Blog

Chocolate and Wine Pairing

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:33:00 GMT

You've heard of cheese and wine... now consider... chocolate and wine. Combine milk and dark chocolate with the wine for the ultimate taste experience!

Competition Winner!

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:21:00 GMT

Competition Winner Announced!

Thanks for all the entries to our "Win a giant egg" competition. The winner was Glen Hutton from Suffolk. Glen said winning the egg was a magical start to Easter and that his daughter was looking forward to sharing it with him. I hope Glen managed to get a look in on it!

Congratulations Glen on your win and to everyone who didn't win, watch this space for a new competition soon!

Win a Giant Easter Egg!

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:26:00 GMT

Win a Giant Egg worth £65 - competition now closed!

This giant chocolate egg weighs over 2kg and is about 40cm high (that's about 300 bites or 600 nibbles depending on how you eat your chocolate!). Either way there is plenty of delicious creamy milk chocolate here to keep the whole family or office happily munching for a while.

To be in with a chance to win just sign up for our newsletter here. Simply fill out the form with the message "pick me!" in the subject line. That's it. We will pick one winner from all the entries on the 3rd April and send them the egg. Good luck and Happy Easter!

small print:

To enter you must opt in to our newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time. We won't give your details to anyone else, promise. Open to UK residents only. The egg will be sent by courier and will need someone in to sign for it. We hope it will be delivered before Easter but can't guarantee as it will be delivered by a 3rd party.

The History of Chocolate

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:11:00 GMT

Discover the history of chocolate on our infographic timeline -- all the way from the Mayan Indians, to the exciting and delectable chocolate treats that we create today.

Is chocolate an aphrodisiac?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:29:00 GMT

Chocolate is an aphrodisiac and makes you feel good! Hooray! We all know that right? But why is that and is it true? Is there something in chocolate? The quick answer is yes, there’s lots of chemicals in chocolate, and there’s a huge amount about the subject knocking around if you care to look.

I’ll make no attempt to duplicate that here however as most of it is contradictory, controversial and confusing…..

As a bit of a scientist though I’ve always had an interest in the chemical side of chocolate and feel it would be rude not to share some of the fun bits here. So here goes with my potted guide to chemicals in chocolate and their possible effects.

Theobromine – chocolate is rich in this natural stimulant cousin of caffeine, just don’t give it to dogs. Chocolate also contains regular caffeine too.

Phenethylamine (PEA) – Alleged to be responsible for some of the pleasurable feelings chocolate gives because it releases enorphins (our natural feel good chemicals) in the brain. PEA is also released by the brain when people are falling in love so one thing leads to another and before you know it eating chocolate is like falling in love… Sadly though, some research suggests eating PEA is no good as your body gets rid of it before it does anything. Bah humbug to that!

Cocoa butter – more a fat than a mysterious chemical, but none the less responsible for chocolate melting so seductively in the mouth (or anywhere else for that matter)

The chemical list goes on and on as chocolate contains over 300 different substances and we don’t know what they all do. It is however a well known fact that giving chocolate gifts brings great joy to loved ones and that if you believe something is an aphrodisiac then it will probably work like one anyway. So who cares if the scientists can prove it or not, if your loved one loves chocolate then what better time to treat them than on Valentines day!

Christmas Free Chocolates Offer

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:21:00 GMT

CHRISTMAS OFFER!
Now is a great time to buy your Christmas chocolate gifts online. James Chocolates has a range of festive chocolate treats for all the family.

Spend over £50 online and we will treat you to a free pack of Christmas Pudding Discs (worth £5.50). These delicious discs of high cocoa milk chocolate are infused with festive spices and topped with succulent dried fruits including luxurious cherries and caramelised pecans.

Don't forget there's free delivery on orders over £35 too!

Great Taste 2011 award winners

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:36:00 GMT

We are chuffed to bits to have won 5 awards at the great taste awards this year, including two coveted 2** gold! These annual awards are the "Oscars" of the food world and are independently judged by a panel of food experts.

Our awards this year went to:

2 gold stars - Lemon & Pepper Discs. We have always felt these were a great combination and so are delighted they have been recognised with an award now. The tangy lemon helps counteract the sweetness of the white chocolate and the pink pepper gives a fragrant, spicy depth and interesting occasional crunch to the smooth chocolate.

2 gold stars - Coffee & Caramel Macaroon Discs. These exciting new chocolate discs were inspired by a visit to the Macaroon stores of Paris. The combination of our rich dark chocolate with "Grumpy Mule" coffee and a yielding almond praline filling with caramel wowed the judges over sufficiently to win 2 stars.

