Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
I prefer not to think of them as "problems" but as "challenges" though I understand Art's position on this.
Forum Activity for @Clay
Posted in: Opinion
I prefer not to think of them as "problems" but as "challenges" though I understand Art's position on this.
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
"The problem with chocolate, is that every step is the most important step." - Art Pollard interview with Park City, what an understatement!
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
I was recently sent this little-known by Alexander Pushkin. It was written shortly after he was advised to abstain from chocolate (for the sake of his health!). Perhaps he should have changed his doctor instead.Requiem for a Chocolate PralineI loved you, and I probably still do,And for a while the feeling may remain ....But let my love no longer trouble you,I do not wish to cause you any pain.I loved you; and the hopelessness I knew,The jealousy, the shyness - though in vain -Made up a love so tender and so trueAs may God grant you to be loved again.
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
As well as a passion for chocolates I also have a passion for chocolate quotes. I have been collecting them for many years and will be publishing book of them soon. Most of the quotes will be my own (amusing images, definitions, and insights), but I'm also flavoring the book with quotes from others, as well as with illustrations that demonstrate the power and allure of this superb confectionery. Here's a taste of things to come:"Significantly, in pronouncing the word 'chocolate' the lips are pouted as if to kiss.""Hope that one day this ecstasy comes over you - you see the world from afar and it is a truffle.""Whoever said the best things in life are free was obviously not a lover of top quality chocolates."CHOCOMANIA: The condition of being enthralled by chocolates. the fact that it cannot be cured should not necessarily be seen as cause for concern.
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
I love that Sandra Boynton one! I have her "Chocolate: A Consuming Passion Book", it's too cute!
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
First you consume chocolate and then chocolate consumes you.(anonymous)Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate.(Sandra Boynton)All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!(Charles Schulz)Covering things in chocolate is what sets us apart from the animals.(Cybele)
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?A. Because no one wants to quit.
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
"There are four basic food groups, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles." (Anonymous)
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
"You know you're a chocophile when an entire shelf of your pantry is nothing but chocolate products- with a quick rotation" - ChocoflyerPS- I keep all mine in a large plastic storage bin for freshness and organization- one stop snacking!
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
"Chocolate- the more you share, the more complete you become" - from a Dove Promises message
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
"Never mind about 1066 William the Conqueror, 1087 William the Second. Such things are not going to affect ones life but 1932 the Mars Bar and 1936 Maltesers and 1937 the Kit Kat - these dates are milestones in history and should be seared into the memory of every child in the country. " Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Quotable Quotes
Posted in: Opinion
This is a forum thread where we can share our favorite quotes about chocolate.
updated by @Clay Gordon: 04/15/15 12:52:32
Importing Belgian chocolate
Posted in: News & New Products Press
Hi,Does anybody think importing Belgian Cote D'or "baton" and "bouchee" is a crazy notion? and would it be a viable option?
updated by @myriam: 03/11/26 06:20:34
Chocolate and Health News
Posted in: News & New Products Press
I just found this thread about health too. (It's amazing what the Search function can turn up
Chocolate and Health News
Posted in: News & New Products Press
This forum thread is for news articles and other online resources about chocolate and health. This thread serves as a collection point for all of those references that don't need a forum thread or blog post of their own. Please reply to this original post (unless, you want to comment on a specific entry, in which case, reply to the entry).
updated by @Clay Gordon: 03/11/26 06:20:34
Online Chocolate Sources
Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE
Thanks for the offer on the Young Turks. I already have a couple of Amano (love the Ocumare) and Askinosie, so I'm hesitant to buy more of them.I'll see if I can mosey over to Venice one of these days to see what they have. (I'm sure lots of other good things to distract me in addition to the Taza.) And then just pony up all the delivery charges, I guess.
Online Chocolate Sources
Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE
Cybele:AS near as I know Steve DeVries does not generally allow anyone else to sell online. I managed to convince him to let me sell the 72% Costa Rican as a part of my "Young Turks" collection, and I also have the 70% Patric Madagascar if you are interested.Taza appears to be available only from their web site although there is a place in Venice, CA that sells it: Market Gourmet 1800A Abbott Kinney Blvd.:: Clay
Online Chocolate Sources
Posted in: Classifieds ARCHIVE
I want to pick up a few bars that I can't find in my local stores, but I'd prefer to buy them all at the same place instead of lots of direct purchases from the makers.On my list at the moment are:PatricTazaDeVriesDoes anyone know of a webstore that carries any/all of these?I usually order from Chocosphere, but they don't carry these small brands yet.
updated by @cybele: 04/07/25 13:00:14
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
Test results came back as Medium/Dark (so very true) but admit I didn't think the questions would produce the right answer.
