When you start looking, there are so many amazing small chocolate companies and I’m always really excited to see what they offer. Will there be disappointments or surprises? Will I discover an even more perfect dark-milk? Before I started tasting chocolate for a living, the purchase of it was a last-minute, conscience-wrestling affair. Now it’s far more selective.
Thus it was at the beginning of this week that I ordered some bars from the Winchester Cocoa Company that are handmade in Hampshire. I had wanted one of their mixed boxes, because I fancied a Babs Cartland moment of indulgence on the sofa. But they had all sold out. This happens with small companies and so it should – the artisan can’t be rushed.
I bought three bars (I have to justify postage) at £3.30/50g. The smooth hazelnut (68% cocoa solids) has no animal products in it, but the hazelnut paste gives a really nice mouthfeel: this is a good one to try for anyone, but if you’re vegan I think you will particularly appreciate how creamy it tastes.
The next two were both 38%: almond, orange and sea salt, which was superb (probably my favourite as I love an inclusion), made with Venezuelan cocoa and then the Maracaibo Venezuela with Criolla cocoa beans from Sur del Lago de Maracaibo. This is another one for those wanting to branch away from supermarket milk chocolate in the low 20s, but scared of venturing into anything too lively. It’s super-smooth and, well, just lovely. Alternatives include a 72% Ecuadorian bar, rose milk and lemon and mint milk.