1 gold star - Moroccan Mint Discs. Inspired by sweet mint tea from Morocco, these are made of cocoa rich Venezuelan milk chocolate blended with mint oil and Demerara sugar. The judges commented these had the perfect amount of mint in a very good milk chocolate.

1 gold star - Vanilla Praline Macaroon Discs. Another award for our new Macaroon inspired chocolates! These white chocolate discs infused with real vanilla are sandwiched with a nutty hazelnut chocolate filling. Heaven for sweet toothed chocolate lovers.

1 gold star - Caramelised Orange Bar. The combination of caramel and orange is a classic winter flavour which is partnered with dark chocolate in this bar. The crunch of caramelised toffee and tang of orange pieces is sublime with the smooth dark chocolate.

FREE taster pack!

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:09:00 GMT

Here at James Chocolates we are passionate about food, and summer is a great time to try new things with loads of lovely fresh ingredients just waiting to jump onto the barbie.

We just love to try new combinations and ingredients and these often inspire our chocolate creations.

Whilst some people don't think summer is a time for chocolate, we believe its more about choosing the right combinations and occasions. So here is our pick of summer chocolates, what inspired them and when to enjoy them:

Moroccan chilli sardines- these little fellows are dark chocolate marinated in Moroccan spices. Inspired by spicy North African cuisine and spurred on by the success of chilli chocolate over the past few years we tried this unusual combination and found it to be a winner. The infusion of cinnamon, cumin, rose, sesame, orange and chilli makes them a warming spicy treat ideal to enjoy sat around a campfire gazing up at a starry sky.

Raspberry truffles - these fruity chocolate truffles are made with real pureed raspberry and a splash of balsamic vinegar. The combination of dark, syrupy Balsamic vinegar with deep red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries works well as a summery dessert and we couldn't resist trying it with chocolate. In these truffles the Balsamic vinegar stays very much in the background but brings out the fruit flavour of the raspberries. A fruity, indulgent treat at any time! Award winning - 2 gold Stars Great Taste 2010

Strawberry & black pepper bar - Strawberries and pepper is a classic combination in which the pepper lifts and deepens the strawberry flavour. White chocolate works perfectly we think as it allows the flavour of both the strawberry and the pepper to shine through. This little bar is ideal to enjoy on a sunny afternoon (maybe even chopped up and scattered on an icecream sundae). Award winning - 1 gold star Great Taste 2010

Moroccan mint discs - Mint and chocolate is hardly a new combination but this one was inspired by sweet Moroccan Mint tea and we think stands out (and so do the judges of the Great Taste awards as they have just given it a gold star). We take a cocoa rich Venezuelan single origin chocolate and add some sweet Demerara sugar and mint oil to create these gourmet minty masterpieces. They are ideal enjoyed as a little after dinner digestif (or pre bed-time treat!).

Lemon & Pepper discs - Fragrant pink peppercorns are often partnered with zesty lemon and we felt this combination would be great with creamy white chocolate. The tart lemon helps counteract the sweetness of the white chocolate and the pepper adds a little twist. A refreshing combination delicious enjoyed after a sunny picnic. Award winning - 2 gold stars Great Taste 2011

To get your hands on a free taster pack (worth £10) of all these lovely chocolates just spend £15 in our online store. Offer expires at the end of August. Gift pack will be sent with the order.

Tennis anyone?

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:19:00 GMT

It’s Wimbledon week so I’m told (and you can’t really help but notice with tennis everywhere you turn). But I have to confess, it’s not really my cup tea. No, that’s right, I’m not a fan of tennis – endless hours of watching a ball go from side to side just sends me to sleep. Yawn, yawn….

But Wimbledon is known for something else though that I am a big fan of: Strawberries and cream. In a bowl with a sprinkle of sugar if they are a little sharp. Or strawberry jam and clotted cream with scones. Mmmm, yum. Now that’s my cup of tea!

And strawberries and chocolate of course make a wonder partnership too. Here at James Chocolates we serve this double in our gold award winning strawberry and black pepper bar- the subtle pepper in the background brings out the fruity strawberry. In the words of the Great Taste judges: “The flavour of the strawberries are lovely and vibrant and the chocolate has great creaminess. There is a kick from the black pepper, which cuts through the sweetness and works really well.”

So rather than watching tennis on the telly this weekend maybe I’ll listen to Pilton Pop festival (or Glastonbury as its more commonly known) whilst munching on a strawberry bar. In fact if I stick my head out of the window, I think I can just about hear it now….