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
You can blend a dark chocolate (it doesn't have to be cocoa mass) with a milk chocolate to get a new percentage in a dark milk. The temper point may be a little different but I do it regularly.
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
I got classified as milk/dark. This was pretty accurate for me. I love dark but I also crave a good milk from time to time. In the past 30 minutes I have had both. A piece of Vosges bacon bar which is milk and a piece of 77% dark cuyagua from Venezuela which I made myself. Spot on!!
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
It turns out I'm a medium/dark. I believe this because of my love of Mexican chocolate.
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
I tested Medium Dark which is spot on. My favorite milk chocolate (with curry and coconut) is Vosges' Naga Bar. Pure heaven.
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
Test results: Medium Dark - prefer dark chocolate but occasionally eat milk chocolate.Accurate =)
Take The Chocolate Personality Test
Posted in: Opinion
Finally, a test you don't have to study for! Take the chocolate personality test .I tested one level down from "hardcore" dark. I do believe that there is such a thing as good milk chocolate and I do eat it on a fairly regular basis - so my answers to the quiz did a good job of predicting the kind of chocolate I like to eat.How about you? What's your chocolate personality and did the quiz provide an accurate assessment of your chocolate personality.
updated by @Clay Gordon: 04/22/15 18:46:15
Chocolate shops in Quebec, Canada?
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
Wow, thank you SO much for taking the generous time to reply with all this great info- I will certainly print it, use it, and can't wait to visit!
Chocolate shops in Quebec, Canada?
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
I used to live in Montreal, and right now am just about 5 miles from the Quebec border in VermontThere are a lot of good choices in terms of Quebec chocolates:A very nice artisan chocolate place in Montreal is:Les Chocolats de Chloe http://www.leschocolatsdechloe.com/ She does really lovely flavours and is very very high quality. The shop is in the middle of a part of Montreal called "Le Plateau" -- sort of the bohemian/artsy/yuppie part of town -- a great area to spend time running around and absorbing the atmosphereAlso highly recommended isGenevieve Grandbois - http://www.chocolatsgg.com/chocoan.html Very high quality chocolate, beautifully made, with great ingredientsHer main shop is also in the Plateau neighbourhood - but she also has an shop at the Atwater Market -- one of Montreal's great markets -- well worth the visit - my favourite is the Jean-Talon Market, but Atwater is also good.Also in the Plateau is Suite 88 Chocolatier - great chocolates with a really fun attitude. It is on St Denis street, which is the heart of Francophone chic Montreal -- it is a great shop and a great experience -- don't miss it! (Right next door is Brulerie St. Denis -- a great coffee roasting shop that is fantastic -- and the smell of their coffee roasting - they do it on site - is amazing)In the downtown area, I'd recommend "Divine Chocolates" on Crescent Street (sort of the English trendy street of Montreal, although not as snotty as it used to be). Their chocolates are more traditional Belgian style -- very nice. http://www.divinechocolatier.com/ Also on Crescent Street is a lovely shop - Chocolaterie Suisse - they import all of their chocolates from Switzerland.... they've got a nice selection. http://www.chocolateriesuisse.com/English.html If you enjoy pastries, absolutely do not miss "La Brioche Lyonnaise" -- it is a fantastic patisserie -- I gain weight just looking at their gorgeous display case. It is on the lower part of St. Denis Street ... below the Plateau, closer to downtown.There are a ton of small shops, bakeries, coffee places etc all over Montreal where you can get great chocolate baked treats, real hot chocolate, and a taste of Montreal -- it is fantastic to just wander around enjoying the atmosphere on streets like St Denis, Laurier, Mount-Royal, and St. Laurent .If you get the chance to go to Quebec City - there is a really nice chocolatier there, Eric Normand, he calls his place a "Chocolate Museum" but it is really basically a very very nice high quality chocolate shop -- he makes some really great innovative truffles and filled chocolates. http://www.chocomusee.com/contact_en.html Quebec City is a really nice place to spend a couple of days -- unlike Montreal, it is overwhelmingly French (97% or so) -- the centre of the city feels like an old medieval town, and all in all it has an extremely European feel.I've never been to the Bromont museum/ chocolate festival -- it is only about half an hour away, and I'll definitely check out the festival this year.Hope these help -- feel free to let me know if you need any more info planning your trip -- as you might be able to tell from my response, offering food advice about Montreal is one of my favourite things to do!
