Who doesn’t love dipping their hand into a tin of chocolate at this time of year? Quality Street is the favourite, but while I love the childhood idea of them, they are just not my cup of tea any more. If they are yours please enjoy them.
More grownup versions exist with more grownup prices. I have a soft spot for Italian Venchi’s offerings. This is in part because some of the chocolates therein remind me of the ubiquitous bowls of sweets and chocs every grownup relative had on their dining-room table. My mother always had one, too, but hers was under the TV, and now my eldest, at university, emulates this on her kitchen table. Venchi’s ‘hampers’ (actually round, colourful boxes) start at £25. You can also do your own mix (look for My Venchi Mix), 100g plus a box starts at about £12 and you can get a really good blend of exactly what you want.
I know how many readers love Lindt Lindors and this Christmas there’s a tin of assorted Lindors for £15 (deals are available in supermarkets).
Hotel Chocolat has two Big Dipper sharing-tin versions in ‘favourites’ (milk and dark) or just dark, £27.95 in a great re-usable (if insanely difficult to close unless you line it all up correctly) tin.
I know what you’re all probably not thinking: ‘But what do you like to eat in front of the telly?’ Well, the truth is that over Christmas I take a break from eating chocolate, but if I do have anything it will be my beloved Solkiki Boulders (when when when will they rename them Barbieri’s Boulders?), £12.50, and I’ll have just one a day. There’s a giant version out now too…
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