Valentine's Collection from Celeste Chocolates

Since we all agree that Valentine's Day is the festival of corny and continue to 'celebrate' it anyway, why not go all out and look at these lip-shaped chocolates? Also, heart shaped boxes and chocolate couple sculptures, and erm, teddies, brought to you by Celeste Chocolates y'all!

Celeste Chocolates has been at the forefront of the gourmet chocolate business in India specializing in handcrafted chocolates available in premium range for every occasion including Valentine’s Day, Diwali, Christmas, Weddings, Birthdays and any other Occasion.

Celeste is a renowned chocolatier with Indian operations and global networks to serve specialist retailers blue chip corporate and connoisseurs of lifestyle. Inspired by the legendary chocolatiers of Belgium, France, Switzerland and the USA, celeste nurtures the long-cherished tradition of excellence – so that the great taste, exotic flavor and beautiful presentation of each Celeste product make it a unique creation and a cut above the rest.  The company has made a niche in the world market and strategically expands its global reach out.

The brainchild of Nidhi Bhageria, Celeste was inspired by the finest chocolate makers across Belgium, France, Switzerland and USA. Celeste has made a niche for itself as a maker of customized, artisanal chocolates. Established in the year, 2001, Celeste today has three boutiques in Delhi & NCR, and will be opening more retail outlets across Delhi and other metros as well. The brand has global aspirations and competencies and offers a unique flavor palette of chocolates, creating its own distinctive taste.

The Valentine collection comprises:

1. Silver Platter with embossed Chocolates -- 6000/-
2. Silver Tray with German silver Lamp ----- 9000/-
3. Blue Baby Pram Basket ----- 2500/-
4. Red Card Board Box ----- 600/-
5. Chocolate Romancing Couple with Fabric Cart ---- 9500/-
6. Heart Shape Praline Box -- 5000/-
7. Romancing Couple made of Chocolate -------- 8000/-
8. Celeste Valentine Pack --- 3000/-
9. Chocolate Lips  (Single Piece ) - 50/-

Celeste Chocolates are available at the following locations:

1. F-176, First Floor, Ambience Mall, NH-8, Gurgaon

2. Fortis, S-549, Greater Kailash-2, New Delhi

3.Pallavi Shopping Complex, Opp. Hotel Taj Palace, S.P Marg, Dhaulakuan, Delhi

Sapphire assorted milk chocolates

My chocolate stars don't seem to be shining very bright as I run from one average chocolate into another. And now it seems to have gone from bad to worse. I don't remember the last time I crossed the 3.5/5 rating and knowing that this box of assorted chocolates from Sapphire is a Malaysian product, I didn't hope for too much. Although Sapphire's boxed chocolates seem to be present in all online stores, there is almost no information about the brand itself - no website, no Wiki... you get the picture. All I understood from the box was that Sapphire chocolates are made by Network Foods International and imported and distributed by Dugar Overseas Pvt Ltd. Curiously enough, Sapphire is not listed among the brands owned by Network Foods.

Anyhow, I opened the beautiful tin half expecting to see shiny chocolate balls rolling around, like chocolates in tins used to be back in time. But I found a brown bubble-wrap sheet on what I like to call level one. Upon removing those, level two had two foil packs sitting atop level three - a stiff plastic mould. Although it seems wasteful, extra packaging care is required for gifting products since they are subject to a lot of transport. 

I opened one of the 100 g packs and out came this assortment of milk chocolate-coated raisins, hazelnuts and almonds. No, the chocolates don't look this ugly at room temperature; the fat bloom on the chocolates are because I had just taken them out of the refrigerator when I took these pictures. But while the chocolates look quite okay at room temperature, they're terrible to taste. 

First things first, these things don't even qualify to be called chocolates because they have NO cocoa solids or even cocoa butter in them! Made from sugar, refined palm kernel fat, milk solids, cocoa powder, emulsifiers and artificial flavours + dry fruits and nuts, these 'chocolates' feel no better than flour in the mouth. They are weird and chewy and won't melt in your mouth. Their saving grace are the raisins and nuts, without which the chocolates would be rather unpalatable.

No wonder a 200 g box of 'imported' chocolates costs only INR 300. Yes, the packaging is good and yes, it will make for a gift because 'khali haath nahi jaa sakte' (cannot be visiting someone empty handed). But if you are a chocolate lover or know that the gift-ee is one, don't make the mistake of giving them one of Sapphire's box of chocolates.

RATING: 2/5