Valentine's Day Chocolate Ideas

Valentine's Day Biscuit Recipe

It's not often that I indulge in a little self promotion or what one might call a 'selfie'. Don't be concerned there'll be no 'Miley esque' type sleazy twerking going on!  

Some might call it bragging. But, I don't expect to be invited onto a TV talkshow anytime soon, we live in hope! So, why not use my blog to peddle my own wares. 

What is the point of a blog if you're not going to advertise and promote some of your own hard work and I have been working hard. Especially, when I've written so many words about other chocolates and chocolatiers over the past few years. A few self-centred words of self promotion or 'puking' as it's often referred to, won't be too risque.

Ok, so now I've got that of my chest let me tell you about some of the lovely Valentine's Day gift ideas that we have lined up for you this year.......

Valentine's Day Chocolate Hamper £27.50

At The Chocolate Truffle Company we only use good quality chocolate from around the world, including Venezuela, Peru and the Dominican Republic to produce our delicious chocolate goodies. We've spent many years trying different varieties of chocolate and have found these to be the most appealing in terms of taste and texture. The Valentine's Day Chocolate Hamper is certainly for the chocoholic lover including decadent handmade truffles and solid chunky chocolate heart shapes . The hamper is only available for local delivery to CM1, CM2 and CM3 postcodes.  Visit my Facebook page for more information.

If you want to be more discerning and perhaps specific in your choice for your loved one then we have some delicious items online for you.....

Where there is love, there is chocolate...

Lollipops!

Handmade Champagne Truffles!

When ordering online why not take advantage of our special promotion code and save 10% just enter the word PERK10 as you checkout. Ta dah!

Champagne is always popular on Valentine's Day so why not visit our friends at The Real Champagne Company who provide an excellent range of artisan champagnes that you'll not find on the shelves of your local superstore. Why not try a bottle of Perron Beauvineau Cuvée Elixir Extra Dry, I highly recommend it.

The REAL Champagne Company

Chocolate Bunny - Marks & Spencer

Its all been happening in Chelmsford this week.  A deer runs through the town centre knocking a pedestrian to the floor and Simon Burns, Minister of State, Department of Transport, declares that he spends £80,000 per year on a chauffeur-driven ministerial car to and from Westminster.  Surely, a First Class rail ticket to Westminster would be more cost effective?  Simon defended his use of a government car by stating that he had classified papers that he needed to work on.  Isn't the Minister aware that there must be hundreds, no thousands of business men and women carrying sensitive documents to and from work......Simon, they use a briefcase and it has a lock. You must try one. 

It wasn't a wild rumor after all! Marks and Spencer has already started selling their Easter range of chocolate novelty items. The tins of Quality Street are still only half full and chocolate Easter eggs start appearing on the shelves! 

So, having waited patiently in the 'Returns' queue at my local Marks and Spencer's for far too long I decided a little treat was in order. 

Foiled Bunny

Described as a 'hollow milk chocolate bunny, weighing in at 180g. Priced at £5.00 or £2.78 per 100g. Wrapped in 'Easter' green foil, easily detachable bow and fluffy tail. All very cute!  In my opinion this is Marks and Spencer's take on the famous Lindt Gold Bunny.  Tesco is currently selling 3 Lindt Gold Bunnies for £1.20. At 10g each this makes them £6.00 per 100g.  Alternatively, you can buy a 200g Lindt Gold Bunny for £4.49 or £2.25 per 100g plus shipping from Lindt direct and your bunny comes with a little red bell.

30% cocoa solids

Unfortunately, my bunny looks like it has met a blunt instrument head on! I was very careful with bunnykins but, alas he has sustained a bit of damage and perhaps some outer packaging would have helped.  But, hey its going to be broken where its going!  None of the features are highlighted so the overall presentation is a bit plain and flat.  Interestingly, the chocolate is made in the UK but ribbon and fluffy tail are made in China.  Can't we make anything in our own country anymore?

The figure is well made with an even spread of chocolate throughout. Whilst the chocolate is sweet it is not overly sickly sweet and cloying.  Made with dried whole milk it has a smooth and velvety feel with an enjoyable caramel flavour.  An tasty piece of chocolate but, perhaps slightly expensive for what it is.  Some hidden chocolate treasures hidden within the bunny would have made its £5.00 price tag more attractive. Overall 6/10.

