Spring brings with it a wonderful array of seasonal foods to excite the palate. So why eat food when it’s in season? Quite simply, because it tastes better! Like me, I’m sure you’ve found there’s a world of difference... read more
Chocolate is one of the nation’s favourite foods, yet there are so many myths surrounding it! In this feature I aim to dispel some of those myths – you may be surprised at what you find! Myth 1: Chocolate is high in caffeine It... read more
As summer approaches many of us turn our thoughts to dieting and getting in shape. But did you know that chocolate can actually be your friend when you’re trying to lose weight? Neuroscientists have discovered that melting a small... read more
When creating our chocolates our aim is to excite and sometimes challenge the palate. Filled chocolates fall into three main categories: pralines, ganaches and truffles. My recommendation is to taste the best quality filled chocolates to truly ... read more
Every day a new study tells us what we should or shouldn’t eat, so how do we know which diet to follow for a healthy lifestyle? Here are the simple guidelines I like to follow. Quality Ingredients! I strongly believe that a healthy diet... read more
High quality dark chocolate improves your mood, tastes wonderful and promotes a healthy heart. But did you know it can also help protect your skin from sun damage? Research by the University of Witten-Herdecke in Germany has shown that eating ... read more
In recent years there's been a lot of media coverage about the future of the cocoa bean; but it's good quality chocolate that is really in danger. Not all cocoa beans are alike. The three main types of cocoa plant, criollo, forastero and... read more
Like it or not we are all creatures of habit. Some habits are good for us, others are not, and it doesn’t take long for bad habits – drinking, smoking, over-indulging or even laziness – to over-ride our good intentions to live a healthy... read more
From heart health to weight management, there's an abundance of news these days about the benefits of chocolate, so we've put together an infographic to show you just how healthy it can be! To find out more, visit our... read more
Chocolates with marzipan are popular throughout the year, but have you ever wondered where marzipan originated? The origins of marzipan are a subject of some debate! The Germans, Spanish and Italians all claim the delicacy originated in their own... read more
What makes the perfect gift? Sometimes it’s something money can’t buy. Advice from a loved one, a homebaked cake or a carefully handcrafted card. Perhaps everyone’s view is different but when buying a gift I’... read more
My favourite confiserie is made with the finest ingredients using traditional, time- honoured methods. Here are three specialities that I highly recommend you try at least once in your lifetime! French Almond Dragees There are many classes... read more
Tasting fine quality chocolate engages all five of our senses, so how do you get the maximum enjoyment from the experience? For me, food is not merely sustenance; it is one of life’s great pleasures. I have always believed that to truly enjoy food,... read more
A number of recent studies support the view that quality chocolate can improve your health, yet many people remain sceptical. So just how strong is the scientific evidence? Simply put, rigorous studies have consistently concluded that high quality... read more
Do you know someone who loves chocolate but you're unsure of the best gift to send them? Our new gift voucher could be the ideal solution! Available online in a choice of four amounts - £25, £50, £75 and £100 - we can send... read more
Fine champagne and luxury chocolates are a classic gift combination, yet to find champagne and chocolates that complement each other is actually quite a challenge. In my experience, the champagne can often overpower the more subtle chocolate tasting... read more
When it comes to a choice between chocolate or cough medicine, surely there’s no contest! Because studies have shown that theobromine, the chemical content found in cocoa, is more effective than codeine at putting an end to a persistent... read more
I have talked before about enjoying chocolate as part of a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that by being more mindful when eating, and using all five senses, you can derive even greater health benefits from good quality chocolate? Find out why... read more
We all know the importance of staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water. But milk can actually be much better at keeping your body hydrated for longer! Milk is absorbed into the bloodstream more gradually than water or sports drinks, so keeps... read more
Despite the well-known benefits of quality dark chocolate, many adults have a nostalgic sweet spot for white chocolate, prompting the question “Is white chocolate really chocolate?”. The true chocolate connoisseur would answer no. ... read more
Biarritz, the fashionable seaside resort in the heart of the Basque country, is truly a “beach of kings”. Once the destination of choice for European royalty, Biarritz has a steadfast reputation for high profile visitors, although the... read more
The Sirtfood Diet has been all over the media in recent months, not least because it promotes the inclusion of dark chocolate as part of its healthy eating plan. But what exactly are Sirtfoods? Sirtfoods are those which are high in sirtuin... read more
The strong tasting notes in both chocolate and wine can dissuade even enthusiasts from pairing the two. But by following just a few simple guidelines, harmonious pairings which enhance the taste of both the chocolate and the wine can be discovered.&n... read more
New research has found evidence that eating chocolate can help us achieve the beautiful smile we all crave! Studies carried out in the UK, USA and Japan have concluded that high quality, dark chocolate can be effective at fighting tooth decay... read more
We know that good quality chocolate’s good for the heart and blood circulation but a new study has revealed enjoying fine quality dark chocolate can also make us smarter! The study, by the University of South Australia, found that quality chocolate ... read more
