World Chocolate Wonderland 2014, China

After last year’s stint at the Himalayas Centre in Pudong, World Chocolate Wonderland is back in Shanghai with a new location in Shanghai Indoor Stadium. A vast variety of chocolate sculptures, artwork and even couture is exhibited at the World Chocolate Wonderland in Chongqing municipality since Dec 30, 2013. The chocolate-themed activity has visited Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung since its start in 2010. This year's activity will run till March 31, 2014.

 

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

Pure Sin Chocolates

Turns out my husband had been scouting the city for liqueur chocolates to give me for Christmas. Poor sweet chap didn't know that the new excise rules don't allow regular shops to stock  liqueur chocolates anymore. A shop has to have liquor permit to sell those, and the demand isn't high enough for chocolatiers to take that kind of trouble.

But in his quest for  liqueur chocolates, he heard of Pure Sin by Mood Swings Confectionery, a small chocolate shop based in Churchgate, Mumbai. Pure Sin Chocolates was famous for its  liqueur chocolates, which they stopped selling around two years ago because of the changed laws. But their name was recommended by several people as the go-to place for good homemade chocolates.

After being lost for a while in the lanes around SNDT college, we managed to locate the shop. A small sign hanging over the only functional shop in a line of seemingly empty ones, indicated that we were in the right place. The storefront was as low-key and once we entered the modest little space, it looked more like an office than a chocolate shop.

We were greeted by Brinda Javeri, one of the joint owners of the shop. She started the business along with her daughter, Arti, almost 20 years ago. "This is Aarti's baby; I'm just the sidekick" said Brinda. "The idea of making chocolates stemmed purely out of boredom. She was bored and said, 'Mum, let's make chocolates', and that's how it started," she elaborated. They ran the business from home for the first three years, and as it grew, they bought a shop.

Over the years, the duo have made several varieties, and their USP is that they import all their essences from the US. They also make most of their chocolates in a semi-sweet German chocolate compound. I saw boxes upon boxes with labels of their creations, and was amused by the funky names most of their chocolates have. Simple, elegant gift boxes lined the upper shelves while an attendant busily measured, packed, and doled out customer requests.

We studied their extensive menu and were spoilt for choice. We sampled some flavours and decided upon an assorted selection, because who can choose one when there are so many chocolates to be had?

Some of the more amusing chocolate names included 'Roses are Brown', 'The Big O', 'You crack me up', 'What the Fudge', 'Rock me Hazy', 'Charlee Brown', 'Baby Latte' and 'Berry got D Blues'.

The chocolates are reasonably priced and we brought home a pack of 250g for INR 351. We tasted nearly all flavours but some we really enjoyed included 'Almond Mud Pie', 'Hello Sunshine', 'Burnt Sugar Cups' and 'Baby Brown'. The mint chocolate called 'The Dark Mint Rises' wasn't a particular hit, but then, I have never understood the mint chocolate concept.

Overall, the chocolates are good, but not memorable. However, they will appeal to whoever likes homemade stuff. Definitely worth a try.

RATING: 3/5

Pure Sin Chocolates
G-5, Pil Court, 111 M. Karve Road, Behind Bangkok Airways,
Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020
Ph: 022-22000267/8, email: info@puresinchocolates.com
Website: www.puresinchocolates.com

Chocosophy news: Healthy chocolate, Barry Callebaut Academy, Cadbury picnic table

Indian-origin Brit creates world's first 'healthy' chocolate

Indian-origin math graduate has created the world's first 'healthy' chocolate that has a negligible 20 calories per piece. Combining his love of chocolate and his background in math, 25-year-old Aneesh Popat created these chocolates using flavoured water and cocoa. His chocolates do not have the sinful ingredients like cocoa butter, cream, gelatin and eggs. Popat's creations are already being supplied to Michelin-star restaurants and are expected to grow in popularity, especially among health-conscious chocoholics. I want some of these despite that corny punchline that follows the brand name - The Chocolatier : A niche by Aneesh. :/

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Barry Callebaut opens chocolate academy in South America

Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, opened its first Chocolate Academy™ center in South America, the 15th center worldwide. Located at Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, the Chocolate Academy™ center is a state-of-the-art teaching and training facility for culinary professionals at all levels interested in strengthening their skills in working with chocolate and learning about new techniques, trends and recipes dedicated to the Brazilian market.

The center’s offerings include a wide range of training courses and demonstrations for customers in all sectors: chocolatiers, chefs, pastry, bakery and other chocolate experts as well as culinary professionals working in hotels, restaurants and the catering business.

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Cadbury creates life-size chocolate picnic table in London

Trust Cadbury to come up with the most creative ideas for marketing. To mark National Picnic Week (June 17-23) in the UK, Cadbury made and placed a 60 kg edible chocolate picnic bench at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Oxfordshire. The bench could support a family of four and was created using 400 Picnic bars, almost 64 kg of Dairy Milk, peanuts and puffed rice. The bench was covered in glaze to protect it from the elements.