Chocolate shops in Quebec, Canada?
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
Thanx Clay- I also found not only a choc FESTIVAL but a choc MUSEUM too- in the little town of Bromont, about 40 miles from Montreal. Its in May this year- I cant afford to travel that soon but hopefully next year- im sure May is just a lovely time to visit Quebec!
Chocolate shops in Quebec, Canada?
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
I know that this is not the insider local tips, but try the following two searches: http://www.google.com/search?q=quebec+canada+chocolatier and http://www.google.com/search?q=quebec+canada+chocolate+festival When you find a result (a shop) that you like, Google that and you'll probably find some comments from a local.This page ( http://www.culture.ca/featuredarticle-articlepublie-e/chocolate-cho... ) also has a number of interesting links to shops and other festivals. If you make it to St Stephen in New Brunswick DO NOT miss Ganong Chicken Bones - one of my all-time favorites. You might be able to find them in Montreal, too.Although it might not make sense immediately, try this page for a list of exhibitors at a festival in November - some of them are in Montreal: http://www.salonpassionchocolat.com/Exposant.aspx?lg=A&Annee=2008
Chocolate shops in Quebec, Canada?
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
Im heading to Quebec in the next year for a tour of the area/province, and am compiling a list of all area chocolate shops- any suggestions? Ive also heard there's a chocolate festival there too- anyone been? Thank you- always good to get tips from locals!
updated by @Chocoflyer: 05/04/15 00:39:44
Review of the Oregon Chocolate Festival from an attendee
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
Photos of the Oregon Choc Fest have been added- take a look!
Review of the Oregon Chocolate Festival from an attendee
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
If anyone else reading attended this festival, please leave your comments/ impressions too! Thanx!
Review of the Oregon Chocolate Festival from an attendee
Posted in: Travels & Adventures
The 4th Annual Oregon Chocolate Festival was Mar 7-9 in charming Ashland, OR. A fantastic event, it featured chocolatiers from all over the state in a wonderful historic setting, the Ashland Springs Hotel. This adorable town is best known for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and is located about an hour flight from Portland, at the very south end of the state in the Rogue River Valley. PICS COMING SOON.Here is a list of chocolate vendors featured - there were also wineries, coffee roasters, and some other food vendors. Also a mini orchestra and outdoor wine/beer garden- really an elegant affair! We got lucky with clear blue skies, spectacular weather. As a native Oregonian I was VERY proud of how our state came together for this, plan to return every year if I can (all the way from Florida now) Highly recommended to everyone!LILLIBELLE FARMS- choc covered Oregon berries/ decadent modern ganache/ trufflesBRANSONS CHOC- to die for Amaretto TrufflesEUPHORIA CHOC- going on 20+ years- woo hoo!BROWNIE SHOTZ- bite size choc covered browniesCARY'S- wonderful soft crunch toffee now avail in Whole Foods Markets nationwideDAGOBA ORGANIC- born and raised right here in Ashland- unique flavor barsTHE CHOCOLATE BEAGLE- truffles and custom cakesKEKAU CHOC- gorgeous chocs with very modern twist of flavorsLULUS RAW CHOC ALCHEMY- gourmet raw chocolate delights, nothing artificialCHERRY COUNTRY- choc covered dried organic Royal Ann cherries and nutsMAJESTIC CHOC- full spectrum of hand made chocsSILLY RABBIT CHOCOLATE CO.-cute bunnys hopping all over with trays of chocs!TWO BROTHERS FOOD CO. - decadent choc sauce (wouldnt know by the name)WILLHITE CHOC- hand made ganche filled trufflesSOS PEAR STATION- famous Oregon pears covered in choc saucePUDDIN RIVER CHOC- full spectrum of hand made choc treatsPETE'S GOURMET CONFECTIONS- choc dipped homemade marshmallowsPENNINGTON FARMS- choc chip cookies, brownies, jamsOn top of all the FREE choc samples, everyone had choc for sale at special festival discounts, and you are given a nice bag at the check in to collect all your treasures. The Fest tix are good for 2 days ($20 at door) If you decide to go, there are plenty of hotels and most offer a Choc Fest package with event tix and also half price to theatre at the famous Shakespeare Festival.There were also a full slate of chocolate seminars, a Gallery Choc Art Walk, lectures, kids activities, prize drawings,specialty gourmet dinner packages with local chefs, and plenty of local artisan chocolatiers to talk with one on one- everyone is very approachable, no pretentious ppl here....just GREAT chocolatiers celebrating what we all love!For the official festival website go to www.ashlandspringshotel.com
updated by @Chocoflyer: 05/09/15 03:05:11
Comparing the styles of Chocolate Makers
Posted in: Tasting Notes
Hi Brady,My cocoa butter, when I use it, is also pressed here at the Patric Chocolate facility, and from the same beans as the cacao used in my chocolate. Also, my roasting, so far, would probably be best classified as being on the low side of medium, but my intention is not to define myself with a certain style of roasting. I would rather focus on bringing the best flavor out of the cacao, and this leaves room for different roasting profiles in the future, depending upon the cacao.Best,AlanP.S. Nice seeing you at the Fancy Food Show yesterday.