Rainy Day Cakes Recipe

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:28:00 GMT

Another rainy day and what to do with the elflings? After a wet splashy walk through some muddy woods, what better way to entertain than making something easy and chocolatey. Here is a recipe for my Rainy Day Cakes which are a cross between rocky road and rice crispy cakes. These are gooey and quite rich but are easy to make and very variable - even making a good adult after dinner nibble with suitably adult ingredient substitutions. The word "recipe" is perhaps stretching the point a little as these are little more than a group of ingredients mixed together and can be varied according to what is on hand. Ideal then with little ones as they can get involved in choosing ingredients, mixing, stirring, chopping, breaking and of course tasting...

50g butter 5 tbsp golden syrup 1 tbsp dark brown sugar 50g chocolate (broken up into pieces) 2 cups rice crispies 6 digestive biscuits (broken up) hand full sultanas hand full marshmallows hand full glace cherries halved hand full white chocolate drops

Method: Put the butter, golden syrup and sugar in a pan and gently heat to melt the butter. Add the chocolate and stir until melted. Place all the other ingredients into a bowl and mix together with the chocolate mix. Dollop into cupcake case or muffin cases, whatever is to hand. Decorate with more of the ingredients you used according to taste. Cool in the fridge for 30 minutes (or eat straight away with a spoon).

Other suggestions: Use whatever chocolate is to hand - milk, dark even flavoured chocolate like caramel or orange. Ditto with the biscuits - shortbread or amaretti are very good instead of digestives Fruit and treats can be varied according to taste and availability - try chopped apricots and smarties or mini eggs for example. A good adult alternative for after dinner nibbles would be to use crushed biscotti biscuits, chopped almonds, figs and ginger with dark chocolate.

James’ Cocoa Solids rant…

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:34:00 GMT

Why oh why oh why do people say things like “I only eat chocolate if its 75% cocoa solids or more…..”? You can guarantee at any event or tasting that I do that someone will say something similar. Would they say the same about wine? “I only drink reds that are 14% or more (alcohol)” I don’t think so! But they still insist on it with chocolate. I blame the cook book writers who tell people they must buy chocolate that is at least 70% for it to be any good. It’s just not the case anymore! Back in the day (when dinosaurs roamed the earth) it may have been a good indication, but these days you can’t tell the quality of chocolate by its cocoa solids.

Cocoa solids are an indication of how bitter or sweet a chocolate is likely to be. Higher cocoa solids = more bitter, lower is sweeter. But its only an indication, some 70% chocolate is quite mild and some 64% quite punchy. The type of beans, the way they are roasted, refined, conched and many other processes all affect the resulting taste of the chocolate. Above all when choosing chocolate it depends on your taste, what you may be eating it with and what you like.

When we are making a new chocolate flavour we will pick the chocolate that we feel works best with it, and its not always 70% dark. Some flavours combine really well with a creamy, rounded milk chocolate but would be lost with dark chocolate. Stronger flavours can work well with a bitter, high cocoa dark chocolate. Its all about balance, as when matching wine with food, choose the type that complements the other flavours. So next time you are choosing chocolate, don’t just look at the cocoa solids!

Firecracker!

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:56:00 GMT

We are very excited about our new flavour- a combination of Ecuadorian 70% cocoa solids dark chocolate with ancho chilli and popping candy. The first flavour that comes through when you taste this is the chocolate itself, smooth. Next comes the slightly smokey, fruity flavour of the Ancho chilli (a medium hot chilli from Mexico), then the kick of chilli and finally pop!!The candy comes in and fizzles happily away! Its proved hugely popular at tastings so far and we will soon be making it as a disc as well as the bar it is currently in. Buy now

Great taste awards 2010

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:03:00 GMT

James chocolates were pleased to win 2 awards at the great taste awards this year!

Strawberry & Black pepper bar won 1 gold star and the judges commented on the excellent balance of flavours “The flavour of the strawberries are lovely and vibrant and the chocolate has great creaminess. There is a kick from the black pepper, which cuts through the sweetness and works really well.” Just what we intended!

Raspberry & Balsamic truffles won an elusive 2 gold stars and the judges commented “Very unusual but it works……A clever combination of flavours and well executed” James says- “people often drizzle an aged balsamic on strawberries and other soft red fruits, so why not with raspberries and chocolate? The acidity and sweetness of the vinegar brings out the flavour of the raspberries”