Chocolate and the fine art of indulgence
Enjoying gourmet chocolate is an ecstatic moment, with the original meaning of the word ‘ecstasy’ – ‘to be taken outside, or even beyond, oneself’. The taste of the very best chocolate in your mouth can create a space of pure indulgence where nothing else matters apart from the sensuous experience of pure pleasure itself. As the world around you vanishes, your sole focus becomes the subtly changing textures and tastes that flood your senses.
Creating perfect chocolates is an art form, and the chocolatier practises nothing less than the fine art of creating pure indulgence. Just listening to the best British chocolatiers describe their creations is enough to get your mouth watering. Paul Wayne Gregory supplied after-dinner chocolates for the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations and a marvellous selection of gourmet chocolate gift ideas that can be delivered direct to your door by us.
He says of his luxury chocolates; “Indulgence is everything. It’s that fine blend of selected chocolate, perfectly tempered to give that crispy crunch feel in the mouth. Silky, full flavoured centres balanced with the right percentage of chocolate cocoa, which creates that soft smooth finish, allowing the chocolate filling to melt evenly leaving that after taste of rich smooth chocolate.”
There are cocoa beans… and there are cocoa beans
If artisanal chocolate-making is an art form, it is no surprise that it cannot be explained by mathematic formulas. The idea that the best chocolate simply has to have a high percentage of cocoa in it misses the creative craft and delicate balancing of flavours that is practised by UK chocolatiers.
Just as the grape and where it is grown affects the wine, so the cocoa bean that is used alters the final chocolate. The ways the beans have been dried, fermented and then processed are other major factors in determining quality, and then there is how the beans are used and what flavours they are combined with.
Chocolate ganache with panache
Damian Allsop has supplied the finest restaurants with chocolates for many years. Damian Allsop Chef’s Collection is a selection of truly gourmet delights available from our online gourmet food store if you choose to order your chocolates by post, meaning the chocolates served at Michelin-starred restaurants could be gracing your next dinner party – and the delicate and surprising flavours will certainly have your guests talking.
There is Rhubarb and Rose created in collaboration with Danesfield House, Juniper and Lemon from Casamia, Banana and Passion Fruit from Murano, Basil Leaf from Zafferano, Pear and Anise from The Hardwick and Liquorice and Lime from Hotel Tresanton.
What sets Damian Allsop apart, and creates that moment of ecstasy only the best chocolates can deliver, is the care and attention to every ingredient and process that makes his chocolates.
Take the ganache as an example. With all the work that has gone into the creation of the perfect chocolate casing, Damian felt that the traditional cream or butter ganache filling was smothering and masking the individual character of the chocolate.
After two years of experimenting, he now uses a revolutionary and unique spring-water ganache to give a cleaner, lighter taste that enables the pure flavours of the chocolate to shine through.
The perfect chocolate gifts, even if they are for yourself
Chocolates are indulgent so why not indulge? From the famous ganache to chocolate truffles, there’s a sweet treat for every taste. We supply only the finest chocolates from artisanal, award-winning chocolatiers so you can find the perfect wedding favours, corporate gifts, thank you presents or after-dinner treats for your dinner guests. Or, perhaps, you are looking for nothing more than a box of pure pleasure for a special moment in the week for just yourself… We shan’t judge.
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