Chocolate has had a reputation as an aphrodisiac all the way back to at least Montezuma, if not further, so it seems only appropriate that there is a lot of the stuff being given at Valentine’s Day. For those that a half pound box from Tesco is going to leave you very much out in the cold, here are some romantic and yet incredibly tasty choices.
I’ve written about Montezuma’s many times, and their chocolate tends to be somewhere in the house! If you need a good introduction, then order the Box of Love for your loved one, and hope they share. Rather keen on the sound of the Sweet Harmony Giant Truffle.
For a step up in terms of sophistication of presentation, and possibly taste, then the Chocolate Trading Co is a great source for chocolate by Michel Cluizel, one of the great chocolatiers. I love this Je t’aime Gift Box, which is definitely quality but not quantity, but they look fabulous and will no doubt be delicious.
Artisan du Chocolat have so many wonderful flavours to choose from, that it’s very hard to do so! Going to go with something a little bit different, and suggest you order their Love Potion N9. A cup of this hot chocolate could be incredibly bewitching, and perfect for if Valentine’s Day turns chilly. The weather that is, rather than the atmosphere.
Lips & Nipples
Not new, but a saucy box of Rococo’s Venus Nipples & Lips will always induce a smile on Valentine’s Day, and they tend not to stick around for long! Maybe add a few bars of their delicious chocolate as well. I particularly love the Earl Grey one.
I know nothing about Curious Chocolate, other than the lovely people at Pedlars think it’s good enough for them to list. If I was going to try it, then I would buy a box of Caramel Sea Salt Chocolates. Perfect for foodies who love those amazing mixes of salty and sweet.
If you leave it too late to order online, then certainly Waitrose have a great selection of good chocolate brands, and Hotel Chocolat have a growing number of standalone stores. That may even be open on a Sunday. Just don’t leave it to the last minute. Don’t buy the reduced Christmas stock. And don’t give an Easter Egg instead!
We were discussing my slightly obscure taste in fragrance last night, which does tend to often include those that to some smell like an ashtray. I have an absolute passion for Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford, but can be found sniffing the original Dolce & Gabbana for Men with it’s leather and cigar smoke notes. And then there’s Feuilles de Tabac from Miller Harris…
Smoked olive oil from The Organic Smokehouse
Anyway, this addiction transfers across to food too (in fact everything except actually smoking, which I am not at all keen on), so this is my list of Valentine’s Day gifts for those foodies with a love of good smoky flavours!
* Starting with something fairly mild on the smoke front, how about a whole smoked chicken from Upton Smokery? Bathed in aromatic smoke and slow cooked, this would make a great meal, hot or cold. Plus wrapping up a whole chicken has got to have some great comedy value.
* Upgrade the extra virgin olive oil experience, with organic smoked olive oil from The Organic Smokehouse. This would make for a whole new flavour experience whether it’s mixed into a salad dressing, or just for dipping great bread into (I would think it would work really well with a good sourdough).
* For a great accompaniment to that olive oil, then how about Smoked Sea Salt from Halen Môn? Infused with smoke from Welsh oak, this has an almost sweet edge to it, like many tobaccos, and will give the foodie hours of pleasure in working out how to best make use of the unique flavour.
* Not really new news, but the tobacco truffles from Artisan du Chocolat are one of the most creative food uses of the tobacco flavour around. You can order them online, just make sure that you fill in the comments to specially request them. They have to be tried at least once in a lifetime.
* If you want to really push the boat out, then London Fine Foods offer a Smoked Hamper which has everything from smoked salmon and eel through to smoked duck and pigeon. Certainly plenty of smokiness to go at, although not for the vegetarian!
a day course in Cumbria they could learn to smoke cheese, meats and vegetables, looking at both hot and cold smoking, as well as brining. Plenty of hands on experience, not to mention eating and goodies to take home.
* For a smoke filled finish, then how about Benromach Peat Smoke Batch 2 Whisky? According to the tasting notes, this has a seriously smoky character, being complex, intense and challenging, and yet well balanced (so, that’s where I went wrong with my men, missed the last bit out! ) And if you like a splash of water, this will bring out treacle toffee and creamy notes. Sounds delicious. Now, if only I liked whisky!
Given all the chocolate wonderfulness around this week, perhaps you’re feeling inspired to take your skills with it up a level or two. You could read more or you could book on a course and get some hands on experience. Now whether novice, keen amateur or absolute gourmet, then there is something suitable somewhere for you. Here’s a few options:
1. Artisan Chocolate Making at The School of Artisan Food - please Santa, if I am really good, can I go on this in March? It says this is a course for anyone with a desire for real chocolate, so it sounds perfect. You get to work with sweet and savoury flavours, and you get to make chocolate bars and truffles. On top of that, you do so in fantastic surroundings. Worth travelling for!
2. Cooking with Chocolate Masterclass - this is an interesting little gem from one of the gift experience companies, Buy A Gift. This masterclass is with “celebrity” chef Nigel Brown at his home in North Lincolnshire, and you’ll get to create chocolate desserts as well as petit fours and truffles. All this and you get a good lunch too! Sounds like a good foodie gift, and I have used Buy A Gift for other gift experiences which have been delivered to a high standard.
3. Chocolate Delight Workshop – these sound like a bit of a giggle, ideal for a group but less serious from a food perspective. That’s possibly my personal prejudice as it starts with a chocolate fountain. That said, you go onto learn all the skills of truffle making and will leave with around 30 to 50 truffles to enjoy later. You can book direct, or a lot of the gift experience people, such as Red Letter Days and Buy a Gift, offer it as gift options.
4. Atelier Visit and Chocolate Discovery- maybe if Santa doesn’t think I’ve been good enough for the first one, then he could let me spend the day with the team from Artisan du Chocolat. You can travel the atelier and also the journey from bean to bar and bars to chocolates. At £35 this sounds like an absolute bargain and whilst not so much hands-on experience, I would think it was an incredible way to spend a few hours on a Saturday.
So, four very different options, and I would fancy giving them all a go, just for the comparison really. Great courses make a great and unique gift for a foodie at any level of experience. Just try and match their experience to the course! No point sending an advance student on the Chocolate Delight Workshop for example!