New chocolates at The Cocoa Trees

Since I first visited The Cocoa Trees, the Singapore-based chocolate chain store brand, has been throwing one delight after another my way. Apart from their impressively vast spectrum of spectrum of over 40 varieties of international branded chocolates under one roof, ranging from Belgian chocolate, Anthon Berg, Ferrero, Lorenz, Sorini, Mars and Fazer; the chocolate boutique conducts events such as chocolate dipping sessions to help Indian consumers appreciate chocolate.

Now it has added three renowned premium products Goldkenn Crystal Gold Bar, Swiss Dream Napo Box and Hershey’s Kisses Tin to their vast repertoire.

Goldkenn Crystal Gold Bar: Wonderfully crafted Swiss milk chocolate praline with a dash of cocoa sprinkles, encased in a refined gold and transparent crystal effect exterior. The premium chocolate comes in a 200g bar, priced at Rs. 1395.

Swiss Dream Napo Box: Crafted with superior ingredients having the finest taste, bringing the experience of an authentic Swiss lifestyle through the chocolates. The Swiss chocolates come in a 300g box, costing Rs. 695.

Hershey’s Kisses Tin: Uniquely shaped and deliciously tender Hershey’s Kisses milk chocolates in a classically decorated tin, with a rustic vintage charm. The chocolates with the old school charm come in a 240g tin, worth Rs. 995.

The Cocoa Trees outlets can be found at three stores in Mumbai and one Mumbai airport, three in Pune, one in Delhi T3 domestic airport and Goa.

Chocosophy product launches: The Milk Shake Factory, Paton's, Ghirardelli, Cadbury

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Paton's new postcard and Royals collection

The Australian chocolate company launched their new Postcard  and Royals collections at the TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition in Singapore this month. The new postcard packs focus especially on the Asia Pacific region - the brand's biggest market, and have 21 pieces of chocolate instead of 15 to offer consumers more value for money.

For the Royals collection, Paton’s has come up with a new gift box of toffee-dipped, chocolate-covered macadamias based on the preferences of customers and retailers in key markets. The new gift box designs include more gold colouring with wider colour bands and images of the chocolates – offered in milk, white or dark flavours – have been increased in size for better on shelf visibility. The back of the box features a potted history of the family-owned company, as per moodiereport.com.

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Snappers by The Milk Shake Factory

The Milk Shake Factory by Edward Marc Chocolatier announced the launch of this new chocolate innovation, called Snappers, in Costco stores in mid-April 2013. Snappers are described as a crunchy, salty and sweet snack.

“Made with crisp pretzels, creamy caramel and rich milk chocolate, Snappers are a gourmet treat everyone will love, both young and old,” the maker was quoted saying.

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Ghirardelli Toffee Crunch and Mint Cookie

 

American brand, Ghirardelli, has launched two new filled chocolate flavors -- Mint Cookie and Toffee Crunch -- to join their existing lineup of Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel, Milk Chocolate with Caramel, Dark Chocolate with Raspberry and Dark Chocolate and Caramel. The mint Cookie can be described as a decadent refreshing mint chocolate filling blended with crunchy cookies surrounded by slow-melting milk chocolate, while the Toffee Crunch is a slow-melting milk chocolate with a filling blended with crunchy toffee bits.

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Cadbury Crunchums cereal bites

Mondelez is adding to its quirky snacks portfolio by introducing Cadbury Crunchums in June. Crunchums are crispy cereal bites covered in milk chocolate. Last year Cadbury launched chocolate-covered popcorn and pretzels, and this year's launch will be massive too, in true Cadbury style. The product will be available in 105 g share bags following a 1.3 mn GBP campaign.

Chocosophy news: Kit Kat Final 50, chocolate taster and chocolate masters

The Kit Kat Final 50 Art Project

Okay, riddle me this. What does art and chocolate make together?
"SWEET!" Duh.

Yeah, so Kit Kat pulled off this fabulous art project in Australia to 'immortalise' its Final 50 bars of the Limited Edition Kit Kat White Chocolate bars.

Artist Mike Watt was invited to make 50 paintings from 50 bars of Kit Kat Limited Edition White Chocolate bars. Watt crushed and melted the chocolates, giving him 'white chocolate paint' to work with. Check out the video below to see how he did it.

Here are some of Watt's sweet work and you can see all 50 in their FB album.

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Welsh woman bags 'chocolate taster' job

There's actually a job of a 'chocolate taster' and this woman has it! Jane Ballinger, from Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham, beat 77,000 contestants to win the post of 'honorary chocolate taster' for Cadbury for a year. Much like Charlie in the chocolate factory, Jane will get a year's chocolate supply for free and will be consulted for taste before Cadbury's innovations are released to the public.

I waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant!!!!!

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Denis Karaca winner of Chocolate Masters Asia Pacific Selection

Australian chef  Denis Karaca took home the top honours at the World Chocolate Master Asia Pacific round. The World Chocolate Masters is an initiative of the three leading gourmet chocolate brands, Callebaut, Cacao Barry and Carma. Karaca was followed by second place Lei Fu Veng from Macau at the competition, that was held in Taipei. Both Chefs won a full travel package to compete in the World  Finals which will be held in Paris  between 28th and 30th October 2013.

Chocosophy product launches: McVitie's, Valrhona, Tayto

McVitie's launches The Big One - a Jaffa Cake that really is a cake

McVitie's world-famous Jaffa Cakes, that the company started selling as long back as 1927, now has a much bigger twin. Called the Big One, these Jaffa Cakes are really 'cakes' with the characteristic chocolate top coat and orange jelly layers in a sponge cake base. The recipe, named after Jaffa oranges, is replicated and sold by many other brands such as Cadbury's and Tesco. Typically, Jaffa cakes are biscuit sized and are also sold as bars or small packs.

The Big One is priced at GBP 7 apiece and is being sold in the UK in Asda and Morrisons. Importers in India, do you hear me?

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Crisps maker Tayto introduces limited edition chocolate

The more I learn about chocolate, the more I'm convinced that the possibilities with chocolate are endless. Here's an example that may sound like sacrilege to some. Renowned Irish crisps maker, Tayto, has turned their popular Cheese & Onion crisps into a limited edition chocolate bar!

Images such as these of plain chocolate bars with a typical Tayto packaging have been doing the rounds of the Internet for a while now, but the real thing was made and put out in the market for sale only recently. This milk chocolate bar is infused with bits of the company's famous Cheese & Onion crisps.

The company is reportedly making only 10,000 such bars, which are much in demand and are expected to be sold out soon. Would you like crisps in your chocolate?

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Valrhona's Dulcey is world's first blonde chocolate!

Love it or hate this, this is one chocolate innovation you gotta sit up and take notice of. French chocolate company, Valrhona, has introduced the world's first 'blonde' chocolate as the Dulcey bar in what looks like a wonderful union of the sweetness of white chocolate and the smoothness of milk chocolate. Blond chocolate was discovered quite by accident by Frederic Bau when he left white chocolate in a boiler for 10 hours. The long roasting gave the chocolate a unique colour, aroma and flavour. The creamy chocolate smells like roasted almonds and tastes like mildly salted shortbread.

Although just introduced, Dulcey has already won two distinguished awards: Le Grand Prix de l’Innovation (Grand Prize of Innovation), at the world renowned SIRHA food trade show in Lyon, France and the Readers’ Prize from La Toque, a magazine for artisan bakers, pastry chefs, chocolate makers, confectioners and ice-cream makers.

Presently, a 2.99 oz. bar is priced at $7.99. I sure want to try this one.

Chocosophy news: World's first chocolate hotel, stamps and VERY low cal chocolate

The Chocolate Boutique Hotel - the world's first chocolate themed hotel

Bournemouth in the UK has introduced the world's first chocolate-themed hotel - The Chocolate Boutique Hotel. All of its 13 chocolate-themed rooms are fitted with chocolate fountains and there are midnight treats for chocoholics like me. The hotel also has chocolate workshops for guests and a bar which whips up a vast range of chocolate cocktails. The place hosts hen and slumber parties and the room tariffs range from GPB 65 to 170 for the best suite.

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'Edible' chocolate stamps debut in Belgium   

Okay, this was introduced last month, but for the latecomers, Belgium has introduced the world's first stamps infused with rich cocoa oil. The infusion is on the front and back of the stamps, so the sender as well as the receiver can experience the rich taste and scent of famous Belgian chocolates. Belgian stamp collector Marie-Claire Verstichel tried them out and declared that the taste was a little disappointing, but that the smell was good. A sheet of five stamps cost about $8.

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New fruit juice chocolate formula to reduce fat in half

Scientists at the University of Warwick have found a way to reduce the fat content of regular chocolate bar! Super news, right? What's incredible is that this breakthrough formula replaces the fat with tiny droplets of juice of fruits like oranges. A concoction of water and Vitamin C instead of the fat makes the chocolate just as smooth, although it makes it taste fruity. The new process also prevents the unsightly ‘sugar bloom’ which can appear on chocolate which has been stored for too long.


The study, entitled Quiescent Water-in-Oil Pickering Emulsions as a Route toward Healthier Fruit Juice Infused Chocolate Confectionary was co-authored by Thomas Skelhon, Adam Morgan, and Nadia Grossiord at the University of Warwick.