We’re often encouraged to reduce our intake of caffeine, and for most of us that means cutting down on coffee. Gloomy weather or a hectic schedule can make staying focussed throughout the day a challenge, but there is a lighter caffeine... read more
Ever since we first introduced handmade Montelimar nougat into our retail store 12 years ago, customers have been asking how it differs from the familiar varieties they grew up with. Nougat to the British palate is a pink and white chewy sweet, commonly... read more
A few years ago adding salt to sweet treats was a strange concept to the English palate, but the French have long combined salty and sweet flavours to make irresistible pairings. Sea-salted caramel provides a wonderful contrast on the palate and ... read more
Why is it that sometimes food tastes better or worse than we remember? We know that tasting is a multi-sensory experience but research shows our taste buds can actually be tricked by our other senses. So what influences affect the way... read more
Studies have shown that if you have a sweet tooth, your genes could be the reason why. But how should a preference for sweet things affect the foods you choose? A recent study by Professor Hely Tuorila, professor of sensory food science at the University ... read more
Cocoa butter is the ingredient that gives luxury chocolate its smooth and satisfying quality. But did you know that cocoa butter also has excellent health benefits? What is cocoa butter? Cocoa beans are made up of two parts, cocoa solids and cocoa... read more
Pairing tea and chocolate can be a challenge as both have strong flavours that do not always work well together. But once a harmonious pairing has been found, the results can be very rewarding. My personal recommendation for a harmonious chocolate and... read more
Often called the “Garden of France”, the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, floral gardens and rolling green hills with a reputation for incredible food. But what is it that makes the gastronomy of this region so celebrated? ... read more
Businesses need to plan further ahead than individual consumers at Christmas due to the volumes of gifts required and the lead times involved. Leaving it too late may result in sending a less than perfect gift which could have an adverse effect on... read more
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without fine food and, for me, these wonderful French specialities truly embody the spirit of Christmas. Pruneaux D’Agen Prunes from the Agen region of France are considered such a fine delicacy... read more
For food lovers like me, one of the delights of Christmas is planning the treats to serve at the Christmas table. But with so many interesting foods to enjoy, how do you select the best for Christmas day? Christmas only comes once a year,... read more
The grand finale of the Christmas table is a selection of chocolates, served with after dinner coffee or liqueurs. My favourite chocolates to embody the flavours and spirit of Christmas? My preference for a well-bal... read more
Christmas shopping just got a whole lot easier with our online SPLIT DELIVERY order feature. Here’s how it works. 1 Pop your gift items in the basket, then Proceed to Checkout when you’re ready. 2 ... read more
Visiting our store for Christmas shopping? Our Birmingham city centre store will be open on Sundays 10, 17 and 24 December from 11am to 4pm, and we're open weekdays from 8am to 6pm from Monday 5 December until Friday 22 December. Planning to visit... read more
January is the perfect time to consider a fresh start or embrace a new approach to life and one concept that could help you is Hygge. Pronounced ‘hoo-ga’, this Nordic term describes a feeling of cosiness, contentment and enjoying life's... read more
If your New Year’s resolution is to live more healthily, then good news! You don’t need to cut chocolate out of your diet. In fact you should make sure to include it. Good quality chocolate, with a high cocoa percentage is the best... read more
Ever dreamt of working in a luxury chocolate shop? If you fit the mould, we can offer a unique and rewarding opportunity where not only will you develop your sales and customer service skills but also learn all aspects of an independent,... read more
Since the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day has been a day to celebrate love. It began to spread from England across the rest of Europe in the 19th Century. Of course these days we live in a global economy, and traditions, as well as those special... read more
Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without sharing chocolate with your loved one. Chocolate has long been associated with romance, but why? Early Aztec civilisations were the first to link chocolate and romance. The ancient... read more
Now that the evenings are drawing in I find myself craving a warm cup of hot chocolate. For me, there is only one method to make a truly luxurious hot chocolate drink, worthy of the quality chocolate used to make it. Venezuelan cocoa pastilles are... read more
When it comes to fine foods, autumn is my favourite season. So much wonderful produce is at its best at this time, but there is one pairing in particular that I feel truly captures the flavour of autumn. My ideal autumn pairing is fresh nuts with... read more
Easter is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy gastronomic delights but I’ve always believed that it’s important to keep special occasions special. We all look forward to taking a well-deserved break and sampling seasonal spring delicacies, fine... read more
Select the perfect Easter chocolate gift from our hand-packed range of dark, milk and white Easter eggs and novelty gifts, all filled with a selection of chocolates and mini eggs and wrapped in brand new packaging for 2018. They’re... read more
For many of us the best part of Easter is chocolate! So why is chocolate so popular at this time of year? It was the Pagans who first incorporated eggs into their springtime celebrations, to symbolise new life. Christians followed, using... read more
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