Comparing the styles of Chocolate Makers
Posted in: Tasting Notes
Brady,Your disclaimer is well noted. Maybe for some makers it's too much to make generalizations about a trademark style. It does seem to me, though, that at least some makers have a characteristic style. To me Valrhona, Scharffen Berger, Hachez, and Amedei have each had a certain style for all of the chocolate I've tasted from them. (The first 3 I don't care for, but I love everything from Amedei that I've tasted.)
Comparing the styles of Chocolate Makers
Posted in: Tasting Notes
Olorin-For what it's worth (and I'm not sure it is worth much) I'm going to attach the spread sheet I had started rather than retype the entries individually. I'm very hesitant to post this but I did start this thread originally. I have some basic information I had put in a spreadsheet that maybe you or someone else could build on to attain our original goal. I've taken out a lot of information regarding flavor profiles as alot of people, and I'm tending to agree, find these generalizations inaccurate. Also, the data I have left could very well be inaccurate so be open minded. I'm finding it very difficult to connect the dots with basic information that I have. After talking to several makers individually, I have not found one to admit to any standard formula or process that they use to attain an identifiable characteristic as a maker. The answer by most is that they vary the process with each bean as needed. I imagine that is true and so I'm not sure how to further pursue this post. Going back to Hans' House Tour on thenibble, his narrative approach is alot more interesting and useful. The practices of the individual makers is quite different and interesting, I just think I've tried to simplify it too much with this spreadsheet comparison. Also, it is created in Microsoft Works Spreadsheet, so hopefully you can open it.
Comparing the styles of Chocolate Makers
Posted in: Tasting Notes
While I have to applaud the FCIA for what they are attempting to do, one reason I don't heartily endorse the organization (I am not a member and am not interested in the politics of organization) is that they consistently get basic facts either mixed up or totally wrong.The star above is just another example of getting things mixed up: it confuses chocolate makers (people and companies who make chocolate from beans) with what the French refer to as fondeurs - people or companies that buy chocolate from chocolate makers and then melt and mold that chocolate into bars and/or turn it into confections (truffles, bon bons, etc.).So I don't agree that the facets as presented are relevant to the discussion and contribute anything meaningful to a chocolate maker's trademark flavor and style unless we agree that:a) We are only talking about chocolate makers; andb) We agree that artistry and presentation do not contribute to the taste of a chocolate.For a chocolate maker, I contend that issues such as proper tempering and molding techniques fall under the Technical Expertise point and - if we're getting really technical (and we're just talking about chocolate makers) - Technical Expertise and Production Practices can be considered to be one and the same.For chocolate manufacturers we might consider reconfiguring the star thusly:1) Cacao Origin2) Post-Harvest Processing (which is usually beyond their control)3) Roasting Expertise4) Technical Understanding of, and Control over, Production Processes5) Non-Chocolate Ingredient QualityJust my $.02:: Clay
Comparing the styles of Chocolate Makers
Posted in: Tasting Notes
Since it's relevant to this discussion I'll put the info for the article " Five Facets of Fine Chocolate " here too. All 5 facets contribute to the maker's trademark flavor and style.And here's the star illustration of the 5 points too.
Comparing the styles of Chocolate Makers
Posted in: Tasting Notes
Theo BromaTo add to your latest list of categories I have two more: aging (a rarely mentioned process that several makers do) and equipment. As far as equipment, I'm wondering if we'd find any connection between companies who for example, all use the Universal.Company:Country:Ingredients:Roast:Conching time:Fermentation:Aging:Equipment:Characteristic taste:Characteristic style:Misc:We could place each entry individually with each post, just the way I started the discussion or we could make a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet would be easier but most people wouldn't open it. If we entered everything manually we could copy and paste things to a single list when we think we're done. I have information on several companies in my notes already but may not get time to start entering in the discussion for a few days.Brady