Fudge Kitchen

I haven't had any decent fudge for a long time, so I was pleasantly surprised when Fudge Kitchen offered to send me a selection to try.

The very next day, the postman arrived with quite a weighty package, I almost dropped it, when he passed it to me as I misjudged its heft.
I opened the corrugated cardboard box and inside was a dark green carton with a flash of gold from the maker's logo.
I couldn't wait to see what was within and lifted the lid to reveal four generous pieces of fudge wrapped in paper and individually labelled – all a very luxurious affair.

Each piece of fudge was a sizeable slice, which appeared to have been cut from a vast log. There was Traditional Toffee, Belgian Chocolate Swirl, After Dinner Mint and Rich Chocolate Orange.
The accompanying booklet with its enticing pictures and copper-inked type certainly gives an overall feeling of opulence, which I later found to be highly appropriate.

Fudge Kitchen hand make their fudge every day in their shops. The process involves stirring the mixture in huge copper cauldrons, it is then turned out on to marble slab to be worked by hand. If you have the pleasure to visit one of their shops you can see for yourself how it's done, I was content to watch a video on their YouTube channel.



I'll start by saying that this probably the best fudge I've ever had. Previous experiences have found that lesser fudges can be rather chewy, not so with Fudge Kitchen's offerings. As soon as you pop a piece into your mouth it melts into a glorious creamy and silky texture, but be warned you need to have a very sweet tooth, fudge after all, does contain lots of sugar.
You really only need a little nibble at time unless you're a real sugar fiend.

Sweetness aside, the flavours are immense, my favourite in particular, is the Rich Chocolate and Orange. Generous with chocolate, the fudge is dark, almost black, velvety and there are little explosions of orange zest with just the right amount of bitterness.
After Dinner Mint is just like a certain thin confection, whose box bears a clock logo, but far more substantial. A chunky core of cool mint fudge is wrapped in a broad band of chocolate.

It could be the sugar rush but this fudge blasts your brain into space – a not unpleasant experience!

For more information and to buy online, visit their website: www.fudgekitchen.co.uk



Featured on The Artisan Food Trail



Photo: ©childsdesign 2011

This is My Chocolate: Chocri

Have you ever dreamed of creating your very own chocolate bar? One that has your favourite toppings and flavour combinations, or maybe you'd just like to experiment? I know I certainly have. I'm often thinking up intriguing mixtures of tastes, but I've yet to find something ready made.

Very recently, I was approached by Chocri to try out their unique concept in chocolate, which is a brand new innovation for us here in the UK. Originally founded in Germany in 2008, co-owners Franz and Michael followed their passion for good chocolate to start a company offering a bespoke chocolate bar making service.

The beauty of the process, is that you, the customer have the opportunity to design your very own chocolate bar online. Starting from a choice of plain, milk or white premium Belgian chocolate (which is organic and fair trade) you can choose from over 100 different toppings in any combination and then name your confection.
I was able to design two bars, and at first found the choice mind boggling, but the only difficult thing about using the website is making a decision. Orders are for a minimum of two bars and can have up to six toppings each. It would be easy to go over the top but I managed to exercise some restraint and put together two very different chocolate bars; Cheeky Spouse Craver and Cheeky Spouse Indulgence.

Cheeky Spouse Craver
This is for when you have one of those moments when you want chocolate to comfort the child inside. It is sweet and satisfying.
I opted for the half and half chocolate bar, milk chocolate on one side and white on the other. This was dotted with roasted almonds, caramel chocolate drops, raisins and peanut butter drops.

Cheeky Spouse Indulgence
For my take on something a bit more grown-up, dark chocolate was a must. I chose more elegant toppings; Bourbon vanilla, pistachios, candied rose petals and for an elegant flourish, real gold flakes.

From the moment I placed my order I was kept informed by email as to when my chocolate bars went into production which was all very exciting – I couldn't wait to find out what my chocolate looked like.
The toppings are placed with care so there is an even coverage and the chocolate is smooth with a real depth of flavour. They look very attractive in their personalised packaging.

With Christmas on its way I think Chocri would make a great present for the chocolate lover you know. If you're not sure what toppings they would like, then there are gift vouchers available.

For more information and to buy online visit the website: chocri.co.uk

As part of the National Chocolate Week celebrations, Chocri will be taking part at the Chocolate Unwrapped event in London 
16–17 October 2010. 
Why not go along to see what they're all about? 
chocolate-week.co.uk/chocolate-unwrapped

Photos: ©childsdesign 2010

The Big Yum

It didn’t take us long to munch our way through a bag of these no nonsense treats. Each crunchy, chocolate pretzel was so moreish, that one immediately led on to another, and they were gone so quickly, there was no opportunity for a photo (had to borrow one).

Very appropriately named, The Big Yum, have found a gap in the market for those still hankering after Pretzel Flipz – remember those? Big Yum like to call their snacks chocolate swerves, but in common with the aforementioned nibbles, they too are salted pretzels enrobed in (better quality) milk chocolate.

Looking at the thankfully short ingredients list, there is indeed a no nonsense approach – no added nasties, only what’s needed to make this an enjoyable treat.

What more can I say than, I really like them. Salt does combine well with chocolate and if there are any non-believers out there, you should try them for yourself.

For information and where to buy, visit The Big Yum Website: thebigyum.co.uk


Photos: Big Yum website

Chocolate is Good for You!

It's that time of year again, albeit a little earlier, when everyone seems to be stuffing their faces with chocolate, but it's not good chocolate. Easter brings with it an awful influx of overly sweet easter eggs, that seem to be devoid of any real qualities of flavour. They are cloying and sickly and really do make us all very 'fed up'.

We really need some decent chocolate and it has to be unusual - something to savour and for us to enjoy it's uniqueness, and I've found them.

First is a white chocolate with black pepper and lemon, and it is truly wonderful. The chocolate is creamy, not too sweet, full of lively zesty lemon followed by the warm kick of the pepper that pleasingly tickles your throat.

Hungry Hubby and I really loved it and have already bought another bar in readiness for some future indulgence.

kshocolatstore.co.uk

The second treat is a smooth rich milk chocolate infused with the heavenly scent of lavender and lime tree blossom. To some, it does sound like a weird combination, but it really works!

The makers of the chocolate bar have developed a range of different flavours using various botanicals with health giving benefits in mind, but we don't need to be told that this chocolate is good for you, to persuade us to eat it!

newtree.be