Choclatique: the Sweet delights of chocolate

If you are looking for something wonderful to share with loved ones in time for Valentine's Day, look no further. I have had the pleasure of trying treats from Choclatique many times and I must say that this company puts out an amazingly enjoyable product. You can't go wrong with them for Valentine's Day, or any other holiday. Is your true love in need of sugar free sweets? They got your Sweet Deceit!

They, by far, make the best brittle I have ever had, the best balance of salty, sweet, crunchy and nutty, which frankly, I could eat all day! It has 60% Spanish peanuts and also comes in a chocolate covered version (seriously though, the original is brilliant!) If you don't find this brittle addictive, you must be cracked. Really good brittle is hard to find, so if you really love the stuff, make this your go to.

White Chocolate, peach and pistachio gemstone

 When we get a box, the first thing I look for is always the Chocolate caramel in dark chocolate with the signature logo dusted in gold. I want to get this creamy bite of heaven before my other half does! Choclatique also has gifts for the gluten free, the baking impaired, Gemstones for your birthday (like the beauty pictured above) and very soon will be releasing a cookbook by co-founder Ed Engoron!

One of the greatest things about Choclatique is their support of those in need: four times a year they donate to help save injured and endangered elephants and support this marvelous film "The Eyes of Thailand". So four times a year you can buy yummy treats and support a great cause. Or you can donate directly to help save endangered elephants!

 The Elephant is my favorite treat created by Ed and Joan, a glorious mouth of chocolate in a small brick with a beautifully detailed elephant on top. The flavor profile changes as you bite it, allowing you to fully experience the terroir of the cocoa, which is frankly astounding. Each bite is slightly different than the last, allowing you to experience chocolate as you may never have before. 

If you are in the Bay Area this April, be sure and catch up with Ed and Joan at the world famous Chocolate Salon, where they and many other chocolatiers will be present to share their magical sweet treats the moment you come through the door!

All photos courtesy http://www.choclatique.com/

Sir Francis Bacon Brittle

After being told by Ed of Choclatique not to miss out on this, I made sure to hunt it down at the Fancy Food Show. Sir Francis Bacon Brittle does it right: crunchy, peanuty and just the right amount of slight smoky bacon to make it tasty rather than scary.

They even have little chocolate covered bacon brittle bites for the chocolate lover. I love these yummy decandent little bites of wonderfulness!

SF Chocolate Salon: The Review

The SF Chocolate Salon was a fun and interesting revalation. I learned that cacao grows in Hawaii, and is being used by such wonderful chocolatiers as Chocolatique and Guittard.

I now know that while I like Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, the chocolate bacon bar left me wanting.

I discovered that there are some amazing chocolatiers here in the Bay Area and you will find out, too, as at least two of them have agreed to be interviewed!

For sure you need to check out:
Poco Dolce Toffee Squares

So Cola's Strauss Butter and Cream Filled treats, esp the Burnt Baby Burnt

Edible Love's amazing Absinthe and Elderflower (oh and a host of other delights, which we will discuss further!)

For your cookbook needs hit up the wonderful ladies of Omnivore, as Celia has collected so many she had to open a store!!

Coco-Luxe, very popular here at Kitchen Magic, will be adding wine to the tasting room for pairings, from 122 West Winery, which we look forward to enjoying.

All in all, the salon was a wonderful experience, though I did have a few minor issues: in the future I would like to see it more organized, as people were cutting in line and causing a bit of chaos.

And two I wonder if would be possible for people to not stand directly in front of tables once no longer tasting? That too would help speed things long.

I certainly look forward to more events from the gang at TasteTv!