Posted by Richard.

Cinnamon by William Curley

Before the onset of a serious dose of cabin fever and the imminent arrival of the next weather front, we made a hasty exit into the murk.  Seriously, there is only so much Christmas TV a person can take!   With more than fifty shades of grey clouds rolling in over the horizon we decided Thorndon Country Park was just a bit too far and headed for Galleywood Common instead.  What an insightful decision that was to be.  

I have visited Galleywood Common several times in the past and walked through and around it on several occasions.  I have always been struck by the white fencing that can be seen from the road at various points. It never dawned on me that Galleywood Common was once a racecourse. Doh! How did I miss that?  

Apparently, the vibrant and colourful sport of horse racing had been taking place in Galleywood for 176 years from 1759 to 1935.  Allegedly, it was one of the oldest racecourses in the country probably dating back to King Charles ll (1660-1680).  

Galleywood Racecourse

It must have been an extremely exciting place to visit with all types of gambling and prize fighting taking place including, cock-fighting, rat-hunts and dog-fights to name just a few.  There were also special booths set up around the racecourse where visitors could part-take of food, beer, some fighting before finishing off with a spot of dancing...not Strictly I'm sure.  

Thousands of people came to see the steeplechase meetings which must have had a huge economic impact on the local community.  

In 1803 the English were particularly concerned about being invaded by Napoleon so, a huge star shaped Fort with artillery batteries was set atop massive earthworks to keep the French at bay should they decide to pay us a visit.  Galleywood Church is the only church in the country to be built in the middle of a racecourse. Unfortunately, the money ran out and the racecourse closed and was sold to Chelmsford Borough Council in 1942.  Interestingly, racing could be set to return to Essex at Great Leighs racecourse in April 2013.......I wonder if they'll have any cock-fighting?  

All that walking and fact finding has given me an appetite for some chocolate. Not that I really need any after all those mince pies and slices of Stollen! 

32% Milk Chocolate

This particular bar of chocolate is produced and presented in the same style as William Curley's House Bars.  The outer packaging and thick gold paper is excellent providing a quality feel to the product.  This bar itself is described as, 'milk chocolate hinted with cinnamon, the delicate spicing adding to the caramel notes'. 

50g Milk Chocolate with a
hint of Cinnamon. £4.50

 The finish of the chocolate surface looks scuffed and scratched and I'm not sure whether this is due to the packaging or whether it was due to my poor photography skills?  The not overly sweet milk chocolate melts quickly with a smooth buttery mouth feel and caramel taste.  Unfortunately, after several chunks more I'm still trying to find the cinnamon.....not even a hint. 

Disappointingly, an indifferent bar of chocolate which didn't set the taste buds a bubbling. A hint of cinnamon is not enough....I need a nudge, nudge, wink, wink's worth of cinnamon! Overall 5/10. To buy click here.

Olympic Torch Arrives in Chelmsford

Moulsham Street 7am!

The Olympic torch was paraded proudly and sedately at times through the streets of Chelmsford, Essex today. 


It seems every torch bearer has their own way of enjoying the moment. 


Some choose to jog while others just amble along, with a big Cheshire Cat grin, holding onto the torch for as long as possible, which is probably what I'd do. Enjoy the moment!  

No 6 is all smiles

The procession drew big crowds to Moulsham Street, who even at this ungodly hour chatted animatedly to each other, drank cups of coffee, ate bacon butties whilst spontaneously waving Union Jacks, cheering, clapping and generally politely whooping with joy, if that's possible. 

Give me five or you're nicked kid!

Even the local crows were shocked, indignant at being woken from their slumbers, as Police outriders flashed their neon blues and fired up their whaling sirens in an effort to get the crowd going. Slapping the flesh with youngsters as they zoomed past...

Flames Kiss - Paul takes up the flame from No 6.

For a few brief minutes nervous and excited torch bearers took their place in history, be it only for 300 yards, proudly holding the Olympic torch. 


In a moment, they've passed you by and its time to go back to bed to dream of Murray possibly winning the final on Sunday...what a way to start the weekend!

Fellow T3 Drivers - Is this allowed?