from the c4 program?

Fatbloke said:

Stunned you found willies chalky, try again to make sure you didnt have a duff one

yeah, me too

might just have to

kiteless said:

High cocoa chocs and espresso after a meal?

I'm understanding your name, now.

I sleep well, I just don't have the opportunity to get enough of it!!

[sleep envy]

Bullett said:

mmm, I've got some willies 70% here and don't find it at all chalky.

That said I do prefer the 72% over the peruvian.

yeah, I was debating whether or not to get the 72%, will give that one a go

[randlemarcus]

Found some Lindt 99% in Italy on holiday. Much as I enjoy the 95%, that was a leetle much. Blecch.

[sleep envy]

95%!!

that's cooking chocolate

[randlemarcus]

sleep envy said:

95%!!

that's cooking chocolate

Specially if you replace the 60% stuff in this with proper stuff
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3092/

[shirt]

i thought his whole ethos was selling 100% ? bit of a turnaround eh.

how much is it? i might have a try if its not at fancy london prices

[Horse_Apple]

sleep envy said:

I don't have a sweet tooth but every now and again a decent bit of dark chocolate goes well with an espresso after a nice meal

I managed to pick up a bar of Willie's Delectable Cacao Peruvian 70 at the weekend having been seduced by the box and was mildly let down by the chalky quality

what else is there worth trying and would the 72 have been the better choice?

Sleep, you're very lucky that I saw this thread .

You've got a few middle/top end places like Melt, L'Artisan and Willies at the moment. I have to say that I do like Willies (phnarr phnarr). I find Melt and L'Artisan to be a little too like Hotel Chocolate et al, which are basically this decade's equivalent of the 90's Godiva and the 80's Leonidas, in otherwords, OK but will date as it's more fashion/trend than pure class.

Now. Here's the good bit. As someone who will spend a lot for the best chocs I have experimented heavily over the years and earlier in the year, after visiting almost every specialist chocolate boutique in Town I stumbled across this one and am currently of the firm opinion that these are the best chocolates available to mankind in London (and therefore obviously the world):

http://rococochocolates.com/

They have just launched a new product called Chocolate Wafers. Try them. Exceedingly good.

As an aside, WholeFoods (Kensington) do a stack of dark chocolate bars (same size as Willy's and all in different colour papers) consisting of beans from all the major producing countries. I actually strongly recomend a pack as it is a very interesting exercise in establishing which bean you personally prefer, as this is as crucial as the actual manufacturing process.

Edited by Horse_Apple on Wednesday 2nd September 11:11

[Silver993tt]

Horse_Apple said:

http://rococochocolates.com/

They have just launched a new product called Chocolate Wafers. Try them. Exceedingly good.

Looks like they've just copied the Hotel Chocolat concept.

[shirt]

i want a chocolate crocodile!

i'm not impressed by hotel chocolat, at their prices anyway.

i love leonidas truffles though

[navier_stokes]

randlemarcus said:

Found some Lindt 99% in Italy on holiday. Much as I enjoy the 95%, that was a leetle much. Blecch.

I'm a big fan of dark chocolate, the darker the better, but 100% cocoa is a VERY acquired taste.... pretty much tastes like mud the first time round - in texture as well as flavour - it's slowly growing on me though

[Horse_Apple]

Silver993tt said:

Horse_Apple said:

http://rococochocolates.com/

They have just launched a new product called Chocolate Wafers. Try them. Exceedingly good.

Looks like they've just copied the Hotel Chocolat concept.

I suspect that all 'niche' chocolate shops are similar in terms of concept/products, but these two are world's apart and in a different league.

Hotel is really just the new Thorntons.

The individual chocolates have a clarity and delicacy that reveals what Godiva really is and the bars are amongst the best.

It does all boil down to personal preference but I would recomend anyone to try.