Chocs Away! - Melt in the mouth chocolate
Home to so many fine artisan chocolatiers, Wales is a melting pot
of tempting treats and exquisite cocao creations. Abigail Saltmarsh
reveals just some of the exceptional producers and products within the
country’s chocolate box of delights...
COCO PZAZZ
Indulge yourself with something sweet from Coco Pzazz. The Llanidloes producer has been making exceptional chocolate since 2011 and today offers an array of beautifully packaged (often using artwork from local artists), colourful delights for connoisseurs. Their truffles are divine and make the most of partnerships with other Welsh producers – such as Welsh Lady’s lemon curd. For a truly Welsh experience, try the Siocled Bara Brith Milk Chocolate, flavoured with the rich fruit and subtle spice of the traditional teatime treat. Those seeking something with a saltier edge might find the Siocled Caramel Halen Môr Milk more to their taste. Delicious...
Baravelli's
The artisan chocolatiers at Baravelli’s, based in Conwy, have made quite a name for themselves with their exquisite creations. Not only have they won more than 50 awards for their incredible products, but they have been featured on national television and partnered leading luxury stores. Snap a piece or two of such innovative delicacies as their bars of Sour Cherry and Cranberry, Summer Fruits or Date and Walnut.
Bossa Nova
From its base in the fringes of Newport, Bossa Nova produces Brazilian-style chocolate truffles and other tasty morsels. Handcrafted from beans sourced from sustainable farming cooperatives, these are all gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians. Specialities include the Low-Sugar Luxury Pecan and Pistachio Dark Chocolate Snacking Bar, while for those who fancy something fruitier, the Luxury Passion Fruit and White Chocolate Truffles might hit the sweet spot.
Brecon Chocolates
With many Great Taste awards, including 3 for its ‘Burns’ whisky and praline bonbon, Brecon Chocolates offer an array of chocolate marvels – bonbons, truffles, fondants and bars. With its origins in Hay Chocolates and for those with literary leanings, there is still a library of tantalising book-themed treats to leaf through. Look online or visit the shop on Lion Street in Brecon to browse Book Bars, Mini Books and Bookends in dark, milk and white solid chocolate versions. Those who prefer the great outdoors to being tucked up with a good read could perhaps be tempted by the Farming range, including Solid Chocolate Ducks, Sheep and Bales of Hay. Animal magic...
Caerwent Craft Chocolate
Using the finest cocoa beans, Caerwent Craft Chocolate whips up its high-quality products from its kitchens in Monmouthshire. Its specialities centre on single origin, bean to bar, Ecuadorian, Colombian and Madagascan chocolate. For those partial to an espresso, dip into the Chocolate With Coffee. This has an intense
flavour that takes the Columbian bar to another level – dark, strong and with even more character.
Chocolate House
Combine your love of Welsh history with your passion for chocolate when you visit the Rhondda Heritage Park Mining Museum. Nestled in the heart of the Rhondda Valley, the museum is also home to the
chocolate company, which not only handcrafts its delicacies here but also runs a café. For something truly quirky, fire up the taste buds with its Sack of Coal containing honeycomb chunks hand-dipped in milk chocolate and sparkling crumb.
The Cocoa Counter
In Llandudno, North Wales, the Cocoa Counter creates an incredible array of chocolate products, including bars in over 30 flavours, loose truffles and hot chocolate flakes, bombs and stirrers. Snap into the likes of Milk Orange and Fudge, Dark Welsh Sea Salt and White Red Berry chocolate bars. It also conjures up a unique collection of domes in flavours such as Black Forest, Raspberry Ripple and Rhubarb and Custard, each individually handpainted to a vivid design.
Cwtsh Chocolate
Experience the warm embrace of Welsh chocolate when you unwrap something special from Llanelli. South Wales-based Cwtsh Chocolate produces small batches of all sorts of goodies. Try its Chocolate Slabs, including Biscoffi , Bubble Gum and Rum and Raisin or – for the patriotic among you – the Welsh Chocolate Flag, Love Spoon and Daffodil might be the perfect chocolatey choice.
