Chocolate Week - 11th to 17th October 2010

Chocolate Week is almost upon us and there are a number of very exciting events taking place all over the United Kingdom. Take a peak at the Chocolate Week website for further details of some of the brilliant events coming up over the next few days.


I've picked out some of the events that I think deserve a little mention.


Divine is sponsoring this celebration of chocolate for another year and has events going on throughout the week and across the United Kingdom. 


If you're in Brighton why not pop along to the Terre a Terre vegetarian restaurant on 13th October.


Rococo are putting on a blindfolded chocolate tasting which sounds amazing and difficult! To quote the website, "A higher level of chocolate tasting! By using only four senses you will be transported by smell, taste and your memories." This takes place on 14th October from 6pm, booking essential. I have to say that Rococo Chocolates are involved in loads of events going on, some from just £5.00!




In celebration of Chocolate Week, The Botanist on Sloane Square is offering a limited edition luxury Chocolate Afternoon Tea. There will be plenty of chocolate treats to choose from including homemade chocolate chip scones served with Devonshire clotted cream, chocolate lavender tart, chocolate cherry roulade, chocolate brownie, a peppermint slice and chocolate delice. If you have the space then there's a selection of Rocco chocolate truffles on offer. To wash all this down you can choose from a pot of Jing tea or the Botanist's acclaimed hot chocolate made with chocolate flakes and served with a Rococo chocolate stirring stick. At £17 per person this is pretty reasonable.

If you're in Chelsea next week pop into Demarquette Fine Chocolate where they are offering 'Buy One Get One Free' throughout chocolate week. Why not meet Marc Demarquette in the chocolate department at Fortnum and Mason on 14th October from 13:30 to 17:00 and sample some of his chocolates.


There are just too many events to mention but visit the Chocolate Week website and you can simply choose events in your area. Nothing in Essex though!


Whatever you do have a fantastic Chocolate Week!

Vietnamese Milk Chocolate from the Ben Tre Estate

As with the dark chocolate previously reviewed on this blog the milk chocolate has also been extremely well received and won a three-star gold medal at the 2010 Great Taste Awards.


There has been considerable work conducted in Vietnam over the past few decades to help get cocoa production off the ground and it seems to have paid dividends especially in terms of quality. Several companies including Cargill have helped with the expansion of the fledgling cocoa industry in this country. 


The Packaging: The milk chocolate bar has been packaged in exactly the same way as the dark but with a slightly different color. The packaging is minimal and the eye is drawn to the important information written on the paper wrapper. When you purchase this bar you are donating £1 to Action Against Hunger. 

According to the Action Against Hunger website there are 6,000 aid workers in 60 countries around the world providing food, security and sanitation to 4 million people. 


This is a great idea and it will be interesting to find out how much money is raised from the sale of these bars.




The Chocolate: The presentation of the bar is simple but effective. The chocolate melts quickly and has a smooth texture from the cocoa but it's not too strong and its not too sweet which is good. Overall a very well balanced milk chocolate.

Ben Tre Milk Chocolate 40%

Ingredients: Vietnamese cocoa solids, cocoa butter, dehydrated milk, sugar, natural vanilla, soya lecithin.


Overall a good bar of chocolate and I give it 8/10 mainly because the dark chocolate from my perspective was the better of the two. 


The bar can be purchased on line from www.demarquette.com at £3.40 + VAT + postage and packing. Stock up and buy several bars!