Dilly's
For choccies that are as beautiful as they are delicious, try Dilly’s of Milfordhaven. Its collections include such
gorgeous items as
Chocolate Indulgences Boxes filled with flavours like Gin and Lemon, Honey and Saffron
and Whiskey and Vanilla. Other mouth-watering
creations include its Salt and Pepper Caramel Bar and Lemon, Lime and Coconut Filled Bar. Its Chocolate Bark, in flavours such as Chilli and Vanilla, and its Exotic Range, with the likes of Mango and Ginger, is also noteworthy.
Gabriella Cugno
Cardiff chocolatier Gabriella Cugno is renowned as the mastermind behind the incredible, edible works of art that were seen on screen in musical fantasy blockbuster Wonka. However, her magical products, which include
seasonal specials and plant-based temptations, are also available for enjoying in the real world. Sample
a Signature Gourmet Sharing Box to start with, featuring such mouth-watering options as Hazelnut Gianduja, Salted Caramel Mou and Black Sesame. Pure
imagination...
Heist
Award-winning Heist produces its single bean
chocolate at its micro factory in Cardiff using piaroa cacao from Venezuela. For a citrus burst, nibble its Dark Chocolate Clementine Bar or for a truly sweet
treat, unpeel its Bananas Bar. Other craft chocolate indulgences include its Extra Dark and Milky Coffee varieties. Each bar is hand-finished and stitched into
an envelope.
Heavenly Chocolate Emporium
It has been over 20 years since Heavenly Chocolate Emporium first opened its doors in Llandeilo. Here, the inventive team handmakes all its chocolate products within the Carmarthenshire premises. For something substantial to bite into, unwrap a bar of Dubai Chocolate Pistachio, White Chocolate Cranberry Orange or Dark Chocolate Nuts and Seeds.
Heavenly! heavenlychocolates.co.uk
Mr Holt's
At the enchanting heart of the Isle of Anglesey, family run Mr Holt’s Chocolate Factory creates high-quality, affordable chocolate bars. While modestly priced, their charmingly Welsh-named bars still pack high cocoa content for a richer, more authentic chocolate experience just like chocolate used to be — a welcome reminder of chocolate before shrinkflation and corner-cutting took hold of the big brands.
Discover the classic milk chocolate Clasur, zesty orange chocolate Iago, creamy white chocolate Elin, or indulge in a host of fantastical treats in their Selection Box. And if luck is on your side, you may even uncover a coveted Golden Ticket to win a Chocolate Factory Experience.
Sarah Bunton
Seeking something out of the ordinary for your nearest and dearest? Award-winning Sarah Bunton whips up a spectrum of novel chocolate gift s at her
Welsh Chocolate Workshop near Devil’s Bridge in Pontarfynach. Wrap up her Jelly Heart, Eton Mess or Banoffee artisan chocolate bars or tie a ribbon round a box of Chocolate Flowers or Logs. Perfect presents...
The Pembrokeshire Chocolate Company
Recently launched, this small-scale Haverfordwest chocolatier prides itself on its slow production and attention to detail. For a true taste of Wales, tear into a bar of Belgian Milk Chocolate Welshcake or Belgian Dark Chocolate Seaweed. Also worth lingering over are the Clementine Crunch and Dark Salted Caramel.
Wickedly Welsh Chocolate
Among the best-known producers of luxury chocolate
is Wickedly Welsh. A nine-time winner at the Great Taste Awards, this Haverfordwest artisan has come up with a scintillating selection of fabulous flavours.
Among its bars are the likes of Raspberry and Vodka, Penderyn Welsh Whisky and Orange Marmalade. Also check out the Wickedly Welsh Medals, Bunch
of Daff odils and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers) Milk Chocolate Bar choices for those eager to pass on their national pride.
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